The FYMs have been back in Matamoros for a couple weeks, and are getting back into life and ministry here. Look at what they have to say about their time back so far.
It is weird because it’s been three weeks already and it has gone by really fast. We received our schedule for the semester and it’s looking good. We have a lot of things planned and I am excited for it to start going. I have decided to change my internship. I no longer go to the school, but now I go to the prison. 
I am very curious to see how God is going to use me there. I have been reading a book named “Irresistible Revolution: Living as an ordinary radical,” by Shane Claiborne and it has taught me so much. It talks about how the world needs Christians that love God with all their heart and show the love of God to others. I just feel like I have not reached that point yet but I want to get there. I want God to take over my heart completely and I don’t want to hide it. Sometimes I just have stop, take a deep breath, let it out and enjoy God, you have no idea how wonderful it feels. I recommend everyone trying it sometime if you already don’t do it. Well that’s all for this week, keep praying. -Ifeoma
During our classes this week, we have been discussing Absolute Truth. We’ve watched some great videos, thanks to our guest speaker, Tom Yancey. This morning we watched as different priests, theologians, professors and authors from across the nation testified to the solid reliability of the gospels. It was very informational and something that definitely spikes my interest.
They all had interesting things to say but one priest mentioned something powerful that stuck out to me and I’ll share paraphrased, (sorry I don’t remember his name…Jerry something or other): “The gospels aren’t intended to remind us of a dead master, they’re intended to assure us of a Living Lord.” -Jessica
The best way to describe being back is a sense of Newness. There is such a sense of freshness and revised vision for our time here. It is more a feeling that the LORD has much in store for these last months here. It is hard to believe we are halfway through our year here and that this time when we go home…we are finished. It has been such a blessing to catch up with all of our friends that we left for a month…they are all so amazed that we actually did return…they keep asking why come back and why would our parents let us come back….and the easiest answer is the LORD himself brought us back. It has been especially exciting to catch up with my friend Concha in el Campo…it is full of fun conversation and lots of laughter!!! It is still so amazing her openness to our group and her desire to get to know us better and serve our team…We had a birthday party for one of my group members TIMI and Concha came and we danced together and got to spend time with her outside of her house and it was such a cool time…celebrating together and not just sitting and talking…but really doing normal life things…such as dancing and singing together. Yesterday was our first day back in our internships and it was GREAT…I really missed spending time with the people at the hospital! All the nurses were so excited to see us come back and immediately directed us to the patients. We spend time playing games with some of the kids and then went to the surgery wing and met three amazing women who were all in the same room…but did not know each other before entering the hospital…but shared the joy of the Lord through their suffering…it was SUCH a testament of the LORD’s work during times of pain and hardship…SUCH encouragement for our group to hear. -Laura
In talking to some of you individually over break, I asked for prayer about God’s clear leading concerning internships for this semester. I just read an incredible book about healing by Bill Johnson called When Heaven Invades Earth. I felt God pushing me to step out and walk in the power and authority that He hands to believers by going to the hospital to pray over/ with patients. I went to the hospital yesterday, and really felt it was where I needed to be, and the other night in Granjas, God completely and miraculously healed the pain in our friend Carmen’s arm. I felt this was confirmation for to the hospital for my internship. I did all of this thinking that Alejandra had gotten out of jail, but when the other girls got back from the jail yesterday, I found out she was still there. I’m going tomorrow to talk to her, see what the deal is, see if she’s still supposed to get out, but please pray for clarity for me in what to do, and leading for others if someone else is being called to disciple her this semester. Pray for clarity, and for understanding on her part and for God to work His way in all these things. I’m so thankful that God is a God of details, and I eagerly anticipate seeing how He pulls all these things together perfectly. He always does, doesn’t He?! Oh, we serve such a loving God… -Lauren
I made it back to Mexico and it feels good to be here and to be reunited with our group. I spent most of yesterday unpacking and catching up with everyone. This afternoon I will be visiting our neighborhood and I’m very excited to visit our friends and see how they are doing. Pray that God would help me in my Spanish – I’ve been out of practice for a while. Please continue praying for me as I am readjusting to life in Mexico. I am excited about this semester and am anticipating God working and moving in big ways in and through us. I already feel like I’ve learned so much, and I’ve only been here for a day. I read Matthew 10 this morning where it talks about loving God more than your family and giving up your life to follow him. Jesus says that when we lose our lives, we will find them. I hope that this semester I lose my life and find true life – life in abundance. I hope that as I get to know Jesus more, my love for Him will be unrivaled. I was reminded yesterday that I don’t need friends, I don’t need family, and I don’t need money – all I need is Jesus. The other stuff is great, but I can live without it. I cannot live without Jesus. -Abbey
