Hey guys,
So today in my Economics class we watched an episode of 30 days, a show where they take a person, couple, or small group of people and put them through some sort of hardship they are not used to in their daily lives. This episode was about how a man named Frank, a minuteman, who gathers a small group of other minutemen every weekend to head to the U.S. and Mexican border to help patrol it and to report any sightings of Mexican citizens trying to illegally cross the border to the border patrol. Frank, a legal immigrant from Cuba as a child, when pulled aside to explain his viewpoints, stated that he firmly believes that it is his and his wife's job as United States citizens to protect our nation's citizenship from illegal immigrants. He claimed that if people in other countries want to become U.S. citizens, they should do it the legal way. Point made. Frank was assigned a task to live with a family of 7 in Los Angeles, CA in which, 5 are undocumented. He was to leave all forms of identification behind at home. Upon the first few days staying witht he family, He found that a father, mother, and 5 children ages ranging from 7 to 18 shared a small one bedroom apartment. He stood firm in his beliefs stating to the eldest daughter (18yrs, undocumented) that if he could, he would probably call the INS and have the family picked up right away. It was intense! Now some may agree or disagree on the topic of illegal immigrants but I am not trying to get political.
15 days into the stay, Maria and Rigo, parents of the 5 children, started talking to Frank on how it is hard living in a foreign country trying to make a living when they have the rest of their family back in Mexico who really dont have a living. Like all immigrants, although they wish to someday go back to visit their family relatives and most of all their parents before their passing, the fear always lingers of leaving the U.S. and not being able to come back. So they decided to send Frank to visit their family in Mexico. So he did! He was able to see the house that Maria and Rigo lived in. Met their parents, brothers, and sisters. He realized that the house they used to live in wasn't even a house. It wasn't livable. It was worse than a shack! It had no roof and their water supply came from either a hose that was topped off from an untreated water source or from a well that had the dirtiest water he or even I have ever seen. He saw the hardships that his family had to go through and that by coming to the U.S. they were simply seeking a better life.
The point I am trying to make is that when I go to Ecuador, I will be going into probably one of the poorest parts of the country where people don't even have sneaking across the border into the U.S. for hopes of a better life as an option. They live just to survive each day and barely survive each day just to live. Living without most of the very basic things we don't care to cherish about, these people strive & struggle just to meet what their daily lives need. It is a hard life for them especially when individual heads-of-thehouseholds must support a whole family! Live is hard and yet, they still find the strength to carry on. I hope I can make a difference in the lives of local villagers of Ecuador. Imagine when we all get to heaven and there will be no more struggling to live each day and where we will have everything we need to be happy and live a sinless life!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Location Change & Already Life Changes
Maranatha has been carefully monitoring the situation in Mexico in regard to The Ultimate Workout. The recent outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus (commonly known as the swine-flu)has caused doubt about the safety of travel to Mexico in July. Some families have been very worried about going there, others have not. There aren’t many reliable facts right now about how long it will last. In order to form all the careful plans required for a mission project of this magnitude, it is important to make a decision immediately about the location for Ultimate Workout. Because of these factors, Maranatha has made the decision to move The Ultimate Workout 19 project to Ecuador. The project will take place during the original dates, July 14-27, 2009 in Puyo, Ecuador. As far the original project for building 6 churches goes, Maranatha has not yet released updated information on what the new project assignment calls for. I do know that we will be assisting in constructing a Seventh-Day Adventist school which will aid in teaching both local chilren and adults in the skills of reading of writing. Of course.... also spreading the word of God!
At the time of submitting my application, I thought of ways of how to prepare for this trip. I prayed and asked God to give me the knowledge and patience I need to be a leader for his works as well as to the prepare me mentally, physically, and spiritually for this trip.
Physically Prepared! - Think about it... You will be building a church or school... You will be lifting and laying blocks. You will need some muscle for this trip! Being a senior in high school with the priviledge to go off for lunch, I have gotten really REALLY lazy eating out almost every day. P.E. isn't a requirement and with "senioritis" always whispering in my ear, I havent been getting any daily exercise. Well in preperation for this trip, for the past two weeks, I have been making it a top priority to run a mile every day and hit the weight room to get back into shape! Now I must admit I haven't made it everyyyy single day, but the minimum is 3 days a week where I will run 1 mile and then hit the weight room with intensive floor and weight excercises to.... well.. get some muscle! whoo!
