Segundo Dia en Mexico

Day number two for those of the English decent. We started off with a relaxing morning at the Villa Florida Hotel. Felt a little like I was at the Holiday Inn but nicer. Then we went on a city wide open air bus tour. Pretty city, big and lots of people who don't yet know the Lord. It's funny how at times we work on Mexican time (when ever you get there) but then we're rushed to make a bus that wasn't operating on Mexican time. We grabbed a quick lunch (Dominoes: gross) as we ran onto the bus.

We arrived in the slightly larger city, Mexico City (about 30 million people), bolted to a coffee shop to meet with some pastors, ministry leaders and students in our own ministry (Vida Estudiantil). We shared our vision of reaching every student in every faculty (department). This has to be about 1 million students. Ouch. At first the questions and comments were centered around details, how are we to make this happen, who's in charge, etc. But then you could see the Spirit move through a comment by Hector. Hector is a young Spirit filled pastor who was called into ministry two years ago and is seeing great things happen organically through his church. His small church is sending couples to other parts of the city, to New Zealand and other parts of Mexico. They are a non denominational church all about raising up leaders quickly to reach the world. He was sharing with me how God gave him a heart for the nations and how he doesn't want to be about making a big church. What a leader. His vision, passion and desire to partner with the other groups was contagious. The conversation/discussion was left with anticipation and excitement.

We then left to a place I call heaven. Jason, the local Mexico City team leader, took me to a street vender that sold 5 tacos al pastor for $1. Light me up. I think I ate 7 of them. The meat came from a stick, covered in lime juice, cilantro and standing on the streets of the largest city in the world. There is nothing better.

Then just as if I was taken up to the 3rd heaven, we entered a little market area with about 10 different little kiosks that made their own genre of Mexican food. My eyes began to buldge out of my skull and I ordered a sopa de pollo. A thick, puffy tortilla covered with beans, chicken, cabbage, Oaxacan Cheese (2nd best in the world behind Manchego de Espana) and red salsa. I had a small out of body experience. Then I was encouraged to order some flautas, deep fried on the spot. Oh the choices were beef, chicken and potatoes and Chorizo. I'll take one of each. I then just died and gone to heaven.

Then we walked over to a cool coffee shop that sold donuts and made a great capachino. This place was filled with young people and tons of college students. Immediately I thought this is a great place to start a movement or church. I was hanging out with Keith (national WSN director) and Andy (Regional WSN director) and they initiated a conversation with two young men (Alberto and Ivan.) They asked about Frida, the Mexican artist. She used to live in this barrio. It was cool as I leaned over to sneak into this conversation, Keith was sharing in English his testimony, how Christ touched his life and briefly why were in Mexico. Ivan was already a Christian and in his own heart he had accepted Christ. He told us that Alberto needed to pray to receive Christ. I jumped in with my bad Spanish and began to ask what Alberto's hang ups were. He said he had issues with the church and religion but he believed in God, Jesus, problem of sin and what Christ did for him. He virtually explained he believed in Christ. Earlier Alberto expressed maybe he would know Christ in this way in the future. Keith quickly said, "Maybe Tomorrow." Alberto responded, "Maybe Tonight." It was a God moment.

They asked what we were doing here and I shared our vision of raising up a network of students who reach other students and plant churches all over the city. Alberto also shared with us that he didn't have a job for a year. Andy at the Holy Spirit led perfect moment asked if we could pray for Alberto and Ivan. We talked some more and then had to say good bye. We hooked up Ivan and Alberto (non university students but appointed by the Spirit to talk to us) with Jason the local leader. Alberto thanked us for sharing, talking and praying for him. Then he said he wished us well in our accomplishing our vision. I told him thanks and maybe he would be part of the solution; that he would come to Christ and then share with family members, students and co workers. He said maybe.

I truly believe that God did something amazing here on the streets of Mexico City. I really believe that we may never see the results but I believe God will start a movement through Ivan and Alberto.

This is what Stine and I have been praying for. That God will bring us into groups of people that are ready to hear the message, come to Christ and they will in turn be the immediate multipliers of the Gospel and church planters.

What a day, what a night!

1st Day in Mexico

This morning we started off our day with Starbucks in Puebla (about 2 hours south east of D.F.). Hmm, Mexico and Starbucks. They have truly figured out how to integrate into a culture and take over.

We gathered and began hearing about history of CCC in Mexico and current dreams of what we would love to see happen here in Mexico City and beyond. A great morning of realizing that if we don't change the way doing things here in Mexico city it would take 400 years to reach the whole scope, about 1 million college students.

