Street Dogs

I've never met a dog I didn't like. I have met many that didn't like me -usually Chihuahas. When we go to countries, I take constant grief over the fact that I befriend all dogs - Dirty, diseased, friendly, unfriendly, lost, and found. Most street dogs are unsocialized and not approachable. Others are reasonably social but have never been petted, scratched, loved, or cared for. Sad - very sad.

Last week we were in Chiapas, Mexico and toured a drug and rehab facility led and managed by one of our church partners. I found Chico the pit bull chained to this shed. The comments from my comprades were, "Ed, be careful." Chico had a sweet friendly face. We made eye contact and he seemed cool. Every step I took toward him his tail wagged harder. Hmmm...friend or foe? Still approaching I whispered sweet nothings along the way. Slowly I extended my hand to Chico. He responded with a huge lick. Next he was up on my arm soaking up the love and craving more. "Love me, love me, love me" he begged. Yes, I let him lick my face. This big guy keeps order around the rehab center. He does his job very well. But like alot of us, inside he is a marshmellow. I wouldn't have missed this relationship for anything. Chico and I have a thing goin' on!

Mexico National Conference

This great group of men, excluding the Gringo, produced another outstanding National Conference here in Tuxtla. From left to right: Alberto Barrita, Sebastian Ovando, Mario Avendano, and Gabriel Valdiviezo. A key member of the team Althea Sidaway is missing from this photo.

The phrase, "You had to be there." fits describing this event. There were great presentations and testimonies. As always, there was unity in the room. One hundred percent of exisiting systems attended and particpated along several pen!ding Church Partners. Our donors and guests were excited by what they experienced. Congratulations to Mario and his incredible Mexico team

Anticipation!

We pulled into our hotel after a long day of travel to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico. It was very hot, we were tired, ready to unpack, cool down, and rest. As we entered the parking lot we were greeted by this huge banner announcing our conference. The banner faces the main street of Tuxtla and makes a huge impression.

Instantly I forgot about the heat and fatigue and was very energized. How exciting! The Second National Conference ADU Mexico! My heart rate accelerated and my eyes filled with tears remembering God's annointing of the 2008 conference and anticipating what will take place tomorrow.

In the center of the banner you see the words Fisica, Social, and Espiritual highlighting the transformation our Church Partners provide their communities each day. Physical, social, and spritual transformation that is achieved by providing safe, affordable, water where it is needed most!

Tomorrow over 125 people from our churches come together for six hours of celebration, learning, and rejevenation for this ministry. I'm pumped. There will be hundreds of hugs and handshakes. God will be celebrated and honored by these incredible people. WOW!

Because of this banner the people of Tuxtla know that ADU is in the house! "To God be the Glory!"

Guerrillas of Grace

I love this concept and book of prayers brought to us in 1984 by Ted Yoder. This post is comprised of direct quotes from this book.

"The Old Testament prophets can easily be conceived as guerrillas doing battle with the established powers of their day. Jesus was the pre-eminent guerilla of grace: he confronted repressive institututions and liberated captive minds and hearts with his words and his life. The early Christians rallied to Paul's battle cry: "We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness..."

There are some characteristics of guerillas that give particular relevance to the use of that image to desribe Christians.

By any of our usual measures, guerrillas are a weaker force set against a superior, more organized power, a power which exerts both subtle and blatant pressures to conform. Guerillas are engaged in the battle to regain some territory, or some part of life, for a higher purpose, a truer cause. Doesn't "guerrilla" desribe the contemporary church in many developing countries?

It is also important to note that guerrillas usually work in groups. The point is that both grace and guerrilla are relational terms.

Guerrillas are never quite so desperate as they are confident. They believe they are fighting on the winning side, in spite of any and all appearances to the contrary.

Guerrillas are willing to give their lives, if necessary, because they believe the cause for which they struggle, and which struggles in them, will finally prevail. "

I want to be a "Guerrilla of Grace".