Mission Trip Update - RAV 2008!

OK! It's 6:45 am and I have a few minutes to let you know how the trip was. I can sum it up into one word - AWESOME! It was such an honor to be part of the wonderful work that is taking place in Ensenada, Mexico. For those that don't know, here you go...

I helped lead a team of 8 people into Ensenada, Mexico. For the majority of the team, this was their first 'over the border' mission trip.

The trip was broke down into two sections - a work project and a sports ministry. The work project primarily was moving cinder blocks down a mountain. These blocks will be used in conjunction with a 'fresh water well' that is being created for the camp and seminary called 'Rancho Agua Viva'. We moved a total of five truckloads of blocks which weighed between 30 and 40 pounds. Every did a great job and had a great attitude during this time.

Agua Viva Ministries serves the Mexican people in three ways. First, they have a camp there that many Mexican churches use (the week prior to us there was a women's conference with over 200 women). Secondly, they host missionary teams who minister in the surrounding cities and villages. And thirdly, they have a seminary which puts Mexican nationals through training and education, preparing them for full time ministry in Mexico. You can check out more at http://www.aguaviva.com/

Our other main ministry was a sports ministry in a little area called 'Colony 89'. We played soccer with the kids in the neighborhood, shared juice and 'galletas' (cookies) with them and shared our testimonies of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. On our last day we gave away complete soccer uniforms (socks, shorts and shirts), a soccer trophy and a brand new soccer ball. It was truly a beautiful moment.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this time. We experienced everything from minor injuries from intense work and 'scrolleyball' (don't ask) to a broken heart from having to leave such a beautiful community. I look forward to many more trips to Mexico and continuing the relationship that began last week.

GP

www.gphintz.com

The Tin Man - Where's My Emotions?

The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939 and starred Judy Garland. It has been a hit for generations and still one that kids and adults alike both reference. The cast of characters includes Dorothy, Toto, The Scarecrow, The Lion, The Tin Man, The Wizard, The Wicked Witch of the West and a variety of others. I’d like to take a few of these characters and look a little deeper at their search and talk about those things which they were looking for.

The Tin Man:

Now, the tin man’s desire is found in the song he sings when he meets Dorothy:

When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle,

And yet I'm torn apart.

Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a-human,

If I only had heart.

I'd be tender - I'd be gentle and awful sentimental

Regarding Love and Art.

I'd be friends with the sparrows ...

and the boys who shoots the arrows

If I only had a heart.

Picture me - a balcony. Above a voice sings low.

Wherefore art thou, Romeo? I hear a beat....

How sweet.

Just to register emotion, jealousy - devotion,

And really feel the part.

I could stay young and chipper

and I'd lock it with a zipper,

If I only had a heart.

Now, we can see from this song that the tin man believed that there were certain things that would happen if he had a heart. He'd be able to register emotion. He'd feel like he belonged. He'd appreciate things more. He'd hold on to his youth. The tin man believed that if this one thing could change in his life that he'd be so much better. He believed that his life would be different. If only this one thing could happen.

What about you? What's that one thing that you're holding out for that will make everything perfect? That perfect someone? That new job? That raise? That 98" flatscreen TV? (now that would be sweet!) We all have things that we're holding out for. Things that we want. Things that we need. The problem comes when we believe that those things will alleviate all of our pains, hurts and lack of purpose in life...

The tin man wanted something that was more than just 'stuff'. He wanted to feel. He wanted to sense emotion. I talk with people who cut themselves and they tell me that they do it to feel. They tell me that the pain that they're afflicting on themselves becomes greater than the pain buried in their hearts.

There's a verse in the book of Joel that reads, "…rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster." Joel 2:13

In Old Testament Bible times the people would rip their clothes and throw ashes on their head to show the world and themselves that they were turning to God. Here, Joel says something very interesting. He said, 'don't worry about your clothes, but look to your hearts'. He's encouraging them to open their hearts to God... to feel again... to sense emotion again... to allow the reality of their life and their failures to hit them again...

Now, following this, Joel gives a picture of God that is steeped in emotion. 'Gracious'. 'Merciful'. 'Slow to Anger'. 'Abounding in Love'. He's saying 'Rip your hearts open for a God who understands and feels emotion. Be real and be honest before a God who loves you. Don't be afraid for you have nothing to fear for He is abounding in love'.

Maybe you know what it feels like to bury emotion deep. Maybe you know what it's like to cut yourself to cover the pain. Maybe you know what it feels like to not feel. Well, today God is calling you to take a risk. He's asking you to open your heart before Him. He's asking you to be real with Him. He's asking you to open the steel door which holds all of your emotions and let Him in. His promise is that it may hurt, but He'll be with you every step of the way.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

GP

http://www.gphintz.com/

Fall Retreat Success

Just returned from our IGNITE fall retreat - The Power to Change. It was an absolute blast! It was so nice to spend time with the teens, have fun, talk about different struggles and subjects of interest and pray for one another.


Our prayer is that each of these teens will find the purpose for their lives centered in the hands of Christ. Please join us in that prayer and learn more about our youth group at www.igniteyouthgroup.com.

GP
www.gphintz.com