Please pray for our team as we prepare to go down to Mexicali this winter for 48 hours to pray and to strengthen existing partnerships with congregations there.

• that everyone can make it!
• for unity of heart and spirit
• for logistical details to be worked out
• for Christmas to be a part of what we do, rather than a distraction

Thank you so much!

Can you believe it? I’m leaving the country again! I’ll be serving as an “adult” with the college group and looking forward to spending time with a really high quality group. I wasn’t planning to go with them, but to serve more as a consultant in the planning stages because I wanted them to be able to cast vision and take ownership of the trip. However, as things progressed, and as I talked more with the leader about his vision and plan, it was clear I am a sucker for good missional vision and a solid team…he took advantage of that.

Our main purpose for going is to pave the way for future ministry partnerships with three churches in Mexicali. We already have existing relationships with these churches, but we want to spend our time with them wisely and in ways that will strategically benefit and strengthen their ongoing ministries throughout the year. Since this trip is only about 48 hours in country, our main M.O. is prayer. Basically, we’ll be praying in the field for the field. That’s actually a vision I’ve had for my church’s outreach ministry teams for a few years now. I know we can pray for anything from anywhere, but there is something uniquely powerful about actually praying in the place you want to see God work. It’s the main reason I want to be a part of this team, along with the fact that I love the people on the team.

Please pray for us

• focused vision and attentive listening to God as we prepare and as we spend time with our brothers and sisters in Mexico
• for our team leader, Kevin
  • wisdom as he makes decisions and executes his vision for this trip
  • for his family and healing for his dad, that Kev will feel free to go (or to stay) depending on circumstances
• for our team members: Aimee, Craig, Darren, Nicole, and Kaji (the other adult)
• safe travels, health
• good communication with the pastors of the host churches (our Spanish isn’t the best)

Muchas gracias!

I had the opportunity to stay with a retired couple in Kentucky for a total of about a week. Each morning I greeted Mattie and asked her how she was, and her answer was always the same: “oh, I’m blessed.” There was nothing fake or sickly spiritual about it. She was simply telling me the truth. And it was kind of contagious.

I’m not always as gracious as Mattie about my blessed state, but the truth is, I am richly blessed. I got to celebrate another year a few days ago, and “blessed” is the only way I can describe that day. The schedule was filled only with tasks I wanted to do. If it hadn’t been for the many Facebook messages and a few rounds of “Happy Birthday,” I could have forgotten what day it was altogether. There just wasn’t time to remember it was my birthday; there was simply too much to enjoy.

• started the day with Starbucks and a few hours at a mission office in an environment conducive to possibilities
• felt healthy enough to go running for the first time in two weeks in 70+° weather…in December!
• worked on formulating vision and mission for a new position
• spent the evening among friends seeking God’s best for their new season in life and receiving prayers and words of blessing for the coming year

My life isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. If the highlight of my life is the weather or doing what I want, it really doesn’t qualify for the definition of “blessed.” But when I look at God’s track record of faithfulness and presence, even in the little things like nice weather on my birthday and the ability to go outside to enjoy it, I know He has blessed me beyond what I deserve.

I’ve just recovered from the flu — something that only happens to me once every 4-6 years — and I’ve avoided playing with my youngest nephew because of it. I’m not used to being contagious, but one of my hopes for this year is that, like Mattie, I can become a contagious blessing.

…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12.3

Looking forward to possibly going to Mexicali this winter! Pray for wisdom in prep and for meeting this afternoon at 3:30.

Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds

Theme: YIELD: Submission to Harvest (John 12.24)

Please pray for the speakers, the attendees, and the planning committee.

Register online here.