Cookout at CHD

 Yesterday we had our first group arrive. Only 12 people this week, but they are excited to serve, and we are excited they are here!! Last night we brought them to Casa Hogar Douglas, down the street, to have a cook out with the kids. We made them salchichas, which is like a hotdog. The kids loved it and the group did as well. While the interns were cooking, I went in to the pre-maria dorms, pre schoolers, and hung out with them. I played UNO with Isreai, who by the way kicked my butt haha. Then David, Osiel, Isreai and I watched bob the builder in spanish. The three boys are brothers, as well as Jose Daniel. There are four of them, David the youngest only 3, Oseil 4, Jose Daniel 5 and Isreai is 6 or 7. The cutest kids, all sungglers, and just want some lovin! David has a little chuncky Belly, its a good tickle spot!! He loves to just crawl in your arms and take a snooze!
It is tough to see the hurt in there hearts. But I know that God has big plans for these boys. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all those orphans out there who need someone to love them!!!
Adam

Interns Arrived

The interns for the summer arrived Yesterday! It was fun to get to know them and hang out. The summer officially kicks off on Saturday with our first group!!!! Prayers for a first good week!!!

He will send the Elite

         Hey, sorry I havnt written much yet. It has been busy here getting everything ready for the summer. Like I said, I have been working on the work trailers, rebuilding the insides. I am hoping that this new system will keep everything organized , and make things easier for the captains this summer. We will see though, it is Mexico, haha. I have been going out to LTP, (Land of the Promise), several times, we have been building a new dorm out there, and are going to move Moniteil de amor there when it is finished. Mda is a smaller childrens home B2B serves, but they are split up into 3 different homes. By moving them here they can bring all the kids together!! The building is looking great, but still needs alot of work before we move the kids in at the end of June.  I remebered to bring my camera today! I was a big fan of the color choice! We have been working on electrical stuff, and will begin pulling wire tomorrow! I have been working on putting in the boxes, and getting them set up for pulling string. most of the holes were set up for a single plug, but now they are wanting to put in doubles, so its been fun put a sludge hammer to the wall to make the holes bigger. although after about the 15th one your arm is ready to fall off. I am excited though to be finally pulling wire and getting things all hooked up!!

Yesterday ten of us went to Chipitine. It is up in the mountains, and all natural canyons. We went repelling down some of the canyons and did several jumps. It was amazing!! Juan, one of the house parents, is a great climber as well as Antonio and Saul, staff, and they were our experts to say the least haha. We were the only people there. We drove up the mountain then, hiked into the canyon. Did a bunch of jumps, some natural water slides, and repelling. The last repel, was down a water fall. This thing was just under 100 meters high. So roughly about 325 feet high. I almost peed my pants. The view was just soo beautiful, but I was freaked out a bit haha. We did the repel in 2 stages because the ropes we had weren’t long enough, which was good because I need a break after the first. The second, repel was 150 feet. The first 50 feet was on the rocks, and the last 100 feet was all free repel. yes free, in the air, nothing but the rope. Then about 15 feet above the water, the rope ends, and you plunge into the canyon water. Scary at first, but absolutely amazing!! I don’t have a water proof camera, but I am trying to get some pictures from some of the other guys, and will show you. It was soo beautiful; God did a great job creating it!!!! Tomorrow I am headed back to LTP for the day, and then Jim and I are going to Douglas to hang out with the kids, and talk about designs for a new dorm there!!

This summer our theme is Source. Talking about drinking from Pure water not polluted water. It is an interesting them, especially with the hurricane that hit Monterrey last summer. When I think about source, I think about the main hub, the big cahuna, the central tower. I also think about the mother, the father, the teacher. Our elders, our knowledge, the dictionary, an encyclopedia, a computer. Or even citing papers which I hate doing, haha. But what is source? or... what is the true source? When we go to the source we expect the answer right. We want the truth, the facts, the knowledge. But sometimes, there are sources out there that are kinda shady, and contradict each other? So how do you know which one to believe? How do you know the Truth? How do we know the decisions we make tomorrow, wont change our lives for ever?

Who is your source? Do you know him, or do you think you know him. I have been thinking and praying about how I use God as my source. Do I just use him for information, or just to pray with, or ask things for? Or have I been using him to guide my life? Have I been using the life he gave use through his son Jesus to live my life, or just read about, and go on with my life? God teachers us so much, and all of it is in this main source of information, that we call the Bible. The first time I actually sat down and read my Bible was about 6 years ago. I was just turning 18. So how did I know about the Gospel? How did I know about and believe in my Faith. I grew up in the church, and my parents taught me. They learned and read about it from there parents and so on. But the truth, and the presence of that personal relationship with Christ came, when I came back to the Source. My Bible. Unless you Read and understand the source, you will never know the full truth. Jesus says, "I am the way the Truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as well." John 14:6 Also in Chapter 14, Jesus tells us about the Spirit. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. and I will ask the Father, and he will give you a counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not Love me will not obey my teachings. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while I am still here with you, But the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. You have heard me say I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now let us Go!" Jesus talking to his disciples about the coming of the kingdom and the Spirit of God.

