The real deal

I've finally finished my support letter, and they should be hitting your mail boxes in the next week or two. If you don't get an actual letter or want to be extra sure that you get one, please email me your address or find me if you live local (postage is expensive!) and I'll give you one. This is a scary but fun step, it's becoming very real now that I'm doing actual, concrete things and not just talking about it. Below is the text of the letter in case you're too anxious to wait for your mail.

This September, I’ll be moving to Monterrey, Mexico, to join Back2Back Ministries as part of their Short Term International Team (STINT). I feel so blessed to have this incredible opportunity! I’ve been involved with Back2Back Ministries for the past 10 years, and have been on numerous trips to Monterrey with my high school, church, and family. I’ve seen the ministry blossom over the past decade as people are introduced to Jesus and the amazing grace and perfect love that He offers. I’ve been able to see first hand how God loves and provides for the orphan child, and how God uses mission trips to dramatically change the lives of the Americans who participate in them, myself included.

For me, this one year STINT will be a continuation of a path I’ve been on for many years. My Dad likes to say, “past behavior predicts future performance.” If you know my Dad, you’re probably familiar with his funny sayings, but I can see that this calling to commit one year of my life to serving the orphans and the poor is just a continuation of my path. God has given me a compassionate heart and a love for working with children and for serving others. I’ve had the chance to work as a crisis counselor, be an orientation coordinator for incoming freshman at Purdue University, serve Clear River Church as a kids teacher and childcare coordinator, and work for several years as a full time social worker with high risk foster children in Indiana. God consistently breaks my heart for the needy, and while it’s often challenging, I’m committed to continuing on the path that He’s called me to.

During my one-year STINT in Mexico, I will work in two general areas: 1) I’ll help the 30+ Back2Back staffers provide “care for today and hope for tomorrow” for 8-10 children’s homes and impoverished communities, and 2) I’ll help guide mission groups from the States who leave their comfort zones and come to Monterrey to serve and often have life-changing experiences. I’ll also be able to use my education and experience in social work to help the ministry look at ways to more effectively serve the children and families in Monterrey.

As I prepare to leave, my biggest need is people to commit to regularly pray for me and for Back2Back Ministries. Moving to a new country where I don’t really speak the language and committing to serve orphans and the destitute is no small undertaking. While I’m incredibly excited, I also feel a little overwhelmed by the task at hand and the calling God has placed on my heart. As with most missionaries, there’s also a financial component. I need to raise $24,660 through one-time gifts and monthly supporters for my year in Mexico. This money covers my living expenses, travel documents, necessary insurance, and moving expenses. If you are able to commit to supporting me through prayer or financially, please complete the enclosed card and place it in the pre-addressed envelope which will go directly to Back2Back Ministries. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

For more information on Back2Back Ministries, visit www.back2backministries.org

To follow me on my journey, visit http://mexicomindy.blogspot.com

Sincerely,
Mindy Webster

webster.mindy@gmail.com

Come As You Are

Tony preached a challenging sermon yesterday on John 1:35-51. He talked about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, particularly that disciples of Jesus call others to come and follow Jesus as well. If you're looking for some pretty awesome teaching, visit Clear River Church and podcasts are at the bottom. I highly recommend.

One of the points in the sermon was that we want people to come as they are. Broken, confused, addicted, lost, angry, etc. His phrase was "come as you are, but don't stay there for long." We want people to ask the hard questions, get connected in lifegroups, receive prayer, be honest about their lives, etc. and find out who Jesus is and what He means to them. I instantly thought of the Hope Program that Back2Back runs in Mexico. Knowing many of the house parents for these teens, I know they want the kids to "come as they are". They long for honesty about where the kids are in life and where they stand with God. I also know how deeply these house parents want their children to experience the living God. How their hearts break when the teens turn their backs on God, and how they rejoice when a teen experiences who God really is and commits to following Him. In recent months, many of the teens have committed to being disciples of Jesus and have been discipling other teens in the program. They came to the Hope Program broken and confused, but sure didn't stay there for too long!

Faith

When I need to talk to God about something, or feel like God's trying to tell me something, I run. A nice long run, preferably on a trail, with some worship music playing in my iPod. There's something about running that strips away all of me, and leaves me open to God. This Sunday, I went for a long, muddy run and talked to God about support raising and the many mixed emotions I'm having about it. As I began to let my mind wander to what would happen if I didn't raise enough support, I heard clear as day. "Oh you of little faith!" It literally stopped me in my tracks in the middle of the trail. I spent the rest of my run trying to stay focused on examples of God's provision in seemingly impossible circumstances. Today, I got an email from someone who works with me at the YMCA who's interested in supporting me. I have never had a conversation with him about what I'm doing, he just came across my blog and wanted to know how he could help. Oh me of little faith.

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" Luke 12:27-28