Mexico Day 4.half – Simple Pleasures

Guest blogger who doesn’t blog and i had to tie him down to the chair to put his thoughts here!  Didn’t really tie him down but here is his first ever post!

Its amazing how something as concrete as language can become so dynamic and how after one experience a =my definition of a word can change so much. I have always thought of myself as someone that is content with the simple things. All that I really want is a hot shower, a bag of twizzlers, and my music, but tonight as i was taking my hot shower I started thinking about the families i met today and how what I think of as simple pleasures are something that most Mexican families will never have. One of the men working at the mission, Ethan, told us that many houses don’t have water and will go two or three days before they drink anything, and those with water only get cold water. So there goes my simple hot shower.

After that we went into a house that was as big as or if not smaller than the vans that we are driving. The family that lived there was amazing the husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and given two years to live… nine years ago. Then in the last few months he found out that he had a brain tumor, however he told us as he struggled to control his own body about how he thanks God everyday for the things he has and the days that he is able to live. This man completely changed the definition I have of what is simple and what it is to be easily contented.

I am excited to see what God has in store for tomorrow.  –Jason

Mexico Day 4 – It’s a Miracle

Well we just got back from Mission 2 where we were able to reach out to kids and adults.  The miracle is that God used the message to speak to 4 adults that prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Then on top of that, we had about 30 kids pray to receive Christ also.  What an awesome night and a miracle that God used us (me) to reach others.

During the service, I had one guy start talking back as I was teaching.  I have no idea what he was saying I could just tell that it made others feel uncomfortable.  He choose to leave and when he did, 2 other men got up and followed him out.  Later, as the service was ending, I noticed the guy was still there talking to some of our male adult leaders.  I joined them to learn that the man was a drug dealer, who was high and desiring to change but thought it was impossible to do so.  I shared the truth in love with him asking him if he wanted to change?  He never gave an answer but God is working in his heart.  Please pray for him, his name is Alberto.

What a night, humbled by Gods grace and power and amazed that I was able to play a small part simply by being available!

Mexico Day 4 – Student Perspectives

Day 4 in Mexico and day 2 working with kids.  We made pet rocks, played soccer and I pushed little kids Josiah’s age on swings for what seemed hours.  They smiled and laughed the whole time saying “mas, mas”, which if you are like me means “more, more”!  Really great!  Tonight, I speak for the first time with a translator since I am one of the only graduating high school students from the 90 that graduated without taking a forign language.  I will blog later and let you know how it went!  In the meantime, here are some pics and students perspectives:

Today was day two of VBS. I am meeting alot of kids and even tho none of them speak english, language  is not as big of a barrier as one would think. every day we start off with worship and then the drama team preforms a skit. after the skit the group of kids split up into craft groups and and games groups. I’m not quite sure what the craft group does because i haven’t been with them, but the games time normally has alot of soccer and people getting wet. Every kid here loves soccer and playing it brings everyone together. no matter how good you are the kids wanted to play with you. Today a little boy came up and held my hands behind my back while 40 other kids soaked me with water bottles and sponges. even tho i cant understand a word any of the kids say i feel like I’m becoming close to a lot of them. the kids are also very fond of magic and juggling. i have a magic trick that the kids really enjoy and a friend of mine juggles. altogether i realy enjoyed working with the kids and i cant wait till tomorrow.  –Scott

We had an experience today that i will never forget. We toured some of the area in Acuna (however you spell it) and we met an amazing man and an amazing family.  This man was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was told that he had 2 years to live, nine years ago. Not only that, he has had a tumor in his brain with was thankfully removed. We prayed for him and his family while we were scrunched in his cardboard house. This man lives in a house of paper and wood and he thanks god for the blessings he has bestowed upon them. This man is one of the strongest men and one of the strongest Christians i will ever meet.  I will never again have the right to complain with what i have for i am truly blessed compared to these people. I envy them in their happiness in poverty. I continue to grow as our week continues in Mexico.  –James

Oh my goodness. Mexico is amazing, and I am learning so much down here. Once i saw how people lived in Mexico my eyes were filled with tears. I absolutely couldn’t believe that we can have so much and still want more. These people don’t have anything, but they are the happiest people i have ever met. I’m having such a great time and i hope these people have the chance to get to know God.  –Kassidy

Luke 8:26-39

“So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.’ So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” v. 37-39

Jesus, healed and changed this mans life from the inside out.  Everyone was amazed by what they had seen.  Naturally the man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus had a different plan or him.  Instead of telling him to be quiet, Jesus sent him out to tell others about what God had done for him. The Bible says that he went proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him!

Today, we have the opportunity to tell others what Jesus has done for us!