Day 1

Looking for the orphans....

It sounds weird to write it out, but I think I will stick to this better than journaling.  My name is Alan and I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  I know this blog might be read by some, but I am doing it as if no one is going to read it...but God.  This is my writings, thoughts, and prayers to God.  So anyways, my wife and I just returned from Mexico on a mission trip working with none other than orphans in Monterrey, Mexico.  It was a very, very powerful trip.  I have had the thoughts and desires to help orphans for a long time, but have never really voiced that desire.  I also feel like God has been whispering his desires for me and my family in my ear over the past few months.  Tonight I am just exhausted.  I left Monterrey with a feeling of satisfaction and a peace that God is working in our lives.  I have a renewed desire to spend time with God and read the bible, a desire to pray continually, and a yearning to write stuff.  I guess it's my way of processing.  "Look for the orphans in my life."  This has been my secret motto over the past few months.  The slogan came to be when I heard my pastor use it during his sermon.  I don't think it had anything to do with his sermon, or that he even said it exactly like that, but I do feel like it was a nudge by God to get my attention.  This has stuck with me and I see it everywhere, from randomly popping into my head during the day, to every time I open the Bible it is about the care for orphans.  Like tonight.  I prayed to God feeling that he was trying to tell me something, but not knowing what he wanted me to hear.  I completed a small devotional and picked up my Bible to read, praying for God to tell me where to go.  James was the book that came to mind, so I opened it up.  The first section was James 1:19-27-Listening and Doing. Verse 27 says, "Religion that our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  Thank you Father for continuing to speak to me.

The thing that I continue to pray for is to continue to rely on God and HIS plan.  I don't know what God has in store for my wife and I.  Are we going to serve here in the United States, or is he calling us to long term missionary work?  Either way, I must keep my eyes on his and trust in him completely.  I am praying every night for my eyes, ears, and heart to stay open for God.  I am praying for Michele, Jennifer, Luis, Javier, and Pancho.  All of these are kids that I interacted with over the past week.  It's funny how you are the one that is supposed to be helping them, but it feels like they end up showing me more.  A whole lot more.  Maybe when I can process it some more, I will reflect on some of the stories.  Thank you God for using my life.  Don't let the ME get in front of what you have in store.....Amen.