Should I stay here or do I need to move...

If you don't know what I have been up to these last 18 months or so, I apologize. I just spent the year of 2009 living in and working at a Residency Discipleship program called Kingdom Authority Ministries. I moved out December 16th to pursue what Father has been wanting me to pursue...a M-trip to Central Asia...where I spent 5 weeks during the summer of 2008.

I am now in the support-raising process, and if I'm completely honest, I haven't a clue what I am doing. All I know is that He has been preparing me for this, especially with my recent experience at KA Ministries. I probably wouldn't even admit that this time last year, because of my pride.

You see, God has to break us before He can use us. I recently spoke at the annual KA Ministries Banquet a week and a half ago, and here was a snip-it of what I shared:

"I read a story of some women who were having a Bible study in Malachi. They came to this verse in Malachi 3:3 that says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'"

This was what God was doing to me all last year...putting me in the furnace of his refining fires...it was painful, and I was uncomfortable, but it was needed until I would eventually break and allow God to humble me. I am now in, once again, uncomfortable, unfamiliar territory as I pursue this M-trip.

I was at an all-time low last week...and then a sweet, dear friend reminded me that this trip was not about me, or my abilities, or my knowledge, but rather it was all about God. How often I forget that this is ALL about Him!

So I prayed the next morning that God would show me...give me some sort of revelation that I indeed need to continue pursuing this mission. Not more than an hour later, I received a phone call from my missions pastor asking me to teach his class on Sunday and share my story. I was driving to the Bunkhouse to spend time with the guys there and I started crying as I heard this....what a FAST and obvious answer to prayer!

Later that day, I was getting ready to take the guys to that Third Day/Newsboys/Newsong concert at American Airlines Center, but before I left, I had enough time to check my email...and that's when I saw a substantial financia gift had been donated by some married friends of mine...again, I started crying right then and there...another obvious revelation from God that I am indeed going in the right direction.

While I am at the concert with the guys and our College Group leader and his wife, the wife tells me that she would love to cook a dinner and host some folks that I could share my mission trip with. I was too tired to cry, but my heart broke in half...how could I have doubted God?!

Like I mentioned, we were able to hear Third Day at the concert. Many of you might recognize this blog entry title from the chorus of a song by Third Day titled "Revelation." This song spoke straight to my heart that night...Here is the whole chorus:

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
‘Cause I’ve been trying to find my way
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without you

THIS WAS MY PRAYER!! God is SO faithful, even when I am faithless.

"Hi, do you have time to hear about what God has done for you?"

June 17, 2009 – Wednesday

Today was a very challenging day. No longer were we going back to the M.O.C. for building things, but rather hitting the streets to work in neighborhoods to tell them about a partnering church that is Spanish led. Not only was it quite the cross-cultural experience, but we really got to see the hand of God moving in peoples’ lives today. I went with my roommate, Lonnie, and another man who is a pastor from El Salvador by the name of Wilbur (I’m sure his Spanish name is quite different).

We went door-to-door telling people about the local church and then witnessing to them if they were interested. Many were, so we talked with quite a few people. All in all, I believe we had around 5 or 6 professions of faith. I have to admit, I have rarely shared the gospel with non-believers in the past, but never have I done it door-to-door…especially in an all-Hispanic neighborhood!! So it was a stretching day for me. I was very uncomfortable mainly because I have never done much of this. However, I was confident in what I know about God and Jesus, so I look forward to going back tomorrow to more neighborhoods as we continue the outreach and evangelism.

Bags, beds, and Bible School

June 15, 2009 Monday

I must say…today was pretty awesome! It started out with a breakfast buffet (old fashioned eggs, bacon, and potatoes…mmmmmm), then we went to the church to stuff some gift bags to give to people as we go door-to-door to tell people about the Vacation Bible School we are putting on. Evangelism is also a top goal for these neighborhood visits.

Later this morning, we went to the Mission Outreach Center (ministry under First Baptist Brownsville) to help build some new bunk-beds. It was great because I got to use a drill and put things together…I’m a simple man, so I really enjoyed it. After lunch, we came to the hotel where many went to the pool, but I needed sleep badly, so I took a 2 hour nap.

As Vacation Bible School started tonight, I decided to take part in the adult portion of the time, where parents can come and find out what their children are being taught and to equip the parents with things to discuss with their kids. We had two fathers show up, so we shared our experiences, struggles, and hopes as we discussed life in Christ. All in all, I had a blast seeing what God had done and is doing!

Oh yeah, one of the dads in the class has an adopted, early teen daughter who is quite a handful, but she heard on Sunday my roommates testimony, and surrenders her life to Christ!! Praise God!!

1st Day of VBS!

