I'm called

to Mexico. I'm sure of it. I fully expect that this time next year I'll either be there or be heading there shortly.

Just wanted to get that out in the open. Thank you God, for answering my prayers and giving me clarity.....I am so glad to KNOW :) I can't wait, Jesus!! Mexico is amazing, thank you for giving it to me.

Now I just need to find myself either A) a man who loves Mexico the way I do or B) a Mexican husband....

I think I'll take option B.

this place

is so beautiful. because the people are beautiful. i say that everywhere i go, because everywhere i go it's true. and i could live here. also true everywhere i've been. truly true.

so i've decided something. it's time. the rubber meets the road here. when i get home, it needs to be all or nothing. and it's not going to be nothing.

i've been thinking a lot about all the people who live in the neighborhoods near me. they don't know Jesus. and this summer i have lots of free time. i work until noon every day, and every afternoon there's time. time to go to them. to talk to them. to love them and to spend with them. i'm gonna do it. and how easy is it? they're right there, there's no language barrier...true, there are lots of differences, and maybe i can't relate to everything they experience, but....i love them. i do. because He loved me first, and He loves them most.

these are my thoughts these two weeks here. wow. two weeks already. i don't want to say adios.

mexico

is 15 or so hours away. i have no idea what's in store for me there, but i am looking forward to whatever it is :) 

i kind of feel like i'm abandoning everyone in jackson, though. mario told me today that since i'm going to be gone three weeks, he would be too. hm...that made me smile. i love those people, man. i really do. they're becoming more than neighbors. they're my friends. i will miss them while i'm gone. 

and it will keep getting better. 

i need to bathe. shalom to all and hopefully i'll get to write on this thing while i'm gone...if not there shall be post-trip reflections for sure. 

when it's all said and done, only three will remain: faith, hope, and love. so give me some of those. 

domestication

is taking place in my life right now. i potted a plant yesterday. and washed and folded clothes, changed sheets, did dishes....and i enjoyed it. what is the meaning of all this?

on a spiritual note, i feel overwhelmed. i need more time with Jesus. living down here is draining, not to mention the fact that mercy is my primary gift so everything gets me....i need discernment. i need grace and patience. i need more love. i need a lot of things that i can only find in Him.



in need of grace, in need of love
in need of mercy raining down from high above
in need of strength, in need of peace
in need of things that only you can give to me
in need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
my refuge strong, the great I AM
this is my song, it's my humble plea
cause I am your child, and I am in need.

it's different when you sleep there.

and that's the truth. before i could come and go, but now i'm here and here i stay. it hasn't even been a full week yet and i feel a bit of tension....this is what it means to die to self. just let go of all of my own desires and wishes and let him do his thing. follow.

i'm hoping that soon i'll have a lot to write about my experiences here. this week begins a year of ministry in the inner city. this week begins a new chapter of my life. i don't really know what all that means (and it's good not to know, i've decided).

i miss africa. and mexico. i want to know where i'm going. mali? kameroon? mozambique? atlacomulco?

please, please, please show me. please.

p.s. - THIS made my day:


mr. watson is in good hands now. and i have a picture to prove it. thanks, jared :)




africa, i miss you. my heart longs for you. bring me back.

yep.

give me your eyes for just one second
give me your eyes so i can see
everything that i keep missing
give me your love for humanity
give me your arms for the broken hearted
the ones that are far beyond my reach
give me your heart for the ones forgotten
give me your eyes so i can see

this one is for you, but you know that.

say anything. 

this is safe.

the only other who will see you this way

did before the thoughts even became. 

this one, divinity who stooped to be a man

yes, i ask him every day to stoop again 

and change things. and he is.

invisibly to you, though he will place

his hands on your eyes soon and give you grace

to see it too. 

don't give up. he won't give up on you. 

p.s. - thanks for inspiration. i'm writing again, because of you.