Day in the Life

Today I just wants to touch on my experiences with a Menonite church and their pastor, Daniel. We went on this intense rock climb to the top of this Mesa. On the top was a prayer pile, a pile of rocks that is to bear families burdens. You carry your burden (the size depends on the weight of the burden) up the Mesa and lay it on the pile. Then you are lifted of your burden. Daniel told me also about the prayer leaves that were in the cracks of the rock. They are from a certain plant that is around the area, the plant is used to empathize with the burdens on the pile. He also said that if you use a different plant, you are mocking the prayers and their burdens. I picked a prayer leaf, put it by the smallest rock (every burden, no matter the size is still a burden). Then you reach out your hands (sort of cupping them) and pull them towards your lips and back out. Repeating that 4 times. Although I am a Christian, I think this is a wondrous thing.  It is going through life with this burden on your shoulders and finally, one day, giving it all to God. Saying, "God, I have carried my burden around for so long.  I'm tired, I want to give it to you.  You died on the cross to carry my burdens for me and heal me. I give them all to you." If I had carried my burden up that Mesa I would have laid it on the pile. Daniel has just touched my life so much, learning that no matter our background, we can always find God in everything we do and no matter where we are or what we are surrounded by. Now I know why God chose me to be in this group (our big group was split up into two groups, one in one town and another being nomads for a week).  He wanted to let me know that even in the midst of sin and Satan, we is always with us. I have always had a hard time finding God and seeing him in my everyday life, but now I know that I can find him in the smallest of ways. After getting split from our group and a good fall,we get down the mountain and see even more amazing things. Carvings from Spaniards thousands of years ago, that were seen by Daniel's great great grandfathers, also a rock with old Navajo carvings and a rock that was struck by lightening. God is great. Am I right?? He keeps these historical markings around to show us His glory and his majesty. After we got back to the two group members at the car, we headed to the tent revival in Arizona, about 3 or 4 hours away. We set up our tents and got ready for the revival. Although I couldn't follow most of the service (due to it being in Navajo), I people watched. My dad loves loves loves to people watch, I always make fun of him for staring at people. But today I think I would have made my dad proud. I sat and watched how much these people opened their lives and lay raw for God. It didn't matter if they sang off key or jumped around in their testimony and no one had any clue what they were saying up on the stage.  They weren't taking to men, they were talking to God. There was no pride, there was only a humble servant bowing before Christ. It shows you how much Americans have to learn, we are all set on helping the impoverished Navajo people. When we are the ones that are poor, poor in spirit. I want to be rich in Christ and learn now to surrender everything to Christ. I am not here to judge, direct and correct, that only leads to forced change and resistance. I am here as a humble servant of Christ, here to love and accept, listen and learn, and to serve and partner. Doing those things leads to respect, trust and dignity with a final mutual influence. This is the only way that my trip will be truly successful. Longest entry so far, hopefully my life is now starting to mold into what Christ wants for me. 

Wow. All I have to say... Wow.

I have never felt so blessed and loved by God in my entire life. I don't know how to explain what this trip has already done for me and my relationship with God. A week in and I feel like God has already changed my life more than He has in years. I have met someof the greatest people I ever have and will never forget the people that have changed my life. I may not see some of them ever again, but they have touched my life and I have seen the power of God work through each of thir lives in wondrous ways. On this trip I have really been praying for fire in my life. I want to feel the fire of Christ In my life like so many people in poverty do. They have a need for God that Americans will never know. They need God to survive in a way that is uncomprehendable, they have needs that aren always met host Americans take advantage of. So this is the start of a journey to learn and built relationships with people that are so different from me, but have so much to reach me. I hope you enjoy reading it and experiencing it with me.

Day Número UNO

I never thought that the 7th of July would ever get here. But here it is nonetheless. I can't believe I am sitting on an airplane starting the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. As I sit next to a soundly sleeping and snoring passenger, I can't help but to smile. I am completely slap happy. I have now left, the stress, the sadness, the terrifying feeling  and I am welcoming whatever comes my way. If I forgot anything, it's too late now. I am branching my little wings and flying. Saying goodbye to my family and friends was hard, but what's coming next will make it all worth it. Looking out of a plane window is one of the most mesmerizing and God filled sights. The feeling of bring above the clouds and seeing pure blue skies above me, gives me this feeling that I am closer to God. That it is a straight shot up to Heaven with nothing in your way. Seeing the clouds below also has this essence that the world is upside down. Which is perfect for my life at this moment. My world is turning upside down more everyday and it's a beautiful thing. I want to thank all of you for sending me on this wonderful and beautiful journey of a lifetime. You have really touched my life in so many ways. To see the support you all gave me was overwhelming. Thank you for believing in me and take a chance on my dream. With your and God's help, I hope to change the world in any little way I can and come out a better and changed person. Please contact me with any questions and comments you wish to relay. If you would like to send an email, it is mgolike@uccs.edu. EI would love to hear from all of you and will reply as soon as possible! Never Stop Dreaming :)  Below is Experience Mission link. The organization I am going with, check it :).