The group gathered here is real top shelf; Augustine (National Mexico Director), Steve and Terry Morgan (National Campus Director of Mexico), Jason, Kathy, Alice, Dan and Deane (American living and serving in D.F. and Puebla), Keith (national WSN director), Allan and Karin (WSN orlando), Ken and Andy (Great Plains WSN directors), and Craig (Nebraska state director.) All together it is a group with experience from all over the world, China, Paris, Latin American and beyond. Their passion and innovation to get to each and every student is contagious.

Then after our high powered meeting we headed for the hotel roof for a great Cornelius (Acts) prayer time. We prayed for the city and got sunburned all in one hour.

One of the largest revelations was the Puebla has a costco. Then sad to my stomach we ventured to TGIF's for lunch. All the way to Mexico to get a burger and Fries. Booh.

Then off to the center for some shopping. You'll see in the future some great shots of Isa in this great little dress I bought her. Then we headed to Steve and Terry's to brainstorm and discuss more what will be needed to launch this new ministry to hit all of D.F.:Launch date=Sept 1, 2006. I believe a large dose of intentional prayer, the right leadership team, correct thinking and training, and decoding the city. Oh yeah, let's not forget a supernatural act of God. It is exciting to see that even though we talk about all the right techniques and strategies we believe it will take a movement of God.

Now I'm off to see my fantasy football teams go for the win.

Off To Mexico City

Today I am heading out to Mexico City, Mexico to put some heads together to figure out, pray, seek the Lord's direction on how to reach the millions of college students there. It's a worthy discussion because if we continue in ministry with the same efforts and strategies it will take us hundreds of years to reach each and every student. I really do believe there is a new wine skin, a new method of doing church/ministry, a new wave of spiritual blessing that we have not encountered before.

This same anticipation is what I am sensing for our same university in Boulder. We have talked as a staff team and student leaders that if we continue with the same efforts in weekly meetings, bible studies, community groups, and outreaches we would never reach the campus or see something supernatural happen. We must bust out and try something new, trust God in new ways, go out believing by faith that God will do something special.

Some may ask, what if it doesn't work? What if God doesn't respond with a supernatural blessing that impacts each and every student in a way that can only be attributed to God? What if we go out and try to reach the lost and nothing really changes? My answer would be to ask the simple question. What happens if we don't try? What happens if we just continue doing ministry/church the same way?

I believe we'll burn out, get tired, do the same thing year after year with little or no growth. I believe that we'll see good things happen and students will grow but we won't see a supernatural pouring out of God's blessing.

That's why we're having discussions like this. That's why I'm going to Mexico City this week. This is why Christine's and my heart are alive with passion and expectancy. That is why we want to go for it.

We believe that God has so much in store for believers, our campuses, our cities if we just get out and try new things. If we make our prayers, strategies and efforts about reaching the lost and not building a good Christian program.

Join with us in praying that God will reveal to us what we should do and how we should do it. This has become our desire and norm. Pray for God's direction and then do it.

From November 14 -18 our ministry at CU is trying a mission week with the desire that this type of week will become our normal week. I'll tell you more about later as I got to get in the shower and on an airplane.

Halloween Fun

Last night was Isa's first halloween. She didn't eat much candy but the boys brought in a dump load. There goes my weight loss plan.

God has been good to the Van Diest Family lately. The kids are such fun and growing a ton. I think I have been healed from my 5 week cold but now Benjamin is on his last few days of pink eye, Isa is just getting healthy and now Jonathan and Christine have colds. Oh what fun. Pray that we're healthy as I leave to Mexico City this Sunday and Stine leaves with Isa for a Mom's retreat. We thought of just leaving the boys with Aspen, our dog, at home. They should be good. :)

The kids as you can see at Van Diest Photo Album are so cute. Check out the site for new pictures.

Is this God TV?

"Is this God tv?" was asked by Benjamin as we watched ABC's Extreme Makeover Home edition on Sunday night. Our family has created a short tradition, so far, every Sunday night. We Tivo (saved my life) the show and then sit down and watch it with the boys. We talk about the call of God to be a blessing to others, help them in their difficulties and what it means to share the love of God. Jonathan told me this past week that he loved watching this show. I agree with him as I sit there with tears in my eyes to see the combined unity of the community and local companies to working toward a common goal: love, care and meet the physical needs of others.

What would happen if every church took on the role of uniting the community to help love, care and meet the physical needs of others? I would imagine that the world would see Christ in a different light. I would imagine church would be a whole different experience for the not-yet-Christians.

"Is this God TV?" We keep telling the boys, yep, they are doing the work of God.