Impact a Generation

Monday, December 7

Scattered here and there over chairs and the floor and shoved together on the couches, our Mexico outreach team chatters in the few minutes before Giezi calls the meeting to order. After handing it over to me, we begin with a few minutes of prayer. I know there’re a few things we need to talk about, but I sense that I need to let the prayer time go a little longer. And people begin to pray, one at a time. There’s a quiet excitement in the air, but I can also sense the tension of our situation. We leave for Guadalajara, our first ministry location, two weeks from today. And we are thousands of dollars short of our budget of $45,000. With our base struggling financially, there are no backup funds available if the support for each of our students does not come in. But even in the limbo, I can sense something else: hope. I can hear it in their voices and words as they pray. I hear in the conversations I’ve had with: 

Jake and Rachael Christensen, as they look at bills to pay back home and 4 young daughters to feed and keep healthy. Even with thousands of dollars of need staring them in the face, they committed to pray faithfully that God would provide. And they’re already seeing Him do it, a few hundred dollars at a time. Their faces radiate their growing faith as they trust God and take baby steps out onto the limb of obedience.

Fernanda, Ever, Said, and Martin, whose families are trying to support them in their call to missions. In a culture where the church is used to being the mission field, it is often difficult for Mexicans to raise money from their church families. But with their culture’s emphasis on family relationships, they know that their families will do their best to back them up. Fernanda says, “I trust in God and that if my dad says he will get the money together, he will.” Her faith is amazing in a country where many only make a hundred dollars a week.

Tim and Ruth Powell, who take every opportunity to pray for the team and research the areas we’re going to. In a time when they took a step of faith to follow God from London to Ensenada, they’re excited that for the first time in their lives, they can give to others. And they do quietly, at every opportunity they get. 

There are so many more. And as I sneak a glance around as they take turns praying, all of a sudden my heart swells. I am so honored to have the chance to walk a part of these people’s journeys with them. To watch as God plants seeds and surprises them with who He is. To have their trust. To learn from them.

I’m inviting you to be a part of their journey, too! After living, talking, discussing, eating, praying, challenging, dancing, learning, and laughing with them for the last 11 weeks, I know they are worth investing in. Each of them is responsible for $2,500, the cost of driving, living, and ministering for 8 weeks in Guadalajara, Chiapas, and Cozumel, Mexico. We will be working with so many types of people, from the wealthy foreign tourists in Cozumel to Mexico’s poorest people groups, the marginalized indigenous people of Chiapas’ highlands. You have the opportunity to be blessing to each of those touched in the next 8 weeks through our ministry and to be a part of training the next generations’ worship leaders, activists, missionaries, pastors, youth workers, and parents. 

“HOW CAN I HELP?”

1) We are in urgent need of funds! If you feel led to partner with us financially, please make your check out to Youth With A Mission and send it to:

Youth With A Mission San Diego/Baja

100 W. 35th Street, Suite C

National City, CA 91950

IMPORTANT: Please include a note indicating that it is for “Ensenada Fall ’09 DTS Mexico Outreach.”

OR:

Go online to www.ywamsandiegobaja.org and click the green button titled “Donate” at the top of the page. Select “University of the Nations Student Outreach Fund” from the drop down list and click on Make a Contribution or Payment. Fill out the short billing information form on the next page, making sure you put that it is for the Ensenada Fall ’09 DTS Mexico Outreach in the Description box at the top of the page. Complete and submit the form.

Note: All financial gifts are tax deductible.

2) Pray for our team as we’re on outreach! Nothing can happen in the physical until it’s happened in the spiritual. Your prayers are a huge blessing and support to each of us.

3) Keep updated! I’ll be posting as regularly as possible during outreach, and we are in process of setting up a YouTube channel where you can meet the team and see videos of what we’re doing. I’ll be sending out the link as soon as we have it all set up!

Week 9

As I let the phone drop into the receiver and Giezi and I continue our brainstorm, a hidden knot in my insides releases. After a week and a half of playing phone and email tag, we've got all of our main outreach locations set up. Knowing that we have a place to sleep for our team of 24 people for the next 2 months is huge!

