Why We Will Go

by | Apr 14, 2014 | Blog, buildingaboat, missions, push to costarica site |

“How does this make any sense?” I asked over and over sitting on the edge of the bed one day a few summers ago in Nicaragua. I kept asking God how he could possibly use a family of Americans in a different culture. So clearly seeing how irrelevant we seemed there, and how stripped of everything familiar. And after all the wrestling with Him, we came home to the same questions from family and friends. But his answer is always the same. He is enough. He is sufficient for our weak faith and lack of vision. We have been asked about why we would leave the comforts of the United States. Why Costa Rica? Why wouldn’t we stay closer to home and serve those here instead? We love that people care, and are authentic enough to ask. We love that they love us so much, that they wonder why we would go and need to question us. So much need here, so much going on presently in our own culture. And while the reality of our leaving sets in, we are still convinced this is what God has next for us. We haven’t deserted our own, and chosen others as more valuable. We are just doing the next thing. The next ‘yes.’ Because when God invites you to something, no matter how impossible, the only answer is yes. Need is everywhere, it always has been. But need doesn’t determine our call; God determines our call. It’s his work, not ours. We know that God continues and desires to grow and build up the amazing community of people we are...

Just Begin Where You Are.

by | Feb 27, 2014 | Blog, buildingaboat, missions, push to costarica site |

We leave for Costa Rica in 4 months. Sometimes people that don’t know us very well seem to think we’ve figured something out that they haven’t. I don’t think that’s true, but if it’s anything, it’s this. We are weak, and God is strong. And at the end of each day, it’s about what team you’re on not whether you’re always getting it right. And the reality is none of us are capable of such a life, regardless of how much we try. At some point, we all face our own brokenness, lack of faith, or lose hope. I imagine for simplicity I could just write about why Jesus is the answer to all of that. And He is. But really, what I think is more important, is that we all have a shared narrative. I don’t think God really needs me to tell anyone how I’ve figured it out, since I haven’t. But maybe He wants me to share more about how I never really ever got it right. About how grateful we all should be that it’s not up to us. About how it’s all about his mercy. I think he wants me to share how much we’re all really the same. For those that just don’t see how living for Jesus makes sense, maybe we have more in common than you’d think. There are so many different perceptions of freedom. Some are true and some aren’t. But I think we’re all trying to get more of it. Sometimes I think about the darkest parts of my own story, and I grieve it again. I don’t need...

LHC IRONMEN Mission Trip 2010

by | Nov 8, 2010 | missions |

From LHC IRONMEN Mission Trip 2010, posted by Jimmy Hampton on 11/08/2010 (91 items) Little pre-game. Safe return for Z Just arrived Z doing stand up! JK The stories of Rio Bravo are everywhere. Washing dishes Spencer showing the kids how to do the games. Bible study Bible study Settling in for some worship Kevin gets to hold the newborn Ray wiring Robert doing the doors Cutting beds Darrell doing some carpentry Ellery sanding Jeff on the bed crew Dirt duty Taking the hill Mathew eyeing the polaris great shot of blake not working Time for lunch Blake not working Generated by Facebook Photo...

Back in Mexico

by | Oct 6, 2010 | buildingaboat, missions |

Well I am back in Mexico a mile from the border. We were up and on the road again at 5. So I will be short but i do want to share my experiences with you.  For some you have gotten these notes before and I thank you for your prayers. I am always amazed at how much withdrawing from life to come across the border changes my perspective. There is so much need and it is really just a matter of listening and putting faith first I really did not think I could make this trip with my work being so crazy these days.  But I am thankful for my team and though I am only down for couple of days I have already felt closer to God in many ways. And felt satans constant pull to safer things. I am here and I could not feel more safe and alive.  I sat at dinner on the front patio area of a small house and had the best tacos of my life.  A man and woman with there small daughter. Cooking from the house. So good.  We were able to bless them with some money and I will give more tomorrow but here support goes far.  We also prayed for them and I have forgotten how powerful it is to be around Z when he gets going. I love being here. We painted a room in a building Z is turning into a center for kids of the area. See Americans are no longer coming to help as they once did. The violence has them scared.  I understand...

Street Retreat – Reward

by | Mar 30, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |

  I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our journey together and to share with you an experience with God today.   I headed into work just as usual but really needed to drive just by the park so I made the block and drove by but nobody there except Stephen.  Yeah, no thanks on that conversation.  I got in my office was hanging out downstairs and a guy in a rebel hat goes strolling by the window. He was not so nice either. Wow first hour already seen two guys from the weekend.  Almost everyday I grab a sandwich at Jimmy Johns (even though Stephen says they suck) and I usually walk down the alley behind the Driscoll.  Like EVERYDAY.  Except today the alley is closed. No biggie, so I walk out on Congress and as I cross over 7th heading South I see Steve (guy that came to church with us) sitting at the bus stop.  So I go over say Hello and I see he is eating so I say I am going to grab a sandwich and talk to him in a minute.  I walk down towards Pita Pit and this woman asks me if she can have some money to get a pita.  I told her no way those sandwiches “suck” lets go to Jimmy John’s. So we go grab her a sandwich and she is very gracious and says she doesn’t have many friends out on the street. I told her to go to the park and meet my friends. I hope to see Christy on Wednesday on our mobile loaves run. Then I head back up the street and...