Well, having just spent my Spring Break down in Mexico Building a house for a poor family, and running a Vacation Bible School with my Church, I feel AWSOME!!!
Frankly, I'm going to be honest with all of you (not like I haven't been before), becuase God showed me alot of things this past week. Please don't stop reading now, becuase of another "religious" post. Frankly, I'm just going to be reflecting on what I experienced and felt during this wonderful trip. Please stick with me here...
From the top:
Okay, Well, considering that my birthday was the 26 of March (last Tuesday) and I could have really, really used a week off of school to make some money, hang out, play some paintball, etc... etc... I really didn't think I would be going to Mexico when I first heard about the whole trip. But mainly, I didn't want to go becuase of some personal things that will remain nameless.
Anyway, here's some backround information on the trip before I go any further: About 30 people from my Chuches Youth Group (me included), with our Youth Pastor and some construction workers attending our church headed down to Tijuwana, Mexico from our little town of Bend, Oregon to meet up with a Church group from Riddle, Oregon, and some students at E.B.C. (Eugene Bible Collage) to build a house for a Mexican Family, and run a Vacation Bible School. We stayed in a relative "mansion", a 2-story house with bunk beds, TILE floors, PLUBMING (!), a kitchen, and basically all of the novelties of home. After the house is built and the VBS is done, we shopped for about three days on Friday (yesterday) before driving non-stop back to Oregon. Arriving, well, 3 hours ago. :)
Now then, I basically didn't want to attend becuase of what was previously mentioned, but my parents made me, so I went. On the 24 hour (litterally) bus ride, I was basically sulking, and thinking of what an awsome Spring Break I was missing out on. I coulden't have been more wrong. When we got to Mexico, I was basically shocked. Graffiti EVERYWHERE, run down shops like what you would see in a ghetto, very dirty, GARBAGE!!!, EVERYWHERE. Mexicans (so I was told) would dump their garbage outside of there town or anywhere else to show that they were rich, that they could afford packaged goods (!) and thus, garbage was EVERYWHERE. No nice trucks, etc... just old, beat up Toyota's, etc... The only "clean" parts of Tijuwana would be inside one of the few McDonalds (which actually had a bigger play-place than any McDonalds I had seen) or BurgerKings. Everywhere else was basically dirty. All the while, I was looking at these old, 20ft. x 20ft. houses with NO insulation, no kitchens, no plumbing, dirt floors, and rotting wood houses, wondering if we were going to stay in a place like that . Thank God, we were able to stay in a relative "mansion"
When we got there, we were split up into groups, each group having a tiny (about 15 x 15 foot) rooms paked with double bunk beds and triple bunk beds. Still sulking, I wasn't very happy about where I was, but I was happy considering where I was staying in comparison to where those Mexicans were living. After getting settled in, we all went to the "pavilion" (fancy name for back yard) for a church service.
Normally, during Church services, I am all into it. Especially the worship. I know that alot of you who attend chuch probably just go through the motions. Stand up for worship while your legs get tired, and sit down for the sermon, all the while dreaming about what next paintball item you were going to get next. Not me. A while ago (2-3 years) the Lord really showed me what it's about. This might sound cheesy to some of you, but I'm not afraid to say it, it's about worshiping your God. Plain and simple. Your probably asking, so what? Well, I'll tell ya. The Holy Spirit, that's what. It's the best feeling I've ever gotten. The Holy Spirit swelling up inside you (If you are a born-again christian) "Getting high on Jesus", as I call it. Whooooooooooo...... :)
By now, I've probably freaked a few of you, but please realize that I'm being 100% truthful with you. Don't be freaked out, but I'd rather worship god than play Paintball. Now I know I've freaked some of you... lol. :) As I said, I'm not afraid to say it. God did a mighty work in me this past week. Please, keep reading. I'm not a nut-case. lol.
Anyway, that's how I normally am during church services and worship. But that first day down in Mexico, I just wan't into it. I was still sulking, and plain and simply asking myself: "What am I doing here?!?" Needless to say, I was daydreaming. That night, I didn't read my Bible, as I was still out of it. I just wanted the week to get over with as soon as possible.
