This is pretty much my day-to-day experiences! Here's the most down-to-earth look at what's happening here.Thursday Dec. 13 - 11:00 A.M.
The mid-week service last night was unbelievable! I felt the anointing of the LORD from the moment we started the praise songs. I felt a freedom and excitement in the air and could sense that something was going to happen! But just what? After a few lively praise songs, we started to worship and let me tell you, the presence of God blanketed us. I could feel His love and some received visions and prophecies.
I didn�t want to open my eyes. I felt as if I were praising God as the priests in the Old Testament did and the presence of God came down. It seemed as if the praise and glory went straight up to Him. Words cannot describe it. I think of Psalms 84:10, "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Oh, just to be the doorman in the House of my God! There is nothing so sweet as the gentle touch of the LORD. Many people fell under the strong presence of God as Pastor Chacho and Lupita began to pray for them. I think about 45 people came last night and I know lives were changed!
This morning was beautiful, too. We start intercession with about 30 minutes of worship in which Luis is on keyboard, Nancy drums, and myself guitar. The purpose is to help us flow in the spirit and increase the intesity of worship times in the morning. This morning I felt the strong presence of the LORD like last night! Just to be a gatekeeper in the House of my God!... Yes, LORD!
I�ve got just a few days left before I head home for Christmas! I�m excited to be with my family for Christmas. Lord-willing, I�ll catch a bus directly after church this Sunday, the 16th and arrive at the border in the morning. From the there, Greyhound to Tn, arriving by Tuesday evening. So blessings and I�ll drop a note on-line when I get up to TN! Have a blessed day!
Thursday Dec. 6 - 10:45 P.M.
This morning I helped Jes�s Olivares work on his house. It was just a few fix-up type projects. Then he and I painted some more on the metal fence in front of Chacho�s house.
Worship practice was exciting for me tonight. Louis was on keyboard in my place and I just led with a microphone! (It felt strange not being at the keyboard.) It was the first time we�ve had a practice where I didn�t need to play keyboard. Louis is taking over and I love it!
Also, we have a new member to the team. Ver�nica started with us singing. She did great and will be a valuable member to the team. I was so happy inside to see the team play together without me! This has been my dream. :)
I really feel that when I head home for Christmas the team will be ready and do fine without me. I can only give thanks and glory to God for this work! A week or two ago I was wondering what to do. Things just weren�t coming together very well and I didn�t want to leave if the team wasn�t stable and fully functioning without me. But then God just like put it all together! Good things are happening. :)
Wednesday Dec. 5 - 11:00 A.M.
Abid left Monday for the border. And I�m getting ready to head home in a week and a half! Lots happening lately!
Yesterday, I painted the front of Chacho and Lupita�s house. It took the morning, but really looks nice! Then in the afternoon, I taught two music classes. Afterwards, I ran Lupita to her cell group at 6:00 in the bug.
I�ve been noticing how the bug is rusting pretty bad and it�s getting hard to shut the passenger door because of this problem. So I brought it to a body shop. For $50 or $60 they�ll replace the rusted sections and the door will shut fine. I don�t like spending money on cars, but there are necessities!! We�ll see what happens.
I�m going to go and paint some more yet this morning. Blessings!
Saturday Dec. 1 - 10:00 P.M.
Thank you, LORD. I�m so content. Today, we served breakfast in the church for new members. Then Louis and I wrapped all the music equipment up and brought it off the stage. Then at 1:30 P.M. we started mixing cement. 12 or 13 guys from church came and we put a 3-inch layer of cement on the platform, making it level and smooth.
After mixing about 20 bags of cement with the gravel and sand, we were pretty sizzled physically! But it turned out great. :) We finished around 8 o�clock, but then I set up the sound equipment, etc for Sunday morning. At the moment I�m REALLY tired physically, but so happy inside!
Friday Nov. 30 - 12:00 P.M.
Home for Christmas!! I�m going home for Christmas! Lord willing, I�ll arrive home in TN just before Christmas and be with my family for the holidays! It�s always a bit of a culture shock when I get back Stateside, but I think I�ll be able to adapt faster this time.
Back here in Zacapu....I�ve been on some projects lately. Yesterday I spent the morning painting the front of Chacho�s house. And I waxed a list of little projects that needed to be done. Then at 6:00 worship practice went really good! I�m gearing them up for my departure. I think they�ll be ready to keep going without me! God is doing a special work in the worship team. He�s bringing us together as a team. Afterwards, no one wants to go home!
This Saturday we are going to get the church platform leveled and ready for carpet. It�s uneven cement presently, but Saturday the guys in church are getting together and we are going to make it smooth and then buy some comercial carpet to lay! It�ll really change the appearance. :)
Abid is heading home (McAllen, TX) this Sunday afternoon. She doesn�t know when she will be able to come back. Her family wants to come home for Christmas, but her heart is here in Michoacan. Her heart is to serve in the work here. Lord willing, she�ll be able to return after the turn of the year.
Monday Nov. 26 - 11:30 A.M.
Hi! I forgot my journal at home, so this is like an "off-the-cuff" hi from me! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Chacho arrive home from the border Thanksgiving Day, and believe me, we were FULL of THANKS for his return. He was at the border for 2 weeks, seeing his mother and teaching in a conference for our churches in northern Mexico. His mother was very sick, but is doing much better now. PTL! We are very glad to have our pastor back!
Louis is now in the worship team! It�s going great! PTL! Louis has a very sweet spirit and a heart to serve the LORD. He is a tremendous blessing to the team. He is a talented young man, from drums, to keyboard, to guitar, he does a great job! And his humble attitude is so beautiful to see. God is doing good things in the worship team!
The last few weeks have been a bit rough. It seemed like the enemy wanted to really ruin the worship team, messing with different ones and causing trouble. But hallelujah, GOD RULES and each member of the team is doing good now and determined to go on! I�m so glad God is in charge!
...say I have a joke for you...Did you hear about the guy that hired a man to do all his worrying for him?
He was telling his friend about it...."Hey, John, I just hired this fellow to do all my worrying for me. I pay him $500 a week."
"Thanks great,...but can you afford that? $500 is a whoppin� lot of money!"
