Final Thoughts...And A Surprise

Can't believe I've already spent 2 weeks in Puerto Rico...
In the past 2 weeks we had 17 Puerto Rican athletes attend training camp where they learned spiritual principles and how it fits in sport and life, did some community work in the slum, had many unforgettable nature excursions, played with kids at an orphanage, and outside of camp, had about 90 spiritual conversations with Puerto Ricans, shared the Gospel to 60 of them, and saw 5 people accept Christ.

Saying farewell to the team members yesterday and today was definitely hard, but also encouraging knowing that we always got each others' backs, and that we've all been transformed by Christ together.

God's done some amazing things here, and I'm looking forward to Him continuing to lead me in growth in humility, selfless love, surrender, and trust, and to use me to spread the fire to others.

Yea...little did I expect it, but I'm stuck in Miami for the night because of a flight delay that forced me to miss my transfer flight back to Toronto. O well...got a hotel room and meal money from american airlines and some more time to rest. Toronto will have top wait another day.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, ''Yet a little while, the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'' But we are not those of who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve our souls.
- Hebrews 10:35-39

Intricacy

Great in all the earth is Your glory O Lord
The universe declares how amazing You are
Over history and eternity
You alone are God and King
- Starfield

I need to spend more time outside. God's creation is so good. This morning we went hiking in El Yunque: a Puerto Rican rainforest. Seeing how all the different types of trees and plants all fit together somehow to create the beautiful sight was almost unreal. Also, the position of the rocks in the water to create mini waterfalls and a few large ones was astounding. I can now see why Paul wrote in Romans that none should have excuse to not know God based on His creation. It's just so detailed and awesome.

He answered, ''I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.''
- Luke 19:40

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Well...our time of 'formal' ministry here in Puerto Rico is now done. It's been an amazing ride. I still can't wrap my head around how God choose a bunch of misfits that make up our team to do His work here on the island.

We just said our final farewells to the Puerto Rican students who have visited us despite camp being over. It's definitely been encouraging seeing how their lives have changed in the last 10 days or so, and seeing that God really has used us here.

We leave for San Juan tomorrow as we transition into our debrief time before we all head back home. Much prayer is definitely still needed for this island, but this is probably my last post until Tuesday unless something big comes up.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
- Hebrews 10:23

Beginning of the End

Most of our 'formal' ministry on the island has come to an end as the sports camp for kids we were supposed to run this morning got cancelled. Though it's disappointing, I trust that God has something greater in store for us still.

Today, we'll be getting to tour the island some more and just see the beauty of God's creation. We'll also be heading to a beach in Rincon and see if we can outreach to surfers there. Athletes in Action also has sent a high school basketball team and a college basketball team here to Puerto Rico to play games against local teams, so we will be helping out at their games later this afternoon. Should be exciting.

Praying for a genuine love for the people of Puerto Rico, so that those who have heard and will hear of Christ will live out to edify their fellow brothers and sisters on this island through their God given roles in the body of Christ.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
- Romans 12:4-5

Waters

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand
- Hillsong

Pulling each other across the water on boogie boards, attempting to skim board and catch fish with our bare hands, playing with geckos and starfish, and chilling in the beach kick started our day today. It was a fun time, but even more so, the beach today just reminded me of the realities of life.

First of all, the sea, like life, we can't see everything going on, but rather only what's in front of us. On one side of the beach the sea was full of waves and lots of rocks, seaweed, and whatever else was in there. It wasn't that pleasant to say the least. I was always stepping on stuff out of nowhere and the waves really did throw people around quite a bit for a non-surfing beach. Waves always come in our lives that can throw us around. There are always random bumps here and there that come unexpected. As we walked across the beach to another part we also saw a bunch of things that just shouldn't be on a public beach. To me, that reminded me of the purging that needs to be done in our lives. After that, we got to the cleanest beach area I've ever been to. I could see the sand at the bottom of the sea as clearly as you could see the bottom of any pool. The waters were calm, and it was just relaxing and peaceful being there. That just reminded me of God's peace. He will always bring me through the storms of life, into the shadows under His wings.