So as this summer begins, I am thinking about the Spirit. Who is my source? Who is the source of the kids we serve. Am I listing to the truth? The real source? Or something that looks like the truth? Am I believing in the true bread of the Life, the one who came down from heaven, and gave life to the world? Or am I believing in my own earthy, material goods? There are too many sources out there, and nothing to back them up to. Too many people saying many things. Lots of churches preaching other gospels. (Galations 1) Who is the true source? The truth is that Jesus came down, and died for our sins, not just so that we may be free from sin, but so that we may live in him, and through him. He is the source, the bread we eat, the earth we walk on, the love we share, the times we've had. He is everything, because he lives in us, and he wants us to live and love each and every day and each and everyone, just as he loves us.

The trouble? So when the going gets tough. Do we trust our source? Or do we blame our source? Why is it that we ask God for things or to help us through something, but we blame him when things go wrong, or don’t go our way? See what we don’t understand is that for God, who has everything mapped out, and knows each of our lives,.. He doesn’t create the trouble. What we see as trouble, is probably just part of our life that God has created for us. That doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. But trusting in God to get us through it, and praising him when we do get through it, is what it’s all about. Half the time when you’re late, or sitting in traffic, you’re like, "God just get me through this, or make these cars moves faster. What we don’t realize is that God is working through that. Trust Him; you never know what he may be saving you from??

This summer we have had a lot of groups cancel, not just because of Violence, but because of the cost of fuel prices and plane tickets. At the staff retreat last week, Jeff Greir talked about God sending the Elite. This summer may be small in numbers, but the truth is that God has hand picked each and everyone that is to come down this summer. That in looking at the Bad, loss of groups, we forget sometimes to see the good, the Elite. Now that’s not to say that because you are not here that you are not a part of God's plan. For God is in control of every situation. He has your day planned far better than you could ever imagine to have your day planned. There is a time and place for each of you, and that place is right now, in the presence of the Lord. He is sending us the elite, to help us make his name known among the orphan child, but he is also calling you to spread the word as well. By sending the elite, he has not only called upon the people to travel to Monterrey, but on to you to teach, and learn from the true source, and live your Life as Christ has called us. You are the Elite! He has called you!!!! Will you go?

One last thing is that I stated we tend to blame God when things don’t go our way. What we don’t realize is that it’s not our way to begin with. It never was and will be. "He is the way." When trouble comes, it’s because that is what is to come. It’s in that time that we see it as trouble, and we trust in the one who created us. We trust in the source. Because after all, our Source did say that "In this world you will have trouble.......But Take Heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Who is your Source????


LTP Pictures

Im Here

I made it in about noon on Monday. They flights were good! Greg picked me up frorm the airport and we went and got some food for the week. Yesterday we went to LTP to work on the new Dorms there. They are trying to move Monitiel de Amor there by the end of june. here is alot to be done still though. We began pulling electric lines, and making boxes. Luckly it was a cool day. Today however has been a hot one. just around 100 degrees. I am working on the work trailers right now, and through out the week, making some of the shelves and such more organized. I am buliding a new shovel and hoe exc rack for each trailer. They old racks, everything would always fall out and get all jumbled together. So I am making each tool a separate rack, with a looking latch on the front to keep the tools from falling out when we take them to each site. It has been fun working and going at my own pace. I like being here before the summer caos, but also enjoy the caos as well haha. It has been great to see everyone and catch up. Last night I went to douglas for a bit and watched Toy Story 3 with the pre school boys. It was great to see all of them and hang out. It was also funny tring to figure out what woody and buzz were saying in spanish?? haha.
I am loving every minute, and cant wait until the next! We have the staff retreat tomorrow, friday and sat.!!
Love you all. Ill try and get some pictures up soon. also I apoligize the internet has been very in and out here so, if I dont post it is because theres no internet haha.
Thank you all
Adam

"We will Rise up!!"

All for the resurrection of of Jesus Christ!!!
Every Nation, Every Race, Every Gender, Every Heart, We will Rise in Jesus Name!!
This is so cool! We should be like this everyday!!!

With Everything

This is my Favorite song, By Hillsong. It is from the "This is Our God" Album. The Song is created from Hebrews 13:20-21, I quoted this verse in the last post. I love the scripture in the end, how it jumps from Revelations, to Hebrews and then to 2 Corinthians. God has equiped us with everything Good, for doing His Will. We will shout forth his Glory, With Everything!

God is On the Move.......

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the LORD rises upon you

and his glory appears over you.

Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

“Lift up your eyes and look about you:

All assemble and come to you;

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters are carried on the hip.

Then you will look and be radiant,

your heart will throb and swell with joy;

the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.

No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,

for the LORD will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.

Your sun will never set again,

and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.

The least of you will become a thousand,

the smallest a mighty nation.

I am the LORD;

in its time I will do this swiftly.”