He tells John, "Yah, well that�s not my worry, that�s what I pay him for!"
I think we can learn a lesson from him, don�t you think? I want to learn how to trust God in EVERY situation, and EVERY circumstance. But when the rubber meets the road, it�s harder. LORD, give me more faith, more of You! Life is exciting! I love it!Monday Nov. 19 - 8:45 P.M.
This last week has gone by in a flash! Since my last update, Louis is staying with me. He is 17 and is starting to fill my role on keyboard in the worship team. Lord-willing he will be taking over keyboard for a few songs this Sunday! By the time I head home for Christmas (Dec. 17th), I�m praying he will be on keyboard full-time and the team functioning more or less without me!
We went Friday morning and afternoon all over Zacapu looking for work for him. PTL we found an office supply shop that hired him! They are Christians, too! I appreciate Louis� attitude to work. We thank God that he found work so soon! Praise the LORD.
Sunday was really awesome yesterday. God moved and touched so many people...even myself! The LORD gave me a word that was just for me and really encouraged me! It seems to me that the LORD always knows when we are in need of His Word and love. After church, I went with the youth and we played soccer and volleyball until all the energy was wrung out of us! Arriving at home, I keeled over on the couch, well spent from the morning�s ministry and then playing hard with the youth.
Monday is my day to relax and recooperate from the constant ministry of the weekend. So today I went with a family from church to see a volcano. It was a sight! You climb up the rim of the volcano and down in the middle is a beautiful round lake, filling the crater. (Then you realize the little goat trail you see is the path down, down, down to the bottom!) We hiked/slid down to the bottom and a few of us hiked all the way around the lake. I wish you could�ve seen it! Then back up to the top,...still on the loose-graveled goat-trail. But what a sight! It was great to get out and we had a wonderful time together.
Tomorrow, Abid, Celene and I are planning on going to Morelia for a special workshop for youth leaders. They are going to present ideas on how to reach youth for Jesus, creative ideas for your youth group, drama, and all kinds of stuff. We are excited about it!
Saturday Nov. 10 - 12:30 P.M.
Yesterday, I turned 21! I had a wonderful day. After prayer from 8-9 A.M., Lupita and I went on an outreach to Asajo, the indian village. We visited several families, encouraging and praying for their individual needs. It is always an experience for me when I visit Asajo. They are so deprived and spiritually blinded to the love of Jesus. Some of the people in our church live in the village, but it is very difficult for them because of the paganistic traditions, etc. The ancient practices and culture has been the enemies territory for so long that to win the ground for Jesus doesn�t happen overnight. Let�s pray that God�s love shines through the darkness in Asajo! We came home at 2:00 P.M., just in time to pick up Azalia from school.
At 5:00 we had a short worship practice before a special video presentation at 6:00. All the cell groups got together and we watched "Left Behind". (but the Spanish version!) Afterwards, someone had the "grand" idea....to have me come up front and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me!
When the movie was over, I went home but to another surprise. Jorge and Edith walked in with a cake, singing "Happy Birthday"! It was a blast. :)
(INSIDE JOKE....I even drank coffee. You see, for the last year, my excuse for not drinking coffee has been, "Coffee is for adults; I�m just a kid"! It�s a joke down here that everyone knows about me! But not that I turned 21 I had to drink coffee to keep with my word....I said that when I become an adult, I�ll drink coffee, but I never thought it would happen! )Tuesday Nov. 6 - 8:00 P.M.
It looks as if Chacho is heading up to the border this Thursday, the 8th. His mother is very ill and so he�s going up to see her.
This afternoon after giving a few music lessons, I helped Jes�s put the forms up for the steps in the church. We ahve just a little more to do and it�ll be ready to pour concrete. These are the steps that go up to the second story. (We have yet to build the second story. These stairs go up to the roof, where we will build rooms upstairs.) And so the next big project will be to build the walls up there. but that might be a little bit �til we can do it. :)
Signing off for now...I�m going to study Spanish and then hit the sack. ~ Josu�
Saturday November 3 - 8:45 A.M.
Yesterday was a catch-up day. I sharpened the machete and cut the grass and organize the backyard. Then I went on "street-clean-up duty" and picked up a garbage bag full of litter in the street outside the house. I even got a chance to wash my clothes before we got the youth together at 4:00 P.M. It was great to get together with them again!
Today, Chacho is starting a school of ministry from 10-12 every Saturday morning. I�m excited about it as I want to be better prepared to serve the LORD. Well, gotta go...catchya later! ~ Josu�
Thursday November 1 - 12:45 P.M.
Let me try to give you a brief update of what�s happening since my last entry on Oct. 8th! I was home from the Oaxaca trip for about a week. Then I took my bug up to the border to bring the mission team from TN down. The 20th of Oct. we drove down and they were able to stay 6 days, but 6 days full of ministry and activity! It was really awesome. From an outreach in a nearby basketball court outdoors to food distribution and a youth outreach, it was exciting! We also visited some of the brothers who come to church here so they could see how people live down here.
I was so blessed personally and I know everyone down here received much blessing and encouragement from the TN team! May God bless them abundantly! I wish I would have kept up on my journal so I could give you a nice picture of what happened, but I didn�t. Let�s just say that I was blessed out of my socks, God touched many lives through the ministry with the mission team, and it was awesome! (That�s pathetically general isn�t it?!!! Well, you�ll just have to come down on the next trip, I guess, and find out first hand. Seriously, get in on the next trip down the first week of January. Drop me an e-mail if you�re interested.)
I just rolled into Zacapu at 11:00 P.M. last night after bringing the team back to the border. So now I�m trying to get caught up on everything I let slide the last 2 weeks! But it�s good to be back here. After a year here, I love it more than ever. There is nothing more exciting than serving the King of kings and LORD of lords!
I�m excited about giving my all for Jesus down here! My plans are to go home for Christmas and come back with a missions team in January. Dad has a 15 passenger that we used this last trip and will use in January, Lord willing. So these 6 weeks that I have here, I�m going to work hard with the worship team so they get along fine without me when I go. I�m excited about the challenge. I want them to be at the place where they continue fine whether I�m here or not. That�s the goal; to diplicate myself! God is doing a great work, and I consider myself privileged to serve Him in His work.
