40 Day Fast: Week 4

The smallest coffin I've ever seen

Day 22: Felt great most of the day. Woke up feeling rested. The morning was going along fine. Our missionary brother, Raul, came in with his wife, Marta, and a brand new washer for the Casa de Misiones. The other one was very old. As we hauled off the old one, a group of three young men were waiting at the front door. One looked very sad. He spoke first and asked me if we could help him with something. Since we've been here, it has been very rare that a man comes to the door for help. I could tell that this was very different. He asked for money to help bury his daughter. He would first check to see how much everything was going to cost. Of course, we helped him when he came back but then he had another request. The priest was nowhere to be found as this is his day off. The man and his wife had everything ready for the burial and asked if we could meet them at their chapel, sing some songs, and offer some prayers for their daughter. I told him that we could and that we would go talk to Tonio about playing guitar while he finished gathering the rest of the funds for the burial. Tonio was VERY sick and could not assist so I asked Gallo. We arrived to a packed chapel full of sad relatives. Then came the shock. The casket was tiny. A baby. One and a half months young. I was told the baby spent most of her life in the hospital with kidney and then lung problems. They had taken her to another room to get her totally ready. Stacie and I kept praying for a miracle and that she would rise from her rest. I didn't know it but as I was praying silently I felt an electric charge go through my body right as they were carrying her through the doorway right near me! I just knew something was going to happen. It was tough singing the opening songs and staring at the open casket. I paused many times choking back tears. Ana Julia Abegail looked very sweet in her white dress with a crystal rosary draped over her. We all gathered and prayed what we thought was going to be conclusion. 

Padre Gustavo

Then at the perfect time a priest walks in. I was glad he was able to do the official ceremony for little Ana. I got to sit next to the parents and right in plain view of baby Ana. As Father prayed along, I was drawn to Ana's forehead. Earlier I had made the sign of the cross on her before we prayed. It was VERY visible!! It was still there!! Maybe it's because of the light pressure I put on her forehead or maybe it was there to show us that she belongs to Him...forever.  R.I.P. Ana Julia Abegail Martinez Garza

Pole Beans and cucumbers

Day 23: Today was a little sad. Still thinking about yesterday's funeral. Our missionary brother, Tonio, has been sick since Sunday. We also went to visit one of our favorite chapels, La Trinidad. Not very many came today. A lot of kids came by though with only a couple of ladies. Still had a Bible sharing on the cost of being a follower of Christ. "What does it cost to be a missionary? EVERYTHING!" The sad part of leaving La Trinidad is that we didn't get to tell everyone our goodbyes. Sometimes we are only called to plant the seeds and we may never get to see the fruits of our labor. Praying for the people there to be good soil for the seeds that God spread and to grow in the Faith. Also praying for us to see some of the real fruits or veggies from the literal seeds that I planted here before we leave :)


Day 24: Went to a home visit where the woman of the house is almost blind. Dona Rosa had eye surgery some time ago and came out with her left eye worse than before. Doctors told her that her vision in her left eye is probably gone and that her right eye has a cataract. We prayed with her and felt led to help her with half of the cost of the cataract surgery that she needs. It must be so hard to only see lights and shadows. I think it would be very frustrating. It's not always easy for me to be a missionary. 

Walking by Faith

A lot of times we are asked to walk by faith. "Trust Me." A lot of times we take baby steps trying to figure out God's will and where He's leading us. I stumble, yes, and I sometimes don't want to move. The awesome thing about God is that He never forces me to go on. He is patient and kind. Was feeling a little burned out today. Actually felt pretty hungry and was a bit grumpy. Then one of our friends, Minerva, from a nearby chapel, 2 de Abril, came by to invite us to their rancho's fiesta Mass. It was the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We were bummed when we arrived as Father Juan was wrapping up the Mass (he had moved up the time in a very short notice). It was still a blessed time visiting with everybody and watching the Danzantes doing their rain dance/prayer to God. Then Minerva starts to wave us down to her house. She served all of us some great Mexican food. SPICY!!! God is good! I immediately felt a surge of energy and praised God for His goodness. Later that evening we all crowded around the computer to sing Praise and Worship songs from Youtube since I am in the "beginner" stage of learning my guitar. Here is a song that we've heard mant times before but man it was powerful tonight. Took the burned out feeling away. Hope it works-- We Must Go

Fiesta Mass of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Day 25: Just flat out shocked at the Supreme Court's decision to keep all parts of Obamacare intact. Now they're saying it is a "tax". Very disturbing news for people of faith. Felt comforted after our morning prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. Romans 8: 18-21 "The sufferings of the present day are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us. Indeed, the whole created world eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. Creation was made subject to futility , not of its own accord but by him who once subjected it; yet not without hope, because the world itself will be freed from its slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God." We must continue to hope in the coming of Christ and be freed from all of these sufferings.