For the first ten days of outreach (excluding driving days), we'll be in Guadalajara, a principal city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Then for 2-3 weeks, we've arranged to work through the base in Cancun to reach 2 cities in the southernmost state of Mexico, Chiapas. From there, we'll travel through the Yucatan peninsula and ferry to the island of Cozumel for the last portion of our formal ministry time. Altogether, it's a distance of over 6,250 miles. As our team has been praying, we've felt that God has led us to focus on orphanages, kid's ministry, sports ministry, and worship. He's also reminded us that our outreach begins as we leave Ensenada, not when we get to Guadalajara. We're excited to see how He'll put it all together!

And I've been learning what it means to let Him be in control and not trust in my own ability to organize or communicate. God knows how to push my buttons, and I'm trying to let Him. I have to realize that I'm not as smart as He is and  all my worrying and planning won't determine the success of the outreach. That's up to Him. Easier said than done. But worth it : ).

Please pray for our team, that God will begin to prepare each of our hearts for what He wants to show us and do through us on outreach. That He will give us His dreams for the people we'll meet and our fellow team mates. Pray for Giezi and I as we learn to how to lead this team together and with Him. And pray that we will be able to take everything that God wants us to have out of these last 3 weeks of lecture phase. I know He's got cool things for us in the moment and in the not so distant future. Thanks for being a part of what He's doing.

As I sit here in the DTS office listening to the printer slowly churn newsletters out, I try to keep my eyes open and focused on the screen. The last several weeks have been amazing- so intense, but so incredible. I'm exhausted, but the good kind. Let me share a few of the highlights. . .

Week 4: An electrifying peace thickens the classroom as one student sings out their own phrase of worship. Across the circle someone picks up the words and puts notes to it. Within a few moments, all 37 or 38 people in the room are singing a unique and never heard song as the simple chord progression thrums underneath their voices. Worship is the theme of this week's teaching, but the students are learning that worship is not defined by songs and instruments. It's defined by trust, repentance, and obedience. A lifestyle, not an hour every Monday and Thursday morning. They have risen to that challenge this week, and I can see the change in their faces. Some have called parents and been transparent for the first time in years. Others have acted on hearing God's voice in their personal lives, even when it was awkward and painful. Some have asked forgiveness from each other. And now their words come from experience as they sing their new song to God.

Week 5: Nervous titters and anxious looks dart up to the front of the room where a couple staff members are sorting through the slips of paper the students just turned in. The names that have "Gold" written above them are scribbled on one side of lined notebook paper, and the ones that say "Silver" across from them. Tonight's presentations of our outreach locations has also been an exercise in hearing God's voice. After hearing the locations, the students were given about 15 minutes and asked to pray that God would give them one of these two colors. Now they are anxious to hear not only who else is on their team, but which location those colors stood for. But the leaders are in for a surprise as well- due to two student leaders receiving "Gold" instead of "Silver", we have a quick prayer session of our own. At the end of the night, 14 people get together to pray for their new focus: Chile and Argentina. And my co-leader Giezi and I watch as our team of 18 students and the five kids run over to the world map and point to what is now the focus of at least 30% of my thoughts for next 3 1/2 months: extreme southern Mexico. 

And today, at the half-way mark of lecture phase, I look around at the girls in my small group, flopped at every angle over the couches in the worship hall. They laugh and exchange embarrassing stories and paint their nails as I pepper them with questions about their experiences so far and their opinions about this week's lecture on the heart and relationships. Some readily and stongly voice their feelings, while others have a little more trouble. While they have formed a rhythm and place to express themselves, I can sense a deep tiredness and a little frustration in all of us. It's normal at this stage of the DTS to come out of the "honeymoon stage" as we all find the pattern of life and the newness of people and surroundings wear off. 

But as I gather the last of my newsletters and pack up my mochila for the day, I recognize that God's got so much more for all of us in the next 6 weeks of lecture phase. He'll be settling some lessons deeper into our hearts and revealing new things. But in order to be awake enough to enjoy them, I'd better head to bed ; ).

Never Leave a Man Behind

Several hands shoot up as one of the students states her opinion during the debrief of the balance beam exercise. Across hot, sweaty cheeks, lively and cautious eyes, and sprawling bodies, the discussion about individual participation versus team responsibility rapidly criss-crosses the DTS classroom. Some readily interject their opinions, others observe attentively, while a few sit wide eyed. Emotions are running high and personalities are rising to the surface. And after this week, everyone knows how to recognize them. Four days of sharing, taking personality tests, intentional games, and physical challenges has aimed at getting this team to become exactly that- a team. Not just a bunch of individuals going through the same program, but healthy group that work hard for trust, honesty,effectiveness and relationship.  Our masks are beginning to wriggle off and the team is learning how to process "real". It's good. It's just the beginning of a molding and integrating process.

