Mexico

I finally heard from Robby last night. It was the first time since he left for Mexico this past Monday. This was his first official LAM missions trip. Robby did it true to his own unique style. He decided that instead of staying with the missionaries in San Diego or just going down for a day to take pictures, he was going to stay for up to week with the men at the Rehab Center. It was important for us that Rob convey the spirit of the men through the pictures. He wanted to sleep, eat and worship with them to fully understand their lives and convey this via the pictures. Rob slept in the communal bunk area with the other men, shared in bible study at 5 am and ate frijoles for every meal. He watched as men detoxed without medication, doctors or therapists. Their only form of detox is watering down alcohol for a couple of days and giving it to the men who just enter to avoid detox related death. Rob dug ditches, poured cement and worked alongside the men. By the time he left they had renamed him, "Hermano"- brother in Spanish.

Many of them chose to share their story with Rob through their tattoo ridden bodies. Each tattoo had a story and represented a moment in their life. I am looking forward to seeing these pictures.

I was overwhelmed with praise yesterday as I heard Robby share how the Spirit was moving in this rehab center and in his own heart. How Christ was alive and well in the lives of the men. Rob shared his testimony on three separate occasions and felt the presence of God every moment of the day. Thank you to our friends and family for your prayers of protection.

The blessing for me was that I felt at peace the entire week knowing that Rob's life was in God's hand and he was doing His work. I rested even though apart from my partner.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog,"Authentic Mission". The purpose of this blog is to journal my personal experience as a wife, lover, best friend and greatest fan of my authentic partner in life, Robby. Robby's life has been authentically raw to say the least. He is a survivor of trauma, addiction and mental illness. His story is raw. If it makes you uncomfortable it is because it is meant to. We have no filters as it would take away from the miracles only our Higher Power, Jesus Christ, could accomplish in and through us. We are blessed with the pain and harrowing memories of the past as it calls Rob to share his story with others like him.

Our call today is to minister as part of Latin America Missions. Rob will be reaching a new generation through web, newsprint and photography. Our hope is that Rob will be able to convey the message of Christ and salvation via art and media.

This journey is not one we took lightly as it called us to abandon many of our worldly possessions and financial security. The risk was not so much in abandoning our past but remaining in it.

Join us in prayer we as we move forward in this exciting journey. Dear God, may no day be forgetful!