Isaiah 60 1-5, 18-22

        Have you ever wondered what Gods everlasting light would look like. Does Gods light appear to the eye as we physically see light each day? God says, "you are the shoot I have planted ....The work of MY hands....for the display of my splendor.." Gods hands! Can you imagine God reaching down from the heavens, breathing into dust and giving life. Now I imagine Gods light looks something like that. The same light that moves Mountains, that heals the sick, that shows unconditional love. The same light that comes down from heaven and dies for us! The same light that heals our wounds and forgives our sins. Gods everlasting Light, that shines upon us, and equips us to do his will! The warmth of the sun brings a whole new meaning, and the clear path that my eyes see is just a fog within midst. For this life now sees by Faith and feels by Love.

God is on the Move! and all I can say is that we are all along for the ride. Over the last couple of months God has been opening doors, and shining HIS Light on the path he wants us to follow. The town of Tejutla is a mire blip on the map, but don't be fooled. God has big plans for this little town and the community. His light has be shinning here for quite a while, and that same light has cast over the path of Kurt and I. A couple weeks ago we had our first official meeting with a group of families. We presented the path that God has been showing us to them, and Gods light began to shine in a whole New way. God is on the Move, and he needs you! 

   

We have been strategically planning for weeks now with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. One of our main objectives right now is education in the community. There is such a high demand for it there, but not enough resources to provide for it. We are looking into designing and building a new school for the kids, partnering with Bethesda Ministry's in Tejutla. This is a long term goal at this time, as both Kurt and I feel that right now we don't know enough information to commit to anything big right now. We are praying about a partnership with B2B and Bethesda, but do not feel at this time that we can fully make that decision yet due to the lack of knowledge we know about Tejutla at this time. I have been praying for God to shine his light on what he wants me to do this summer, and as I mentioned in an earlier blog that I would be going on staff with B2B in Monterrey, God has been working in my heart and shining his light! I will be working in Mexico this summer from the middle of May until mid July, working specifically on Design and construction. Then meeting Kurt in Tappachula, and spending a month in Tejutla Guatemala. We feel that it is a crucial part of the next steps we need to take, and the decisions that God will lead us to make, to spend more time in the city before any decisions are made. We strongly feel that the questions we need answers to, God will tell us when its his time.

We are currently in phase one right now. Our first objective was to bring Marlen Rodrigez on staff with Bethesda Ministry, where she has begun teaching basic skills and English to the kids in Tejutla. She has been loving it, and has seen God at work in this tiny town already! I have been working on school plans, as well as an addition to the current school Building. The addition is a five classroom 3 story building that will help to provide more space until the new school can be built.  Kurt and I will be going down in mid July to Mid August to understand the community more, and truly discover the light that God has been shining on us. We will be getting to know the community better as well as working in the school with the kids. We would also like to seek out children that would like to go to school but cant due to financial reasons, and try to boost the scholarship program that Pastor Gomez has already set in place. We are excited to just be following the Path that God has drawn for us.

Kurt and I have had numerous conversations about weather we are truly capable of doing this. We laugh sometimes, and wonder How and the heck are we going to do some of these things. I m only 22, and Kurt 21. Does God really want us to do this? and God says yes. These days were ordained before you took your first breath. I have created you for a purpose, and that purpose is to share my word, and my Love with all you encounter. In Hebrews he states, that He, The God of Peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, has equipped us with everything good, for doing his will, and that he will work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ."

In a year I will graduate Miami with a BA in Architecture, where I will go on to get my Masters in Design Build Architecture. This is the plan God has lit up for me, and I am proud to be walking it. I long for the day I will serve him full time in Tejutla, or where ever he calls me at that Time. But I am patiently waiting for that time, as God has many things to show and teach me before then.

God is On the Move.... and your invited. He needs you to spread the news about what he is doing in Tejutla. He needs you!

"I will make you a light so that you may bring my Salvation to the ends of the Earth"

