We had an amazing week of ministry in Ensenada, Mexico. If you bought into the media hype and didn’t come, you were duped and you missed out. It was an incredible, life changing week for thousands students and leaders again this year. Yeah!
On that note, a brief admonition...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Do not be afraid to travel to Mexico. Do not be afraid to send your kid to Mexico.
DO NOT FEAR.
Fear caused many, many students to miss out on incredible ministry in Mexico this year. Fear based on media hype and perceived danger. Not even actual danger. Perceived danger.
I have been to Mexico over 40 times in the last 16 years. This year my wife Katie and I went 3 times and border crossings, travel, and safety in the community were NO DIFFERENT than any other year. There were no terrorists roaming the streets, no rash of students contracting swine flu, no kidnappings. If anything, it was quieter and mellower than usual. The Mexicans were stunned that their neighbors to the north would stay away without knowing the facts.
And the brave churches that brought students were richly rewarded with ministry blessings reserved for those who don’t chicken out at the first hint of- I’ll say it again- perceived danger.
Hopefully you won’t miss out next year- come on back, friends. Call me on my mobile phone 530-207-9875 if you have questions. I’m serious. The Lord is alive and moving in Mexico...
Now, about the week:
It was an amazing week, I’m already looking forward to next year!
I had the privilege once again of leading worship at Rancho El Refugio, Azusa Pacific’s ministry center just outside of Ensenada. Hundreds of students from around North America camped here and partnered with local churches in a variety of ministries.
Each morning and evening we gathered for chapel to sing, worship, pray, and to hear from God’s word.
The students totally got into it, it was awesome!
Our band featured a couple of the usual suspects from my church worship team...
Jack Withers bringin’ the sauce on electric guitar.
Brian Trainer rockin’ it on bass guitar.
Steve Liberti killin’ it on the drums. He’s a missionary with Proclaim International.
Steve Gake on sound (maybe the most important band member). I gotta give Steve some props- he served tirelessly. He was the first one to set up, the last one to leave (we had to setup and tear down a bunch of stuff each time because it was outside). Steve, thank you for serving the Lord and our team so faithfully. Love you, man.
Me and the Steves on our “tourist” day in town.
My wife Katie got to come this time, which always makes the trip way better. Love you, baby!
Speaking of my wife...Katie surprised me with an incredible Christmas gift last year- a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar and Pod X3 Live. I’ve been practicing ever since and had waited for just the right time to debut it in public. Ensenada was that right time...
Our speaker for the week, Eric Simpson, talked about how the Lord uses our weaknesses for his glory. He opened up to us about the struggle he has with reading and the irony of God calling him to teach the Bible when he literally has a hard time reading it aloud in public. It inspired me to risk playing electric guitar (which I am still very much a novice at!) for the first time in public, even though I felt very shaky about it. Feeling the support of campers who knew I was trying something new, being tremendously encouraged by my bandmates, and knowing that my wife was cheering me on- it was a very moving experience. I’m so glad it happened in Mexico, in a place that has been so life changing for me.
Eric Simpson bringing the word.
The debut of electric guitar!
