Carlene and I are in Mexico, speaking in very small and seemingly
insignificant churches. Most of them are working in areas of ministry
connected to serving the poor and especially focused on children. We
have come alongside these leaders, and have felt very honored and
blessed to serve them. Unlike Korea, here, there is next
to nothing of monetary gifts... and actually, we want nothing. We've
come here on our own dime... and want to leave many more dimes here.

I believe the Holy Spirit is teaching us once again, new levels of
trust and dependence. There are so many churches and ministries here
in Cabo... but not much unity.

An interesting observation of ours, is that somehow both in Korea and in Mexico, musicians have picked up on the latest live worship albums... and they study these recordings and emulate both the style, volume, and even actions and dance moves as some of these recordings are captured on video. These worship leaders then attempt to duplicate everything they see and hear. Even the transitions between songs, as well as the terminology... when they are successful at this emulation, they feel as if they have moved into
another realm of worship. The volume levels are dangerously high, and
I believe I need to speak into this situation... as we have formed
trusting relationships... I hope we will be heard.


There is not much of any seclusion or quietness in these cultures as much of their Christianity is measured by tangible things they do. Unlike America,
and other developed nations, a building to meet in is very important
to the neighborhoods. For many of these churches, these buildings are
used quite often for childcare, community meetings, and other purposes
beyond church meetings. The huge gap between the haves and the have
nots is so evident here in this area. Cabo has a negative
unemployment figure... and hundreds of transients from other Mexican
cities are flooding this area... still, there is a constant need for
workers. The international flavor of the resorts and cruise ships
provide massive amounts of cash... and the sinfulness and debauchery
is not unlike what (I've heard) Las Vegas is. There is one
English-speaking church for tourists and permanent residents from
America.... but, we have learned to love indigenous leaders we have developed relationships with.

We are wondering why the Lord has brought us to these two countries...
it's still a bit of a mystery. I have found it frustrating to meet so
many pastors and leaders who recognize that church as they know it
doesn't really seem to be working. So they work harder at something
that's not working. And leaders in these churches, whether it be
worship, youth, or mission outreaches, are more attracted to the
latest well-known ministries or personalities than exploring what God
has given them in their own backyard.

Sometime ago I had a vision... or more accurately, a picture... that I
felt was from the Lord. I saw many streams of the body of Christ...
sort of like threads on a table, which when woven together by the
Lord, form a beautiful rope. When man attempts to weave the rope...
it's a tangled mess. Each one of these threads represented a
different emphasis. For example: the prophetic, healing, seeker
sensitive, 24-hour worship, end time teaching, house churches, inner
healing, emerging churches, emphasis on the poor and marginalized,
pray for Israel movements, discipleship, supernatural signs and
wonders, evangelism, teaching gifts, marketplace, evangelism,
apostolic networks, prayer movements, revivalists and renewalists... I
guess you get my point.

Each one of these threads could be viewed as an independent stream,
and sometimes I feel like we align ourselves up with one of these
threads, because they serve... at least temporarily... a function. Or
we may align ourselves with a thread on the other side of the table
and in the meantime tangle and confuse other threads in our attempt to
weave something beautiful.

I'm not sure if this means anything... maybe it's something yet to be
revealed, but I feel like we need much discernment and wisdom and
revelation to a accurately align ourselves up with the right people in
the right place and in the right timing.

I love what Graham says... that we should never prophesy the first thing, but
wait for the second thing.I want to take a hands off
posture and let the Holy Spirit bring the right threads together. I
guess this means we must listen carefully...