I am writing to you from Mexico, one of the hottest and dustiest places I have ever spent time. I cannot imagine being anywhere else right now. The Lord is here, and has directed my heart to these people. I have been given the unbelievable privilege of leading a team of teens from a couple different youth groups. I did not know any of them, save two before we all came. Oh how God is working!

Seeing the light of sharing the Savior come on in the lives of students is a passion I will never outlive. Young men and women who come, not really knowing what to expect, lay it all down for a short term trip. They do not know what to expect, they just know they need to go. They get trained in a drama, they go with their friends, and they expect the best. They just don´t know what the best is.

They are moved to an address far south of their comfort zone, and asked to stand up and testify, then go out into a crowd of people they do not know, and share in a language they do not speak, some with interpreters and some without. The result? People are getting saved in huge numbers. These students have even led a deaf mute man to Christ just today, by using pictures, etc. God is amazing!

The students are learning to think outside the box. When that light comes on, it is hard to snuff it out. They cannot wait to go and share Christ with the ones they see. Some will even take this home, and begin to evangelize their schools and neighborhoods.

This is the life BJ embraced and set an example for. Before he got sick he was trying to tell me I needed to go to Mexico with Awe Star. I did not know it, but he had shared this with some of his `05 Peru team. I was a little embarassed when I found out. I mean I kind of felt like I was out of God´s will because I wasn´t planning to go. I didn´t make the Christmas Break trip he wanted me on.

BJ, I made this one, and you were right. I will never be happy unless I have the opportunity to be teaching students how to lead others to Christ, and/or then getting to see them do so, or am doing so myself. This is what it is all about. This is what it means when Paul says "for me, to live is Christ, to die is gain." Phil 1:21

It is very emotional when I see the drama performed. I see the role of the Knightmare or Satan that BJ played, and I am moved as I can so easily see him in this place (every Awe Star Satan mask has a pink swatch on it in memory of BJ). Going out to share Christ was his element. He could not wait! He wanted lost people to know Jesus. So do I.

I am thankful I had the opportunity to fulfill what the Lord, and BJ both knew I needed to do. I am so appreciative of the chance to work with students to share the gospel in the dark places... even if they are hot and dusty!

¡Gloria a Dios!

dad


Whitney and Deanna I love what you have been writing... you are blessing the hearts of many!