The rest of the day was pretty cool as some of the students from training camp came to visit. We also had the chance to do some campus outreach today which went really well. We even got some connections with the school's Christian group.

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
- Psalm 46:10

A New Creation

In about an hour we'll be holding a baptism service at a nearby beach. It'll be exciting to see a couple of our Puerto Rican students and also a couple of my teammates get baptized and publicly declare their love for God.

After baptism we'll be spending some more time at the beach, we'll be running another ministry perspectives workshop, and do some more campus evangelism. Definitely praying to see how God will use our team today.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Servant's Heart

Make me a servant humble and meek
- Kelly Willard

I gotta realize that life isn't about me and my wants. Ministry isn't about what works best for me. Discipleship isn't about getting things my way and making 'minions'.

As we talked today about ministry perspectives again, I was humbled again by how Christ lived His life. He came to serve and not to be served, and I've really gotta learn and live that. He came to love unconditionally in His service, and i need to find that heart. He was always there when needed, and I have to learn to be that guy who will always have a friend's back. Things won't always go well for me, but I can trust in His love to carry me through.

A test of that heart came today in the orphanage. This orphanage had 20 children up to the age of 8 who have come from abusive households. None of them knew English, so it would have been easy to just chill and not do much for 2 hours while others worked. Yet despite not understanding the kids at all I decided to try to just show them love by being with them and praying over them. Seeing the joy on their faces as we played with them, picked them up, and spin them around was priceless. Having to leave and seeing the sadness on their faces though was heartbreaking. These kids need to meet Jesus and find hope.

Yea...humility is hard, but God, my humble King will lead me.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tired it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
- John 13:3-5

Filled To Be Emptied

This is my prayer in the harvest
When all that's within me feels dry
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
This seed I've received I will sow
-Hillsong

As I end up waking up later than intended for the second straight day, I'm reminded of how draining and tiring missions work get. I know that by myself I can't get through the next 6 days of this trip, so I'm gonna have to learn to trust in God. Physically there's a huge battle going on, not only for me, but also for most other members of the team. What's kinda scary is that the spiritual battles that are bound to come will be even tougher. Despite all this, I know my God will sustain, and He has already proclaimed victory. Time for my heart to believe as strongly as my mind...

Today we go through another ministry perspective workshop which I'm personally very excited for. We'll be doing some more campus outreach and see how God works. We'll then head over to a local orphanage and see how God uses us there.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
- John 15:5

Salt and Light

Great refreshing day after 2 hard days.
Today, God once again reminded me of how small I am compared to Him as we saw the view of Puerto Rico from a lighthouse on top of a cliff, and enjoyed a sunset by a beautiful beach while body surfing.

The bigger message He put on my heart however was to shine bright everywhere I go. As we had our training today on ministry perspective, God definitely spoke to my heart. I was reminded not top just focus on the outward appearance of things, but that ministry for Christ starts in my heart. As my heart is drawn to Christ, He guides where He wants to go.

As a Christian, a chosen son set apart though Christ's death and resurrection, I am called to be salt and light to the world. In keeping my speech 'salty', I'm too PRESERVE truth, and cause others to THIRST for Christ. I'm called to shine bright in my daily actions so others can see Christ. It's not about running camps and ministries, but about how I can bring Christ to people daily.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
- Philippians 4:20-21

Bittersweet

Training camp done. Usually we'd be heading home by now if this was just another AIA camp, but we've got one more week on the island to see what crazy stuff God has in store.

Our first week in Puerto Rico was incredible! God blessed me with an awesome team and also blessed us with a passionate and humble group of Puerto Rican students. Now that training camp's done, it's exciting to see what will happen next, but also saddening knowing that we might not see some of these students ever again until heaven.

The week was life changing not only for me, but also for many students. One of the students shared with us that through this past week, he learned more about Jesus and the Bible than he had his whole life. This student is a leader, he grew up in church, and he definitely believes in Christ. It's both encouraging and saddening to hear what he said because of what that says about his country's spiritual condition. A few other students also shared about how they should be in training camp for either a club team, professional team, or school team, but ended up at camp and have no regrets. Others just don't want to go back home because they want more. Boy, God is good.

