This last Sunday 4 of the 12 of us from the Mexico Missions Winter team, went to North Shore Baptist church's Spanish congregations service. It was so amazing to see the different form of worship, within the same walls of the church I have grown up in.
I could immediately see the presence of how cultural differences can show through in worship. The friendly, warm, welcoming environment that we as Americans don't often display. I use these words because that is exactly how we all felt. During the greeting, people walked all around, hugging one another, saying good morning, and peace be with you, and it taking a lot longer then the minute were usually given, because we stay in our pews and only greet those around us. Not that its bad, it's just a different experience.
After the service, we separated into groups all getting to talk with people who are from Mexico, who have been to Mexico, who have had the experience of being the outsider, and what to do, what to look out for, and how to really feel Gods presence in our work. They helped put so much into perspective for us. Like something as simple as bringing a band aid, and bug spray. To not eating from the vendors, to taking only what you expect to leave behind, and the big one, to let God work through us!
WOW.... what an amazing experience. I feel like what we have learned from one Sunday morning with people who share God's love and are filled with joy and thanks for what we are doing, is a step into the direction God has intended for us. We are not going because we have to, but because we are called to.
We are going not with the hope of only helping others, but helping ourselves. I am hoping to grow after this trip. To grow closer to the team, to appreciate what I have, continue learning to acknowledge those around me, and to grow closer to God.
The experience from Sunday has already put all these learning's into play.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Missions Trip to Mexico
God has called me to help others, and that statement should come to no surprise to any of you reading my blog. But what God has called my to do to help others this time, is different from the others. I am going to Oaxaca, Mexico from December 12-22 and I am so excited.
There is a certain act from God that happened the week I was accepted to go on the trip that I would like to share. Believe me or not, its true!
So, I sitting in the library working on an exam, and as usual I procrastinated and took way to many breaks to check facebook, and read e-mails.. when I got the e-mail that $100 of the trip was due 2 days from then.... crap!! How was I going to come up with an extra $100? I have been paying back money from this last semester, so I was broke. So I prayed... I told God that I needed him to help me with this. Help me get the money because I am already skeptical about going, and scared and that if I couldn't come up with the $100 then I would have to cancel. I found out that, that week we were going I could work 2 different weddings, and I need the money so... I needed a sign that I was indeed supposed to go to Mexico.
On my way out and to my next class, I get a phone call from my boss at work, asking me if I wanted to work in 2 days for a few hours doing a private gig... it paid $100 cash!
God sure does answer prayers, and that one was quick, so I stopped worrying, and started fundraising. I am almost all paid for, and the cost of the trip is down from $1000 to $850!!
I am thankful and very excited.
This is the Winter Mexico trip!!
We have started meeting once a week, and so far I love these people. They all have such unique stories, and different ways in which God is working though them... I feel blessed to have met them! Please help pray for our safety and our strength.
I will gladly keep updating my blog about our trip!!
There is a certain act from God that happened the week I was accepted to go on the trip that I would like to share. Believe me or not, its true!
So, I sitting in the library working on an exam, and as usual I procrastinated and took way to many breaks to check facebook, and read e-mails.. when I got the e-mail that $100 of the trip was due 2 days from then.... crap!! How was I going to come up with an extra $100? I have been paying back money from this last semester, so I was broke. So I prayed... I told God that I needed him to help me with this. Help me get the money because I am already skeptical about going, and scared and that if I couldn't come up with the $100 then I would have to cancel. I found out that, that week we were going I could work 2 different weddings, and I need the money so... I needed a sign that I was indeed supposed to go to Mexico.
On my way out and to my next class, I get a phone call from my boss at work, asking me if I wanted to work in 2 days for a few hours doing a private gig... it paid $100 cash!
God sure does answer prayers, and that one was quick, so I stopped worrying, and started fundraising. I am almost all paid for, and the cost of the trip is down from $1000 to $850!!
I am thankful and very excited.
This is the Winter Mexico trip!!We have started meeting once a week, and so far I love these people. They all have such unique stories, and different ways in which God is working though them... I feel blessed to have met them! Please help pray for our safety and our strength.
I will gladly keep updating my blog about our trip!!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Apple Picking
Ginormous pumpkins
Family time well spent and long over due!
We got baby apples
Alex loves apples!
When you want the ones at the top... Dad is all over it!
I liked these ones!
The good ones can be at the bottom too!
Mmmm Apple!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Who am I?
Who am I?
This has been a theme question lately in Chapel. Well, Who am I? To be honest I am still learning who I am. I know all the basics, like favorite color, and food. What makes me tick, and what keeps me going. I know what makes my cry. I know what I need, and I know who I need in my life and who I don't. I know that forgiveness is part of who I am. I have a lot of love to give, and most of the time I am a pretty happy person. I get excited about a lot of random things, and it doesn't take mush to make me happy. I know who I pray to everyday, and who I seek to understand. I know who I aspire to be, and what I don't want to become.
