Nuggets of Mission Wisdom

Today was the last day of work with the group from Allen. They accomplished a lot and worked constantly with good attitudes. I really enjoyed interacting with them, and as I drove to several different work sites today, I saw the good jobs that were accomplished. I also found a radio station that carries over from Brownsville that played all of my guilty pleasures; great afternoon.

Tonight they invited Larry and I for dinner, and a special closing ceremony and communion service. It was very special as we shared in communion and recalled our experiences from the week. There came a time when the seniors of the youth group were asked to give their departing wisdom to the younger students in the group. As I sat there and thought of what I would say after spending 6 weeks here in Matamoros 3 things came to mind. These are directly targeted at the youth group and by no means cover what I have learned or experienced, but I thought I would share it with all of you because someone may find these words helpful:

1) In the next few years and really throughout your life, you will be presented with many opportunities to serve and to do many miraculous things. Do them. Never turn down an opportunity because of fears, doubts, or excuses. The most meaningful things in life often occur in the unknown, where we are drawn outside our comfort zones and asked to do things for something greater than ourselves.

2) I know what it means to spiritually struggle. There are times in my life in which I have been full of doubts and questions, often overshadowing my hope and faith. These times are painful and complicated. If you are experiencing this, or maybe if you encounter this in the future, I have some advice. Do something like this. Go on a mission trip. Find a way to serve, whether it is going to Mexico, or simply volunteering at the local soup kitchen. Find a way to genuinely get in the lives of those who are suffering and serve them in a loving way. One thing I have found is that when you do this, and simply live in the moment, all of the other things seem less important. What demands your attention is the suffering of others you are working to alleviate, and somehow the practical actions of living out what Christ talked about all those years ago dissolves many of the questions and doubts into a gray area that is less important and more manageable.

3) And lastly, know that it is ok if you feel weird or out of place next week. Know that some of the feelings and experiences you have had will not begin to be processed until you have had a few days separation and are back in the "real world." This is fine and to be expected. I hope that you leave here with questions, with a changed perspective, and with an aching heart. Next week may seem weird and challenging, but its what you do with these emotions, thoughts, and perspectives that will ultimately define your experience.

Quickly, other cool things that happened today:

We had a communion service at Casa Bugamilla for the sick, in which Hugo gave a great sermon in Spanish.

I have been taking my pocket size New Testament and Psalms book (thanks to the Gideon outside Branscomb freshman year before my 8:00 math class) into the bathroom for a little toilet reading. This is surprisingly an amazing way to make sure you read the Bible at least once a day. Anyway I was flipping around, reading what caught my eye and I found this part of Psalm 82:
"Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked." --Verses: 4-5

I don't really know if I like the whole psalm or if I really understand it, but I'll take these two verses in the context I choose and like it.

Dios te Vendiga,

Mateo