Serving My King in Leon, Mexico

just.a.reminder.

2008-12-01T13:38:00.000-06:00

Hello dear friends!
Today marks the near week and 1/2 mark for me returning to the states. I thought that I would just remind all of you that I would love to hug your neck at the airport when I return on the 11th of December at 2:10 pm.
I am craving a nice BBQ meal when I return, so if you would also like to join me and my family afterwards for that you are more than welcome to come to that also. I can't wait to see you all! Wow! Time flies like fans!! ~Megan

Time for Elections

2008-11-04T14:52:00.003-06:00

carboard testimonies

2008-10-30T10:31:00.002-05:00

News update: My grandfather who I blogged about last is now in a wonderful nursing home. It's nearly like a hospital except you can get to know the people and he says that the food is better. He is starting to eat again, but his body is so week he does not have the strength to keep his dentures in and so everything he eats is liquefied. It is a miracle that he is doing better and all of this is because of God.

I've been thinking for a while now of what I want to blog about. If you have the time, I promise it's totally worth it. It made me wonder what my cardboard testimony would be, and I'm still thinking about it. I thought that I could upload the videos on my blog, but apparently I can't. (all you need to do it go to www.youtube.com and type in cardboard testimonies.)

a.prayer.request.

2008-10-14T18:40:00.002-05:00

Hello again everyone! I just have a quick request for you to please pray for.
My grandfather (my mom's mom) is not doing well at all.
It's not a matter of "if " anymore but "when" for him. He is 91 years old, but the pictures I have of him in my mind are young. Most of all I want God's will to be done in this, but it has been hard because I think of what I want for him. He was put into an assisted living residence the middle of my AIM time. Now, he is declined to live in assisted living and will be submitted to a nursing home. He is rapidly decreasing day by day and refusing to eat, which is making him dehydrated, and is making a decline to do ANYTHING for himself. Since he is not eating or drinking, this is a sign that he is giving up.
Please, please, please keep this situation and my grandpa in your prayers. I would really apprecitate it.

I really like this quote...

2008-10-02T15:59:00.002-05:00

In every area of your life,

be generous when you don't have to be.

In relationships,

forgive freely, show kindness, and be gentle.

At work, give your best,

do more than is expected, and live with integrity.

In service to God's people,

give generously, serve willingly,

and lay down your life for the sake of the Lord.

Go the second mile!

The world sees us on the first mile;

they see Christ on the second.

~Dr. Melvin Blackaby

I Think It's Starting To Sink In

2008-09-21T23:13:00.003-05:00

I think this is going to be a little bit short, but I thought expressing myself through writing would help.
Lately my emotions have been on a roller coaster ride. Some moments I feel like I'm jumping through a field of daises and sunshine.... and then the next moment I'm depressed. I often catch myself asking "What is wrong with me?!"
I was sitting today in church by what I like to call my "Mexican Mom", Patricia. (She is my small group mom too, as I like to call it. She is so sweet and full of life and I love to talk to her because she has such a Godly perspective on life.)
I was trying so hard to pay attention to the sermon, but really all I could think about was how much time I have left here and how blessed I am to be here in Leon and sitting by Patty, and to have the church family that I do. And about how I feel like I want to just go home at some moments and then at the same time I don't want to leave!
I'm in a glass case of emotions!" as Will Ferrell says on Anchorman.
I kept telling myself how I am not going to cry over and over in my head.
After the service I went over to Annie, because no one was talking to her, and asked her for a hug. I don't know what it was, but my emotions couldn't take it anymore and heaven's flood gates filled my eyes. So to say the least I think it's starting to sink in.
Thank you, all of you, for making me have this opportunity... to make me feel the emotions that I have, and for me to get to meet and grow with my brothers and sisters in Christ here!!

Blessings

2008-08-28T10:59:00.002-05:00

So much has been going on lately, but not a good enough excuse for why I haven't blogged in nearly a month.
There has been so much going on I really don't know where to begin. I guess I will start out by how much God has blessed us over-abundantly with our work here in Leon.
I am currently working on a lesson to teach to the girls group next Monday. I am super excited that I get to teach, but I also seem to get the nervous feel when I teach. Please pray that God will deliver his words through me, for what he wants me to teach to the girls.
I am also helping Barb with another side ministry. She really works hard every week on preparing the lessons on Sunday for the teachers. Sometimes it gets overwhelming or she would like a little bit of help or some ideas from another person. She was so thoughtful in asking me, and I am so proud that she did too.

