As I wrote on Tuesday, the FYMs and leaders are all putting into practice this week what we are learning about fasting.  Today is the last day of our fast, and tomorrow morning we will all join together for a Celebration Breakfast and an end to this time of fasting.  God has spoken to each of us during this time of denying our flesh in order to seek Him.  As we empty ourselves, we allow Him to fill us with His presence.  During our class time this morning we shared what the Lord had been speaking to us during this week.  Read from Laura about what Lord is doing in her life through this week of fasting...

WHY FAST?  Well mainly because JESUS SAID TO!  This week we have been learning and living in a mode of fasting.  This mainly consists of certain meals being cut out and replaced with time with the Lord.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous… if you know me at all… you know that I do love my snacks and special treats!  Immediately God spoke to me in this kind of thinking and encouraged me to be open and that fasting had nothing to do with loving food.   Fasting is about LOVING GOD.   Why is it that we don't talk about fasting as much as they do in the bible… why is this not a practice that is common….common in the Christian community even?  Jesus is pretty specific about us fasting… not really much of a choice if you really read His Word.   We are currently in the middle of our week of fasting… and it has already been such a blessing.  What an amazing time for us to come together as a team and surrender ourselves before wanting MORE OF HIIM.   Once we were told of the schedule of fasting I began asking the Lord, "What is it that you want me to fast for?" The clearest answer is that I WANT MORE OF HIM… I want to be hungry for him and for His spirit to guide me.

When I worked at a camp there were different practices for the campers to earn different ranks and mainly to grow in their walk with the Lord.  One of the practices was a 12 hour time of not speaking.  During the last few weeks the Lord has been reminding me of some of my campers during their time of not speaking.  He then prompted me to try it for myself.  I decided that for one full day I would NOT SPEAK… those of you who know me are currently laughing and IM OKAY with that, more the reason I needed to do this.  The coolest part of this practice "fast from talking" is that I could never do it on my own… what mighty power there is in our God.  The Lord used psalm 139 to seal the deal in making me fast from speaking.   It says, "Where can I go from your spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."  I did not know this as truth in my life.  In some ways I would say my need to talk was filling in times where the Lord was speaking!  It was truly an enjoyable day.  If I had anything to say or NOT say… it was that much easier to speak to JESUS than to anyone else.  It was hard but the Lord made it clear what His requirements would be for this day… such as no cell phone calls or emails.  Sorry everyone!  He kept my focus and my attention on Him.  What a joy it will be to have my first words tomorrow be in worship to Him.

The FYMs have been back in Matamoros for a couple weeks, and are getting back into life and ministry here.  Look at what they have to say about their time back so far. 

It is weird because it's been three weeks already and it has gone by really fast. We received our schedule for the semester and it's looking good. We have a lot of things planned and I am excited for it to start going. I have decided to change my internship. I no longer go to the school, but now I go to the prison. I am very curious to see how God is going to use me there. I have been reading a book named "Irresistible Revolution: Living as an ordinary radical," by Shane Claiborne and it has taught me so much. It talks about how the world needs Christians that love God with all their heart and show the love of God to others. I just feel like I have not reached that point yet but I want to get there. I want God to take over my heart completely and I don't want to hide it. Sometimes I just have stop, take a deep breath, let it out and enjoy God, you have no idea how wonderful it feels. I recommend everyone trying it sometime if you already don't do it. Well that's all for this week, keep praying.  -Ifeoma

During our classes this week, we have been discussing Absolute Truth.  We've watched some great videos, thanks to our guest speaker, Tom Yancey.  This morning we watched as different priests, theologians, professors and authors from across the nation testified to the solid reliability of the gospels.  It was very informational and something that definitely spikes my interest.

