In The Zone

I have been very in awe at how God works and how a lot of the things in my life have come full circle. Ever since I went to Bolivia for my first time, I knew I was called to Latino missions. I can't really say how I knew but I knew that my heart was bursting for the Spanish language and warm culture and that God was calling me to work in that culture. The mission field was calling my name. 

During the second semester of my junior year of high school my mom and I began to volunteer with Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora, Illinois and God began to do something in my heart for inner city ministry. We worked at an after school program, helping struggling kids with their homework. My heart was stolen yet again by these kids that were so difficult yet so wonderful. I was fascinated by their Mexican slang Spanish/English concoction, their illiteracy in both languages broke my heart. I saw them grow up and join a gang, or get pregnant at 16, I knew this was what I was made for. I worked at that school for about 5 years. It was wonderful. I learned so much about God's heart for East Aurora and the families that are there. 

I remember taking on a summer class at Aurora University one year just so I could still be staff with the group Communities in Schools so I could keep working with the kids over the summer (you couldn't work for CIS if you weren't an Aurora resident or a student in Aurora, I think I broke even that summer, with paying for the class and working). 

Slowly but surely I began to wonder about these children's native land, Mexico. Where did they come from? Or their parents and grandparents? What was Jalisco and Monterrey and Mexico City like? They always seemed to be planning to take a vacation to Mexico to see their cousins and whatnot. I was intrigued. 

God really blessed me by allowing me to go to the Guadalajara area of Mexico last year with YWAM. And now I am here in Tijuana. I love the story that God has given me, how he has woven it all together. I used to pray Psalm 16 a lot when I was struggling with figuring out what God wanted me to do and I think he has really answered my prayer for his glory! "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. "

This past week I went to another YWAM San Diego/Baja ministry site called Zona Norte, it is a homeless/deportee ministry that we partner with. We work with a church called La Roca (The Rock), and it is one amazing ministry. It is a homeless ministry as well as rehabilitation center and orphanage. Amazing. I talked with some of the women while we were there, Carla I think was one of their names. I am hoping to talk with her again, they say that the people at the shelter are always eager to share their story about why they are homeless or why they were deported from the USA. I am so eager to hear their stories. 

Something I was super in shock about was the men. They were rough of course, homeless men usually are, they looked like they had been through a lot. The YWAM staff with me said that the men LOVED to worship, so when we would come they would sing worship songs. We sang about 3 songs and tears were in my eyes. These men had terrible voices but yet they were so beautiful because I knew they wanted something MORE for their life so badly, their off beat clapping was so enthusiastic. It was beautiful, perhaps one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. 

Who said missions can't be fun? 

I have been really blessed by all of the staff here in Tijuana too, 

its a blessing to work with them! And of course a blessing to have fun