I was so excited for a second round of serving Gods kingdom down in Bolivia this year.  God did so much in my life last year, I couldn't wait to see what he had in store for me this time. So, once again I went down with no expectations, except that God would put some new things on my heart. Throughout this last year the Lord has really been teaching me to love the way he does, with a heart sensitive to his children.  Without conditions and prejudice. To love the world and all who are in it because it is all His.  It didn't take long for me to get a profound but simple message tattooed on my heart. In this moment Justin be here, in this moment, give your full attention and be present, shhhhhhhh, just listen to people and who I am to them. It was a pretty simple message, but the Holy Spirit really layed it out.

So i really, just focused on the physical labor part of the trip and just observed Gods children at work.  I saw a team sent down with the heart of Montrose church come together in unbelievable ways.  God is so faithful and I love to see how He shows up.  And with this attitude plenty of opportunities came up to have very meaningful conversations with people.  As, I worked God brought forth heavenly conversations with many people from MC and Luz Divina.  I got to sit down and have a very special prayer session with Pastor Walter, and Ed as a translator. The time with the two of those men was amazing.

I had decided pretty early in the trip that I wanted to find a way to be a deep source of encouragement to each member of the MC crew that was down there. So I did my best to observe each and every one, while still hanging off the side of a ladder and painting! As opportunities presented themselves, and as I felt led, I tried to drop what I call, little encouragement bombs on the team members throughout the trip. But I watched it all come together one night after a long hard day.  We met in a private room in the hotel and had a time of worship.  Cory led us in a time of communion, but this communion was a little different than most. After he broke bread for us as individuals, he gave each member a large slice of bread. He asked us to break a piece off and give it to each member, but with each piece of bread we gave out, a compliment or word of encouragement was handed over too.  Now for me, this is what I live for!!  To build up the the body of Gods Kingdom, right here, right now, just as we are. I love what I got to see, and I felt the Lords pride for his children as each one took the opportunity to build up the other. What a team we had down there. Our team truly brought the heart of Montrose church to Santa Cruz Bolivia...       

AMEN

Justin with Alias during the wheelbarrow races