And the Journey Begins...

So, here we go! Welcome to my Mexico Adventure blog! I'm headed to Mexico in just under three weeks, and I'll be there for three months! Here's the background story...

I went to Cofradia in the state of Nayarit in Mexico over Christmas 2005 with a team from my church for a short-term missions trip. We went in cooperation with an organization called Alternative Missions to their base in Cofradia where they have 4-5 full-time missionary families. It was a wonderful, obviously life-changing experience! As a short-term team we hosted several Christmas-themed vacation Bible school events (leading up to Christmas) for the surrounding towns and even for a Cora Indian village in the mountains, a traditional American Christmas feast (for the missionaries) on Christmas Eve, a marriage and family conference for the local churches (the day after Christmas), and a concert given by a wonderful Christian classical guitarist who joined us (he and his son) from Spain. Our team was made up primarily of whole families, so all 15 or so kids (most under the age of 16) had their own ministry outreaches too! They took skateboards and a ramp and attracted youth wherever we were with that and other sports/gaming opportunities. They did clowning, drama, dance, and even fingernail painting (the idea of one of our 7-year-olds!). It was a really neat experience, and the Lord moved mightily not just in Mexico, but even more so in US! And well, for me, that meant drawing me back to Mexico--something I never EVER thought about prior to two months ago!

It was a very soft but strongly poignant moment when I realized that I was right where I was supposed to be. I was making my home-made spiced whipped cream in a kitchen on the base for the Christmas Eve feast. I was there all by myself, and it was of course a beautiful warm, sunny day (temps in the 90s Fahrenheit). I looked up and out the window over the sink and just had a flash moment where I knew that everything was perfectly right just then. I was exactly where I was supposed to be and it was exactly where I wanted to stay. My heart has been so restless the last few years searching for the "IT" that I knew deep down inside the Lord had in store for me but not knowing what the "IT" was nor how to find it nor how to even begin to figure that out. He told me five years ago to "GO!", but never said where or when, and the restlessness to finally go has only grown over those five years--kind of like the wheels of a race car spinning before the driver lets off the brakes. But in that moment in that kitchen making whipped cream, that restlessness disappeared and I was filled with a sense of peace, almost as though the search were over, and I'd finally found "IT". I'm still not really sure what "IT" really looks like or all that it entails, but I finally get a chance to stop staring at a far-distant horizon and actually jump over to the other side and start exploring!!! So, my hand is on the plow and there's no looking back now!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and energy. From exploring a possible interest in going back to exploring the option of an internship to getting one approved to realizing that I was actually returning to all the work that required...well, it's just been non-stop. Support letters are out (yes, I have to raise support--missionary work, even for interns, is faith-based!), and I'm slowly chipping away at the reading list I have to accomplish either before I leave or shortly after I arrive. All my worksheets and ministry planning/goals are filled out, and now I'm just reading and waiting to see how the Lord provides financially. It's a whole new world of faith for me. The Lord is definitely kicking everything up a notch into high-gear. No more complacent, comfortable Christianity. It's time for challenge and growth and rubber-meets-the -road walking. Not just moseying walking either--we're talking heavy duty hikin' with the boots, the pack, the trail mix and water bottles, and NO MAP. We're bushwackin' this one! Not easy but oh so good.

So, please be keeping me in your prayers. Prayers for a deep and rich time of preparation in the weeks remaining before I leave, both spiritually and practically. And prayers for provision. There are lots of things that need to get taken care of from storing all my stuff for three months to finding rides to and from airports (ok, that one is taken care of), to finding a place to live when I return (no rush on that one yet). The biggest need right now is financial provision. So, please pray for that. I know that my God--my Father, really--owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has riches in glory that are incomprehensible, and he delights to provide for my needs and even to go beyond those needs at times. I am believing God is who He says He is--Jehovah Jireh--God the Provider. I have no need to worry. Please believe that with me in prayer for strength of faith in me and abundant provision in the needs--that means 100% of my budget BEFORE I leave!! Oh yah..it's bold, but He did say to come with confidence and boldness before the throne of grace and to pray in faith believing!

My American life officially goes on hold in just a few short weeks. I move all my stuff out of the house where I live on February 25. My last day of work is March 1 (can I get a HALLELUIAH?!), and my flight departs BWI airport at 7 am on Saturday, March 4. I should be in Cofradia by dinner time-ish. I'll be there for three months and will land back at BWI at 7 am on June 3--just 12 hours before Becky's wedding--my dear friend and fellow Lily. That is as much as I know. Everything else will be answered and experienced as it comes. In the meantime, I'll be keeping a journal here of all the goings-on during my time in Mexico. Ministry/activity updates, pictures, thoughts, etc.

So, here we go!! Welcome to the adventure. I have a feeling it's going to be BIG!