October 15, 2010
We have turned a corner in our missions adventure and absolutely to have moved beyond the "can we do it?" mode. We were not sure when tackling Mexico if we would spend our time just getting by; the kids hoping to understand anything at all in school, I being fearful of leaving the house or driving anywhere alone, the language barrier being difficult to shop for needs, how and where we would enjoy any free time. What has evolved is an adventure beyond our expectations.
The people we have met have been wonderful, helpful and never even seem to mind that we struggle with our proper verb tense or don't know the correct vocabulary. The kids took their mid-semester exams in school and both succeeded with scores in the 90's. (Mitch really studied harder than he ever had. He had a study guide to answer in Spanish, translated it all to English to make sure he understood it and then memorized the answers in Spanish to take the test.) Thinking that only 6 weeks into school, he would be able to describe biodiversity or name all the geographical formations in Northern Mexico, and give a written brief history of music..all is Spanish was a real sense of success. Payton can tell you about the 5 senses, the history of the Mayan culture and name the parts of the solar system all in Spanish. We exercise outside, walk to local shops for food, and enjoy the full fun of a new culture. What a blessing!!
God has opened new doors to ministry every week. We assisted with a medical mission program, will work on the roof at the Orphanage at Casa Bethesda, and have another Intentional Church Planing Training session this month. We are learning how to be most effective in an area with so many needs. Joel is working with a brand new ABCD baseball league (Aprende de Baseball Con Dios - Learn about Baseball with God) hoping to help 12 new teams of youth learn about discipline, sports, and hear about God's calling on their life. Mitch is playing the drums twice a week in a worship team and Payton has her own Sunday School class of about 8 kids who come for crafts and Bible study.
We have been so blessed by the prayers and help from all our friends. The only thing I am not accomplishing...is blogging!!! I will get better!!!
No more "can we do it?"....now it is, "how much can we do?" . Amen!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Freedom
We are beginning to see the beauty in the history, the culture, the people. This is a country with strong ties to family and building relationships with those around you. It is a "slow down and talk to your neighbor" culture instead of a "hurry up and get where you are going" culture. It is a community that knows their aunts, uncles, cousins and their birthdays and their children's birthdays.
While it is a country of "haves" and "have-nots", we have a lot to learn from the "have-not's". The "have-not's" are not unhappy, unproductive or unwilling. They are generous, kind, and hard-working. They may only have enough food for today, but they will share the food they have with you. And they will thank the Lord for the food and depend on Him completely for food for tomorrow. It is the faith that moves mountains, ties a culture together, and profides true freedom. Freedom from worry, stress, and anxiety. Freedom to give and know that you will be taken care of. To the people we work with here, faith is a prerequisite to freedom. What an honorable lesson for us all.
Friday, September 10, 2010
When It Rains, It Pours...make lemonade
We are back in Mexico today, Friday the 10th. Actually, Joel flew out Thursday to Chicago for AdvoCare business, but he will be back next week. Wednesday, the 8th, we unexpectedly threw a few things in our bags and headed back to Georgetown. Williamson County had gotten a very unusual burst of rain from an outer band of Hurricane Hermine, and our home had tallied 15 inches of water overnight. Our wonderful neighbors watched in horror as the flood waters exceeded the top of the pool. Our backyard was a running river and water had entered the house soaking most of the floors. A full force of volunteers came to our home and before we could even drive back from Piedras had most of the furniture moved and the wood floors torn up. Dryers were brought in, carpeting removed, and our possessions were all stacked in makeshift piles throughout the dry parts of the house. What an absolute blessing!!!
Throughout all the work of moving furniture, spraying and moping floors to prevent germs, and salvaging leftover personal items, I could not help but feel utterly thankful for all I had. Joel and I are blessed with the most faithful, servant friends that anyone could ask for. We have a roof over our home, and I dropped in bed that night thinking how incredibly soft my bed comforter was. I have running water when I lift the tap handle, and a shower that runs every time. I do not need to turn off the refrigerator to run the microwave, and my air conditioning unit is set to the exact temperature I desire. I have a garage with a garage door, and a car. I have the ability to earn an income to pay for the things I need and the repairs we will encounter. So many in Mexico where we serve do not have any of these luxuries...ever.
