God's Hand

Something I love is seeing God's hand in situations and touching people's hearts. This week we have a team here from Christ Lutheran church. We went into a very poor area to do food distribution. It was amazing to see how open and receptive people were to the gospel in this area. I believe these were truly some of the meek who will inherit the earth. In their circumstances, humility does not come difficult. Most of the houses are constructed using broken pallets tossed out by large companies. They construct walls out of them and put something between the pallets as a barrier. They usually use tin or some type of inexpensive laminate material for the roofs.

One of our students went to one house where a woman was taking care of her 6-7 children. Her youngest child (about 6 months old) was suffering from a very high fever. It appeared as though the baby was struggling to breathe and might not make it. The mother was very worried for him but our team asked if they could pray for him and she said, "Yes."

We held an open-air service for about an hour afterwhich, the student approached me and asked if I would mind going back to that house with her and translating for her to pray with that mother/child again. We got there and went to the back of the house where the baby was. We asked the mother how he was doing and she said, "He's doing much better, here he is." I looked at the baby and couldn't believe it, but I didn't see a baby with a fever or struggling to breathe. I saw a completely healthy 6 month-old baby sitting up in a stroller looking around and smiling. It was incredible. The student proceeded to tell the mother, "We just wanted to come back and share with you that Jesus loves you and your children so much." The Holy Spirit obviously touched her heart as she began to weep. It was amazing to see how God had healed this child and how important this event was to the mother. I felt priviledged to witness a healing that I believe was nothing short of miraculous.

After walking out of the house, I really sensed that God was speaking to this students heart, but not necessarily to go back and pray for the woman and her baby. I believe God wanted her to go back so that she could see what He had done in healing this child.

God, I love you and thank you for surprises, and for having things so much more in control than we think!

Praise Him, Hymn

In the quest for the perfect worship music or song, a lot of us like an occassional hymn. And they sometimes make for the most reflective worship experiences. If you click the title above, you can listen to the YWAM Monterrey Worship Team singing Come Thou Fount. While we typically do music that is much more contemporary, we even had a few people lift their hands to this one and they weren't using the Praise Master 2000 (see the River Valley Church Podcast for the Praise Master 2000).

On a more serious note, what I love about this Hymn is that in the first verse/chorus, the writer is writing about God and His blessing and how amazing He is. By the second verse/chorus, it's as if the writer realizes that in comparison with God, how small and insignificant we are and how prone we are to wander even when we're walking in the middle of God's will.

Hope you enjoy this blast from the past. Note: Please wait a minute once you click the link. Thanks to Dan Spurling for putting this on his website and allowing me to post to it. Dan has been serving at YWAM Monterrey for more than 6 years. He does our promotional stuff for the base and is an awesome person.

Why I Love What I Do

Today we went to a very poor area. Most of the houses are made of pallets with dirt floors. They live on private property which means that if the land owner kicks them off the property, they have to go. We are working with a team from Lincoln, Nebraska (Christ Lutheran Church).

We did food distribution which means we go around and talk with people, share the gospel with them, ask if we can pray for them and bless them with a bag of food which includes a bottle of vegetable oil, a 2lb. bag of Maseca (Corn Flour for making tortillas), a bag of pinto beans and a bag of rice. As we walked around this area, we met with many people who were both physically and spiritually thirsty. No one refused to talk with us and most allowed us to pray with them. We heard a testimony from one woman who informed us that a year ago our base brought a team to the area and they prayed for her husband to find a job. Within 1 week he found work and has had a steady paying job ever since.

As we were packing up our things and getting ready to leave, one of the students from the team came to me and asked if I could translate for them to go back to a house with a very sick baby and pray for it again. We went to the house and when we got there, we were invited in and went to the back of the house where the mother was preparing dinner. The baby was in a stroller right next to her and looked completely healthy. The student, student leader and Pastor all agreed that the baby appeared sick to the point that they were all concerned for it's well being. By the time we went back (an hour or so later), the baby was completely healthy, no fever. They had prayed for the baby's healing and I sensed that perhaps part of the reason God wanted us to go back was so that this student could see what He had done as a result of her prayers. The student reiterated to the mother that she wanted her to be sure that Jesus loves her very much and the woman's eyes welled up with tears. It was obvious that she had witnessed a miracle and it could only be attributed to one God. I got the priviledge of witnessing it and encouraging the student.

That's why I love what I do.

Team Time

This week, we are spending time cleaning up the base and getting it ready for the next team. One day this week, we spent out at the Quinta, which is a building YWAM Monterrey owns that has a swimming pool and a palapa (a large palm thatched roof structure that provides shade from the sun). We spent one day cleaning it and one day enjoying it. We also got to watch Brazil in the World Cup.

I am heading up the Worship Team at the base for our Summer Short-Term Missions season and we've had Worship Practice almost everyday, sometimes twice a day. The team is coming along and I think we're having fun in the process!