Mon. October 15th
Tomorrow I�m heading up to the border to meet my family and the team coming down from TN. I know I need to update my webpage on all that has happened this week, but I�m not sure if I�ll get a chance. What�s going on here? Well, another girl gave her heart to Jesus Friday in youth group, we had the food distribution for the needy Thursday A.M. with a great turnout...An awesome service yesterday with one of our daughter churches joining us. The worship was AWESOME! We fininshed around 3:30 P.M. Anyhow it was a packed week with God doing so many good things. I just stand back and give glory to Him.
So the plan is that tomorrow at 5:00 A.M. I�m heading up to the border in my bug with a fellow from church who is going to then stay at the border. My family and a team from my church in TN are coming down for a week and I plan to meet them at the border to help drive back in MX. I�m excited about seeing my Mom and Dad, brothers, brother-in-law, sister, nieces, pastors Tony and Doris, and a young man named Daniel! I can�t wait! Please keep us in your prayers as we drive Friday and Saturday and that God will do a special work while they are here.
Monday October 8 - 9:30 A.M. BACK FROM OAXACA!
I made it back here in Zacapu Saturday night around 11:30 P.M from Oaxaca. What a trip! I don�t know where to start to tell you what all happened. From the gas station owner that got saved on our way back, to hiking 7 km in the middle of the night in the mountains, it was awesome! Here goes the brief report.
Tuesday afternoon, we arrived in Tacubaya. (just to let you know who all went...,Chacho, Celene, Carmen, Lurdes, Angelina, and myself. There were 6 of us.) After greeting the brothers there in Tacubaya, we headed up the mountain to visit the churches in Naranjo and Oajintepec. It�s quite an adventure just to get to Oajintepec. I really need a video camera to show what roads and transportation is like there! Anyhow, we made it there by 8:30 or 9.
The church there didn�t know we were coming and it was late, so we couldn�t have a service. Instead we had an intense prayer meeting. There were about 15 of us and the LORD moved in the prayers. We prayed and interceeded for the village, and I believe strongholds were shaken that night as we claimed the village for Jesus. You don�t always see immediate results when your pray, but things happen when we pray for God to move! Sooner or later the results show! That night you could feel that something was happening in the spirit realm as we prayed.
After prayer at the church, we had a bite to eat and then hit the trail. It was 10:30 P.M. when we began the 7-km hike back to Naranjo. The moon lit up the dirt road that wandered down the mountain. We sang praise songs most of the way and were very much encouraged at what God was doing! The guys in front saw 3 big ol� tarantulas, but I was last in the bunch and didn�t get to see them. We finally stumbled into Naranjo a little after midnight.
The next morning we had a church service there in the church in Naranjo. It was really special seeing all their smiling faces again. They now have a church building in Naranjo! When I went in March, all they had was a roof, but now it�s a pretty, little church with walls, roof, and a door! Wow!
From Naranjo we returned back to Tacubaya in the back of a truck to have the evening service. This time, wherever we went, they asked me to lead worship. I love praising and leading worship, so it was a privilege for me. It was challenging for the lack of instruments and decent equipment, but we praised God with all our might anyhow!
Thursday morning I taught praise and worship in Tacubaya to about 5 youth who want to serve the LORD in the music ministry. Then we headed to Milpillas to have our final service before returning home. Lazaro, the pastor there, asked me to lead the praise and worship. They have a mic and a guitar, but that�s it! So Francisco, one of the dear brothers, held the mic for me while I played guitar and led praise songs. But this ancient guitar went out of tune after the first or second song. (Time to praise God acapella!) I ended up praising with just the mic! What a riot! God wants to hear our voices and hearts praise Him more than the instruments anyways!
Friday morning we headed for home, the van loaded with coconuts and our hearts blessed beyond words. There�s so much I�d like to share, but pen and ink cannot describe it good enough. What really blows my mind is how the people down there don�t have hardly anything, yet they�re as happy as ever. To see the sparkle in their eyes and the energy they have to serve the LORD inspires me.
They have such generous, hospitable hearts. Wherever we went, they offered us the very best with joy, making sure we had everything we needed without a thought about themselves. That unselfish love is the love of Jesus. They ministered the true love of Jesus. It was a testimony to me and memories that I will carry with me.
The believers in Oaxaca and Guerrero have become like my family. They are such dear people. How I would love for you to meet them. As we left, they begged us not to go, but we had to. LORD willing, we�ll be able to go again the last week of November.
Please keep our Christian brothers in Oaxaca and Guerrero in your prayers. There are pastors who walk mile after mile to preach the Gospel in other villages down there. They are giving their hearts and very lives to tell other about Jesus. Please continue to pray for those dear people that God will continue to strengthen them and make them effective ministers for His glory!
Monday October 1 - 10:30 P.M.
This hot, humid evening I find myself in Acapulco, MX. Six of us are on our way to Oaxaca to encourage the churches down there. I got up at 3:30 this morning and we got an early start from Zacapu in Chacho�s mini-van. Tomorrow we should arrive in Tacubaya, Oaxaca, our "base"!....
Yesterday, Sunday, we had our church service in the morning and finished about 3 in the afternoon. Then we went to minister in a local church at 5:00 P.M. It was an exciting opportunity to encourage fellow Christians in that church. Our worship team went and we sang several praise songs and started in worship. The presence of the LORD came and many were in tears as the LORD touched their hearts. I could feel the powerful presence of God from where I was at the keyboard and just worshipped. It was something else! We got back home around 9:30 and I threw some clothes in my backpack and crashed on the living room couch, waiting for my alarm to sound at 3:30 A.M....
Up and at �em! We drove all day and arrived here in Acapulco late afternoon. With a little time to relax, we headed to the beach and the warm ocean water refreshed me. I went out floating on my back and let the waves toss me to and fro. How wonderful is our Maker!
