We're back! 

We're all back in the states now -- no one was left behind   Praise God for safe travel and an amazing trip.  He blessed us so much!  There were many hard times, but He sustained us.  There were many good times too, and we will all miss Mexico.  Gloria a Dios for everything!

~ Kristina Zaloum

“Why, God?  Why me?”

As I sit here, surrounded by the team for prayer and praise, in the gentle moonlight and cool breeze, my heart is full to overflowing.  Questions and emotions overwhelm me; it is impossible to put them into words.  Some things can only be experienced.  However, let me relate the latest adventure.

After a long day filled with presentations in church, volleyball, and fellowship with Christians, the team headed home with a quick stop for pizza, exhausted and happy; though slightly frustrated because the pizza shop refused to take our order; disbelieving the amount of pizzas we had to order.  What we didn’t know, however, was what lay in store for us—something only God knew.

Carlos, one of our translators, had gone ahead to order pizzas, and while there, began witnessing to several guys (Emos).  They informed him that they were in the darkness, and he began to witness to them about living in the light.  And this was the purpose for the delaying of our pizzas.

Once we arrived, Mr. and Mrs. Phariss went to pick up the pizza, and soon called several of us in: Rachel Dalrymple, Amy Donnenworth., Ellianna McCray, Brian Jones, John Lovette, Alex Damon, Chris Cover, Dr. McCray, myself, and several others.  We didn’t know why we were called in, but soon realized that we were to be silent witnesses.

The men we were witnessing to were dark; their eyes hard and evil—like empty pits of chaos and darkness.  Covered in black with chains, piercings, jewelry, and horrible other possessions (the whole deal), we could tell Satan had quite a bit of power in their lives.  While the Phariss’ witnessed to them, we prayed.  We told them that Christianity is about a personal, intimate relationship with the living God, not simply a religion, attending church, or saying a little salvation prayer.  Eventually, we gathered around them and began to cry out to God.

The darkness and evil was so thick it was suffocating; it simply crawled, slithered, smothered, and engulfed those it ensnared.  For those who don’t believe in the supernatural, this experience would change your mind.  However, as we cried out to God, the darkness began to lift and you could feel the presence and power of the living God.  The music blaring and televisions roaring no longer mattered; you could not hear them.  The din quieted inside and out; all still, and quiet, and in awe before God.  The impact of this event is impossible to explain; it was one you had to be there for.

PRAISE GOD the guys all accepted Christ!  You could see the immediate transformation in their eyes and countenances!  It was powerful indeed; the kind of thing that makes the entire trip (and life) worth it.  We sang “I Will Call Upon the Lord” for them, and I do believe they enjoyed it.  (The entire pizza crew and everyone in the shop stopped to watch and listen.)

As I reflect upon this experience, I wonder why I was chosen.  I am weak, immature, foolish, and little.  I don’t have special talents…all I did was listen and pray.  (Never underestimate the power of prayer-of a living God!!)  I am honored and greatly privileged to have been a part of tonight.  Faith is so real.  God is ALIVE!!

And yet, so often we focus on the trivial things.  We want to have fun with friends, or find things to complain about.  Life is so short; we must live in the light of eternity.  We should be so completely on fire for Jesus Christ that everything we do and say—everyone we meet—should see the light—the difference in us.  We must be bold and greet everyone we meet.  The people around us—the person on the street—are dying without Christ. 

Several of us girls began to cry, literally falling on our faces before God in our room, praying and pleading that Jesus would melt us, break us, soften us, and set us on fire for Him.  Pray that we would be bold, and that we would focus on the bigger picture; continually searching for opportunities to witness.  Pray that God would seal the hearts and souls of these young men.  Pray that others around them (and one who walked out) would come to salvation.  Pray that Satan would no longer have influence over them; that He would be rebuked and bound.  Pray that God would continue to mold them, draw them to Himself, and show Himself strong in their lives.  Pray that as these men march with their buddies on June 17, that they would have power and boldness to witness and that a revival would begin among people such as themselves.  Please, please, please pray for us!!

My heart’s desire is to be completely bursting with Jesus Christ, His power, love, joy, glory, and passion.  I want to be bold and search and seize opportunities to share the light I have been given.  I have been incredibly blessed and spoiled growing up in the light and love of Jesus Christ.  But what good is this if I do not share this?  Do I desire only to live a life of fun and pleasure, or one totally surrendered to Jesus Christ?  Am I sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?  How much time do I spend with the living God?  Am I simply satisfied with salvation?  Am I ready to march on the front lines for Christ and strongly work and cry out against the powers of darkness?  How real is this to me?

The culture in Mexico is so like ours in music, dress, materialism, and other such things.  And yet, it is drastically different.  There is no concept of time here.  The people are hospitable, friendly, warm, welcoming, and loving to even complete strangers.  They take time to think and build relationships with people.  Life is simpler, richer, and more beautiful—purposeful.  In contrast, Americans seemingly have everything in the world, and are still discontented, selfish, rushed, and impatient.  We have lost the meaning, the beauty, of life.  Our focus is on ourselves and what will bring us the most pleasure instead of looking at the bigger picture and completely losing ourselves in Jesus Christ.

In the end, what will matter?  Will God query as to why we didn’t watch a particular movie, or what enjoyable activity we didn’t participate in?  What regrets will we have at the end of time?  How many people will have been touched by our lives?  What reward and treasure are we building in Heaven?  Where is our focus?  Where are our hearts and thoughts?

Our God is a mighty God!  He is awesome and living and powerful!!  He cares and loves and desires to save and deliver!  May God be our vision, the Lord of our hearts!  Truly, my Lord is more precious than silver, gold, rubies, and all other things the world has to offer!  Jesus Christ is worthy of our all—all power and glory and riches!  Praise be to God our Father for ever and ever!  Amen!

SMILE!!

Alicia Gardner

As Kristina said in the last post, we were planting trees - or, were supposed to be planting trees - all yesterday afternoon...

Towards the end...

And as a farewell gift, we got to watch one of the prettiest sunsets of all time...

And that's all for now - the internet isn't very condusive to picture posts, but hopefully someone will have the patience to post more sometime in the near future.

Hasta luego!

Robyn