San Antonio de las Cabras

Day 26: Went to our last rancho- San Antonio de las Cabras. My daughter, Meredith went to ring the bell and the rope busted after a few rings. All the homes had their doors shut and it looked as if no one was there. It always seemed like a scene out of a western ghost town to me but their chapel was one of my favorites. They have a picture hanging on the wall of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-- my hometown of San Juan, Texas!!! Anyway, right as we were about to go door-to-door to invite, the three usual ladies started walking up towards the chapel. Our topic for the day was to celebrate Sts. Peter and Paul. I have always loved St. Peter. Reading the New Testament Peter seems to have done things the way that I would have. I feel for him when he is rebuked for striking and cutting off the soldier's ear. I would've probably thought that I was doing the right thing, too, by being brave and protecting the King of kings. Then I feel for him when he says that he would NEVER deny Christ then does it soon after...3 times in a row!!! How many times have I done that?! But the thing that impresses me most is that he repents and receives the Holy Spirit to become the leader of Jesus' Church with boldness! Well, I'm not there yet but I want it! St. Paul is a great example, too. Here is a guy doing all the wrong things to persecute the Church. Unlike St. Peter, he is educated, rich, and powerful...with things of this world. Then, our Lord appears to him in a blinding Light asking him to quit his ways. Bam! He has a conversion of heart and the Holy Spirit again guides another to become a leader for the way the truth and the life. Both men leave what they've always known to follow Jesus bringing thousands of others to the Church. That's what I want! This fast has shown me in different ways how I must put off the old ways. Ephesians 4:23-24 "Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man."


Day 27: Probably our last Saltillo day. Moved Stacie's doctor's appointment from Tuesday so that we can have 4 solid days of cleaning and arranging the mission house next week. 

Baby Alvarez! Boy or girl???

Was in awe of how much detail is shown on today's sonograms. The others looked like black and white shadows that could only be interpreted by the doc. Amazing that a tiny child is in the womb! A soul is waiting to be born into this family. How innocent this creation is all nestled in the comfort of his/her momma's belly! I was thinking that it is no wonder that the minute we are born into this world we look for comforts. Everything is different. Sounds, sights, temperature change. When we get older, it stays the same. We are always looking for the best. For some things that is good but not for all things. Does it really matter if we get "the best seat in the house"? The best, stylish clothes, the most delicious food, or the promotion at the office? Thinking of the second half of our Lord's answer to which is the great commandment. In Matthew 22:39, He says, "...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If we love ourselves that much to have the best of things, then we would offer them to our neighbor to show God that we love Him more. Not always the easiest thing to offer a total stranger a seat on a bus and opt for standing for the whole ride. Not always the easiest thing to trade a messed up order of your favorite food so that another can enjoy their meal. It's not always the easiest thing to turn the other cheek. Click to hear one of my favorite Rich Mullins songs- Hard to be like Jesus(?)  

The Garza Family and Tonio's parents

Day 28: Sundays are awesome! Ever since we started attending the Tridentine Mass in Houston, I've realized the importance of keeping this day holy. We've been extremely blessed letting go of the day to day experiences to just relax and meditate on God's goodness. Always Mass first, then family on Sundays. I used to work on Sundays earlier in my aircraft career to make "double time" on the overtime pay. Not worth it. Today, the Garza Family had their send-off at the end of Mass. They are going on their first solo mission to Allende. We will follow them and spend a day or two with them before my family crosses back into the States. The large gathering afterwards to say goodbyes blessed me. Here is a family leaving everything they've known to go and preach the Gospel in a foreign city. There was many tears from family and friends. I told Tonio that all these people there shows how much work they did here and how it will be in Allende when they leave there. God bless all those who say "YES!" to His call to serve Him in missions. God bless the Garza's in their new mission. 

40 Day Fast: Week 3

Cool Bikers

Day 15: Started the day by thinking of and thanking all of our benefactors. Your help in our ministry is crucial. Without you we couldn't be going out to meet as many people as we have. Today, we had a slow day at our door ministry. It was a busy weekend as the fair and festivities for Saint Anthony's Feast concluded. I will not miss the loud music, rides, or the daily smells of funnel cakes, pizza, and BBQ pouring in from our open top patio. Nap time for the kids came and cut into our time for our usual Monday home visits. I came home from changing the oil and spark plugs in the van. (Compact engines aren't always nice.) We also had invited the Garza Family to our house for dinner instead of having Mari slave over dinner for us as she has been since we arrived in April. I was convinced to share in the meal as I was the one that suggested that Mari take a break. Believe me it was tougher to eat that meal than it was to go without for 6 days! I wasn't going to let it bother me though. I still served a small amount but then realized something. I tasted the food and it was good but I was feeling full. This is way different than before. Before it was "eat everything, don't waste anything". I was also blessed when I heard Tonio ask me how the fast was going. He then told me that once he gets to his new mission post that he will start a fast as well. Praying for Tonio to hear God's will. After our guests left, I quickly remembered about a lady that had come to our door on Sunday asking for an extension cord. She needed it long enough to borrow electricity from a neighbor uphill. We went to the hardware store but they were closed because of the closing festivities of the fair. I checked it out today and they had one 30 meters long. Stacie and I headed to their house. We were about 15 meters short. Thankfully, the lady uphill had another 30 meter long one in her house that she wasn't using. We had to splice it all up and tape it with the sun starting to set. Meanwhile, Stacie was at the house asking the family if they had eaten. It had been two days since this family with 4 children had eaten. After many wiring attempts, we finally got it hooked up. We then swung by the house to pick up a food pack and my Bible. The family was very thankful and we thanked God for making our paths cross. God is good!