So this morning, before I left Georgetown again, I sat upon the concrete floors admiring the remnants of carpet glue and hardwood floor tacking. No lemons here, only yummy leftover lemonade from a quick Dairy Queen run the night before and homemade fiber-nut-healthy muffins from a dear friend. With the deafening hum of the multitude of blowers, I smiled up to God and yelled, "Thank you...You are GOOD!!!". .
I know there are so many in our community who have lost so much more than us, whose future is uncertain, and whose fear is probably overwhelming. For those people, I am praying for God's comfort and for Him to provide for all needs. I am confident He has a plan to prosper all who believe in Him even when the circumstances do not indicate it. And I know He is the source of peace that surpasses all understanding. Even when live throws you lemons.
Throughout all the work of moving furniture, spraying and moping floors to prevent germs, and salvaging leftover personal items, I could not help but feel utterly thankful for all I had. Joel and I are blessed with the most faithful, servant friends that anyone could ask for. We have a roof over our home, and I dropped in bed that night thinking how incredibly soft my bed comforter was. I have running water when I lift the tap handle, and a shower that runs every time. I do not need to turn off the refrigerator to run the microwave, and my air conditioning unit is set to the exact temperature I desire. I have a garage with a garage door, and a car. I have the ability to earn an income to pay for the things I need and the repairs we will encounter. So many in Mexico where we serve do not have any of these luxuries...ever.
So this morning, before I left Georgetown again, I sat upon the concrete floors admiring the remnants of carpet glue and hardwood floor tacking. No lemons here, only yummy leftover lemonade from a quick Dairy Queen run the night before and homemade fiber-nut-healthy muffins from a dear friend. With the deafening hum of the multitude of blowers, I smiled up to God and yelled, "Thank you...You are GOOD!!!". .
I know there are so many in our community who have lost so much more than us, whose future is uncertain, and whose fear is probably overwhelming. For those people, I am praying for God's comfort and for Him to provide for all needs. I am confident He has a plan to prosper all who believe in Him even when the circumstances do not indicate it. And I know He is the source of peace that surpasses all understanding. Even when live throws you lemons.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Enriching the Soul
It's been a few days since I have blogged. Not too many extra minutes to spare. It rained hard this week. I left to take the kids to school in a sprinkle of rain, and by the time I reached the school I would have sworn I was in a monsoon. In less than an hour, the streets had almost flooded and a few were questionable on whether or not I should attempt to pass. Lots of people in a small space and limited drainage systems made driving difficult. I got home to the plunking of water dripping in several rooms. Water was running down the wall of one room and dripping in two places in the kitchen. However....amidst all the inconvenience, all I could think of was...I am not sweating!!! It is not unbearably hot!! Yahoo, yahoo!! Funny how your appreciation for the small things in life can be resurrected by a bit of inconvenience.
We have duplicated the Intentional Church Planing Training twice here already and are working on a third training. It is so exciting to see people reaching out to share their story and His story with those who have not heard. We could have a huge movement right here out of Piedras Negras. God has big things planned!!
Pastors Francisco and Alma have sold enough tamales to build onto their Church. I visited them yesterday and immediately was invited that afternoon to a ladies Bible Study. I was humbled by the 30 or so ladies who came dressed in their Sunday best toting their Bible, notes, and a cloth to constantly wipe the sweat from their brow. (This was a day or so after the rain, so the heat was back accompanied by humidity). They each walked gingerly into the church which has a muddy, uneven floor, no roof yet, and only a blue FEMA tarp with holes providing a bit of shade. The ladies settled into their chairs, moving them slightly to find level ground so they could sit without tipping. There were generations of women together, cousins, aunts, and sisters, sharing their knowledge, giving thanks to the Lord for all he had given them this week. One elderly lady gave thanks for food this week for the 14 people who lived in her home. Another gave thanks for her childrens' birthdays and to have had enough money to purchase propane to cook with. I thought about how different this was from the ladies who come to our small groups back home. We are praying for guidance on what car to buy, maybe an issue going on with our child at school, or how to find time to study the Word each day. In the States, I probably would not have attended the study if it was too inconvenient. Here I see women honoring the Lord in their dress - even when it is hot, in their thanks - even when it is for so little, and their faithfulness - even when it seems they should feel abandoned. I am humbled that we all pray to the same God who knows our every need - whether it is food and shelter or cars and things. That God has given some more and some less and it does not matter what you have...it only matters what you do with it. Thank you God for this lesson for my soul today. I am enriched by the beautiful poor women I am surrounded by!
