I have good news about the church here in Matamoros.  Castillo del Rey may be continuing on, in a different location than where they are right now, hopefully nearby or within a pesera (bus) ride from their home. 

There are people that are devoted to continuing this church, even if they have to walk because they cannot afford the bus.   Doesn't sound that scary, right?  Imagine passing through a field littered with trash, with only enough space for cars to pass through when they come flying down dried mud roads.  High bushes so no one can see if you're kidnapped, men running around with machetes (whether they're working or not is a good question).  It's questionable in the daytime, but if you're a mother with children, imagine passing through these often muddy fields or backroads with high winds and nothing to defend you or yours against a random drunk or fast cars.  Many of our churchgoers are elderly, and the walks to and from place to place are already taxing as is. 

I've heard stories from people in Granjas, such as one about about an older woman who would walk for four hours to get to church, basically taking up her entire Sunday by the time it was done.  But God is more than worthy, more than worth it.  For these people, (as it should be for us), He is their all, more important than aching feet or leaking roofs. 

That got me to thinking.  Is God my all?  The disease of self runs through my blood, as they say in "In the Light," a song by DC Talk.  That got me to thinking about pride (I really couldn't think of a better way to segue that).

Lo and behold, I read in a devotional by Beth Moore, "Living Free: Learning to Pray God's Word," a little poem she put in there about pride and the injustice it does in our lives:

My name is Pride.  I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...

because you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...

because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.

I cheat you of a vision...

because you'd rather look in a mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...

because nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...

because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...

because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride.  I am a cheater. 

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you stick with me,

You'll never know.

I would only like to end this blog by saying that I hope that poem gets you upset and moves you.  I posted it on my wall.  Beth Moore has a good point...or should I say God does.

Peace and blessings to you all.