As much as I would like, I can never pick when the Holy Spirit breaks me. It happens at the most amazing, bizarre, and never thought it would happen times…but when it comes I want nothing else…but His brokenness.

I was broken in church this Sunday, more obvious than I wanted to be…not me. Interestingly, I felt it coming the night before and that is a whole other talk.

We exist because a loving God allowed life, gave free will to love Him, and challenged us to ask others to have the same freedom in Him. He wants nothing else but to connect and often leaves “bulldozed paths” to make that connection happen. It is quite humbling to consider a creator God that doesn’t push aside His created, hoping that at some point it would all make sense…enlightenment. Kingdom stuff! Jesus called us to go into the whole world (Matthew 28:19). Let us not forget our purpose.

The church is an amazing place!

There is something to be said about the community of the “Church.” In it we have fellowship, friendship, and support (Hebrews 10:25). To go it alone is very difficult. I am convinced that the organized “body of believers” is the church and through it many have something special. Just go to any grocery store on a Sunday, when the “body’ is in church and feel the vacuum. It is deafening!

Mexico is no different…the world is no different. We all need Christ first, the encouragement of the church, and the fellowship of others. Loneliness is an option and a choice.

Our call is to distant shores and the Word is specific! Matthew 28:12

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Distant Shores!
 

I think it just registered today that we were home. Work pressures came down with a vengeance and I realized this is the life I live outside of Mexico…not the same stuff. September is here! I have to make a living!! Praise the Lord, I have work to quote.

So much is progressing with One Life and I am excited at what the Lord is doing;

1) Many indigenous ministries continue to use the facility…continually lives are changed (Act 2: 42-47).
2) Hungry were fed, clothed, and cared for (Act 2: 42-47)..
3) Education and community development are being promoted (Act 2: 42-47).

Yes…I really like Acts 2.

I am quite humbled by the sacrifice of those who came to serve. Many gave up vacation times and family trips to serve others. In that, I am amazed. But even more, I am humbled by the local community that has embraced our efforts and allowed us into their homes and lives. Just think about what that would be like if the situation were reversed.

Since we came home, several staff members have been added and the web page will take on new life in the next few months. Ed will be moving back to a blog-spot, but that will be consistent with the entire staff.

The property in Mexico continues to expand and we are scrambling to keep up with the change. Yet, the board continues to be resilient to the calling of our Lord. Every nation is a concern and there is much work to do.

“Make way for the lord….What are you doing when no one is watching? What are you doing? Children get your heart's right, God's coming for a pure Bride” Leeland
 

Good morning, this morning started of busy as the pool was filling al night and at 6:30  this morning it was full. The chemicals are in and ready to go. I need to find a way to get the Gm van back to base today and do some more yard work after that. This will be my last entry on OLOC web site as things here will be changing, my blog will move back to edinmexico19@blogspot.com . This link will be posted on the OLOC web site.

Today wil be consumed with drainning and cleanning the pool. If the GM van is ready today I will have to pick it up as well.

Hard to believe that we are at the of August. I returned back to camp late last night from San Diego and today I have some book work to do and the pool is waiting for me as well. I am alone the the base this week so there will be many little things to do today. Bikes, scooter are scattered everywere and just yard clean up after the weekend. I will try to get the GM van into the shop today as well.

Today starts of like all the rest of mornings, cleaning the pool and pool area. Consumes a couple of hours when a group is here. The group is leaving around noon today and Sarai will be in today so I will try to get to church. I will be leaving for San Diego later this afternoon to take the bus for repairs and the bus will be there for a couple weeks. I will catch a ride back with Bill Monday morning. I hope everyone has a great weekend.   

The group is here for last night and tonght. Isaiah and myself will be busy with yard work till noon as he only works half days on Saturday. I will also have to make a garbage run today. Sarai will be in at 9 this morning to watch the store.

Recently, Ed & Pastor Isaiah fixed the roof of a woman named Erica. A single mother, who co-habituates with extended family. The project was financed by a small school named Valley Christian from Mission, British Columbia, Canada. This story is not unique…many are blessed because of the silent sacrifices of others. Of which I have a long list.

I have singled out these three, because:

1) Ed left a top level trucking job in Canada.
2) Pastor Isaiah works through the day to support ministry at night.
3) Valley Christian year after year blesses others with limited resources

Each one of the above has a choice…and sacrifice. In each choice they gave away something; whether it was money, time, or self. They didn’t lose a job or security because of a drug problem, but each stood out to help society. Had they all wanted something selfish…it would have meant nothing and something completely different.

Deuteronomy 30 sums up so much about this life…we all have blessings and curses based on choice. Countless have no political choice but, all have eternal choice. Regardless of our nation or position in this world, evangelical faith points towards a sovereign God (Romans 12:20).

Personally…

Please pray for my sister-in-law, Helen. At 37, she is suffering from aggressive cancer and needs your prayers. We are praying for complete healing. Please, remember her young family and husband.

Coming home was hard because Brenda and I have many relationships in Mexico…Leaving Maria was very difficult.

It is hard to sum up the experiences of a summer in a few sentences. Many times I have wrote and erased, not knowing how to write. I vacillate towards the obvious and wrestle to bring clarity to the summer…if that makes sense? Many lives were touched and continue to be changed, but I just don’t know how to put that into words. It is more than I can articulate. It humbles me.

If I could sum it up…

Many were saved this summer, because the choices of a few made a big difference.
 

Yesterday went well, managed to get some donations delivered as well. Today I have to get the septic ready as a group of abot 200 will be showing up this afternoon for two days. Isaiah will be busy with yard work, I will do yard work later this morning.  

The roofing yesterday went well, we covered more roof than we planned on. The living room was leaking as well so we reroofed it to. Today Isaiah will finnish up the concrete work around the new septic tank and then help me with yard work. I have the pool to clean, grass to trim, grass to cut, and then start watering. I also have to get ready for the group that is coming here tomorrow and staying for a couple days.