Big update!

Man, I can't believe all that God does in my life sometimes. I'm still here in Mexico, and have been so busy I haven't had time to even collect or journal my thoughts or the events. I'll try to do a little here.

First of all, after my last post we went out at night to minister to a place where we stayed at last time I was in Mexico. There were some kids near our residence that we never got to minister to except at night one on one because we were always gone to poor areas.


So we went back there, and I got out of the bus and into the street with a soccer ball. I saw a little girl come running from across the street right at me. It was Allejandra. She must be about 6 and is just as cute as they come. I said, "Allejandra!" and bent down with my arms wide open. She ran right into my arms and we hugged tight for a minute. The other gringos got out their cameras- we were all SO shocked!! I can't believe she remembered me, let alone missed me that much!! Just goes to show- we never know how much of an impact we make on people's lives!

Allejandra

At night we had a time of worship and prayer. Mike Kramer and I played until our fingers dang near bled.

One thing I should mention- we have not done a single program where someone didn't get saved or healed. I believe this night there were 38 people, including a few of the kids parents.

The next day, April 1, 2007, is a day that will go down in history as one of the funnest events in my life. I only wish my girlfriend, Jessica was here! It was national Taco day!! (No kidding!!!) AM I BLESSED OR WHAT?!?!!! HA HA!!!! Those of you who know me know my obsession with anything food, and anything Mexican. This is the best of both worlds. And, no kidding, they had the Mexican bands playing with the blue polyester suits and everything. I taught Stacie how to Salsa dance a little, and took the record for most tacos eaten at 12. :-D No joke. They were little, though. YUMMY!!!

By the way, I have probably got tacos coming out my ears. That's about all we eat, and I've probably had around 30 by now. No complaints from me!!

At night we went and did our first outdoor ministry at a neighborhood. This is a somewhat poor neighborhood, but still not really that poor. The big one will be when we visit the prostitute area with all the abandoned kids. I got to preach, though, and NAILED what I believed God wanted me to speak about! I talked about the goodness of God and how we can know that God loves us. How God not only forgives our sins, but lifts us up, cleans us off, calls us His child, and gives us his robe and crown and then goes with us into the world. Amazing!

The next day, April 2, was a Sunday. Man, talk about a long, fun day! It started in the morning when we went to a small church to put on a program and join their service. I got to play with their worship team, and lead a few songs, which was really a blast- a dream come true, really. Then we went to the city park, and did the program twice. Then, at night, we went to the host church, which is the most revolutionary church I've ever seen in Mexico. They truly believe that they are special, that they are the children of God, and that they can also do missions work. This is SO not typical of Mexican churches, and it was AWESOME!! The WORSHIP WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!! I felt, at one moment, like I was incredibly, and completely free! I can't tell you how long it has been since I have felt that, and felt so peaceful and secure in the knowledge of the goodness of God. Simply awesome!! So I played Jesus in our drama 4 TIMES this day!!!

I have more video than pictures of the church, but here is on of me and some of the boys there!

Today is April 2, and I gave the devotional this morning. It was SO cool, because one of the verses I chose was exactly the one God had another lady reading. I spoke again on the goodness of God, but this time on TRUSTING in his goodness when you don't feel it. I believe, over the last 3 months, more than anything that is what God has been doing in my life- helping me to understand and to trust in the fact that He is good, and that He is ALWAYS for me!!

God bless all who read this!!! I have tons of pictures and video to show you when I get back!

Justin.