Today was a day of "finally"s.
I finally woke up early enough to run today. Stephen and I put in a quick tempo run, just over 3 miles. It felt wonderful. And it was great to run with Stephen. Our team would have been definitely incomplete without him.
We finally got to have a morning team meeting to focus before our day starts. We talked about Joy, and the necessity of operating in God's joy because it is where our strength is... though the meeting was thrown off a bit because,
We finally got hit with some (at least to my mind) spiritual warfare. Erica was sick this morning, which was sad because I was really excited about her experiencing our evangelism out on the campus. But, we prayed for her and got her some medicina and made her rest. By the end of the day, she was back in top form, which is very encouraging.
Finally, we arrive at my favorite "finally:"
We finally got out on campus to talk to people about Jesus. I love, love, love this part because, not only is it the entire point of us being here (and when i say "us," i mean all christians. and when i say "here," i mean earth), but it shows the beauty of how we are all different body parts and God uses us all for his glory. To explain: my strategy in sharing the gospel here is to adapt to the style of whoever I am teamed up with. Sometimes it will be boldly sharing the gospel as soon as we can in every conversation, a veces it will be building friendships and talking a little about God and the church and inviting people to come spend more time with us. And I love it because God is using all of us in exactly the right way to reach exactly the right people.
I went on campus with Greg today and then with Bethany after lunch (lunch was so good guys, Adrian's strategy is working*). A trend I have noticed: as time has passed, I have met more and more people who know and love Jesus here in Monterrey. When I first came, all we found was cultural Catholics and agnostics. Now, this trip, we have encountered other churches hanging out, other evangelical Christians involved in ministries, and Catholics on fire with love for Jesus. I really and truly believe, with every fiber of my being, that a revival is stirring in Monterrey. Yes, I said it, the over-used, under-experienced Christian R-word. But I believe it. I see it. And it is beautiful.
After our time on campus, we went with Javier (speaking of joy...that guy is saturated in it) to watch his intramural team play volibol. Beforehand, however, we got a pick-up game of basketball going with some guys (and a girl (who epitomized the word "baller" (sinkin' 'em left and right man))) in the gym. I tried to sit it out, but got roped in (which my team later regretted). It was a lot of fun though. Afterwards, Javier's team played and then we headed over to his apartment to chill (here is wher Erica rejoined us).
At Javier's, we had a jam session involving two guitars, a harmonica, a lot of singing and some musical selections from the iPad of DJ Ol' Greg. It was amazing (and we had dinner, which, as Adrian expected*, was delicious). Worship, Creed, The Lumineers, Fun, Smashmouth, Billy Joel, Daft Punk and some acoustic rap...to name a few.
Being here, doing what we were designed for, with people who are so receptive to hear, with a team so eager to share... it is hard to beat, guys. I know this is exactly what I am made for. Try sharing the gospel this week if you haven't lately; you are made for it, too. I don't like talking to people naturally, much less about important things, but, the Spirit inside of us craves, yearns to glorify Jesus and make him known. And, despite the "discomfort," there is nowhere I would rather be. (Though I won't lie; sitting here, eating a pink Starburst with The Lumineers still stuck in my head... I won't mind heading back to College Station).
*Adrian's "plan" is to wait to feed us until we get soo hungry that every meal tastes 7x more delicious than it would normally (which, with the food here, which is normally delicious, takes it to a level that transcends description.
Pray for strengthening of the relationships we built today and for good opportunities for new ones tomorrow.
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