The week before last was completely insane. I crammed all my research for a major paper into one day, attempted to visit a non-profit for a project only to get a flat tire on the way, helped present for Common Day of Learning on adjusting to your home culture after having a cross-cultural experience, dealt with the craziness of "Decision Day" and began to figure everything out that getting R.A. would have taken care of, and had tons of other homework. Needless to say it was a lot.
At church on Sunday my pastor made a point during his sermon, that it wasn't about success or failure, but being obedient and faithful to God.
In chapel the next day the speaker shared her story of how she came to L.A. to pursue a career in the film industry, ending with the point that it wasn't about success or failure, but being obedient and faithful to God.
At the commissioning service for Mexico on Tuesday night the speaker shared a few things, ending on the note that it wasn't about success or failure, but being obedient and faithful to God. Okay, God, I get it. Clearly You're trying to tell me something. But I as strived to figure out how it tied in with my present circumstances, I failed to do so. It just didn't click... yet.
In my leadership class on Wednesday evening we began with a devotional from My Utmost for His Highest, as we usually did. Although in different words, the premise of it was that it wasn't about success or failure, but being obedient and faithful to God. I laughed when I heard it.
By the end of the week I was exhausted. I was beyond over school and ready to get away from the busyness and chaos of college life. I anticipated my week in Mexico being the thing I needed most, with me coming back refreshed and recharged. I didn't want to have too many expectations, however, as I know things don't always go as we plan or want them to be. So I threw off all expectations as I went into the trip.
I was one of the drivers for my team, which I thoroughly enjoyed as I don't get to drive when I'm at school and I love driving. Of course the most difficult part was finding the balance between following speed limits and staying with your caravan; the two didn't always coincide. I had the same issues driving home. I don't think I've ever prayed so much before, but sure enough, God protected us. No tickets or accidents. Hallelujah! ;)
Our first full day in Mexico, Sunday, was spent making a Walmart run and hanging out at base camp most of the day. There was plenty team bonding, which was much needed. Although it was difficult at first, being in Mexico and "not doing anything," I was grateful for it. Always good connecting with those you're serving with before you go out and do ministry.
Monday through Thursday were spent at the orphanage, Agua de Vida. Definitely one of the coolest ministries I've ever been able to witness. There are somewhere between 25 and 30 kids who live there, ranging from the age of infant to 17. Although most of them come from difficult pasts and rough circumstances, they take care of each other. They defend each other at school and help out around the orphanage. I have no doubt that being raised in a Godly environment helps this. Mario and Veronica Santos, the couple who started the orphanage, have incredible hearts. They've been obedient to God's calling on their lives and give it their all. Mario is American and Veronica is Mexican; they married 25 years ago, spent their first 15 years of marriage in Southern California, then took their three kids and moved to Mexico to start the orphanage. It's now been 10 years. I can't tell you the number of stories they have about God's miraculous provision. Incredible stories.
At the beginning of the week I felt distracted, not present. Monday night we spent some time in prayer and saw every thing we had prayed for come to fruition not just the next day but all week. The weather cooled off. We had strength and energy like we hadn't had before. We were filled with incredible joy. It was so much and so good. We spent most of our time at the orphanage hanging out with the kids. It wasn't us going in and implementing our own plans but rather being present and witnessing the things already going on. Although it could have been difficult we quickly became okay with that. It was such a blessing. At the end of the week, however, we did throw a birthday party for a sweet girl named Sarai. She was turning 10. We had a piñata, played games, and ended the day with cake and "Happy Birthday." It was cool seeing the kids open up as the week went on. Their unique personalities began to show, all the more amazing seen in light of the hardships they had been through.
It wasn't until I was home Friday night, talking to my grandma, that it finally clicked. Everything God had been speaking to me the week before finally made sense. Initially, and even throughout the week, I felt frustrated because I felt like I relationally "failed" with the kids. I didn't get close with any of them and because of it it wasn't too difficult saying goodbye. I felt like it should have been and that frustrated me. "It's not about success or failure, but being obedient and faithful to God." Failure, however we define it, doesn't matter. The point is that we made ourselves available, were willing, and present. I was able to end my time in Mexico feeling joyful and full of peace because it's not about me and my own "successes." It's never been about either of those; it's about God and doing what we're called to do.
The expectations I had thrown off about getting close with my team were also blown out of the water. I left every expectation behind yet was blessed with a team that was fun to be with, authentic and transparent, and strives to live like Christ. We hung out the night we got back and are planning to do so this coming weekend as well. Even if we didn't though and the only time we were together was in Mexico, that would've been enough. Again, it's not about success or failure, in whatever sense, but being obedient and faithful.
When that is enough you are truly free.
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Check out a video highlighting my time in Mexico:
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/89218344
YouTube: http://youtu.be/ciOBFCKOrrg
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A Whirlwind of Change
Woah. Four weeks ago I blinked. And now... a month has gone by. Thrust from the position of cabin counselor at a camp at which I'd finally begun feeling comfortable and back into the world of college life. As I mentioned before, working at the camp that I did this summer literally changed me. Built up my faith. Strengthened me. Opened my eyes to the beauty of a human being. And much, much more.
The same day my camp job ended I left for California and spent a few days at my aunt and uncle's in Northern Cali. Got to meet my (relatively new) baby cousin. Absolutely adore her.