The next day, I awoke, took a shower and got dressed, etc... etc... and went to a scheduled morning service, just like last nights. However, during the previous night, my attitude lighted up a bit. I realized, "Hey - I'm down here in Mexico, there's nothing I can do about it, why not make the best of it?" So I tried. I was semi-into the service, but not really. During the day, we practiced some cheesy drama's for the little Mexicans, ate lunch, and practiced some more. On the plus side, I got alot of free time with my friends. However, it was during the evening service that the Holy Spirit really swelled inside of me. During the worship, I just had a complete 180* revolution. I was really into the worship, and the Holy Spirit really turned me around, thank god. The service was great, and that night, I read my bible again (that is a big deal to me, as some of you might be wondering: "So?! Who cares?") Completely filled with the Holy Spirit, I fell asleep listening to Half Hour Silence, the band leading worship, and some of my best friends. (www.halfhour.org) The next day, I was energized! I was down here in Mexico, filled with the Holy Spirit, with my best friends, Worshiping God and hearing his word, and LOVING it!!! We practiced our dramas more, and I just plain felt 110% better! The services were simply Awsome, and each day I was learning more and more, and spiritually growing in Christ. Lemme tell ya, paintball in nothing compared to how I felt. Right now, after this week, if God will tell me to sell my paintball equipment to pay for a missions trip to Africa in August, I'll do it. Gladly. It's the greatest thing I've EVER felt. (again, I'm NOT a nut-case. lol)
Anyway, I went to bed again, filled with the Holy Spirit, loving it all, and feeling even better. Frankly, I'm trying my best, but I'm failing at describing how I felt. WHOOOOOooooooooo...... It's hard.... :)
Anyway, the awsome folks in my room descided to start playing poker with their free time at the end of the evening, using marbles they bought for the little kids. Unfortunately, all the bags were already boughten, so my Youth Pastor loanded my 5 marbles. That number swelled over the days, just like the spirit of got swelled in me, to over 100 at one point. Shameful plug...
The next day, we were scheduled to head out to the construction site for the house we were building, and run the VBS (Vacation Bible School). On our way out there, I got to see more of the Tijuwana landscape. Boy, if I thought the people I had seen coming into Mexico were bad off, the people on the outskirts made them look like millionairs. They live in a dump. Garbage EVERYWHERE, broken glass, you name it. electricity is pirated from a telephone pole. They aparantly shimmied up one of the VERY FEW telephone pulls and rigged a wire to it, then running the wire across the ground, to the houses. The houses were about as big as our room was back at the base. Very tiny. Yet these people were living, and loving it. Smiles were everywhere. I didn't see one person with a frown the entire day. These guys are happy for anything and everything. They are a spanish speaking culture, so communicating with them was somewhat of a challange, but we did o.k. The VBS went smoothly, and we started construction of a families house. Playing with the little kids was a blast. They all wanted a piece of you. KAPUCHE!! KAPUCHE!! (that means piggy back ride in spanish) They all wanted a "Kapuche" :) we would play soccer with them using an old, completely worn ball, almost completely flat, but they loved it non the less. Woderful bunch of people.
That night, the sermon was better than any I had heard, and the Worship was simply awsome. Indescribable... Simply indescribable.... By this point in time, I was reading my Bible and I was learing more each and every minute. God was begining to tell me some things that will remain nameless. Wonderful, simply wonderful experience.
