Day 02: One More Day Before the Storm

Les Mis, anybody?

Well, the internet password changed, so this post took longer than expected.

We woke up today, had a prayer time (mmmmm), hung out in the plaza of the hotel, got in trouble with the hotel staff for being too American loud, and eventually headed to church. Church was exciting and upbeat and everyone was super glad to see us. It was really encouraging to worship in Spanish and hear Pastor Sergio preach and seeing a bunch of friends I hadn't yet.

After church, we got mas tacos and chilled and talked and talked and chilled in the restaurant (El Buey) for a good while. I've really enjoyed getting to meet the people in the church that got close to the team last year! Good people, good connections, good times.

Our post-lunch  plans got shifted around a little, but we spent some time in a large central plaza in downtown Monterrey (think Riverwalk in San Antonio + Capitol in Austin). We took pictures and climbed on things, bonded with our team and with the church peeps here some more.

Around 6, we headed back to the church for a meeting of our teams and the leadership of the homegroups in GranCo (Iglesia Gran Comisión). We talked through our schedule and our plans and their expectations and hopes and our expectations and hopes…my little logistical heart was buzzing. And. And. And….Sophia was there. Sophia, for those who remember, is the daughter of Edgar and Jenifer Reyes, with whom i lived in 2011 (yes, i did say that in Spanish (also: Whoop)). She was 3 years old. We played and fought and generally had a grand time, being on the same maturity level emotionally and linguistically. She’s so big now, i almost didn’t recognize her. Goodness. And Edgar and Jenifer now have another little hija, Victoria. My homegroup can just take a second and imagine the cuteness overload noises my heart is making.

Beuno, entonces leaving the church and getting chased and tackled in the parking garage and having all of my buttons pushed (and unbuttoned (i don't feel the need to clarify by whom)), then driving and some rain and singing Veggie Tales in the car and dinner (trompo for days, y’all) and more conversation.

Back at the hotel, we made plans for tomorrow, the somehow a detachment of my team ended up in the exercise room here, talking through deep, scary theological issues and watching YouTube videos about Seagulls. Finally, i had to say “Mmm, stop it now,” and call it a night.

I have a lot of thinks on my brain now, but none of them are formulated enough to type out. I’m largely confident i had another rambly sermonette for you folks for tonight, but it got lost in the brain shuffle somewhere. I guess the summaries of our day are what you’re actually here for, the theological rabbit trails that end up in here are just bonus material. All for free.

Guys, it’s going down tomorrow. Pray and pray and pray. We'll be on the Tec Campus. Our primary goal is to make deep connections with people who are spiritually interested. My heart wants to get out there and share the gospel with as many people as possible, but i'm trying to learn how much more strategic it is to be Spirit-led and let God bring me to the people who are ripe to hear. Because they then increase the number of people who will be laborers. We're not just desiring to create converts or even disciples, we want to partner with God in creating Disciple-makers, or Disciple-maker-makers, if you track with what i'm saying. 

Here's the thing about our plans and our efforts (oh, dang, we found the soapbox): they're cute and they're well-intentioned, but if they aren't in line with what God is doing, they are wasted. God can do more with 5 minutes of my time than i can do with 5 years. Something about Him being all-powerful and wise and stuff. Submitting yourself to God's leading via His Spirit is the wisest thing you can do, even if it defies conventional wisdom; it's the most efficient thing you can do, even if it seems nonstrategic; it's the most powerful thing you can do, even if it (especially if?) it makes you feel weak.

Taking some time to pray during the day might literalmente be the most important thing we do. There is nothing less True about prayer than to think of it as a waste of time.

Please, please pray for us today. Please, please pray for yourself today. We may be on a short-term mission trip, but i'd be willing to bet that you're in the middle of a mission field too if you look for it.

Hope i didn't get your hopes up about not having a rant :D