This isn't too much, but hopefully this shows you how much God is working all around us.

Prayers Please

2008-08-02T23:54:00.003-05:00

I have several prayer requests if you could please keep them on your heart.

1. The missionary family in Guanajuato (GTO) had a new baby boy born into their family today..

2. A family friend and my high school German teacher is undergoing chemo soon for treating her breast cancer.

3. Another family friend had a baby this past week that is premature and only weighs 1 lb. Although the 1st 24 hrs. are the most critical it is still holding on. Pray for strength, health, and growth, and peace for the family.

Words in Pictures

2008-07-29T15:56:00.011-05:00

Since I haven't blogged in longer than I thought here are some words in pictures.

The first week we celebrated our 4th of July by having a cookout and swim time at a water park right outside of Leon. (sorry, none of us brought our cameras, on accident!)

The second week churches from all over Mexico and Richland Hills hosted a VBS, Avalanche Ranch style, in Guanajuato! It was a blast and we even learned from it.

Starting off the day by singing

Prayer Time

This past week 23 of our youth, adults, and AIMers went to a National Youth Rally in Saltillo (a town outside of Monterrey). It was a fun and refreshing time to spend time together as a youth group, meet new people, and praise God with 1,000 other teens.

Our group

Breakfast and Morning Devotional

Preaching and Learning

And last but not least, you all mean the world to me. Your cards of encouragement, care pkgs., love, prayers, and support are such an encouragement to me! Let us never loose our faith and never loose the passion in working for our Lord.

Lesson Learned and Still Learning

2008-07-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

I found this video on my friend, Tana's blog. I got a kick out of it because I could see myself doing the same thing... or maybe I have! It makes me think of all of the things that apply with learning a language and all of the mistakes that I have made. Click on the link below and enjoy a laugh. Enjoy...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yR0lWICH3rY

Meals In The Bible at Wish I Could of Been At

2008-06-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

If you know me you would think that I don't eat that much. I don't know how, but it doesn't really look like I like food. Well it's a total lie of my body, I love food.
I was thinking yesterday (I think I was really hungry) about what meals in the Bible where I wish I could of been there.
These meals aren’t necessarily great or interesting because of the food itself, but more because of the particular settings.
-Breakfast on the Beach with Jesus–John 21
-Eating with Elijah when the Ravens delivered meat and bread twice a day–1 Kings 17
-Daniel and the gang when they refused to eat what God didn’t allow–Daniel 1
-Manna and Quail–Numbers 11
-The Last Supper–Matthew 26

What meals do you wish you would of been there?

Prayers and Thank You

2008-06-10T19:43:00.000-05:00

I would love you to please keep my entire family in your prayers. My grandparents on both sides are not in good health. Its hard being away from home, when you here things that aren't good to your ears, you want to be there so bad. Pray for my family to come to some conclusions and to resolve somethings with a Godly heart. Please also pray for me to have faith and peace. I want to be content and joyful in all circumstances.
My dad is also experiencing heart problems. He thinks his phone is vibrating in his shirt pocket, when its actually his heart! Weird, I know.
A praise!!! We are officially in our rainy season here, praise God. My allergies are experiencing joyfullness! It has been raining here for several days now, which is good because it really gives us a break from the heat. Although, it is rather strange to be wearing a jacket in the middle of June.

Thank you all for you love. May God give you his peace and abundance of love.

