The location has changed for our outreach-here's the new plan:
We were unable to raise funds for us all to go to Mexico, and so instead...we are going to Panama and Nicaragua! These countries are within driving distance (18 hrs to Panama City, 7 hrs to Nicaragua) and will be less expensive. Though we were all a little disappointed initially, I think most of us are pretty excited to see these other countries. We are trusting that God has different plans and although we may not understand why, we know that He has a purpose. As a team, we've been very challenged the past few weeks and it's been difficult to be unified for various reasons, all having to do with finances. Many of the obstacles we've overcome and the lessons learned would not have happened if our destination had been Panama/Nicaragua all along. So we are trying to see the reasons for this change of plans and look at the positive sides (which are many) to this whole situation. We've all been stretched and challenged in the past week....for sure. But hey, that's a good thing- it's how we build character.

Speaking of being stretched and challenged.... :)

This past week we talked about Evangelism, and yesterday we put it to the test. We headed downtown and split up into small groups to talk to people around the city. Here is us getting ready to catch the bus:

Once we got down there, we had some time to sit with our group and share our testimonies. It was pretty cool, just sitting out in the middle of downtown talking about how our lives have changed...a lot of people slowed down to listen to what we were saying.

Afterwards I walked around with Chove, and we ended up talking to an old, homeless man (about 80 yrs) named Oliver. He had a hump in his neck, causing him to not be able to look up or even straight ahead. So he held up his head with his hand and talked with us for awhile. He told us he didn't really believe in God and that his purpose in life was to be a drunk, as he had always been. It was really heartbreaking to talk with someone so hopeless, lost, and physically broken. But he was kind and listened to us as we told him how much he is loved. I asked him if I could pray for him, and he scooted close and closed his eyes. It's amazing how powerful prayer is, even to those who don't know what they believe. I think it's because even if you don't have a relationship with God, you innately know someone is listening to your prayers. Anyways, after we were done praying he wiped away some tears from his eyes (breaking my heart a little more) and we said our goodbyes. I couldn't stop thinking about Oliver and people like him the rest of the day...which means that outreach will be incredibly difficult in some ways. We're going to be getting to know people like him every day. It's hard to describe the feeling I got talking to Oliver, or when working in the women's shelter in Mexicali, or even when I just think of doing misson work. Those who have done mission type stuff know what I'm trying to put into words right now....it's just a different experience than anything else. In those moments you feel so small, and almost frozen in time. You realize how much pain and desperation there is, and you see how precious each person God created is. You feel helpless and passionate to help all at the same time, and it's really overwhelming. But amidst the difficulties of these situations, there is something that kind of ignites inside of you. A desire to talk to more people, help more people. To do whatever it takes. It's how God created us, it's how He wants us to love each other and support one another.