Have you considered the cost of following Jesus?  What does He mean when he said that we must be willing to sacrifice our families in order to follow Him?  I recently had a first hand taste of what Jesus means through the tears my daughter Charis.

We were just back in California visiting family for the holidays, and we had a great time being back at NewSong and seeing family and friends.  But as the day for our departure approached, we grew sad knowing that we would miss everyone.  Two nights before we left, we let my five year old daughter know that we will be returning to Mexico City in a couple of days.  As I went to tuck her in for the night, she cried asking why we had to go back - she would miss her friends and her grandparents.  I tried to comfort her, but ended up crying with her in the dark.  "Daddy and mommy are trying to help people in Mexico, we need to go back and help people who are in need," I told her.  "We will come and visit America soon, ok?"  Charis regretfully nodded and I left her room with a very heavy heart, torn between the ministry in Mexico and the responsibilty of a father to provide for my family.  "This is the cost that we must pay," I thought and prayed...  as pricey it may be.  

But the story doesn't end here, there is some redemption here.  Yesterday, as Charis and I were walking back from the park she saw an indigenous street kid, and asked is we could help him.  I guess through God's grace Charis saw a greater glimpse of the Kingdom!

As a team we all faced our own personal battles, we had weird ailments, bouts with depression, and madness in coordinating the artists. On top of all that, there was a water main break right on the block of the café where we held the event! It was in the news and everything. They had to tear up the road, which concerned all of us, since it would limit foot traffic and our ability to reach the general public. I felt as if I had to offer an apology to the café owner and city government, because I knew it was a direct opposition to iluminARTE. Here are some photos:

Although we had those odds come against us, we didnt falter, we knew that God wanted to reach this community with the message of "friendship". The café ended up packing out despite the street conditions!  Nothing can hold back the movement of God!

One our artists, Benjamín, gave a wonderful portrayal of the "Giving Tree" and we used that as a platform to share about the friendship that God offers us. Jesus said that he no longer calls us servants, but friends (John 15)! That is a revolutionary message! We gave people little plants to remind them of how to care for their friendships, to nuture them, to commit their selves to them. It was an amazing evening of community building and commitment to sacrifical friendships!

Here are some pictures of the artists that performed. We had MC's rapping to the theme of friendship and an African drumming group by Mexicans! Now that is third culture for you!

Next... a Night of Worship in November!  Please pray for this!  I will be uploading a video from the iluminARTE event here shortly!  

Peace Out!