Ramon, Angelica and their children

Day 16: Continued making plans for our return to the States in early July. Time is winding down but we have to keep going strong with our ministry. Hard to balance the housekeeping, ministry, and our mission schedule as time flies by. We had our weekly team meeting with the Mexican FMC missionaries. We read/reflect on Matthew 4: 18-22. Jesus calls four fisherman. We were all impressed that Jesus' simple words to "come, follow me" were powerful enough to convince the men to drop everything and do it. It is easy for us to see how it ends for each of them in their walk with the Lord. I commented how it was hard to see that Jesus would want to use us for His mission. I mean how many times have we read or heard that He is calling us? Every day. I also said that the more we heard His calling to serve Him in missions the easier it was to say "Yes!". The call became so strong and so real every time we read Scripture. It is right there in black and white. Written so many years ago but so real and needed in this present day. We do know how it will end for us. Not the details but the big picture. We will be with Him in His glorious presence...forever!

Not me

Day 17: Surprised that I am writing number 17 and not having passed out by now. God's grace is with me in this walk. At the beginning of this fast I was thinking of how long it really is. Days 3-5 were probably the toughest. I am just now feeling a little of the grumblings. Still nothing that makes me want to go in and knock over everyone along my path to raid the fridge. Got curious about Jesus' temptation in the desert. Opened to Luke 4: 1-13. The very first words jumped out. "Jesus returned from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the desert, where He was tempted by the Devil for forty days." I, too, was led by the Spirit, after the Pentecost trip that we hosted, to go on this fast. I, too, am being tempted. The Devil really comes at you stronger when you're trying to listen to God's will. Distractions, distractions, distractions. Pray for me to keep going and keep listening...to God.


Day 18: This is our normal day for home visits in La Colonia. God's timing is perfect. Our day was other than normal. We had been thinking about going to Saltillo soon for things we needed. With our first home visit, Dona Marciana asked if we could take her to see her daughter after her cancer surgery. We agreed. Next, we stopped by to see Francisca and Chemo who also needed to go so that they could look for work. Great! Our last visit is with a single mom with 5 children. She needed to go to Saltillo to be present at court because her ex-husband was trying to get custody of her baby son. A perfect 3 for 3 of our home visits got a ride into the big city. We usually visit another in the area but we were afraid they were going to want to go too :P Just kidding. Still a full day tomorrow. Your will be done not mine.


Day 19: Woke up at 6:30am but had a rough night sleeping. The rooms are so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face. I woke up at 3, 415,  and 540am thinking I overslept every time. Finally jumped out of bed and rushed out to get everybody at their home. Our missionary brother here, Gallo, went along, too. Good thing. I didn't know where the courthouse, hospital, or hardware store was. After we took everyone to their places, we went just for a little checkup on the van we're driving. One little squeeky brake turned into all brakes getting replaced, a tie-rod, fuel injectors cleaned, and a new fuel filter! We were there for 6 hours. I kept hearing the word "Patience" again. I was too tired to be impatient. Anyway, the reason I found it a little easier too was because the total bill was coming out to be around $158 for all of that. Seemed like a bargain. Van runs great now in time for our departure two weeks from Friday! Patience is all I have left ;)

Day 20: I forgot to mention earlier that Stacie and the kids didn't get to go with me to Saltillo with the full van the other day. So, today being our FREE day, we all decided to go and spend it there...ALONE! It was a great day to relax and not have others to worry about getting to and fro. I have gotten to know the city a little better and we were able to find everything so quickly. It is a huge relief to me as the driver to know where things are and aren't :) We even got to go into a church where they were just finishing a Mass for some kind of youth program. The priest was hearing Confessions immediately after and that took some pressure off. It seemed like the day went so smoothly after that. We all enjoyed an awesome family day. The kids behaved so well and of course were rewarded with swords, canteens, and other knick-knacks. God was with us blessing us the whole time. Wow! Didn't realize how much time we hadn't had to ourselves! Time well spent.


