Culiacan, If That Means Anything To You

I guess it's time to update before I become so intimidated by the amount of time passed that I just forgo the whole thing all together. This won't be the most complete or lengthy update, but it's something, I suppose.

Culiacan ended up being much more of a dramatic experience than I had planned for. As soon as we got off the plane we were given a spiel about how they are not responsible for us if we are taken hostage and what to do if we are, in fact, kidnapped. It was all good advice, but it was an even better first impression. It seemed more comical than anything. My ignorant feelings of youth and invincibility, no doubt.

I ended up staying in Culiacan (with the missions organization there) for two weeks longer than my group...a strange serious of events involving visions and verses and various visits to make desperate payphone phone calls. It was one of the most challenging experiences I've ever had...I felt alone and isolated, with the language barrier and the lack of a support system and the way God was breaking my heart.

Overall, Culiacan undoubtedly changed my life. I have to admit I didn’t exactly come to Culiacan with fear and trembling. Instead I brought along with me a well-rounded plethora of expectations, most of which God turned upside down. I expected to be worked to the bone, but instead I was challenged to socialize with hours of free time. I expected to be amidst the first charge leading people to Christ, but instead I was challenged to pray from the sidelines. I expected to be broken by what I saw in the camps, but instead I was challenged to look inside myself and contend with my own brokenness. God is tearing away all the things in my life that I have cleaved to for so long until all I have left is Jesus. It is painfully liberating.