They all had interesting things to say but one priest mentioned something powerful that stuck out to me and I'll share paraphrased, (sorry I don't remember his name...Jerry something or other): "The gospels aren't intended to remind us of a dead master, they're intended to assure us of a Living Lord."  -Jessica

The best way to describe being back is a sense of Newness.  There is such a sense of freshness and revised vision for our time here.  It is more a feeling that the LORD has much in store for these last months here.  It is hard to believe we are halfway through our year here and that this time when we go home...we are finished. It has been such a blessing to catch up with all of our friends that we left for a month…they are all so amazed that we actually did return...they keep asking why come back and why would our parents let us come back....and the easiest answer is the LORD himself brought us back. It has been especially exciting to catch up with my friend Concha in el Campo…it is full of fun conversation and lots of laughter!!! It is still so amazing her openness to our group and her desire to get to know us better and serve our team…We had a birthday party for one of my group members TIMI and Concha came and we danced together and got to spend time with her outside of her house and it was such a cool time...celebrating together and not just sitting and talking...but really doing normal life things…such as dancing and singing together.  Yesterday was our first day back in our internships and it was GREAT...I really missed spending time with the people at the hospital! All the nurses were so excited to see us come back and immediately directed us to the patients.  We spend time playing games with some of the kids and then went to the surgery wing and met three amazing women who were all in the same room…but did not know each other before entering the hospital...but shared the joy of the Lord through their suffering...it was SUCH a testament of the LORD's work during times of pain and hardship…SUCH encouragement for our group to hear. -Laura

In talking to some of you individually over break, I asked for prayer about God's clear leading concerning internships for this semester.  I just read an incredible book about healing by Bill Johnson called When Heaven Invades Earth.  I felt God pushing me to step out and walk in the power and authority that He hands to believers by going to the hospital to pray over/ with patients.  I went to the hospital yesterday, and really felt it was where I needed to be, and the other night in Granjas, God completely and miraculously healed the pain in our friend Carmen's arm.  I felt this was confirmation for to the hospital for my internship.  I did all of this thinking that Alejandra had gotten out of jail, but when the other girls got back from the jail yesterday, I found out she was still there.  I'm going tomorrow to talk to her, see what the deal is, see if she's still supposed to get out, but please pray for clarity for me in what to do, and leading for others if someone else is being called to disciple her this semester.    Pray for clarity, and for understanding on her part and for God to work His way in all these things.  I'm so thankful that God is a God of details, and I eagerly anticipate seeing how He pulls all these things together perfectly.  He always does, doesn't He?!  Oh, we serve such a loving God... -Lauren

I made it back to Mexico and it feels good to be here and to be reunited with our group.  I spent most of yesterday unpacking and catching up with everyone.  This afternoon I will be visiting our neighborhood and I'm very excited to visit our friends and see how they are doing.  Pray that God would help me in my Spanish - I've been out of practice for a while.  Please continue praying for me as I am readjusting to life in Mexico.  I am excited about this semester and am anticipating God working and moving in big ways in and through us.  I already feel like I've learned so much, and I've only been here for a day.  I read Matthew 10 this morning where it talks about loving God more than your family and giving up your life to follow him.  Jesus says that when we lose our lives, we will find them.  I hope that this semester I lose my life and find true life - life in abundance.  I hope that as I get to know Jesus more, my love for Him will be unrivaled.  I was reminded yesterday that I don't need friends, I don't need family, and I don't need money - all I need is Jesus.  The other stuff is great, but I can live without it.  I cannot live without Jesus. -Abbey

                When thankfulness comes from our heart thanksgiving becomes more than a Thursday on a calendar it becomes a lifestyle for a Christian.  According to1 Thess. 5:18, Heb. 12:28, Ps. 69:30, and Ps. 147:7 thanksgiving is what our hearts should be about but sin is what happens when we are ungrateful and unthankful (Romans 1:21-32). They did not glorify God nor give God thanks, and when that occurred they walked right smack into a bunch of other sins.  Since I've been down in Mexico I have looked around and started comparing myself with the people down here, and in my heart I thought "God, you have blessed me so much.  Thank you, God."  In my heart I thought that God was teaching me gratefulness by comparing what they have to what I have, what their health is to my health, or their poverty to mine. But then God has been teaching me that the comparison to others was hindering my thankfulness, and who hasn't done that?  You're feeling down and then, oh well, at least I have health, family, job... And we try to get thankfulness from it from comparing and not having our thankfulness rooted in on what God has done for us (Gal. 6:1-5, Col. 2:6-7).   I was running the other day in my colony like normal and it was like God just hit me with his love and looking around I realized the little things that God has created and I was just so in awe of the little things that he had made. There were clouds, scenery, people whom our team has established relationships with in the colonia (especially Oscar this short lil beautiful kid whom I saw and love) and there was of course the duck that chases me every morning and its owners who laugh at me while I run away from their big scary duck. And this thanksgiving is unlike any other for me b/c I'm Wowed of what God is doing around in the little things and I'm not focused on a week where the world says, "Hey, gives thanks this week," but from my heart thankfulness to Jesus Christ as Paul says in 2 Cor. 9:15. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! God has been working through our team and has been establishing incredible relationships/changing lives and I encourage you to just look around at what God is doing and be thankful for your work in the Lord b/c it is not in vain and rejoice for He has/is/will continue to do great things. - John