2008-05-26T10:13:00.000-05:00

Outside of our old house

A Lot Has Been Going On

2008-05-26T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been faithfull to this blog lately. When you recieve my newsletter in a couple of days and I also give you a run down here, you will see why!
2 weeks ago today my parents left from Leon. They came the 3rd of May and stayed for 9 days. It was refreshing to get to see them and for them to spend time with me in my work down here. They told me they didn't want me to cancel or reschedule any of my studies and normal daily activies because of them. They wanted to live and walk in the foot steps of what I do! In the free time that we didn't have things, we did the fun touristy stuff. Like going downtown, going to Guanajuato, the leather market, and the park. Like I said, I am so glad they came, and that God gave us the opportunity to do so.
The day after my parents left, we moved!! Since our contract on the house expired 3 months before, our landlord was graciously letting us pay by month until we found an apartment to rent! After the long look and work, we found an apartment accross the street and down the block from our old house. I praise God for everything that he did to get us this far. He deserves ALL the glory!
Not only did we move, the boys moved the same day! We both had to move out by a certain time. It happened so quickly and all at once, but it has all been great! If you can imagine moving furniture and items for 2 houses in 1 day... it wears you out!!
I think I just recovered from all the stress and lack of sleep from my parents being here to moving. We all love our new homes. And us girls especially, we feel that its more homey, because we don't have so much wasted space.
Thank you for letting me live in a country that spoils me and lets me share the Gospel. I would not be where I am today, if it wasn't for your prayers, care packages, and support. Love you all.

A Lot of Things

2008-05-02T19:47:00.000-05:00

I have been extremely busy lately and its why I haven't posted in a while! Things have been crazy here in Leon, and God is growing and blessing the work.
Here are a few things...
1. Tomorrow my parents are coming! I am super excited as well as they are too. I am getting to the point of counting down by the hour now. As of now... 16 more hours to go!
Please pray as they are traveling tomorrow. They are going to be worn out puppies when they get here, I just know it.

2. This past Monday we had a girls group that we have been doing for about a month and this past one I taught it. We had the biggest turnout of mostly everyone coming and I was extremely nervous, but could tell as much trouble as I had in saying things, God was saying it through me. I taught on the purpose of our individual lives. It was interesting and challenging for me to study and we had a lot of responses from the girls. Please pray for the girls and there hearts to be softened and for them to want to know God more.

3. Us girls are moving! Our contract on our house expired 3 months ago and our landlord has been nice enough for us to live for now monthly until we found a cheaper house or apartment. We are moving across the street and down the block. It has been a stressful, but overall a good process that we are excited about. Please pray for this situation also.

I know this is kind of short, but this is the shortest run down. Thank you all for your love and prayers. I think of all of you and keep you in my prayers. God Bless you all as He may fill your cup to overflowing!

Dirty and Clean

2008-04-22T19:15:00.000-05:00

(I don't know what I actually just did on the post before this, but there's nothing there. haha. That's me for ya'!)

Just wanted to tell you a quick thought that I think that we can apply to our lives at one point or another.
I was sweeping and cleaning our house yesterday. I couldn't believe how our house was so dusty and dirty, just without going 4 days without sweeping and mopping it!
My point is that this is like our spiritual lives. Especially like mine lately, which is hard to admit. When we don't saturate ourselves in His word daily and surround ourselves with spiritual things and take Christ out of the picture, things get dirty. Real dirty.
While our outside physical appearance we fix everyday and make things look perfect, the inside(spiritually) is rotting away.
I am so thankful that Christ washes us whiter than snow. You see, He is like the broom and mop, He cleans us up, polishes us, and makes us smell good with the aroma of Christ.

"First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

~ Matthew 23:26

2008-04-22T19:14:00.000-05:00

2008-04-09T21:33:00.000-05:00

My mom, my twin, my best friend <3

7 Things

2008-04-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of things about being a missionary and living in a foreign country. There are some things that you miss a whole lot and somethings that you love that you can't get anywhere you go. So here are my TOP 7 THINGS I LOVE AND MISS. (These are in no particular order.) In spite of all of the things that I miss, God is good and marvelous! He makes up for the negative.

THINGS I LOVE (about Leon):
1. Palm trees
2. GOOD food ANYWHERE you go
3. The people
4. My church family
5. My Spanish is improving!.... I think.
6. Mountains
7. Markets! Its like a mini mall!

