From Spain to Austin

On Wednesday, November 28, friends from Albacete, Spain flew into Houston. So the following day we decided to take them to Austin to experience our State Capitol, The University of Texas, chicken fried steak at Threadgill's, and Blue Bell Ice Cream in Brenham. We had a great time together.

Okay, okay...I know the hyperlink for The University of Texas actually takes you to the website for Oklahoma State University. But this is my blog. What did you expect?

My Passport

I recently traveled to Guatemala with several friends from my church. Each day leading up to our mission trip involved "to do lists" and various items that each of us needed to accomplish prior to our departure. On one such day I received a phone call from a member of our group. I was asked about the location of our airline tickets. So I got on the phone and called our friend at Buckner International that was assisting with the coordination of the trip. When I asked Jon about the tickets he said, "Your passport is everything." I thought that was great...one less item to have to keep up with on the trip.

Later, my friend's statement, "Your passport is everything" continued to go around and around in my thoughts. If a passport is EVERYTHING when departing for an international destination, what is the EVERYTHING we need regarding our eternal destination. According to the Bible our "everything" is Jesus. In John 14:6 we read the Words of Jesus where He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." And in John 3:16 we read "...God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Notice that God's Word did not say "Be a good person and you'll go to heaven," or "There are many ways to God and what's important is that you are sincere." No, no, no! Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Just as your passport secures your entrance into another country, so too does Jesus secure our entrance into God's Kingdom.

So remember the words of my friend when traveling abroad and know that your passport really is everything. Don't leave home without it. If you do, well let's just say that I hope you purchased trip insurance because you will not be going where you want to. But, an even greater truth is this: Jesus...don't leave earth without Him!

Guatemala Mission Trip Thoughts

I've been back in Conroe for a few days now, but as you can imagine my thoughts frequently return to our time in Guatemala...and specifically to the children I encountered. They were such a delightful group. A few seemed a little distant, but the majority of the children were all about giving and receiving love.

The team of people I traveled with were such a tremendous blessing to me personally and to the children of Fundación Salvación. I witnessed this group functioning in the various ways in which God had uniquely "wired" them up. Each person placed their spiritual gifts and God given natural abilities back in the hands of our Lord, and in doing so little lives were touched and the Good News of our Savior was proclaimed.

As we were preparing to leave and everyone was making their way back to the bus, I found myself sitting next to Santos...my newest best friend from Guatemala. Santos is seven years old and a smiling bundle of energy. The two of us played soccer for what seemed like hours during the course of our trip. As Santos and I were saying goodbye, I wondered what was going on in his thoughts. As he began to speak he asked if I would be back the next day. What do you say at a time like that? I can assure you that the word "no" did not come easy. While it was not possible for me to return the next day, I tried to explain that I hope to return again...maybe next year.

If you feel God nudging you right about now, I would be happy to share with you the details of how you too can love on some children in Guatemala that will love you in return. And if God should lead you specifically to Fundación Salvación, please do me a favor and play a little soccer with my friend Santos and give him a big hug for me.

¡En el nombre de Jesucristo!

Dale