Day 21:  The third week is complete and I'm going strong into the second half! Especially since Stacie made my favorite dish...enchilada casserole! My tongue said Mmmm but my stomach is saying other things :(  It's weird to taste food today. Went to a rancho for our last Holy Communion Service. We invited Gallo and Rita's family and Dona Marciana (90+ yrs old) and her daughter, Golla(?). Another van-full of people bringing Jesus to the ends of the diocese. It was awesome! We got out and while Gallo strummed the guitar, Stacie and I went door to door inviting people to the Lord's banquet. There was a big group of men gathered outside of a house but we still went up to them and asked them to come. The chapel filled up by the time we headed back. We started the service and I was blessed to see Dona Marciana clapping along to the music. She rarely gets out of her tiny house and she loves to see the different ranchos. I wished we would have thought of inviting more of our home visits to the rancho visits earlier. Plan to do that this week. Anyway, the Lord has been speaking to me a lot in Scripture lately. Today's Mass readings were excellent (as always). The first reading really stood out though. This is the reading I got one night in the Philippines when I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned all night with my eyes wide open. The final days of our mission in Sagay were coming to an end. Suddenly, I heard a voice say "Isaiah 49:3". I got up quickly and started walking to my Bible but at the same time thinking "What if there isn't even 49 chapters in Isaiah? Maybe that voice was just my imagination." Nope! Isaiah 49:3 "He said to me, 'Israel, you are my servant; because of you, people will praise me."  WOW!!! I couldn't sleep because I was wondering if we were coming home too soon or that I had failed in our mission. God spoke to me that night so clearly and here He is again in our final two weeks in Mexico saying the same thing! The rest of Chapter 49 is good, too, but I won't write it all down here. Look it up. I was also touched by Padre Juan's homily as I read it to the people. I tried with all my might to choke back some tears. He quoted St. John the Baptist in John 3:30- "He must become more important while I become less important." Then He closed with this prayer: "Senor: Que yo disminuya, para que Tu crezcas. Que yo me opaque, para que Tu brilles. Que yo desaparezca, para que Tu te muestres. Que yo me esconda, para que seas Tu Quien luzcas. Amen."
"Lord: That I may decrease, so that You may increase. That I may dull(?), so that You may shine. That I may disappear, so that You may show Yourself. That I may hide so that You can be the one who is sought(?). Amen."  Looking forward to the next 3 weeks :)  
                         

40 Day Fast: Week 2

Day 8: Felt a huge energy boost from the day before. Started our first day in the Mexican post being by ourselves. Our mission partner, Sid, will be gone for a month as he studies Spanish in Cuernavaca. Feels a little strange being on our own. Like something's missing. I also feel a peace about the Door Ministry that I haven't felt since we've arrived. I feel like the Lord is giving me more wisdom in discerning whose needs are real. Not to say that there are those who aren't in real need but there are some who come to see what they can get. Not feeling very hungry for food but I do feel starving for more men to show up at our prayer groups, Mass, etc. Men can be leaders for their wives, sons, families. A man stayed hidden in another room at one of our home visits today. Not sure why they are embarrassed about joining. One thought hit me all weekend: Is this a desert because men have little or no faith in the one God who can change everything with a single word? Praying for the men of General Cepeda.

Day 9: Went to Saltillo for a day away from the base. Enjoyed the Mass at St. James Cathedral. The bishop said Mass and I was really impressed by what he did before we started. He approached the altar from behind all of us. As he got closer, he was telling people to come up to the front sometimes making single people sit with others in the same pew. He reminded me of the shepherd that he is called to be- gathering his people to be as close to the altar as possible. We had a lot of errands to run before Stacie's doctor's appointment. First, lunch...for everyone else. Our oldest, and Stacie, are trying to weed out what kinds of food are causing allergic reactions. So, we had to play it safe and look for an "American" restaurant. They only picked one of my all-time favorite foods...PIZZA! I wasn't thinking too much about not being hungry (Keith Major was right- the hardest part is over). I feel like every time I am supposed to be eating with everybody I am thinking about God's will for me. What do You want with me? I'm just one guy. "PATIENCE". I have been feeling like something, anything is about to happen. Be patient. I think I can do that. I've always told people "If God is leading you to something, then whatever you're being dragged through is worth it cuz it's gonna be great in the end!" 


Day 10: Good news/ bad news kinda day. I'll start with the good news: Opened my Bible to Jeremiah 2. It would be too much so I will paraphrase. The whole chapter talks about how Israel turned away from the Lord and refused to worship him. He has then turned their land to be unfruitful just like their faith. The good news is that we know how it turns out. Israel is called to repent and a Savior is sent for the whole world! I'm not saying that the men here are evil but not many are seen in the chapels or the programs around town. I was talking to Tonio, a missionary from this town, and he says that a lot of males are ridiculed for attending prayer groups, talks, etc. saying that "those things are for women only". Many must not even get a chance to grow in their faith if they're being fed lies like this. Still praying.     Bad news: Late tonight I received a message from Father Joe V.'s secretary in the Philippines. She told me about the death of a priest that we knew from our time there last year. Father Joe Schwegmann had volunteered to go to the Philippines from his home in Texas to join the Peace Corps. He told me that he loved the Philippines so much the minute he stepped out of the plane. He decided to look into the priesthood and became one of them by serving the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. Father Joe S. was very active in the pro-life cause and held many prayer rallies against the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which, if passed into law, would allow a family only one child. Still today, the government is trying to push this onto the people. Father's leadership will be missed but I am sure that he will still be praying for his people. One of my favorite memories of him is the day I stayed at St. Patrick's where all the priests gathered for their weekly meeting. Frs. Joe S., Joe V. (our parish priest), Joli(?), and I stayed up late watching Kung-fu movies in the living room. They all were cracking jokes left and right. :)


Day 11: Still reflecting on the death of Fr. Joe S.  Especially during this fast, I have been thinking of how short life really is. Fr. Joe S. died in his sleep like some of my relatives have. I have thought a lot of how I've wanted to die. The sleep thing is cool with me but I better be ready. Leaping in front of someone and taking a bullet meant for them is cooler but I better be ready. The point is I better be ready because death can be sudden. The time is unknown for all of us. Are you ready? Here is a link for a Youtube video that comes to mind with times like this: http://youtu.be/86dsfBbZfWs 


