When the Hardest part of the Mission Trip was Coming Home | A City Post Pod w/ Hector

City Post. What up with it?

We're back, yes. Yeah, man.

So we're finally back at City Post Church here in Haltom City,

TX and I'm here with. Pastor Ricky, what's up,

everybody? Man, let's.

Hear from y'all. Yeah, this is a returning

episode of Build Equips and it's the title of the podcast.

But most importantly is the mission of the church.

So we'll go back to. Let's go back to Miseron, bro.

Let's leave tomorrow. Let's just jump on that plane

and let's get out of here, man. Lord, I'm down.

Prepare me for it, please. Yeah, that that protection

travelling Grace. Yeah, like, yeah man, it was

very evident his his hand on us in that trip, bro.

You know, definitely. And man, what was cool was being

able to share with our church, like, man, Testimony Sunday,

man, I was so excited about it. You know, I thought about it.

I prayed over it. Like, Lord, what's this going to

look like? How do we bring our church to

Mizzo, You know, so that way they could experience it.

And then, of course, how do we talk about the kids?

That was the, I was like, I promised a lot of these kids

we're going to talk about them. So I wanted to honor that.

So. But yeah.

So what do you think about Testimony Sunday?

To quote Michael bro, I wasn't ready for that video.

Yeah. Like it was an emotional roller

coaster going and coming and like spending the time and

pouring out with these kids and then coming back home and faces

some stuff I was facing on my own and then come in and seeing

that, it was like a punch in the chest, you know what I mean?

Like straight in the fields. Yeah.

But it was awesome. It was awesome to to see how

much joy of the Lord that was shared, you know?

So yeah, that was awesome. And then hearing everyone's

perspective. I loved your mom's.

Oh man, that killed. I almost broke down when she

did. I broke down.

I was like, why did? That was one of the coolest

renditions of that verse that I've heard.

So yeah, that was pretty awesome, man.

And your dad too, like how he, he let his emotional guard down

a little bit with being transparent with, you know,

things that the, the Holy Spirit stirred up in him there, bro.

And it's just, it was awesome, bro.

No, man, it, it was a great trip and for me, so I cheated a

little bit because I had to watch that video about 17 times.

So that way I I was able to talk afterward.

And but also for me, like what I I got emotional put it together

was the the battle belongs like as we were worshipping, like I

wanted to do something where we felt like the kids were

worshipping with us, you know, So when the girls were doing all

the emotions, I was like, oh, that'd be cool to do that

together, you know. So man, I don't know, that was

just special for me. Like I just kept watching it

over and over again. Had had to cut it up.

It took a while, but it was worth it.

Yeah, for sure. It's always worth it, yeah.

The awesome video like and I think it gave a recap for the

people that didn't get the opportunity to go this time,

right? You know, it really gave them a

bird's eye view of what God is doing over there with the

Gonzabra home. No 100 for sure, bro.

So yeah. But it was great.

But yeah, now we're back and back in the mix.

Yes, Sir. But as as far as that trip bro,

you kind of want to get, do you? Would you like to give a little

bit of a recap of maybe something you learned or

something that stood out to you? No, like, you know, we talked

about going to Mizzo. You know, this is about my

third, this is our third year going as a church, My, my fifth

year time going to Mizzaram. And I can't, I can't stop

talking about our team. Like I've LED groups where we've

had people like fight, complain, get sick, homesick, or we've had

people with alternative motives that have come on the trip.

Like I just want to travel, just want to see the world.

But man, like our group, like everybody was in for the kids.

Like everybody wanted to smoke. Everybody was ready to work,

everybody was ready to play. Even when we didn't feel good,

we all came together and just like rocked it, you know, and

for me, that was it was refreshing to my soul and I was

just proud. You know, I don't know how I

explained it. It was just so much fun.

I just had AI just had fun. Like it didn't seem like all

right. We got to make sure everything

runs like it just felt right, like we just had a great time.

Oh. Yeah, man.

So that's kind of what I took from it.

That's awesome, yeah. And hearing back and kind of

just reflecting, thinking back on the video, thinking back of

like flashbacks of times there, bro, it just felt so effortless,

that's what. I'm like, yeah, man, it was like

we belonged. Like we've done this 100 times,

right? Yeah, it was structured so well

with like the lessons with the kids to the activities and the

games driving them home. Yeah.

