Ray of Hope: Jason Ray

Peru, I Love You

Dear Friends and Family,


There are few times in one’s life that can be considered life altering. From my limited experience in this game of life, I’ve quickly learned that the mission field is a viable place for these “moments” to occur. There is something deeply spiritual about being far away from home while trusting God with our entire life. I’ve talked and written in my blog about wanting to make a difference in this world. I’ve expressed my desire to be on the battlefield of souls, fighting for the Lord’s cause. Now is the time to put my words into action. I’ve been given the opportunity to travel to Pucallpa, Peru from July 17th through July 25th. This trip means the world to me for many reasons, but unlike any trip I’ve taken, this is a medical mission trip. As many of you might already know, the Lord has recently called me into the medical field. I have a long road ahead of me academically, but these are the experiences that will be engrained in one’s memory for eternity.

The trip is being led by Dr. Gary Lee and Jerry Morris, president of Bridge Builders International. We will work with on-site missionaries, Kevin and Esther Eifert. We will stay in their home and set up the clinic at their church, Templo de Alabanza (Temple of Praise). Their school, the Peruvian/American Christian School is also at that location. The city where we will be stationed, Pucallpa, is in the Amazon rainforest, on the west bank bank of the Amazon River. This is in a very poor part of the country, where many people go a lifetime without having any medical attention. For all the complaining we do in America about the costs, I’m gladly reminded of how blessed we are to have 24/7 hospitals. We are truly blessed.

I am writing you because I am in need of two important things that are vital for this trip coming to fruition. Financial assistance and prayer. The total cost of the trip is $1,500. I’m doing my best to raise the funds, but I need your help. This is an opportunity for you to sew into a team that is expecting an abundant harvest. I can help be the hands of the body of Christ, if you will help be the purse. I ask that you only give as the Lord commands. If you are not moved to financially help me, than most importantly I ask that you will be in prayer for our team. I will ask for money, but I beg that you will pray. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to go into the Amazon and help change the world and it could not be possible without the prayer of thousands. I am asking and expecting that the people of Peru are overwhelmed with love. A love that they have never before seen. A love that opens the doors of their hearts so that we can pour more into them. The fact is: God loves us more than we can comprehend. If I can help just one single person come an inch closer to understanding this truth, every dollar and every prayer offered has become worth it. I don’t believe that I will have time to update my blog while I am out of the country, but I most certainly will write about my trip when I return (as well as pictures). Here is the link: http://www.stephenincollege.blogspot.com. My address is: 703 West 46th Street. Sand Springs, OK. 74063. Please make checks payable to: Bridge Builders International I greatly appreciate you. More than you’ll ever know.

Sincerely,

Stephen Cliff

Dear Teenagers

Dear Teenagers,

Considering that I’m seven months removed from my teenage years, I have complete knowledge about how to be a successful teen. Ok, maybe not. But I can give you my simple minded advice. I’m weeks away from becoming a “leader” at the youth facility that I attended during my teenage years. The youth group that molded me into who I am. The youth group that saw me mature and helped disciple me when I made mistakes. I’ve been through it and I can promise you that you will survive these hormone raging years. Looking back, I wish I could have absorbed more advice from someone in my current position. I wish I would have been less independent and more open. I would definitely take the time to read and process anyone’s “tips” to teenagers. Anyhow, here goes.

Love might be dangerous, but it’s worth it. Also understand that there is more to “love” than an infatuation. It isn’t about who the prettiest girl in your class is or who the best athlete at school is. To truly love someone, it’s a selfless act. Not what you receive, but what you can give. In a couple of years, popularity won’t be defined by how many people you’ve made out with. It will become about who is themselves and who is true. Then you might want some of those kisses back to share with someone who is sincere. You’re learning, have fun! Just remember that there is more to love than the butterflies and sweaty fingers.

School might be boring, but it’s invaluable. I remember some days in high school being “meaningless”. Although proving geometric proofs and balancing chemical equations might seem useless to you now, I promise you that one day you will actually have to use them again. So why not own your education now? Why just live for the grades that will get you into college one day? I’ve taken the advice from my elders, now take it from me: An education is the one thing that no one can take away from you. Therefore, don’t let it go to waste. In college, you don’t have tons of homework and you don’t have to wake up early. But the desire to learn in necessary. Start on it now.

They might seem uncool, but they are really just as interesting as you! You know what I’m talking about. The kids who might be “weird” or “different” that you walk past every day. You look down and hope that they don’t speak to you. If you’re avoiding them then you’re ignorantly expressing that you think you’re “cooler” than they are, therefore if people see you speaking to them than you are less cool. I’ll let you in on a little secret; I bet $100 bucks that you could be the most popular person at school if you took time to talk to them. Your refusal to be associated with them only publicly displays your insecurities. Be confident in who you are and know that you’re the same person regardless of who you talk to or eat lunch with. Besides, you’re going to end up marrying a nerd anyways… Or end up working for one.

