Well despite popular belief, I am still alive . True, I have not posted in like 3 months, but life has been going on!

So much as been going on since my last blog. I’m working as a supervisor in GE, taking college classes, living in a “house,” and making my own food. I’m really enjoying my year so far. Things have been really different, but I love what I do. Right now, I’m taking college algebra, english 101, US history and government. They’re going pretty good…I think I’m going to finish this semester with a B/A average.

Some things that have happened are graduating from HA, participating in ESOAL again, working, college, and other random stuff. This weekend is the fasting LTE, which begins for me tonight. We’re only fasting till Sunday, though.

I’ve also figured out today the term for what I want to do: Kingdom Business (aka Business as Mission). It’s basically combining overseas missions and starting businesses in the countries. More info at www.businessasmission.com.

Well that’s all for now, have a blessed night!

Well I’ve been in Tijuana for a few days now - it’s going great! The teens just arrived yesterday, and I spend the day in San Diego overseeing the finance registration process. This has a lot of responsibility so there’s been some stressing times but it is all good. Today I’m working on getting everyone financially complete. Hopefully after this things will be a little easier as the routine part of the trip kicks in. Everyone is having lots of training today to prepare to go out into the city tomorrow. The weather has been hot, but not that humid so it doesn’t feel as bad. Since we’re close to the desert the nights get pretty chilly too. Ok, well I need to get back to work! Later!

Here’s an update on my trip…

First, let me just start out by saying “thank you” for all of your prayers and support! Thanks to you I was able to go and minister to the people in Matamoras, Mexico.

The trip began for me on the 24th, when I began training as a leader on the trip. Global Expeditions does a great job in making sure everyone is under some form of leadership. I was what is known as a Missionary Adviser - basically a leader for a small group of 4-5 guys, which I counseled and poured into during the trip. I also helped to assist the my team leaders in any way possible. Once all the teens arrived we began two intense days of training here at Teen Mania’s campus, coving the drama, VBS, and evangelism 101.

Our ministry plan was comprised of building a home for a needy believer, performing bible school for the kids, street evangelism, and a drama. I was able to play a part in our drama teams, which touched many people’s lives. It is about three different people - a weeper, a lame man, and a blind man. The “ragman” (a form of Jesus - this was what I played) comes to each person and takes their pains on himself, by the end leaving him stricken with all three ailments. He then allows himself to be nailed to a cross, dies, and is miraculously raised from the dead - free from the problems he took on. One of the leaders would then come up and relate the gospel to it. It was so amazing being able to see people’s lives touched in a tangible way and getting to lead them to Christ.

We also did construction each day. I was apart of this team, and we worked (often in tropical storm like rain) to build a house for a women in the church (I’ll call her Maria) and some people she took in. I hope her story touches you as it did me.

One of the ladies she took in was a frail little old women you just wanted to scoop up in your arms and take care of. She had literally been kicked out of her house by her son to live helpless on the streets. One day after this, she was hit by a car - leaving her unable to move around without the use of a walker and in constant pain. Maria took her in along with her daughter. This lady suffers each day from the pain and agony of having her three-month baby snatched from her by men who took advantage of their circumstances - not knowing where he is, if he’s still alive. If this was not enough, since Maria was out of a house herself the old lady and her daughter have to sleep on the muddy, dirty ground until we finished it. While we were down there it poured each day and the only shelter they had was a tied-up tarp and an outhouse. It was such an honor to be able to provide a basic form of shelter for these women! It was also a joy to be able to pray with them and see them glorify God despite their circumstances. This was a reality check for me to see how good I really have it.