And something that I, I, it took a little while to get used to,

but every time we would come back for lunch or dinner, all

the kids asked, how was your lunch?

Oh yeah, yeah. Enjoy your lunch, Yeah?

Enjoy. Like man, it's like they, they

had so much joy seeing us every time, whether it was like coming

back and forth. So man, it was just, it was just

really fun. Like you're saying, it was

great. Yeah, and, and one of my

favorite moments, I would say one of my favorite memories was

as we're about to leave and they want to do a final dance.

Yeah. And they looked at us like, we

gotta dance. We gotta dance.

I was like, yeah, we do. And, you know, like, it was like

a final dance party, you know? And, man, I don't know why.

It just felt great. Like it was so much fun.

And I was like, we got to just implement this every year,

right? We need to do a final dance

party. Yeah.

Shut up, B boy Ricky. Yeah, hey, don't get it twisted.

I'm not going to lie. When I hit the spins, I, I

surprised myself. I think that was the Lord saying

I got you. I'm not going to let you

embarrass yourself in front of all these kids.

Man, but that was a moment to to observe is I was going to drive

me crazy. Remind me his name.

The dude that's leaving? Sam Samuel.

Yeah, Samuel. How he jumped in and like kind.

Of you know. And then you followed in and

what's the new guys name that's going to be taking Samuel place?

No, I, I forgot. Yeah, I don't.

It's a hard yeah. It's a hard name, but like the

the three men that were leading like to set that off.

I think that was such a beautiful experience for myself

to observe. But I can't imagine for these

kids, you know, it's like just to share that moment of joy and

just playing and you know, just like like they said, having a

dance party before we left, before all the waterworks came

in and kind. Of like it kills you bro.

Every year it kills me. No, I get it.

Awesome. And I think that sets the stage

for the topic today. And that's a mission trip

hangover. Mission trip hangover, man.

It was coming, Yeah. You warned us.

And even with that warning, I personally, I wasn't ready.

I wasn't ready for what that entailed for my personal walk

and just kind of things I was struggling with personally on

top of just the spiritual attacks that comes with it.

You know, and you know, to, to quote one of my, one of my

closest friends man's like we spent a week pissing the devil

off. Like, like we were literally

like just just doing the work in the Kingdom, bro.

And so just there's a, there's a little bit of a bounce back that

that came with that that I just wasn't ready for.

Yeah, and that's something I, I always talk to the groups about

it. It's always the coming home,

man. Like people decide not to come

back next year based on traveling back home because

there's always something that, and I think it's like, you know,

when we talk about spiritual attacks, spiritual attacks

happen to pull you away from the calling that God put on our

lives. So if, if the enemy could get

you to talk bad, think bad, act outwardly toward the will and

call and the work of God, then he wins.

Because I was even thinking like, OK, so we spent a whole

week worshipping, talking about Peter, talking about the Holy

Spirit, right. And then these attacks, kid.

And it's like, I feel terrible. Well, hold on a second.

You were just talking about the Holy Spirit a few days ago.

How do you let that steal your joy if the fruit of the Spirit

is joy? You know, so it's but that

that's what the enemy does, you know, like he comes at us and he

tries to to kind of like knock you off of that sentiment.

Yeah. They hearing that just kind of

trigger the thought, bro, it's like we're, we're spending this

week and the only Christian state in the country, right?

You know, spreading the gospel, spreading this joy and that trip

back that usually trips people up.

We're going through a lot of enemy territory as far as like

beliefs of other religions and things like that.

So it was like, I don't know, that just kind of hit me right

now. Yeah, it it's, it's not just

the, the going back. So I truly believe even if we

were going back through like America or I think that the

enemy will still find a way. He will still find a way, you

know, because you have now fulfilled the will.

Like like you, you talk about like I'm being obedient.

Like for you to say that I'm being obedient, what else is he

going to call me to be obedient to?

He took this massive step, you know, like So what else?

And what the Bible says is when you're faithful with the small,

God gives you the big. So it's like, what else is

coming? So I better get I better stop

this now before it it gets crazier.

You know, you know, gospel wise, right?

Yeah. It's.

Like the enemy trying to attack the seed before it grows.

Right, Right. Yeah.

Oh yeah. Man.

