When we arrived in Tabasco we were greeted by a pastor who was wishing that he was still asleep, but he somehow managed to maintain a smile as he was showing us where we were sleeping. After a good night´s rest, we headed over to the house where the girls were staying and stumbled upon more than breakfast - we ran smack-dab into the striving mentality! What was supposed to be a simple prayer for the beginning of the day turned into the most exhausting prayer time. One of the members of the team was sick and was still confronted for not standing and engaging in ¨warfare¨. It was possibly one of the most spiritually draining moments of the trip. After much discussion of what took place that morning we knew that the Lord was again wanting to minister His rest and love for the people of Tabasco. But, to keep things in the light, I was having a really hard time trying to figure out exactly how to convey this message to a congregational mindset who thought all worth and identity was found in what they could do for the Lord. Throughout the whole day several of the team members kept reminding me that the Lord was wanting to free these people from their striving, but I was continually confronted with the dilemma of my own heart - I was so turned off by what took place that morning, that if I was to speak on rest it would be out of spite and anger, not love.

I asked the Lord multiple times, ¨Lord, how do you want to do this?!?¨ No response. It wasn´t until our time of worship that it dawned on me - I´ve got to quit asking, and sit! So, we stopped playing and just sat in silence until the Lord spoke. It came in such simplicity and wisdom... ¨Tell them that I am so pleased with them; then they will listen to every word you say.¨ I laughed, out loud actually, and proceeded to tell them that the Lord was so pleased - and who would´ve thought, they all gave me their full attention afterwards.

The service was held outdoors and the speakers were blaring with the message of the love and rest of the Lord! We began to share that God wasn´t looking for workers, He was looking for lovers! God wants an army of Marys, not Marthas. God wants hearts, not hands! The people began to see and experience the love of God and ran to the platform in tears as they asked for God to show them His love. A cry of repentance was released and they began to fall out of agreement with the striving/slavery mentality and stepped into their new identity as sons and daughters! It was beautiful! People from all over the town began to flood the stage asking for prayer for this heart transplant!!

Needless to say, it was yet again, another powerful night in the Land of Lovers. The people here are so passionate about the Lord! It was amazing to see them released into the freedom of the love and grace of the Lord. Rise up Mexico! The Lord loves your hearts, not your hands!!!

After a 10-hour drive from Monterrey, we arrived in El Higo, Veracruz. We were greeted by a small congregation that had just finished a 40-day fast. It was definitely one of those moments where you could feel a holy anticipation in the air. The Lord was pressing on our hearts a rather interesting message considering the conditions. After 40 days of devotion and consecration most of us would be searching for something to do for the Lord - I mean, come on, who wouldn’t? But the Lord had a different plan in mind for the humble people of this small city - rest.

The whole team had been in conversation for the previous two days about the rest and love of the Lord and we finally knew why - it was for El Higo. We had heard stories of the amazing faith of these people and all that they were doing for the Lord. Miracles and salvations were among the many stories of their group. At the end of the fast the Lord pressed on our hearts to share the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10). The message was simple yet profound - to sit at the feet of Jesus is “the better thing.” Jesus was putting out a call to the people of El Higo to come and sit at His feet. This message was very difficult for many to grasp since the whole presentation of the message of Christ has been coupled with slavery since its institution in Mexico. The choice back then was to be killed or convert to Catholicism and remain alive for the purposes of slavery. God was desiring to break the inheritance of the slavery mentality and raise up a nation of lovers! God wants lovers, not workers! We spent the whole day in fellowshipping with one another and with the Lord. Several times throughout the day members of the team found themselves caught up in worship in the sanctuary next to where we were hanging out. It was amazing to experience the well of devotion that had been dug in the city. Jesus longed to pour out his affection and appreciation over His people!