By Jeff Goins, Editor
Notes from my journal, the last week of January, 2007:
I am wrapping up my time in Mexico, a fifteen-day trip that has turned my world upside down. Here is a snapshot of my surroundings:
A handful of young Jesus-followers share the Gospel with a couple curious drunks that wandered off the street.
The drama team tests some music on the sound system. Anne and the girls prepare for their children’s ministry later tonight. Scott takes off in the cattle truck to pick up our new brothers and sisters from the outskirts of town, in a community that is too far to walk from.
Chris stares in awe at the beauty of the setting sun, without needing to capture it on film; this time, he is simply inspired.
Erin walks around the boundaries of the grounds, following the fence line, rebuking the Enemy and interceding for the upcoming service and everything that must go right without distraction or failure.
A few girls sit and chat, enjoying one another’s company. Jenny grabs a few minutes of quiet time in a hammock.
Chad hovers over the chaos, praying for each person involved in the service, anointing them with oil, and all the while preparing himself for the hour-and-fifteen-minute sermon he is about to preach. I scribble a few notes on a single sheet of paper, writing down some key verses that Chad will use in his sermon-the last one of the trip I will be translating-occasionally glancing back at the children who keep shouting, “Pepe! Pepe!”
They giggle when I turn to smile at them, merely wanting to be noticed. I turn back to my work, but secretly hope they will call it out in another minute. They do, and I oblige.
Right now, this is home-an over-sized backyard full of tents, a concrete building that God has decided to bless with his presence, and a rag-tag group of radicals who believe the Son of God will actually accomplish what he set out to do through his Church.
Like I said, this is home, and I love it.
*Photo by Ryan Stewart
Jeff graduated from Illinois College, a small liberal arts school, with a degree in Spanish and Religion. He lives in Nashville, TN. He works for Adventures in Missions, edits this silly little magazine, and loves to do new things.