GOD'S VOICE: Outreach Location

I was super sad when I realized that a virus would keep me from my home base in El Salvador.  However, I soon found that there are many other lovely YWAM locations.  Part of the reason I chose this base in Ensenada is because its outreach location options included India.  I've always wanted to go to India and have considered doing long-term missions there someday.

However, I was in the prayer room praying before they even told us where our outreach locations would be.  While in prayer, the idea of Latin America was bursting in my head.  The idea was coming into my mind over and over again.  I did not, in fact, receive an image; however, this is a good way of describing the boldness of my thoughts on Latin America.  If there were a map of all the nations, it would be like all the countries were in black and white, except for the Americas south of our border. All of my attention and emotions in prayer were directed to that location.

My reaction?  Anger.  Sorrow.  Brokenness.

I kept praying and praying, asking God if this is really where he wanted me to go.  After all, God gave me a strong desire for the unreached.  Why on earth would he send me to Latin America?

I almost cried on my way to the classroom meeting.  There was a knot in my stomach and I began to feel physically ill.  God, why would you create me with such desire and purpose, but then not lead me in that direction?

Once I got to the classroom, we heard a short description of each location accompanied by some short videos.  As soon as they showed the video about Mexico, I began to cry.  They were tears of brokenness for the people and celebration for how faithful God is.

Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico.  In Chiapas, we will be working with unreached, indigenous tribes.  With these groups, we will especially be meeting medical needs concerning a rare skin disease contracted by incest.  This illness is common in the tribes and although incurable, it is treatable. 

The goal will be street evangelism and handing out Bibles in Oaxaca, an incredibly spiritually attacked city.  The main religion is a very spiritualistic form of Catholicism, so we will definitely need prayer.  The evangelical Christians also experience strong persecution.

I placed this option as my first choice and will now be going with 12 other students and 2 leaders to Chiapas and Oaxaca in Mexico come the end of December.

Please, pray for spiritual protection, opportunity to meet physical needs, and most importantly, pray that we would have the means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the nations in tangible ways, bringing his kingdom with truth and love, with signs and wonders, and with humility and grace.