Hospital Ministry

We do something here at YWAM Monterrey called, "Hospital Ministry." We load up a cooler full of tacos and bring juice to those at the hospital waiting for loved ones. What frequently happens here is that loved ones often can't afford to travel between home and the hospital if they live outside of Monterrey. So once the visiting hours end at 8:00pm, many of those people stay overnight at the hospital for as many days as it takes for their loved one to be discharged.

This week, I met a man who was a believer, driving a church van when the tire came off. The van went off the road and rolled. There were several passengers in the van, most of whom had seatbelts, however there was one family significantly impacted in this accident. The father of this family was in the front seat and suffered only neck injuries. They had a 2 year-old and an 11 year-old riding with. The 11 year-old was killed on impact. The 2 year-old seemed OK but died on the way to the hospital. The mother suffered internal injuries that resulted in the loss of the baby she was carrying. So this husband and wife lost 3 children in this accident. Please pray for them!

Father, I don't understand how and why these things happen, however I trust that you are in control and ask for you mercy and grace on this husband and wife in this difficult time.

A Week Of Ministry

Ordinarily, I would have sought some transition time to continue the process of unpacking and getting settled in our new home, however this week we have the priviledge of having my Sister, Brother-in-law, and nephews and neices here on a week long family mission trip along with their church's youth group that my nephew assists with. The name of the church is Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church and they brought about 31 youth and 15 adults down to Monterrey, Mexico (plus two children).

They had orientation on Sunday and began Ministry Prep on Monday. Tuesday we went out and did door-to-door evangelism in a rough area that has a lot of gang activity. The team did an awesome job and God had our back. We met one group of about 4 little boys on their walk home from school. We stopped them by the local tienda (store) and began talking with them.

After walking them through the Gospel Message, we asked them if they wanted to pray. They seemed to get embarrassed and none of them wanted to pray (a little peer pressure going on). I invited them to come to a program that the team was holding and the boys said they couldn't go down that street (it was about 1 block away). I asked why and they informed me that, although they are not in a gang, the gangs in that neighborhood know where they live and they are associated with the gang from their block. If the rival gang sees them down on their street, they will chase them and beat them up. Keep in mind, these 12 year-old boys are not even in a gang, but because of where they live they are associated with the gang in their neighborhood.

I invited the boys to come to the program with us and offerred to walk them home afterward to ensure their safety (since I'm such a big, tough guy). Two of the boys took us up on the offer. When we got down the block to where the program was going to be held, one of the boys, Andres, wanted to pray. He did, and confessed sins and issues he struggles with and invited Jesus into his heart. It was awesome! We later hooked him up with the Pastor at the local church we were serving and he took Andres under his wing.

The team did their program and several youth involved in the local gang hung around to watch. While they seemed more concerned about staking out their turff, they took in the music, dramas, etc. The Abiding Savior Team is awesome!

Day 1, YWAM Monterrey, Mexico

Today we got up and began the process of unpacking. We also headed over to the base for a worship service this evening that the YWAM Mazatlan DTS team facilitated. It was awesome.

Our theme for our Summer Short-Term Missions Season is, "Real." Based on Romans 12:1-2, which reads, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. It's a command. It doesn't say, "Try not to conform to the pattern of this world. It doesn't say, do your best in most areas to not conform to the pattern of this world, it say, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world."

We worship and pray to a Real God. I am challenged to make my faith Real. God is Real. He is so Real and personal!

God, thank you for being so Real to me. Thank you for being our front and rear guard! You really did it, for Real! I am humbled and in awe of your grace.

Arrival In Monterrey, 10:30pm

Crossed the border after 5pm, after our wonderful visit to Palm Valley Church which meant that by the time we got our vehicle permit at the border, it was close to 10:30pm before we got to Monterrey, Mexico. In Monterrey we went to the base and said hello and then to our house to get the children to bed.

Father, I praise your name and thank you for getting us here!

PVC

Not the stuff used for plumbing. Today we spent part of the day meeting with the Children's Pastor (and cousin of Chris Manthey) at Palm Valley Church (PVC). Kind of like RVC. In fact, a lot like RVC. This church has a very similar look and feel to our home church, so much so, that we've decided that the Sunday's we spend in Mission, TX, we are going to make this church our first choice. They have an awesome children's and youth program.

We want to thank Nathan and Tiffany Manthey, Children's Ministry Directors, for sharing the vision of Palm Valley Church with us and for showing us around, making us feel welcome and pouring into our lives! You guys are awesome!

Worship!

We got to bed around 6:00am this morning because of driving all night and slept until about 10:00am (as late as the children would allow). Funny how our kids can ride in the car all night and wake up the next morning with as much energy (if not more) as they normally have. I, on the other hand, felt like I lost a few brain cells from the lack of sleep and fatigue.

Brought the car in to Kia in Mission, TX for an oil change (see previous post, same car, different dealer), and then picked up food for lunch.