Guatever

So Most of you may know, This past Thanksgiving Kurt and I went to Guatemala. God has been working in our Hearts about what a ministry would like there. The trip was incredible. Completely God sent!!! We arrived in Guatemala City, and traveled around the city for the Day. We Visited a children's home, with the cutest kids. There were around 50 kids there. all under the age of 3. So many Baby's. It was heartbreaking to see all of them. I tried to take a couple with me as we left, but that didn't work so well haha. The next Morning we went to church at the Vineyard branch in the City. Then we drove to Antigua, which is about an hour from Guate City. Here we met up with Pastor Cesar Gomez and his son. They are from Tejutla. We stayed the night in Antigua and then drove 6 hours to Tejutla the next morning. We spent the rest of the week with Pastor Gomez in Tejutla, with his wife Eldima, and his two sons Danny and Reuben. The are such an amazing family, with an incredible Heart for the Lord, and helping the people of Tejutla. Pastor Gomez showed us around the city, which is very small about 800-900 people, with miles and miles of farm land around it. The whole city is up in the mountains, it is so beautiful. It is like Gods painting. The town has old stone streets, with very narrow alleys. The entire area is smaller than the neighborhood of Los Cristalas, for those of you who have been to Mexico with B2B. The pastor showed us his ministry there, he has started a christian school next to the church. There are about 1500 students in the school right now. The kids come from hours away to go to the school, but also serves the kids in Tejutla. The Pastor has started a clean water ministry, providing clean water to the city for only a 10th of the price. He has started a christian radio station broadcasting all through Guatemala, and even into Chiapas Mexico. The pastor has such an amazing Heart and an incredible passion for the people he serves. The school right now is too small. He only charges the students about 3dollars a month to come, where the actual cost is around 200 dollars, and that is to be able to pay for the teachers. The ministry pays for the rest, but doesn't have the funds to be able to expand the school. The kids are cramped in the classrooms  and there is not enough space for all of them.
The biggest thing that Kurt and I truly knew that God had a plan for us here. was Pastor Gomez. His Heart and his ministry is completely spirit led. Completely!! His ministry is not just about Giving to others or telling them how or what to do. But he presents the Gospels to them through his actions, and his passion. The school is teaching the kids the Bible, not by forcing on them, but by telling them about what God has done through the scripture, but more importantly, what God is doing now, today in there lives.
The People in Tejutla are so nice. we would just be walking through town meeting people, and talking to them. There kindness drew us in. Many people invited us in to see there homes. It felt great to be invited in. They were so proud to show us what they do, and where they lived.
At the beginning of the week when Pastor Gomez picked us up, the three of us were talking and Pastor Gomez was telling us a bit about the ministry. He had said that about ten years he was praying one night, and God told him that he would find missionary's in Antigua to help him and come along side of him in his ministry. He said that he had been praying for An architect to help him. As Kurt and I heard this, we both looked at each other, we hadn't told him what we felt God was calling us to there yet, and we smiled. Even more crazy, as we had this conversation, the three of us were sitting drinking coffee, in Antigua!?!? When Kurt began to tell him, because my Spanish is horrible haha, he told him what we felt God was calling us to in Guatemala, and That I was finishing my Architecture degree in the states. The three of us sat back and you could just feel the presence of God around the table.
Upon our arrival back home Kurt and I have been discussing so many things. We met yesterday to plan some things out. But as of now we are beginning to start a ministry in the town of Tejutla Guatemala. The ministry will work along side of Pastor Gomez's ministry and focus on community Development creating Jobs and education, specifically centered around sharing the Gospel through this. Pastor kept saying the whole week, "We always say that if you give a man a fish he will eat for the day, but if you teach a man to fish he will eat for a lifetime. But that only works if there is a pond for that man to fish out of. So our spirit lead goal, is to help Pastor Gomez create this pond, through creating jobs and education, keeping people from having to go to the states for jobs. We have plans to build a new school for more kids and to aid the kids already in the program. PG has been setting up a scholarship program similar to the Shelter program in Monterrey, to help family's send there kids to school. There are plans to design and build a fire station and hospital in town, to create jobs and also because the closest hospital is 3 hours away. We can create jobs through the construction of the buildings as well.
All I can tell you is that God has been working in us so much through this. And the Both of us are so excited and ready to pursue him and his people in Tejutla.
If you are interested in learning more about the New ministry we will be having a info Fiesta in a month or two. Keep checking back here for more updates, and also the date of the Fiesta.
Now some of you may be wondering what the heck the title means. Well in Monterrey our slogan is "Flexico Mexico" Because, nothing really goes to plan, well because is Mexico haha. So Kurt and I were saying, we need our own slogan for Guatemala. We were walking around in Antigua, and say a tee shirt saying Guatever. We said its perfect!!!!! haha. So this is our new slogan, catchphrase or so for the new Ministry in Guatemala!!

Thank you all for you support, and Love!!!
I wish you all a Very Blessed Christams and a Happy New Year!!!!
Much Love
Adam

A Christmas Miracle In Mexico

This is from Kathy Couch, Staff Member in Monterrey mexcio, While she was working with B2B in Cancun. I am Truly amazed at How God continues to shine light on so many dark places!! He is our savior!!!