Day 12: Desert Day. We went with the Mexican FMC team to a new awesome tree farm. We spread out and I went to a dry creek bed. I opened my Bible and let the wind blow the pages a few minutes while I stood back and admired the view. I was thinking of the dry creek and how it related to my fast. I thought about how cool the river bed looked even though there was nothing there. I tried to picture water flowing through it and how nice that would look too. I picked up the Bible and started reading at Jonah 2 all the way to the end. The part that really stood out was in Chapter 3 when the people of Ninevah heard Jonah's message from God and were ordered to go on a fast--as well as the animals!! God saw how they turned from their ways and humbled themselves before Him. Then came Tonio's sharing from his experience. He said that a gust of wind blew trash, leaves, branches all over and that he felt that this is how it must be when God is trying to give us His grace. Too much trash in the way. His grace is blocked when we have distractions keeping us from receiving it. Then I thought of the creek bed again. All the rocks at the bottom and piled up on one side makes the river curve a certain way. I don't want to have these things in the way. Whatever it is that's keeping me from receiving God's grace purely is what I want out of my life. I'm hearing His will for me.


Day 13: Went to bed last night after a huge argument with my wife. It was not a very good morning. My pride kept getting in the way all day long. Tried to stay busy in the garden looking at all the plants and seeing how they needed to be watered. Looked at the sky and it looked like it could rain. Ignored the watering. Later in the day it just POURED tons of rain. It didn't stop. I thought of God's mercy. He never has stopped being merciful. Always showed his love for me. Then out of nowhere my wife pops in and says that she would like to go to Confession. Since she doesn't speak Spanish very well, she copied her translated confession and asked me to remind Father Francisco about our agreement. As I waited for her in the pews, I looked at the giant crucifix. "Jesus, I need You." I wasn't going to go (pride) but like those plants I was starving for that water, that grace. I thought about that dry creek bed again. No blockages. Let the river flow. So, I went. Grace filled me up. Loved on my wife again. More grace. We waited at the church entrance thinking about waiting for the rain to die down. Nope. Felt good to just let it be. We got home drenched and opened the door to a bunch of happy kids. They saw it.


Day 14: Father's Day. What an honor it is to be a father! I never thought I'd be a father so soon or married either. God has blessed us with these lives, these souls. I feel like I can always be a better dad. Not only does this fast help me to see how I fail with my relationship with my Lord, but it also helps me see how I fail with my children. I really miss being with them at the dinner table during the week for the meals. I can hear them with the usual chatter going on. Then I start to think about each one and how I can be better with them, more patient, kind, loving. Stacie made bacon cheeseburgers. No complaints from me as my only meal for the day. My stomach had other ideas :(  I could barely finish my serving. I have lost 20 pounds! Stomach may be shrinking but I still don't feel hungry. Really thankful for Stacie thinking of me and seeing the kids at the table made my day more special. A reading from our wedding day in 1996-- Psalm 128:3 
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, Round about thy table."

40 Day Fast: Week 1

Day 1: How about this?! I get kitchen duty because Stacie is sick! I had to help the children fix up their PB&J for lunch and I am not the biggest PB&J fan but the aroma of peanut butter never smelled sooo good. Later that night we had our usual dinner at Tonio and Mari's house. What a way to start a fast! Missing out on Mari's tortillas and salsa! I prayed that I wouldn't give up so easily. I won. Thanks, God.


Day 2: Got a kick in the rear. Opened up my Bible to Sirach 37: 27. The title of section says "Controlling the appetite". Ouch! It's not like I pig out at every meal. Starting to realize how selfish I really am though. Maybe just because I want something doesn't mean I really need it.


Day 3: An idea came to me that maybe my metabolism is the slow-mo type and not like my wife's super fast-forward. Not really feeling any hunger these last three days which is weird. Thinking this is going to be easy.


Day 4: Ha! This is not going to be easy. I looked at the bathroom scale we have in the office and felt curious. I've lost 11 pounds in 3 days! Not at all doing this for weight loss and I know that this will come but sheesh! That seems like a lot.


Day 5: Almost lost it. We had a Desert Day where we go out into the desert with only our Bible. Prayed hard to hear God's voice. Opened to 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24. Verses 20-21 stood out though. "Don't treat prophecies as if they amount to nothing. Put everything to the test." I really felt the Holy Spirit calling me to go on this fast. All through the Pentecost short-term trip I kept thinking of Keith Major's testimony on his fast. Gotta check into it. Glad I'm doing this. Learning more about myself. Later this night, we had our group dinner with all of the Mexican FMC team...this is where I almost lost it. Prayed again and looked on Youtube to see where Keith was at this point. He said Day 5 is the hardest part. I wonder if he had 4 family's best Mexican dishes being served in the next room :/  The best part of the day is that I felt like I missed something...Yep! Confession! Went and got purified on the inside. Now I know how I pulled through the dinner fiasco. Got a great helping of GRACE before!