As he was praying for our team, our speaker Tim Pratt was reminded of the phrase used by the U.S. military: "Never leave a man behind." And he's repeated it several times in the last four days, trying to get us to grab it and weave it into the make up of who we are as a team. For situations like the one that's sparked this discussion- when someone either got left out of the exercise or chose not to participate and not many people noticed. The way that we process as a team in the classroom will determine how effective we are as a team outside of it- and whether or not we model Jesus' love to each other and others in real life. So I hope we learn well, and choose our actions and words carefully. It's beginning here. And in our brokeness and free will, there's no guarantees we'll be a success. Success will depend on how much we choose to trust each other, how humble we're willing to be, and how much we listen to and obey our Team Leader. As Tim and many others have said, the point is not the goal- it's the journey.

Off and Away!

A sweet awe hangs in the air as guitar strains sing softly, our voices now silent, letting the moment linger. Tonight, this green team of 31 new DTS students is practicing their newest lesson- intercession for the area and people in Ensenada's zona rosa (redlight district). In just a couple minutes, half of them will be following their prayers to the zona rosa, armed with soup, smiles, and a loving touch. For many, looking drug addiction, homelessness, prostitution, and drunkeness in the eye will be a new, uncomfortable experience. I hope it breaks their hearts. Just I'm leaving the room, one student is getting a group together to pray for the ones who are going out. This is what DTS is about. Perspective. Relationship. Learning the necessity of us and Him. Warfare.

In the last six days, I've had the opportunity to get to sit down with many of these students. Hear their stories. Eat lunch with them. Randomly dye our hair together. Mess up their names. Say "I'm not sure" to their questions about Ensenada and Wal-Mart and where the closest ATM is. They are a great bunch of people. And I do mean a bunch! With 31 students, nine staff, five kids, and one adorable, chubby cheeked 7 month old,  this will be the biggest DTS I've been a part of (not that I'm intimidated or anything ; ). Our passionate, untameable, gentle God's got plans and appointments with them- I can feel it. And I can't wait to hear about it.

As I've been settling into a new base, group of people, and rhythm of life with the students, I've had a chance to talk with Tym and Sarvia (who lead the DTSes here). I'll be cleaning, restocking, and setting up the speaker's room each week, helping out with some admin stuff when they need it, and being the "book girl" (making sure small group leaders have and hand out the next book to the students). I get to meet twice a week with a small group of 6 girls, helping them process DTS and lecture and what God's doing. I'll also be  following up individually with each of the girls, seeing how they're doing. Days will be full with lectures, staff meetings, exercise, local outreach, grading book reports, reading journals, and host of other "unexpecteds". The staff will also be going through some extra training in leadership, complete with our own classes, journals, assignments, and reports. It'll be a bit crazy, but I know that I'm in the right place for now. So as I take a couple minutes to let the day wind down, drink a cup of tea, and wait for the students to get back from the zona rosa, I'm also buckling up and leaning into this next adventure!

24 Hours

24 hours ago, I was hurriedly packing and cramming all of my stuff into suitcases, boxes and garbage bags. Now, I'm on staff with the DTS in Ensenada.

In the last week, God has been doing interesting things in the TJ DTS. Due to beginning with samll school of 10 girls, our leadership began wondering what was going on when 3 of our students cancelled or requested to be transferred to the Fall DTS in Ensenada. After several days of long meetings, prayer and conversation, the leadership team decided to combine our school with the DTS in Ensenada. Many of our students were surprised, but have agreed to transfer an hour further south. We don't know what God has up His sleeve, but are trusting His faithfulness.

Interestingly enough, throughout the last year I have always had a sense of peace when I am at our Ensenada location. In the last several weeks, that peace has come back very strongly. Last week, I spoke with Rob, the DTS director in TJ, and Jim, the base director about what had been going on in my heart. We were processing what that could mean or look like and waiting on God to speak into the situation when our studetns began to be directed elsewhere and the decision to combine the schools was made. When Tym, the DTS director in Ensenada informed my leaders that he was in need of one more femail staff memeber, they asked me Wednesday afternoon if I would consider helping with the DTS in Ensenada. I said yes. AS the DTS students arrive on Saturday, I moved down last night, got unpacked, and am getting caught  up to speed  as much as possible before the school officially begins on Monday. 