                                                          For my internship this last Wednesday, my group and had to spend our time at the hospital a little differently. There are three parts of the hospital we are aloud to be in, pediatric, surgery, and internal medicine. 

On Wednesday we first went to pediatrics, but the only room we are aloud in was very busy, and overcrowded, so we thought that us being in there might just be too many people. We then went to surgery, and internal medicine, but could not find anyone who really wanted to sit and talk. It was really strange, because usually we find one or two people we end up visiting with the whole time. 

After that, my group and I looked at our watches and saw that we had an hour or so left before we were supposed to leave. We decided to pray. It was the perfect opportunity to just pray over the hospital, doctors, nurses, security guards, patients, and anything in-between.

Sometimes you can get so caught up in the work that it is easy to forget why you are doing things and Whom you are doing things for. It felt great to give all of the glory to God.

                Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans of the heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Jenny

                Lately I've been working on forgiveness and how for me it's a huge part of my problem to get rid of my anger issues.  Issues that I have ignored from my past, ones that I should have dealt with but never did so I could hold on to it.  Why?  Who knows...not even I have a good excuse anymore to hold on to it.  I've also realized how it hinders me not only from doing God's will but also how it hinders my growth in Him.  I've been working hard on that ever since I got here and now I finally feel like I'm breaking free of it all!!  As I type this my back is tensing up and I'm beginning to get a headache all because I'm dying to myself and glorifying God in sharing this with you!  Glorios Dios Glorios!!

                God has also been opening my eyes and helping me see the warfare going on around me not only in my life but in this country.  Oh how the enemy is attacking and trying to take hold of those who are precious to God! I've been reading/working through "The Warrior's Journal" by Seth Barnes (by the way you are the man, Seth!) and it has been showing me just how critical it is to be aware of the war between heaven and hell, between God and the enemy and how there are so many lost souls caught in the middle of it all. Also he is showing me how it is okay to hate the enemy and to hate evil things in this world, that it's okay to have a hatred for those things!  Love it!  I truly feel God working on me not only to become a warrior for him but also help make others aware of it as well!  Until then though I'll train and wait...  - Jeanne

                Okay yesterday I did two different WOWs, which I think was the reason why I was so tired.  So the first one I went to Estrella because we wanted to visit Laura, but she ended up not being home.  So we went to our friend Erica's house.  It's really cool because Erica had never been to church until last week.  She told us about a dream she had- that Jesus came to her and said, "I'll never leave you, I'll always be with you; I'm never going to forsake you."  Its really cool because I asked her if she had ever read Hebrews, and I kind of figured she hadn't since she hasn't had a whole lot of experience with God, and actually she can't read so she definitely hadn't, but I shared with her that Hebrews 13:5 says "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So that is super cool because I think she got it - that her dream was most definitely a God thing.  But then she went into this whole thing about how her son Luis has to wear a catheter and he never goes to the bathroom when he needs to, and she was just describing the agony she goes through as a mother with a really sick child, especially since this has been going on since he was 3, so for the last 7 years, and how every day its washing his clothes over and over and getting him to bathe over and over and then she said, "This is my life.  I'll never be happy, because this is my life."  It just broke my heart because she has no idea that joy comes only from the Lord, so we talked about that and shared with her some things we've learned in our own lives.  So I just ask that you pray with me about her, that God would speak loudly to her, that he would pour his peace over her, the peace that is not what the world knows but that only comes from HIM.  - Lauren

Though Thanksgiving isn't that big of a holiday here in Mexico, our team is planning on celebrating it this Thursday.  After this morning's debrief, a team member mentioned something that became a challenge to me personally as I reflected on what and who I'm most thankful for.  It's not a matter of comparing ourselves with anybody here, for example, seeing how little some may have and being grateful that we've been given "more" maybe on a material level.  And it's definitely not about comparing ourselves with one another and feeling inadequate or even better than anybody.  It's about giving God thanks for everything He has done in our lives and being sincerely thankful for what He has done, is doing and is going to do. 