Day 6: Started feeling a little weak. Low energy. Found it kinda funny that I still wasn't getting hunger pains and that I only wanted to eat something. My attention quickly turned to God. All my thoughts lately have been about what He wants with me. How can I help Him today? I am not a gifted speaker or writer. Not highly educated. "SERVICE." Yes, that I can do. I can be a good servant. "Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening."


Day 7: Woke up with a very dry mouth. Looked at my tongue in the mirror and it was very wrinkled on the edges. It has been very hot the last few days. The dry air sucks all the moisture out of one's body quickly. Even though I've been drinking more fluids than ever it still is hard to stay hydrated. We woke early to get to Mass and then head for the communion service at the ranchos. Got asked to sub at another so we did 2. Felt great after leaving the second rancho and I felt like God was telling me something. Sundays have always been our big "family" day. All week I have not shared any meals with the fam. I felt God was telling me that it was okay to be with them all day. Battled the thought if I should break the fast or not. Felt like it wouldn't be a bad thing if I had one small meal with them. It doesn't mean that I don't have to keep going with the fast during the week. The plan is to still keep going with the fast during the week and only have 1 meal with the family on Sundays. It would be hard on Father's Day next week to not celebrate anyway. "Here's some ice-water, Dad! Just froze it last night!"  Still feeling a little selfish about the choices in the Gatorades and either ice water or room temperature servings. Still seeking "comforts". How did Jesus do it in the desert??? Praying that He still guides me in this journey.

Pentecost '12 Mission Trip pt.2

...(WARNING--this is part 2. Please scroll down and read part 1 if you haven't yet)

   

The next day was Saltillo Day. This is one of my favorite times during group visits because everyone goes to the awesome St. James Cathedral in the heart of Saltillo. The noon Mass started off with the Bishop coming all the way to our pews and greeting the whole congregation even though his health was not the best. After Mass, we went out for our traditional group picture. Our friends, Juan and Linda, got stuck with about 5 or 7 cameras. By the last few shots we were ready to go...quickly. We got to the hotel where we would all share a meal. Close to 60 people - broken elevator + 6 flights of stairs = a lot of hungry patrons. Still, not a grumbling in the crowd...besides the ones coming from our stomachs. Didn't get to finish the day with a walk through the market and shopping...oh, darn! :P  Got to come home with the tired little ones who needed naps.

The Kiehl Family with some of their littles

Praise and Worship Night     

That night we held Praise and Worship out in the courtyard. We got permission from Padre Juan to bring Jesus out from the tabernacle. It was an awesome night gathered with everyone singing and loving Our Lord in the open air patio. The moon hovered right over all of us and the music by Jonathan, Luis, and some of the others in the group was fantastic! A very powerful night.

Tonio and our supervisor, Millie

   



   The next day we wrapped up our work projects. Again, mine was the roofing project and putting the final touches on it was a relief. I was hoping that I would get to see it completed. Tonio and his family were super blessed by all of the hard workers chipping in to get it done by our self-imposed 12:30pm deadline. We were trying to get to our Desert Day activity and still had to clean up.
   

Not our Desert Day location...but still a nice view

     With our sack lunch, water, journal, and Bible we headed out to a nearby farm. It's amazing how much cooler it is in the shade. I found an old pallet under a huge tree and sat to eat my lunch first. With all of the activities going on throughout the week, the earlier work project,  and the heat, I fell almost immediately into a nice nap. It might have only been for a few minutes but then a big gust of wind rushed by flipping my pages of my Bible. I woke up feeling refreshed and started reading God's Word. God is good!
   
We all returned and the group started packing and getting ready to leave during the wait time before dinner. After another awesome tasting meal, the group shared all of their thoughts or experiences throughout the week. I was impressed and a little surprised by how quiet the house really was with more than 54 people coming in and out. It was the times that we scheduled at ranchos or work projects or Praise and Worship or all of what you've read that they were LOUD! Loud and proud to be Catholics spreading the Word of God and giving testimonies in a foreign land! This trip blessed me more than I can ever write about. It blessed me more than I ever imagined it would. What an awesome feeling it is to have the Holy Spirit rushing in all over the house at all times of the day! If you haven't been on a short-term mission trip to Mexico yet, then you must do it soon  NOW!!! Too scary...too violent...not worth the time...bunch of bull! A lot of the youth came without  their parents. There were some married couples that came without their other halves. Entire families showed up with little ones in tow. All came to experience the power of the living God and what it means to be missionary...without fear!

My awesome artistic skills...
just don't pay attention to the lopsided cross, floating letters, or smudges

"But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8


"Do not restrain the Holy Spirit." --1 Thessalonians 5:19

Pentecost '12 Mission Trip

      I don't know about you all but this was the most blessed and most memorable Pentecost season EVER! It was hard to see that when we arrived here in Mexico but God is good in His timing. We had highlighted the end of May on our calendars as we expected a group of 44 to arrive for a Pentecost mission trip. This was going to be our first time hosting a short-term group. Actually, we were asked to just step back and learn from the leaders of the group, David & Lisa Yarborough and Erika Olson. We experienced so much more this way and it had a huge impact on my life.

