Day 5: Gangsters and Thugs

Yes, sad to say, that is not just a song reference. We had our first run in with gang activity today...in our own hotel... We'll get to that though.

I got to run with Stephen again today; we were both hurting pretty bad because we've had Cocas so often. It still was a good way to start the day; waking us up early enough to spend some good time getting ready for the day.

We met up for our pre-day team meeting and I asked everyone to share some stories from the days before. Testimonies are always awesome and God has been using our team in amazing ways. Then I shared my favorite passage from my favorite book: II Corinthians 5:11-21. Read it. No, go ahead.

Still waiting...

Good. Wasn't that awesome? (< who says i'm not optimistic?)

We headed to the Tec and I teamed up with Adrian to go Gospelizing. We talked to a couple of guys who were really interested and really interesting. I really hope they come and get plugged in. It was our last day on the Tec campus; tomorrow we will go to La Uni. We'll need translators though. It seems like when the GCLA people came to check interest in Monterrey for a church plant, it was surprising how fertile the ground was. And when they planted the church and started to share the gospel, it was surprising how well the seeds took. And now, it is surprising to see how fast everything is growing and how plentiful the harvest is (Lord, send workers!*)... but maybe it's not so surprising after all...

After lunch, I went with Javier, Lulu (who we met 2 years ago), Sheryl, and a new girl we had met that day. Javier played the guitar and sang Spanish songs, Lulu played the guitar some and harmonized to the Spanish songs, I sat and listened and threw in the occasional musical contribution, Sheryl and our new friend (whose name I can pronounce, but not spell) sat and talked. It was a lot of fun, good follow-up, and relaxing to boot...

After our time on the Tec campus, there was a reunion for the liderazgo in the church, so Mario took us to get some tacos (de trompo for me mmm...) and we laughed and talked and talked and laughed and ate and ate and talked. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and hung out in the atrium/pool area.

Fijate que, this is where everything just went wrong. Let it never be said that I did not try my utmost to protect my team; but despite my best efforts, we played Mafia ("really sam? that is your gang activity? i read this whole post for nothing!" Well, you haven't read all of it just yet, but yea, that's it). It was fun to play with Mario, he picked it up really quickly (i.e. was the mafia and won. twice). But, as happens with all games based entirely on deception and manipulation, it spiraled downhill and we called it a night. Incidentally, if you do play Mafia, make Stephen Campbell be your narrarator. You will (probably) not regret it, and definitely not forget it. I think I pulled a muscle in my throat laughing too hard.

Pray that our team will find energy and our relationships will continue to be based in love!

* I just want to say: when I ask God to send laborers, I don't just mean to Mexico, I mean everywhere. And I do mean You. We are all called to take part. If you haven't gone on an STM (short-term mission trip), you should. Time is not a valid excuse, I have 6 days off from work this year; I am so glad I got to use 5 of them here. Money is not a valid excuse. Ask any member of our team; God provides if you are humble and faithful to ask. Try it. A group near you has a trip, sign up and go. It is so good, guys. Ok, I'm done :)