             I'm not going to lie about being excited to go home for Christmas.  I just don't want it to become a distraction so that I miss out on what God wants to do in the here and now in my life.  He brought me here for a reason and I want to soak it in.  - Jessica

Last week the FYM team (and leaders) enjoyed a break from the normal schedule when Marcus, Greg, and Jay came down from Berean Bible Church in Columbus, Indiana.  Though it was hard work, and we were all exhausted so much of the time, we all learned more about working together as a team and completed numerous projects around the base.  The group also went to the city's old dump, where people still sometimes go to look for aluminum, and this is always something that touches the FYMs' hearts.  I'll let the FYMs tell you what God has been doing in them this past week.

Okay, so this past Sunday we went to visit our friends Laura and Adolfo again and they are doing better. Laura said she has been praying for Adolfo all week and it turns out he didn't drink that whole week. How cool is that!...it so awesome to see this happen because she was just wearing the holy death bracelet about 2 weeks ago and now it's off her wrist and she's praying. I can't imagine what God is already doing her life, how much her faith has grown already and how much He is speaking to her. God is pretty tight!...Anyways on to other stuff. This past week we did construction on the church all week and it was pretty fun, it's cool to see that we made a difference in the church physically. We met new people while we were at it also. Next week for thanksgiving I can't wait because we are going to the beach and having a thanksgiving dinner or lunch not sure but it sounds tons of fun and really want it to come soon...Everything is going well here and God has been of course moving in our lives…keep praying and God bless. - Ifeoma

Another thing that surprises me about the nature of prayer is how sporadic the answers tend to be.  Sometimes we wait like Abraham (the dude was like 100 when he and Sarah had their promised child, Isaac).  Sometimes I'll pray an intercessory prayer for someone's health, family relationships, or a marriage and *poof* the prayer is answered the next time we see them. 

This week, this couple we know, Adolfo and Laura (21 and 16 years old!) have begun to repair their marriage that was on hiatus.  Adolfo is now on the wagon (not drinking anymore) and they both showed up to our church last night.  In addition, a lady in colonia Estrella named Erica (she is a nonbeliever) said that after her prayer with us, a man dressed in white surrounded by angels (she knew this was God) told her to join him, that he will never leave her, and that she should come to our church on Sunday. 

God hears our hearts, even if they are not in prayer.  Thanks to Him that he can calm my restless one, and that he's going to keep at it.  - Jill

God has been teaching me a lot about learning to allow him to be MORE than enough for me.  He has shown me that HE will sustain me even when I am tired and don't want to work all morning shoveling cement then go visit people at the hospital... how very blessed we are to have a God that knows our hearts better than we do... He KNOWS intimately every feeling, frustration, ache and pain and truly can provide sustainability for HIS WORK.  It has been a joy to do HANDS on work… literally manual labor which has kept us busy and exhausted but it is nice to have a project that we can see its result.  - Laura

Poco a poco.  Little by little.  That phrase has become my theme for this experience.  Everything takes time and is a process.  Little by little things happen.  Little by little things change.  When I struggle with Spanish, I remember "poco a poco".  It's a process.  I don't become fluent overnight.  Lately I have been frustrated because I feel inadequate with the language.  For the most part I can communicate, but I'm longing to be able to fully express myself to people.  I'm learning to wait and be patient.  I'm learning to take advantage of what I know and be eager to expand that knowledge.  Some days are definitely easier than others, but I can feel myself growing in many ways poco a poco. - Abbey