On the way back to the hotel, I had an opportunity to witness to a middle-aged man. I asked him if he knew the LORD. He said, "yah" kind of unsure-like. So I asked him, "Have you asked Jesus into your heart?" He said, "No." I asked if he wanted to to and he said he did. But then when it came to praying, he wasn�t too sure. I began sharing how Jesus is the only way to Heaven and what it means to ask Jesus into your heart. This man, Daniel, was definitly interested, but wouldn�t make the decision for Jesus. I had to go, because the rest of our team was leaving, but I pray that God will cause the seed to grow and bring another to witness to him. Please pray for Daniel and that God will give me more wisdom and discernment to be able to lead lost souls all the way to the foot of the cross and salvation. It�s 11:00 P.M.
Signing off ~ JoshFriday September 28 - 4:15 P.M.
There�s alot happening lately. Let me give you the run-down of yesterday�s events. After prayer/intecession from 8-9 A.M., we hurriedly prepared for the food distribution at 10 A.M. We had invited the needy to come and receive food. We put beans, rice, noodles, and oil all in bags to hand out.
It went something like this....We held a little service with some praise and worship songs and short Gospel message. 24 people came, very much in need and grateful for the food we offered. Many raised their hands to receive Jesus in their hearts. And others asked for prayer, etc. It was really beautiful. We have them Bibles and many want to come for church Sunday. We are organizing to distribute food like this every other week.
I really think this outreach opportunity is tremendous. There are so many needy people here. It is very different from the States where government helps out. Here, if you don�t have food, you have one of 2 options, starve or try to beg. Period. Government help is not available. I think God will touch many lives through this ministry of providing spiritual and physical food for the needy.
Well, I kind of ran out of time to write more. Off I go to youth group. Blessing!
Saturday September 22 - 8:30 P.M.
I just came out of one of the most awesome worship practices we�ve had. It was only worship practice, but the sweet presence of God came and touched us. We felt His peace and love, and I didn�t want to get out of it! It felt like we just came out of a special church service....isn�t it neat how God can come and touch our lives even in a worship practice?!!
Today, we got the youth together and cut grass and brush by machete. (It�s our form of entertainment... no, not really!) There�s an empty lot next to the church that the owner gave us permission to use for the children Sundays or for whatever we want! Free!! (Can�t beat that with a stick!) It is all enclosed, so there�s no worry of losing kids or having them run out on the street, etc. But we needed to clean it out; the grass had grown up like a jungle in there. After about 3 hours of hacking with machetes, it was ready to go for Sunday!
Then, hot and sweaty, I went swimming with Mois�s and Manuel, two of our youth. The water was like ice, but refreshing!
At the moment, I�m trying to catch the news and find out what�s happening in the "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave". I�m not very thrilled with Spanish CNN...they don�t translate everything! When reporting with President Bush or someone in the States, I try to catch the English before they translate it! I think living here for a year now has made me more patriotic and proud of my country. The USA is a blessed country. I don�t care what they tell you, it�s blessed! Of course I love Mexico and the sweet people here, but I have a greater appreciation of the U.S. now. There�s so much that we take for granted....
Well, you all take care and may the love and peace of God be with you. ~ Josu�
Monday September 17 - 11:30 A.M.
Wow, another week has gone by like a flash! I couldn�t believe my ears nor my eyes when I saw the news Tuesday morning. I was in shock! We are praying tremendously for the people up there, the President of the U.S. and for the United States as a whole. The whole church down here in joining in praying for this situation.
Last Friday night something awesome happened with the youth. I shared for 20 minutes or so. And then we started to pray, but I didn�t feel any great, supernatural anything. But as we prayed and worshiped, the awesome presence of God fell. One girl brought her unsaved boyfriend for the first time that night. During this time of prayer/worship, the LORD touched his heart and he received Jesus as His personal LORD and Saviour! God always has a way of surprising us. When we think nothing is going to happen, all of a sudden He shows up! Others were touched my the gentle hand of God that night, too.
Then Saturday morning I woke up sick. I spent about the whole day in bed. I rarely get sick, but this time it was bad. At 5:30 P.M. I tried to get to go to worship practice. No deal. I staggered to the house and plopped into a chair. I had no energy and my whole body ached, besides diarrhea, and a lingering urge to vomit. Great! I couldn�t even muster the strength to walk the half a block to go to worship practice. I thought for sure I wouldn�t be able to lead worship Sunday, or even play, or even make it to church!
Sunday morning came and I really believe God healed me of whatever I had. By the time church started, I felt about as good as new. I knew it was a divine work of God. I was able to praise the LORD and Chacho helped me lead! I still feel good. I know I�m healed! Then after church, a family invited us to go for a picnic with them. (Saturday and Sunday was like the 4th of July for us. Sept. 15th is Mexico�s Independence Day.) We had a blast! It was so much fun and relaxing. Lately, I�ve been running like crazy....they say that�s probably why my body gave out Saturday.... So this time picnicing was lots of fun. (I�m trying to cut down on the activities, too.)
Say, I didn�t get to write all I wanted to, but this is the brief summary of the week. I gotta run now. But thanks for your prayers and support. I awoke this morning so happy and grateful to the LORD for allowing me serve Him here. Sometimes, I can let all the activities and "good things" kind of run me over. I just sat and thought of all the good things God has done and is doing for me and I had to be greatful. What a great God we serve!
Monday September 10 - 12:00 P.M.
You gotta here this! If you read my journal on Thursday, Sept 6, you`re thinking, "Man, get a grip on yourself! But let me share with you what God did the next day, Friday, with the youth!...this is too cool....
Friday evening we had the youth group, right. After a short Bible study, we started to pray for those who had needs, etc....God just like poured out His Spirit and this praying and worship continued for 1 1/2 hours. It seemed like minutes. The kids were in tears as God touched their hearts, gave them words of hope and courage, etc.
Abid started praying for one girl, 19 years old. The girl started shaking and ran into the bathroom to hide. Huh-oh! Abid wasn�t going to let her go and so followed her and stared praying for her in there, but realized she needed help as some demons didn�t want her to be set free. So I went to help. While the other kids were received from God in tears and worshipping, God set this girl free! It turned out that God delivered her that night from lots of stuff in her past. The LORD gave her his peace and love and even gave her a word directly to her that she started to prophecy. It was a special word of love and acceptance from God; just what she needed. All I can say is that it was awesome! 9 youth came that night and each one received something very special from the LORD.
