Good News

I met April when I first came to the base, her and her husband open there house up to missionaries every Friday for game night.  They bake and cook for us as well as allow us to play board games and relax in their house.  April and her husband both live in Mexico full time and have been affiliated with YWAM for many years.  April spends her week serving.  She helps with the kids ministries in the Colonias where they conduct after school programs for the kids, and Wednesdays in the morning she picks up volunteers on the base at 5 am and we go and cook breakfast at an orphanage.  She has been doing this weekly for close to three years now.  She buys the food out of her own pocket, and commits to waking up weather there are volunteers or not.  Today as we were finished up cleaning I told her that I admired her commitment to bless both the YWAM base and the kids, she responded,  “ I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to do what I do”  One of the things I love about working in with YWAM is the good news you get to hear, so many stories of positive change in the world, and people who are willing to sacrifice to bless others.     

I share this story with you to encourage you and thank you.  I want to thank you for supporting missionary work.  It is because you and people like you missionaries are able to continue to bless others and serve.  The orphanage has touched my heart.  I know that because of my parents love I was able to move from a similar establishment into a home, and because of your love and support I am able to continue to be a part of the amazing work that is taking place in Mexico.

In the last year I heard Corey Booker speak, and in his address he reminded us that we are all the result of people who have sacrificed for us so we could be where we are today.  He then asked us how we are going to respond.  I want to let you know that when he said that I thought of you.  You are the people in my life that have sacrificed for me in many different ways, and it has changed my life.  So please be encouraged you are creating positive change in this world, you are a part of the good news that is happening here!!!!

Please continue to pray for me!!!  After the first of the year I plan on start intentionally praying and looking for what is going to come after I finish this school.  I still feel called to work with youth, possibly with in the camps and conferences sphere or possibly through recreational sports. I know that God has a place for me and in his time that door will open like they have in the past.   My last two years have been spent traveling and I am hoping this next placement will allow me to put down some roots.  I ask your prayers for wisdom and courage to take that next step.   Along with looking ahead I also need to discern weather or not outreach is something I am called to.  After the school finishes here in Mexico they are looking to travel to China.  To go on this trip will require me to stay on for another two months and raise more support.  I have to decide within the next month if I am going to go on outreach because we need to buy tickets months in advance to keep costs to a minimum.  Please pray for discernment about weather outreach is for me.  I still need 2,000 to cover the cost of tuition for the school, and that does not include the trip to China.  Continue to pray for the base here in Tijuana, as a base we are seeing more opportunities for ministry we need to make sure that we are able to effectively carry out these ministries.  Pray for our base leaders and the staff here that has committed to serve in those ministries full time. 

I hope all is well back home and look forward to hearing more about what is going on in your life, and I hope to see you during my Christmas break.  I will fly home the 17^th of December and come back January 2^nd. So if you are going to be in South Texas during that time let me know!!!!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!

Good news from Tijuana Mexico

In the last few weeks I have helped build a house, participated in the Acts 1 YWAM conference, camped, and somehow had time to finish my bible studies through Numbers.  It is hard to believe that the weeks are already adding up and I have now been here over a month. 

Last weekend I helped build a house through the Homes of Hope program.  It was started here in 1991 by the base directors Sean and Janet Lambert.  It is a simple house concrete floor, and wood walls.  However this house allows a family to get off of the ground and into a structure that will protect from the elements.  The family was previously living in a shack with a dirt floor made with various pieces of wood and plastic banners that made up the roof.  The construction site was twenty min from the base and only twenty or so minutes from the US border.  In the distance, from the construction site, you can see the ocean and the resorts where people vacation.  Hard to imagine that within an hour drive I can get to a resort, the US and a community of people who live without sufficient housing.  The family consisted of a single Mom her teenage son and two younger children around the age of ten.  In the month that I have been here there have been four houses built, all by different volunteers, people from the US, Canada, and New Zealand.  I hope you guys will check out the website http://ywamsandiegobaja.org/homes-of-hope/ it gives more information, and some pictures and videos about the people’s lives that are being changed by receiving a house and those who are building it. 

