This is an unplanned continuation of this previous post. It seems the God has really been hammering home this point lately, so I feel lead to share more with you. I ended the last post with a comment on feeling at peace with an uncertain future. A few days later, and this is where I am at:

[….I have no idea how this all will look 6 months from now, when the time comes for me to leave this home and go back home. I have no idea what/where my next home will be after that. And you know what — I’m ok with that. I have a strange peace about it. I am confident God will provide more answers, and open the proper doors soon. ]
And until then I will do my best to focus on the present. Try and focus on where I am right now, and being faithful to the task God has called me to daily. I heard a sermon the other day with a cool Billy Graham reference. Mr. Graham said God doesn’t bless you based on your fruitfulness, but on your faithfulness. This really helped me get back in check. One of my best friends told me before I left (while we were talking of my job description, goals I wanted to accomplish here, etc) that if it meant for me to sweep floors or set up chairs for a year; then I needed to sweep floors and set up chairs for Jesus. And that’s not easy to do sometimes. But I shall do my best to be faithful in what God has called me to do. And if I means being in the spotlight preaching, and sharing the gospel – I’ll do it with a faithful, joyful heart. And if it means working behind the scenes: folding bulletins, setting up the chairs, speakers, etc, so someone else can preach; I’ll do it with a joyful, faithful heart. And I hope and pray that you do the same. God has really been driving this home, as I just read another chapter in a book by A.W. Tozer (amazing theologian, and preacher) about how Jesus calls us (in Luke 9) to “take up his cross daily…” Tozer points out that this signifies that each of us have our own cross. Jesus didn’t say carry my cross – good thing, because I don’t know of anyone would could have carried his burden. So I am encouraged that God has me here for a reason, and I am doing my best to be faithful with the small things, so God may continue to bless me with more.

check it out. you can call me now. you can leave me voicemessages. and its a local call! just dial 708.231.0883. it rings to my computer. if i’m not online it will go right to my voicemail. its insanely cheap and pretty convenient. i would love to hear from all of you!!

I’ve been doing a lot of introspective thinking lately. Thinking about the future. Thinking about what sort of gift set I have been given. Thinking about how I can best honor and glorify God with whatever purpose He has specifically given me.
I tried to imagine what my life might look like in several different scenarios; and general pros and cons of each. But God still holds the trump card of telling me I need to obey and which path to follow.
It was really hard to try and imagine my future without Gente Unida Ministries. It has been nearly impossible to imagine my future without seeing a lot of Mexicans, and a lot of the poor, needy, abused, neglected and rejected. I need to be on the front lines, I need to be in the middle of it to feel like I am really serving. Whether that is in the USA or Mexico, there is always a ghetto. There are always people who have been rejected, overlooked, who have been burned by “Christians”, or who have slipped through the cracks. That’s where I want to be. That’s where I feel the most alive, the most passionate. That’s where I feel like I am really fulfilling Gods intentions for my life.
It was also hard to set aside some of my personal desires (i.e., seminary, start a family, etc) to keep an objective look at where God wants me. But I also know God wants to grant me the desires of my heart; I just need to make sure those desires are conformed to His will – and not try and conform His will to my desires.
The most difficult thing for me right now, emotionally, would be to go back to a “normal” middle class suburban life. You know the one with the 9-5 job, cute little wife, 2 kids, a dog; and a white picket fence. It would be the easiest financial choice, and the most common choice among those of my age and background.
I guess this reinforces the idea that I am not normal. I have been set apart by God for something special. God has something special for all of us. For me it just seems to be even more different than worldly standards.
Some of this has been brewing for a while. Some of it stems from the sad fact the best 2 friends I have made down here (Chris and Maria) are both going back to the United States before the end of May.
I have no idea how this all will look 6 months from now, when the time comes for me to leave this home and go back home. I have no idea what/where my next home will be after that. And you know what — I’m ok with that. I have a strange peace about it. I am confident God will provide more answers, and open the proper doors soon.

Well, thanks for letting me pour out my heart….feedback strongly encouraged….

Here’s another quick link for your surfing pleasure. [richlist] It should help keep in perspective how lucky we really are. As always, I cannot guarantee this links accuracy; but I believe it to be pretty close.

hey, i just wanted to drop a quick line letting you know i posted some more pictures from the Honduras trip here .

also, I don’t want to jump on the blogging bandwagon about the VTech massacre. but i know some good people involved in a campus ministry there. here are a couple links, i would encourage you to check them out; and pray for them & their powerful ministry in this time. you might have seen the head pastor on larry king, and/or Good morning America this past week. God is using this church in a big way - please pray for them!

JR Woodwards blog : he has some really good personal stories, insight, photos, and reflections. there are several different posts, so take time to read all of them — JR is always a good read

New Life Campus Fellowship (NLCF) : specific prayer requests, stories, etc.

