Day One - Saturday - July 12, 2014

Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As we begin this journey, this is the verse for our trip.  For me the question posed by this verse just hangs out there and won't go away.  Jesus essentially asks the question, what are giving your life for?  Are you living to pay the bills, afford the toys, find the perfect relationship?  Are you chasing after, giving your time, spending your energy for same thing as the rest of the world?  How is that working out for you?  Are you frustrated?  Tired?  Worn down?   

And then comes the question from Jesus that just won't go away?  What are you living for?  The implication is very clear, Jesus believes that the only thing worth giving your life for is others in such a way that it makes an eternal difference.  This is accomplished through service.  Serve one another rather than be served.  I know this goes against the way the rest of the world thinks and acts, but again, how is following the way of the world working out for you?  Jesus proposes a different way to think and act and feel and believe.  

That's what we are doing this week as we head down to Mexico.  Try it at home, at work, it works anywhere.

Our day started by seeing for the first time everyone that was going on the trip.  We gathered at 6:30 am and no one was late, just a little slow :).

We learned our numbering counting system for roll call and found out that 42 is not 42, it is Jackie Robinson.

We piled into 7 vehicles and hit the road at 7:40 am.  We hit a rest stop about 2.5 hours later.  Had lunch at the foot of the grapevine.  Made a much needed rest stop 3 hours later where several of us had trouble walking because we had to "go" so badly; and almost everyone made it.  We arrived at the wrong hotel, figured out the mistake and then drove to the correct hotel.  Had a relaxing evening of supper and swimming as we prepare for entering Mexico today, Sunday, July 13.

Please pray for our group to be united around serving others and not ourselves, and pray this for yourselves as well.

Below are some photos....