While there are certainly challenges with all the rapid change, I feel that God has His hand in all this. He's a master weaver of lives and circumstances, and I'm learning to trust His judgment : ). Right now, it's off to a meeting and a new adventure!

El Grito

The fifteen-passenger van whips around another corner, and I brace myself against the seat and try not to land on Elsi sitting next to me. Johny chuckles from the driver’s seat up front, and turns his attention to finding a parking spot in crowded downtown Ensenada. After parking the van, the six of us weave our way through crisscrossing pedestrian traffic and vendors with their carts selling elote (cups of corn with butter, salt, and hotsauce), caramel apples, cotton candy, and shimmery red, white and green Mexican flags in an impressive array of sizes. A teenager offers to paint my cheek with the Mexican colors, and I barely have time to offer a polite “No, gracias” before hurrying after Susie’s retreating head. The energy of celebration pulses in the air, trumpeted by little horns and whistles, bright lighted booths selling tamales and chicharones, laughter, and mariachi music pumping from the stage area. It’s September 15, Mexican Independence Day, and it seems as though all of Ensenada is on this street for El Grito (The Shout), the sound of freedom.

On the main stage, huge banners lead up from the platform to a second story balcony where the formal ceremony will take place in about an hour and a half. Large video screens allow the crowd to participate in the pre-ceremony festivities. As we work our way closer to the platform, a young girl gets up and sings acapella in a high clear voice, a traditional Mexican love song. Right on her heels and in a furl of black ranchero pants, billowing stripes and swirls of color, a dancing group flirts, begs and tip-taps their way through several traditional dances from the state of Colima (Susie and I decide we need to find out how to sign up ; ). All the while, the whistles toot and people applaud and catcall.

I try not to trip over a plastic cup rolling around between a maze of people’s feet as we find the rest of the group representing YWAM’s 3 locations in Mexico. We’re an interesting bunch, more than a few nationalities, languages, and races represented, but all of us laugh, attempting to dance to the lively folk music and getting to know people we don’t often get to spend time with. And after a presidential speech piped in from Mexico City, the Mexican National Anthem and several other localized political ballads, we join as the Mexican Declaration of Independence is read and the crowd screams, “VIVA!” in response.

Just as the excitement reaches its peak, we’re directed to turn around. After a second, the dark night air is broken by high pitched shriek. A second later, a riot of color explodes and sparkles in the sky above us. We crane our heads back and applaud like the delighted children in front of us as firework after firework sounds the independence of Mexico.

After a few minutes of chatter and more mariachi music and dancing, we round our group up and head back to the base. In the midst of preparing for DTS, it’s worth the crowds, the parking, and the neck ache to celebrate the culture and heritage of a country I get to share.

Sportin' a 'Tude

I knew Chad's sermon for the MA kids was really meant for me, but I doubted he knew that. "I will not give the Lord a sacrifice that cost me nothing. . ." The verse inched under my skin as I sat in the plastic chair in our make-shift worship hall. I had the sneaking feeling that God had something to say about it. I began to think of all the things I could sacrifice to God. . . my future, my desires, you know. The big things. But as Chad got down and I went up with the rest of the worship team to do the last set, it hit me. I'd been complaining all week about being assigned to Mission Adventures this week. I had my excuses: we have a lot of work to do with the DTS just a few weeks away. It's an evangelism team and the role of translator feels way bigger than my skill level. I had plans for this weekend, and I was on the worship team and Saturday breakfast prep already. It would take days away from the work week next week, days I couldn't afford to loose. But I couldn't find a replacement. So here I was. And as I picked up my mic, I knew the thing God wanted. My attitude about this week of translating. It's easy to think about sacrifice when it's in the future. But what about tonight? "Okay fine. Just for You." But as I said okay, my heart began to change. And my heart changed, my whole week changed. The first day, I didn't have to do much translating. All the kids at the orphanage we were working with were out of the building, so we deep cleaned the kitchen while the guys on the team cleared a lot to be used for youth rallies later. The next day, my friend Susie went along to help translate so I got to do a lot more relationship building with the team and the workers at the orphanage. By the time my heavy translating day came on Monday, I realized I was having a lot of fun. I loved the kids on the team. I loved the orphanage and the pastor we were working with. And I had had a great example of a translator the day before and my Spanish was warmed up enough that I enjoyed translating for the kid's program. God blessed me by removing some of the things that I was insecure in. He didn't have to do that. But He did. And He didn't have to give me an amazing group of students to work with. But I was so impressed with their flexibility. Their outreach location got changed at the last minute, yet still the words I heard out of the leader's mouth over and over were: "How can we serve you? Yeah, we have a program. But what do you really need?" or "Give me the dirtiest job. I want to get it done for you." Whether it was moving rocks in the burning afternoon, or scrubbing cup after cup in the kitchen, or moving a pile of rotting trash and old Depends, I saw them stretched. And I saw them fight, and make up. I saw them serve in situations they weren't planning on. My "sacrifice" ended up being a blessing- to me. Instead of coming away exhausted, I felt refreshed. And as we learned to serve together, I made a passel of new friends. Sometimes, our sacrifice isn't the actual action itself. It's our pride. My rights. My time, right now. God knows the right things to ask for, eh? Because he knows once we get over ourselves, our lives are whole lot more of a blessing to everyone-including ourselves.