The next day, we went out and did another VBS, and continued building. By the end of the second day, the house was almost done. That night, we attended a curch in the area. Praising god in Spanish is simple amazing... Although I do prefer engilsh. That night, we had an alter call (where anyone who needs to be prayed over comes to the front, and we pray for them). I started praying for this one Mexcian dude with my friend, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his own personal savior right then and there. WHOO HOO!!!!!! Then I began to pray for another guy. Not knowing what the problem is, I just kept praying for the guy. The Holy Spirit was telling me to keep praying. That must have continued for at least 1/2 an hour. Turns out, the guy speaks english! He told me that he has a call for Ministry, and his wife is in Jail due to something I didn't quite catch, and he wanted his wife by his side. Very joyful, becuase he visited his wife that very day, and she gave her life to Jesus. There is more to the story, but I can't really remember. If any of you would like to shoot up a quick prayer for the guy and his wife, I'm sure he'll appreciate it. :)
That continued on for the next day or two. Each day, we were going to the Mexican Church for a message, and WORSHIP! (YAY!). I really can't describe the feeling, but it's simply awsome. By now, I coulden't last 3 hours without my Bible.
Then, on the last day, we visited a Mexican Orphanage (sp?), where these little kids were living in, well... nothing compared to what we have. That was a very touching experience, as was just about everything down there.
On the last day (yesterday, Friday) we got to visit a "nice" part of Tijuwana, and shop. I ended up buying an Oakley (lol, NOT! It's made in Japan by Quartz, but they try to pass it off as an Oakly, Rolex, Omega, etc...) watch for $20, and a wallet for $5. Not bad, but I probably could have bartered lower. While we were shopping, there must have been 100 different guy coming up to you and asking for money or for you to buy a necklase. Overall, the shopping went nicely, and we got to see the full spectrum of the Mexican people in Tijuwana.
On the trip back, I spent the time reading my Bible, and listening to Half Hour Silence or other Worship music. It's amazing how God can just turn around a sulking attitude and transform it into a revolutionizing experience. I must have spend at lease 2 hours out of my days (each day) in prayer. Let me tell you, there is POWER in prayer. I would ask god for a seat to open up in the bus so I could sit next to someone, and BAM! the next thing I know, I'm sitting where I want to sit. Simply amazing. And then you pray for the big things and watch God work a mighty miracle. Amazing...
Simply put, God worked a mighty miracle in me this week, and I'm not going to let the moment slip away. I'll be bringing my Bible to school, to Tennis practice, everywhere I go. The lord truly has completely changed me this past week. Amen!! :)
Frankly, I'm going to be honest with all of you (not like I haven't been before), becuase God showed me alot of things this past week. Please don't stop reading now, becuase of another "religious" post. Frankly, I'm just going to be reflecting on what I experienced and felt during this wonderful trip. Please stick with me here...
From the top:
Okay, Well, considering that my birthday was the 26 of March (last Tuesday) and I could have really, really used a week off of school to make some money, hang out, play some paintball, etc... etc... I really didn't think I would be going to Mexico when I first heard about the whole trip. But mainly, I didn't want to go becuase of some personal things that will remain nameless.
Anyway, here's some backround information on the trip before I go any further: About 30 people from my Chuches Youth Group (me included), with our Youth Pastor and some construction workers attending our church headed down to Tijuwana, Mexico from our little town of Bend, Oregon to meet up with a Church group from Riddle, Oregon, and some students at E.B.C. (Eugene Bible Collage) to build a house for a Mexican Family, and run a Vacation Bible School. We stayed in a relative "mansion", a 2-story house with bunk beds, TILE floors, PLUBMING (!), a kitchen, and basically all of the novelties of home. After the house is built and the VBS is done, we shopped for about three days on Friday (yesterday) before driving non-stop back to Oregon. Arriving, well, 3 hours ago. :)
Now then, I basically didn't want to attend becuase of what was previously mentioned, but my parents made me, so I went. On the 24 hour (litterally) bus ride, I was basically sulking, and thinking of what an awsome Spring Break I was missing out on. I coulden't have been more wrong. When we got to Mexico, I was basically shocked. Graffiti EVERYWHERE, run down shops like what you would see in a ghetto, very dirty, GARBAGE!!!, EVERYWHERE. Mexicans (so I was told) would dump their garbage outside of there town or anywhere else to show that they were rich, that they could afford packaged goods (!) and thus, garbage was EVERYWHERE. No nice trucks, etc... just old, beat up Toyota's, etc... The only "clean" parts of Tijuwana would be inside one of the few McDonalds (which actually had a bigger play-place than any McDonalds I had seen) or BurgerKings. Everywhere else was basically dirty. All the while, I was looking at these old, 20ft. x 20ft. houses with NO insulation, no kitchens, no plumbing, dirt floors, and rotting wood houses, wondering if we were going to stay in a place like that . Thank God, we were able to stay in a relative "mansion"
When we got there, we were split up into groups, each group having a tiny (about 15 x 15 foot) rooms paked with double bunk beds and triple bunk beds. Still sulking, I wasn't very happy about where I was, but I was happy considering where I was staying in comparison to where those Mexicans were living. After getting settled in, we all went to the "pavilion" (fancy name for back yard) for a church service.
