What was it about?

Well now that I've been home from Mexico for a few days. I can settle a bit and tell you what the trip was about, what it was like, and what it most definatly was not about...me. I distinctly remember walking and talking with Heather Merrill one day while we were back on the campus one evening. We chatted a bit about the days experience, and eventually she asked me if I was having a good time. All I could remember thinking was "Who cares if I have a good time." I think I just told her that to say I was having a good time would be the wrong way to describe it, and I changed the subject. But this trip was not about taking kids to go see another country for awhile, or maybe just taking the message down south.
This trip was about so much more. It was about doing everything in our power to help and serve the workers already in place to help the hurting people in Monterrey. We did this by serving with missionaries and local pastors and workers who knew the area and what it needed. Pastor Jose Angel being one of those pastors, is one I think Corey has decided we will commit to by helping his vision of a ministry center in Catereyta.
Catereyta is a horrible plot of land that the government set aside for people who had nowhere else to go. They charge $90 a month for a plot of land with nothing on it, no electricity, no water, no sewage, and the plot is smaller than most one bedroom apartments. Most of the people there struggled to make 2 or 3 dollars a day. Can you imagine paying 90 dollars a month? Most of these people can't afford it, so they don't, and they just hope the government won't come and kick them off. We spent a good deal of time there, handing out food, handing out diapers, working on the ministry center, handing out bibles, praying with the people there, meeting their needs, and playing with the children. We served a meal one night for the entire village which consisted of a hot dog and a juice bottle. You can't imagine the turn out, and how greatful these people were for even that small amount of food. And that will never be enough sadly, there's so much to be done there to help those people, and sadly a lot of it has to come at the government level.

As God would have it though, my little Brother Brian is studying at the London School of Economic's this summer. Brian is into learning about the way governments, economics, polotics, and other factors affect world poverty. He wants to figure out how to make a change at the government level to end poverty. He thinks super big picture, and I love that about him. And as God would have it, I got a message from him when I got home. While he was studying in London, a professor threw out a bible verse to talk about how the way governments try to fix these situations isn't working.

Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 says "There was a small town with only a few people living in it, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. There was a poor, wise man living there who knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought any more about him. Then I realized that though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long."

He and I talked about it for a little while. At that moment I had an even greater appreciation for Back2back and the way they do their ministry. They work with local pastors, local laborers for the lord, who have a vision for what needs to be fixed in their area, but they may lack the resources, money, man power, to make their dreams come true. Back2back comes behind those people, and brings in groups like us to help them get the work done. We didn't charge in with our bibles flying, try to convert everyone to our ways, throw a lot of money at the problem and hope it get's fixed. We listened to those people who knew what the needs were, and we tried our best to meet those immediate needs (giving people food, supplies, and medical aid), as well as trying to create something permanant. (helping build the ministry center, pouring the roof on the future boys home, etc.)

All in all, this was a trip I hope I never forget. God's kingdom, His name and renown, was advanced in Monterrey last week. And the weird thing is, we didn't have to say anything most of the time about Him. People saw the love of Christ in our care for them, our offering them food, playing with their kids, offering medical help, and just being there and open to what they needed us to do for them. It was humbling to just say literally "God, I'm a tool, use me." All joking aside, that's what it was all about. Whether I had a good time, a horrible time, or an amazing time, it doesn't matter. God's kindgom was advanced, and his people were loved this week. That's what it was about. It wasn't about GCC kids, although they all benefited greatly from this trip. It wasn't about the Coopers, although they felt loved by what we brought them and helped them do. It wasn't about Corey or John, although they had the best trip experience of their life. And it lastly was not about Me. Last week marked me for eternity. I am a changed man after just one week of service in Monterrey, Mexico. And it wasn't even about Me. Funny how I can get so much out of a trip, when it wasn't even about me at all. I love the way God works, and I pray that the next groups that follow us down there, and the future groups from GCC continue the work down there until it's done.

Mexico and back

The Mexico team arrived safely home at GCC at 6:15 saturday evening (good call Johnny). People asked me if it was a good trip and to be totally honest, it wasn't a good trip. I think to say it was good would be to imply I went down, had fun, and nothing bad happened. Well it was much much more than that. I will update you on exactly why soon, as soon as I have some pictures to throw up with the stories, because you need the image to really drive home the impact. It's good to be home, hope to see you all soon. But while we're still all smiling, here's the top ten funniest things that happened in Monterrey:

10. "There's a baby gecko in my shorts" (Jim Ralstin actually found a baby gecko hiding in his shorts in the bathroom of our dorm, just to clear that one up.)