Busyness

The last couple weeks has been full of fun things- my boss/mentor/other dad here in Mexico and his family got back from a month in Canada; several other YWAM staff and I set up a booth at a big youth festival here in Tijuana and connect with some young people; and I attended my first pro sporting event- park seats at the Padres/Astros baseball game in San Diego! The number of girls living in our house near to the new property has grown from 3 to 7 in the last 2 weeks. Planning for the DTS seems to be going well; it's fun now to have more of the DTS staff here from their respective homes and be able to share tasks and prayers with them. July 20-22 we'll have our DTS staff "retreat" here at the base- team building, getting to know each other, praying together for students and outreach, and going over practical info for the DTS. Thanks for keeping the DTS planning in your prayers! Check out the pics!

(Left) At the baseball game- Petco Stadium, Downtown San Diego. $7 seats- my blanket, my jacket, and a bunch of snacks!

(Left) Blanca, Melissa, Me, and Crissy chilling at the game.

(Left) Friends Jonathan and Brodie having a drink and enjoying the grass.

(Right) My friend Robbie from the National City office and I.

(Right) At the Youth Conference in Tijuana last Saturday,Omar and Luisa share about Youthstreet, DTS, and the other ministries YWAM TJ does.

(Left) Our booth displaying YWAM TJ info.

(Left) We estimate that there were about 2,000 people at the Conference in one of TJ's nicest parks (Parque Morelos).

Pews, Tarps, and Two Little Fish

In a blur of delighted, breathless screams, outstretched arms and pounding little feet, a herd of kids races past, one of our Mission Adventures staff keeping just ahead of them as he weaves and ducks between mothers with babies and 15 passenger vans. It’s day 2 of our 3 day outreach to San Quintin, a few hours south of the Ensenada location. All morning, several teams of YWAMers and JuCUM teens have been stretching tarps over roofs and washroom frames in this dusty, well kept colonia. The JuCUM teens have just presented their evangelistic program, an artistic mix of dramas, mimes, and rap performed by the young members of the group.
Now, clusters of people stand talking in the dirt road. Over by the fence, a line of youngsters waits impatiently for their turn to have a bright rainbow, cross, or flower painted on their cheek or arm, while others energetically wrestle and dance sporadically with YWAM staff. The local pastor we’re working with takes down names of families who would like to receive tarps if we can make a second trip in the future. Two of the JuCUM teens continue to rap to the heavy rhythm blasting through the portable speakers, while a couple teams finish up with their tarping projects.

