mexico trip || o n e ||

As I sit here and reflect on the first Mexico trip I think over all the things God did and wonder what it is that I learned?

This was a trip never to be forgotten. So many obstacles, battles, and work. So much more victory. Our God is not dead, He truly is alive and working things for our good and His glory.

So what was the main thing I learned?

It was not patience as we waited at the border each night for over an hour and a half each time.

It was not learning to trust when bus two had numerous issues.

It was not relying on God's strength after getting only three hours of sleep and having a full day ahead. 

It was not realizing how much more I need to pray about everything.

 It was not recognizing that serving without love is vain.

It was not hearing that seeing people saved is a huge way that God is glorified.

Yes, I did learn lessons from each one of these things, but there was one thing that I really, REALLY  learned on this trip, and it was this:

 that God's ways are higher and better. 
At the beginning of the week would I have planned all the complications and all the battles? No, because I, being human, couldn't see the outcome. I had no idea who would be changed, who would learn, who would grow because of these things. But Thursday morning as I sat and listened to the various people give testimonies about what God did in their hearts that week, I wouldn't have changed for a week with no problems. God used these hard times and battles as a means to teach us. So you see the thing God taught me on the first Mexico this trip is that His ways are always higher and better. I just need to look up and keep walking towards Him. Trust Him- He's got amazing things planned for you!

[Isaiah 55:8-9] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

//the juarez project//

This trip was definitely different from the regular Mexico trips we usually take with BPS during the summer. 

A typical day on the Juarez project consists of early mornings, busy days, and late nights :) 

We had prayer meeting, breakfast, meeting at one of the Mexican churches, heading to a spot where we would hand out J&R's until our late lunch- this was typically on the streets, at a school, or in a plaza. Lunch was in the late afternoon, some days we had a little time for rest, then off for visitation and a meeting in the park, supper was around 8 or 9 and after packing up we would head back to the hotel in Juarez for the night. 

The first day we were there the plan was to go to one of the schools and hand out John and Romans when the kids got out of class. It just so happened that our timing was off so we missed the kids. I think we were all a little disappointed, but as we were riding in the bus a few streets down we noticed hundreds of kids who had just gotten out of another school. We quickly stopped the bus and got off to hand out hundreds of John and Romans. The picture above is just a small glimpse of the crowds of kids we were able to pass out Scripture to. 

There were a lot of different opportunities for people to be dealt with one on one. I was able to stand at the door with one of the pastors from Mexico, on the first night, as a he led a girl to the Lord. All glory to God! 

Just another day at one of the schools. As you can see there were plenty of kids and parents to hand J&R's out to! 

We were able to walk on the busy roads and hand out J&R's once the light turned red. This is a picture of a man sitting in the back of a truck reading the John and Romans I just gave him. 

Here is a picture of the group that came down from El Paso to work with BPS. We definitely had sweet times of fellowship with the different churches represented. 

Just look at the delight in their eyes as they watch the puppet program, and most importantly hear about the Saviour of the entire universe! 

We had the opportunity to go in to the cathedrals in Juarez. So many people were in their praying to their god- the one who can do nothing for them. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." II Corinthians 4:3-4. While seeing them seek a god who could not help them was a sobering thought, we rejoice in all the souls who found the True Light this week! 

{The Precious Blood}

1. The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

the covenant of grace,

unveils the wonder of God's love

to Adam's fallen race.

The sovereign King who died for all,

redeems us from our sin,

and makes us kings and priests of God

where we shall reign with Him.

2.The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

a new and living way,

gives access to a holy place

where we can boldly pray.

In trying time of grief and pain,

a throne of grace is ours,

where mercy flows for ev'ry need

with God's sustaining power.

3. The precious blood of Jesus Christ,

the song of saints above,

who glory in the risen Lamb,

and boast of God's great love.

From ev'ry nation, tribe, and tongue

one body all are we;

a people joined by grace alone 

for all eternity. 

*Steve Pettit 

{Only God}

Only God can split a rain cloud...

 Only God can fill an empty place with hundreds of people...

Only God can work in hearts...

Only God can answer prayer.

{Just a little bit of what God did on the BPS Mexico trip} 

{Bro. Hector}

This man truly is a hero of the faith. 

It was a privilege to be able to work along side him for three weeks and learn from him.

This man has a heart for God.

Tears come to his eyes when he talks about reaching souls for Christ...

especially his own people in Mexico. 

There is just so much to learn from his life.

It took some work,but after some convincing (and some banana pudding) we got him to tell his testimony. 

I wish I would have recorded it.

It was one of those things worth listening to over and over again.

But I didn't...

