A fond farewell..

So, for the last month we've had a Mexican young man from Guadalajara staying with Jan and Doug: Israel. He's my friend Erika's older brother, and he's from the same church that Jan and Doug and I all attend when we're in Guadalajara. Anyway, he came here because he feels that the Lord is calling him to something and thinks that might be missions but isn't entirely sure right now. So, he wanted to come and be discipled by Doug and have a month to really dig into the Lord and get a taste of missionary life and see what the Lord would have him do next. One of the things he did while here was help out with the youth group. This was especially nice for me becuase there were a couple of Fridays that Steve was not here for youth group. Normally, that would mean that I give the Bible study that night; however, since Israel was here helping out, he did it instead of me, and he did a wonderful job. The kids paid such great attention to him, and when they started goofing off or not listening, he had such a knack of confronting them on it and re-corraling their attentions. He was very effective, and the kids really enjoyed having him here.

It was neat also to see the friendships that he made with some of the youth guys here. One of the things that really jumped out at me when I first came down here a year ago was how desperately the girls I met seemed to soak up the presence of a real friend. That has been such an effective tool so far with the girls that I've met and gotten to know--just being their friend makes such a huge impact. Well it seemed that the same was true with the guys this month. Any free time they had they spent playing video games with Israel or doing something else, just hanging out, etc. It was neat to see how they responded to him in that way, and it was such a blessing to see them finding that need being met in that way!

Anyway, tonight was his last Friday night, and so for youth group we had a going-away fun night rather than a Bible study. Usually for about 30-45 mintues before starting youth group we let the kids play games and just hang out; they behave much better in group if we do that. Then we usually have our Bible study time and then they can play more when it's all over. Tonight we did the hang out time, and then we had a time of sharing for folks to share with Israel how he affected them or what they were thankful to the Lord concerning his time with us. Then we presented him with a few gifts, and we spent some time praying for him. Then more fun and hang-out time. It was a great night! Suffice it to say, Israel is welcome to return any time he chooses! He will always find open doors here!

Please keep this young man in your prayers. The Lord has certainly blessed him with a gift for communicating the truths of Scripture with others and in how he relates to people. Please pray that the Lord will reveal to Israel what the next steps are he is to take and that Israel will be willing and able to walk into the future that the Lord has prepared for him!

Israel is also a great drummer, and just before he left he taught a drum workshop. Here is he with Diego and Fursio.