I got back from Honduras almost a week ago; but we had another group of missionaries visiting, so I apalogize for the delayed update. Enjoy:

The conference was awesome! I think there were over 3,500 people in attendance from all over the Latin America. I met a ton of amazing people from Honduras (and a couple other Americans were there too  ).
The name of the conference was 7, based on 2Peter 1:5-9

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

They had speakers on each one of the 7 different characteristics listed above. It was very interesting, very relevant, and I honestly feel like it helped draw me closer to God.
Some of the highlights that hit me hardest:
All of these things are good to work on; but are meaningless without the first line of v5 – with faith as your base. Your faith in the cleansing blood of Christ is the only way to salvation. You cannot earn it by being in expert in these 7 virtues. However, these will help you draw closer to God. These will help you understand God more; love God more; love others more. These will bring you closer to a joy filled life!
One of my biggest goals in life is to be closer to God today than I was yesterday. If I am not increasing in my faith, I believe I am declining in my faith. There is no plateau in the pursuit of Christ – not on this side of death. Which is why I felt especially challenged by the fact that less than 5% of Christians read their Bible daily. *note that says Christians, not just Americans. I truly felt like the hypocrite I vowed I would never become. So I challenge you to step up to that also. The speaker actually said when you disobey someone; it is an insult to them. When we don’t read the Bible daily, as God commands; it is a spit in his face. It also reminded me of one of our churches past series on good habits. Pastor Sergio said it generally takes 6 weeks to establish something as a habit – which is why most new years resolutions fail before February is over. Also, reading the book God wrote is one of the best ways to get to know him better. However, just readying it isn’t enough. Like pastor Amado always says: If you read a book on exercise; it doesn’t make you lose weight. It’s when you apply that knowledge and practice it in your life, you see the difference.
I also was challenged by the topic of self control. I thought I had that pretty well under control. I mean, I don’t look at porn on the internet; so I’m doing good right? Wrong! I was challenged to look at my music selection and see how many of the songs had “inappropriate” lyrics; how many of the movies I see, I would take a 10 yr old with to the watch. The speaker then said this: ‘there is no such thing as movies for ’adults’ or ’children’ – there are movies for Christians, and movies for non-Christians.” Its something that I have always debated over; and never found an answer I can stick to. On one hand, I can agree with the conservative folks who abstain from watching the violent, lusty, or foul-language filth in the theaters. But, I don’t personally feel that it changes the way I act or think. However, there is definitely no way to refute the challenge of using that 2 hours and 50 pesos (or $10 for you Americans, ha-ha!) to glorify God instead of satisfying the flesh. I will let you decide on your own.

I was also very challenged by the many leaders that I met. Most of them were very passionate, very loving, and very driven to fulfill the vision and purpose God has given them. It was a great trip all around; and I’m super glad I was able to go.

I also was able to cram in the van with the college students when they took a trip to the beach on Saturday. It was beautiful. Words cannot describe it. I took a couple pictures; but mostly just relaxed, goofed off; and soaked up the warm sun in the clear water . I want to go back. We also baptized a three of the students who had recently accepted Christ!
The next day I had the pleasure of meeting up with my host family at his parents’ house in Copan. It is a beautiful, romantic little touristy type town. Very tropical, so everything is green; and all the little houses are brightly colored. Alan took us to see the largest Mayan site in the world. It was breath taking. Alan was a great guide and it was really interesting.

In summary:
We flew into Tegucigalpa and stayed there for 2 nights. We then took a 4 hour bus trip to San Pedro Sula. We stayed there for 4 nights. Including the conference, and the day trip to the beach (2ish hours each way). From there we caught another bus to Copan Ruinas – about 3 hours. We only stayed there 1 night, because we had to catch a bus back to Tegucigalpa – 9 hours away. We spent the night there and flew back early the next day. The flight was fun too – on the way there we had a layover in Mexico City, and we decided to risk it and run downtown quickly in between flights. We made it back with about 15 minuets to spare! Then we had another quick plane change in El Salvador before arriving in Tegucigalpa. On the way back, we had a quick plane change in Guatemala City, before landing in Mexico City and then back to Monterrey.

Feel free to ask more questions, I’d love to chat more about what I saw and learned!
And be sure to check back soon; as I will be posting the second batch of photos within the next week or so.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Keep me informed how I may pray for you also.

March was probably one of my busiest months since arriving 5 months ago. We had several different groups of missionaries/visitors. It was such a joy to the church to have them all here serving with us. We accomplished a lot, and did a lot of positive work for Gods kingdom. But for me, there was something else, something in addition to that. It was such a relief to be able to laugh, joke, share stories, etc; IN ENGLISH!! I am comfortable with my Spanish, I understand almost everything, and can communicate well… But my friend Chris (another American missionary – serving with a completely different church and organization – we just met randomly here and have become great friends) and I were talking, and I just feel more like myself when I am around Americans, and speaking English. So if anyone feels like the need for a vacation/mission trip… visitors are always welcome!

But the best part about having these mission trips come was how much more I felt like God was being glorified. Many times I feel like I’m just one person, and I’m not making enough of a difference. But with a group of people I’ve never met, backing me up; I felt like we got more stuff done. I know that’s a very American way of looking at things. But let me elaborate. First off, I know I am not saved by my works. I know that I cannot save anyone, I cannot change anyone’s heart – only Jesus can do that. But I see such a large harvest ripe and ready; and soo few workers. Hopefully you have visited this blog before and you’ve read the starfish poem. That pretty much describes my heart. (if not, you can find it here )

if the doesnt make you laugh… you have problems.

i have been blessed with an awesome opportunity to spend the next week in Honduras! i am going to a leadership conference there and will also be spend time with the families of my host family and other relatives of friends i have here in the church. i will take lots of pictures and will share them all; and hopefully a few good stories when i return in about a week!
so enjoy this week and the Resurrection on Sunday!
Dios te benidgas,
~Eric

bonus points to anyone who knows where Honduras is