Estudio de la biblia

Never did I think I would be sharing about the Spanish bible study I went to with my neighbors...but that's where I was this past Friday. I have grown to love and appreciate my friendship with Javier, Eliliana, and Sergio. I have enjoyed the silly awkward moments of "No se" because we do not know enough of each others' languages, I have enjoyed talking to them about their work and experiences in Chiappas, and just this past Friday I enjoyed seeing them be excited to study from the bible and to share openly about their prayer requests. Please continue to pray for the interactions with my friends. Pray for Sergio's father who has prostate cancer, pray for Javier's relatives who have been having trouble, and pray for Liliana to be able to sell tamales/champurrado without any difficulty....and also for her new baby! She is about 5 weeks pregnant. Please pray that they will also form new friendships with other people that attend the Spanish bible study and service at Church of the Redeemer...and that this new Christian community will be good for them.

We also are starting to have bible studies on Wednesday evenings with some of the women in our neighborhood. Please pray for the continuation of this, and that the women would be eager to come and study God's word to learn and grow more, and that this can be a place where they are free to open and share. Pray that Wednesday night will be an evening that these women look forward to, to receive God's truth and fellowship with one another. And pray for wisdom for my roomates and myself in planning, leading the bible study, and just being present during the study. Some of the youth guys have been going over to the other SP intern guys' house on Wednesday evening to spend time together in fellowship. Please pray that more young guys will attend and that they can begin to have a time of studying God's word as well. A couple of the SP intern guys also got the chance to have a bible study in Spanish with their Guatamelan neighbors, so please pray for more interactions with that as well. And please pray for the North of Jefferson team that is trying to coordinate with some other members from church to begin a bible study with neighbors.

As we are coming to the end of our 1st year of Servant Partners (I can't believe it!!!), we are attending a retreat this weekend. We will be leaving on Thursday afternoon and returning Sunday evening. It will be a good time to reflect on how we are doing emotionally, physically, and spiritually...it will be good to spend time with one another, and a good refreshing time to take some time of relaxing. Pleae pray that this will be a good time for all of my team.

Summer plans... you ask....I will continue to work at the charter school doing summer camp with the students. I plan to take a roadtrip in mid-June with my roomate, Regina, up to the UC Davis area to hang out and watch her brother's graduation. I also plan to visit my brother, Joel, in late August in Seattle. As far as Servant Partners, we have less meeting times, but it is still time for our ministry projects, so are to continue being present in the neighbordhood and continuing with our bible studies.

A picture of my neighbors and roomates at a birthday party for Liz and Regina at our apartment, back in April. From Left to Right: Javier, Liz, Regina, Eliliana, Javier, me, Sierra, and David (another SP intern)

Lyrics from "The Road Is Easy" by G-Vo

I first heard G-Vo's music from my roomate, Liz (since they both went to UCLA), and later had the pleasure to see him in concert. This guy's lyrics are what moves me most.

One of my current favorite songs from him is called "The Road Is Easy"...here's some of the lyrics that I feel are most harsh...but truthful at times. And don't be misunderstood...G-Vo is Christian...but these are some things about the Christian faith that are not so highly looked upon. G-Vo challenges his audiences to really live a holistic life, a life dedicated to serving God, and a life that is more Christ-like than world-like!!!

The significance of being significant / is being of significance in your brother's predicament / Pluralistic, double minded, relativistic/ Bands of misfits, hermits, the world's biggest cynic / You Christians are actually nothing like your Christ / Cuz you preach about faith but live by western sight / It's the third world perspective, Irrespective of your feelings / Why do pastors get paid 3 million for their healings / Corporate America, yo we worship the flag / Plus a woman's worth is based on the worth of her bag / Me, my father, mother, brother, all cramped in one bed / But when you're poor you can easily put God ahead / The road was easy up until I saw a man on the ground / I tried my best to walk by him, walk directly around / I looked back and saw the man being helped by Samaritan / And realized my faith was krap, filthy religion

Enjoy online: http://www.myspace.com/gvomusic