We have duplicated the Intentional Church Planing Training twice here already and are working on a third training. It is so exciting to see people reaching out to share their story and His story with those who have not heard. We could have a huge movement right here out of Piedras Negras. God has big things planned!!
Pastors Francisco and Alma have sold enough tamales to build onto their Church. I visited them yesterday and immediately was invited that afternoon to a ladies Bible Study. I was humbled by the 30 or so ladies who came dressed in their Sunday best toting their Bible, notes, and a cloth to constantly wipe the sweat from their brow. (This was a day or so after the rain, so the heat was back accompanied by humidity). They each walked gingerly into the church which has a muddy, uneven floor, no roof yet, and only a blue FEMA tarp with holes providing a bit of shade. The ladies settled into their chairs, moving them slightly to find level ground so they could sit without tipping. There were generations of women together, cousins, aunts, and sisters, sharing their knowledge, giving thanks to the Lord for all he had given them this week. One elderly lady gave thanks for food this week for the 14 people who lived in her home. Another gave thanks for her childrens' birthdays and to have had enough money to purchase propane to cook with. I thought about how different this was from the ladies who come to our small groups back home. We are praying for guidance on what car to buy, maybe an issue going on with our child at school, or how to find time to study the Word each day. In the States, I probably would not have attended the study if it was too inconvenient. Here I see women honoring the Lord in their dress - even when it is hot, in their thanks - even when it is for so little, and their faithfulness - even when it seems they should feel abandoned. I am humbled that we all pray to the same God who knows our every need - whether it is food and shelter or cars and things. That God has given some more and some less and it does not matter what you have...it only matters what you do with it. Thank you God for this lesson for my soul today. I am enriched by the beautiful poor women I am surrounded by!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Today, I will be obedient
Yesterday we hosted a follow-up training at the First Baptist Church of Piedras Negras with Pastor Terry Spinelli on church planting. Wow, that is an understatement. Yesterday changed my life.
If you have never heard of church planting movements, it is basically a way of thinking about what was really needed to have a "church" according to the Bible. Not a building or hymnals or an organ, but people ready to believe, grow, and share. With billions of people who have never heard the Gospel or don't know who Jesus is, we have to use different strategies to reach the many people beyond our immediate community. Terry Spinelli is a master at this and trains on a system used in Southeast Asia where there is the highest concentration of unreached people. His group, many of whom are Christians for less than a few years, planted over 6000 churches (with about 25 to 30 per church) and shared the story of Jesus with over 138,000 SINCE JANUARY 1, 2010. I have not even brushed my teeth that many times since January 2. In fact, I quickly calculated that if everyone I know on facebook brushed their teeth twice a day for the 8 months (that is about 480 times per person) and we added all those up, we would still not have done an activity 138,000 times. The numbers are overwhelming, but true.
What it all boils down to is that spiritual maturity is based on obedience, not knowledge. So when Jesus left he told us to go and make disciples, not go and memorize the Bible or go and do a Bible study. Not that those things are bad....they are important and good. It is just that to be obedient is to follow what Jesus commands each day, every day, wherever you are.
So I am looking at my day and what puzzle pieces God has put before me. Church planting information, a leaky kitchen sink that is backing up to the bathroom sink, a whole new world of people I can impact, friends who are praying, endless dust, a wonderful husband and family to serve, people who are hungry for food and a message of hope. Today I will be obedient. I will use what he has put before me in this new adventure and make disciples.....after I brush my teeth.
If you have never heard of church planting movements, it is basically a way of thinking about what was really needed to have a "church" according to the Bible. Not a building or hymnals or an organ, but people ready to believe, grow, and share. With billions of people who have never heard the Gospel or don't know who Jesus is, we have to use different strategies to reach the many people beyond our immediate community. Terry Spinelli is a master at this and trains on a system used in Southeast Asia where there is the highest concentration of unreached people. His group, many of whom are Christians for less than a few years, planted over 6000 churches (with about 25 to 30 per church) and shared the story of Jesus with over 138,000 SINCE JANUARY 1, 2010. I have not even brushed my teeth that many times since January 2. In fact, I quickly calculated that if everyone I know on facebook brushed their teeth twice a day for the 8 months (that is about 480 times per person) and we added all those up, we would still not have done an activity 138,000 times. The numbers are overwhelming, but true.