After a fast lunch and some clingy hugs good bye, we pile in the vans and head back to Impact Ministries facility to shower, change and go set up at a local church, where we’ll be participating in the second and final service of the Youth Missions Conference. Last night, we’d directed a service at another church. The small sanctuary is packed, overflowing with young people from 7 different area churches, faces bright and shy. A worship team led by an Ensenada staff member and supported by Tijuana full time staff and MA staff had begun the service, followed by a presentation by the JuCUM teens and the video Hakani, which speaks to justice for children in Brazilian indigenous tribes. Jonathan Mendez, a former YWAMer and now pastor in San Quintin, gave a message on our theme: missions. Afterward, we had the chance to speak with several different youth about our Discipleship Training School beginning in September.
Tonight, the church youth group directs much of the service. Praise songs in 2 languages fill the large sanctuary. Using their gifts in evangelism, acting, and music, the JuCUM teens present their portion of the program, speaking about using and developing your talents to bring honor to God and leading out in doing it. As the youth group from the church get up and begin reading a scripture together, a few loud pops sound and seconds later, armed youth with ski masks pulled over their faces burst into the sanctuary, rousing screams from the audience, ripping bibles from the shocked youth, and herding chosen people out of the sanctuary. Slowly understanding that this is only a simulation, the captivated audience watch as a girl refuses to renounce her faith at gun point, eventually leading her captor to Christ. He is then martyred by his fellow revolutionaries as she is dragged out of the sanctuary. As the youth group files back in, one member explains that while this was only a drama for us, many churches in other countries face threats of violence like this everyday. Choking back tears, Jonathan gets up to present his message for the evening. “I’m already seeing examples of what I want to tell you tonight,” he begins. “As I sit in my seat, I see an entire service directed by young people leading out in the kingdom of God, using their talents for Christ.” He continues by reading the story of the little boy’s 2 fish and 5 loaves from Mark 6. “God takes what little we can offer Him- a listening heart and willingness to obey- and multiplies it and uses it for His kingdom.”
A Mexican YWAMer then gets up and says that he wants all the foreigners who are in the church to come up. He then thanks them that in spite of the violence and sickness, they are here because of their passion for the Mexican people. He then invites the rest of the church to pray for them. As YWAM staff and former DTS students and the local church lay hands on the embarrassed staff and begin to pray and prophesy over them, tears squeeze from tired eyes and language and cultural barriers fall away. Hugs and handshakes are passed all around. As the praise team plays the first energetic strains of a song, the hugs turn into singing and dancing and laughing. This is the family of Christ- a myriad of cultures, races, languages, and personalities having fun with their Father.
And as we clean up the Impact facility where we’ve been staying, take a few fun hours at the beach, and reflect on the 3 days in San Quintin, a truth remains: This is how we reach a broken world. It’s not the organization or smoothness of the program, the skill or the presentation, or even the hammers and nails. We love each other and offer our little to God, and He uses us to bring life into hurting hearts.

Practical Application

You remember when you were in high school, the math or science teacher used to hand out these homework assignments that drilled you on formulas and theories? The beginning questions were supposed to help you capture the idea of the principle, and the problems would only have a few factors in them that you had to figure out. I was really good at those questions. You know, getting the theory and figuring out if it was b or +a missing; I could even get excited about it sometimes. It made sense. It was clean and clear-cut. But then at the end of the assignment, there was always this section of problems entitled “Practical Application.” That section always gave me trouble. Instead of the question setting up the problem and you figuring out which factor was missing, there were a whole bunch of random factors or situations in which you had to set up the problem and figure out the answer. Instead of nice little italic letters, there were real numbers and measurements and reactions. You even had to figure out what was supposed to be a factor and what was just extra information. It frustrated me. And you know what the worst part was? Most of the time, my mistakes weren’t in setting up the problem or arranging the factors together. They happened when I was so focused on the major players that I didn’t pay attention to the details. Like addition or subtraction or multiplying right.
Ever since I was little girl, I’ve been enrolled in a class called “The God Thing- Christianity and All that Entails.” Learning the bible verses, going through confirmation, memorizing the books of the bible in order- yep, I can still sing the song. I’ve even been to the seminars and workshops and retreats. Heck, I’ve staffed them. But it goes deeper than that. Hearing someone teach on something I’ve never thought of before or finally having the light bulb go on during worship thrills me. Diving into a passage and discovering what it meant in its cultural or lingual context can have me excited for a week. I get it. But in the last year or so, I’ve hit this weird section of life called “Practical Application,” with an emphasis in surrender and obedience. It’s awkward. It’s messy. I don’t like it. It leaves me groping for the factors and fumbling through situations that weren’t my idea in the first place. And there’s that irritating little note in the instructions that says, “Pay attention to the details.” The ones that are easy to skip over or forget. Like reading what He’s spoken or keeping a leash on my thoughts or meaning what I say when I pray. And as I’m floundering around trying to figure out right from left, the big question comes up: where the heck is my Teacher when I need him?
I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to feel like opening the curtain and showing what He’s got going on backstage. But I know He’s there. I can occasionally hear the echo of His footsteps and can definitely feel when He moves the factors around. Why I can’t look into His eyes right at moment, I’m not sure. But I’m choosing to believe He’s bigger than that. And as much as I hate it, I’m convinced that practical application is necessary part of the class; in fact, I doubt that there’s any part that’s more key. I know there’s going to be mistakes all over my finished product. But I also know my Teacher. And when He finally pulls open the curtain, He’ll have taught me something more beautiful than I can hope for now. It’s because of Him that I’ll survive “Practical Application.” Maybe that’s the whole point anyway.