There was something that he said specifically stuck out to me though...

here it is:

"God has a plan for my life. I fall short, but He is always faithful." 

He preached the one day out of Psalm 118:24.

He was talking about how every day God has a purpose for each person,

and we must seek Him about it. 

If there is one thing that Bro. Hector kept bringing to mind it was this.

That each life has a plan,

and each day has a purpose. 

{ Traveling On }

sunset on the BPS property

Last destination of the summer:

 

{Home}

 

It's hard to believe it's time to head home already.

 

We fly out tomorrow morning,

 

 and end the summer of many travels.

 

So many |answered prayers|

 

So many |souls saved|

 

So many |lives changed|

 

So many |tears shed|

 

So many |memories made|

 

All because we serve such a good God.

 

There will be  

 

posts,

 

pictures,

 

memories,

 

quotes,

 

and more

 

{coming soon}





{Arrival}

 

We finally made it early this morning around 1 am!!

 

After 6+ hours of delays,

 

13 hours of traveling,

 

and waiting for baggage to be brought back to us!!!

 

 

It's been an adventure already.

 

I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned.

 

I'll just share some verses from the lady worker prayer meeting this morning...

 

 

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee...

 

-1 Chronicles 28:9-10a

 

 



{Time of Departure}

It's almost time to leave... 

We fly out at 4:30 this afternoon!

I'm so excited to have the opportunity to go on this missions trip...

but missions trips don't just happen...

after you board a plane,

go somewhere far away from home,

give the Gospel to someone who doesn't speak your language,

spend time with a missionary.

I was just talking to a friend about this last night...

missions trips happen when you step right out your front door. 

Because your next door neighbor, co-worker, cousin, friend, {etc.}  needs to know about the Good News too. 

Don't wait for an opportunity to go to a foreign field to tell others about Him and His wonderful love...

You've been handed the opportunity to tell all you come in contact with.

Wow,what a privilege!! 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  (Mar 16:15)

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (2Pe 3:9)

{ I will try and update my blog as frequently as possible on this trip!! } 

Help Me Win the Lost

Missions trip to Mexico 2013

1.When I look into the faces
of people ev'rywhere,
Help me see lost souls in danger
and headed to despair.
Help me see the flame approaching
around their fleeting days.
Those who dies without the Saviour
are lost to hell-fire's blaze.

Chorus:
Help me win the lost
and see them in their need.
Help me win the lost,
salvation's cause to please.
Help me win the lost.
O Spirit,please empower!
Help me win the lost.
Oh,use me now this hour.

2.As I gaze into the future
and see the lost mans doom,
Help me always to remember
there is an empty tomb.
Jesus died for ev'ry sinner;
He won the victory.
Jesus lives!He is the Saviour!
Salvation's offered free!

*John Van Geldren

VBS 2013 United States

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven,that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:14

Quotes

Here are some quotes from the past week during the missions trip.

At the very end nothing matters but truth!-Bro. Hector

We can only make a great influence where the Lord places us!-Bro. Hector

As soon as we cease to be teachable we cease to be useable!-Bro. Sexton

How different would our ministries be if we were 100% sold out?-Bro. Sexton

Comfortable Christianity is carnal Christianity!-Bro. Winn

If we don't ever get in agony,we will never change!-Bro. Winn

It's not that God doesn't do miracles at home,it's that we don't ask Him to.-Bro. Jarvis

Our God is a good God who does good things!-Bro. Jarvis

Mexico 2013

Here is the long awaited (even though it's only 3 days since we have been home...) post that everyone has been asking me about!!!!

The Mexico missions trip this year was indescribable!I learned allot from this trip!!Just when you think things can't get any better than they already are,God makes it even better then you can imagine!

One of the main things God was working in my heart this year was having a burden for souls back home.See while I was willing to go to Juarez,Mexico and hand out the Gospel to as many people I could reach I was not willing to hand it out to my own people back here at home.

One of the quotes that was said this year that really stuck out to me was this:

"The lost souls that we are reaching in Mexico this week are the same lost souls back at home!"

When that statement was made it was like God hit me right up side the head...like "Hey!Are you listening to this???I am trying to teach you something!!!" 

And boy did He teach me allot last week.

 I will share more about what I learned at church when I give my testimony.For now I will share some pictures!

People from the church that we worked with praying over the meetings..one of my favorite pictures!

kids

kids

My friend handing out John and Romans

Boys

I know that is only 5 of the VERY many pictures,but for now it will have to do.I have work that needs done right now,so I can't take the time and go through ALL the pictures,just to post some on my blog!

Anyways here are some verses that I was meditating on while we were on the missions trip.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:   In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.   For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.   But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
 2 Corinthians 4:3-7