"When we were touring the DIF facilities, we walked by the boy’s dorm. The lady leading us on the tour stopped by the door and said that there were 4 young men in this dorm. There was one young man standing in the room. When the ladies walked off, Mau, a staff member in Cancun stepped in the room to talk to the young man. It was obvious that he was blind and the story he told took Mau’s breath away. He is 17. His mother did not want to deal with him anymore so she took him to a busstation in Vera Cruz ( which is several hours south of Cancun) told him to get on the bus, gave him a one way ticket and told him never to return He got off the bus in downtown Cancun and had no idea where he was. A police officer found him and took him to the DIF. He had been repeatedly abused and beaten. Much of his body was black and blue. Before Mau left he hugged him. The young man told Mau that he had never been hugged before. Mau asked him if there was something we could do for him and he asked for music. He said that it helped him relax. We were all taken back by such a sad story. We went back to that home a fewdays later for a Christmas party. One woman sat down by this boy and started encouraging him. I watched him as he cringed with every word she said. He had never heard positive things and it was really hard for him to process. He finally put his hand on his heart and said ‘my heart hurts.” So right there in this government run home these precious women prayed for this young man. Mau, later that morning sat with him to eat pizza and he asked him about his heart. Mau went on the explain the salvation message to him, and this young man, who had been sent away, all alone, unwanted, and blind, to an unknown destination, accepted Christ that day. In a government run home, no less! His face completely changed. He started saying, “ I am so happy, I feel so happy, I have never been this happy.” Later we gave the kids presents and one of our staff gave him a IPOD with Spanish Christian music on it. I wish I could wrap up this moment and his face so I could truly share the emotin of the moment. It was probably one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever received. Seeing his glowing face, you had to believe in divine timing. He arrived just days before we came just so God could introduce Himself.
When the lady was complementing this young man I was watching his face and I started weeping because
when Daniel came to our house he would react the same way. We would say positive things to him and
he would cringe like he had been hit. I look at him now and he has a confidence he would have never had.
He believes in himself and has courage that he never had before. It shows the power of love and
acceptance. God can truly take a broken, empty vessel and make it a beautiful piece of art. Pray
for Jorge at the DIF. Pray that God will continue to show him he is a beautiful creation of
God and pray that God will protect him. Lift up this new branch of Back 2 Back. In an area
known for vacation and fun there is a lot of hurting people."
Kathy Couch

Made it to Guatemala

We arrived shortly after noon this morning, and Joseph, who works with the Vinyard branch church picked us up. He is a great guy, and brought us around town all day. We stoped at a childrens home, and got to see some of the kids. they were so cute! There were so many babys there. We could only stay for a bit, but Im hoping to go back later in the week!!! We got lunch at a little taco joint!! Was soo good, and then at dinner with the paster tonight, and we are also staying with him tonight as well. Tomorrow we leave for Antigua!!!! So excited for what God is has been and is going to do this week!

Here are some pictures from the day.
Adam

Pics

"Unless you become Like small children, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven" Matthew 18:3

"A childlike Faith"

I am Second Bailee Madison

Who's Your Head Coach??

I am Second Tony Dungy

Your Promise Still Remains.......

"Listen to me my people;
hear me, my nation:
The Law will out from me;
my justice will become a light to the
nations.
My Righteousness draws near Speedily,
my Salvation IS on the way,
and my arm WILL bring justice to the
nations.
The islands will look to me
and WAIT in Hope for my Arms.
Lift up YOUR eyes to the Heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear like a garment,
and its inhabitants will die like flies.
BUT, my Salvation will last forever,
my Righteousness will NEVER Fail."

"For I am the Lord YOUR God,
who churns up the sea so that its waves roar--
The Lord Almighty IS his Name.
I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow
of MY Hand---
I, who set the Heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
say to You, "YOU ARE MY PEOPLE""