Are these all the things that explain who I am? Would this information help others understand who I am if they had never met me? Or for those who do, would this be things they didn't already know? What does it take to really know someone, and what does it take to really know yourself?
This has been a theme question lately in Chapel. Well, Who am I? To be honest I am still learning who I am. I know all the basics, like favorite color, and food. What makes me tick, and what keeps me going. I know what makes my cry. I know what I need, and I know who I need in my life and who I don't. I know that forgiveness is part of who I am. I have a lot of love to give, and most of the time I am a pretty happy person. I get excited about a lot of random things, and it doesn't take mush to make me happy. I know who I pray to everyday, and who I seek to understand. I know who I aspire to be, and what I don't want to become.
Are these all the things that explain who I am? Would this information help others understand who I am if they had never met me? Or for those who do, would this be things they didn't already know? What does it take to really know someone, and what does it take to really know yourself?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Something to think about....
So at Chapel today Pastor Judy told us this amazing story about Monkeys... It really touched me, and it's been on my mind all day, so I thought I'd share.
There was a group of 6 monkeys, and in order to get food they had to pull on a choice of two chains. One chain if pulled, would drag out a big plate filled with the foods they loved, and if they pulled on the other a smaller plate would come through with a lot less food and of foods they weren't that fond of. So they soon learned to choose the chain with their favorites on it.
Now just like us, these monkeys choose more of the things they love.
Well one day one of the monkeys got hungry, pulled on the chain, and another monkey (far enough away from the group of 6 monkeys to not be part of the group, but close enough to see each other) was shocked. The group heard the screeching, and saw the monkey run to the corner shaking.
From that day on, 4 of the 6 monkeys choose the chain with less food and the food they didn't like as much, the 5th monkey didn't eat for 5 days and the 6th didn't eat for 12 days. They would rather starve, then to put another monkey they don't even know through any more pain.
So, think about it. Why do we as humans keep doing things that hurt others? Why do we choose to do things that we want, even when others are starving or hurting? Just think about it!
There was a group of 6 monkeys, and in order to get food they had to pull on a choice of two chains. One chain if pulled, would drag out a big plate filled with the foods they loved, and if they pulled on the other a smaller plate would come through with a lot less food and of foods they weren't that fond of. So they soon learned to choose the chain with their favorites on it.
Now just like us, these monkeys choose more of the things they love.
Well one day one of the monkeys got hungry, pulled on the chain, and another monkey (far enough away from the group of 6 monkeys to not be part of the group, but close enough to see each other) was shocked. The group heard the screeching, and saw the monkey run to the corner shaking.
From that day on, 4 of the 6 monkeys choose the chain with less food and the food they didn't like as much, the 5th monkey didn't eat for 5 days and the 6th didn't eat for 12 days. They would rather starve, then to put another monkey they don't even know through any more pain.
So, think about it. Why do we as humans keep doing things that hurt others? Why do we choose to do things that we want, even when others are starving or hurting? Just think about it!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Are you serious Westboro??
Today I went to support one of the local Synagogues in Ravenswood and it was a moment I won't forget. The Westboro Baptists are an extremest group, but hey, just look at these pictures,
Seriously?!? Are you kidding me? How can these people call themselves Christians?
I was sick to my stomach, there were kids involved here. Those poor kids are probably about 8 or 9 and I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't even read the signs they were being told to hold up. These kids are being brain washed into thinking that this is right and that was the hardest part for me to see. This is the kind of behavior that perpetuates hatred, conflict, inequality and many other forms of hatred.
What made me laugh is this guy walked over to their side of the street with a sign that read,
"Westboro Baptists Eat Yeast! GOD Hates Yeast! So.. God hates Westboro Baptists" "Come to the best church of GOD 110% Jesus approval rating!" (and we don't eat Yeast)
This guy come to find out is from one of the comedy groups in the area, and some how got onto their side of the street without them even noticing.
Please pray for them! Pray that they stop this, and they stop teaching Innocent children this kind of hatred. Pray that they learn to accept everyone as Gods children and not to judge those who are different.
Seriously?!? Are you kidding me? How can these people call themselves Christians?
I was sick to my stomach, there were kids involved here. Those poor kids are probably about 8 or 9 and I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't even read the signs they were being told to hold up. These kids are being brain washed into thinking that this is right and that was the hardest part for me to see. This is the kind of behavior that perpetuates hatred, conflict, inequality and many other forms of hatred.
What made me laugh is this guy walked over to their side of the street with a sign that read,
"Westboro Baptists Eat Yeast! GOD Hates Yeast! So.. God hates Westboro Baptists" "Come to the best church of GOD 110% Jesus approval rating!" (and we don't eat Yeast)
This guy come to find out is from one of the comedy groups in the area, and some how got onto their side of the street without them even noticing.
Please pray for them! Pray that they stop this, and they stop teaching Innocent children this kind of hatred. Pray that they learn to accept everyone as Gods children and not to judge those who are different.
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