I’ll share some other stories. One day were were doing street evangelism at park around a lake within the city. My team leader and I had almost gone there the day before but stopped because it didn’t feel right for him to go there. So the next day we were are praying with a few people scattered about when one of the ministry groups (called MiGs) began talking to two middle-aged men. Everyone who was done gathered by them off to the side a little. Then two of the girls in my MiG began to get that gut feeling in them that something bad is about to happen. I too did not feel right either. We began to pray for the group witnessing to the men for a little bit and then broke off again. One of the teens from that group came to us and said that these men were very confused about what to believe (Satan definitely had a hold in their life) and that while we were praying they were receptive, but now they were beginning to argue back. So I got everyone back together and we started praying again. You could just feel the battle that was taking place around us. One girl said that God showed her a vision that the whole area was a stronghold for Satan and we were the only lights shining in it. After awhile the men left. At this point the whole area felt different to us - it seemed peaceful, and everyone had a calm that was not present before. The teens and leaders who ministered to the men said they could feel our prayers impacting the conversation. We came to find that they had been released that day from prison. Even though they did not put their trust in Christ, we differently planted a seed in their hearts that hopefully someone else will harvest. Some of the people from our team were feeling discouraged because they did not make a decision. Then one of the men that we had ministered the day before comes up out of the blue and starts encouraging us and telling us that we are making a difference. It really helped lift our spirits!

Another day we went to the prison. My team was able to do the drama in front of many of the inmates. It was so awesome to be able to pray with the men there and see their spiritual chains removed! I’m excited for the many things that will come from us being there.

One of the things that really blessed me was being able to also minister to the guys in my room (my MaG - missionary adviser group). This was what I considered my ministry to be - to pour into them as they poured out to the nationals. We had a lot of tough times together but were unified through it. By the end of the trip we felt like brothers and I hope to remain in touch with them. It was also great to have my sister, Chelsea, on the trip as well as we served together!

All in all, I truly felt satisfaction in seeing the needs of the Mexicans met (both spiritually and physically). For some reason, just living life doesn’t seem to cut it for me anymore. After experiencing this trip for a second time I feel that I will definitely be making missions a priority in my life. I’m not sure of the specifics, but I don’t think that I personally could honestly live a fulfilled life otherwise.

If you would like to experience this all too, I would strongly encourage you to go on a short-term missions trip for yourself. I am confident in the structure and leadership of Global Expeditions, which allows you to impact a nation and also sets the atmosphere for you to experience God in a whole new way. This upcoming holiday they are taking teams to the Bahamas, Key West, New Orleans, and Tijuana. They have even anouceced some of next year’s trips - which include China, Thailand, Australia, Greece, Scotland, Panama, Peru, Mexico, Alaska, New York, and others! Go to www.globalexpeditions.com for more info.

So thanks again for making this trip possible for me! Your prayers and support saw many lives impacted eternally and I believe God will reward you for it.

God bless,

-Bradley

Wow…I have less than three weeks left in the internship. This year has flown by! And as usual, I’ve been silent on here for a long time . It seems to be a pattern I go through.

Some things that have happened since I last posted include my going on a mission trip to Matamoras, Mexico. This was an amazing trip! I will post about that in a bit.

I also went through the whole pre-college process; registered for classed and got my loan . This semester I will be taking Government, Algebra, US History, and English. I’m excited about next year - not only in staying in my department and working, but also in living as a graduate intern. Next will will be much different from this one, but I’m looking forward to it.

Also, I leave for Tijuana, Mexico Wednesday morning. I will going with the mission trip there, but not as a missionary but as “staff.” My roles will be working at the campsite and getting all 712 participants registered. This will also be my first time in California!

Ok, well I’ll post later!

-Brad

Last week we had our UPG (Unreached People Group) LTE! It was so awesome! Basically everyone splits into groups of tribes and missionaries and lives out in the woods trying to see what missions is really like. I was in a missionary group…this was really eyeopening for to see what these people live like and believe. We were able to experience the fear of the government, jail, and the joy of seeing someone turn to Christ (or as we related it - Yahweh’s Tribe). All the tribes had to develop their own language and customs, so that made it a little more realistic for us missionaries. All in all, it was a very rewarding weekend from which I learned a lot and had fun too!

Last night I took my five and seven year old brothers to see the new movie, Horton hears a Who. It was actually a really good movie that I think speaks to adults as well a kids. If you have not heard about it, the story revolves around Horton, a kind-hearted elephant, who finds that there is a whole city of people living on a spec. He then sets out, against the harsh attacks of his fellow animal friends, to ensure the safety and well being of the tiny Whos.

The catch line throughout the show was “people are people, no matter how small.” I think this subtle messages can apply to our current socialist philosophy that embryos are not truly humans and can be terminated or harvested with no consequences. Like the Whos, they are a people with a voice most cannot or choose not to hear, but are still designed with such a complexity as ourselves. Who is to say when an embryo becomes a human? or that the Who was not really there?

