The Honeymoon Has Ended

Often in ministry, we talk about the cycles of momentum. The main on lasts about 6 weeks and it is called the honeymoom phase. This means that everything is great, you love the culture and you "seem" to be adjusting well. After that, it goes into a time of hard adjusting of figuring out who you really are in this culture. Today the honeymoon stage ended. People say that one of the hardest parts of living in another country is attempting to get a haircut. I tried today and it's was unsuccessful. It's been a rough one. Who knew my hair would suddenly mean so much to me? This issue is deeper than that but I'm looking forward to what is to come in Mexico--to see who I am in this country, in Christ and what it looks like to love well.

Needless to say, I may not be posting a picture for awhile (hopefully the follow-up appointment tomorrow will be better)!

Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. --Acts 28:31

I read this last night when I got home from a hard day on campus. Sadly, I didn't preach boldly. I was scared and lived a defeated day. Caitlin and I had a hard conversation with some girls on campus. They had really been searching for truth and they found some bunk spiritual stuff like reincarnation and that Jesus was just a man who died for political reasons. I really wrestled with the Lord last night that if people were looking for truth...how come they couldn't find him? I haven't really reached an answer but I know that God is good and he desires that none shall perish.

Today was a little different. I woke up in a really horrible mood and skipped working out with Kat and spent some time with the Lord. I was determined to help further the kingdom and be obedient today. Nate and I went to a campus and it was so refreshing! We went to a campus that has a thriving student led ministry. I met some amazing girls and just saw genuine authentic community being played out.

HERE IS THE GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT WE VISTED TODAY

I praise God for days like the last two. I realize that not every day is going to be easy or refreshing and in actuality we are in a battle for student's souls. I just have to choose everyday to pick up my sword and fight with Jesus. He doesn't need me to fight but he certainly doesn't want another defeated Christian in the world.

Busy Little Weekend

We officially started meeting as a team on Thursday. Our last teammate, Kevin finished support on Friday and will hopefully be coming this week. On Saturday, we went to party for another college ministry in the city to continue our partnership. There were all kinds of fun activities there. Including water games, a mechanical bull, awesome Mexican food and a praise band.

Yesterday, we also spoke at two churches that are partnering with us to reach college students. It was a very long day but I believe that God is going to use these pastors and these church bodies to help us give every college student an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. It's an exciting time to be a part of ministry here in Mexico!

Thanks for walking with me and literally being the hands to reach this country.

My Cupboard

As many of you know, last year my goal was to be down here working with the team last year. However, God had different plans and desired that I would be developed at home in Indiana for a full year and never get an opportunity to serve with the team from 2006-2007. Well I'm here now and am enjoying it but living in this house, I see evidences of the girls living in hope last year for me to be here. The other day, Kat and I were assigning cupboards in the kitchen and we found my cupboard from last year! I took a picture for you.

It was a weird moment for me. I love God's sovereign plan. Just thought I'd share with you.

Adventures in Cuernavaca

My team and I spent the last week at Language School in Cuernavaca Mexico. Not only did we learn more of the language but we made new friends and had some adventures. Here are some pictures.

Here is my friend April and I. She's from California and is studying Spanish for the next 4 weeks and is hopefully going to come and visit us in Mexico City. We went to an Ecology Park for a field trip one afternoon.

One evening, my teammate Kat and I went with some other students to a Luche Libre fight. It is like a less professional version of WWE.

I also made a small wager with one of my friends regarding one of the matches. I came out with 40 pesos!The luchadores were so dramatic but we had good laughs from our seats.

We had a blast and our host family were Christians and loved us well. We hopefully will be able to see them again in Mexico City for a soccer game.

Here are some prayer requests:

• that I would continue to learn the language but on a heart level
• for our meetings that start this week for ministry
• that our team would continue to unify for the sake of Christ