You know, that's why you see a lot of these, like, you know, we

talk about spiritual warfare, like people leaving ministry,

giving up on ministry, pastors morally failing, treating on

their wives, stealing money. All of these things don't happen

overnight, right? Like they it accumulates until

something big hits. So it's like if the enemy could,

if the enemy could like just start, you know, just digging a

little bit, little bit, little bit and then boom, something big

is going to hit. You know, so little seeds of

doubt. So we have to fight that.

We got to fight that man. Man, so on that topic of where

there's planting seeds of doubt, spiritual battles, did you

experience anything personally like preparing, going?

Oh, yeah, bro, I'm not gonna lie, man, I I've never

experienced the spiritual warfare on a mission trip that I

then this year. Really.

Yeah. Like leaving was so difficult,

but it was so blatant. You know, before he's like, was

it really? Or was it my, no, this, this

one, It was so blatant, like my calf muscle pull the day before

flat tire for Ray. Like, Oh yeah, it was, it was

the, the week, the AC busting at the church, the flood before

Father's Day. Like there's things that people

don't see our system going out, the wires getting fried, bro,

depleting our savings. Like, like there's all these

things that people did and we're just trusting the Lord.

We're just saying, Lord, I trust you, Lord.

You got this, Lord, we're going to fight through this right now.

So and this is like all before a mission trip, right?

And super summer, right? You know, it's like, man, this

is tough. Dang, man, like I remember

having conversations leading up to it, but now as you're listing

everything, like what I forgot, like it's been a yeah, yeah, you

know, since we've had those conversations, since these

things have happened. But bro, like, that's so much

coming at you as you're preparing for to lead this

mighty group of 6, toss the planet.

Yeah. Then also preparing, you know,

the group that went to Super Summer.

Like yes, that's a lot bro. Getting them going.

And yeah, so it, it was just it was so blatant this year.

Like I could see it. And even to the point where I

would pray when I prayed in the mornings.

I'm like, Lord, I see it, I say, but just protect us from the

evil one. Keep me faithful, keep me

strong. Don't let anything get in the

way. Don't let anything I do get in

the way of my team. Like, yeah, man.

But you know, like the crazy thing was like, it was probably

one of the best trips I've ever been on.

It was so fruitful. It was one of the most fruitful

spirit rejuvenating trips that I've ever gone on.

So that's just me though. That's what I'm saying, bro.

Yeah. So, you know, posing that that

question with that information, did you experience any kind of

battle spiritually on the mission trip this year?

You know, like, while we were there, No, I could honestly say

that I felt like God's grace was covering us the whole entire

time. That's awesome, bro.

Yeah, I mean, of course you have like your yourself, like my

comforts. And I want more room and I want

this. I want that.

And it's like, man, dude, it's just some hours.

You'll be alright. But it was really just the

battle against self. But man, I just felt like God's

grace carried us all the way through.

Like it was, it was awesome, Yeah.

That's awesome bro. What about coming home?

Yeah, coming home. I mean, I know we all have like

those same concerns. Like I got to get back to work.

And then you, of course, like I had a lot of stuff going on and

then I knew that jet lag, like I might have to fight these sleeps

by going back to the, you know, I got things got to get done and

my eyes are closing at 3:00 in the afternoon.

So. So fighting that.

Yeah, man. But I knew I was coming home to

a lot of stuff at work and I just kept praying.

Like, Lord, it's OK. It's.

And what's funny is that it's we, we make it worse than it is.

Cuz when you talk to somebody, it's like, it's not that

serious. It's not that bad.

Yeah. It's, it's in your head.

No, man, yeah. That's that's real though bro.

Yeah, man, man. So, you know, like you've had a

little bit of a mission trip hangover, bro.

Yeah. And I think on that topic of,

you know, battles, I'll just come out and say it, bro.

I got fired a week to the day before we left, before we got on

a plane. Like I lost my job a week before

going on this mission trip. Yeah.

Like that week was rough, bro. Like had went through all the

emotions. First I was shocked, then I was

upset, then I was like sad, then I was depressed, then it's like

self pity and all that, like all that.

And on bro, literally. And I remember telling Ernie

about this and you know, to quote him is like, man, the

devil think he got jokes like like it's one of those things.