Today we'll be running a training on how to run on campus programs for university students and staff. I'm excited for not only the Puerto Ricans and what they'll learn, but also for our team to see what we can learn to take back to our schools. We'll then be doing some campus outreach as summer classes have started, and that should also be a nice experience.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
- Ephesians 5:1-2

Great Are You

Because I'll never hold a picture of
The whole horizon in my view
Because I'll never rip the night in two
It makes me wonder who am I
Who am I
Who am I and great are You
- Downhere

After the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. banquet this evening we went out on a boat to experience Puerto Rico's bioluminescent bay. Needless to say, it was pretty spectacular. God's creation is good.

However the thing that got me most on that trip was looking into the night sky and horizon with barely any light. I realized how little I could see and how small I was in comparison to the mountains and sea, and to the world. Then I just imagined the picture of God holding it all in His hands and He reminded me that even though I don't know what's coming in my life and why things happen, He knows best and always holds the big picture. God is good.

Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror?
- Job 37:15-18

Above and Beyond

The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. (spiritual principles + exhaustion =confidence in Almighty God) was definitely, well, special. I won't write all my thoughts on it because it'll take too long, and it's also something everyone needs to experience for themselves. The 20 hour challenge with our team and 10 of the Puerto Rican students truly did bring me to understand more of what my faith really means.

First thing God really revealed to me was that He gives and takes away. We were playing volleyball and with the game tied up, we had one more point to play. I missed a spike. We lost. Though I would call volleyball 'my sport', my success in it can't be what defines me. Only God can define me.

Second thing was realizing the frailty of life. In another activity, I landed awkwardly on my left foot and kind of sprained my foot. I thought it'd be okay because I've gone through way more painful sprains, so I tanked it out hoping it'd get better. Well...it hasn't. Every now and then we just gotta realize not to take what we have for granted, and even if trials come, we persevere in what God has called of us to do.

Last thing God really amazed me by was His strength to push me beyond my own limits. In our last challenge I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to finish. I was tired, asthma acting up, jumper's knee kicking on, and doing things with a wonky left foot. Yet through it all God just put Philippians 4:13 in my heart and let me have the faith to not quit, but run the race until the end. It was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. With all of us brothers and sisters in Christ cheering each other on, Hebrews 12:1-2 came alive to me. By ourselves we can only do so much, but as we stand united in Christ He gives us freedom to push each other to do way more than what we could do alone, not only physically, but even more so, spiritually.

There's so much more to share, but...this is all I'm gonna write haha.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

SPECIAL

After a day of rest it's time to get back in the game.

This is also probably the last you'll hear from me until Tuesday night (assuming I make it that far), as tonight we start the SPECIAL - a full out competition of physical exertion lasting about 20 hours with only a couple of light breaks. It's the ultimate accumulative challenge we will take part in after teaching our fifth and final principle: Victory Beyond Competition, this morning. This will challenge us as we are pushed beyond our own physical limitations and challenge us to grow as a team, and even more so as brothers and sisters in Christ here to support one another.

Students will learn that God has given all of us gifts in our lives (in this case mainly athletic gifts) so that we can use them to further His Kingdom. We'll learn of the urgency in living our lives in radical faith so that we can leave a legacy behind us. How we live today matters. No matter what our gifts are, they can be used for Christ as we surrender to Him.

We're all going to greatly need faith in God's strength to sustain us, and His love to motivate and encourage us.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me
- Philippians 4:13

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
- Romans 5:3-5

Familia

Tear down the walls that divide us
Let love rebuild and unite us
All we need is
All we need is love
- Michael Gungor

One giant united love letter of Christ. Is that not what the church is meant to be? Truly experiencing that on this trip, both within my team and also the Christians in the community here in San German.

