Texico - Fiesta and Sunday!

Saturday was an excellent day! We had a youth "Fiesta" (soon enough we are going to have a Siesta). Anyway...we started out singing some songs and then went and played some games, which was awesome. All the kids participated and we had a great time. After games we had a quick break and then broke up into groups for a counsel time. We spoke on the topic of purity (which is a huge topic for me now-a-days). We split up the girls and the guys. Robbie, Joe and I spoke on different topics for purity. I have no idea what the girls talked about other than speaking on the topic of purity and modesty.

After our breakout groups, we got back together, sang a few more songs, and then Robbie went over dating standards. The question came up a lot afterward about what to do if they were dating an unbeliever. It was interesting the reaction when I answered quite bluntly, "Breakup with them". The conversation was an interesting one, but we kept coming back to the Word of God and showing them what He has to say. It was an excellent time. Joe was able to talk with one of the youth kids. The talks on purity apparently were speaking right to him. He is going to break up with his girl-friend because of the path that he sees himself going down. It was encouraging to see almost immediate results like this.

Today, Joe and I taught two different Sunday Schools. I taught the first session on depression and it's affect on you. I covered the world's way of dealing with it (cutting, eating disorders, suicide, etc) and then covered the Biblical way (Philippians 4:4-11) of finding a way out of depression. Joe then covered having joy in difficult situations through the filling of the Spirit. We specifically decided to cover these topics because depression, suicide and cutting are very prevalent in the culture down here. As we found out later from the youth leader, a few kids are thinking about these things and one even hears voices in his head telling him things to do. Please pray for the youth here. Abi is the youth leader and he is also having a very hard month. He and his wife have been having nightmares and been having much oppression by what they believe are demons. Pray for Abi and that God would protect him and his family and give them strength and comfort.

Tonight a few of us shared our testimonies at the church. It was interesting because we had to go through translators. It went very well. The three girls, (Bethany, Lucinda, and Ashley) shared, and Robbie closed with a few thoughts.

Tomorrow, we get to sleep in a bit, and then we head back to the church and we are going to be doing some painting in the youth room. I'm looking forward to it, :-)

Prayer request:

• Abi and his family
• Continued openness of the youth
• Unity in the team (we've been quite unified the whole time, with many inside jokes already and we've been having a BLAST!
• Wisdom and strength
• Focus on God and that we would do all for His glory

Anyway, thank you for your prayers and support. I'm off to hang out with the team and chill at Robbie's house! :-).

In Christ,
Adam

Texico, Day 1

The adventure begins. Our team had to leave one day early because of a snow storm. We drove to Denver and stayed at a church where we had lots of fun. It was a really crazy night. It started snowing around midnight and was snowing hard all the way up to the time we took off. The plane had to be de-iced. We took off around 2:30 or so. We had a layover in Chicago for about an hour and then took off again for San Antonio. Fairly uneventful flights all around. The whole time though we were having fun with each other and playing around. I have been designated as the "tail-gater" for the trip, thanks to Joe, (ask later).

After our flight, we had a four hour drive or so down to McAllen. That was an easy trip. Most of us inspected the back of our eyelids most of the time. It was great!

Today, we are going to a youth Fiesta. The 6 of us are going to be playing games with them and then doing a lesson on purity. Please pray we will be clear in our presentation.

I do believe the thing I am most excited for right now (despite being down here on a mission trip) is the weather. I love the humidity and such right now. I'm in shorts and ONE t-shirt. I can smell the water in the air. MMMMmmmm.

Ok, this message was very dis-jointed because I do not have much time. We are leaving in about 1 minute. Pray for alertness and energy. Most of us didn't get much sleep last night since we got in around 4:30 and got up at 10:30.

In Christ,
Adam

Thoughts on prayer...

I recently finished a book for a class I'm in. The title is "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala. What was originally an assignment, turned into a very convicting read. I had to read the whole book in a day, due to lack of preparation, but I don't think I'd want it any other way, because reading it all at once made a larger impact on my life than if I were to spread it out. Through conviction of apathy, thoughts on God, being broken down and tears, I've come to a conclusion about prayer today in American Christian Churches - We need more!

I forgot the power of prayer. Many have forgotten and apathy has been spread across many churches. I see it in my life, and I'm tired of it. I don't want to live my life without passion anymore. Today, Christians either down play prayer (conservative) or they play it up and make it mystical (Charismatic). Isn't there a balance? There is an old saying that goes, "If you have only the Word, you dry up. If you have only the Spirit, you blow up. But if you have both, you grow up." There needs to be a balance.

How often do I go and pray to the God who saved me from eternal damnation in Hell? I should continually be talking to Him. Why can't I spend an extra 10 minutes...an extra 20 minutes...an extra hour out of my "busy" day to spend time with Him who cares so much for me!

I have a vision in so many ways to see things happen. I want to see youth come to Christ. I want to see the small town of Bayard that I have come to love so much, begin to flourish again with people. God wants to use me...I just have to be willing and talk with Him about it.

As I was talking to one of my good friends about this, I asked her essentially, "What are we gonna do about it?" It's good to recognize the fact that we've failed in an area in our life. It's good to recognize that something needs to change. The hard part is going through with it.

The past semester and this semester have been emotionally draining on me, in so many aspects. I look back as I write this and wonder how often I really poured out to God and asked Him to take charge and make things happen. I was so caught up in doing it on my own. BAD idea. How much more could God have worked had I given all to Him?

At the end of my conversation with my friend, it was late into the night. I was broken and it seemed she was too. It wasn't by anyone's words, the book or any human work. It was God showing how we need Him, and how I have neglected. I couldn't do anything else but just say that we both needed to go off and pray. Next thing I knew, I was on the floor on my knees, praying about whatever came to mind. It went from people, to churches, to situations to myself to praising God for His awesome glory. 10 minutes flew by....I went to bed praying. I fell asleep praying. I woke up that morning...praying. I'm not charismatic. I try not to run my life based completely off emotions. However, God gave us emotions, and the joy I felt when I talked to Him was overwhelming.

Lord, I pray that I continue to seek You in everything I do. Give me a passion for prayer, and a passion to pray for people. I want to praise You. I want to seek You. Move in me in such a way that I can't keep still. Use me, change me, mold me. You are my strength and my source of joy. You give me victory. You make life worth living, when living isn't worth it. Give those around me a desire to have a relationship with you, not just a "conversation". Give the church a desire to pray. May all praise and honor go to You in everything I do, say and pray....