Baby in one arm and the Sword in the other

     Our family and our mission partner, Luis, were sitting in the dining room enjoying our "last supper". I said, "Wow! It's about to get really loud here tomorrow!" With the 44 plus us 9 already in the Casa de Misiones, I was thinking, "How in the world are 53 people going to have enough room to move around...or breathe?" Yes, we prepared all the rooms so that everyone had a bed to sleep on but I was thinking of the downtime between work projects and rancho visits. I felt this need to fill up everyone's time so that they can enjoy every minute of their stay. Stacie had to keep reminding me that we were not in charge of that so not to worry about the others.

     So the team arrived on a Saturday and they were whooped. We helped everyone unload their cars and stacked everything near the entrance. Most of the dads looked like zombies as they drove straight through. The teens and kids all spilled out and were already exploring. Already, this had the feeling of an exciting trip ahead, but first LOTS of rest.

     Sunday was mine and Luis' day to go to one of the chapels that is the furthest away from here. That means that we have to wake up early and attend the first Mass at 730am. We didn't have many volunteers to go with us :) but we did get Jonathan Kiehl and his boys to go. We also had promised a man a ride to a nearby chapel where Luis ended up holding the Communion Service. So, we all took off and left Luis at Estacion Marte while we went to Pilar de Richardson. The Kiehl boys were brave missionaries chasing people down to give them Mardi Gras beads. One highlight from this trip is that a family showed up at the chapel...I mean, a complete family. A dad, mom, and at least two kids--the others were probably playing outside after the service with the Kiehls. 

One of the paint projects

     With Sunday being a day of rest, the rest of the week full of work projects and rancho visits as well as a Saltillo day and a desert day. The work projects consisted of painting and roofing. I volunteered to lead the group of roofers because I was very interested in seeing how a Mexican roof was put on a house. David tried to mix up the teams so that each got to do a different project. The first day was pretty uneventful as we didn't have all the material to even start. We all tried to keep busy anyway. The second day was different as we had everything to start but not enough to finish. It's very hard to know exactly how much concrete and piles of sand and gravel you need to spread on a roof. We had more delivered but ran out of time. Thank goodness we had one more day to finish. We put the finishing touches on Thursday with a very grateful homeowner and newest official FMC missionary, Tonio Garza and family.

Last day of the roofing project

     Now as much as I like to work and get all dirty with my team, the rancho visits were a huge jolt of the Holy Spirit (thanks, Elizabeth). Normally when we show up a few of the ladies gather, but when we have 3-4 different groups heading out in every direction to invite people, then be prepared for a packed house. Almost every report at our base came back with tons of people showing up.

At Oratorio Chico

     Our three rancho visits really blessed me. We started with a short teaching of the Holy Spirit, then gave testimonies, and ended with prayer and praise songs. The first rancho was called Oratorio Chico. I thought it was a strange sounding name when I looked on the map. It was a small chapel but those that were there were extremely happy that we showed! It had been more than 6 months since anyone had visited them and a year since their last Mass! I asked a man where they got the name for this rancho and he told me that many years ago there was a period of time in Mexico known as the Cristiada. Catholics were persecuted because of their faith and many fled to hide in the mountains. A lot of priests chose this area because it was surrounded by mountains and they hid in a cave ("For Greater Glory" is out in theaters NOW!). Anyway, our group did an awesome job stepping up and giving glory to God by telling how He has blessed them in their lives. Before we jumped in our van, the older man of the crowd said, "Please come back to visit us." WOW!

With the ladies at the well

     The next rancho is La Trinidad. I was amazed at how many people showed up here. The whole place was packed and I had to look for Ms. Cindy wayyyy in the back squished by the door when it was her time to give a testimony. The highlight of this visit is when I helped two older ladies carry water from the well. We were waiting for people to come and had just heard that the pump had been out for 2 months. Meredith and I volunteered to carry two 5-gallon buckets and 1 gallon jugs to this other well...1 mile away! The sun gets really hot in the desert and it drains your energy. Now we were going to have to walk back with full buckets of water. One lady brought a small towel and placed it on her head while she heaved the bucket up there. She didn't spill one drop...the whole way! Meanwhile, I am carrying the bucket switching arms thinking that either one is about to fall off...and I spilled more than one drop. I don't know if I was really helping or hurting them :/  I asked, "You have to do this every day?" "No," she replied. "We do this 4 times a day."  Yikes! I offered earlier to drive the van to the well but they said the road is too rocky anyway and that most would spill out. Right at the last minute when I thought surely my arm would fall off, over the hill comes Dylan. This guy is a lineman on his football team and he grabs the bucket like it's full of cottonballs. Whew! God, bless Dylan.

At 2 de Abril

     The last rancho was 2 de Abril. I had told my group that I was going to ask where this name came from also and I forgot. I hope to hear soon. This wasn't the most packed chapel but it was still a blessing. When a few of the ladies showed up I asked them where everyone else was. They told us that there was a meeting with some kind of government business thingamabob in about 20 minutes. The highlight is that everyone stayed well past the 20 minutes and worshipped with us! There are people out there in the world that are hungry for God's Word. We must go! It always blesses me that people will take time out of their busy lives, walk out in the hot sun, go into a warm chapel, and hear what we have to say...what God wants them to hear. It is a double blessing all-around.