This is like. So that was a that was a hurdle

to to navigate even going. And then, bro, we, we got, like

I said, we got a lot of travelling grace, bro, I don't

think I've ever gone through TSA once as fast as we did through

three countries, bro. Like, let that say it for a

second, yes. Like, like the way God was just

just had his hand on us through that.

Yeah. And then the time with the kids

and, you know, seeing, really seeing the reach Gonzabra has

with us going and visiting the homes, the home visits of the

people in the community. And honestly, probably one of my

favorite parts is I'm reflecting back on it, bro, was our morning

devotional times together. Like that was so spirit filled

and like, like we just, I think we grew closer as a group, like

we're just some transparency there and, you know, really

sharing our hearts with each other.

And then that set the stage for the Holy Spirit to move

throughout all of us with these kids all day.

And I think that, you know, I want to commend you and your mom

and the leadership of just how intentionally y'all prepared us

for the day, every day. Oh yeah, it's, it's important

because also, like, you know, you, we, we do all this, we

raise all this money. You want to go and you want to

make sure you utilize every minute of that day.

And mission trips are not just for the people we're going to go

serve, but God uses the people we serve to minister to us.

So we have to be open, we have to be ready to receive and, and

that's why you prep spiritually. It's it's important, man, it

really is. So being intentional with the

time is very important, but also the lessons, you know, like if

you notice, we, we talk about Jesus a lot and, and thing is

like Jesus is the only way. He's the only one that's going

to forgive our sins. Jesus is who drives us, sustains

us. He's the one that holds it all

together. If we had a trip and didn't talk

about Jesus, we're wasting time. It's true.

It's like, I always like to say, it's like having a generator

with no gas. You know, it's, it's there, but

there's no power. So making sure that Christ is at

the focus of all of our conversations and our teachings.

Like there isn't a yes, it's about Peter, but it's about

Peter meeting Christ. You know, it's about introducing

Christ as friends. Like everything has to be about

Christ. Yeah.

So that's also very intentional. Yeah, man.

Yeah. It was a, it was a master class

in in how to teach kids for me. Yeah.

Hey I learned something every time bro.

Yeah, yeah, man, just the the teachers we had, like yourself,

your mom, Estevan, your dad, like even Michael, you know,

with him and he was kind of nervous and, you know, but he

took it so serious. And it's something that that

that meant a lot to him. And that's something that even

with the language barrier, I think translates, you know, it's

communicated now you don't worry to to everyone in that room,

bro. So.

So that was an awesome experience.

But, you know, circling back to the hangover aspect coming back

specifically. Oh yeah, yeah.

Man. Like something that really hit

me traveling home other than like the travel itself.

Like them 23 hours they meant to play.

With, that's right, like physically.

That that that's, that's something.

That be mentally prepared, right, man, That's right.

Right. But that that's so, so key.

Be mentally prepared for it, right?

And me mentally, I was like, bro, I'm going back home, wrench

do I'm broke. I got a job like that was tough

navigating coming home and then finally getting home after, you

know, my bubble being the little little violated on the flight

back. I just needed some rest in that

too because after I got a nap we was.

Cool. Yeah, that's right.

Yeah, but. And by now, 7 hours later bro

like good bro. I took a lot of melatonin, some

allergy medicine, bro. I knocked myself out for that

flight because 16 hours, bro, that wouldn't have to play with

it. So I was intentional and that

that had that made probably the trip back a little harder than

it needed to be because I didn't sleep at all on any of the

travels because LeBron, I'm just going to try to knock out on

this long flight home. Yeah, but yeah, man, then like

physically coming home and first and foremost feeling like my

social battery was like depleted.

Yes, Sir. LeBron wouldn't be around nobody

right now. I.

Don't want to talk to nobody like.

You might as well get some water burger and go home.

Like he gonna just chill. But to be real, that kind of

snowballing into a little bit of depression, you know, with the

reality of my situation coming back home and fear and doubt

starting to creep in. It's like, bro, what am I going

to do? And that isolation piece where

that first Sunday I didn't come to church, this is all like,

bro, like I just can't. And then even more honest and

transparent is like. To be real, if I didn't have the

obligation of sharing my testimony that Sunday, test that

testimony Sunday, I probably wouldn't have come because to be

real, I was struggling to come even with that.