Last week there was also a conference here in Tijuana.  YWAM LA, San Diego and Ensenada all came down to pray, worship and serve in Tijuana.  I have not had a chance to experience a large YWAM event since 2010 when I was in Santiago Chile, and I was glad to be a part of it.  Like the conference in Chile people from all over the world were in one place worshiping God.  It is an amazing testament to the power of God. 

When I left to come here I had a lot of people warn me about the dangers of coming to Mexico, especially Tijuana.  Often times I think the news chooses to shine light on the negative press, the danger, drugs and evil that is here in Mexico.  That is part of the story here, and I do not want to down play the severity of the problem.  However there is another side to the story.  I am living in a place where people care about each other, where people with little are ready to give in order to help there neighbors.  Men and women who get up and work hard to try and give their family what they need.  There is good news also coming out of Mexico and I am happy to report that we are a part of that good news!  Please continue to pray for me and YWAM Tijuana.  Pray that as a base we can continually look for how God wants us to serve the people here.  Pray for my school for wisdom safety and strength. We are all overwhelmed at times with revelation and the amount of work that we chose to take on.

Here I am reminded every day how much I need God in my life, and how much I need people like you to pray for me and with me.  God Bless

In the beginning

It has been ten days since I arrived on the base in Tijuana Mexico.  The base is beautiful!!  I am just outside of the city ten minutes from the beach.  There will be pictures soon I don’t think I can justify the view that I am blessed with each day.  The base is quiet, enclosed by a fence to help keep the base and its occupants secure.  I already feel comfortable in my new surroundings; Mexico is much more familiar then the east coast.  There have been a few adjustments though.  I live with three other guys in a double wide trailer. The base has newer accommodations, but because of the duration of our stay they decided to give us the trailer because it has more space, and a kitchen.  I am hoping to find a place soon where I can get fresh tortillas so I can make breakfast for myself! 

There are eight people in my school right now.  My team consists of four students from United States, two from Canada, one from Switzerland, and one from Cambodia.  Unfortunately I speak the most Spanish in the school, but there are other Spanish speakers on the base staff and when we leave the base Spanish is the language I get to use.  I have had a chance to translate on a few occasions and cannot wait to use my Spanish on a more consistent basis. 

Classes started this past Monday!   We are going to go through the whole bible in the next nine months.  There have been rumors that we are going to read through the bible 5 times by the time we get done.  I am not sure if this will actually happen, but do know that for the next nine months my life will be dedicated to study.  The school is used as a tool for its students to study the bible.  We will not be receiving commentary on the bible, but in the next nine months we will be making our own commentary.  

The base has a big outreach ministry called Homes for Hope.  This ministry provides housing for those in need.  It seems to be a well-oiled machine.  In the time that I have been here I have already seen a volunteer group come down from Canada and build three houses for families in the area.  They also do work with a local orphanage.   In the nine months that I am here I hope to become more involved with both of these ministries, but because of the amount of studying my mission field seems to be serving the base.  I will be helping with meals and clean up, doing some maintenance around the base and hopefully getting to play in the worship band. 

I hope to be able to talk with many of you soon to share more stories about my time here and hear about things back home.  I have to get back to work!  There are a few students still trying to make the school, but they are having problems entering the country, one from India and one from the Fiji.  Please pray for them and pray for our school.  I am excited about the school and the nine months I have ahead of me.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance for me and for the staff guiding us. God bless

Greetings from Texas

After spending a month a home, I have to tell you about some of the great things south Texas has to offer.  First, the food! It’s amazing that in five minutes I can get authentic Mexican food.  I looked for a whole year in Jersey and did not find anything to compare.  I never thought I would enjoy walking from my car through a hot parking lot to get into a store, but after looking for parking for hours in Jersey and New York it is a welcome change.  Finally I missed my family and friends I only recently discovered the joy of coming home, having never been away from home long enough to miss it. When I went to YWAM in Pichelemu, Chile I was finally able to miss the quirks of home.  Growing up it was hard to see the beauty of the valley, but now it jumps out at me.

