Home!

I'm back in the states and it feels good to be home.  I have to admit that it is pretty tough to be back in the US with the culture shock and all.  Everything is so fast, clean, and people are just different.  While some things are better than others, I'm still fortunate to be here and am glad to be home.

First off, I want to say thank you to those who were praying for me (or/and for the people in Mexico)  throughout my stay in La Paz.  Praying increases our trust in God especially when praying for others.  So again, thanks for trusting the Lord and depending on Him for my life and yours.

Secondly, I must say I already miss Mexico and the people I met there.  My hope is that I will be able to return some day soon and reunite with my new friends. 

Lastly (really firstly), God is incredible.  He revealed himself fully in my time away.  I'm awaiting his instruction for the next step in my life as far as where to go, work, and people to be with.  Perhaps more blogs to follow from some other place in the world :)  Please be praying for me in this discernment.  Jesus lives and loves you (and me) so much. 

http://www.ranchoelcamino.org/

Isaiah 43:18-21

Last few days

Lot's of things happened in the past few days so I will try to touch on some highlights.

Occasionally, we have had to go to a nearby garbage landfill to bring all the trash.  In Mexico, there is something called "Buscando" (Collecting) where people work/live in these garbage areas to gather things of value.  I saw this happen years ago on my previous trip to Mexico with Pete as well.  To me, this seems to be a proverbial hell and I absolutely hate witnessing this.  The smells are unexplainable, people who tend to have drug addictions work there, and theire the poverty is undeniable.  Below is a shaky video (They didn't like me taking pics etc.)  I need to continue to pray for these people and that God shows me how I can trust Him to use me to love every person he puts in my life.  Perhaps He will reveal ways in the future of how I can help end this awful form of work or provide alternatives for these people.

On a lighter note, we were able to go to a different beach on Monday.  This is the second one I was able to go too.  I went snorkeling and cliff diving - mega fun.  Also, there were some fishermen right near us and we purchase fresh fish from them.  Dinner was outstanding! (Did I mention Pete used to work as a chef?) The fishermen also caught a shark and filleted it right in front of us. Shark guts everywhere...yum.

The Sunday before, I went to church and in the middle of the service a very interesting man walked in.  He was wearing a Mexican flag around his belt, was carrying a huge bundle of weeds/flowers and an orange carton with some form of liquid, and he had a funnel sticking out of his nose along with a skull sticker attached to his for head.  He eventually held up the crucifix necklace to the speaker (that he was also wearing around his neck) and was blessing people as he left a few minutes later.  Very interesting/funny to say the least.  Not sure what his deal was - but the family and I prayed for him later in the day (and the congregation as well as it's easy to judge in those situations)

Did I mention that God is power? He is amazing! He allowed me to climb this huge mountain today and survive.  I had limited water but was still able to make it back to the ranch.  PS never ever climb in the dessert by yourself.  And naturally (being trav) I had to go for one of the biggest Mountains in the area. It's just not a good idea and your head will hurt from dehydration for a very long time.  My body still has that dropping sensation you get from roller coasters or something.  Praise the Lord.

I've been diving into Ezekial (that dude was crazy) and reading Proverbs (I should read this book everyday).  I'm trying to be fed by the scriptures and tuned into the Holy Spirit every possible moment.  This is not easy and takes discipline.

There are so many other things that I know I'm forgetting.  But hopefully, I will be able to recall them asap when I get back.  I will post again when I arrive back in the States.

Less than 48 hours here! Viva la vida! 

Hiking/Jesus in the Wilderness/More Concrete

Yesterday I was able to go on a hike with Pete and children.  Cher (Pete's wife) wasn't feeling too great so Pete thought it would be nice to get the children out of the house for a little while. 

Our first climb took us to the top which overlooked the entire city of La Paz.  On the way up the children showed me cactus fruit and shared some with me.  I forget the name of it but it tasted slightly sour and chewy.  I kinda liked it.

Once we got done climbing the initial location, we went to another place called the balandra.  This was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen.  We didn't go swimming or anything but I was able to witness some breathe taking views.  It was simply amazing.

On a different note, I just finished a quick read by Henri Nouwen (In the Name of Jesus: Christian Leadership).  It went on about how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (first part of the book of Matthew 4 fyi) and how such temptations relate to us.  He goes on to explain how we should avoid the temptations to be relevant, popular, and powerful and how these are direct traits that Satan used against Jesus.  All of these things threaten our intimacy with God.  Because it's easier to "be like God" rather than actually Love God.

I must admit that my intimacy with the creator of the universe often feels like a pendulum.  Experiencing His presence isn't always a sustaining thing for me and it's probably because my sin get's in the way.  How often have I wanted to have it all figured out or solve all the problems in my life by getting out the whiteboard?  My mindset is that if I figure out A + B = C then life will be great.  

But when I do that I often feel worse. 