Yeah, you know, so it's just like that struggle was tough,

bro was so tough, man. But even went through that the

Lord was revealing to me is like and now you see why you need

community because you can't do this by yourself.

Like when I'm by myself. That's that's a recipe for

disaster. For me, and I think I think God

uses these situations to build us and stretch us them because

if, if your home mentality is like these are my limits and I'm

only going to operate within my limits, you're never going to

grow and you're never going to stretch.

Then also and, and, and this is just just thinking out loud.

If I talk a lot about Christ, if I talk a lot about like the Holy

Spirit, if I talk, but yet I'm all like depressed.

There's two things. It's like one thing is not like

the other, you know, So I think it's also a way for like the

Lord to say, you need to rely on me.

That part you need to rely on me, like rely on me, you know,

like I'm showing you because you're right.

Like, and I said it, it's like you are empty.

You, you spend a whole week pouring yourself out to these

kids to each other. So if you don't fill your cup in

a specific way, you can't, you can't pour out of an empty cup,

man. And, and dude, I mean, you're

exhausted. You're emotional at the end of

these trips. I mean, we all are.

You're thinking about just going home.

You're like it. It's you're just in a place

where it all ended and and yeah, man, it's, it's part of the it's

part of it. Yeah.

And that's why I keep saying it's like all the way to the

end. The trip don't end till we walk

out of customs together and we're on.

We see our loved ones, you know, but I just truly believe that

God uses all these situations to build.

Us. Absolutely.

Because I remember when I went in November and I had that

stomach bug on a 14.5 hour flight, I was getting up every

two hours, you know, like, and, and in my mind, I'm just like,

Lord, this is going to be hard. Like even before I got on the

flight, I was like, God, this is going to be hard.

And I sat next to the biggest dude with the broadest

shoulders. Big old dude, man.

I was sitting behind and in front like like his shoulder in

his lat. Like that was my cave.

And I tried to tell him I was like, dude, I got to get up man.

And he was getting annoyed, but I was like, unless you want to

switch seats with me and he wouldn't do it.

But but after that trip, I was like, I can't believe I pulled

it off. And the only way I really got

through that was just man prayer.

Just say, Lord, just help me, you know, get me through and and

he did so this flight piece of cake.

Right, yeah, man. And and no one hit on something

you mentioned is like to to go and be talking about the Holy

Spirit for a week and then to come home and be depressed and

all that when I'm struggling with right.

And it's like something is not the same.

And specifically, like the Lord uses these situations to to

stretch us, to expand us, to just make us to refine us, you

know, and that was something like was a like light bulb

moment and the time coming back. And more specifically, like last

week, you know, just come in on the other side of like what I

was going through. And it is like Holy Spirit tell

me it's like and you tripping about rent.

You saw what I just did for these kids on the other side of

the planet. You saw what I did to provide

for you to even go on this trip because by your means, no way

where you going? And look how I've even been so

intentional in that preparation and looking out for you now

because I'm still surviving off of means I had from before I

went, you know. So this is like that, right?

That like kick in the butt moment for me.

Like smack upside the head, Dolores.

Like, boy, yeah. Like when you go get it, like,

you know, So yeah. Yeah.

And then also like, I think this is good to talk about too,

because it's like, what if there's people that want to come

on the trip and then like they're excited to hear and

they're like, hey, what happened, right.

You know, and it's just, it's not a good look, you know?

So all of these things have to be taken into consideration.

But honestly, I remember like the first year I went, when I

went to India in 20/12/2013, I came back and I, I don't know, I

felt like angry at the world because of the things I saw and

experienced, like ministering in a slum, seeing leprosy, you

know, like it was such a strong experience that I just felt like

yelling at everybody, you know, like I was, I was acting out of

like just my, my experiences, my emotions and people are looking

at me like, are you OK? You know, but I think all of us

experienced that on our first trips, you know, I think that's

a normal thing, you know, and then it's like you learn from it

and the Lord used it and now you can tell others like when it's

going to be their first time, right?

Heads up. Right.

I mean, and that that's something I was trying to be

cognizant of that that's why I isolate because I know I

couldn't have done it without the people of this church and

then pouring into me to go. And I don't want this emotion in

this negative space I'm in, in that moment because it's

temporary, because it's rooted in those emotions.