THINGS I MISS:
1. Carpet
2. Recess Pieces
3. The look of home
4. Clean feet
5. My best friend, my mom
6. My family
7. Driving

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. ~Psalm 86:10

Break

2008-03-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of days I have been thinking of what to blog about. I still really can't think of anything. Maybe it will come later.
This past 2 weeks has been really layed back here. I have really never really experienced a spring break so relaxing to the point its almost bordem. Spring break and the Easter holiday is a huge thing here. Everyone usually goes to take a vacation and take off from work. So this past week has been quite relaxing. Of course my schedule is not normal but I have enjoyed spending time with J'Lae, since Annie and the boys went to the states. We took a little vacation and got to spend some nice quality girl time.
I hope that you have been enjoying yourself and taking a step back to see how God is working in you.

Times Like These

2008-03-11T14:10:00.000-05:00

Last night Annie and I were in a real movie mood. I was personally exhausted from a busy day but wanted to spend time with one of my friends that I cherish most. I know I won't have these moments forever. We have been really busy lately with our ministries and trips. I think sometimes we forget to take time for ourselves here.

I love it when I just get to relax and take it easy somedays. I used to have the mindset when I first got here that if I took time or did anything for myself I felt a scence of guilt almost like it was a sin to do anything for myself. I do not really have that mindset anymore even though I like to do things for others more than myself.

I am so filled with God's joy that He put me here for a purpose with my team.

Annie and I did watch Ice Age 2 and laughed ourselves almost to sleep until 1 in the morning. Love you girl.

An Invitation

2008-02-26T22:54:00.000-06:00

Well I am exhausted right now, but still have quite the list that I want to accomplish before I go to bed, and I have a bad headache. Sad.
Anyways, us girls got invited by a lovely young couple in the church on Sunday for dinner tonight. They are such a sweet family and I didn't know them well until tonight. It's hard to get to know everyone so well in the church and the way you want to, especially with a large congregation.
She fixed us one of my favorite meals, enchiladas! It was amazing and I ate four. Sounds like a lot, but it's not that much because the tortillas are small. But it still filled me up. We also played Chinese Checkers, which I have never played in my life, nor just the normal kind of checkers. It was a lot of fun and we even got to play with a lady that is living with them, since her husband died not too long ago, and she has been coming to church.
I pray that I can be a blessing to people and that God uses me as a tool in my ministry, the way people are a blessing to me here.

My Birthday

2008-02-23T11:27:00.000-06:00

Well, today is my birthday! Yay!
I got to sleep in a little bit and then talked to my parents on web cam. That was a real treat because they don't have Skype because their computer has problems. The girls want to take me out for lunch. But I can't really decide where. So I guess we will see.
Today is also the Ladies' Day at the church. I don't really have a whole lot planned as far as I know, but it wouldn't surprise me if the girls are up to something for me.
I do wish I could be home and do things with my family, but I know that this a chance of a lifetime and its also (not the easiest experience) a good experience.
Thanks for all your love and support through your letters and the care packages you all pamper me with!

Good Times

2008-02-18T13:58:00.000-06:00

Well... I think a lot has happened since I last blogged.

First of all we just got back on the 13th of Feb. from Mexico City. My team went down to visit the AIM class from this year for about a week. It was so good to see some of my close friends and my assistants. And also making new friendships and memories with them.

Also while we were there Donovan's family came down to see him and Annie's mom decided to surprise Annie by not telling her she was coming on the trip. It was quite exciting and they headed back with us to Leon to spend time with them and see our work here.

I am so excited for our new Leon team that is coming in May. They seem to be a great group and I can't wait to see what God is already planning for them. Even though I can see a lot of differences from our team and theirs, I can see that we are going to be a strong working family for the Lord. Please continue to keep them in your prayers and also the other teams that will be spread out into the world in just a few short months.

This weekend we hosted a Marriage Seminar for 2 days. It went really well and we had a positive turn out. The guest speaker was from Toluca, a city in Mexico City. It is the Rubio's supporting congregation, so a lot of people came from there and enjoyed seeing them.

The AIMers on the other hand babysat the kids and we had about 30 kids including us. I voluntered for cooking supper for them. I have to say it didn't turn out to what I expected, which is what God does anyways. He flips it around and makes it better.