My favorite thing about coming home is getting to spend time with my family and friends.  During my last year working with the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI,) I had the privilege of talking to the merchant mariners who work tirelessly to move goods to and from our coast.  They work months at a time and in my conversations with them many times we talked about home and family.  I would ask them when they were able to go home, and if they would be home for the holiday season.  One of the sailors responded that anytime spent at home was the holiday season.  Necessity has never taken me from home, it was always a choice supported by my family and friends in doing so.  Through this I have realized how special it is to be home. 

With three weeks left before I head out on my next mission trip, the time has given me the ability to get organized and take a breath before I go out again.  I am flying out on September 15 and heading to San Diego.  From there we will drive into Mexico where I will begin to acquaint myself with my new home in Tijuana Mexico.  Thanks to the support and prayers of many people I have received 5,930 of the 8,500 dollars I am trying to raise.  I am amazed and humbled that so many people have come forward to partner with me on this trip.  Without your support this would not be possible. 

I am excited to tell you about the local mission work that is taking place in Tijuana Mexico.  If you would like to know more about YWAM or the program that I will be participating in you can visit http://ywamsandiegobaja.org/training/chronological-school-of-biblical-studies/.  It is exciting that I will get to spend the next year looking, studying and questioning my faith.  Not only that I will be able to continue to serve others and learn about new cultures.  For now though I plan on soaking up as much Texas as possible.   Continue to pray for me and keep in touch I look forward to share this new chapter in my life with you.  God Bless

My last month in Newark

It’s hard to imagine that a year ago I was headed to New York as a tourist with my family unaware that I would be spending the next year of my life just a few miles away.  Last week I was working in New York with The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) helping move archives from lower Manhattan to Queens and then back to Port Newark. At the end of the day, all I wanted to do was get out of the city and back to Jersey!  New York is an amazing place, but not sure if it is one for me.  The stark contrast of rich and poor is unbelievable and because of the proximity it is unavoidable.  I have seen so many people homeless and jobless.  People step over and around the homeless most trying to avoid eye contact so they want feel guilty for not giving.  I find myself doing the same thing not wanting to fall victim to a scam.  Where has my compassion for others gone? This being said, I do not want to forget those in New York who are working tirelessly to help those in need.   As my time comes to an end the bright lights of New York have dimmed.  The ideas I once held about this amazing city have changed, but not all in a negative way.  This last weekend I took a bike ride on Governors Island, tried “hot pot” in Queens for the first time, ate Indian food on the Upper West side, and I got to see Stomp!  What a weekend!

As my internship comes to a close, I seem to be more focused on who I spend my last weekends with rather than where.  I think I could live in New York for the rest of my life and still have a bucket list of things I wanted to see or experience, but it is once again the people in my life that make the year worth remembering.  The friendships I will take away from this year are more exciting and rewarding than anything I experienced in New York.  I have learned so much about living with others and trying to love people for who they are.  I do, however, wonder why I find myself trying to make time for all of these people and so often forget about spending time with God.  I find myself putting off that needed quiet time with God where I can pray and read.  Instead of spending an hour praying and reading the bible like I did in YWAM, I am reduced to clicking a link on my droid phone and reading a daily devotional in the morning.  It seems much harder to focus on spending time with God than spending time with the people I have become close to in my year in Newark. 

Even during my struggles here, I cannot forget to be thankful for what God has given me in my time here and how he continues to work in my life.  I have received emails, letters, and calls asking for updates about my trip next year, as well as, offering words of encouragement.  In one month I have received almost $1,000 in support and a great deal on a plane ticket to San Diego.  In all these ways I continue to see God working in my life, and feel more confident about taking this next step. 

