Chasing lions with fire in our bones

This weekend we have heard two messages which have had an impact and are sure to spur further thought and motivation to action in the weeks and months ahead.

First, on Saturday our pastor shared about "chasing our lions" based on a brief verse found in the second book of Samuel, chapter 23. One of King David's strong men chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed it. Our pastor was encouraging us to go on the offensive, to remember how we are on the side of victory and strength and that we need to stop being so defensive and "playing it safe" in our lives. Click here to hear the full sermon. Both Lina and I felt something resonate in our souls as he shared and we seek to go out and bring the love of God in Jesus to many who need to know.

Then, Sunday we also were able to hear Chris Gouzoules speak a message on Jeremiah 20 where he talks about fire in his bones. He did not despair, even though he had been thrown in the filthy pit. First he questions why God has allowed such things to happen to him. However, he goes on to say in verse 9, "But if I say, 'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,' his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."

We sense a flame in our hearts and a boldness to go fight the "lions" that are keeping people in Mexico from seeing and experience the strenthening, healing and loving presence of God in their lives. Would you pray with us as we continue to fan that flame and get ready to fight?

So how was Mexico? (2/22 thru 3/4)

• overnight travel by plane,

• quick breakfast with family in Mexico City,
• borrowed Malibu from brother-in-law,
• off to Tenancingo with a tad of car trouble (2+ hour trip turned to 4+hours).
• met people we will be working with...

• a pastor and wife,

• youth leader, wife & kids,

• a US missionary family...
• got to drive around town,

• some quick souvenir shopping
• learn of areas where we might live...
• we discussed the way of life there. the struggles, needs of the people
• what keeps them going...
• got a glimpse of the flower industry...

Tenancingo and the valley surrounding it is full of greenhouses. This is the largest flower-producing area of the country. The weather is mild all year long. It only reaches freezing temperatures on or two nights a year. Average annual temp is 64 degrees farenheit. Someone who works in this industry took us to the greenhouses and we saw rows and rows of flowers of different colors. It was amazing to see all this beauty.

We spent Feb 22 - 27 in Tenancingo, primarily to visit where we believe God has called us to minister. The trip was eye opening in terms of the intense and deep spiritual and emotional needs of so many people. We were humbled by our own limitations, but know God has a place for us there. He is the only hope to satisfy, heal, comfort and fill with complete joy and love the lives of so many who need Him.

View of Tenancingo from a hill above the city

Mini vacation

We did get to visit Ixtapan de la Sal, a tourist town half an hour away. Main attraction is hot subterranean water springs. There are a few water facilities with indoor warm water and then cooler pools with slides. If interested, we can recommend a hotel there.

Mexico City
After that we were able to spend a few days with Lina's family in Mexico city. We had much catching up to do as we plan this exciting new step of being closer to Lina's side of the family. We were also able to reconnect with a few of her friends.

Let us know if you'd like a more detailed account.

Here are additional pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/mateoreed/TenancingoTrip

...what can I give?

As I have been reading materials in preparation for our upcoming training, I have asked myself in different ways: what do I have that I can offer others? When thinking specifically about people in Mexico where we want to go serve, I put myself in their position as best as I mentally can and try to ponder how they might perceive me entering their lives. Will they be better off because of having spent some time conversing with me? Will there be more joy in their life because of having worked on a project together? Will they experience greater freedom from things that hold them back in life? How exactly can I be an agent for meaningful change in the life of those I'm called to minister God's love to? It has been humbling to realize that the answer to the question of what I have to offer is: nothing. My hope - our hope as a family - is to somehow be a mirror that reflects God's love and caring intervention in each person's life.

the time to be inspired

... so 2007 began and for the first time I can recall in my 32+ years of life, I slept through the turn of the hour, day, year. Of course, this time the excuse was good. After spending a full week in South Carolina with my close family, we got up at 5 AM to drive back to Chicago by 8 PM. We did make it 'till 11:30 PM, but were too tired for that last moment. It felt great though to just sleep and relax. And now here we are, in a new year. This year will be eventful for the Reed family.

At this point we're in the middle of getting ready for training with International Teams from Jan 20 to Feb 10. We then plan to visit Tenancingo, Mexico (link is all in Spanish - the official site of the city) in February/March and then spend the rest of the spring and summer raising the ongoing support needed to move down and live there full time as missionaries. Our hope is to be there by August. Stay tuned!