How did I get here?

(Jounral entry 2/9/10)
God. Prayer. Obedience & Faith.

A call has been in my life for a very long time. It’s like an unseen wind that has been pushing me in the right direction for many years. When I try to remember the first time it’s hard to recall a specific start to this wind. I remember as a child hearing a missionary at my church speak. He talked about how a call to mission can start even as a child.

Well, here I am 13 years later I’m following the call. A call to be a disciple of Christ, the first missionaries. The Call lay dormant for many years. But God did not stop.

In 2003, I went to NYC Nazarene Youth conference, the theme was discipleship. My foundation in the church, that is full of of believers in Christ has been preparing whether I acknowledged it or not. Yet I still have far to go.

In 2005, on a mission trip to the inner city of Nashville,TN I discovered my gift to serve. I also confronted my addiction to pornography and confessed it to God. I repented and was accepted by God’s love and grace. I am saved!

In 2007, I learned I must give up some relationships to follow God. I have to be very careful to not confuse my will with God’s will.

In 2008, I learned I was the rich young man, I must start giving back. Luke 12:48 From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

In 2009, I saw your people in Haiti, I learned I must care for the widows and the orphans of the land, I found the neighbors I should love as myself.

In summer 2009, I started to give back. I feed the homeless through God’s help.
I also learned about ministry wroking at a kids camp at Shepherd Community.

In 2010 I stood up from my nets and followed him.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." - Romans1:17


“Only those who obey can believe, and only those who believe can obey” Dietrich Bonheoffer

“No habla español”

We were standing outside a ten foot high gate, outside a completely fenced in two story building on the corner of Ali Baba and 22nd Ave.

A pot belly-ed man walked towards the gate from the inside and began speaking in what I thought was Spanish, I replied “No habla español”. Then he began talking faster and with more emotion. Neither Seth nor I could understand a word. We replied again with “No habla español”

I finally pieced together a sentence in Spanish asking to Speak to the pastor who I had talked to over the phone and we were let in the gate, to our home for the next stage of our journey.

Hogar del Nazareno (Home of the Nazarene) is a substance abuse rehab center for men. It is located in the heart of Northern Miami, in a district called Opa-Locka.

To the locals this area is called the Bermuda Triangle, because once you go in you don’t come out.


(Journal entry from Friday 1/22/10)

It is 9 in the morning; I have been up for three hours. There is something that feels good about getting up early and having a whole day ahead of you.
At 1 pm we helped unload a truck load of donations, or blessings as they call them, blessing from the Lord. I am reminded of the hard working nature of men, and their ability to work together while joking and laughing.

I can’t help but ponder my current location. I am sitting in the middle of North Miami surrounded by the city, yet I am safe. I was welcomed in with open arms by brothers in Christ. The clouds are moving, trees rustling in the wind, birds flying in the air.

Ephesians 2:3-5 All of us also divided among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were deaf in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved.



God is Good, God is Faithful, God heals, God Saves, God renews, God Loves