Monday, March 10, 2008

Las Botijas




This last Saturday the CPT was able to spend the afternoon harvesting botijas. A man in the village of Yucunama taught us how to dig into the dirt and find tons of these little creatures hanging from the walls of the tunnels they live in. The process was very exciting, but the best part of the day was sharing these delightful little snacks with the rest of the gringos (white folks) on the base. Ok, I know that you are dieing to know what a botija is, a botija is an ant, but a very special kind of ant. These ants spend their lives collecting nectar for all the other ants to drink. This nectar is collected in their behinds. So, a botija, is an ant with a large hinnie filled with juice. In order to eat these ants, you simply suck the juice out of their booties and enjoy the delicious flavor. Some of you may be feeling a little nauseous at this point. But I want to tell you with an honest heart that I enjoy them, it kind of tastes like fermented grape/apple juice.


This ant spends its life giving to others. I have thought about how blessed we are to have such a colony around us. The first church mentioned in Acts is painted much like a colony of believers: giving to those who had need. Let us remember to live in loving and generous giving as we learn to be the body together.
" And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. " ~Acts 2:44-47

Monday, March 3, 2008

Ezra; A True History Maker

This past week I have been reading the book of Ezra, it has greatly impacted by the testimony of this mighty man of God. He saw the unfaithfulness of the Isrealites and was broken over it. Ezra wept and threw himself down before the house of God over the sin of His people, seeing the heart of God and pleading for his people over their disobedience He saught change. While he was mourning over this , a large crowd of Israelite men, women and children gathered around him and began to weep along with Ezra. Through a heart for righteousness of this priest of God, Israel began to purge themselves of this sin.
As I have thought about this I have been convicted by the heart of this man. Do I weep over the sin of my people and the judgement that will one day come on them from a Just God? The answer is no. I pray for this type of spirit for purity, the kind that abhors sin like God does, but also loves the sinner more than life itself.
I have also been challenged to pray for such a man to be raised up among the people of this colorful town. Only through true repentance will Tlaxiaco see transformation and recognize it's purpose the King of kings has for it. I pray that the Lord would take His rightful thrown over this place. However, I know, just like Ezra, that it must start in my life.