You can’t control everything, but you can give up control!  That is exactly what you may have to do if God chooses a ‘different method’ of dealing with your problem, as in, ‘different from last time’.  Enjoy this encouraging talk about how David had to deal with TWO Giants in his life and God used different methods for dealing with each one!

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too. The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people! God loves EVERYBODY! No one is excluded! That is good news!! Now believe it!! For more info, visit:

• http://www.hopefellowshipycc.com
• http://www.gracewalkcanada.org
• http://www.gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

When God Messes Up Your Plan: SERIOUSLY GOD?  WHAT ARE YOU DOIN? What do you do when it ‘feels’ like He messed it up? Suddenly everything you planned goes out the window or looks NOTHING like what you had hoped? This message could be exactly what you need to hear! ENJOY!

https://vimeo.com/163179163

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too. The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people! God loves EVERYBODY! No one is excluded! That is good news!! Now believe it!! For more info, visit:

• http://www.hopefellowshipycc.com
• http://www.gracewalkcanada.org
• http://www.gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

Grace In The Face Of Fear & Darkness: When trouble, sickness, difficulties, pain and suffering come our way, we can easily be tempted to believe we are alone or even abandoned.  It is in times like these, we need to focus on TRUTH!  The Truth is we are NOT alone and that Jesus will NEVER leave or abandon us.  When the waves of life are crashing in on us in a big way, it is then we need to be reminded of our one-ness with our Saviour Jesus Christ!   I hope today’s message will encourage your heart and bring the reality of God’s Grace to the forefront in your heart and mind!

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too.  The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

 

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people!  God loves EVERYBODY!  No one is excluded!  That is good news!! Now believe it!!  For more info, visit:

 

• hopefellowshipycc.com
• gracewalkcanada.org
• gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

What do you REALLY believe? Have you REALLY thought about it?  Is it the same stuff you were told as a kid?  Have you ever thought through every belief that has been handed down?  It is time to visit each belief, challenge every thought and question the answers you have been given since childhood!  Some will come out just fine, some will be headed for the ‘garburator’, which is a good thing!!    Enjoy today’s message of HOPE and encouragement!  Once and a while it is important to visit the basic and exciting truths that have given us clarity and zeal for life!!!  DON’T FORGET the good news you ALREADY know!!  Enjoy!!

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too.  The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

 

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people!  God loves EVERYBODY!  No one is excluded!  That is good news!! Now believe it!!  For more info, visit:

 

• hopefellowshipycc.com
• gracewalkcanada.org
• gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

Luke 24:32: They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

 

I believe the light and truth of Christ shines through all darkness, all people, everywhere…there is NO PLACE it does not shine. If you have come to believe the Good News of Grace that Jesus came to give, is your heart still on fire? Are you still excited about the deeper and wider love of God? Going through the Easter Story is certainly and great way to be REMINDED of the Amazing Love of the Holy Trinity towards ALL humanity!!

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too. The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people! God loves EVERYBODY! No one is excluded! That is good news!! Now believe it!! For more info, visit:

• http://www.hopefellowshipycc.com
• http://www.gracewalkcanada.org
• http://www.gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

Our first ever Hope Fellowship/Grace Walk Canada Mission’s trip to Mexico was absolutely amazing.  Today we had the chance to share how each step of the trip was deep and impacting through pictures.  The team shared a little bit of their experiences and would have loved to share more!!  Enjoy!  (*can hardly wait for the NEXT Mission’s Trip)

You may have heard God loves you, but did you know He LIKES you too.  The message the ‘typical’ church sends to the world is that God is really ticked and his anger is building…well….that God doesn’t even EXIST!! And we wonder why people feel condemned by the message ‘the church’ seems to send.

Let’s share the GOOD NEWS for all people TO all people!  God loves EVERYBODY!  No one is excluded!  That is good news!! Now believe it!!  For more info, visit:

• hopefellowshipycc.com
• gracewalkcanada.org
• gracewalk.org
• https://mikezenker.wordpress.com/

Dear Friends & Family,

We’ve decided to stay in Mexico. Hope you’re all well.