After that, I understood more clearly why the week was so difficult for me. The enemy knew what was coming and wanted to stop it. But I�ve got good news for you, what God wants to do, the enemy cannot stop! God RULES!
Sunday came around and the service went beautifully. We are seeing such growth in the church as a result of the cell groups. Sunday mornings it�s full to the back of the church! PTL! And each one is eager to grow! We are seeing good things happening!
ursday September 6 - 11:10 P.M.
The LORD is faithful. Well, you asked for the real-life scoop on me, so here goes....just so you know I�m just as human as the next guy.... Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were really hard. (Or maybe Wednesday was more like "terrible".) By Wednesday, I was at the end of myself. To put it simply. You see, Wednesday I went to Morelia with the guitar, bass, and keyboard to a music store. While I was inside with the keyboard, someone stole the bass guitar and the guitar out of my bug. Oh, how miserable I felt! The guitars were the church�s. I got home in the afternoon and realized I had to teach in the evening service and lead the praise! God, I want to grow, but oh, how painful! I felt spent emotionally, physically, and even not with it spiritually. (What a mess, huh?!! I thought, God, how am I supposed to give tonight when I feel so empty and spent?) Somehow, God gave me grace for the evening service and it all went well.
The awesome thing is that the LORD brought me out and put me on top of things again today. You know, even when things look really bad and downright nasty and unfair, God is there with you. God ALWAYS brings me through. :)
Saturday September 1 - 10:00 P.M.
Today was exciting. We went to Pueblo Viejo to celebrate a "quinceanera" (What's that? Here they have a big celebration when a girl turns 15 with a ceremony and all kinds of stuff. So we went to celebrate and do the service!)
Luis and I went to the church at 6 A.M. and loaded all the instruments and music gear in a van. I then took one of those 4-minute, barely-get-wet showers and away we all went to Pueblo Viejo! (About 14 of us went in 7 vehicles.)
It was really neat. We did some praise and worship, and Chacho shared a message. The presence of God came and a man even got saved! PTL! You could feel the gentle presence of the LORD and His authority and rule. It was really something. The LORD did a special work there.
Often the LORD shows me something about myself through others. He did just that today. They were so generous and hospitable to me....it went something like this....I had a strong need to use the restroom with none available. So a brother there told me to go with him. He took me to his house nearby to use the restroom, and the LORD spoke to me. The LORD showed me the kind, giving, self-less heart that this brother had. I was convicted and impressed to be more like Jesus in the area of hospitality. I want to be more hospitable. By example, this brother illustrated to me the love of Jesus.
Tuesday August 28 - 10:30 P.M.
Chacho just got home! He's been at the border for the last 2 weeks, and we are so thankful and glad that he's back! PTL!
This morning I played soccer with 3 guys from church. They want to do it every week. We'll see if I hold up to it!
Remember those 2 guys that came to church a few months ago? They were drunk, but the LORD touch their hearts that Sunday and they got saved. Well, God is doing an awesome work in the life of the one. He is growing fast in the LORD, becoming strong and firm in the faith! It is exciting to see how God has litterally changed his life! Keep praying for the other, Daniel. He is having a real hard time leaving the alcohol. Pray for his deliverance and that God will radically change his life as He has Jesus' life. (the other fellow's name is Jesus.)
I'm getting more students for the music classes. Today, I taught the drums to 3 students, and next week I should have 4. I'm really pleased to see how they are learning and getting the hang of it. With all my music classes, I have 11 students. :) I really love helping people learn.
Monday August 27 - 1:00 P.M.
Friday morning we took some of the youth to Lombardia. Three of our youth and Abid packed in the bug with me driving and away we went! We went to support the church their in their youth outreach. 13 youth came who didn't know the LORD and the Gospel message was presented. It was really good. It was good for Moises, Alexandro, and Claudia, the 3 that came with us. The LORD touched their lives and they are really excited about serving God. God is doing a work in Alex's life. His life is totally changing. We are excited to see him grow!
Then Saturday morning we crammed in the bug for the ride home. I was pretty spent so I slept for 2 hours and got up in time for worship practice. (Friday night we went to bed around midnight. Then we got up at 6:00 to climb up a volcanic mountain to watch the sunrise! It was beautiful...and I guess it was worth it! ...yawn...)
Sunday morning came and Chacho didn't make it. I think he will be here by Wednesday. There's a lot of details and things he needs to wrap up at the border. So we had the service again! It went really good, though it always takes alot more out of me when Chacho isn't here. It was exciting because it was Nancy's first Sunday playing drums! I've been teaching her drums for some time and she is now a part of the worship team. She is picking it up real fast. It went excellent! This is the same Nancy that is living with us and her heart is sold-out to serve Jesus.
At the same time please pray for my other drummer, Giovanny. He asked to have time off, so we agreed. But his spiritual life is not looking good right now. Please keep him in prayer. I want to see him back in the swing of things. Thanks for your prayers for him!
Thursday August 23 - 10:30 P.M.
Today, we had an emergency call. There was terrible accident in which the mother and daughter were killed and the rest of the family seriously injuried. The family asked us to come pray for them. Lupita and I went to the hospital with a relative of theirs. (Chacho is at the border, but hopefully will be here for Sunday.)
It was a very ugly accident. This mexican family lives in Oregon and were on their way back when this car wreck occurred. The father is walking and fine, but he lost his wife and daughter. His 7 other children are from 3 yrs + and are torn up real bad. It was so sad. I wanted too bust into tears seeing that little 3-year-old all battered from head to toe. From the waist-down he's in a cast, half of his head is shaved, you couldn't hardly find a spot to touch him to pray for him because of the scratches, etc... then to hear him cry and scream for his mommy, which was killed. It was heart-breaking. I can't describe it. Each one was in serious shape.
We prayed for each one there and 3 of the children asked Jesus into their heart. We just ministered the love of Jesus to them. As we prayed for each one, you could see God touch them and bring peace. Even the little boy that was crying quieted as God touched his little heart. It was an experience I will never forget. Please pray for this famiy. The children don't know that their mother died yet, so please pray for them. It is a very difficult situation. But God is ministering His love in the midst of it all. LORD, I just want to be Your hands, Your feet, to carry Your message of love.
Saturday August 18 - 9:30 A.M.
