We are on the bus, heading home. Air flights were smooth, on time and an easy connection in Kansas City. Two quotes from the book Girl Soldier, by Faith McDonnel and Grace Akallo that are applicable to our trip. “God doesn’t call us to live a safe life. [You need] to step outside of the normal American Christian life and pursue what you believe.” What is it we believe? We believe that without Christ one is lost.  Let’s not get comfortable with the “99” and think that is good enough.  What can we do? The list is endless. There are many that need financial and prayer support, just start looking at the church bulletin board or the web. Remember that “Nothing short of the power of (Jesus’) resurrection in the center of our lives makes it possible to meet the onslaughts of the enemy.” (Bishop Festo Kivengere)

We are waiting at our gate in San Diego. Our flight will be boarding in about a half hour. Everything has gone well and we are all looking forward to returning home. The weather is overcast so we hope it is suuny in Wisconsin. Here is a task for you, don't lets us forget about this past week. Ask us questions, find out what we learned, how it has changed our lives and ooh and aah over our pictures. Thank you again for sending us.

After a great worship service and a wonderful time by the tidal pools of Cabrillo National Park we returned to church for a dose of reality. We assisted with the supper for the homeless. The people who organize this every Sunday have a great heart for the lost.  Our students learned that each person has a story, they also had moms and dads and childhoods just like themselves. It was great to see our kids and adults sit down eat and converse with them.  The mime was well received and appreciated. The students also saw where bad decisions can lead you. We have also learned who God cares for: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36

On Friday morning Eddie Passmore gave us six tools to remove from our toolbox for life and six tools to put in the toolbox. The six to remove are; 1)The bite of business, too busy for God 2) the sting of stuff, materialism 3) the dangers of debt, deceitfulness of riches  4) the mistruths of mass media 5) the pull of the wrong  friends and  6) the crush of complacency, lukewarm. The six tools to add are; 1) The genuine guide, Jesus 2) the wealth of the Word, daily devotions and study 3) streamlined substance, John Piper refers to it as a “war effort lifestyle” 4) Christ centered companions, a strong support group 5) wrap yourself around the world, know who is lost and 6) intentional involvement, put your hat in the ring.  Whatever we do with this week, we must do something. We must to it unto the Lord.

Grass fire!! Brush and grass fires are a common occurrence in the Tijuana area.  Some are set intentionally as a controlled burn to reduce the threat of a large fire. Others just start and rage out of control threatening the dry wooden houses.  On Tuesday we experienced such a fire at one of the builds.

We were working on the roof when the fire was noticed. It was coming close and the local residences were attempting to extinguish the flames. I moved the van which was close to the fire while Matt Gunderson, an assistant chief to a volunteer fire station, grabbed a shovel and headed for the flames. I got a bucket of water from a resident and ran to help, directly towards the flames. It was a hot fire and I was trying to get in its path when Matt yelled “work in the black!” I didn’t understand and was soon in danger of being engulfed by the flames. I was stumbling through the long grass when Matt got me behind the flames and we quickly extinguished the fire. As we were soaking down the hot spots Matt explained that the safest place to fight a fire was from behind, “in the black”. I was standing in the fires fuel.  Behind the flames the fuel was already burnt, a much safer place. It is the same with our sins. We think we can fight them head-on, right in their midst, but it is not safe there. Christ has already consumed our sins. We don’t need to jump in front of them. We need to “work in the black”. Behind Christ who has taken the fuel of our sins away.

The day at the beach was outstanding. No major sunburn, the temperature was perfect and the surf was good. It was a good time together and relax. Sunday we visit Clairemont Emanual Baptist Church. Picnic in Cabrillo Park and the homeless supper in the evening. Pray for safety, compassion and refection on the week that will lead to action.

We arrived back in San Diego about 6:00 pm and got to the church about 8:00. We are looking forward to the beach on Saturday to relax and reflect. Interacting with the children at the orphanages was both wonderful and heart-rendering. Sixty pizzas were devoured. In poverty, disasters or war it is always the children that suffer the most. They are the "least of these" that Jesus loves deeply. If he does so should we. 

Now that we are done here is our daily routine. Arise about 6:30, devotions at 7:00, breakfast at 7:30, worship and preaching from 8:00 to 9:30, 9:30 -10:00 load the trucks and vans and head out to the build site. We returned from 4:00 TO 6:00, reload the trucks, shower, eat and prepare for the evening activities. Busy but exhilarating.

Forty-eight have committed to hiking up the mountain (foothill really) behind the dorm at five o'clock Friday morning.  It should be a great time for reflection and devotional. Hope they can all wake up early.

The builds are completed. Friday we will visit three different orphanges. We will bring them lunch (they asked for pizza) and learn something about about their mission. Then we will return to San Diego, spend a day at the beach on Saturday. Attend church Sunday and assist with a supper for the homeless at our host church. we will return on Monday. Pray that there is a lasting impact on all the participants, that we will return with not just a "Caravan high" but a desire to build on what we have learned and experienced from God.