Forgiveness is hard, but it actually benefits you more than the offender. It’s been said that forgiving someone is releasing them from their bondage, than realizing that the prisoner is you. For me, I deeply struggled with forgiveness. I finally realized that when I refuse to forgive someone, I make myself miserable while they get to be happy. A person doesn’t need your forgiveness to continue with their life. Forgiveness shouldn’t be earned or lost. Trust is dependent on a person’s actions, but not forgiveness. Believe me, forgiving someone is the most freeing thing you can possibly do. Holding grudges is one of the most self destructive things a young person can do to themselves. Have you noticed yet that getting revenge always leaves you longing for a little more? You always end up wanting more revenge. Realize that it is obviously not satisfying you. Forgiveness can though. Just give it a try and see what I’m saying.

Don’t spread rumors, or you can be certain rumors are being spread about you. The people who actually want to listen to the rumors you are spreading more than likely won’t mind talking about you. A true friend stands up for what is right and noble. So what makes you think that a weak friend won’t talk about you when you’re not there? Your tongue is a powerful weapon that can do a great deal of damage to people. Trust is compromised when you spread rumors. As I’ve matured, I can say that trustworthiness is my most desirable trait in a girl. See the correlation? No, don’t avoid spreading rumors because an incredibly handsome man might like you… But avoid spreading rumors because it’s ultimately affecting other’s opinions of you. Trust me, trust is the most difficult thing to earn back.

Never take a breath for granted. Some of you might have already experienced the death of a good friend. You are not invincible and never will be. You might be so young, but tomorrow is never a guarantee. This isn't meant to scare you or be cynical, rather a reminder to live life to the fullest. Tell everyone you see that you love them. Because you truly never know when you or they might be gone and the chance to express your feelings will forever be lost. Your five word encouraging sentence could help change someones life. Just because you're young does not mean you must wait until your 30 to start expressing your feelings. Let your appreciation be known. Never give up on life. God placed you here for a purpose and your purpose started the minute you were born. Not when you grow up. Find that purpose.

I could go on. Want more advice? Let’s go to Starbucks and we’ll talk. Unfortunately, I must end because you’re tired of reading and I have homework to do. By the way, summer school < poo. The best advice out of everything: Reading Stephen’s blog will exponentially increase your wisdom and coolness for every minute you spend reading. Think about it.

Always here for you,

Stephen Cliff

Toasted

Let me give you some life changing advice. Advice that will bring you a lifetime of happiness and relief. Advice that will forever bring you peace and gratitude. Listen very closely. You don’t want to miss this. Never ever, under any circumstance, not even for large amounts of money, sit outside at a Driller Game at 2:00pm on an Oklahoma summer day for 3 hours. You will fry as quickly as McDonald employees can pop out those artificially flavored “french fries”. Considering I wore shorts and sat on a chair in the open blazing sun, my knee caps are seared beyond belief. It hurts to stand. It hurts to walk. It even hurts to circulate blood through my legs.

I’ve taken every step of action to prevent the constant burning sensation. I’ve taken a steaming hot shower and then took a frigid cold shower. I put aloe vera on the burns. Unsurprisingly, nothing worked. My mother then presented me with an obscure mode of attack that only a true Oklahoman could even imagine. She claims to have seen her farmer neighbor pour pickle juice all over his burnt arms. Pickle juice? Really? My miserating pain forces me to consider all options and agree to this bizarre idea.

She pours the refrigerated pickle juice into a cup and gently dips cotton balls into the acidic liquid. I brace myself for the science experiment that is about to take place on my own body. I’m always the one controlling the experiments, never actually the “experimental group”. As the first drip of pickle juice runs across my burn, thousands of nerve impulses overload their way up my spine into my brain alerting my nervous system that my mother has betrayed me and stabbed a dull knife into my skin. When I open my eyes to look at the point of my excruciating pain, I expect to see blood pouring out my body. No blood. Just a simple drip of juice trickling down my epidermis. I intensely stare deep into my mother’s soul as if saying, “Seriously”? My loud, girlish squeals must have frightened my mom as she becomes hesitant to continue the medical procedure. I grip the seat cushion and grunt at her to keep pouring the toxic poison on my sensitive, broiled skin. My father’s under-the-breath chuckles are not appreciated. I contemplate throwing the foul smelling pickle juice on him. Fortunately for him, I control my emotions.

The process is now over and I can honestly say that mothers always do know best. It ripped the pain right out of every pore in my knees. Now I must try to waddle to my bed so I can get a rough night’s sleep. Work comes in the morning. This will be a very, very interesting day at Keystone Equipment Company. Lord help me.