The 1st night I decided that I would cook hot dogs. I started preparing them and getting everything ready before all the kids showed up. Turns out their was no gas! haha. So praise God that there was a microwave that the Johnson family left when they moved. It was quite interesting and took a long time to cook 40 hotdogs, but in the end it was worth it.

New Sister in Christ

2008-01-24T14:09:00.000-06:00

Just this past Monday we have a new sister in Christ! Praise God!

Donovan has been studying with her since the first of December. The last Bible study I filled in for Annie, who usually goes with Donovan to the study, because she was sick. I am so grateful that I went. I got to share my testimony about how I came to be a Christian and answer and give advice that she had. She is such a beautiful girl inside and out.

Please keep her in your prayers and she is facing the everyday challenges of being a young christian woman.

Sharing Memories

2008-01-19T12:19:00.000-06:00

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers as I went home for Christmas. My stay was better than I expected. I really enjoyed the times that I spent with my brother and my family. It was one of the best Christmas's. Thank you all so much.

On a different note...
Last night I went to the fair with Evelyn. All of us girls planned on going, but Annie and J'Lae could not go at the last minute because they were sick. But I decided to go anyways.
We were planning on going to see an Ice Skating show. But, when we got to the doors, they said that they were already packed and their was no more room. Evelyn and I were a little bummed, but that didn't stop us from wanting to have fun. We decided to go see a dolphin show. It was a lot of fun and I know that we enjoyed seeing it together.
Evelyn and her family are so special. I enjoyed sharing and spending these memories with her and I know I won't forget it.

All Praises Be

2007-12-19T22:02:00.000-06:00

Hola! I hope that this finds everyone well. Just a couple of things that I want to share with you...

First of all I am very excited and anxious to go home this Friday for Christmas! I was blessed with the exception by my coordinator to go home for Christmas.
It has been nearly 2 years since I last seen my brother. I am very excited to be ALL together as a family once again. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. I am not stressed or nervous about the flight, but I want my luggage to get home safely. And for the travel home from the airport to be good. Kansas is supposed to get more snow the night I come home. So please pray for me, my family, my luggage, and no delays.

Second, PRAISE GOD! We found out tonight that we are getting another AIM team in May. I am very excited as we are getting 4 girls and 2 boys!
I am very excited as I know what they are feeling right now. Please be keeping them in your prayers also! They will be here before we know it!

Thank you for your abundance of love and prayers. May God be with you always. Love you all!

What's been going on lately...

2007-11-27T14:34:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! I didn't really realize that it's been a while since my last post. I am sorry.
I hope that you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. Spending time with family is always an important thing in life.
My Thanksgiving was very good, but also very different. We had a glasses campaign the day after. 3 doctors from North Carolina came down to help us and a missionary family from a town (Guanajuato) 30 minutes away from Leon. Since we had 3 missionary families, all of us AIMers, and the doctors, we held it at the church. Everyone brought something to eat and I made 2 homemade chocolate pies. It wasn't as homey, but we still had a really enjoyable time stuffing ourselves and watching movies on the overhead projector. I miss my family more and more everyday. It was sad not getting to spend it with them. This was most of our first holiday spent away from our families. This was a bittersweet experience, but a growing one too.
As I mentioned, we had a glasses campaign on Black Friday. It went very well and very successful. The doctors also brought down donated glasses from their congregation. We had a turnout of over 250 people. We had different station that we worked at. Some asked people if they want to know Jesus and study, prescription filling and fitting glasses. From this mostly everybody answered that they wanted to study. My group was a the hardest and busiest station, fitting glasses according to their prescription. Everyone needed glasses, but it seemed like the ones who needed them the most didn't have them. I have very special memories now in my heart that I remember having conversations with people.
They were 2 stories that happened very similarly.
This one elderly lady was so happy that she was almost in tears. She only knew a little English. But what she knew she showed her love and the words she knew to tell me thank you more than once. I was about to move down the line to help someone else when she was leaving and she grabbed me a gave me a huge tight hug. Before I remembered that I had a camera, she left. The memory is still placed vividly in my heart.
Thank you more than ever for your prayers and support. Keep the faith and strive to be closer to Jesus everyday.