Last night we had our first youth group service. It was awesome! The Holy Spirit came and touched us all. I shared on how much God loves each one of us. How great is His love for us! Then I shared how I once had a girlfriend, that we almost got married, etc. After everything fell apart between us, my heart was shattered in a million pieces. I went running in tears to the LORD nearly every day for months, asking Him to heal my heart. I found such overwhelming love in Jesus and comfort in His arms during this time. Every time I ran to Jesus, He was there for me. Unexplainable love.
I shared this with the youth group last night. About 9 youth came and several were crying as the LORD came and touched their hearts as He had touched mine. God was healing hearts with His love. We were left without words. It was so beautiful.
Wednesday August 15 - 1:00 P.M.
This last week has been full of adventures and excitement! The LORD is putting a youth group together here. I'm motivated to serve the LORD with the youth. We've been praying for months on how to reach our youth, etc. And just now we are starting to see the plan unfold. Abid, Celene and I are going to help them as youth leaders. I'm really excited to see what God is doing with the youth.
The Sunday morning service was beautiful. During the worship and ministry time, my heart was broken. One of our youth, 13-year-old Claudia, was standing by her uncle. He was standing there near the front but didn't want to go up to the altar. I could see God was touching his heart. Claudia was at his side, in tears, as she talked to him and tried to convince him to go up for prayer. I was playing keyboard at the time and in tears as I saw this young girl pleading with her uncle to come to Jesus. As it turned out, Chacho went down and prayed for him and I know God touched his heart. I believe God will continue softening his heart as only He can do.
Then Monday Chacho and I left in my bug for San Louis Potosi. (abut 6 1/2 away) Actually we went to Maiz, about 3 hours on the other side of San Luis. We went to bring Chacho's car back from Maiz, where he had to leave it in April when it broke down.
Tuesday, I returned home to Zacapu and Chacho stayed because he's going to go to the border first and then return. PTL, the bug ran great! Not a single problem! It was a fast trip. We only had one problem, I had forgot all my papers except my TN drivers license! We left in a rush Monday, and for some reason, I forgot my passport, etc. I don't feel like a foreigner down here, but I need to remember that I am and to bring my papers!
Okay, so we are driving along just fine....'til we came to a checkpoint with the soldiers. Great. Okay, you're passport, please. Uh-oh! Boy did I learn my lesson good. They took me into a little shack with the cammander and he asked me some questions. Then told me to go to my car and they talked to Chacho. Meanwhile, another guy got in my bug with me, so I witnessed to him! Finally, Chacho came out with the commander. The commander told me to never again leave the house without my passport, because they can deport me to my country! Yes Sir! Chacho says, "Let's go!" He didn't have to convince me. It turned out that Chacho gave him $10 and so they let us go. I know bribery isn't good, but....well, that's what happened!
Boy, I learned my lesson! Then coming back from Maiz by myself, I was praying hard! God, don't let them stop me! Praise God, they didn't stop me and I made it home without a single problem. :) What a relief!
Friday August 10 - 11:45 P.M.
I just came out of one of the most awesome services of my life. God touched me in a powerful way. Today and tomorrow I am involved in the youth conference. It was powerful tonight. I went up to get prayed for and the tears just started to come. I sobbed as God touched & healed hurts from the past. He renewed my passion to go all-out for Him. And He gave me vision to work with the youth. I think God touched every need and area of my heart. It was beautiful. I don't know how to express it! I cried and cried and felt the LORD's presence so close and so near to me. It was like I could feel Him. Words cannot describe what happened to me. I was touched by God!
Monday August 6 - 10:20 P.M.
Today I started teaching music classes again. This afternoon I taught keyboard, voice, bass, and guitar classes. And tomorrow I have a class on drums! I don't have many students, from 1 to 4 each class. I really love helping others learn!
Oh, and my bug is ready! I can't wait to pick it up tomorrow and see how it runs! :) Well, I'm going to get some rest. Blessings to you and thank you for your prayers!
Friday August 3 - 10:15 P.M.
PTL! What a good day I had today! The LORD showed me yesterday something that has changed my life and set me free! I've had a hard time for quite some time trying to stay encouraged and even excited about serving the LORD here. I knew something was majorly, but couldn't figure out what it was. I pleaded with God to renew the passion and fire for Him like I used to have. "God what's happening?" I cried. I didn't understand.
Then, while reading an article for worship leaders, the LORD began to open my eyes. You see, I'm success-motivated. When I go at something, I give it all I've got to be successful. I want to win! (I don't think any of us desire to fail!) But what happened is I took my dream and ran with it. I had dreams make our worship team really good, dreams to teach and instruct worship teams, striving to do it right and be successful. These aren't bad goals or dreams. But what's the motive? It couldn't be my own ego, could it? Couldn't be! We are "servants", "ministers" right? Sure. Well, the LORD showed me I was running and pushing my dreams and my visions for myself and my own ego. I realized that I was desiring a greater ministry and bigger things, but God was telling me to be faithful in where He has planted me and let His plan unfold.
"OK, God, You take over. You make the plans. I'll just serve You!" I dumped my own dreams and prayed, "God, I don't care if I ever play music again or any of my dreams. It doesn't matter. I just want You and will serve You! Help me to serve You with all I am where You have placed me and not look for a bigger ministry or be well-known. Help me to see the needs here and fill them! Help me be faithful here where You have put me. I surrender my heart to You."
The LORD brought such a freedom & release! A heavy weight lifted off me. Instead of the weight of my dreams and ambitions and all that I needed to do to accomplish them, I realized I was just serving in God's plan. I am the servant, He makes the plans! I no longer need to carry the weight of it all! I had to let go of my plans and serve in His plans! This is really basic I know, but somehow I had missed it. It was a life-changer for me!
Now I'm excited, motivated, and encouraged with the fire flowing in my veins again! Thank You, LORD, for Your grace and mercy!
Thursday, August 2 - 10:45 P.M.
I was reading something today that really hit me right between the eyes. It was an article on worship leading. I saw how I had let my own dreams & ego carry me away. LORD, put me back on track. Help me see the needs here and fill them, not look for a bigger ministry. I put everything back in Your Hands, my dreams, my desires, and my ambitions. I lay it all before You. Now I ask for Your vision, Your plan for my life. I want Your plan for my life, even it means no music. I want You, God, I need You! Set my heart on fire for You and let me not be carried away by my own ambitions.
