Church today was quite an experience. We had a First Nations Gathering. One of the fellows in our Church has been following his call from God and taking the first steps toward reaching out to our First Nations brothers and sisters. A few monthes ago we had an awareness evening and that led to many sessions of prayer and finally to yesterdays morning service. I enjoyed it all immensely. I see that we have a culture that live among us that we don't even begin to understand. It was a good time of worship and maybe the start of some reconciliation.

On a happy note...a young man, who is first nations, is going to be graduating from high school this Sat. The extra-exciting thing is that he is the first in his family to graduate - ever! How amazing to think of the long cycle that he is breaking. He has had an amazing home to be raised in. Our good friends have been his foster parents for many many years. They have provided him with stability, encouragement, with love and support. They have walked with him from childhood into manhood and while he still has many hurdles to overcome - he is jumping over a huge one just by graduating from highschool. Way to go Ray!! We are proud of you!

I'm still working my way through Mexico thoughts. I am constantly trying to keep Mexico in the forefront of my mind so that I live differently. I want to choose wisely with how I spend my time and my money. I want the experience of being in Mexico to change our lives completely. But it is so difficult. It's hard to not let life just roll over you and push out thoughts and ideas that make you uncomfortable, that are challenging.

My prayer is that my life will change - that my families lives will change - that the way we live will affect change not only in the lives of those we live among, but the lives of people in Mexico. Maybe a lofty goal - but we CAN bring about change. We can change peoples lives all around the world with the choices we make everyday in Canada. For example, a small (very very) thing that we are changing is that we are buying Fair Trade Coffee. Supporting this industry will change the lives of many growers in many Latin American countries.

How easy.

Another thought that has been floating in my head for many years but came to the surface in Mexico was the idea of simplicity.

I was so struck as we walked into our 2400 sq. ft home, filled with stuff, with just how excessive we are. North Americans are blessed, yes...but we are also extreme and we are greedy. I am extreme and greedy.

So this week I have been plagued with this idea. What does it mean? What does it look like? Where do I start? I can see it is no easy task - you have to change not only what you've surrounded yourself with - but you must tackle the mind as well. I have to discipline myself to think simply. To think "need" not "want".

Lord, teach me. Show me where to dig in and start.

Buenas Dias!

Yes, we are home - safe and sound. What a journey. What an adventure. What an opportunity to see God in action...

There is still so much processing to do - it'll be difficult to post all that I observed and learned while in Mexico...but this will be a great place to work out some of the things that God is working out in me.

Several initial thoughts -

1. God is always in control. We travelled hundreds of kms. over some totally isolated, mountain roads. We saw accidents along the roads with people sitting bleeding or even in one case - covered in a blanket. We had a tire blowout and brakes that well, were in bad shape. We had numerous schedule changes and in each case we all could say without a doubt that God was in complete and utter control.

2. People are important. I think one of my favorite things about Mexico is that it is all about relationships. There is nothing that is more important than spending time with people - talking, hanging out, playing soccer, frisbee or basketball. What a huge lesson.

3. God is big. I know, you're reading this and saying "duh". But sitting in a worship service in Spanish and sharing in worship with people in another country, watching and hearing how God is moving in Mexico and changing lives....it makes you realize that God is so much bigger than our North American mindset allows us to understand. We get glimpses - but really it is hard to understand. I got a glimpse.

It was such a privelege to serve on this trip. I was blessed by so much.

Tomorrow we are off to Mexico. I went to get our travel insurance the other day and of course the woman was asking where we were going. So I said "Mexico". She had just got back from vacation in Puerta Vallarta with her two children. They went to an all-inclusive. Don't get me wrong - given opportunity I'd go to an all inclusive resort without thinking twice! Two weeks of relaxation, no cooking, laying by the pool with a cold drink in my hands...doesn't get much better! When she asked where we were going and I told her the obscure place that I knew she'd never heard of - she looked at me and said "and what exactly will you do there?" As I explained, I could tell she thought I was kinda loopy but in a good way.

I am so thrilled to be able to show my girls that the rest of the world does not live like North Americans. And I can't wait for them to see that even though people don't live like us, they still manage to have joy and are content. I can't wait for us all to see that the world is a BIG place and our little corner in Hope BC is not all there is out there.

Pray for us. Pray we will see God moving. Pray that our hearts break and that we can bring home insight and wisdom from our experience. I pray for changed lives for the children (ages 6,8,9 (two of them) and 11 and 12. I pray for changed lives for the teens (9 of them!) and I pray for changed lives for the rest of us who go from 37 to 70.

May the old learn from the young, may the young learn from the old, may the Canadians learn from the Mexicans, may the Mexicans learn from the Canadians, and may we all learn from the Master.