Straining For Whats Ahead

2007-10-29T23:32:00.000-05:00

Today was such a wonderful day. As it is always because my Father is so good to me.
It has really been choatic lately, but in a very good way. God has really been using me as His tool. My schedule recently changed from not having much to do to have many things on my plate at once.
I have been praying for quite some time now for the Lord to put a friend here in my life. Someone that will help me grow in ways that I can't imagine. So as the Lord always is faithful and loyal, He put a friend that I am starting to get attatched to more and more everytime I see them.
Masha several months ago told me that she wanted me to come with her to a Bible study. I told her that I have been praying for some time to do something like this.
So I went with Masha several weeks ago to study with this young girl around my age. She is so full of life and is so much like me.
I will be explaining more in my upcoming newsletter about her so stay glued. Its such a divine story in itself.

Also I do have a prayer request. My coordinator made the exception for me to get to go home for Christmas. We are not supposed to go home until after the first of the year. I explained my situation to him.
As some of you might not know I have a brother that I hold very dear to my heart. We are pretty close if I must say for brother and sister. He is in the Navy and has not been home for the holidays in 2 years. Nor have I seen him in under 2 years. Sometimes it seems so much longer that I haven't seen him.
God has made it clear to me that it is time for me to see him. God has also blessed me with the support to get to come home this year for Christmas.
Lately airline tickets have put a damper on somethings for me not getting to book sooner.
I would really appreciate it if you would keep the situation in your prayers as I am currently trying to book a ticket.
I really want the Lords will in every situation. So let us all run the race and strain for whats ahead.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. As well, I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers daily. It is so encouraging to know that brothers and sisters all around the world are supporting each other and making the harvest for God grow and mature everyday.

Sorry

2007-10-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!
I am absolutely horrible at keeping things up like this. I forgot that I had this thing for a couple of weeks for some reason and then when I remembered my life just got busier. Please forgive me. I will blog soon. So check back soon!
Love you all!,
Megan

Tough Week

2007-09-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

This week was really tough. It seems like I have been really down and not normal for myself.

I guess it makes it worse when you are sick. You feel like yuck, miss home, the memories of Lubbock, and everything else in between.

I also just found out last Wednesday that I have a stomach infection. I think that God has been telling me something lately that I just need to rest and spend more time with Him.

The up-side to this is that I have been craving to read and journal so much. Its like a wakeup call to you when sometimes you don't get the craving that you crave.

A couple of weeks ago I was reading about the vine and the branches in John 15. I love this chapter so much. I really think that God is really doing this to me in what he says here.

In verse 2 its says, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes. so that it will be even more fruitful."

Pruning will hurt, but you become better. Its like God is the gardener/farmer, we are the fruit that he plants. We will die, but God will take the seeds out of us, so that we can produce more good fruit.

I think that its such an amazing thought to think about. Its so amazing how God can really speak through scripture and you find a verse that just hits home. It's the Holy Spirit. It's like a gift, a gift from God. He gives it to you when you need it the most. You see He knows us better than we know ourselves! He knows what scriptures to feed us so that we can bear more fruit.

Everything that we have is HIS

2007-09-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to blog for several days now, but I seem to not find the time.
First of all I want to wish you Happy Mexican Independence Day! Today is Independence Day in Mexico. I will explain that later on.
Several days ago my Spanish class went to a movie. It was free and all of the churches in Leon were invited. It was a spiritual mindset movie. When our teacher, Tana, told us that the name of he movie was the Death Saint, I kind of freaked out. I wasn't quite sure what I was really going to see. It ended up being a really good movie and has been making me think for several days now on the one of the many beliefs of Catholicism.
The movie was about a saint that many Catholics believe in. Its a saint that if you believe in it and pray to it, that it will keep you from dying. If you also believe in this saint, you also wear the necklace that has the image of it. Its kinda freaky looking- it is a skeleton in a robe with an ax. Throughout the movie, it had Christians telling the people about the true living God. At the end of the movie, the people that were worshiping this death saint turned their lives over to Jesus.
Please realize that this is very hard for me to explain. The reason is because it has so many different views.