Wednesday August 1 - 10:20 P.M.
Today, I finished putting a make-shift roof on the carport. Then I worked on putting a wall in the house. We are going to close part of the living room off to make a little bedroom for Abid. That's my next project!
Tonight, we had a beautiful service. Chacho was sharing on the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and having a hunger for more of God. Excellent! Then I brought a van-load of people home and got home just now. I enjoy bringing the people home Wednesday nights. That has become my job and I really love it. Tonight, my little 7-year old friend, Daniel, was my "co-pilot" in the van! Children still have a special place in my heart.
Tuesday July 31 - 10:00 P.M.
Today was a good day. I worked on putting a new roof on our little "carport". Tomorrow I hope to finish. Then I cut some grass with the machete. I'm starting to get the hang of it,...I think! Then a brother came to finish the baptismal. So I helped him, and we had a good time together. :) He's a really neat brother in the LORD. He talks REALLY fast, but now I can understand him. PTL! Today was one of those hands-on working days. I like it for a change.
Sunday July 29 - 11:30 P.M.
Yesterday, I brought my bug to a mechanic. (It's been parked since the trip to Oaxaca when it went to pieces...) My engine needs to be completely overhauled so he's going to do it for me. It will cost me $400. It's one of those deals where you don't have a lot of options, and this is the best one! I feel that he will do the job right and all, and so I told him to go ahead with it. I had $150 saved up so I gave it to the machanic to get started. Then I am praying hard for God to supply the money because we need the car and I don't have any more money. (Boy, don't ya just love adventures of faith?!!) Listen to this, though! Today, after church, a very dear lady came up and gave me $500 pesos (about $55 dollars)! Would you believe it?!! We serve a God that answers prayers. He takes such awesome care of His children. :) PTL!
Please pray, too, as it looks like I may be helping lead the youth group along with Abid and Celene. We feel strongly that we need to organize a youth group. We have about 10-15 youth. Pray that God will raise up leaders! We need youth leaders! I don't feel qualified or capable to take on the youth. But if God wants me to do it, by all means I'll give my best! Please pray that God will show us how to take care of the youth here.
Thursday July 26 - 11:30 P.M.
God is sure good. I'm sitting here just thinking about how big and awesome God is, yet He cares about the smallest detail of our lives! What a God! This week we all took it easy. And now I'm excited and ready to go again. :) Next week I'll start music classes again and a voice class. (I've never taught voice before!) Tomorrow I'm going to start taking voice lessons with a teacher. He's going to come once a week for only $3 for the hour lesson. I'm eager to learn how to sing better for His glory.
Monday July 23 - 4:30 P.M.
Okay, I'm back. And what happened to the guy that stopped by to help? As it turned out he helped us Tuesday and Wednesday pouring cement. God was tugging at his heart. His name is Louis and has lived in the States for most of his life. Louis just got out of jail. His background is rough, serious gang involvement, drugs, violence. I shared how God CAN put his life back together. That God has a plan for his life and wants to come into his heart. He was sick and tired of the life he was living and knew he needed God. I shared Jesus with him. He came one or 2 nights of the conference and Sunday morning a week ago. But I'm praying that God keeps working on his heart until he gives his heart to Jesus. He is planning on going back to the States soon and I hope he didn't already leave! Pray that God gets a hold of his life! :)
So how did the conference go? To put it in a nutshell, we had a visitation from God Thursday night! That's the only way I know to put it. God just showed up and touched, healed, delivered, and ministered to people. It was something. Little children came up to prayed for and fell to the ground under the power of God. A girl from the border who doesn't know Spanish began praying for the children and the power of God came over her in such a way that she began praying in Spanish! People were litterally strewn everywhere as the power of God touched them. The only disturbance was some demons that tried to show themselves as a women was getting set free of oppression, etc. But she got set free and the demons got driven out. That was quite a service.
There were workshops all day long. The workshop for the youth really impacted my life. One workshop was on consecrating yourself to God and another for youth leaders. I ate up the teaching! It's neat how God touches your life or speaks to you. I think what hit me the most was a lesson on humility. They didn't even teach on that, but the LORD convicted me and showed me how I need to keep an attitude of humility and meekness in order to serve him. That's what I take from this conference more than anything, I need to be humble in all I do!
There's so much I could write. This last week flew by in a blurrr! We were flying like crazy.... But all in all, it was really good! God moved and touched lives and that is the most important thing of all. :-)
Monday July 16
I've got just a few minutes to scratch something down here for you! Today the conference begins and I'll be off-line until Saturday most likely.
Last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we worked on pouring the cement sidewalk around the church. We had a little one before, but we extended it the length of the church in front and around the one side. This was done in true mexican style....shovels...buckets...wheelbarrows...It was good physical work!
A guy stopped by Tuesday and asked if he could help.....sorry gotta run. I'll let you know what happened later. Sorry!
Thursday July 5 - 10:00 P.M.
I finally finished painting! The church looks so much better with white walls than that "natural cement look"! One of the youth from church, Alejandro, came and we put another coat of paint on the walls and ceiling in the men's bathroom.
Then worship practice again! I'm excited to see Mois�s going on ahead spiritually. The LORD has brought him out of being down and depressed to being encouraged, excited and motivated to serve the LORD! It is so encouraging to see God do the work.
I'm so grateful to the LORD for allowing me to serve Him here. God is so perfect. He takes such good care of His children. I love what the apostle Paul says, "I have learned that in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." (I think that means rich or poor, hungry or fed, in the U.S. or Africa, in the business realm or jungle missions, even single or married, therewith to BE CONTENT! No matter what situation or circumstance, to be content and satisfied in the LORD.)
Tuesday July 3 - 11:00 P.M.
PTL! Today, I got some hands-on fun. Everado, Jes�s and I painted 2 of the walls inside the church. All we have left is one wall and the ceiling. (if you're trying to figure it out matimatically and only came up with 3 walls, it's 'cause the one in front was already painted......) I'm going to try to get the last wall done tomorrow and the ceiling will be a future project.