Mentally Prepared! - Mentally prepared? What... I have to go to a psychologist to prepare for this trip?! Of course not! But think again... You will not just be going to Ecuador for a vacation. There is no luxury hotel or fancy beaches with all you can eat buffets. You will be in a shaggy, dirt roaded village, where people live in houses made of straw and sometimes dung! For church, people gather in a simple wooden structure that looks like it could fall with just a push of our pinky. The people where you will be are poor. They do not speak your language and may not have basic needed items to live day to day. It is just like those poor biographies you see on poor countries on TV. Only you will be living there for two weeks! You use a solar shower (Google it..) and probably only get to take one every 2 or 3 days! You will be challenged and put in an environment where you are not used to. There is no toilet. There is no comfy bed to sleep in or a big screen tv to watch the Lakers game on. NOTHING. This will take mental preparation. Having an open mind and being put in situations where you are totally uncomfortable with living situations is soemthing to look forward to. You are also with a bunch of teenagers you don't even know. No cell phones no parents... NOTHING... i think I'll stop here....
Spiritually Prepared! - You are going here to help spread the Word of God to the surrounding villagers. You are here where everyone looks up to you being the christian and yes... even being the "American!". In order to teach The Word, You must know The Word. Therefore, although reading of the bible has always been a daily routine, I have thoroughly been studying the bible and praying to have the spiritual stamina needed for this trip.
So you see, this trip calls to be prepared in 3 big ways. I have already began preparing in these three categories and ask you to pray for me and for those of you who don't pray, well.. send your good luck charms on me :] All will help in my preparations for going to Ecuador as part of Ultimate Workout 19. These, are my 'Next-Steps'.
At the time of submitting my application, I thought of ways of how to prepare for this trip. I prayed and asked God to give me the knowledge and patience I need to be a leader for his works as well as to the prepare me mentally, physically, and spiritually for this trip.
Physically Prepared! - Think about it... You will be building a church or school... You will be lifting and laying blocks. You will need some muscle for this trip! Being a senior in high school with the priviledge to go off for lunch, I have gotten really REALLY lazy eating out almost every day. P.E. isn't a requirement and with "senioritis" always whispering in my ear, I havent been getting any daily exercise. Well in preperation for this trip, for the past two weeks, I have been making it a top priority to run a mile every day and hit the weight room to get back into shape! Now I must admit I haven't made it everyyyy single day, but the minimum is 3 days a week where I will run 1 mile and then hit the weight room with intensive floor and weight excercises to.... well.. get some muscle! whoo!
Mentally Prepared! - Mentally prepared? What... I have to go to a psychologist to prepare for this trip?! Of course not! But think again... You will not just be going to Ecuador for a vacation. There is no luxury hotel or fancy beaches with all you can eat buffets. You will be in a shaggy, dirt roaded village, where people live in houses made of straw and sometimes dung! For church, people gather in a simple wooden structure that looks like it could fall with just a push of our pinky. The people where you will be are poor. They do not speak your language and may not have basic needed items to live day to day. It is just like those poor biographies you see on poor countries on TV. Only you will be living there for two weeks! You use a solar shower (Google it..) and probably only get to take one every 2 or 3 days! You will be challenged and put in an environment where you are not used to. There is no toilet. There is no comfy bed to sleep in or a big screen tv to watch the Lakers game on. NOTHING. This will take mental preparation. Having an open mind and being put in situations where you are totally uncomfortable with living situations is soemthing to look forward to. You are also with a bunch of teenagers you don't even know. No cell phones no parents... NOTHING... i think I'll stop here....
Spiritually Prepared! - You are going here to help spread the Word of God to the surrounding villagers. You are here where everyone looks up to you being the christian and yes... even being the "American!". In order to teach The Word, You must know The Word. Therefore, although reading of the bible has always been a daily routine, I have thoroughly been studying the bible and praying to have the spiritual stamina needed for this trip.
So you see, this trip calls to be prepared in 3 big ways. I have already began preparing in these three categories and ask you to pray for me and for those of you who don't pray, well.. send your good luck charms on me :] All will help in my preparations for going to Ecuador as part of Ultimate Workout 19. These, are my 'Next-Steps'.
Ultimate Workout 19
Maranatha Volunteers International, a non-profit Seventh-Day Adventist Christian organization founded in 1969 implements and organizes the contruction of urgently needed buildings all over the world. While churches and schools are its primary contruction, buildings such as clinics, orphanages, homes, and even hospitals have also been built in desperately needed areas around the world thanks to Maranatha.