Love Team Flexico

Ok, not really but thank you everyone for your support for us to be here. God is at work.

Yesterday morning we set out towards the El Limon, in the State of Nayarit. Today was the quietest it’s been in the van for five days. You might think, ah yes, the fatigue is setting in. Well, it may be, but that’s not why. Gerardo told us his story of coming to faith. Which can be summarized by a lot of “long story short” (It wasn’t short but it WAS PHENOMENAL!) and he got the girl.  (Insert an eruption of cheers & clapping) Yesterday I said that Gerardo’s rapping increased my respect for him but that’s nothing compared to how I feel about him after hearing his story. Gerardo has such a heart for the people of Mexico. I’m thankful we could share this experience with him.

Also, the drive yesterday was OH MY STARS.  Can’t describe it. Check out this picture.

We passed so many trucks today like this.

Or it seemed we did. In actual fact it was only two trucks, but we kept stopping for washroom breaks.  “Why are there so many mattress trucks on this road? Is there a high demand for mattresses in the village?”

Mike has been the provider of Diet Coke for me(Linda) on this trip. (I’m a bit of an addict but that’s not the point of the story)

Me: I never have to wonder when I’ll get my next Diet Coke. It’s just there.

Mike: It’s like Gods grace. It’s just there.

Amen.

Also, if you want to freak out Gerardo, just mention you grabbed a taco at the last roadside stand. He is very strict about where we eat. Sadly, it didn’t give me the response I was hoping for. 😉

 

Flexi-quote of the day:

How will we describe this town?

Avery “Squishy”

 

 

It is hard to describe the amount of good news we are experiencing on this incredible trip!  Each day seems to just get better and better!  The team is really becoming comfortable with each other and sharing their observations each day as to what they are seeing and learning.  So far we have been very busy travelling, preparing for ‘teaching meetings’ where the team shares ‘from the heart’ a short 5-10 min description of what God seems to be putting in their hearts, Story book time, (reading a kids story to the children, only to find the adults like it more than the kids), singing as a group, and teaching the profound love and Grace of Christ to the group we are visiting.  The van rides are crazy, and very enjoyable with healthy bantering, silly songs, worship songs ….all sung together with really cool harmonies!!  The personalities of EACH person are being realized and their TRUE identity and character seems to be coming out more and more…..which is a beautiful thing to witness!  To say one day is better than the other is unfair as EACH DAY has a profound impact on each of us in a unique way.

I will try to have a better summary when the trip is over, as we are finding it difficult to update each day.  It is so surprising how tiring each day is, and how little time we have to ‘summarize’ the day’s events!  Each person is keeping a personal journal to remember what amazing thing/s God has shown them that day, or what event or image stood out from all the others.    Today’s picture is of ONE of the twelve homes that were painted in the ‘village’ we have been looking forward to visit.  Another highlight of the day was Gerardo Vasquez sharing his story of how he came to believe the joyful good news of Jesus.  It was a LONG story, and yet the ‘short version’.  it was the most silent the time in the van and EACH ONE OF US listened intently to every detail of Gerardo’s deeply impacting story, one we are sure to never forget, WE LOVE YOU AND DEEPLY RESPECT YOU GERARDO!

(Special Guest Blog by Linda Lanesmith) Today what stands out? These youth that we’re traveling with are basically THE BEST. Day 4 and we have yet to hear them complain. They have been squished in the back of the van for hours with very little space. Thrown into things they weren’t expecting. Asked to push out of their comfort zone by sharing their hearts with people they don’t even know, try new foods etc. Not. One. Complaint.

(*VERY FULL VAN!!!)

One of the youth asked Gerardo, “why are people so glad we have come?”  Speaking what we are all thinking.  Because we feel like we’re the ones who are blessed by this experience. Thank you to Sergio, his family and the church in Celaya for having us. We did not want to leave!

