January 10, 2006
Hugh Woods Blog
As interviewed by Alli Mellon, AIM staff:
Alli: Hugh, in a nutshell, can you tell me what’s been going through your head since your arrival here in
Mexico for the start of the World Race?
Hugh: I have to deal with these people for over a year-new people, oh boy!
Alli: So are you telling me you are not exactly a “people person”?
Hugh: Yes, Alli, you have the gift of discernment!
Hugh: I did get to spend some time with some locals (some of the Mexican people in our neighborhood) the other night, and was surprised by their humbleness and how sweet they were. Even though there was a language barrier, I really enjoyed our time together. It was fun trying to get our points across and try to understand each other.
Alli: Have you had any concerns, as you think about all of the countries you are about to travel through, about communication?
Hugh: Yes, I’ve thought “how will I be able to convey the truth of Christianity to them?” So many other religions are works-based. How do I convey to them the deeper meaning of Christianity, that we can do nothing on our own? Other concerns would be traveling though foreign countries when we don’t have a translator, and some of the logistical concerns. It’s gonna be an interesting time-a time to grow. A time for God to stretch us. I know that’s why God called me here-he wants to stretch me. I call myself a Christian, yet there are things in my own personal life that need work. What kind of message am I sending out to everyone else? I know why I am here-God has called me to be here. He’s called me here to change me, bless me, use me. Right now the enemy still has ground in my life, but I want freedom from that. Today I am more free than I’ve ever been. I want to continue walking in the direction of freedom. I want to submit to the Lord and not fight Him anymore.
I know what the Lord has done in my life, and I want that for others.
Alli: You’ve had your first challenge handed to you as a team. You have to find your own transportation to take your team of seven into interior
Mexico. What’s that been like for you?
Hugh: Well, so far, we have the name of a pastor that we’ve spoken with. He might be able to help us get a vehicle.
He wants to meet us to see that we’re legitimate. Yesterday, we started the task to find transportation, and it was crazy. We drove into
Brownsville,
Texas, and were running from car lot to car lot, trying to find something that we could afford. We found a couple of options that were way too expensive. Our budget is really limited. In the end, we wound up with the name of this pastor. So we have a start.
Alli: How are your team dynamics? What did you see when starting on your first task?
Hugh: Our team has only been together for a few days. We haven’t completely melded together as a team yet. Last night was the first night we really started to come together. We don’t have a person who’s stepped up as a leader yet. We are still getting to know each other.
Alli: What strengths did you see in your team members as you were looking for the transportation?
Hugh: Well, me and Paul were the ones who went looking for a car while the girls went to Wal-mart. Paul is just as strong-willed as I am, which is a really good thing on our team. I can tend to be a bit tyrannical, so I’m glad that Paul is there, pushing back. God has orchestrated each of our teams. It’s all going to unfold in God’s timing-His wisdom is going to show itself as we get to know each other and work together as a team.
Alli: Is there anything the Lord has been specifically speaking to you in these past few days of being here in
Mexico?
Hugh: The Lord’s been showing me how self-centered I still am. He’s been showing me how broken I still am. And He wants to get me past that, He wants to push me way past that. I know it’s a process. I know that what’s waiting for me on the other side of this is way worth the struggles. I want to be free in Christ. I am willing to go through every struggle I’m going to face on this trip in order to continue on in freedom.
Alli: Ok, Hugh, you did it! You wrote your first blog! Any closing comments?
Hugh: (laughing) Yes, “I want to sleep”! I don’t know if it’s the roosters crowing or what, but I need some sleep!