I don't want that to negatively affect someone's perspective on

if the Lord is calling them to go.

Right. Yeah, man.

So for real like all that and the enemy uses all that, bro,

you know, So you have to be very, you have to be aware.

I guess that's the best way to say it.

You know, I love, you know, talking about this Ephesians 6,

you know, we talked about spiritual warfare.

I like what Paul says in verse 18 because it's true.

After he gives like here's the armor of God, you know, get

ready for it. You know, then verse 18 is like

and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of

prayers and requests. And it says, with this in mind,

be alert and always keep on praying for all of the Lord's

people. And then Paul, like he switches.

He's like. And then but also pray for me

that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will

fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which

I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I made it clear

fearlessly, as I should. Yeah, man.

So he gets it right. He's like, we got to keep

praying for each other, right? You know?

And yeah, but I like how he turns it on himself.

He's like, but man, pray for me. Took some of the ambassador in

chains. Like literally.

In prison for the. He's in prison writing the book

of Ephesians. Encouraging this church, bro,

that's still something that's so, yeah, mind boggling to me.

Yeah, you know, but that's the power of the Holy Spirit.

That's the power of Jesus. Yeah, man, when you see it, when

you've experienced it, when you're in it, it becomes more

than talk, right? And it becomes, it becomes hold

on to. And I know for me as a when,

when I go through hard times, everybody's going to go through

difficult times, especially planning the church and, and,

and church ministry stuff. I hold on to those truths.

I've seen you do it before, you'll do it again.

I've seen you work. I've seen you heal.

I've seen you, you know, and you just got to keep telling

yourself you know, and then the people that come at you, you're

like hold on a second like y'all haven't seen it.

I have. So why am I tripping?

Right, that part. Yeah, that part bro.

That's right. So all that being said, for the

people that want to come, you know, and I've spoken to a few

guys that the Lord is already, you know, tugging on their

heartstrings and and pushing them for it.

What what are some recommendations you think for

for them to get ready physically and spiritually for?

Bad mission. That's so good man.

Cuz I think, I think physically you have to understand you're

traveling to the other side of the world.

There is not an OK. So even if let's say we all got

business class seats, you're still going to have a hard time

sitting down for 14 hours. You know, So physically having

your body able to like move around, you know, you're sitting

in a seat for a long time. And then when we're in India,

it's very active, you know, like, so you're walking up

hills, you're sitting, standing, sitting, standing.

There's a lot of energy. But the hardest thing that I

always see and even for myself, operating while you're

exhausted. That part.

You've got to be able, and I think this is more mentally than

physically, you've got to be able to operate when you're

tired and just pray and ask the Holy Spirit, give me strength

that part instead of like, I'm tired, I want to sleep.

Suck it up. We're here, you know, and so I

think physically are those things, you're gonna be active,

you're gonna move, you're gonna be sitting a long time on

airplanes. So it's a little bit of a tight

squeeze. Spiritually, I think going with

the heart of Christ, going with the mentality that I'm gonna

serve, I'm gonna pour myself out and I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be

a, a vessel. Like I'm not going to go save

the world. I'm going to go be used by God,

you know, And I think spiritually you have to pray up,

got to pray up, guard your heart from sin and, and get ready.

Yeah. It's good bro.

Yeah, how about you, like now that you've been on that trip,

like let's do 2 takeaways from each.

Like you personally, you're on the trip, what advice would you

give? So let's start with the physical

first from your experience. For me on the flights,

specifically the long ones, go find some space to stretch bro.

Yeah, it's like. Yeah, just like I think you, you

broke it down pretty awesome on the the flight back of every

like 3 hours getting up and moving around.

So like on that physical part of the flight itself, like get

somewhere where you can go move your legs around, stretch your

legs, like find some space to literally do some stretches like

I had to do. Secondly, bro, get some of these

airborne gummies that Ricky was passing out.

Like Andy, bro, like is that? And like I've been going through

the footage and seeing the difference and hearing the

difference from when I was in Delhi before I started taking

them. So when we were in Mizoram.

And like, I'll say, bro, that that that stuff's a game

changer. It is.

That's the net for real. So that that'd be two for the

physical piece, for the spiritual piece, be very

intentional in like that replenishing time in the

evenings after, yes. You know, that's a great, great

word cause. Like for me, my like normal

routine is something in my bed playing on my phone, you know,

watching a movie or something. That's how I recharge from a

typical day here in Fort Worth, TX.