     ****Sorry, but this is only part 1. It may already be too long but the next post will continue soon...****

     

Holy Week in the Desert

     Yes, Holy Week was more than a month ago and I'm barely getting to writing about it. It is always tough for me to put into writing all of the ideas and experiences without getting behind on all of it. Oh, well, I hope to keep better track of this blog in the coming weeks as our schedule is firming up. As I said earlier, we arrived on Monday of Holy Week and had little time to get settled before we were invited to different gatherings.

Raul, left and Marta, middle

     One of the first invitations was from Raul and his wife, Marta, who are one of FMC's newest missionaries who live here in General Cepeda. I had only met Raul during our 3-week visit to Mexico for our Intake training in 2010 but we immediately made a connection. He reminds me a lot of one of my uncles so it is easy for me to treat him like family. :) Anyway, he asked me to go with him to two of my favorite ranchos, San Francisco and Fermin. These two lie on the outskirts of one end of General Cepeda's boundaries. There aren't many people in the ranchos there but I always feel blessed when they put aside their chores to come and listen to us preach the Word of God. The people are always welcoming and afterwards thank all of us for coming.

Manuel, far right. In case you couldn't guess :)

     All I could think about when we visited Fermin was if I would see the man that left a huge impression on me during Intake almost two years ago. I think the elderly gentleman's name is Manuel, like my grandfather's. We had asked that anyone who wanted to share a testimony could come up. Manuel got up from the rickety bench and removed his cowboy hat. He stood there for a short while not saying anything and I was afraid that he had gotten stage fright with everybody staring. Then, he started talking about how he has lived in Fermin all of his life. He said that he remembered praying with his mom and having all the saints' pictures hanging on the walls. But it was when he said this that made me tear up: "No one can come here and take away my Faith in God. They can try to drag me out of here but I will be fighting them all the way!" He said it with so much passion and sincerity. I don't know who "they" are that would try to take him out but I looked around the rancho and it was a very simple layout. Two rows of homes on one side and there the chapel in the middle. That's it. I think what hit me most is that he probably doesn't own very much, except for his valuable Faith, which is something that he would be willing to fight for. It made me think of how our Faith is attacked like it is today. Are we willing to fight for it or just sit back and not get "into it" with others? Well, we did see him there this time. He probably doesn't remember who I am or that I was there a few years ago but it was good to see him.     

     After that stop, we continued to San Francisco. The sky was starting to fill up with gray clouds which looks very cool in the desert. A few drops fell on the dusty windshield and I quickly hit the wipers out of habit. Bad move. All we had now to look through was a muddy smear and not good while travelling on a rough dirt road. The drops had stopped and I looked at my water bottle thinking if it was worth it to use up my only few sips for a clean windshield. I prayed for just a few more sprinkles enough to wipe the window clean. Sure enough we had a clear view when just enough raindrops fell a few seconds later.

San Francisco Chapel

     Finally arriving at SF, we exited the van and took in all the Stations of the Cross to hang them up on the walls. The people gathered and we held a short prayer meeting with them afterwards telling them that we would be back on Good Friday. A few days passed and we were able to return to pray the Way of the Cross with them. It was a blessed time to be praying with our brothers and sisters and united in the passion of Our Lord. It was also a very quick reintroduction to Spanish for me. It had been so long that I had used it especially using religious terms as found in each station.

     As our first week went on, Raul asked me to go with him to a home visit. There we met a bunch of ladies form a neighborhood and held a prayer group. We read from the Bible and each gave a testimony. I shared that I am always in awe that everything that the Lord said happened or is happening! Why do we get anxious about our problems or let or worries get in the way of living our life? Don't we know the end result? Jesus lives! He is risen! Death is not the end of it all. It is the beginning of our eternal life with Him in His kingdom. Be not afraid!

     We also were invited to go on the Via Cruz (Way of the Cross) all through the town. It sure was different than last year's in the Philippines! We didn't start at 4am but at 10am-ish. We also didn't have any big leafed banana trees to protect us from the blazing sun. It was still a very blessed time knowing that our brothers and sisters took time out of their daily lives to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. We stopped at every station to pray and finally finished on top of a hill. We were all beat and tired when we arrived and I started to think how much more difficult it would've been with the world's sins on my whipped, bleeding, and torn back. Thank you, Lord, for thinking of me and dying for me so that I may have that chance of entering Your kingdom one day.

We somehow ALWAYS forget an umbrella: 0-2 in a foreign country's Stations of the Cross 

     Well, I am thinking of wrapping this up here. It's been more than two days writing this and I seem to get farther and farther behind. Anyways, this Way of the Cross was just as memorable as the last one. Please join me in praying that all Christians are always ready to take up the cross and follow the Master. Yes, we may fall (more than 3 times) but we need to get right back up, dust ourselves off, and keep trying until the Mission of the Redeemer is complete...even if it means giving up our own lives.


1 Peter 5: 12-13 "My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual is happening to you. Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ's suffering, so that you may be full of joy when His glory is revealed."

Cool gray clouds in the desert