About mid-August I flew the rest of the way down to Southern California. Back to college. This time, however, I returned a few weeks early for Alpha (Orientation) Leader training. Little did I know how much it would impact my life. The first week of training involved a lot of miscellaneous stuff, including bonding and teamwork activities. As an Alpha Leader we are all put into groups known as AC groups. An AC, or Alpha Coordinator, is a sort of "Alpha Leader" for the Alpha Leader. The eleven of us in my AC group have grown to be considerably close. It'd be an understatement to say we're a family now.
The second week of training involved a week-long mission trip to the Bay. Unfortunately for the sake of secrecy and the impact of the program, I'm not allowed to say too much about it on here. It definitely had an impact on me though. To say it was life-changing barely does it justice. God revealed to me a lot of truths about myself. Some of those truths in particular, relating to my identity, finally reached my heart from my brain. To get something in your brain is one thing. To get it in your heart is something entirely different. For when you realize truth in your heart, you're literally changed from the inside out. It changes the way you view yourself, others, and the world around you. Needless to say I'm a different man now. If only I could fully convey the entirety of what God's done in my heart. It's absolutely incredible.
The third week of training focused on the logistical side of things. Unfortunately I missed a significant amount of it as I am also in the Men's Chorale here at my school for the second year in a row. With choir camp also happening that week, I had to bounce back and forth between choir and Alpha training. It was rough, but I made it through. Classes start tomorrow and I'm excited to be able to fully invest in choir as I wasn't really able to before.
Orientation was this past weekend and just concluded with day five. If only I could explain how exhausted I am. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually... I don't have much left. If given the choice though, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. With today being day five, the busiest part of the Alpha program is over. The rest of the semester involves weekly Alpha group meetings, AC group meetings, and a weekly leadership class that the freshmen are required to take called Beginnings. I cannot explain how much I enjoy being with my Alpha group. Considering the fact that we've only been together for about five days, I have really good vibes about the semester to come. Needless to say they're a pretty solid group. We're Alpha Group 48--don't hate! (That's our group motto that I put on our sign; after all, I had to rhyme somehow!)
I am beyond excited for the semester to come. Excited for the Class of 2016. They've got so many good things coming for them; if only they knew. Though maybe it's a good thing they don't. It'll be that much greater when it happens.
I also forgot to mention that I got accepted to study abroad in South Africa next spring. After much paperwork, shots, and prayer, I'll be departing in January 2013 for a three-month period. Can't wait for that either!
God continues to prove His faithfulness to me. He provided me with a bike for a triathlon class I'm taking this fall, one week before the class was supposed to start. Talk about a close call--yet God still came through!
He is so good. BOOYAH!
The same day my camp job ended I left for California and spent a few days at my aunt and uncle's in Northern Cali. Got to meet my (relatively new) baby cousin. Absolutely adore her.
About mid-August I flew the rest of the way down to Southern California. Back to college. This time, however, I returned a few weeks early for Alpha (Orientation) Leader training. Little did I know how much it would impact my life. The first week of training involved a lot of miscellaneous stuff, including bonding and teamwork activities. As an Alpha Leader we are all put into groups known as AC groups. An AC, or Alpha Coordinator, is a sort of "Alpha Leader" for the Alpha Leader. The eleven of us in my AC group have grown to be considerably close. It'd be an understatement to say we're a family now.
The second week of training involved a week-long mission trip to the Bay. Unfortunately for the sake of secrecy and the impact of the program, I'm not allowed to say too much about it on here. It definitely had an impact on me though. To say it was life-changing barely does it justice. God revealed to me a lot of truths about myself. Some of those truths in particular, relating to my identity, finally reached my heart from my brain. To get something in your brain is one thing. To get it in your heart is something entirely different. For when you realize truth in your heart, you're literally changed from the inside out. It changes the way you view yourself, others, and the world around you. Needless to say I'm a different man now. If only I could fully convey the entirety of what God's done in my heart. It's absolutely incredible.
The third week of training focused on the logistical side of things. Unfortunately I missed a significant amount of it as I am also in the Men's Chorale here at my school for the second year in a row. With choir camp also happening that week, I had to bounce back and forth between choir and Alpha training. It was rough, but I made it through. Classes start tomorrow and I'm excited to be able to fully invest in choir as I wasn't really able to before.
Orientation was this past weekend and just concluded with day five. If only I could explain how exhausted I am. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually... I don't have much left. If given the choice though, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. With today being day five, the busiest part of the Alpha program is over. The rest of the semester involves weekly Alpha group meetings, AC group meetings, and a weekly leadership class that the freshmen are required to take called Beginnings. I cannot explain how much I enjoy being with my Alpha group. Considering the fact that we've only been together for about five days, I have really good vibes about the semester to come. Needless to say they're a pretty solid group. We're Alpha Group 48--don't hate! (That's our group motto that I put on our sign; after all, I had to rhyme somehow!)
I am beyond excited for the semester to come. Excited for the Class of 2016. They've got so many good things coming for them; if only they knew. Though maybe it's a good thing they don't. It'll be that much greater when it happens.
I also forgot to mention that I got accepted to study abroad in South Africa next spring. After much paperwork, shots, and prayer, I'll be departing in January 2013 for a three-month period. Can't wait for that either!
God continues to prove His faithfulness to me. He provided me with a bike for a triathlon class I'm taking this fall, one week before the class was supposed to start. Talk about a close call--yet God still came through!
He is so good. BOOYAH!
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