This week has been a lot of fun. I have had some really great experiences. On Tuesday we went to our community to visit the people there and we visited a family that we always do and usually the dad is not there because he drinks a lot. Well, on Tuesday he was there it was cool because he was actually interacting with his son. I got to play soccer with them. I really didn't get one on one time with my dad or either of my step dads growing up. So I kind of was a little bit jealous. Then we went to our discipleship class and I teach the kids. Usually they are off the wall crazy but this time they were well behaved. What a great day it was to see some change in things. Then on Wednesday I went to my internship at the children's home and it seems like the kids are growing closer to us every time. It is so fun to just either sit and hold a kid, tickle them or play with them. I am really excited to see what else is in store for the rest of the week. Stay tuned for more. - Chad

I have seen dumpsters in Romania, I am telling you...but this past weekend, when we went to the dump in Matamoros, I seriously thought we were at a never ending huge city or something....I mean look at the pictures!!!! Our team went out to the garbage dump to hand out hot dogs to those who work there.  God is so cool! He gave me the opportunity to get to talk with 3 men who work there and share with them, that not only Mexico has places like this....they were so surprised that there are other countries in this world where there is poverty.  This just reminded me to be very thankful for the country God wanted me to be born and raised. It was such a cool opportunity to get to share with these men the hope why actually I am down here in Mexico!  Please pray for them that the Holy Spirit would remind them of what they have heard about Jesus and why not that He would convict them about their need! Thank you! - Timi

Greetings from Matamoros, Mexico!  God is continuing to do great things in the FYM team here.  After a week of teaching from Scott Borg, we are all ready to work on aspects of our character that need improvement.  We truly were blessed by his visit, as he had much wisdom to impart to each of us.  He also brought the cold weather with him, so the FYMs got their first experience of the Matamoros winter.  Now I'll let the FYMs tell you what God had been doing in their lives recently.

I would love to thank those of you who are praying for my team and for how God is growing me individually-I feel it so strongly, like I am just surrounded by a bubble of prayer and like I'm being constantly lifted up.  I've seen God moving really powerfully in the past week or so- we've had some cool times of being really honest as a team, bringing things out onto the table so that they can no longer secretly take root.  Please continue to pray for us, that we would lay down pride and the different issues we're struggling through so that God would have all of each one of us to work with and mold into the men and women He wants us to be.  This week we had the blessing of having Scott Borg, AIM staffer, come speak to our team about character, and it was just so cool to be encouraged in traits like perseverance, responsibility, humility, wisdom, compassion, integrity, respect, self-control, devotion, selflessness, and courage.  We all shared one or two things we would love to see ourselves grow in, so if you want to pray for me- please pray that God would develop in me a lifestyle of selflessness and service, that my pride would not puff up in me every time God starts to use me, that I would not serve because I have something to prove but simply as an overflow of the Holy Spirit within me.  - Lauren

So this week in class we have been talking about building character.  We were asked how we want to grow in our character.  For me it is like this, I want to have courage to stand strong in the Lord and really be able to step out in faith and serve the Lord. I really feel like I am insecure in myself and want to be stronger.  This morning in my quiet time I read in 2 kings 18-19 How King Hezekiah was pressed by the Assyrians and they were telling him how they were going to conquer his city but he kept the faith and God provided for him.  He did not back down, and that is what I want for my life to stand up for what I believe in and not be ashamed to share the gospel. I know that I let others conquer me with words or just by talking about me but not anymore.  I want to be able to step up and get ready for the battle and allow God to work through me.  - Chad

      Chad, Lauren & Jenny in las Granjas

I am so excited at the relationships that are being built. It has taken some time, but there are so many friendships that are growing, of course between my team and I but also with the locals here.  For example there are some little girls that are neighbors of ours. Every time they see me walking up the street they come running! I know that they crave the attention and love that they are receiving from our team, but it is so much more.  We are able to give an abundance of love because of the love that Christ has given to us. - Tamara

On Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon I visit people at the hospital just to spend time with them and listen to them and sometimes pray with them.  The first week we were here we were told to pray about where God would lead us for our internships.  I felt the Lord lay the hospital onto my heart.  He gave me the strength to trust that this was where He wanted me even though I do not like hospitals.  The hospital here is still one of the scariest places for me but the greatest gift in that is that I KNOW I can NOT walk in on my strength but on HIS ALONE.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" He promised me that when I am weak HE IS STRONG and this is so true and evident in my time at the hospital.  We have made wonderful relationships with the patients sharing our trust in the Lord as a healer with them and listening to their hardships.  We have learned to bear the burdens of those we meet in surrendering them to the Lord.  It is getting easier to walk through the doors of the hospital because I can feel the Lord's presence.  - Laura

