Weekend Rewind – Student Baptisms

Today we baptized more students after church.  It was an awesome time to celebrate what God is doing.  Baptism is simply an outward expression of an inward commitment!  It was awesome seeing two dads baptize their teenagers!!!  Powerful!  Here are some pics!

Mexico Mission Trip 08 – Reflections

It’s been just over 24 hours since we left Faith Mission in Del Rio Texas.  This trip has got to be one of if not the best trip I have had the privilege of working with students on.  There are a lot of things that stand out to me as I look back on them here were some of the special/inspirational moments for me in the order that they happened.

1. Sunday Morning Challenge by Pat!  This set the tone for the trip, and really a great challenge for us to live out daily.   Do you see people, or do you SEE people?

   “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14

2. Hearing, not understanding, Shane Wheeler give his Testimony in Spanish at a church last Sunday on the spot.  Great way to be an example to his son and wife.  He was so nervouse but did a great JOB!!!!
3. Getting Pulled over last Sunday by the Mexican Police who were looking for another white van!  I will never forget Maria’s reaction!!!!
4. Seeing our Students love on Mexican children!  Amazing!  Thanks Shawna for all the hard work you put in to making VBS happen!!!  Thanks to our students for being flexible and letting God use you!
5. Reading the stories of what God was doing in the lives of our students while they were there.  Some of them even started their own blogs after the trip.  Speaking of blog, this blog had more hits than ever before, with a new record set on Thursday.  Way Cool!
6. Pushing a little boy and girl on the swing set Tuesday.  It made me realize how precious each child was when I played with some that were about the same age as Josiah!
7. Speaking in a church on Tuesday Night.  First time to use a translator, his name is Caesar!!  What a great man, didn’t know him very well at the beginning, but grew to love him by the end of the trip!  We had 4 adults accept Christ that Night!!!  Praise Jesus!
8. Hearing Andy tell how awesome it was to lead about 30 kids in a prayer of salvation because I was busy talking with a guy outside who was struggling with addictions but unwilling to give them up to experience Christ power over them.  His name is Alberto, please pray for Him
9. Playing Soccer on Wednesday with the older kids and actually scoring a goal!!!!
10. Hanging out with the team at Mr. Gatti’s and the Lake. But the real fun came when I mixed up my words at McDonald’s.  Thankful there wasn’t a Video camera.  Thanks for the memories Andy, Paul, Godfrey, Jacob, and Hunter!!!  A time I will never forget!
11. Handing out the Children’s Bible after VBS.
12. Seeing the homes that people live in and especially seeing Caesars Home and being able to pray for him and his family.
13. Our last team Devo and worship time Thursday Night!  So powerful and full of laughs when Jacob was praying and said thanks for letting us come to Cancun.  We all started laughing!  Before the prayer ended!  Bleeding Love drowns out the person praying!  The good news . . . God still heard our prayer!  Together, we were all able to laugh and still connect with God!!!!!
14. Presenting Caesar with a new Fan, a Bible, and Beans and Rice!!!!
15. Eating at PollosDon Triny and then shopping!
16. Attending Templo Roca De Salvacion a church that was rock’n it for Jesus!!!!
17. Sleeping in my own bed last night!

It truly was an awesome trip!  We are going back next year and would love for you to join us!!  It is life changing when you see how Big our God is!!!!

The challenge for all of us is this . . . Will you SEE PEOPLE?

Matthew 10:16-42

“’Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.’” v32-33

In this passage Jesus is teaching His disciples about the persecution that was going to be coming their way because of their dedication to Him.  Because they followed Him and would be telling others about Him, they were going to experience difficult times that would include bodily harm and even death.  He encouraged them not to give up our to turn away under persecution.  He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Today in America, we don’t understand persecution like Jesus is describing.  We get made fun of and once and think we have experienced hard persecution.  Yes, it is a form of being persecuted for Christ, but there are people dying everyday for His Names sake.  They aren’t afraid to say that they love Jesus even if it does cost them everything.

How about you?  Will you be a person that will stand for Christ in ALL circumstances, or will you be a person that is quiet and doesn’t let anyone know about your relationship with Jesus?

“’If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.’” v. 37-39