July 6-9 we’ve been hosting the Mexico X-treme Team in La Paz. Two weeks ago they started their journey together in Mexico City. The focus of their trip has been to X-amine life through the eyes of a poor Mexican immigrant. For example, for several days they lived with indigenous people in the hills of the Sierra Norte. On the outskirts of Mexico City, they visited people who live in the trash dump because they have no other place to go. Each day, the team receives an X-file and this gives them clues about how their day will unfold. It is living life on the edge. Never knowing what will be around the corner. Putting your faith into action as each moment comes. Asking yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Sunday afternoon they received an X-file that simply told them to buy food for a family to survive. Each team member was given 100 pesos (about $10) and driven to a grocery store. They walked up and down the aisles, trying to determine what a family might need. But they had no idea who the family was, where they lived, how many members it had, etc. That part was a total mystery. After their shopping trip, they piled back in the van. Then we told them that we were driving to an extremely poor neighborhood called Aguas Calientes. Before leaving, we were going to pray that God would lead us to the families that needed this food. We didn’t know who they were yet, but we would trust God’s Spirit to bring us to the people that needed this food today. Yes, there would be many poor people in this community, but some families needed sustenance and the love of God to reach out and touch them specifically in this moment. It was learning to X-tend the hand of God, to X-pand beyond your comfort zone. Most of the homes in Aguas Calientes are an odd assortment of building materials: a little bit of sticks, palm leaves, boards, cement . . . whatever’s on hand. We drove up and down the streets slowly, waiting for team members to tell us when to stop. Then, with a translator, they would get out of the van with their bags of food, and walk up to meet a family. Their introduction? “God put it on our hearts to bring this to you today.” Each family we met was receptive to the encounter. Everyone agreed to let us pray with them. Each team member also handed out a tract in Spanish that shared the message of God’s love. God’s Spirit hovered in the air, blowing a fresh wind through Aguas Calientes. Today was a day of reflection and fun on the water as they were able to go kayaking on the Sea of Cortez. Another way to X-perience and X-plore the presence and power of God through nature. The X-treme Team is an X-treme learning model for Missions. Do you know a young adult who might be interested? Check out the X-treme Team link under Volunteers at www.internationalministries.org Blessings David and Joyce