9. "How was the shower Jacob?" -Jeff
"It was like a Panda crapped a Rainbow in my brain." -Obi Won Jacobi

8. "See ya at Wrestle Mania '07!"

7. Paul was here

6. Don't drink the water (Thanks Dave)

5. "Who got dat Witch?"

4. "I don't know, ask Him"

3. "Survey Says..."

2. "Six degrees of Devastation" (Corey, you're worthy of my praise)

1. "There's trouble brewing in Mexico...where's your bathroom?"

Don't you love inside jokes?

Viva Los Mexico

Ok I don't really know what "Viva Los Mexico" means, but I'm going to mexico in about seven hours. Am I excited? Yes! Am I a little nervous? Maybe! Did I pack my Immodium? You better believe it? Would I rather be taking a 30 hour bus ride than flying? Actually yes! But all that aside, we're going down there to serve a group called
Back2back Ministries in Monterey. I've done a little travel in my life, and a couple of mission trips, but I've never done anything like this. Go to a country where they don't speak my language in a place that's totally out of my comfort zone. Alaska was cake...playing drums and going camping is my forte. Ireland was a walk in the park...again playing drums and making a fool out of myself playing soccer, I do that at just about anything I do so I was right at home. But going down to a poor area, donating my labor, my clothes at the end of the week, and all the heart I can muster. I don't even get to play drums! But ya know what, I'm not the least bit worried because besides the fact that I'm with the team of the 30 greatest people I can imagine, I serve a God that could sustain me through anything. So with that, I'm excited to see what He'll do this week. I'll be honest, I don't think I've taken the appropriate measures to prepare my heart for this week. But I get the impression God's not going to wait for me, and I'm ok with that. I'll catch up. You can catch the updates on the teams blog. We'll see you next week!!!

Oh and p.s.-I think my intern hazing has officially begun. Corey handed me a pair of Sammy Hagar's sunglasses at the beginning of the packing meeting and I enjoyed the gift. I later found out that I will in fact be wearing them all week in mexico. I look rediculous, and I love it. So to match my tool googles, I will be rocking all white trash gear down in mexico, and then leaving it there. Ya know, camo shorts, mess starter shorts and shirts, pink floyd concert t-shirts. The whole deal. That's my donation to mexican culture. Enjoy!!!

Monster House........thumbs up!!!

Jeff DeSelm and I went to go see Monster House tonight. It was a toss up between that and Lady in the Water, and when we sat down in the theater, I thought I was in for a lame evening. Well turns out, it was fantastic. It was funny, it was weird, it was kinda spooky, and it was funny. Not to mention it had some really good voice over actors that they neglected to mention in the previews. Kevin James, John Heder, Steve Bushemi, to name a few. Great movie, check it out.

Twins???

So Corey told me that the character Jeff in the movie "Grandma's Boy" must be modeled after me. After watching the movie, I would have to agree (minus the onezie p.j.'s and the car bed). But are we twins? You be the judge.

Camp Adventure...times two

So me and 130 of my closest friends decided last sunday, "Camp Adventure was fun last time, let's go do it again." And so we did. Camp never disappoints, as it was amazing yet again. Two guys in my cabin gave their lives to Christ on wednesday night (Colin and Adam, you guys rock face) and the other four all recommitted their lives. We had a blast last week, and instead of getting all sappy about it, how's bout I just thought out a list of my favorite moments from camp that you wouldn't understand unless you were there. Enjoy

-Ooooooooooooooxfoooooooooooooord

-Frank: "Are you gonna give your life to Christ tonight?" Colin: "Probably"

-EEEErrrrrr

-Doo

-Who died?

-Second Base

-Buck Buck

-Corey Juice

-"Dear God, please slow down, I can't understand you."

-Clarissa Explains it all

-Choke Slam

-Go On?

-Hoe-down

-Cowbell

-However...

-You got it

-Frisbee Ransom

-Feedin the fish

-Bang the drum

-Air Horns stink

-Leviticus

...............mexico.........6 days.............buy me some immodium AD.

