The Hands and Feet Summer 2010 Interns are all reading Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. This is the discussion question I posted on their group page today:

 Before we head down to Mexico this summer, I want you guys to start approaching what’s about to happen to you from this perspective: “What is it going to take, what do I have to do, sacrifice, or change to make my life a good story?” The reason I have you guys reading Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is so that you can hear from someone who has thought through this question, acted on it, and seen what can happen as a result.

Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to start reading, but feel free to comment either way. In the beginning of the book, Don talks about how he was semi-offended/stunned to learn that if his life was a movie, no one would want to watch it. No one would be emotionally moved by it or inspired to do great things. As he and the screenwriters plot out the story for “movie Don,” he comes to the following realization:

“It didn’t occur to me at the time, but it’s obvious now that in creating the fictional Don, I was creating the person I wanted to be, the person worth telling stories about. It never occurred to me that I could re-create my own story, my real life story, but in an evolution I had moved toward a better me.”

So… if you were to document your life on film, would complete strangers be moved and intrigued by the story of you? Does this scare the crap out of you, because it devastated me. But it also exhilarated me. God gives us the opportunity to stand next to Him and create something beautiful within His story. But what does that mean for you? Today? Thoughts?

As the interns and I work through this and try and find worshipful ways to incorporate what Don is talking about into our lives, my prayer is that you guys will join us. Check out Don’s book and let us know how you have decided to start living a better story!

Love Wins,

Whitney

Psalm 27

Of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear?
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid?

I love reading David’s words here. Often, when I find myself feeling overwhelmed by circumstances or oppressed by the difficult nature of life, God points out verses like this that really challenge and fortify my faith. “Whom shall I fear?” David was being hunted down by Saul for years!! The man had hurled a spear at him. In no way discounting the type of pain and suffering in my life or the lives of many other modern Americans, the Lord is quick to remind me that His followers have survived far worse with praises on their lips for His glorious name. A very humbling experience, especially when I’ve succumbed to pitying myself and forgotten the God who brought the Red Sea crashing down on His people’s enemies- the Lord of Hosts who leads armies driving chariots of fire.

Over the past two years, we’ve received a lot of questions about safety in Mexico at Hands and Feet. And legitimately so; there are a lot of stories being broadcast in the news and a lot of horrific things happening in certain areas of the country. Praise be to God, those tragedies are NOT happening in Piedras Negras or anywhere close to the areas where we work. While we do keep a close eye on the situation and are constantly in prayer for the safety of the city, we are pleased to hear nothing but “business as usual” reports from our friends and H&F family in Piedras. We even received a personal letter last week from Jacqueline Perales Moreno (a member of the local government). She wrote to assure us that Piedras is still safe to visit, that they are experiencing none of the violence shown in the news, and that the local and national govenment are working tirelessly to keep it that way.

Please join us in prayer about this situation. The horrors in Juarez make for terrible and gripping news stories. Those same news stories also contain generic comments condemning all of Mexico- comments that have really damaged our ability to rally people to come and serve ”the least of these” in Piedras. The other ministries who serve in Piedras have all said the same thing.

1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love drives out fear. We are blessed and encouraged by those of you who are boldy and courageously seeking to do the Lord’s work in Mexico. For those of you who are held back by concerned family members and loved ones- we want you to honor those concerns. Stay home, but seek new ways to drive out fear by serving in new ways in your own community. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:3

The only way to show the world that love wins is to lay down our lives for others, whether that’s in Mexico, your own community, or somewhere else entirely. Get uncomfortable, get out there, and be real. God will do the rest.

Love Wins,

Whitney

Well, let’s jump into this thing shall we? A few months ago at the illustrious H&F headquarters we began discussing some new ways we would like to engage in community with our extended H&F family- namely, you! 

Several of you have been on trips with us over the years and it’s important to us that we keep you in the loop. What’s happening in Mexico? What new places has H&F been called to serve? Who’s that new face I see on staff?

As our ministry grows and changes, we want you guys to feel as though you’re a part of our what we’re doing, because you are! We wouldn’t be here today without you. So, we’ve gone digital. Hands and Feet is on Facebook, Twitter, You-Tube, and our webpage is becoming increasingly informative and relevant.

These blogs are a chance for us to touch base with you, to have a conversation and share the things that are on our hearts. We look forward to our version of the “fire side chat” and hope that you’ll chat back! Leave comments just to say hi or to let us know what you think about a post. 

More to come soon! Love wins!

Whitney