Normally, during Church services, I am all into it. Especially the worship. I know that alot of you who attend chuch probably just go through the motions. Stand up for worship while your legs get tired, and sit down for the sermon, all the while dreaming about what next paintball item you were going to get next. Not me. A while ago (2-3 years) the Lord really showed me what it's about. This might sound cheesy to some of you, but I'm not afraid to say it, it's about worshiping your God. Plain and simple. Your probably asking, so what? Well, I'll tell ya. The Holy Spirit, that's what. It's the best feeling I've ever gotten. The Holy Spirit swelling up inside you (If you are a born-again christian) "Getting high on Jesus", as I call it. Whooooooooooo...... :)
By now, I've probably freaked a few of you, but please realize that I'm being 100% truthful with you. Don't be freaked out, but I'd rather worship god than play Paintball. Now I know I've freaked some of you... lol. :) As I said, I'm not afraid to say it. God did a mighty work in me this past week. Please, keep reading. I'm not a nut-case. lol.
Anyway, that's how I normally am during church services and worship. But that first day down in Mexico, I just wan't into it. I was still sulking, and plain and simply asking myself: "What am I doing here?!?" Needless to say, I was daydreaming. That night, I didn't read my Bible, as I was still out of it. I just wanted the week to get over with as soon as possible.
The next day, I awoke, took a shower and got dressed, etc... etc... and went to a scheduled morning service, just like last nights. However, during the previous night, my attitude lighted up a bit. I realized, "Hey - I'm down here in Mexico, there's nothing I can do about it, why not make the best of it?" So I tried. I was semi-into the service, but not really. During the day, we practiced some cheesy drama's for the little Mexicans, ate lunch, and practiced some more. On the plus side, I got alot of free time with my friends. However, it was during the evening service that the Holy Spirit really swelled inside of me. During the worship, I just had a complete 180* revolution. I was really into the worship, and the Holy Spirit really turned me around, thank god. The service was great, and that night, I read my bible again (that is a big deal to me, as some of you might be wondering: "So?! Who cares?") Completely filled with the Holy Spirit, I fell asleep listening to Half Hour Silence, the band leading worship, and some of my best friends. (www.halfhour.org) The next day, I was energized! I was down here in Mexico, filled with the Holy Spirit, with my best friends, Worshiping God and hearing his word, and LOVING it!!! We practiced our dramas more, and I just plain felt 110% better! The services were simply Awsome, and each day I was learning more and more, and spiritually growing in Christ. Lemme tell ya, paintball in nothing compared to how I felt. Right now, after this week, if God will tell me to sell my paintball equipment to pay for a missions trip to Africa in August, I'll do it. Gladly. It's the greatest thing I've EVER felt. (again, I'm NOT a nut-case. lol)
Anyway, I went to bed again, filled with the Holy Spirit, loving it all, and feeling even better. Frankly, I'm trying my best, but I'm failing at describing how I felt. WHOOOOOooooooooo...... It's hard.... :)
Anyway, the awsome folks in my room descided to start playing poker with their free time at the end of the evening, using marbles they bought for the little kids. Unfortunately, all the bags were already boughten, so my Youth Pastor loanded my 5 marbles. That number swelled over the days, just like the spirit of got swelled in me, to over 100 at one point. Shameful plug...
