For you, Lord.

Latest crush: Nikki Griffin.

Saw "Dukes of Hazzard" tonight in Santiago, and although the movie itself wasn't a winner (entertaining...but dumb), the woman who plays "Katie" is gorgeous. Turns out her name is Nikki Griffin and she appears to be a good person. By "good" I mean she has yet to succumb to the parties, drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity of the Hollywood scene. I know nothing of her spirituality, where she's been or what she's done. But, that aside, I'll enjoy being a young single male for the night by falling asleep with a smile on my face knowing she exists.

Prayer request: We're venturing out on our annual House Trip this upcoming week (9/19 - 9/24) and reservations have not been finalized for where we're staying, we're a little short on money due to changes within the ministries finances, and the house team itself is not communicating well with one another right now. Please pray for serenity among the house, His will to prevail, good weather, and a memorable experience of growth and adventure for my guys.

God bless.

Posted by: Matt / 9:02 PM

We just wrapped up Retreat Week here at Escuela Caribe. It's a week where we put aside structure in order to focus more on the spiritual aspect of a student's growth. Thought I'd comment on something I've been convicted on myself.

I've been convicted that I've begun to forget where I've come from. I have begun to forget the brokenness that caused my dependence to shift from the world to Christ. I don't want to forget what led me to the Lord; it's in large part the reason I am here in the first place and is my main ministry to these students. I am getting lost in the structure. As the days have passed from one to the next, I've lost track of a significant part of my identity. The very fact that I'm not proud of it, that it pains me to remember, and that it's still having an effect on the way I treat people derives from the fact that it's still a part of me and something I need to continue to deal with.

It's not that I'm a heathen for punishment, but what wisdom does a man truly possess if he doesn't remember where he came from? I can't forget that in more ways than one I should have been a student at this school. I'd have been the kid that performs to 3rd level within a couple months in the ministry, and then CRASHED once I had to deal with relationships, confront my peers relationally, and in general care about others. I'm still one selfish bastard.

But, ya know, it's getting easier. Lately a few people have angered me something severe...but I've maintained my perspective and not done anything irrational or impulsive. Instead, I plan on waiting till I...or the situation...cools off and then speaking with those individual's about the issues. It's finally clicked that yelling and screaming at people, no matter how much you want to and think they deserve it, isn't appropriate and doesn't heal the situation. Huh...whudda thunk? :)