In 1991, Chris Blake, editor of Insight Christian Youth Magazine was running alongside his friend Mark Ford on a treadmill. It was there they began discussing the importance of excercising their faith as christians as well as... well... just excercising! Soon after they were able to put together a small group of youth (12 girls & 2 guys) together and head over to Honduras where Ultimate Workout was created. Ultimate Workout, a program by Maranatha, is an annual project where teenagers ages 14-18 get together in one location on the globe, coming together from all over the United States to excercise, build, and share their faith. Some projects call for building a church. Some call for building a schools, clinics, or houses. Whatever it is, it is definately a life changing experience.
In late March 2009, I applied for Maranatha's Ultimate Workout 19 in Villahermosa, Mexico where 6 churches were desperately needed in villages far out and away from society. The project also called for outreach programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS) where the teen volunteers lead out in singing songs, games, basic reading & writing lessongs, as well as powerful life changing messages.
I applied simply because I wanted to rekindle and to renew my relationship with God. All leaders whether spiritual or not are always looked up to by soneone and always have eyes watching them on every action they make. Most leaders in the church always seem to be doing well in their works whether leading out in song, speech, or activity. They can look like the brightest angel and the perfect "christian" type of person. However, a lot of times leaders get caught up in what I like to call 'The works of God' and forget 'The God of the works'. To be honest, I have found myself in this position many times. (That's right! I'm not perfect! haha) In fact, I think many leaders come in and out of this phase and it is really a test of how strong your faith with God is.
Being a senior in high school, I am at a point in my life where I am making decisions I have never made before. Growing up, starting a new chapter of life in college, exploring what career path to go down, and even dealing with your typical teenaged drama that your ordinary teenager goes through can be tough without having God in your life. During this trip I hope to find a spiritual renewal as well as what career path God has planned out for me. God has a plan for everybody and if you "Commit your plans and decisions to the Lord," "...under His guidance you will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3; CW) As leaders in our church and communities, we sometimes get caught up in our leading and teaching and forget who's leading us and who our teacher is. You probably heard of the saying "You must learn to follow before you can lead." This is a true statement for all leaders in the church. You must learn and follow Jesus' teachings before you can go out and preach them yourself. These are things I hope to rekindle and find during Ultimate Workout 19.
These, are my 'Next-Steps'...
In 1991, Chris Blake, editor of Insight Christian Youth Magazine was running alongside his friend Mark Ford on a treadmill. It was there they began discussing the importance of excercising their faith as christians as well as... well... just excercising! Soon after they were able to put together a small group of youth (12 girls & 2 guys) together and head over to Honduras where Ultimate Workout was created. Ultimate Workout, a program by Maranatha, is an annual project where teenagers ages 14-18 get together in one location on the globe, coming together from all over the United States to excercise, build, and share their faith. Some projects call for building a church. Some call for building a schools, clinics, or houses. Whatever it is, it is definately a life changing experience.
In late March 2009, I applied for Maranatha's Ultimate Workout 19 in Villahermosa, Mexico where 6 churches were desperately needed in villages far out and away from society. The project also called for outreach programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS) where the teen volunteers lead out in singing songs, games, basic reading & writing lessongs, as well as powerful life changing messages.
I applied simply because I wanted to rekindle and to renew my relationship with God. All leaders whether spiritual or not are always looked up to by soneone and always have eyes watching them on every action they make. Most leaders in the church always seem to be doing well in their works whether leading out in song, speech, or activity. They can look like the brightest angel and the perfect "christian" type of person. However, a lot of times leaders get caught up in what I like to call 'The works of God' and forget 'The God of the works'. To be honest, I have found myself in this position many times. (That's right! I'm not perfect! haha) In fact, I think many leaders come in and out of this phase and it is really a test of how strong your faith with God is.
Being a senior in high school, I am at a point in my life where I am making decisions I have never made before. Growing up, starting a new chapter of life in college, exploring what career path to go down, and even dealing with your typical teenaged drama that your ordinary teenager goes through can be tough without having God in your life. During this trip I hope to find a spiritual renewal as well as what career path God has planned out for me. God has a plan for everybody and if you "Commit your plans and decisions to the Lord," "...under His guidance you will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3; CW) As leaders in our church and communities, we sometimes get caught up in our leading and teaching and forget who's leading us and who our teacher is. You probably heard of the saying "You must learn to follow before you can lead." This is a true statement for all leaders in the church. You must learn and follow Jesus' teachings before you can go out and preach them yourself. These are things I hope to rekindle and find during Ultimate Workout 19.
These, are my 'Next-Steps'...
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