This may be the most difficult blog I've had to write. 

When I decided to be a missionary to Matamoros, Mexico, I agreed to a lot of things.  I agreed to give up a lot of privileges.  I agreed to living life according to promptings from God, and to approach everything prayerfully.  I expected adventures around every corner.  I have not received anything less than that so far.  God has blessed me and the group I am in most definitely.

Unfortunately, there are things for which a missionary doesn't normally prepare him/herself.  Like when his/her leader stumbles.

Our team found out this Tuesday that, a few Saturdays ago, our Pastor, Bob, had committed a "moral failure," I should probably call it, with respect to his privacy (this is an editing of an earlier post which I hope no one read).  He is, regretfully, no longer our leader.

I'm still processing what happened, and none of us know all the details, to tell you the truth.  Bob is a very dependable person and has always taken great care of all of us.  He's been a great teacher, and he built his church and his ministry brick by brick, step by step.  He's put all he's had into his family, the colonia, the FYM students, the program, the church, and the hearts of the people here.   When you mention Bob Waag in our area of Matamoros or Castillo del Rey, everyone smiles.  His good reputation is known all over Matamoros. 

Someone once said, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."  That may be a rather terse and insensitive way to describe this situation, but I believe no one is immune to sin, nor is above anyone else in their "sin" status.  We are all equal to that effect, regardless of the way that sin is viewed in human eyes.  This is a reminder for all of us to keep our guard up.  We may think ourselves invincible, but the enemy loves to catch us when we don't expect it.    

It's also a reality check: who do we trust?  Granted, we shouldn't go around trusting no one, but God is our ultimate trustworthy, right-hand man.  He will NEVER fail us, though he puts us through times where we will yell, "God, why?"  God brings out awesome opportunities to grow and make a 180 when you least expect it. 

Forgiveness will be hard to live out, but I have the need to forgive our pastor (Jesus wants that from us).  We are all indirectly affected by his actions, as are many people outside the program.  But rather than close ourselves up and remain cynical (my knee-jerk reaction, typically), we need to realize that everyone has failures.  God also sees out justice for the wronged, although we may not see it realized immediately.

Finally, I believe this is not the kiss-of-death for our mission.  Right now we are all at the Gateway of AIM in Matamoros, and we'll be working with a construction project this week as was previously planned.  I might make additional plans in Matamoros after May as well.

Either way, I am confident of this: God has the habit of never locking all windows and doors in the house at once.   His work shall continue.

Please pray for our team, Bob and his family, the Mexican missionaries that have had to relocate, the colonia, and our leaders. 

Thank you for your continued support.  God bless you all.