It’s been a joy to listen to the youth and their silly banter, loud singing and attempts at Spanish(which in all honesty, they’re picking it up faster than the adults!) So often we give teenagers a bad rap. Us adults have been known to roll our eyes as we talk about the challenges of teenagers. As we’ve listened to the kids share their heart and struggles, I am reminded all they have to navigate through ‘these days’. So much hard stuff. These kids need to know adults are on their side. We’ve got their backs. These are some good, good kids.

You must know, every day here there’s a surprise. Some unexpected fantastic thing happens, or several actually. I have so much admiration for our host, Gerardo. He has selflessly given of himself this week to drive us around for hours and hours(with a noisy bunch of kids!), watch out for our well being, and keep us safe. I didn’t know I could admire him more, until we discovered HE CAN RAP. Like a boss! He broke into a rap solo in the middle of a worship song during church this morning.  Loved it and him. You’re so great Gerardo! Thanks for all you’ve done to make this trip happen. It’s such a pleasure to spend time with you.

(*Special guest blog from Linda Lanesmith) Yesterday’s highlights brought to you by ‘jugo verte’ (green juice), Papa John’s Pizza and grace home church of AWESOME.

After such a long day of travel yesterday (7am-10pm), we were thankful for a lovely hotel to stay in, Holiday Inn Centro, Guadalajara.

By now, everyone has heard Pastor Mike rave about the green juice he loves to drink in Mexico.  The consensus at breakfast this morning was, most of us have jumped on the ‘jugo verte’ bandwagon.  It is seriously yum!  Made with celery, pineapple juice, orange juice and cactus!

If you can’t really imagine how a 4 hour ride goes, in a 2003 Chevy Express, packed with 12 HUGE suitcases, 7 carry-ons, 5 teenagers, Pastor Mike, Gerardo (our awesome host) and myself, (Linda) here’s how it went down.

On the drive to Celaya “Hey, let’s practice some worship songs in the van!” So we did.  As we were trying out some harmonies, we discovered that Gerardo can sing, AND SO CAN PASTOR MIKE!  There were some sweet sounds coming from that Chevy.  Gerardo let us know that the plan was to do some music in the service on Sunday.

At one of the washroom stops along the highway, we discovered a ‘Papa John’s Pizza’ place.

Pastor Mike: “Hey girls, the guys are getting some pizza, do you want some?”

Girls: “Nahhh”.

*After smelling the pizza*

Linda: “So, who regrets the pizza decision girls?”

Girls respond in unison: “ME!!!”

So, Pastor Mike kindly goes and orders another pizza.  #FlexicoInMexico

 

Beautiful sounds of worship quickly changed to loud camp songs, radio and TV jingles, silly songs with Larry, musicals, etc. The girls made sure we covered all genres…LOUDLY!  We quickly decided we should stop trying to translate English songs into Spanish after butchering Justin Beiber’s “Is it too late now to say lo Siento.”  It is important note here, that Jonathan at some point inserted his ear plugs during this loud medley.

All of these wonderful moments with the youth in the van, were interspersed with one of us asking Gerardo how to say something else in Spanish. “Como si dice __________.”

 

This evening Mike was scheduled to preach, and some of us shared our stories at a grace home church.  I’m sure the kids must have wondered where exactly we were going, as we walked down a dimly lit alley into someone’s home.  We were greeted warmly and welcomed into their home.  As we sat together, we heard a story of a husband and wife whose son was kidnapped two years ago and senselessly killed.   They shared how the pain of losing their child hasn’t left them, but they have found hope in Christ through the tragic loss of their son.

 

It was a big surprise when Gerardo called me (Linda) up to lead a worship song…….and then another one.  Remember how we were practicing to do a song on Sunday? #Flexicoinmexico  However, singing a song together in Spanish and English at the same time, with this group, was wonderful.

 

Mike also shared more of his own journey of understanding God’s Love and God’s acceptance of him.  Watching Mike preach from his heart and Gerardo translate for him with such passion was great to see.  They are like a well oiled machine!

It was a blessed day, what will tomorrow bring?