Mexico 2009

Last night, we were asked to reflect our mission trip to Mexico. I really hadn't taken much time to reflect or process the time we spent there. I know God worked a lot that week, but it really is just starting to hit me I guess.

Let me preface by pointing out a few things Satan was distracting me with:

I went into this trip with a bad attitude. I wasn't focusing on what God was going to do through me.

I was focusing on the fact that we failed to get our college group kids to commit to go on the trip.

I was focusing on researching every web page I could to find out the safety in Mexicali.

I was focusing on defending my reasoning and research to others who felt we shouldn't go.

I was focusing on my nervousness, this being my first mission trip to Mexico, while many on the team have gone for years and know what to expect.

I was focusing on my own insecurities of not fitting in with the others who would be serving alongside of me.

I was focusing on if I could handle the uncomfortableness of not having as many showers, bathrooms...sleeping in a tent...just the stupid stuff girls worry about.

I was focusing on the fact that I was going to be the only girl on the building project.

And most of all, I was focusing on the fact that I know nothing about building a house. How am I supposed to be helpful in a situation that I don't have any knowledge or skills to offer?

Now looking at this list of things I was letting my mind get consumed with, I realize that I was WASTING my time and thoughts. I could have been filling my mind with conversations to God to prepare my time in Mexicali.

The family we built a house for was in extreme need. They recently had been kicked out of a place they were renting...made of pallets. It was a terrible living situation. We knew that this family was desperate for a place to be safe and call home.

Throughout the week, God really worked on my heart. While I still dealt with my insecurities about not having much to offer to the building team, that quickly changed. I found that all the things that were heavy in my heart before the trip were not even in my thoughts as we worked. The other guys on the building team really took their time to show me where and how I could be useful. They were so patient to teach me how to do tasks they could have done faster on their own. Yeah, there were times when I was frustrated because I couldn't work as fast or just didn't have the knowledge I needed to keep up.

But that's ok.

God wants us to step out of our comfort zones. I'm sure I would have been much more comfortable doing Vacation Bible School with the other team. Building is something that I don't think anyone would picture me being good at. But, for me, having to lean on God and trust in him at such a higher level made my time in Mexico that much more meaningful.

I left wanting to stay longer. I left with a desire in my heart to continue putting myself out there for God. Not just in mission situations, but in all situations. God totally got me through some uncomfortable and new things. I know that I can continue to push my limits and that God will push me even farther than I intended to go.

This is what I want to encourage all of you to realize:

When it comes to anything God wants you to do, Satan will do his best to get in your head and help you create this list of reasons why you shouldn't. If you're human, you'll most likely let those insecurites and excuses become huge enough to take your eyes off of God's plan. It's important to realize that EVERYONE can think of many reasons to not step out and do God's work. It's hard. It's embarassing. It takes too much time. I'm not good enough. I don't want to. So just go into it knowing that Satan will try to remind you of all of those reasons, be ready for them. Don't let those reasons keep you from the experiences that God wants you to be a part of.