What it all boils down to is that spiritual maturity is based on obedience, not knowledge. So when Jesus left he told us to go and make disciples, not go and memorize the Bible or go and do a Bible study. Not that those things are bad....they are important and good. It is just that to be obedient is to follow what Jesus commands each day, every day, wherever you are.
So I am looking at my day and what puzzle pieces God has put before me. Church planting information, a leaky kitchen sink that is backing up to the bathroom sink, a whole new world of people I can impact, friends who are praying, endless dust, a wonderful husband and family to serve, people who are hungry for food and a message of hope. Today I will be obedient. I will use what he has put before me in this new adventure and make disciples.....after I brush my teeth.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
August 28, 2010
Today we are new humans. We have a wonderful air conditioning unit, the floors are done and we have a kitchen!!! Amen!!!
Yesterday we did not have Internet connection. I was surprised to learn that the sun still came up and went down. I am learning patience in the space between my "now" perceived need and my "now" actual need. In our prior lifestyle I would have been instantly on the phone with the Internet service and probably tapping my toe until they arrived. Knowing that most everyone in this neighborhood never has a connection and certainly does not depend it, I am thankful for the days when the connection is available.
Yesterday we also visited a family who runs a shelter for battered women, a drug/alcohol recovery program, and a soup kitchen feeding children every Saturday. They would like to feed children every day, but their entire budget is $10 per week. They have a Bible Study each Saturday and when the kids successfully learn at least 2 verses (full chapters for the older kids), they receive a toy. In the years they have been feeding, they have always had just enough. Never too much, but as of yet, never to little. They did not ask for our help, just that we would pray and know for sure that it is God's will for us to help. If we do not hear from God, then they would be happy to know that we are praying for them and that He will provide from someone else. I am longing to have that much faith in my life.
We often see amazing people here doing amazing work and service even though it seems they have nothing to give. They have four children, the husband is in school to be a Pastor, and they live on $10 a week. And still they serve a meal to 90 kids each Saturday!! I was amazed and fascinated by their ability to do whatever it takes to serve the Lord. A local chicken restaurant donates to them the leftover chicken skins. Sometimes there is still a little meat attached. She takes these skins and batters and fries them and then sells plates of them with rice and beans. All the money generated goes to food to feed the kids. We bought 4 plates of food while we were there and I could not even bring myself to eat the fried left-over chicken skins. I know she worked hard to prepare them in the heat. Would I be willing to do that if I was called? I am not sure, and today, I am embarrassingly thankful I am not called yet to carry her cross.
Yesterday we did not have Internet connection. I was surprised to learn that the sun still came up and went down. I am learning patience in the space between my "now" perceived need and my "now" actual need. In our prior lifestyle I would have been instantly on the phone with the Internet service and probably tapping my toe until they arrived. Knowing that most everyone in this neighborhood never has a connection and certainly does not depend it, I am thankful for the days when the connection is available.
Yesterday we also visited a family who runs a shelter for battered women, a drug/alcohol recovery program, and a soup kitchen feeding children every Saturday. They would like to feed children every day, but their entire budget is $10 per week. They have a Bible Study each Saturday and when the kids successfully learn at least 2 verses (full chapters for the older kids), they receive a toy. In the years they have been feeding, they have always had just enough. Never too much, but as of yet, never to little. They did not ask for our help, just that we would pray and know for sure that it is God's will for us to help. If we do not hear from God, then they would be happy to know that we are praying for them and that He will provide from someone else. I am longing to have that much faith in my life.
We often see amazing people here doing amazing work and service even though it seems they have nothing to give. They have four children, the husband is in school to be a Pastor, and they live on $10 a week. And still they serve a meal to 90 kids each Saturday!! I was amazed and fascinated by their ability to do whatever it takes to serve the Lord. A local chicken restaurant donates to them the leftover chicken skins. Sometimes there is still a little meat attached. She takes these skins and batters and fries them and then sells plates of them with rice and beans. All the money generated goes to food to feed the kids. We bought 4 plates of food while we were there and I could not even bring myself to eat the fried left-over chicken skins. I know she worked hard to prepare them in the heat. Would I be willing to do that if I was called? I am not sure, and today, I am embarrassingly thankful I am not called yet to carry her cross.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blessings can come in a minivan!!