The next day, we were scheduled to head out to the construction site for the house we were building, and run the VBS (Vacation Bible School). On our way out there, I got to see more of the Tijuwana landscape. Boy, if I thought the people I had seen coming into Mexico were bad off, the people on the outskirts made them look like millionairs. They live in a dump. Garbage EVERYWHERE, broken glass, you name it. electricity is pirated from a telephone pole. They aparantly shimmied up one of the VERY FEW telephone pulls and rigged a wire to it, then running the wire across the ground, to the houses. The houses were about as big as our room was back at the base. Very tiny. Yet these people were living, and loving it. Smiles were everywhere. I didn't see one person with a frown the entire day. These guys are happy for anything and everything. They are a spanish speaking culture, so communicating with them was somewhat of a challange, but we did o.k. The VBS went smoothly, and we started construction of a families house. Playing with the little kids was a blast. They all wanted a piece of you. KAPUCHE!! KAPUCHE!! (that means piggy back ride in spanish) They all wanted a "Kapuche" :) we would play soccer with them using an old, completely worn ball, almost completely flat, but they loved it non the less. Woderful bunch of people.
That night, the sermon was better than any I had heard, and the Worship was simply awsome. Indescribable... Simply indescribable.... By this point in time, I was reading my Bible and I was learing more each and every minute. God was begining to tell me some things that will remain nameless. Wonderful, simply wonderful experience.
The next day, we went out and did another VBS, and continued building. By the end of the second day, the house was almost done. That night, we attended a curch in the area. Praising god in Spanish is simple amazing... Although I do prefer engilsh. That night, we had an alter call (where anyone who needs to be prayed over comes to the front, and we pray for them). I started praying for this one Mexcian dude with my friend, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his own personal savior right then and there. WHOO HOO!!!!!! Then I began to pray for another guy. Not knowing what the problem is, I just kept praying for the guy. The Holy Spirit was telling me to keep praying. That must have continued for at least 1/2 an hour. Turns out, the guy speaks english! He told me that he has a call for Ministry, and his wife is in Jail due to something I didn't quite catch, and he wanted his wife by his side. Very joyful, becuase he visited his wife that very day, and she gave her life to Jesus. There is more to the story, but I can't really remember. If any of you would like to shoot up a quick prayer for the guy and his wife, I'm sure he'll appreciate it. :)
That continued on for the next day or two. Each day, we were going to the Mexican Church for a message, and WORSHIP! (YAY!). I really can't describe the feeling, but it's simply awsome. By now, I coulden't last 3 hours without my Bible.
Then, on the last day, we visited a Mexican Orphanage (sp?), where these little kids were living in, well... nothing compared to what we have. That was a very touching experience, as was just about everything down there.
On the last day (yesterday, Friday) we got to visit a "nice" part of Tijuwana, and shop. I ended up buying an Oakley (lol, NOT! It's made in Japan by Quartz, but they try to pass it off as an Oakly, Rolex, Omega, etc...) watch for $20, and a wallet for $5. Not bad, but I probably could have bartered lower. While we were shopping, there must have been 100 different guy coming up to you and asking for money or for you to buy a necklase. Overall, the shopping went nicely, and we got to see the full spectrum of the Mexican people in Tijuwana.
On the trip back, I spent the time reading my Bible, and listening to Half Hour Silence or other Worship music. It's amazing how God can just turn around a sulking attitude and transform it into a revolutionizing experience. I must have spend at lease 2 hours out of my days (each day) in prayer. Let me tell you, there is POWER in prayer. I would ask god for a seat to open up in the bus so I could sit next to someone, and BAM! the next thing I know, I'm sitting where I want to sit. Simply amazing. And then you pray for the big things and watch God work a mighty miracle. Amazing...
Simply put, God worked a mighty miracle in me this week, and I'm not going to let the moment slip away. I'll be bringing my Bible to school, to Tennis practice, everywhere I go. The lord truly has completely changed me this past week. Amen!! :)
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