Isaiah 51:4-6, 15-16

God you made the Heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is with. And Your promise still remains. You give justice to week, You care for the widow, and orphaned. You love us. You have not only created us, but You have chosen us, and continue to choose us. You created us in your image, You breathed into us with your spirit and gave us life, Life in you. We were dead with out you, just a body, just a form. But you gave us life, you gave us Love, You gave us Joy, and passion, for you. You gave us the Joy to find you in others. You gave me the joy to find you in your Children.
This last couple weeks have been a very important part in my Life. My life being, a Child and Disciple of God. This is who I am, and who God has called me to be. Although this has been an important time for me, it has also been a stressful time. School is a Blessing, but my Heart is not here. My Heart is in Mexico with my Kids. But what I have been learning is how God uses us each day to make an impact on tomorrow. I have wanted to be an Architect since I was in the 7th Grade, why I never knew, but it fascinated me, and I loved the aspect of design, practical design. The First time I went to Mexico, I feel in Love. I Learned what it truly meant to have a personal relationship with God, and to pursue him with all my Heart. But this happened not through me, or through a staff member of group. But through a Child. I have never had any greater feeling of Love and passion, Hope, Joy, excitement, energy, than when Im spiritually filled by a child. When Im tired or beat after a day of work, and that little 45 pound body jumps on my lap with a smile from ear to ear, my Heart melts and leaps with an energy I have never experienced before.
What I didnt Understand a couple years ago, was what God was truly calling me to do. If it were up to me, I would have packed everything up, and moved to Mexico haha. But, God wasnt ready for to do that, nor was I ready at the time to do that. I am currently a senior at Miami University. I still have a year and a half left to get my BA in Architecture, and thin another year or two for my masters. In which upon my Graduation I have hopes to Move to Mexcio, or wherever God calls me at the time, and Serve his orphaned Child as an Architect for Ministry.
This semester has been extremely rough, especially these past couple weeks. Architecture is intense, haha, yes its crazy, why do I have a passion for it?? I dont know but God has given it to me for a reason. I have had so many droughts about if this is really what is right for me. God do you really want me to do this? and his usual answer is Uhhh Yea!! to which my response is usually " your killin me smalls" or ...Biggs...cause.. hes God....Ok never mind, haha. As school gets tougher though I am finding how much I need to lean in on Him, and spend so much of my time, just asking him for his guidance in every aspect of my life. And he has. It hasnt been easy but I trust him, I know that one day I will Serve his children full time, but now I have to do this, for Him, For his Children in the Future! John 16:33
Last week I had a big decision to make, and that was to where I thought God was calling me over this Thanksgiving. Guatemala, or Mexico? My good friend Kurt and I have been talking about setting up a new ministry site in San Marcos Guatemala, and the plan was for us to go down begin praying about what a ministry down there would look like. I wasnt sure if that was what God wanted me to do. I felt like he gave me this Heart for Mexico for a reason, that I miss the kids, I need and strive for that energy. I thought thats what I needed. But God said to me, "Do you Trust me" I said YES.  "Then Follow Me" ok, where I said. "to the deepest place in your Heart. Because here you will truly discover who I am and what it means to Follow me." I prayed and prayed and Trusted God, because I knew I would Hear an answer. I dugg deep inside and prayed even more.
Last week I was listing to a sermon from John Piper. and he stated "God is most Glorified in you, When you are most satisfied in him, In...the midst of Loss, not prosperity. I thought and prayed about this, and I felt God telling me that, "yes I have given you a heart for these Children in Mexico, but most of all I have given you a heart for all my children who are orphaned. Follow me, and I will Lead you. Trust me and I will show you. Put aside your own desires and Follow Me. Follow me, Follow me....
So, This thanksgiving I will be traveling to Guatemala with Kurt and 3 others to, seek out the orphan child there. To per sue there Hearts and share the word of God with them. I am excited to be doing this, and I am not entirely sure what God has in store for me there long term, but I know that he has brought me to this for a reason and I Trust him in that.
Also I have been praying alot about what God wants me to do next summer. He has put On my heart Summer staff with B2B in Mexico. Next summer I will be working with Greg Huffer and Todd Guckenberger on Design aspects of the ministry. One being the New MdA site. This will be one of my responsibility's. I will also serve as support staff, to other staff members. Alot is still being worked out, but I am excited to see where God leads me in all this. I am also excited to start using what God has been teaching me in my education, in the ministry.

God I pray and thank you for all you have done for me. For guiding me, and leading me. for Picking me up when I am down or fail to see you God. Thank you for always giving me grace when I dont deserve it. Thank you for giving me a Heart for your Children.
I pray and Trust you in all you have planned for my life, and that wherever you lead me to, I will follow, and Trust in you.
I pray for all my friends, I pray for all my fellow interns, I pray for those who are struggling to find you, I ask that you be with those who are making life changing decisions, that they fully confide in you God. I pray For Cassie as she trusts in you God for answers. I know you will guide her and show her. I know the answer is in Her heart, deep inside, just as you have shown me. She is YOUR child God, and I know that you will comfort her soul, and give her peace.
I pray for Jarrad as he begins Chemo. I know that you have him at this point in his Life for a reason. I know that through this you are making not only him stronger, but also the community of Miami. You are bring non-Christians to you and Giving them Hope, and peace. I trust you God, I trust you God, I TRUST YOU GOD
I TRUST YOU GOD
I TRUST YOU GOD
Send me!! and I will follow!

Strength will Rise as we Wait upon the Lord.....

I am constantly amazed as God continualy weaves my life. Since being home I have been faced with so many challenges. I was excited to come home, and to continue school this semester, because I feel this is where God wants me. I still feel that way, but I keep feeling like there is a void in my life. In the past I have regreted coming home, because I miss the kids. I do miss the kids but I know that God will bring me back. I have a comfort in my Heart about this, but that is not what has bothering me. I have grown so much in my faith these past few years, especially these past two summers. God has been showing me so much and I have learned so much through others. The friends I have made have impacted me so much and will continue to impact me through this journey here on earth. I long to serve God in ministry. I long to meet the woman of my dreams that God brings to me, and spend the rest of our lives serving side by side in Gods will. I long to serve Gods Children and Care for them, teaching them about Gods Love for them. I long to design schools and dorms that house and educate Gods people and children. I long to show people Gods shelter through my Love for Him. I long for my wife and I to raise children of Christ. I long to adopt the child of God, that our society considers a lost sheep. I long to spend eternity in Heaven with my one and only Creator. I Hunger for the True Bread of God!

Patience my Child
Patience my Child
Patience my Child

Each time I pray I feel God telling me this. "I have you here for a reason, this will happen in my timing". It brings me back to Isaiah 60 each time. "I am the Lord, in its time I will do this swiftly." 

