Over this past year, I have been co-leading a group of 6 young men and two other dads in studying a book titled "Do Hard Things" by twins Alex and Brett Harris.  The book's theme is intended to help young men see their place in service to others by raising their expectations of themselves.   The authors give example after example of young people who have accomplished remarkable things as young men and women. 

We meet twice monthly and rotate leading the study so that we each of the guys get the chance to lead and help other's lead.  The group's motto is "iron sharpens iron" and when others are leading that compels each of them to give their best for someone else's benefit.  One of our other focuses is outreach to others as a product of expecting more from ourselves. 

Our first outreach in March raised over $1,200 for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.  Our second project was spending a day helping deconstruct a 30x20 wooden deck for someone.  Our goal in these outreaches had two benefits: 1) serving others, and, 2) learning how to work together to accomplish something meaningful. 

Our study in doing hard things ends this summer in an exciting way.  Our group is planning to serve villagers living in poverty in Oaxaca, Mexico where we run an outreach called Mission Oaxaca.  We facilitate work teams to build cement floors and community bathrooms for the village of Vicente Guerrero. I'm excited to help lead this outreach as I want these young men to know how other cultures live, better understand their own culture, and I want them to learn the value or serving others as a life mission. During out trip, we will specifically be building community latrines and a floors for homes---banos and pisos.

Our trip is scheduled for August 15 and we return on the 24th.  I am writing to you today to ask you to pray for our team. I couldn't be more proud of these young men who have made the connection between our actions and how they can lead to measurable outcomes related to serving others.  They have done garage sales, worked, washed cars, pleaded and prayed for funds---and we have reached our goal required to get all of us to Mexico.  Mission Oaxaca will be helping to cover the cost of the project from our supporters who get pretty excited about this type of thing.

Thank you for your support and prayers.   You can make a contribution here or by mailing a check to:

Mission Oaxaca c/o Center for Sharing
3525 E. A St. 
Pasco, WA 99301.  

CFS is the fiscal agent for Mission Oaxaca and handle our finances which makes your generous gift tax-deductible.  

You can also help me by sharing with others about our journey.  I promise to keep you informed of our progress as we endeavor to "Do Hard Things" and help create future visionaries that believe service to others is the substance and reward of this life.  

Sincerely, 
Chris Anderson