The Little Things

After living here for several days, I can begin to understand what being a "full time missionary" means. I often wonder how Larry and Nancy can do what they do day after day, and it still amazes me. But I find that there is always something to do, and you have to pace yourself. You are not going to get everything done in a day. Having said that, I have gotten to see (and do) all the little things that may never get noticed by volunteer groups, or social activists, but nonetheless make the mission possible. For example, Larry and I were dropping off supplies at a church stateside for a volunteer group that would arrive tonight. We found the storage area littered with dust, dirt, and wooden pallets. So, Larry and I moved all of the palets, swept the room, and organized all of the palets in a way that would prevent someone from breaking in through the flemsy back door. If we saw something out of place, we would put it back. We would move things that were probably ok where they were, to a better place. We did a lot of things that no one would ever notice, but they needed to be done.
As we took our time buying supplies and delivering them today, we did a lot of little tasks that were very important, yet not glamourous or overly noticable. Each time I would seem to sigh, as if it was just another thing to do. Clean this, spray that, move this entire half of the room upstairs, etc... But at the end of the day, I found myself doing things because I saw that they needed to be done. No sigh, no extended thought, just that something needed to be done. This to me is similar to doing the right thing because its the right thing, a daunting task as well. But the more time I spend learning what it means to serve constantly, the more I realize its in doing the small things that others will just put aside, try to slip by, or leave for someone else. I only hope to apply this ethic to other aspects of my life, professionally and personally.

adios para ahora, y vaya con paz,
"Mateo"

First Day: Solved the Immigration Problem

I have been in Mexico for two days now, and everything from last summer is flooding back to me in a vast flourish of memories and past thoughts. I am thankful for having spent 10 days here last summer as it prepared me for the things I would see and familiarized myself to some extent with the area. I have enjoyed continuing to get to know the area, its people, and their needs.

I am staying with Larry, Nancy, and their 3 adopted kids. This has proven to be amazing. I am surrounded by a loving family and three youngsters full of excitement and joy. This living situation also means I am spending almost 24/7 with Larry. It has been extremely enjoyable. On our many drives to different areas or even late at night we "ruminate" and just talk about the funny, serious, and in between areas of life. On one of our rides from the Santa Maria Colonia to Casa Bugambila, we solved the problem of illegal Mexican immigration to the US (I'll write up a policy memo later). Larry certainly keeps me laughing and engaged in thought throughout the day. I am thankful for the generosiy of Larry and Nancy as they bring me into their home and share their lives with me. It is already shaping up to be an amazing and impactful summer.

So far, I have taken literally a huge rubbermade 21.4 gallon storage box full of reciets, and sorted them according to month. Let me repeat to emphasize how big this box was, 21.4 gallons of reciets!! Now that I have them sorted November 2007-May 2008, I will sub categorize them by type of expense and turn that into the board of directors. I also have helped on a construction project in which Juntos Servimos is building a new school in the Santa Maria Colonia. I will soon be helping with a volunteer group that comes in Saturday.

I appreciate your prayers and concerns; be assured that I am safe and loving my experience. Don't be shy; feel free to e-mail me anytime! I tend to check daily.

Paz,
Matt

"The Time is Now"

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
– Henry Miller

Well, now is the eve of my departure into Matamoros Mexico; into the plunge of servant-hood that I have committed myself to this summer. As I think about what lies behind me, and what lies ahead, I cannot help but feel solemnly excited. Oxy-moron you say? I think not. I am extremely excited about the work I will be doing, and the unbelievable opportunity that awaits. However, at the same time I am feeling some of the gravity of my task. As light-hearted as my boss Larry will surely make it, I am engaging into meaningful relationships with the sick, dying, and extremely poor. I’m representing the love of Christ, which has ultimately put me into this position. This summer is largely if not completely a response to the love I have been shown and have experienced.

In one of my days of lying on the couch for hours and watching movies, I watched Evan Almighty. One of the many great lines is when Ed Helms (a reporter) asks Evan, “What makes you sure God has called you?” Evan’s response in pure brilliance and wisdom was, “He called all of us.” One way or another, I am responding to God’s call, and I feel ultimately blessed to do so. I take down to Matamoros a loving heart, and a mind that is willing to serve and learn. I go with these words in mind from Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,^* you did it to me.”

I am extremely excited and optimistic about the amazing experience I will have, and the good I will be doing. Please keep in touch with me via e-mail. That will be the best / least expensive way to get a hold of me. I will have my cell phone for emergencies and the such, but please do not send me any text messages as it is 50 cents to just receive one!

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my blog. I will be in Dallas in for most of May, and then in Matamoros for June and July. Please check back often for updates, especially in the months that I will be down there.

If you would like to research the organization I will be working for, their website is www.juntosservimos.org

Thanks and God Bless,
Matt