Because God isn't rational. 

I don't think He wants me to necessarily always figure out what He is doing.  He wants me to trust Him. 

It's especially difficult when I want to fix everything around me and to help everyone possible but it just seems so difficult in such an ambiguous world. 


It's amazing to me that Jesus refused the devil's offers in the wilderness.  The one temptation that stands out most to me is the one where He is offered all the kingdoms of the world and yet he says "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"

Jesus refuses power he deserves? 

How often do I forget how much He gave up for me?  He really did pay it all just for me to know Him.


On the ground level - another project continues as we encircle the well with additional brick and concrete.  Beto (one of the workers) is the main man on this project and I've been able to help wherever needed.

Last week here.  But a blink.

Horse Painting/Testimony/Beach Day

To start off (fyi), in the past few nights there has been a scorpion, scorpion spider, and a one inch cockroach all inside the house.  I killed two out of the three.  Good eats.

Last week there was a children's ministry out at the ranch.  Their main activity was to paint the horses in teams.  Whoever had the best looking horse (decided by loudness in applause) was the winner.  That was really fun to see the kids enjoy themselves.  Especially because some of them who come from very impoverished places (There are two villages near us 1. Marcus de Leon and 2. Virsa Mesa which both suffer from incredible physical poverty).

Another night, a Youth Group came to spend the evening.  This was a crazy night because out of nowhere Pete goes "Hey Trav - share your testimony."  I go "which part" He replies "whatever you feel called to talk about"  So at that point I was slightly overwhelmed but just started to let it flow (Pete was translating for me so it gave me a few moments to think ahead of time).  I was privileged to share a very meaningful time in my life that I hadn't thought of in years.  It had to do with when I first learned a song years ago and truly experienced the love of Christ through singing out loud.  (I don't even know the title but here are some of the lyrics: In moments like these, I sing out a love song to Jesus...singing I love you, etc.)  As I was recalling the story I suddenly remembered that it was when I was with Pete years ago in Mexico.  He had, unknowingly up to this point, taught me that song.  It was an incredible time of reflection and we sang some worship songs together after as well (Closer/Jesus Paid it all/etc.)

On Monday, I got the chance to go to the beach for the first time (which was amazing).  The water was incredible and the views were astounding.  It was a great break from all the action at the Ranch.

I'm really trying to appreciate my time here at the ranch.  Daily I have been able to wrestle through a lot of things with God in quiet time and discuss issues (personal and non) with Pete and his family.  I'm pretty sure that most of my questions don't have concrete answers.  However, I do know I want to know God intimately and pursue His will for my life.  This changes in some ways and in others not.  The Holy Spirit forces me/us to wait on His perfect timing (And it's usually completely random and quite sporadic).  His word continues to put me in my place.  

Much love from the dessert.

Thursday in La Paz

First off, I just want to say thanks to my good friends in Christ who have supported me thus far.  It's especially encouraging to receive such positive/inspiring words as I try to follow God wholeheartedly in this season of my life.  So thanks again (you know who you are :)

Another day in the dessert and I am doing all I can to serve God during my stay here at the Ranch and attempt to be still enough to hear his voice.  In efforts to do so, daily I'm trying to take at least an hour to listen in silence and wrestle with scripture.  This is a discipline I have historically been very bad at and am so pumped to be working hard to make it a vital part of every single day.

I can't stress how great the Gatto family has been to me during my time here (yes, even the kids haha - sometimes they are nuts just like me which is great).  Pete has been someone I can throw pretty much anything at and challenges me consistently.  He is another brother in Christ who can hold me accountable to following and serving God with everything.  We continue to ask questions about why God leaves us waiting or allows us to go through so much unknown in our lives.  We have been reminding each other "It is finished" "Hear God - do what He says" "Love Him and be willing to serve." He and his family has been a real blessing.

I finished the book I mentioned in the earlier post (PS Dan Broekhuizen gave it to me - for anyone who knows him/needs a good book just ask him and he will recommend some great stuff :)  The end really struck me hard as it explained how even a wise man can get caught up in the approval of others.  It's amazing how often I do things just because I think others people will approve of me.  Loving/following/serving Christ will not be approved by everyone.  And this truth has reaffirmed my commitment to be faithful to the savior of the world.

Pete suggested I check out Psalm 3.  (Despite this being a reference of war/not of peace) It really helps paint the picture of how David felt in extreme opposition and remained faithful to the heart of God.  How we Love people is how we love God (my generalized summing up of the greatest commandment). But loving others does not mean we need their approval.  This can at times be very hard for me especially when God calls me to something outrageous.

Time to jet.  More pics below.  Later Gator's.

 Little Noah and drummer Sam rocking out in my room!

 We got some play time. That's how it felt.

 Dessert Pic.

 Have another.

 Sam (Pete/Cher's oldest) standing on his 4 wheeler.

I'm following the pro.