Showtime

I was doing a little midnight shopping run with Bob-style-Morton, and while I was shopping for deodorant, I noticed there was a new old spice body spray called "showtime." Needless to say, no matter what it smells like, I'm wearing that from now on, because everybody want's to walk out of their bathroom and say..."IT'S SHOWTIME!!!"

#14

Church Growth Today just sent out it's publication listing the top 50 most influential churches in america. Granger Community Church was #14. What an honor. Check out the list.

Covenant

A lot of people at the church and elsewhere have been asking me about bethel's lifestyle covenant. I've tried to explain it occasionally, but I found it online, so now you can all just read it and see for yourself. I'd be interested to hear what an 'outsider' thinks about it. Read it here.

Pirates of the Caribbean

I went with Corey, Chloe, and Cleo Mann to see Pirates v2.0 at movies 14 friday night. And yes I snuck in because apparently everbody in mishawaka is a closet pirate and couldn't wait to see the movie. At any rate, the movie had great action, great drama, and great acting. But before tonight, I'd never uttered the words "I'm pissed" as the final credits began. Sooooo much was left unresolved to leave us yearning for the sequel that it was almost cruel. That's not funny Mr. Bruckheimer. Poo on you Disney!!!

Born on the 4th of July

People have a lot of memories of family vacations, parties, fireworks displays, and just plain good times from the 4th of July. Well the first thing I think about when I think about the 4th is my grandfather, Charles Vincent Myers, who passed away on July 4th, 1992. I know that sounds sad, and it is, but it actually brings me quite a bit of joy because his life has always been a great inspiration to me. And since this is my blog, I feel like telling the world about it. He basically lived the american dream. He gradutated with a degree in ceramic engineering from Ohio State University while serving as a ROTC officer and a part time waiter to earn his dinner. He started in 1940 as a laboratory assistant with the Eljer plumbingware Co. in Ford City, Pennsylvania. I'll just give you the timeline from there.

1942- Promoted to Head of Laboratory

1944- Promoted to Production Technical Supervisor

1946- Promoted to Superintendent of the Ford City Plant

1953- Promoted to Plant manager of the Vitreous China Division. This included the Eljer Plant in Ford City, and a plant in Salem Ohio.

1956- Eljer Plumbingware was sold to the Murray Corporation of America. He was promoted to Manufacturing manager of Eljer Factory Operations. He was transferred to Pittsburgh to oversee three plants.

1960- Promoted to Vice-President of the Murray Corporation of America. This added three more plants for him to oversee.

1965- The Murray Corporation merged with the William Wallace Corporation to form the Wallace Murray Corporation of America. He was elected Vice President-General Manager of the Eljer Plumbingware Division.

1968- Elected as a Group Vice President of the Wallace Murray Corporation and transferred to New York City. He was now in charge of Eljer Plumbingware as well as all the other Wallce Murray Divisions.

1970- Wallace Murray was reorganized. He was now in charge of Eljer, William Wallace, Lawton, Dry Manufacturing, Simonds Steel, Illinois Gear, Selkirk-Metalbestos, and Simonds Canada Saw Ltd.

1972- He was elected Executive Vice-President of the Wallace Murray Corporation.

1973- He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wallace Murray Corporation of America. He was now in charge of a Fortune 500 Company with over $260 million in sales in the United States, Canada, and several other countries with 10,000 employees. News of his promotion was published in several publications including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and later, Forbes.

1981- Retired as President, and served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He served in this position until his retirement the following year.

I'm sure all those accomplishments speak very well to his character. But the thing that makes it all the more amazing to me is that in the 9 years that I knew him, I never knew anything about all that. Maybe it's because I was 9 when he died, how much could I really know. But when he was around, he wasn't some stiff faced, stern, all business guy who didn't care at all for anything or anyone but his work. I remember being so excited when he and grandma would come to visit, because he had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met, and I've met a lot nice people in my life. There have been many times in my life where I think, "What would Bappy say if he saw me doing this." I am so blessed to have such a great family, with amazing men, men of God, who modeled what a good life really is. I love my grandpa, and I credit so much of who I am today and who I will be for the rest of my life to who he was, what he taught me, and the legacy he left behind.

Charles Vincent Myers "Bappy"
August 8, 1916 - July 4th, 1992