State of the World Finances

Here, they are huge about the unreached people groups and cross cultural ministry. They talk about the 10/40 window where there are over a billion people who do not have access to a Bible or have any established church. Here are some stats from Joshua project about the Christian finances. I don't really know how to take it, but it is convicting.


16.4trillion. Income of Christians worldwide
370 billion. Amount Christians give to church (2.5%)
22 billion. Amount church gives to missions (6%)
22 million amount church gives to areas of the world that have no church or bible (1%) or 1 dollar for every $1737 goes to unreached people.

I say that in a calm spirit, but that is still pretty mind blowing...who says money is the answer to all the worlds problems.

tent making

History shows that most biblical missionaries had their own way of supporting their ministry. As it is always quoted, Paul made tents to support himself. Tonight, Jordan and I found our tent making. As you have heard, the rules prevent a lot of things...one being having a cell phone or using the base phone. Well, calls from here to the states cost 30 cents a minute-a rate Jordan and I can't afford. Today we bought a Mexican cell phone with a plan to call the states. It is only one dollar for 20 minutes. How are we making tents you ask? Phones are obviously a hot commodity and could turn into a huge business. I don't think we will pursue this, but it is funny that they always talk about looking for their tent making and we found it right under their noses...

rules?

how tight are the rules at this place? The guy who has lived hereten months wanted to go see his girl at nine pm. To avoid question inghe climbed out the window and rode his motorcycle down the hill withthe engine off. I don't handle all these rules well.

Attitude of a learner

5 days in, and I have already learned a lot. Jordan and I are the only two people from the same state so there is a wide group of people. GFM has a really good vision to reach the people of the world that have not heard the gospel. The people here have huge hearts for the people of Oaxaca to hear the gospel for the first time. There are about 30 missionaries here, and I am older than about 25 of them, which is ridiculous.

There are definitely more rules than I am used to following, but I am beginning to adjust. I am not sure why, but here, I am really good at handstands...which is a good thing!

Viva Mexico

I am finally leaving for Latin America after several years of wanting to go. I first had a passion to go and serve in another country about two years ago when me and a friend Mike would talk about starting a city in Africa. I am not going to start a city yet, but I do have dreams of making a connection with one of the ministries I serve with that allows me to go back again and again and use my construction skills to somehow further their ministry. I am going to Mexico from June 7^th- August 9^th where I will be leading groups coming from the states doing a variety of things but rarely construction. When I leave Mexico, I will go to Managua, Nicaragua to do solely construction on three orphanages.

I just wanted to get this blog started before I left and I will be periodically updating it with some stories and pictures probably some humorous ones about me being an southern man in a non-southern environment.

I would appreciate your prayers as I go and serve in another country.

This is a picture of the first thing i ever built in mexico over Christmas. tres poco ninos (three little boys) tore it down in 1/2 the time it took me to build it.