Patience my Child
Patience

I believe this with all my Heart. I m just to impatient of a person. haha. about this time last year, I had finally realized that I wasnt in school for my self. I was in school for God. That he wanted me to have my education so that I could help him. This was a huge step for me, but I am continuing to learn how God wants me to serve him, and I am realizing that my "future plans" have nothing to do with what God will lead me to. In realzing this, even today, especially now, I am ready to tackle school and serve God in Ministry.

I just have this anxiousness to get out there already. I understand the amount of schooling I need to have to get my degree, But I am constantly trying to plan out these "longings" in my mind, and the timing of them. God keeps telling me, "Its not time yet, Just wait". I keep having to remind my self that he is in control of these situations, and That in fully trusting him I have to surrender these over to him. 

I trust you God! Give me the patience to surrender my will to you fully, and completely! I love you!

Since I have been back I have been praying about these things, and God has been revealing things to me in many ways. Not nessesarly answers, but realizations, and confirmation that he is in control, and not me.  This waiting that I keep feeling, is not waiting in Gods story. It is part of my spiritual journey through Christ. It may seem like waiting, and slow timing, but it is merley a blink of an eye in this short, temporary, human experience I am going through in my Spiritual Journey. 

Just this past week I was reading a blog post from my good friend Cassie. Cassie was an inturn this past summer in Mexico with me who I had the opportunity to Serve alongside of. She has an amazing Heart for ministry, and an inspiring personal relationship with God.
Her post title read "Waiting is..." before reading it, I sat back and chuckled for a second. I thought, ok God, Im listening. 

The post read...

Waiting is...
steadfast, that is holding on;
patience, that is holding back;
expectancy, that is holding the face up;
obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do;
listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear
"How long, Lord, must I wait?" "Nevermind, child. Trust me."
 
And so I wait, But in waiting I trust in my Savior to Guide me.
 
The Lord is my Everlasting God,
the Creator of all the Earth.
He never Grows weak or Weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless.
In our weakness and tiredness we may fall in exhaustion
But, Those who trust in the Lord will find new Strength.
They will soar high on wings like Eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not grow faint
Our God, He reins Forever.....
He is My God! My Savior... and my Father!
 
Stregnth will Rise as we Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will Wait Upon the Lord......

There is no one like Our God

This summer has been so incredible I cant evn begin to explain. God has, had his hand on every single nano second, and it blows my mind at how he works many times. As I have stated many times, the amount of disatser and destruction I have seen as impacted me so greatly. But the Biggest impact of all is the presence of God in all of it. I have been challenged by so many things this summer. But the bottom underlying thing that I feel ties it all together, is Trust. Do I truly, completly, and most importantly surrunder my life to God, and Trust him in each and every second of my life. I have been tested ,many times this summer, even before I came down in May. Doctors saying that test results came back negative, waking up each morning and giving my time to God, Leading me in my work each day, helping my digg a hole, or pour the last wheel barrow of concrete. Surviving a Hurricane, believiing Gods Love is a hurricane, and I am a tree. Do I bend or do I break. Do I trust him to give me streagth when my own physical streagth runs out.

I tust you God with all my Heart and soul, and I surrender my life to you, because I can Not do this on my own. I need you to lead my, and make my paths strait. without you I am dry, I am dark, and I am worthless. You are the light in my world.

This, is what I believe, and This, is what I trust in Him for. God wants to be with us! He doesnt care about what we have, or how rich we are. He doesnt care about our matieral possesions, or the number Of times we went to church this year. He just wants you, and all of you. Buts most of all, He wants you, to know him. I look at my life, and the motions that I have gone through, and I see times when I just did things because it was all I knew. I went to church because it was what I was supposed to do. I said the same prayers every week because thats what we did when I was young. But I never fully grasped the intent of what Gods message was. I think of times today when I just go through the motions. and That is not what God wants or calls us to do. If we continue to do the same things over and over, we get to comfortable with it and we begin to go through the motions.

Rob Bell is a speaker who does video presentations, and one of my favorite talks of his is everything is Spriritual. In this talk he talks about science and faitha and astronomy, and he references it all back to the Bible. But the most facinating thing is all the tecnical aspects of the humon body and the very building blocks of matter. On point he talks about is the Atom. and he states that scientist have broken up the atom into several subatomic pieces. when you split an atom it becomes a quark. ( Sorry if Im losing you) He says that scientist have observed 1 quark in one area and that same quark in another, without traveling the distince inbetween. saw essentually, they have seen 1 quark, 1, in 2 places at one time. I quark. later in the talk he states a point about his 2 boys. he says, "I have noticed this thing they have started doing when ever the need me. They say " dad dad dad". 3 times they would say dad. One day they were sitting on the floor playing legos, and he started to hear the dad dad dad. and he was partially there buy the 2nd dad and fully focused by the 3rd dad. And he realized that he had been there with his kids, but he (his mind) was actually somewhere else, thinking about a meeting or an appointment. and that his kids had come to realize that it takes about 3 trys to get dad here.