But after pouring out so much with these kids of like really

surrendering and submitting to the Lord and being his vessel,

that's something reflecting back.

I wish I would have been more intentional in replenishing that

cup when that one-on-one time with the Lord in the evenings,

Bro, this man like bro be tired, like tired, exhausted, yes, bro

depleted. And I was going to sources that

couldn't replenish me right, You know, so that's a good word.

So that's a that that's the the first recommendation from the

spiritual side. The second piece bro just be

real in this devotion time in the morning with the team.

Yeah, be honest. Yeah, bro, of the struggles of,

you know what the Lord is revealing to you if you have

questions, Yeah, if you have any fears, any doubts, like, because

I think that's what made that time so impactful for me is how

honest and transparent everyone was because it was a very, very

safe space. And it was a very, very

encouraging space too. I agree.

That's mine. That's great, man.

Those are great words. Like you're, you're like, you're

like a veteran now, man. So, but, you know, just to, you

know, we, we put the slideshow on YouTube.

So anybody wants to watch that? If you want to rewatch the

testimonies, it's up there too. I know I I watch the slideshow

at least twice or three times a week, you know, like, yeah, it

just, I don't know, man. It just brings back these great

memories hearing the girls sing. Is it just rejuvenates my soul,

man. It's it's awesome.

So, but yeah, man, anything else you got?

What's the mission look like here or no?

We've talked about this mission going across to the world.

Well, now that we're back in Fort Worth, TX, what does that

mission look like for City Post? Man, that's, that's good.

I think we need to be careful to think missions is just an India

or you have to get on a plane to go to missions.

In all reality, man, God is bringing the nations to us, like

all our neighbors across the street that we talked to,

Venezuela, Laotian, Burmi, Burma.

It's like you have all these different countries in this

neighborhood and all you got to do is you just got to build that

trust, man, build that friendship, you know, and even

like with our Laotian congregation upstairs, my dad

has really made an effort to reach out to them because

they're very closed in, you know, and it's a cultural thing.

It's nothing to do with us. And they actually gave us money.

Yeah. Like they wanted to.

They collected a small amount of money amongst their church, Say,

hey, we hear you going on a mission trip.

We want to help you guys, Bro, That, that was humbling.

Like they came downstairs on Father's Day and presented it to

me. Yeah, a little envelope.

And they're like, it's not much, but we heard you guys are going

on missions. So whenever we got back, this

was crazy. We bought them this thing from

Miserom and then my dad printed out group pictures of us with

the kids and put it in these frames.

So last Sunday we presented it to them.

We went upstairs. They were like, how was the

trip? Like, where was Burma?

We're like, what's Miseron? But there's a lot of y'all over

there like, you know, like, and I'll show you.

So they were, so they were just so happy, you know.

And I told him I was like, you guys were part of this, which is

true. They were, they were a part of,

of us going through prayer, even to the point where they were

like, next year we need to help you raise funds to go, you know,

and this is like a little church.

And then my dad sends me this picture right here.

Sorry, man, I got to, I got to show it to you.

My dad sends me a picture of what they did with the stuff

that we gave them. And that's in front of their

church. Bro.

So like they pray man, right? Like bro, that's so.

Humbling. Yeah, dude, I I get when he sent

me that, I got choked up because it's like, it's not, it's not

the amount of money, right, But it's the heart, right?

Everything that you know. So it was, it was just awesome.

Yeah, man, that's. Further believers, yeah.

But that's huge. Yeah.

That's that's so encouraging. Yeah, exactly.

Beautiful. Yeah, but but I say all that

because the nations are here and so we don't have to travel to go

far. They're they're here.

Yeah, it's time to be aware. That point, yeah, that's all I

got, bro. Yeah, closing thought, man,

that's this is good, man. Just I just want to let let my

only closing thought. I just enjoyed Sunday, man.

I don't know how to explain it. I knew a lot of people out of

town didn't feel like it, but there was just something about

Sunday where I just, I don't know, like just being with

everyone, worshipping together. It was.

It was awesome. Indeed.

Yeah, that's all I, that's all of my ended with.

That's all I got to say. But we love y'all we out.

Yes, peace.