This morning God gave me the opportunity to orchestrate some sharing before our team devotional time in which we shared with each other about how God has been speaking to our hearts and how we've seen Him work on this trip. We also had the opportunity to hear some testimonies from one another. It was definitely edifying to hear and remember that we're all broken wrecks who've been through our fair share of ups and downs in life in order to be refined into the beautiful mess which is our team. Though we come from different places and I've only known these people for about 5 days, walls have already been broken down by God's grace so we can truly sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron.

In the evening we visited a local church and it was awesome. The heart that the church members have for Christ to reveal Himself to their city was so evident, that even as they prayed in a language I couldn't understand, the passion just radiated out from them. Many people showed up well before service to pray together for each other, their city, and our ministry. The church was just so welcoming and even though they're from a different culture and most of the church didn't know us, the Spirit of unity was there. God is definitely at work here.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, weakness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
- Colossians 3:12-13

Eye on the Prize

It's great to finally get some real rest after 5 tiring days here.
Today is going to be a relaxing day. Church, group bonding, and some food is really all we have planned right now, but who knows how God might change those plans?

As I reflected upon God's Word this morning I was hit hard. God just revealed to me how much I was trying to hold on to earthly pleasures and desires, and even when I tried giving them up, it's been by my own strength, not His grace. Just need prayer to be transformed so that I can be one to set an example for the people we work with in Puerto Rico and also for people back home. Need to keep my eyes on the prize that is Jesus.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and staying forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 3:12-14

All or Nothing

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
- Jim Elliot

God is good and faithful. Wow.
Today was definitely eventful and filled with God's reminders of His love and worth.

In the morning we did some ministry in Mayaguez with the homeless and less fortunate in the community. We helped serve breakfast and give clothes to those in need with a local church. Seeing the faithfulness of the church members in this ministry and their heart to change their community was so encouraging.

We then did and evangelism workshop for the students here and learned our next principle, and boy that was humbling. Huge lesson on God's refining through the trials that occur in life. As one of the staff members shared his testimony on how God worked in his life through trials that came up all at once certainly reminded me of my life recently, how it won't always go my way, but i can know that I truly can trust in Him and seek Him and in doing so, fully believe that He will provide for all my needs.

Applying this lesson came way faster than expected, as one of the Puerto Rican students had their car broken in to as we were learning principle 4. Thankfully he only lost a bag of clothes and a pair of shoes. We then learned to apply our principle on trials in beach volleyball, and it was tough. The refs made wrong calls on purpose, gave unfair advantages, but we had to learn to submit and still play with joy and remember our greater purpose in sport and life.

We then did some beach evangelism, which was definitely interesting. A few good conversations were started despite the language barrier, and many Gospel tracts were passed out. God is at work.

We ended off the day by showing the 'Jesus film' in the most impoverished community on Mayaguez (Jane and Finch of the city). While promoting it, although scared I was greatly reminded of the power of prayer, so I prayed for the community. These people need hope. They need Christ. It's awesome seeing that a local church is following up on them.

So the day was eventful and interesting, but the one thing that God wouldn't get out of my head was my calling as a Christian to meet people's needs right where they're at. It's tough as it requires me to give up ALL I am and desire in wholly surrender. I want to graduate from university and go to grad school, get a nice job, get married and start a family, keep my hobbies, etc, but am I willing to say to God, that for. His sake I will give it all up? Maybe these things are in. His plan for me, maybe not, but can I surrender and count all things as rubbish just so I can know Christ?

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith -'
- Philippians 3:7-9

P.S. check out Derek Levendusky's song ''In the Wind''

The Least of These

Don't have much time to write this as we're about to head out, so yea...

Plans for today start with serving the homeless breakfast at ''Urban Mission'' church about half an hour away from our dorm. We'll then teach principle number 4: Hurtin' For Certain - learning to deal with trials and obstacles in life and apply these principles through some beach sports. We'll also be showing the Jesus film to the community we'll be in - one of the poorest in Puerto Rico.

Just praying that God gives us servant hearts and the remembrance that we can have strength to serve today through His love.

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
- Matthew 25:40

We love because he first loved us.
- 1 John 4:19