I'm back!!!
I just returned from a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico.
There is so much that happens on a mission trip. It's a challenge to know what to say when asked the question, "So, how was your trip?!" The instruction to my team (17 in addition to me) is to give a "snapshot." We can't tell the whole story to everyone, so let's talk about some key highlights.
That's what this entry is about. A snapshot. In Mexico, our team was over 60 strong (we partnered with several churches from Colorado). We were grouped in 3 teams of about 20 people, and sent out to serve 3 different churches in Ciudad Juarez. Our primary activities included a 3-day VBS and significant construction projects at each of the 3 locations. As a result of the time we spent, we got to partner with the pastors, build relationship with the people, and get energized by the spirit of the kids. It was an awesome and rich time.
What's on my mind this morning is how much gets "done" when people work together. I'm not just talking about projects, though. Each of those 60 plus people has a testimony of what GOD did in them and through them last week. That's a lot of testimonies. Add to that the stories of what GOD did in the locals and you've got a lot more.
One snapshot: 60 kids came to know Jesus through the VBS ministry. Most of them didn't speak any English. I praise God for that!
It's amazing to be part of a family of people going in the same direction, and sharing the same purpose/goals. Jesus is with us when we're with each other. When one suffers, we all feel it; when one rejoices, we all celebrate together. This trip was a powerful illustration of this truth. Now that I'm home, I am freshly encouraged to convince others of their great significance to God. And I'm newly inspired to have a hand in releasing them into new opportunities to be used by God to change the world around them.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
On Performing Wedding Ceremonies
This past week I performed two wedding ceremonies, two days in a row. I had a couple of moments of concern that I might confuse the details and names of the two couples. Fortunately, nothing like that happened during their ceremonies!
With each wedding, I ask the Lord to reveal to me truth about the couple I'm "marrying." With each request, I have seen Him be faithful to show me something of who He has made them to be. I'm not interested in performing a "stock" ceremony; I want it to be personal...and I want to be able to say something life-giving and truth-revealing about the bride and groom in front of their guests.
It is humbling to see the Lord work like this. It really is Him--not me--who knows the people He has created.
This past week, I was reminded again about how important it is for me to ask God to reveal His heart for His people. It's when I do, that I am able to offer something that's so much more than just a nice comment, but that is life-giving and securing. The things He knows to be true of His kids are the things I want to be saying to them more of the time.
With each wedding, I ask the Lord to reveal to me truth about the couple I'm "marrying." With each request, I have seen Him be faithful to show me something of who He has made them to be. I'm not interested in performing a "stock" ceremony; I want it to be personal...and I want to be able to say something life-giving and truth-revealing about the bride and groom in front of their guests.
It is humbling to see the Lord work like this. It really is Him--not me--who knows the people He has created.
This past week, I was reminded again about how important it is for me to ask God to reveal His heart for His people. It's when I do, that I am able to offer something that's so much more than just a nice comment, but that is life-giving and securing. The things He knows to be true of His kids are the things I want to be saying to them more of the time.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Back...to the Future
This past Wednesday reality slapped me in the face. After a GREAT week at VBS, I quickly realized there were many things that needed to get done and not a lot of time to do them.
One such thing was preparing myself--and a teaching--for the weekend services. With the entry of little Larissa Joy into the world (Todd and Hilary's newborn baby girl =) came the opportunity for me to teach in "big church." I was excited and anxious.
The amount of time I had to prepare wasn't the only thing that contributed to my anxiousness. I also discovered I was nervous about teaching the adults in our church family. The last such opportunity was over a year ago.
I found myself entertaining this line of thinking: "I hope I can do as well as the last time..." It wasn't long before God reminded me of His promise: "As good as things may have been in the past, I have even better--and different--things for your future." Immediately, I felt at peace. Why would I aspire to something in the past when I serve a God who's always interested in doing a new thing, and who changes me from glory to glory?
I don't want to go backwards; I want to move forwards. I had a great time in services this past weekend and it's because I was freed up to be who I am today--not backtrack to who I was a year ago.
One such thing was preparing myself--and a teaching--for the weekend services. With the entry of little Larissa Joy into the world (Todd and Hilary's newborn baby girl =) came the opportunity for me to teach in "big church." I was excited and anxious.
The amount of time I had to prepare wasn't the only thing that contributed to my anxiousness. I also discovered I was nervous about teaching the adults in our church family. The last such opportunity was over a year ago.
I found myself entertaining this line of thinking: "I hope I can do as well as the last time..." It wasn't long before God reminded me of His promise: "As good as things may have been in the past, I have even better--and different--things for your future." Immediately, I felt at peace. Why would I aspire to something in the past when I serve a God who's always interested in doing a new thing, and who changes me from glory to glory?
I don't want to go backwards; I want to move forwards. I had a great time in services this past weekend and it's because I was freed up to be who I am today--not backtrack to who I was a year ago.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