The FYM team has been here in Matamoros for one month now!  They have been getting adjusted to life in Mexico and have been leaning a lot from the Lord.  Listen to what they have to say:

There has been a lot of rain this week, so the streets in our colonia are pretty much flooded.  Somehow the people here still manage to get around.  We walk down the street struggling to stay clean and on our feet in rain boots, while the locals walk around in high heels or white tennis shoes without a problem.  It's crazy!

I'm still in the process of adjusting to everything - life here, my "new language", and my new family/friends.  The people and the culture are amazing.  In its own way, Matamoros is so beautiful.  It doesn't look like New York and there aren't any tall buildings, but to me it feels good.  I feel at home here - the same way I've always felt in Latin America.  Even though I'm still getting used to actually living here, I feel like I fit in.  I love Spanish and I love the way of life.  I'm looking forward to building relationships with people from church and in this area. 

But it is really difficult, too.  For the first time in my life, I don't know anyone (well, now I do, but when we started I didn't know anyone).  In a way I'm struggling because I want to know and be known intimately.  I hate superficial relationships.  I want to be free to be real and to be open and honest.  I feel like that is starting to happen, but I'm not totally there yet.  I'm looking forward to that point, though.  Our team is amazing and there are so many great people here, but in so many ways I am longing to understand and to be understood. - Abbey

If there is anything I do not like down here its the mud and the mosquitos! Seriously its like they are mutant (probably because they are born out of the mud and only God knows what's in that) and it doesn't matter how much repellent I put on they still bite me!! Seriously they sneak up on you and you don't know if you've been bitten until it's too late! Them little suckers have to die!

Okay now that the rant is over... this week has been a really good one. I've been learning a lot about faith and have been building up my faith. So cool to read the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Samuel, Saul, Elijah, Elisha and others! It's so cool! I've also been learning to let God love me. It's been very hard and I've never done it before... in fact I really don't know how to let God love me but I'm trying! - Jeanne

As we spend more and more time in the city, I begin to like it and the people double that.  Faces become familiar and soon, just like home, you meet friends who become family and hear stories that both touch and break your heart.  Despite any living conditions that are unfamiliar and sometimes awkward and uncomfortable, you begin to feel and see beyond those things; as they fade away more and more, the best things come forward.  You begin to accept the mud mainly because it's inevitable...but not quite the mosquitoes.  The 12 people who were strangers are now 12 of some of the neatest people you have met and all have something different to bring to the table.  All different with our King in common. - Jessica

Recently we starting doing our WOW's (walking on water) this consisted of going out to different neighborhoods nearby and doing whatever the Lord tells us to do.  Honestly it is a little scary!  My group went to one neighborhood nearby then the one we live in.  We did some prayer walking in asking God to lead us to people that we needed to talk with.  In Libertad (where I live) we met a girl who was about 19 and she is AMAZING! We were actually just walking in front of her house and she came out to show us how to avoid a big puddle of mud on her street. (mud is a COMMON navigation situation) We began talking with her and spending time getting to know her.  Her name is Karen and she watches her little brother Angel during the afternoons.  She asked us to come back another time so that we could meet the rest of her family.  This Sunday was our first chance to go back to meet them so we went about an hour before church (our church starts at 6:30) and we met the mom and dad! He actually spoke some English so it was fun to teach him and him teach us more Spanish.  I was amazed by how welcoming they were.  Their hospitality truly encouraged me! They immediately wanted to know if we wanted a coke and then the mom began to share her birthday cookies with us!!! The dad went on to say that "su casa, Mi Casa" and that His family is our family now! I was so blown away by the generosity of this family.  The mom and sister and little Angel ended up attending church with us and it was so much fun! We introduced them to more people from their neighborhood that were church members and I believe they felt the Lord loving them! I am amazed by their service to my team! God truly provides encouragement and such provision! We thought we were going to serve them. How great our God is! - Laura