Here are some immediate thoughts from the trip, as I sit here pondering whether or not I want to crawl out of my nice warm bed to do a heap of laundry from this past week on such a dreary, cold spring day... I do intend to share some highlights from each day sometime later (thus the Part 1 in the title).
I am so thankful for so many things!
- Most importantly, that my Lord made a sacrifice to save me. How awesome and amazing is that?!
- That my Savior continues to bring me to my knees over and over again and helps me realize the need for more and more of Him in my life over and over again.
- That my Father loves me... unconditionally... despite me!
- For the endless opportunities He gives me to serve His mighty kingdom. Far away. Nearby.
- That He does not give up on me when I fail over and over again.
He is such a patient and forgiving God!
- That my Lord helps me conquer fears and anxieties and stands by me all the time.
- For all the positive friends and acquaintances that were placed just so in my life to encourage me, remind me of all my God has to offer me, and remind me of who I want to be.
- For all the acquaintances and people who challenge me and make me to be a better person as I seek to be more and more like Jesus.
The Lord is so mighty and so holy!
- For the work done through me this week and, of course, the work done IN me too.
- For a heart that wants to know its Creator more and wants to be a faithful servant daily.
Two final thoughts...
Primero...
The most amazing part of the mission trip happened on our first trip into Mexico. We were all stuffed into a big yellow school bus that had been donated to the United in Christ ministry. We were going into Mexico to attend church in Matamoros. At the border crossing, though, our bus was stopped (as expected, I mean, it was a big yellow bus FULL of people). They didn't want to let the bus through because they said we might try to sell the bus. (It was similar to the ones the city uses for public transportation.) In the long time we sat there, waiting to find out where this situation would lead us, instead of saying negative things or complaining, we erupted into praise songs and prayer... one unified voice... lifting up our Father's name. Our team included people from Kansas, China, South Korea, Japan, and Finland... all singing for the Lord! It was enough to give goosebumps or bring tears to your eyes. Oh how wonderful is our Lord and Savior! He provided a way for us to get across that day to fellowship with other believers in Matamoros... and every day following it. I think the fact that this happened at the beginning of the trip, first thing, really set a tone for the week. Now I'm excited to see how the Lord will top that experience in the future mission trips I will take... He is so mighty!
y Segundo...
My grandmother sent me an email the day before I left. She was playing 20 questions with me wanting to know everything she could about the trip. I quickly rattled off answers to her, but there was one comment/question that I had no response to... until now...
She said: I'm interested in why many churches choose to go so far away from home when there is so much to be done here in the U.S.
I believe: She's right. Our world is broken, including our beloved, rich, but lost United States. Marc (one of the ministry's missionaries) reminded us of the passage at the end of Matthew 28 that commands us to "go and make disciples of all nations." He also reminded us of a passage in Revelation 5 that says "from every tribe and language and people and nation." I agree with Marc that not only are we called to serve others in our daily lives, we are called to serve on missions trips. If for no other reason, believers should go on missions trips because it helps keep things in perspective. You learn and grow on another level because of the cultural, language, and economic differences. Not only is all this true, not only do you have the joy of serving and sharing with others, to top it off, you are usually blessed in unexpected ways every single time.
I can't wait until my next trip!
Matthew 28:16-20
Revelation 5:9-10