“I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather
burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with
light”
— John Keith Falconer

In just five weeks in Mexico, I learned more lessons than I ever imagined.
It even took my coming back to the states to realize a few that God had been trying to teach me on the Ranch.

Those lessons changed my life.
Every day changed my life.

I’d like to share a few of those lessons I learned.
Its just a glimpse, but I pray that by sharing what I learned I can touch a few hearts as well.

1. You may be stepping out of your comfort zone, but that is the only way to truly live a life with Christ.
2. God works in wondrous ways to bring strangers from around the world together; coming together with strengths and weaknesses and becoming a family with a new mission.
3. Simply go. Don’t second guess yourself.
4. Prepare for the worst, except the best, and take what comes. Guarantee nothing will ever go perfectly as planned. Be flexible, be ready.
5. Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God. Take a chance, step out of your comfort.
6. Be a grabber of the impossible – because truly, when in Christ it is not impossible.
7. Trials and troubles will come, but take them with a lesson. Do not allow your heart to get wrapped up in the struggle, because you are only allowing Satan to weave his way into your heart. Holding on to the mishaps will only bring you down and distract you from what is really at hand.
8. Be exhausted at the end of each day. Time is going to fly. Don’t take it for granted. Embrace each day, and cherish it. Spend as much time as you can loving others and showing the love of Jesus.
9. Don’t be afraid to step out and build new relationships – overcome the boundaries of language and culture.
10. Allow your heart to be vulnerable, and allow God to renew it and fill it with a new love. Because you are going to experiences new adventures, new love, and new joys that you never even thought possible.
11. Get up early, and be silent. Be with Christ. Then spend your entire day in conversation with Him. The leave your heart at peace throughout each day.
12. Children. Just have a conversation with one. Despite their broken pasts and their constant struggles, they still have such a deep joy in their hearts and a huge smile across their face. Not to mention Christ in their lives and love in their hearts. They will truly love you more than you ever thought you would be able to love them.

Do not go only expecting to change the lives of others.
Trust me, they will change you more than anything.
They will open your heart and eyes.
Show you a new way of life.

Maybe it’s cliche to say, but my heart truly does reside in Mexico now.
In each and every one of those orphanages, in the broken communities, on the Ranch, on the beach, at the park, at the top of the mountain, even in the city.
It’s a place I know I can always call home.

Now I’m home, back to a routine, and back to a place that continually knocks me down for what I believe.
But that doesn’t mean I am giving up, or putting everything behind me.
I may have left a lot in Mexico, but I brought so much more back with me to the States.

I will continue to reach out and love the unlovable.
I will keep giving up my time for others.
I will be selfless and open hearted.
I will continue to go.

I do not need to go to another country to continue the mission.
The mission is in my heart, and the field is everywhere which God resides.

Be there.

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