My last three weeks in Newark will be spent getting ready to move, saying goodbye, and finishing up work with the SCI.  Please continue to pray for me; for my trip home, time with my family, and for my next year.  It is scary to think in just a few months I will be leaving for another year of missions.  Pray for my intern program as well.  We are all taking big steps next year and need prayers for wisdom and strength.  Finally I hope that you will pray for Newark Acts.  It is close to finishing its inaugural year, and is already preparing for its next set of interns. 

I hope everyone is having a great summer.  God Bless! 

On My Way

Hello friends, I know it has been a while, but I have been waiting to hear back from YWAM San Diego Baja.  It was a long wait, but yesterday I received a call from the director of the Chronological School of Biblical Studies and he offered me a position in the program.  I am both excited and nervous about my next step.  I am excited to spend another year serving others and learning about my faith, but nervous about spending another year in a new place. Newark has been great, but I have missed home more this year than in 2009-2010 when I was in Chile.  At the same time, I cannot deny the call I have felt to continue serving.  I was given a book to read this year by Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.  In it he talks about living a “good story”.  The only way I know to live a “good story” is to continue following what I think God is calling me to do.  
I have learned so much this year, and owe much of that to the people I have grown close to in the Diocese of Newark and at Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI).  The friends I have made here have taught me to think and challenge my faith, but also to remember we are all on the same journey and it is one that we need help with.  The Diocese of Newark has welcomed me with open arms and I have been humbled by the support they have shown me.  They have allowed me to question their theology, and have given me opportunities to serve and speak about my faith.  I have had the chance to interact with the youth of the diocese as well as the clergy. Finally, SCI was the perfect job for the year.  From day one they have given me the support and freedom to use my talents to serve the port.  I have had the opportunity to learn about the port, the maritime community, and how we can help these amazing individuals.  One of these individuals I met last week.  Master Jun Expinosa, he is a Pilipino captain of a car ship. As I waited to take him and some of his crew to the mall, he invited me for lunch.  While I waited, he told me about the crew and his career as a sailor.  I asked him about working with this crew if they were a good crew, he responded simply by saying this was his family.  He cared for them and in return he said they worked hard.  He told me to look around the vessel…a twenty-year-old ship and it looks new.  He smiled with pride!  These are the type of people I get to serve every day.  

As I finish up here, I am looking forward to YWAM.  Through the YWAM Chronological School of Biblical Studies, I will be studying the bible while working with the base to minister to the community.  I have heard great things about this YWAM base and am excited to continue learning and practicing my Spanish.  Some things will be an adjustment, such as the fact that YWAM schedules much of your day.  Even though YWAM is a non-denominational ministry, they have strong views about conduct on the base and how you act in your personal life.  This was difficult for me last time while in YWAM. I don’t disagree with what they are trying to do, but I struggle with someone telling me how to live and what I can and cannot do. I will be living in a dorm with at least one roommate, and am expecting around 20 people to participate in this particular school.  All of these things will be adjustments for me. I need prayers to prepare myself both mentally and spiritually to adjust to the YWAM life again.  During the summer months I will be visiting family and friends in Minnesota and Texas and getting my things organized.  I will be flying to San Diego the second week in September to start the School.  Please continue to pray for God to prepare me as well as financial support.  I need to raise $8,000 to cover tuition, room and board, and travel.  Unlike the intern program here I will need to raise my own support.  If you are interested in supporting me financially see below.  Thank you again for all your prayers, letters, and thoughts they have kept me going.  God Bless.
If you want to help support me financially please respond to this email or call me 956-266-2142.  This will allow me to track where I am in the financial process.  There are two ways to give.  You can send a check to my house 960 Toledo Drive Brownsville TX 78526 made out to me or to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas P.O. Box 6885 San Antonio, TX 78209.  If you are sending the check to the diocese make the check out to the Diocese of West Texas and in the memo line put YWAM.  This lets the diocese know that the money you are sending is designated for my mission trip.  I want to say thank you again for all that you have done and continue to do to support me and my work.  You are a blessing! Take Care.