8-26-10
Today is a day of joy and hope. Carla, a friend from Church, called this morning to let us know that she had an extra air conditioning unit and would drive all the way down to bring it to us today. Amen!!!! We will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of her minivan!!
The floors are not quite done and the grout is a messy job, but there is an end in sight. Our message at Church on the Tracks last night was that "We serve a Big God". Know that God can BIG things and seek ways to be a part of his BIG plan. Parishioners came forward to thank God for shoes so that their kids can go to school, healing from headaches, children who have stopped vomiting today. I am humbled by a BIG God who knows our every small need and cares that we have shoes, health, and my silly messy grout. Thank you God for your provisions, BIG and small.
Mitch and Payton are doing wonderfully in school and are even learning the first signs of Spanish. They love to go each day. Each classroom has about 12 kids and the teachers move to the class to teach. When a teacher (or any adult) walks into the room they all immediately stand and greet them warmly. The students are expected respect teachers and honor their time. In turn, the teachers are friendly and pour into students instead of dealing with discipline problems. It is a nice environment for learning.
The sweat is now dripping down my back, so I will shut this down and move closer to a window. Thank you God for your provisions today!!
Today is a day of joy and hope. Carla, a friend from Church, called this morning to let us know that she had an extra air conditioning unit and would drive all the way down to bring it to us today. Amen!!!! We will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of her minivan!!
The floors are not quite done and the grout is a messy job, but there is an end in sight. Our message at Church on the Tracks last night was that "We serve a Big God". Know that God can BIG things and seek ways to be a part of his BIG plan. Parishioners came forward to thank God for shoes so that their kids can go to school, healing from headaches, children who have stopped vomiting today. I am humbled by a BIG God who knows our every small need and cares that we have shoes, health, and my silly messy grout. Thank you God for your provisions, BIG and small.
Mitch and Payton are doing wonderfully in school and are even learning the first signs of Spanish. They love to go each day. Each classroom has about 12 kids and the teachers move to the class to teach. When a teacher (or any adult) walks into the room they all immediately stand and greet them warmly. The students are expected respect teachers and honor their time. In turn, the teachers are friendly and pour into students instead of dealing with discipline problems. It is a nice environment for learning.
The sweat is now dripping down my back, so I will shut this down and move closer to a window. Thank you God for your provisions today!!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
We are here!!!
8-25-10 - We are finally here in Mexico and off to a difficult but blessed start. We arrived late Friday night after packing and loading as much as we could in a trailer and two vehicles. When we got to our house it was 107 degrees...inside. We opened the windows to a cloud of dust, and thought for sure it would cool down. It did not. We slept breifly pooled in sweat and then awoke Saturday morning to begin the setting up process. After another hot day where we painted walls and purchased tile, our dear missionary builder and friend, Joe Torres moved his family into one room for sleeping quarters and loaned us a small portable airconditioning unit. It cooled that night to 92 degrees. We awoke tired and hot and waiving a white flag. I attempted to put on some make up to look presentable, but all lipstick and eyeliner had melted in the bathroom. We drove a accross the border to Eagle Pass to try and secure two small air conditioning units. All sold out. Ugh!!! Ok, cool is not meant to be.
The house needed more work than we anticipated. The kitchen floor was not level enough for a refridgerator and even with the legs fully extended we could not level the washing machine. So we hired Alfredo to put down some additional concrete to level the floor.
Today we are living out of one room. Everything we own has a layer of construction dust. The kitchen is all out in the living area. We no longer have any idea where anything is, or which bin it is in. If you need a can opener, prayer is the best option here.
But, the kids have done wonderfully in school, we have met wonderful neighbors and Raul who lives on our west side recommited his life to Christ yesterday!!! We are BLESSED!!!!
Jackie
The house needed more work than we anticipated. The kitchen floor was not level enough for a refridgerator and even with the legs fully extended we could not level the washing machine. So we hired Alfredo to put down some additional concrete to level the floor.
Today we are living out of one room. Everything we own has a layer of construction dust. The kitchen is all out in the living area. We no longer have any idea where anything is, or which bin it is in. If you need a can opener, prayer is the best option here.
But, the kids have done wonderfully in school, we have met wonderful neighbors and Raul who lives on our west side recommited his life to Christ yesterday!!! We are BLESSED!!!!
Jackie
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