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." -Romans 10:1-4

Thursday night was small group. I was really looking forward to this all week. I always can't wait for the Christian fellowship and lifting our Father on His throne.
The mom, Patricia, made us dinner again. She was so excited once again to turn the table and serve us. She made Carne de Jugo. Which is steak soup in it's broth. It was so yummy and was full of flavor. You can put onion and cilantro in it and can also take a tortilla and dip it. The tortilla soaks up the flavor. Its making my taste buds water just talking about it.
The lesson was really convicting. We talked about the Prayer of Faith in James 5. I have really been thinking about how my faith is not my own, but it is God's. He is my faith.

God is Radical

2007-09-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

So much has happened in the past few days. It has been such a blessing for me to see how God works in so many ways. It has also been challenging for me the past few days, because I have been speaking more Spanish. Which is a good thing. I am a very outgoing people person, but when it comes to speaking a different language I am very timid and shy. I know that God is really trying to tell me something, by doing so many things the past couple of weeks.

About 2 weeks ago the church routine for classes changed. Which means that I had a different job. I was terrified at first to find out that I was put with 2 ladies from the church. Of course they speak Spanish and I was used to helping in a class with one of the missionaries wives. It was so easy for me to be in that classroom because I really didn't have to speak Spanish. So I know that God really is trying to push me out of my comfort zone. I can't push myself, I just have to let God to what He does best for me. By putting my faith and trust in Him.

This past Thursday night I had small group. Instead, this time we did it differently. Just recently one of the AIM girls found out that one of the church family members were in a bind. The husband just left the family and do not know if he is going to come back. He has done this before she said. But this time the situation was worse. The whole family and 5 kids were in a crackerbox apartment. They had no furniture and barely any food. They were all sleeping on the floor, because there is really no place else to sleep.
So Thursday after Spanish class, Donovan, Heather, and I went to Walmart to get $20 each worth of groceries. We bought so much, with such little cost. We mainly bought food that had protien content. Because poor families usually do not eat a lot of protien since it usually costs more.
That night we met up and went to the house of the family. The two women came out and started crying and hugging us. They were so happy and humbled that we were there. We had small group there and sang. Donovan shared a scripture. The daughter and son of Chris Johnson, my coordinator, gave away some of their favorite toys.
I told Christian, the son, that he did something very good. And something that not a lot of adults could even do. He told me that he was really sad. But he was also happy, because the kids were happy. He said even though those toys were really cool and also some of my favorites, I knew that they needed it more than me.
This was an extremely poor neighborhood. I think this place made me think of how blessed I really am. A part of me wishes that I was poor, so the only thing really I had was to really rely on God more than anything. I wouldn't really think about the worldly things so much, instead I think I would have my eyes fixed on Jesus more.

Tonights church service was amazing. Recently 3 young me in their early 20s have been coming to church. I really don't know how they found out about the church. But God does work in mysterious ways that we do not know. 1 of the 3 always comes to church drunk. He sometimes even shouts out things that really don't make sense in the middle of service. But you have to love him anyways, just as Jesus loves us. Tonight just one of the guys came. He has been really taking this seriously. He showed up in the middle of service. I was helping Bill babysit the kids, but Bill really wanted to help him out. So I grabbed Annie to come help me. I couldn't think of a better person than Bill to help out this young man.
The man looked really depressed when he came in and was holding a beer bottle. He said that he couldn't take it anymore. Its just so addicting even though I want to get rid of this so bad. I need help.
I really don't know what Bill told him and the whole story, but I do know that this man is searching. He needs something that lasts eternally and that really does permanantly take the pain away, Jesus, not the beer.
Please be praying about these 3 young men and the one that is really seeking the Truth. Please also be praying for God to crack my comfort zone shell even more. I really do care about these people here. I do know that the language is not the field, its just how you talk to people. The only way you can really connect with people is that they will know us by our love.

Keeping In Touch

2007-09-07T16:02:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I am so excited about this whole blog. I really hope that this helps me keep in contact with everyone better. And also hopefully meet new people through it also.
I will try to post on a regular basis as much as I can through out the week. Hope and pray all is well with you and your families.
To my supporters: How can I thank you enough? I really appreciate your words of encouragement and prayers. I really does mean so much when you know that someone is praying for you so you can serve the Lord. Thank you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers daily.