Jacob O'Flanagan
The biggest focus that God has been teaching me would be the importance of loving each other. In Jesus' words to the disciples in the Gospel of John, he does not say that all men will know we are his disciples by our zeal for the lost, or even by our zeal for God and his commands (while these things are both very important) instead what Christ lays out as the most clear evidence of all that we are his disciples, is the love that we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ. - Jacob O’Flanagan
Amanda Bellefy
God has been teaching me that He knows the plans He has for me and I don't have to worry about anything. When I have been worried, God has always provided. He has guided me and been faithful. It's scary for me to know that He lets me choose, but I'm so thankful He has brought me back to Him before it was too late. God has been teaching me that He loves everybody and they might live under different circumstances or even believe different things, but I am to love others with Christ's love. On my internship I've learned that even if you can't speak the language, you can still be a witness to people. It's almost harder because people are watching more of what you're doing and how you're acting, since it's harder to communicate. Overall, God is faithful and I know that He is with me here in Mexico. -Amanda Bellefy
Hannah Swanson
In the last few weeks that I have been here it has been a blessing but also a challenge. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have in being in Jerez, Mexico. Helping out with the kids is a huge blessing. It is so exciting to see kid's open and attentive to hearing the Word of God. One of the challenges though is the language. Though there is that challenge and others it is a reminder to give everything up to God like it says in Psalms 55: 22a "Cast you burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you." I look forward as I continue to have the next couple months to serve here in Jerez. – Hannah Swanson
Jordan Rumohr
When I came to MTI, I had high hopes of what I wanted to do. It didn't take long for God to teach me that those plans I had weren't necessarily His, and that He has a lot of work yet to do in my heart. I've been convicted of the fact that, no matter how much I may act and talk like it, Jesus Christ has not been first in my life. I've allowed many other things to take control, and all of that is found in one word: self. But He continues to urge me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him. He's been using Psalm 62 in my life a lot right now. "My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken." He alone, and no other, is my rock and salvation. There is no other for my soul to wait for. It's hard and slow to learn, but God continues to show His love and patience with me. He is good, very good. – Jordan Rumohr
Matt Rieniets
If I had to choose the main thing that God has been teaching me this past year of MTI, I would have to say that it is that I am continually in the need for God to shape my heart into the way He wants it to be. I know that God has fully equipped me to serve Him in whatever situation I am called to go into, but many times, I can see myself dragging my feet. God has gifted me in the exact way that He wants me to be, but if I put up a fight to being used by Him, I will fail. So in essence, I have learned that I need to continually say, "God I am yours. Please use me in any way that you want me to be used. I know that you have gifted me to do what you want, but please change my hard heart every time I need it to be changed." Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Matt Rieniets
