More of the same -- a physically full and spiritually fulfilling day. We're beginning to drag a bit. But it's a good tired. Part of the magic of this trip is watching barriers dissolve in the heat of hard work and service and the warmth of the Son. There are no jocks or geeks or gamers, no High School Musical fans or foes, no Seigel or Oakland or Riverdale or Blackman or MTCS, no young or old, no elder or flock, no preacher or congregation, no Mexican or North American, we're all just followers of Christ. And what a world has opened up to us because of this freedom in Christ. While cliques and groups keep us comfortable and feeling safe and secure, they often block us from a world of experience and possibility and blessings we can only experience when we get outside of our comfort zone.
Skid has pointed out on several occasions that this group of 61 with all of its unique talents has been assembled by God for a specific purpose. In all probability, this group of 61 will never be assembled again. But we will always share a special bond that only serving together can create. As one team member to Mexico commented to Skid in the past, I like who I am here. It is a feeling and way of life and a way of being that Skid has challenged us to continue the other 51 weeks of the year.
Today, we drove in the last nail. The house is finished. Tomorrow we'll hand over the keys to our sister in Christ and her family. Today, the last cherished McDonald's toy was handed out and food distributed by our team. More than a thousand dollars of food was distributed. And just one packet of food, which only amounts to about two shopping bags, will last a family here for four to six weeks. It's like the parable of the loaves and fishes. The food we give here goes so much farther. So if you're looking to stretch your dollars, send them to Mexico to feed a family.
Although we're physically dragging and sore, we're spiritually soaring. Gary Halford, one of the City of Children trustees who was visiting during our week, spoke to us during our evening team meeting and devotion. His comments revolved around this single scripture:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
James 1:27
This is far different from what we typically think practicing a religion or being religious means. God seems to always see things differently. We have experienced first hand what pure religion is. Not that we haven't experienced it outside of Mexico. It's just that here so many of the things that distract us are stripped away. And I wonder if the people of the world could ever guess what we think pure religion is by just watching and interacting with us? What would they guess it to be by just observing?
Well, hopefully, if they're watching this week, they would know.
Today, our Festival of Sharing hat was awarded to Rachel Bowen. While distributing food, she made it a point to hold every baby in the houses we visited. Doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice, does it? But then, the children of the villages here aren't as neat and clean as we're used to. No criticism to the people here. They do about as good as you can do without indoor plumbing and with the blowing dust of the unpaved and ungraded roads. Rachel rushed to hold children unfazed by dirt or smell...or the fact that on one occasion this week a child left a wet spot of joy on her.
Tomorrow, we wrap our week here before traveling home.
Until then, 10:10.
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