We are staying at a place called, "Melody Lane." Melody Lane provides housing for missionaries. The cool thing about it is that while it is economical, the quality is better than a hotel. They have standard-size queen beds in all the rooms (instead of doubles) and they have a living room, dining room, kitchen, etc. It feels like home. Not to mention there is a prayer covering on that place that always gives me a peaceful, easy feeling when we stay there.

Went for a walk this evening to spend a few minutes alone with the Lord. I sensed Him urging me to go over to the Rio Grande Valley Prayer Center to see what was going on, or if there was a service this evening, prayer, or anything else that might comfort a road weary traveler's soul. Turns out there was going to be a worship service at 7:00pm.

Went back and told Sandra and the children (and Chris) about it to see if they wanted to partake. Everyone was willing, so off we went, a block over to Harmony Lane to take in a Worship Service.

When we walked in, my first thought was, "This is the kind of worship service I've heard people talk about." I would have to say the key word was Freedom. Freedom in worship. There were flags and banners flying, tambourines being played and plenty of singing and dancing. It was very orderly worship and perhaps that was the cool part about it. The worship team played and worshipped well and after I got over the initial shock (you see, in Minnesota, people are generally a little more reserved), I started to enjoy it. It's funny because I had no idea what God was up to. At the end of the service, the RGV Prayer Center took up an offering on our behalf and we met some wonderful people. One couple agreed to cover the remainder of our financial need for this year and the next thing I new, a handful of us were heading back to our house at about 10:00pm for spaghetti dinner (I had no idea the worship service lasted more than 2 hours and the children were troopers through the whole thing, even got in on the flag waving action).

So, here we sit, in Mission, TX, right on the border, crossing over to Mexico tomorrow to serve the first of a 2-year commitment at YWAM Monterrey, and God comes through like only He does, just like He did when the Israelites stood in front of the Red Sea. I can just imagine them leaving Egypt, for many of them, it was the only life they had known. Then this former murderer comes along (Moses) and tells them he's there to deliver them, and after a series of crazy events involving frogs, locusts and a bunch of other weird things he leads them right up to the Red Sea. I'm sure as they approached the water, many of those people must have been thinking, "Great, we should have known this guy was crazy, he's led us out here to either jump in the Red Sea or be killed by the Egyptians, we never should have listened to him in the first place."

Can't you see it. Standing right there at the waters edge. That is how I would describe the feeling I had leaving MN knowing that we were short on our year's base budget (not including outreach) and that somehow we were going to trust that God would bring it in even though we would be far away. I think I felt as crazy as Moses must have felt (and appeared to the people he was leading).

Father, you blow me away! My best thought, my purest ambition, my most incredible feat is absolutely nothing compared to your glory. I am priviledged and humbled to be yours!

Pink Snowballs!!!

It's funny what happens to you after 2 days of little to no sleep. After travelling 2/3 of the way to Mexico and making frequent stops at gas stations, convenience stores, etc. a craving for Pink Snowballs came over me. I'm not sure where it came from because I honestly can't remember ever eating them. If I did, it wasn't enough of an experience to leave a vivid recollection of any sort. Maybe that was what intrigued me about them. Regardless, there I was in southern Missouri, at a truck stop convenience store, getting a Diet Coke to keep me awake and contemplating what snack to enjoy with it. It was as if I could hear the Pink Snowballs calling out to me from the pastry rack, but I denied it. I went for some pistachios thinking that cracking the shells will give me something to do while I'm driving and will help keep me awake. So off I went, a Lime Diet Coke and Pistachios in hand.

It wasn't until the next evening, somewhere in Texas, that I remembered those little Pink Snowballs from the night before. It started as a small craving...then it grew. Everytime we stopped for gas, I would look around the store and I noticed that the pastry brands I was familiar with were becoming less and less and I was seeing brands I had never heard of before. Was it too late? Did I miss my last chance at pink snowballs? How could I be so stupid? It's at least two hours back to the last place I saw them.

Next rest stop, I gas the car, I go inside, to no avail, no Pink Snowballs. But, the pastry angels must have been watching over me because the girl behind the counter thought she remembered seeing them at the Conoco accross the freeway (she used to work there). She called, they had them, we went, I got them, they were delicious. Sandra, Chris and I had a good laugh at how the store clerk who got the call asking for Pink Snowballs must have thought we were nuts. Well, she got to meet us in person. Haven't had 'em since. We were in tears laughing, and I'm realizing as I write, this is nowhere near as funny as it was at the time, but it was a definite, "You had to be there," experience.

Ahhh! Mish Buffet

Imagine The Old Country Buffet, but take away all the pre-packaged foods, require the cooks to make everything from scratch. Somewhere in Southern Oklahoma, we happened upon a little Amish Buffet for breakfast. The French Toast was made from homemade bread from scratch. The eggs were pulled out of the hen house that morning. The coffee was good and the orange juice was fresh. What more can you ask for after driving all night!

Praise the Lord!