Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part Three

 After spending several weeks down here I have spent lots of time with Bro. Hector and his family. And oh how God used this family in my life. I watched Brother Hector as he led the programs in the park, how he cared for the little ones that were around, how he reached out to those on the outskirts of things, how he interacted with his kids and how he touched his wife just to let her know he loved her, I watched him as he talked about God and I listened as he told stories and magnified his God, I saw him give up his lunch for someone less fortunate, I watched him spread Jesus and share hope. I saw compassion.

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part Two

For weeks leading up to my time at BPS, I anticipated this trip. Last year the Lord allowed me to lead 3 people to the Lord and I was excited to see what He had in store for this trip. I knew that He would definitely be working as long as we would let Him.

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Part One

Let's go back to early summer 2015 when I'm not sure a trip to BPS will even happen for me. I don't feel at peace about it and so I wrestle over the thought for days. I go to camp and hearing preaching on compassion. I begin to see the need for change in my life over this topic. I study it when I am home and continue to hear thoughts and quotes about it. And this is really where the journey begins...

Bearing Precious Seed Trip: Intro

I'm here to finally post about my summer trip to work with BPS. Please understand now that words aren't even adequate to describe this trip, but I'm just going to try and give you a glimpse of what God taught me and how He changed me through this trip. By the way tears may or may not have been falling while writing this, because it really is still just so amazing to me.

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. 

{Tanisha's Story}

Seven years ago a baby girl was born...

I don't know much about this girl,

besides this:

~She was named Tanisha

and

~Jesus loved her before the world began.

I love the part of Tanisha's story that I got to be a part of.

It all happened on

{July 24th,2014}

at the Chitty's ranch.

 It was a rather windy day,

warmed by the New Mexican sun.

I was at the back of the chapel and Tanisha sat towards the middle.

I didn't notice her,

I didn't know her name,

and I didn't know her story.

That all changed over the course of several minutes.

For the next several minutes there were

{puppet stories}

{illustrations}

{songs}

{chalk drawings}

{preaching}

Then Bro. Chitty gave the invitation and invited the people who were wanting to ask Jesus into their hearts to come forward.

It was then I saw her.

I met her at the end of the aisle and took her hand.

I asked her what her name was,

and after some introducing,

I began talking to her about what she really came forward for.

I shared the plan of Salvation with her and then I prayed for her.

She told me she didn't know how to pray,

and I told her it was just like talking to God.

It was right after that, that I heard one of the sweetest prayers I've ever heard.

She asked Jesus to come into her heart and save her,

and once she got done talking about herself to God...

She prayed for her unsaved family members,

that they might come to know God.

I asked her if she had any questions,

and the first thing she could come up with was

"Can I get baptized now?"

So we talked about baptism and what it meant.

Then she said

"Do they baptism people here on the ranch? Will they do that tonight?"

She couldn't wait to get baptized.

She couldn't wait to follow God.

We talked for a little bit more and then we ended our conversations.

Before I parted with her,

I wrote her a few words in the cover of her brand new Bible, that she just received.

July 24th,2014

Today Tanisha asked Jesus to save her.  



{ Home }

We made it home Saturday night...

Well I guess you can call it home.

{Home is where the heart is} 

and when you spend three weeks serving with your heart in the Southwest,

yet your house and parents are in the east...

I'm not sure where you call home.

Our traveling went well...

No delays or missed flights. 

We serve such an awesome God.

(Keep watching for posts. They really are coming soon. There's lots to share! ) 

{ 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}





{Navajo Trip}

 

 

 

good ole bus #1 at Shiprock

 

We just got back yesterday from New Mexico.

 

What a great week!! The Lord certainly answered prayer!!

 

There is so much I could say about this trip...

 

there were some highlights to the whole week though.

 

I had been praying for along time, that I would have the opportunity to lead someone to the Lord while on this trip.

 

The first time we went out on visitation I was able to lead a young lady, named Deanna, to the Lord!!!

 

What an answer to prayer...

 

but what does that Bible say?

 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above that which we ask or think...

 

Not only was able to lead Deanna to the Lord,

 

but America and Tanisha, as well!!

 

America and I

Tanisha and I

 

please pray for these three and for the others who accepted Christ as their Saviour this week!!

 

There are many stories to tell, but you'll just have to wait til I can tell them in person!! :)

 

For now just enjoy some pictures I got while on the trip!!

 

Bro. Jarvis

a favorite...two boys reading their J&R's

Bro. Hector speaking on the cross and Christ's blood.

accepting the Lord as Saviour

Listening from afar off

singing the Monkey Song with Bro. Chitty

Puppets

Aztec Ruins

Home again...finally :)

 

In closing, I'll share a verse that the Lord showed me at the beginning of this trip:

 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

-John 17:3