forever changed.

When you decide to move to another land, another culture, another language you change. Your life becomes about uncertainty, flexibility, and faith. You get to experience new challenges, broaden your horizons, become even more amazed at God's creation, learn things about yourself you never knew existed.  You give up your comfort zones and realize how big yet how small the world is.
... and I think everyone should experience it.

I think ten things happen when a person spends a significant amount of time in a foreign field.

10. You learn to be patient, and to give up pride to ask for help.
Something that should be so easy is now hard. During the moments of frustration, you realize it is better to laugh about it than get angry. Also, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but something that should be cherished.

9. There is no normal. 
As soon as you enter a new place you realize your definition of normal is nothing more than what is culturally acceptable. You begin to learn new ways of doing things and slowly those ways become your new normal. You embrace a new normal.

8. You learn to say goodbye.
You get to know lots of amazing people and with the technology, you get to stay friends with most of them for a very long time. But, you realize they are only in your presence for a very short time. You learn to let go.

7. You no longer speak one language.
You speak two. You randomly put a word from the other language in a sentence, forget sayings in your original language. You begin thinking and dreaming in two languages.

6. Your not courageous but your not a coward either.
People tell you that you have courage... but you don't feel like it. Sometimes you are scared and uncomfortable but whatever comes your way, you deal with it (even though sometimes its not graceful).

5. There aren't the right words...
to accurately convey the experiences, the stories, the people, the places that you have been. But, you try. And you also don't want to overwhelm people with stories of the "other country".

4. Adrenalin becomes a part of your daily life.
No longer is there a thing called-- routine. Even three years later there is still new experiences, new people, new places, new challenges- a whole lot of new.

3. Nostalgia can strike at anytime.
A sound, a smell, a taste... can make you homesick. You miss things you never thought you would miss and don't miss things you thought you would. You would give anything for a moment of it, or someone who understands.

2. You Change.
One day you realize you are a lot different from when you started the journey. All of the certainties, all of your fears, all of your dreams.... they have changed, for the better. You have had your ups and downs, some scars--- but you lived, you learned, you became a stronger person. A person that can handle a whole lot of things.

1. You gain a whole bunch of faith.
You leave your comfort zone you get to trust God more than ever- with finances, safety, the right words in a second language etc. But, you also get to watch God work in some extra ordinary ways and see his plan unfold before your eyes. God breaks your heart for the lost, the broken, the hurting... and gives you the strength to share His love.

Fremont Alliance Church Youth Group

Had a great end of the summer with a group from my home church Fremont Alliance. I am fortunate to have a church that cares enough to send groups down here (twice this year).

They were able to help with this years VBS, paint the church, start a closet in the church, play games in english in Acozac, go to a drug rehab facility, play soccer, dance, and have a ton of fun... all while being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank you Fremont Alliance.

Another Amazing Saturday!

Whenever you do anything new, you always take a little risk. Sometimes that risk is a flop and you learn from your mistakes, and other times its an amazing success.

Today we had a first full on soccer tournament in Palmas (a new area we are reaching). We had 13 teams of 4-5 people sign up and play their hearts out!

It was hot, the sun was beating down on us and we went through water like crazy but it was such a great experience for all of us.

But, it wouldn't have been so great if we hadn't been able to share the Gospel, make an impact on this community and share the Love of God. All which was very much accomplished today.

This summer has been full of risks for us, but we have made some significant connections. We are going to walk away from the summer knowing that this fall may look completely different with many new ministry opportunities (palmas, acozac, a drug rehab place in another neighborhood, enough stuff to keep doing fairs, getting to know new people- so maybe new bible studies). The sky is the limit!

We did invite out new friends at the house that helps people get clean from drugs and alcohol and we were also able to invite them all to eat with us after. Even though we were all exhausted it was a great time!

Something worth living for

Over the past few years the words home, comfortable, trust and purpose have been drastically transformed.

Through different experiences I have learned just how raw the love of God really is and how true faith is unedited and uncut. It isn't always a pretty version of Christianity that we sometimes receive at church on Sundays. It is more the living-as-the-hands-and-feet-of-Jesus-everyday kind of version. It is looking at the ugly to see the beautiful kind of version.

1 John 2:6 says "whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did". That isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. Jesus endured the greatest amount of rejection, suffering and sacrifice this world has ever seen. His life isn't easy, and if we live like Him, ours won't be easy either.

Sometimes the decisions to walk as Jesus did are hard. It is making a daily decision to take the little opportunities to help someone, to listen, to laugh and to enjoy others. It is looking past someone's imperfections to really love them. It is stepping outside your comfort zone.

I want to live as though every moment is a moment that I can show someone what i am living for.  I want my life to be a story God uses to show His Glory.

 My purpose is to daily lay myself at the feet of Jesus. It is the only thing worth living for.

2014 Jesus Maria Feria

Today we had an amazing turnout for our Feria in Jesus Maria today. My guess would be over 200 people... people who got to play, hang out with their families and hear a short devotionalish (by Mr. Rod Fry).

Thank God for the amazing day, for the families that came and everyone that helped out!

Singing competitions, drug rehab, english classes and so much more!

These last few weeks have FLOWN by. It is crazy to think we only have about a week left with our summer visitors!

It (so far) has been incredible to see relationships formed, fun had, and new outreaches in new neighborhoods started. 

In Palmas, we continue to play soccer, hang out at the school, and this week judged the english song contest (which is always a good time). The boys, during the english contest, are always celebrities.... They just flock to them for pictures....example:

Acozac english classes and going to the gym has provided many new friendships. Way more than I anticipated. It has been a blast getting to know these people!

I have a lady in my class, Diana, who every friday goes to drug rehab place. It is a church that has an outreach to the guys who come in off the street and need to get clean. She invited us to go with her yesterday. It was an amazing opportunity for us to see that. 

Hussam (a camino intern) said on Facebook, "It is so amazing to listen to these people how christ have changed there lives, from drugs, marijuana, and cocaine addicted to great people who love Christ. They always smile and they always happy regardless that they have nothing. Every six of them sleep in one room without any mattress or blanket. These people have officially stolen my heart.

We jumped in, hung out, ate a meal with them, and then of course... played soccer (next to pyramids, ever done that?) It was a blast, and we are praying how we can go along side this ministry in the future!

Today we have a giant fair in Jesus Maria.... with lots of games and a short devotion thing. Fun for the whole family... please be praying for it!

We have a lot coming up in this next week, with this fun team. Please continue to pray for us-- energy, boldness, hard work etc.

Trip to the USA!

Tonight I bought my plane tickets for my trip to the states this fall!

I fly in AND out of Indianapolis (August 12th- September 29th),

I do not have a lot of dates nailed down but...

I will be in Pennsylvania at Word of Life Chapel on August 17th
Then down to Tennessee (hopefully) and Arkansas
I plan on being in the Nebraska (Iowa) area August 30-September 17thish
Then Chicago and Indiana for the remainder of the trip.

The reason for the trip is to raise A MINIMUM of  $1000 in monthly and some on time funds. I HAVE to accomplish this to come back on September 29th.

PLEASE...
*Pray for the monthly need!
*Think of small groups, churches or individuals you think i should talk to and help me set up a time!
*Support me! Five dollars or a hundred dollars, every bit helps!
*if you can help with travel costs, hotel points, etc ... let me know!