Please Pray

Here in the office, I watch Alfonso walk out the door to tell yet another family that they won't be receiving a home because the team scheduled to build it canceled. That will be the sixth or seventh team in the last month, just for our location. It's heartbreaking when you know that there are over fifty families on the waiting list. Some of them have been waiting for over a year, while others have had 2 or 3 teams cancel when their names came up.
Homes of Hope isn't the only ministry being affected. A DTS team from Ensenada on outreach in Columbia had their last month of ministry canceled last minute because the pastors were afraid to work with a team from Mexico. Mission Adventures had fewer than half the teams sign up for this summer, and some of those are cancelling.

Will you please join us in prayer for direction and for Mexico during this season? For wisdom and courage to obey as we seek what God is doing and what our reaction to that needs to be. Pray that the remaining teams won't cancel, and for additional teams to be inspired to come. For the finances of the ministry so we can continue to work here in Northern Baja. For the flu to stop spreading and for the families who have been affected by it already. For the families who still need homes.
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Thanks for praying. I'll keep you updated!

Kansas, Policemen, and Several Cups of Coffee

"We are human beings, too. . ."
As I take off the stainless steel lid of a pan of bacon, I observe the group of off-duty cops talking and ribbing each other through the steam. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to handle this building group. They are different from the average family church group. These are officers in the Tijuana police department, immediately associating them with words like toughness, extortion, or corruption in the mind of an average Mexican. I haven't decided what I think about them yet. Fresh in my mind are images of the fully suited out cops with their helmets and automatic weapons standing at the corner directing traffic, the reports I've read on the internet, the comments I've heard, but today in their shorts, T-shirts, and jokes, they don't seem as intimidating. . . maybe. My understanding broadens as the only female, one of bosses, addresses the group before we leave: "Today we are not only cops. We are human beings too. . ."
You can't miss our caravan as we weave through high ways, washboard alleys, and hair raising traffic. A beat up tool van, several shiny squad cars, and a green jeep bringing up the rear are not the most common sight out in the colonias (poor neighborhoods). Between hanging on for dear life as my friend, Hagen, drives and snaps photos at the same time and taking in the ramshackle cardboard homes clinging to the sides of the steep hills that TJ is flung over, I run through the Spanish building vocabulary I've learned. Clavo- nail, techo- roof, madera- wood. All of a sudden, Hagen begins to pray. Impact the hearts of the policemen as they give and the community as they receive. Protect the team, from accidents and those who don't appreciate policemen in the area. Break down barriers between the law and the people. I join him quietly. Once we get to the build site, I get a chance to hear the story of the mother we're building for, and it gives me chills. Her husband was in training to be a police officer a year ago when he died, leaving her with two children to raise on her own. She gets up at six every day to make breakfast for her kids, and works to keep them alive. She and her husband had bought this lot before he died, and she's just moved here about 2 weeks ago. They have no running water or electricity yet, but that's one of her goals. It's no coincidence that these men and woman are building for the widow of a comrade. I also think it's no coincidence that one of the most committed intercessors at the base got put as our photographer.
Over the next several days as I joke with the guys on the paint crew, see the stories in their eyes, watch a few local officers buy soda for those who are building, or notice their Christian captain grab a paintbrush without being asked and begin slapping blue paint on a few offending nails, I conclude a couple things: that people are people- there are good apples and bad apples in every barrel, no matter what society's stereotype is. I don't know what these men do in the dark or under pressure, but I've seen their captain pick up paintbrush faster than a lot of pastors. I felt like a curious object to some and respected by others. That all are affected by the job they do, whether they handle it by joking and partying, by being capable but cold, or by soberly serving. And that the potential that watching a TJ police officer hand a mother the keys to new hope has to obliterate an iron dividing wall- in his heart, in her heart, and in the hearts of the community that watches- is worth a crazy German driver, getting asked out by a creepy teenager, and Spanish tangling my tongue. In fact, it's worth a lot more.
Please pray for the cops in Tijuana- that's a direct request from a captain who's seen a lot of men die this last year. Pray for good men in the police force to be brave in their ability to influence others. Pray for their protection. For their families, who not only worry for their loved ones but often in danger themselves.

