How Do You Break A 19 Year Streak?

This June I was planning to travel to Northern Mexico for my 19th year of building homes for the very poor.  Together with groups from Portland and Washington we were to camp in the desert at night and build homes for those in need during the day.  At night we all gathered around a huge bonfire, did silly skits, sang awesome worship and learned about the word of God.

This week, we canceled the trip.

It was a painful decision to come to, but unfortunately there is escalating violence in parts of Mexico, particularly Tijuana, and since we would be traveling with other people's children, the leadership of the trip has decided to cancel.  This pains me so deeply.  On a selfish level, it is one of the highlights of my year.  I love spending time with a hundred or so high schoolers, serving God is such a profound and honoring way.  More globally minded, I ache for the families that we would have built homes for.  In the past we have provided shelter for people that live in cars, tents and boxes.   They usually have small children.  I think that other missionaries will come behind us and provide for them...I pray that is the case.

I'm not going to write much more about this because it's been such a tough decision to come to, but you can read more detail here.  I will spend a lot of time in prayer that week, for the people we would have brought down to share Jesus with, and for the families that would see Christ through our actions.

Comments

[Melinda Groth]

Three people from this family are deeply disappointed, too. It is one week of feeling what is being done matters and it feels good. Now, on to finding other things that matter, to do.

[Daniel Valeri]

yah man its not good, two years in a row with no mexico...

[LaDonna]

You can go on an Amor 3-2-1 trip, August 2-4 if you don't want to break your streak. For more details www.amor.org.
Blessings.

[Lomica, Bill]

You know, we could find a way to squeeze you and Danny V. in with J-Ville... You know you'd love it!