June 14, 2009

Today started off pretty good. We had breakfast at the hotel and then made our way to First Baptist Church of Brownsville. We have many talented students at Criswell College, so the church let the worship leaders of our group lead worship and then one our graduates who is preaching at a church in East, Texas got up and preached from Colossians 1. The church was very welcoming and warm.

After eating lunch, we came back to the hotel for a few hours where my roomy, Lonnie, and I ran a few miles and worked out in the 95 degree weather. We were tired.

Later in the afternoon, we found ourselves back at the church getting geared up for Vacation Bible Church. I joined the group that was going to teach the parents of the VBS kids. There were only 2 men, so we thought it best for me to go help with the youth. All in all, I was able to do a little here and there, but I felt that I could have been involved somewhere where there was fewer people serving.

It was a great day, but I am tired!! I’m about to lay it down and get rested up for tomorrow.

Road Trip

June 13, 2009

According to Google Maps, it should only take approximately 10 hours to drive from Dallas to Brownsville. However, due to the sheer size of the group, many restroom stops were needed. I won’t forget to mention we also stopped for a tire pressure warning light, we passed the exit for the highway from San Antonio to Chorpus Christi, and then one of our drivers almost rear-ended another van as he was distracted looking at a Sno-Cone stand. So after 12 hours of driving and frequent stops, we finally made it to Brownsville, Texas.

It’s about 94 degrees with a dew point of about 90%. Even in the shade my face was burning. All in all, it has been pleasurable getting to know some of the guys on my team. There are 9 of us and most of the guys look like or actually are rock stars. Needless to say, they have been a blast to get to know!

I am rooming with a guy I used to work with at RightNow.org by the name of Lonnie Smith. I have known him since August of 2007, but we have really been getting to know each others’ stories and views on life and ministry. I’m thankful for this opportunity for God to use an older, wiser man to pour into me some of his knowledge and wisdom and theology.

We are going to be working with young adults and possilby a youth group as we go out to invite different people to First Baptist Brownsville. I have been informed that during the days of Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be building bunk beds for the Mission Outreach Center. During the evenings (when it's cooler) we will be leading Vacation Bible School.

Please pray for:

~Divine appointments and encounters

~Clarity of communication

~Team chemistry (it's been awesome so far!)

Whoa, whoa, WHOAAAAA....

Hey everyone!

I am SO incredibly overwhelmed by the response of many of you to support me prayerfully and financially! I'm so overwhelmed that I have gone over the 100% mark for the support! 0-=

God never ceases to amaze me how He raises up the Body in times of need for workers to do their work. God has led me the last 3 summers (and now this one) to go to a cross-cultural enviroment and each time, I have never had the resources to send myself. As a matter of fact, due to school and living expenses, I have rarely had the resources to go eat a Big Mac, much less travel to these locations to do the work He has for me to do.

I want to send a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone of you who is personally involved in this trip by your investment of time and money! I also want to praise God for His faithfulness to us even when we are faithless.

Please, if you could, pray for the details of the trip as far as driving 4 vans full of college students down 12 hours to Brownsville. We have a full work load each day, so please pray for the harvest, but even more so, pray for my heart and the hearts of the 4 teams. Pray God speaks to us and guides us, and ultimately gives a vision to each of us about what He would have us do with our lives for His kingdom.

I will send out a letter soon before I go to thank each of you as well.

Again, I WILL BE UPDATING this blog during the trip. I will shoot for every night, but I cannot guarantee that I can make that happen...but I will do my best.

Brownsville...I wonder if they have a dog pound?!

Hello everyone! 

I'm back preparing for another short-term trip following Christ as He leads me to a more 'local' cross cultural experience. This time it will be in Brownsville, Texas and possibly (God-willing) Matamoros, Mexico. This area has been in the new frequently lately as there are many issue with guns, drugs, and widespread violence and pestilence (i.e.- The swine flu...gasp!!). 

Forgive me for not taking these things very seriously. I just can't help and look at God's word time and time again where people should have died, and yet God kept them, even in the midst of destruction and chaos. I can honestly say (in the quiet comfort of my home right now) that I am not afraid of going to a place like this...a place where I will probably be targeted for bad things just because I am white. But you know what? God is greater. Period. 

Peter walked on the water when he focused on Christ and nothing else. He didn't start sinking until he looked at the 'circumstances' instead of Jesus. This, so far, by God's grace has been my mindset. 

I have about 2 and 1/2 weeks before I leave...also the same amount of time left before the total amount of support is due (I'm currently at $100 of the $700 total due by Friday, the 12th). 

PLEASE PRAY! I can ask nothing more than this. This alone is the most important, effective, and powerful tool at our disposal. I covet your prayers. I need them and I crave them...so please, if you think of me, please pray.

Finances are a 2nd priority and thus, cannot be ignored. So I ask, please consider investing in the Kingdom of God and join with God in sending me to this spiritually dark area just a few hours south of us. 

Much love to you if you read this far...