Friday, March 11, 2011

open our eyes, lord....


Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing
to eternity.
i know many of you have heard these lines come following out as you worship. it is one of my favorites. man, hillsong sure can sing and their song "hosanna" is one that brings me to my knees every time i hear it.

there is something about hearing your desires brought to life in words...especially so beautifully sung. well, these are not only the desires i have for my life, but this is what i desire for the students at el pozo.

i want them to be made new. i want them to see the world through the eyes of christ. i want there hearts to break. I want them to serve. i want them to make a difference in the lives of their friends, family, their community, mexico, and the world.

so as i watched almost 60 of our students and staff put on their t-shirts and start walking down the streets of cholula, you can only imagine how i felt. AMAZING! this semester el pozo began its monthly community service event called "yo amo cholula" or "i heart cholula." we meet on the first friday every month and do something in the community.

our first day brought about 40 students to pick up trash along the main road in cholula. we were unsure how it was going to turn out being our first attempt at a large service event. but man did it exceed our expectations....but doesn't god often do that.

our second event brought more students and even some that don't attend el pozo. for example, we had about 6 to 8 football players come and serve because they knew a few people. they loved it and want to bring more of their teammates next time. since this was the second round, we wanted to do more than just pick up trash. so we decided to go to a local public school and help out with some of their needs. but instead of driving there, we met at the casa verde and walked. while walking, we picked up trash. once at the school, we sanded and painted 50 desks and benches and painted an outside wall.

it was awesome community....serving not only changes the lives of those who receive but also the lives of those who are giving of their time and energy. there is something that bonds people when they serve god's people together.

it is amazing to watch how god is working in the lives of the students. they are really starting to see outside their bubbles. they see needs. they are starting to listen to the burdens on their hearts. they are making a difference in so many ways...

teaching flag football to oprhans and then taking them to a college game...going and speaking with women in jail and telling them there is hope in Chirst and he came to wash them white as snow...planting orange trees in communities...parties for a local orphanage...building houses on the border for families who do not have home... helping to build water wells in local villages....and even going to kenya to help in the slums.

their heart's are starting to break...they see suffering and want to help...they desire to share the love of christ.

yo heart cholula has been awesome. but we know that god has so much more in store. we praise him for opening our eyes and we pray that he continues to work our our hearts.

here are some photos for the first two yo heart cholula events....enjoy!

(it is 2 am, my mind is sluggish, and uploading isn't going as planned so the photos aren't really in any order....sorry!)


carter is helping me paint a desk at the school

students sanding and painting 50 desks and benches


walking and picking up trash

the 2nd Yo Heart Cholula group photo


Photo of the shirt that every receives for participating


one of the 6 groups picking up trash....notice clay's festive hair cut for the event


clay and emerson picking up full bags and handing out new ones


my group was awesome...they were all amazing


1st ever Yo Heart Cholula group photo


our intern rada (1st on left) with a few of her group members

i look forward to seeing the last two events of the semester come together. can't wait to share more stories of how god is tugging at the hearts of the students at el pozo.

amanda



3 comments:

  1. I'm liking the shirts.......and clay's tribute. Looks like awesome stuff you're involved in and exposing your kids to.

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