Normal workdays have been spent painting, staining, cleaning and working around the dorms. On the weekends we usually have groups and then we'll build houses. This past weekend we had all off, but this upcoming week we have a week long group from Hawaii! Last thursday, I was on my first cement pour! We did it as a staff and it was a 12X16, so it was tough. It was a lot of hard work, but I just ran buckets of cement and shoveled, so not as hard as what others had to do. On wednesday, we had a cultural day where we had to take a califia (bus) to Centro (a big city) to find a university, the Cultural Center, the Palacio, the giant military flag, and the Cathedral. It was an awesome day! So cool to get out into Mexico and really learn about the area. We've been memorizing Philippians 2 and we're all the way up to verse 24 already! Every time we memorize more, I surprise myself in being able to remember all of the verses. Along with verses, we have weekly disciplines. Our first week back, it was no communication with the outside world. Since then we have had a two week long discipline of no personal use of our vehicles. So we have to take the califias around everywhere. It has been interesting and quite an experience. It reminds me of college quite a bit. This week they added a second discipline of no sugar. It has been so hard! haha sugar is in so many things! Also our phones have not been working, so I haven't just been ignoring calling people, I just haven't been able to. Overall it has been fun being back. It's a different vibe from the summer, but things have been going well lately.
I've been doing a lot of reading since being back. I'm reading Acts, Isaiah, and Proverbs for my devotions right now. Also we have a missions book that we need to read. I'm reading "The Abrahamic Revolution" and it has been really cool seeing how God used Abraham in missions and how that relates to me. We are also taking a class called perspectives. It's good, hard to pay attention, but entails a lot of reading as well. Though, being back I have been learning a lot of taking the focus off of myself and putting it on God. Also being disciplined and diving fully into everything that I do. If I have a negative attitude, I know that I am focusing on my wants and not treating others the way that Jesus would. So a lot of learning and intentionality. 
Prayer requests for being more in the cultural, keeping my focus on God, having my heart broken for what breaks His, discipline, intentional conversations, finances, and trusting in God. If anyone is wanting to join me in my time down here and support me through prayer and finances, I could really use the partnership of those in my church community, family, and friends. The address that you can send letters, checks, or anything to is: 555 Saturn Blvd. Ste B-510 San Diego, CA 92154
I love and miss you all! I'm praying for God to be opening up the hearts of all those who read my blog! Hope everyone has a great week!