wow blows my mind each time. But I see this in my own life, and it is so easy to get caught up in what we are doing or begin thinking about whats next. But God says No. stop and be fully present in this moment. When God tells Moses to go up on top of the mountain, the Hebrew translation actually reads Go up on Top, and Be, on top of the mountain. Moses was probobly like, I get it, if Im on top of the mountain Im on top of the mountain. But God says No, because he knows Moses. This was a dirrect order, becuase God knew that Moses would spend all his energy getting to the top of the mountain, and when he got there he would begin planning his way down, and not fully be present on top of the mountain. and in that time, he would miss what God had to offer him, on top f the mountain. I can think of so many times when I am concerened with this situation, or worring about what I have to do tommorrow, or did I really say that to that Girl. And in those times, God was probobly banging on my head saying, "wake up I right here" but because I am so consumed with what is to happen next, I miss what God has to offer my now. Because this world is so complex, especial here in america, we contantly relay on the news, media and politics, and our Jobs, or schooling, to base out judgements and assumptions about situations and people. And it eats away at us. Greg Huffer, one our staff members at B2B said one day that he was talking to a man from Haiti, and the man siad to him. "It is so amazing how much the Church in America gets done without the help of the Holy Spirit." Bam!! It was like a door slamming i  my face, beacuse it is so true. How often do I ask for Gods guidnence or help in my time of need. Or when I begin to worry, do I let it eat away at me, or do I just say, hey Jesus could you get that for me!

Prayer is so important, and I know that you all know that. It has been a crucial part of my life and my faith, especially through my treament as a young kid. Prayer has all sorts of power, and it brings us closer to God. I have found that through my prayers, God challenges me to seek out the challenges and obsticals I pray about. But also in my prayer that I stop asking for So much help, and just Trust that he is God, and what is going to happen will happen. And it is because he loves us. Many times I talk to much in my prayers, when God really wants me just to listen. I find often that when I am talking to much, I miss what God is telling me. sounds familier??? lol. I imagine God saying sometimes. "well if you would shut up and listen, I ill tell you. But most of the time when I expect an answer from God, I expect it verbally. why, Cause thats the way we do things here. But God, who is not limited to a human body or limited to our 3 dementional world, says "Thats not really how I work." I thi k it is so important to be open to how God may speak to you, because if we are to focused on a certain answer, or a ceratin way, we will miss what He is telling us.

Our theme this Summer was Hunger. John 6:33 states "The truse bread od God is the one comes down from Heaven and Gives Life to the world. No weve been through the joking of "well I really hunger for a twinky right now" But the exploration of the Hungering for the True Bread, of God continues to thrive in my heart. What is the True Bread of God? What is the True Bread? What does Hungering for God really look like?

As I boarded my second plane in Housten yesterday there was a man that was getting ready to sit down across the aisle from me. He wacked his head on the part where the oxgen mask stuff is. I said oh I hate that, I do it all the time. well we started talking, and my mind was like, I kinda wanted to sleep these next to hours. haha. I learned that he was a Christian, and was from Mason Ohio. He asked me what I did, and I began to tell him about B2B. As time went on, we went about our buisness, I put my Ipod in shut the window shade. About an hour later I got a tap on my shoulder. As I looked over at the ma, he motioned for me to put my window shade up. As I opened it, I was in awe of the sunset that was on the horizon. The colors and the clouds we soo beautiful, and so amazing. I said God is so awesome. we watched the sun set down, and as it began to disapear, a new light of color hit the horizon. The man said, "wow God can really paint can he!" I thought for a second, and said "yes he truly can. He painted this picture. he painted my life, and he painted yours. and he holds the colors and the paint tray for our future. I stated to him that it almost appeared as a rainbow on the horizon. He asked me if I knew of the story of Noah and the rainbow. I chuckled, and nodded yes. I was reminded of the covenant God made to us. Right at that time I looked to the groung and out of the darkness appeared a Cross. A small city in the vast darkness, lit up with homes and streets, and it formed a cross. Hes the light in the darkness, he's the hope to the hopeless, he's the peace to the restless. There is no one like our God, for greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.  God I give you my paint, and I give you my brush. I give you my Heart and my soul, and I trust in you to fulfill me with your true colors. I surrender my life to you, and I will continue to Hunger for you just as you Hunger for me. I love you God, and I thankyou for my life! I thank for the many friends I ahve made, and how they have brought me closer to you. I ask that you use them to challenge me in my daily life, and keep me accountable for my actions. I thank you for the family you have blessed me with. May we use our times and energy to streagthen each other and build into each other as Jesus did.  I thank you for the many friends and family who have supportted me in doing you will, not just financially, but through Love Blessings and Prayers. It is through them That I have come to know you better. 

I thank you all for everything. I love you all and cant wait to see you. I miss the kids so very much and cant wait to see them again. But I trust in Gods Plan for life, and His will for me now, is to get my education for him, and serve him through that. I come home with a full yet open heart, ready to recieve what Big Man guides me through!

I thank you again God, over and over and over! Thank you !

I Hunger for the True Bread of God, which is to do the will of Jesus. What do you Hunger for?

Peace and Blessings

Adam