If someone says “Tijuana” I would picture 9 News specials. Drug trafficking. Men with bullet-proof vests walking around desert land. A life-less area. I would hear gun-shots and screams of terror. I would smell sweat & blood. The sight of syringes and prostitutes would make me panic in terror.
I believe that God sees this city in a much different way. I think he sees each man’s desires and needs. He hears every cry from the hearts. And understands every situation. I challenge myself, how would God see this city? It might look a little bit like this:
Part of Tijuana you might not hear much about: Beautiful sunsets, Dolphins, Sea Lions & crashing waves.
If someone says “deported” I would think of metal bars holding back raged men. Hated people. To keep distance. The job of only the toughest men. Drugged & Drunk. Gangs.
But I believe God has a different name-tag for each one of these men & woman. One that would read: “loved”,” saved”, and“child of the most high”.
Within the first week I was challenged to see the deported men and woman through God’s eyes. Here are three People I was able to talk with:
His name is Jose. He was born in Mexico and lived in the US until he was deported. He spends the day selling gum on the streets to be able to give something to his mother (70 years old) who is sick. He has a great smile and would talk your ear off if you let him. God HEARS him.
Her name was Rosaurio and she had a precious face like any other 7 year old. A smile was nothing easy to get out of her but once she finally smiled my heart beat faster. She walked around the streets with her 4 other siblings & mother, looking for help after being kicked out of their house. She carried a little stuffed animal that look very well “loved.” She is a PRINCESS to the King!
His name is Jaime, a man of courage. Born in Mexico City but lived in Los Angeles since he was 8. Somewhere on his timeline he was deported and now lived the same life as the other deportees. He hasn’t seen his family for over 10 years and his hardened heart was even seen on the outside. Home is a fenced off area filled with tents donated by the city. Along with another 200+ people, he is not wanted by the US or Mexico. The area has a direct sight of the Mexican Flag & the border. He is LOVED by the Lord.
My heart breaks for each man & woman in Zona Norte of Tijuana. I know that the Devil comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. And has done that to these Men & woman. I also know that we are here to give them back what Satan has taken from them. HOPE. LAUGHTER. JOY.SMILES. More than anything else we can help them have an eternal Life & relationship with Jesus Christ.
So I chose to follow Christ and go to one of the most (mom close your eyes) dangerous places of Tijuana to share my God-given & contagious smile with people who tell me they belong nowhere. To fish for men.
If someone says "God Speaks" I might think of a man sitting on a a cliff, looking out in the distance while hearing some booming and deep voice.
But with only 4 days of classes I have been learning about recognizing God voice because he speaks to everyone. When learning to hear God the "who" (knowing God) is more important than the "how"(how to hear God). Because he will speak o everyone in a very personal way. He is moving in the lives of every student and I look forward to where else he leads us. Something that really stuck out to me, when talking about having a relationship with God, was trust. Not only trusting in God, but can God trust me. I challenge myself, and challenge you as well, to ask yourself throughout the day if you are being trustworthy to God?
I would love to answer any questions you may have or hear how you are doing. Please do not send email because the internet here is almost non-existent but it would make my day to receive a snail-mail letter! Mail can be sent to the California office:
YWAM SDB
Emily Rosing (San Antonio DTS)
100 W 35th Street Suite R
National City, CA
91950
Gotta go, see ya in 2 weeks!
