When it Rains, it Pours

It’s raining here in Juarez. As the team has continued to settle in, connect and jump right in with the activities and programming for the week…As we’ve debriefed the last few nights, it’s becoming more and more clear that it’s been raining much longer than the past few hours.

Many team members are bringing in a wide range of hurts and pains and struggles from back home The battle rages on as storms and tempest roar–and I think many are hoping this trip can be a relief of sorts. Because when it rains, it pours.

YET…

With God, there is a YET! Thank you, Jesus!

In our worship sessions the past few nights, we’ve posed the conversation starter, “How have you seen God today?”–opening it up for anyone to share with the group. It has been so humbling and powerful to hear some of the things shared within the group:

When I met my sponsored child for the first time, my heart sang….

It’s like I’ve been given eyes to see. For the first time, I’m really beginning to understand God’s grace. And I’m FEELING it too!

God’s a god who breaks down barriers. That’s what He does. It’s been fun seeing God break down barriers this week–language barriers, relationship barriers, cultural barriers. He sets us free…
I’ve seen God in the big things–like the gorgeous sunrise–and the little things–like the smiles on kids faces…

We’re called to not only endure hardships, but rejoice in them. Yet the rejoicing isn’t found the situations themselves, it’s found in the God who gives us strength to endure amidst our hardships.

Because it’s our endurance that God uses to not only deepen our faith, but offer hope to the hopeless world around us.

It’s still raining down here–physically and metaphorically. Yet through it all, the response has been so refreshing:

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good. (Even when it’s pouring!)
Things are going tremendously well over the first few days! Team cohesiveness is contagious. Everyone is healthy. Off to a tremendous start! Thanks for the prayers, and please keep them coming. Stay tuned for more…