interested in missions?

if you've ever wondered what it'd be like to break out of your normal routine for a week and sink yourself into another way of life, i encourage you to consider a short-term missions trip (STM). that's where my whole Mexico journey started.

my first-ever STM was to Esperanza Viva in 2009, and it set an unquietness in my soul that i never have been able to get rid of.  the trips were always a challenge, but the beautiful faces and nearly-tangible presence of the Spirit kept me wanting more each year. i was pulled in by the transformation God was doing in the lives here. for four summers i came for a week-long visit, until I felt God calling me to abandon ship in the States and serve at Esperanza Viva full-time. i have now lived here for a year and a half, utterly convinced I made the right choice, and so amazed at all that God has done through one simple “yes” to go on a missions trip to Mexico.

to show you a bit of the loveliness you can be a part of, here are some pictures :)

plan your own activities to connect with the children in the afternoons

enjoy two local tourism outings, in the markets and at a nearby pyramid

get to know the staff and make an impact in the lives of those you come into contact with

for more information, check out our website here. 

sign up today for a trip that will leave a mark on your life!

"Be crumbled so wildflowers will come up where you are. 

You have been stony for too many years.

Try something new.

Surrender."

-Rumi

heart encouragement

last night in the dorm, after a semi-frustrating day of work, one of my younger teen girls came up to me to ask boy advice. you have no idea how delighted i was to not only hear that question, but share with her a few slivers of experience. we wound up speaking for an hour or so until it was nearly bedtime, with her doing the majority of sharing what was on her heart, it being a perfect reminder of what i'm here for and the value in day-to-day details.

"i've been feeling so much more freedom; i used to worry about what people think when i would raise my hands in worship, so i never did; but now i'm doing it to show God how worthy He is of all I am, not to impress others."

"the other day someone told me that God gives us problems so that we draw closer to Him. that really made me think, and it's true! now whenever problems come, i turn to God and say thank you. not like 'wonderful! i failed my test! thank you, God! just what i wanted!' but i know that He is using all of it to bring me closer to Him."

"everytime i want to get better in something, i feel like there's something holding me back and trying to stop me, but there's always something behind me pushing me to go on. i now know that what's trying to hold me back is Satan, but what's behind me encouraging me to keep fighting is God. i don't want Satan to be able to hold me back anymore."

God surprises, and best of all, uses us when we're least expecting it.

life is all about relationships, and relationships take time, especially relationships with kids who have had years of damage done to them. we are called to plant, to invest, to water, even when we can’t see the result, even when we can’t see growth or buds or blooming. we don’t always get to see the harvest,  but it’s important that we prepare it for those who will.