Although this is an impossible analogy, imagine that we, as post-womb humans, were traveling around in a spec in some other creature’s world. Does their saying that we do not exist make us any less human?

The Whos had a voice through Horton. Whom is the embryo’s? I say we should should be the people in the gap, the “Horton” if you will, to stand up for those who cannot.

Ronald Reagan once said, “I’ve noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.” How true this statement is! I mean, there is a great risk to even visit an abortion clinic. Did you know that half of the patients do not come out alive! Ponder this for a second and I think you will understand what I am talking about.

The question comes down to whether or not you will choose to listen to the screams of the babies that are being brutally tortured and murdered. True, this may be a “silent scream,” but a scream nonetheless.

In 1985, America saw for the first time the scream of an embryo when Dr. Dr. Bernard Nathanson produced the making of an ultrasound video documentary of an actual abortion. You can actually see the baby sucking her thumb, and then later fighting violently against the surgeon’s tools. At one point, before being literally torn apart, we see her mouth open - crying for someone to help, to come to her rescue. I don’t know how anyone can watch this and still fail to realize what a devastating practice abortion is.

People are people…no matter how small.

This morning at 12am we began the Spring Fasting LTE (or at least part of it). Essentially, it is an intense 4 days of seeking God with every fiber in your body. We had one last fall that was really awesome. I’m looking forward to this one with the hopes of not getting wrapped up so much in not eating - but to really take hold of this oppertunity to bask in the presence of God without any distractions. Tonight, another part of the fast begins, when we take a vow of silence; and to refrain from listing to anything other than God’s voice and reading nothing but His Word. Throughout the next two days, we will be having challenging messages from some of the best speakers on campus. This will all conclude on Sunday morning, when everyone breaks fast together with communion. I however, will be on my way to the airport to go home on break. Either way, I am looking forward with excitement to the things God may show me this weekend.

The 10k was awesome! I was so surprised that it was not as hard as I had thought it would be. In all, I ran it in around 54 minutes…so like 8.7 min/mile pace. That’s not that bad considering when I first arrived here I could barely run one mile. But I don’t take any credit for it…all my strength came from God! The course itself was beautiful! It had lots of older looking houses that were rich in architecture and design along with exquisitely landscaped yards. The weather was perfect, the sky a greyish overcast that made the spring greenery stand out more, and it was not that hot either. When I finally saw the finish line, I felt a surge of energy and ran an all out sprint until I finished. Again, it was awesome. I think I would do it next year too.

Roads also ended that night too! I learned so much from them and am glad that I did it. Now the leadership will have a meeting on the 7th to decide who is accepted and who is not. Either way, I’m glad that I was able to participate and now pray that God’s will be done.

On a happier note, I’m going home this weekend! I have a Fasting LTE (three day fast) from Thursday to Sunday morning, and then I take off after that. I will be gone for a little over a week.

Ready or not, the 10k is tomorrow! I’m a little nervous, as this will be the most running I have ever done at once. One thing I have been thinking a lot about lately is Isaiah 40:30-31: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD  will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I know there is no way I can make this on my own, so this will be a time where I will have to rely on God for strength.

We’ll leave campus at 6:15 am and the race starts at 8. I’m hoping to run it in under an hour. I’ll post an update tomorrow on how it goes!

As far as roads, I have been learning so much from it! I have had them each night (except for tonight) and they have been very intense, though not necessarily physically. Through people facilitating and speaking into my life I have discovered a lot about myself and ways I need to grow in if I plan on staying a 2nd year. At this point, I’m pretty sure that this is what God has called me to do next year. As an MA (Management Associate), I will be placed as a direct leader to a couple interns, but my life will be impacting so much more. This is a very sobering thought as many of my strengths and weaknesses will be passed along, just as I have picked up on some from those above me in this year.

Ok, well have a great night!

I had an awesome day! I got to sleep in pretty much the whole morning (as I went to bed super late watching a movie and writing some stuff). We spent the afternoon hiking up to this cool waterfall. There were some caves and caverns on the way that we also were able to go in and explore! After that we went to a Texas Roadhouse like restaurant.

Pretty much the agenda for tonight is a Bourne marathon! So we’ll see how much sleep we’re going to get