A Quick Update on What's Up For Me:
In the weeks since DTS ended for 2008-2009 school, I got a chance to take a break from being focused on DTS. While I know I'm where I'm supposed to be, it was great to go home and spend some quality time with the people who have helped weave the fabric of who I am and who are still doing so, even from 2,000 miles away. I got to share about what God's been doing here in TJ with my home church in Lindsborg (Yes, it's borg, not berg! Everybody loves Swedes, right?).
After a couple weeks at home, I landed back in TJ. As I was waiting for my supervisor/friend/mentor to finish up an intense Spanish language school, I enjoyed the opportunity to be a helping hand around the base, whether it was cutting vegies in the kitchen, cleaning in Hospitality, organizing cupboards in the office, counting nail aprons, doing vocals with the worship team for a bunch of Canadian high school students, or leading the paint crew on a build. Now that Rob's out of language school, we're spending hours over To Do lists, scribbled notes, online calendars, and several cups of coffee, brainstorming what needs to be done to prepare for the September DTS. There's a lot to do and we're still learning what that is, but I'm gonna' choose to trust that God's bigger than my ideas or energy and that He's got it handled.

8 Cities, 3 Weeks, and. . .12 Grey Whales?

Yes, that's right: 12 grey whales. As I sit here on a mattress (yeah!) in La Paz, BCS, finally taking a moment to count the number of cities on our itinerary in the last several weeks of Outreach, I can't help but smile at the memories. Since leaving Loreto two weeks ago, we've been from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific and back again, and from a beat up, off road ranch to one of the hottest tourist cities in Mexico. We've had a couple days of rest and presented the gospel and message of hope and encouragement in 6 churches and at least that many communities. Sometimes it's in the form of dramas and testimonies; other times, it looks like praying with a neighbor or painting a room in the church. God has blessed, broken, stretched, given, taken away, and pursued each of us on the team. But words are cheap; I'll let some pictures tell the story.

Remember Rocio from my last story? We got another chance to go out to the migrant camp again, and this time my camera was working!




Students entertaining the crowd with a funny skit to break the ice. But be careful, because "La Casa Se Quema!"

Just last night, we got a chance to minister in a colonia outside La Paz. After the program, we helped with the church's main ministry: distributing food to the people who came.

At one of our first stops in Vicente Guerrero, Luisa gives an explanation of one of our puppet skits.

Handing out balloons is one of the kids' favorite parts of the program, and it gives us a chance to make friends and give a hug.

The majority of our programs have been open-air, so we made sure all our stuff was very flexible to our environment- check out the busy puppets!

Sometimes, just watching the kids' faces makes the chaos worth it!

The road to San Javier, about 30 km outside Loreto, takes at least an hour and half to travel, through creeks and potholes and hairpin turns. At least the view is beautiful!

One morning in Loreto, several of the students and I got up early and walked to the waterfront watch the sunrise- God's beauty makes me breathless in some moments, this being one of them!

One of our presentation tools is Stomp, making rhythms with your hands and feet as a group.

Even if we announce a certain program as focused on children, the mothers and grandmothers often come along. It's a really cool chance to minister to them as well!

After all the moving and intense ministry schedule, we got a chance to rest up a bit in Cabo San Lucas. . . after sleeping on cement floors and taking cold bucket showers for weeks, we all appreciated the soft beds and warm showers-and the lack of spiders on the ceiling!

And now its back to the old grind, but maybe with little Miss Sunshine in the mornings, we'll all make it!

We arrive back in TJ on February 7th for a week of debrief and processing the last 5 months and all that God has done, but we still have a week of ministry left. Who knows what God's got up His sleeve?

As for the 12 grey whales, at one of our stops in Puerto San Carlos, there is a bay where grey whales come to mate and give birth. A couple of fisherman from the church we were working with took us out to see them. . . there's nothing quite like watching a 2 ton whale swim under your small fishing boat about 10 feet under the surface!