Then we had worship practice, but not everyone made it, so it turned into a guitar lesson for Mois�s. (I'm trying to learn to be flexible and change plans at an instant to be able to make best use of time and resources. Challenging!! In this case it was a change of being all ready for an extra worship practice preparing songs for the conference, to guitar lessons!) Moises was all excited as I have him a lead guitar line and he's never played lead guitar before. He was so eager to get home and practice the part! God is raising him up and I see in Moises such a heart to serve the LORD in the music ministry. All in His timing!
Monday July 2 - 11:50 P.M.
We had a good weekend, busy though it was! Chacho returned from Oaxaca Saturday with good news. The churcheds in Oaxaca are really going on ahead spiritually and doing great! The brothers there are serving God with vigor and he's seeing God change lives. I was excited to hear Chacho tell me about certain youth who before were serving God kind of half-way, but now giving it all they've got to get ahold of God. God is transforming their lives and reaching hearts!
Today, I worked all day in the church on a baptismal that we are building into the altar. About 7 guys from the church cam and we about finished it. :-) Lot's of projects to do righ now!
Our main focus right now is the annual conference starting July 16th, 2 weeks from today! All the planning, etc. and details are keeping us running crazy lately! Well, blessings to you from Zacapu, MX! It's time from me to get a little sleep....
Saturday June 30 - 8:30 A.M.
Oaxaca...or on the way to Oaxaca....ADVENTURE. You know what? God is ALWAYS in control. ALWAYS. I had a chance to experience that this last week. Sunday evening we started out for Oaxaca in my green VW Beetle, Chacho, Mois�s, and I. We stayed overnight in Lomard�a and continued on to Oaxaca Monday. But we didn't make it. The bug started leaking oil so bad that we made it to the Pacific coast and no further. (I mean oil was RUNNING out!) Okay, God, now what do we do?
As you know it God is ALWAYS in control. And ALWAYS takes care of his children, right? We were able to stay with some wonderful Christian brothers in the city and tried to get the bug fixed Tuesday. A professional "Bug man" dropped the engine and analized it for me at the "high" price of $15! PTL. He said I need a new engine block, and I knew he was right, the little I know about engines. Okay, now what? I don't have money for an engine block, and we're about 8 hrs from Oaxaca and 8 hrs from home.
Let me remind you, God IS in control!!! As it turned out, Chacho took a bus to Oaxaca and 13-year old Mois�s and I drove the bug home. The mechanic replaced some seals and temporarly fixed the problem so we could get home. (I just wasn't too sure about the "temporary" fix job! So we prayed a trusted God to get us home. And he DID!) So it worked out fine. Chacho went to Oaxaca and should be back today. And Moises and I came home Wednesday afternoon. The LORD takes care of His children. We got to encourage the family we stayed with and got back to help with some things that Lupita needed me here for. So this mission trip turned out much different than I had expected but I saw one thing clearly: God is ALWAYS in control and you really can trust Him!
Friday June 22 - 2:00 A.M.
Wow! So much has happened in the last month and a half. I flew home to TN on May 8th and was home for about a month. It was a really encouraging time, spending time with my family and friends, etc. It was so good. Then, I drove back to Zacapu, arriving the 14th of June. Maybe I can write a little more about it later. More importantly right now is to update you on what is happening here right now.
Oaxaca Trip Planned! We are preparing to leave on another missionary trip to Oaxaca. We'll be leaving after church this Sunday and hoping to be back next Saturday so as to not miss a Sunday morning service here. I just got an e-mail from one of the youth there in Tacubaya, Oaxaca that said they are waiting for us to arrive! (Don't ask me how they get e-mail or where they get it from!!) This is going to be a great trip! I don't know what God will do, but it will be good. I'm excited to go again to encourage the body of Christ in Oaxaca!
Please pray for us on this trip, that God will protect us and direct our steps. Pray that He will touch hearts and impact lives as only He can. Chacho and I will be taking my VW Beetle which brought me safely down here from TN. Please pray for safe travels and that it continues running great. We lean on the everylasting, powerful arm of the LORD. It is He who goes before us.
I'm so excited to be here again in Zacapu! You can't imagine how fired up I was to drive my 1970 VW Beetle into Zacapu! All the way from TN! I'm back into teaching music classes and leading the worship team. I see God expanding the team and raising up others to serve in praise and worship! God is doing an awesome work in my friend Oscar. He is making definite decisions to put God first in His life and his serious about serving the LORD in the music ministry. I hope to have him start playing bass or guitar with me for the Wednesday night service. In no time he will be comfortable to switch off Sunday mornings with Antonio or Moises.
Tonight we had worship practice. It felt so good to be "back in the saddle" so to speak. The team is enthusiastic and we are preparing for the conference which will be in about 3 weeks. That means as soon as I get back we'll start on 3 practices a week! PTL!
Conference Preparation... We are preparing for the big annual conference here in Zacapu. All the churches in MX under our "mother church" in Alamo will be coming to this event. I understand there will be several hundred people here! It is a time of teaching and training for pastors, leaders, and all who can come. This is open to anyone, not just a leadership conference. I wasn't here for last-year's conference, but I understand it is quite the experience. I'm looking forward to it. We are in the middle of making all the plans and preparations. Please pray for God's covering in this time and that He comes and moves in a mighty way in our 2001 Conference!
Thank you for all your prayers for me while I was on the road, etc. God has his hand on me the whole time and I made it back here to Zacapu safe and sound. I was so blessed this trip. While I was up in the States, people would come up to me and say, "Here, Josh, this gift is for you." others... "Here's some money for your trip back." or... "I want to give this cordless DeWalt drill to you".... May God bless you who gave so generously to the His work here in Mexico. I returned so blessed and so much better equiped for the work here. My projects here range from construction, to making church flyers, to teaching music classes for praise and worship....to whatever! The LORD blessed me with such things this trip!...computer, drill, Skill saw...and I brought my cell phones down, bass, and car! All in all, we are so blessed with that God has provided!
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I organized my journal by date. Click on any one below. Sept. to Dec.
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2001June to Dec.
2001Jan. to June
2002June to Dec.
2002Jan. to June
2003