I want to go to Mexico

I want to go to Mexico. Our church is planning a mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico this summer. We need 10 people to sign up by Sunday, Feb. 4th with $150 deposit. (the trip is about 1200. I plan to be one of those people, Cathy as well.

These are the reasons that I want to go to Mexico. I want to experience another way of life. I want to see kids in a different light. Just because I am going doesn't mean that we have to do a VBS. I would love to experience other things. Feeding the hungry. Going to an orphanage and holding babies. Going into a neighborhood and playing with kids. Just hanging out and giving them a new kind of friendship. I want to interview people and ask them what their struggles are. I want to pray with kids in a whole new way. (not just Cathy's usual request of "I want to pray that I can eat hot cheetos again". That is totally valid for Cathy because that is her personal struggle. But what about kids who have no family, nothing. I am sure there are some around here I just haven't gone out to meet them. Maybe I should seek that out.

I preached today on ministering to our families. Not expecting our churches to have it all and teach our kids all the spiritual things they need to know, but to take that responsibility on ourselves. I want to meet families. I want to meet parents in Mexico who strive to follow the Lord despite not having all the things we have - wonderful churches with great classes for parents and kids, great schools with awesome teachers (and the WASL), internet (wireless only please), cable or satelite TV (premium package), MAC (only the best for us), etc. You get the picture. I want to talk to the parents who are taking the responsibility to raise Godly kids, just because nobody else is going to try and do it for them. I want to see the way they take the authority God has given them and despite not having the premium church - seeking God's will for their family and teaching their kids to do the same. I want to step away from the thought that if I had nothing I could do nothing. But to hands on, personally, see the way other cultures embrace the Lord.

I don't even know how "poor" this part of Mexico is but this is why I would love to go to Mexico. Please pray for me, that God would grow the personal desire in my heart for my family to grow deeper in the Lord. That we will realize all the extras God has given us are extras, just for the fun of it - not necessities.