Culture, Culture and Culture

or: "That's all I have to say about Oxford Commas."
or: "Rockin on the 1's and 2's."

Saturday we had our Cultural Training time for the Mexico team. I didn't sleep on Friday night (because, you know, life), so it was a bit of a blur for me, but it was a really pleasant blur.

We started by spending 1 hour of our scheduled 2 hour training doing a get-to-know-you exercise. It was essentially speed dating, where every person asked and answered the following two questions with every other person:
1. What makes you feel the most dead inside?
2. What makes you feel the most alive inside?

A bit weird, but it stirred some great conversation and let us get to know each other in a cool way (please keep praying for team unity for us!). It may seem like a lot of time to spend just conversating with each other; but what better way to get exposed to Mexican culture? We were investing in relationship, not task. If you are a gringo who wants to be more Mexican and you are reading this, here's the best two things to learn:
1. Relax; it will all work out.
2. People are more important than the thing you think you should be doing.
If you're Mexican, especially if you're a regio and reading this, let me know if that's inaccurate! I have a lot to learn still, but that's what I've got so far.

There's nothing wrong with being more task-oriented or more relationship-oriented, just know how you are slanted. I think God is both. I still remember when i learned that our task was relationship and our relationship expressed itself in tasks. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. Or read John 13 and 14, where Jesus says if we love him we'll obey his command...and that his command is to love.

Anyway, I'm excited to see what our team culture turns out to be like (every year is so different) and how we respond to regio culture and how it changes us and impacts our homegroup cultures when we come back.

Also, because i know you are all dying to know:
1. I feel most dead inside when my brokenness breaks other people.
2. I feel most alive inside when I get to help other people in a meaningful way. Also when i'm driving on a wide-open road.

Pray for love.
Pray for power.
Pray for vision.
All from God.