May 2008 Update Newsletter

In the event that some of you don’t get my newsletter, here is a copy of the letter I am sending out via e-mail.  Lots o’ readin’ :).  Have a great week! 

 

 

 

Dear Friends and Family,     

            As time has flown by and I’ve come to realize that I have less than month left of my mission, it occurred to me that I have only sent one update for the entire trip down here, and that update did not make it to everyone’s computer, regrettably.  However, before my trip ends I would like to sum up a few of the things that have gone on since January, for those who may not have been able to read my blog. 

            As many of you know, there was a very big change in the FYM Mexico program in the month of February.  Our pastor, Bob, had some personal issues that had to be taken care of, and our leadership was turned over to Naomi, our FYM leader.  We took a debriefing trip to South Padre, Texas, and moved from the church we were staying in for a while to the Adventures in Missions Gateway in Matamoros, from where they lead many of their short-term projects in Mexico.  Since the end of February, we have been living in a new house in Matamoros, in a much nicer neighborhood, compared to the colonia in which we had been living before.  It was a God-sent comfort to live in a new neighborhood that was a safe place for a new start.  Since we lost five of our team members in the uprooting, and one leader about a month ago due to other personal issues, we now are a smaller team.  However, I think the change given each of us a chance to be vulnerable, to really embrace humility toward one another, to unify our team better, and to depend on Jesus for our strength, due to the fact that we have had to take on more responsibilities – the leaders especially!

            Thanks to God’s work through those in charge of our program, however, our ministry was able to return to normal.  Although some groups had to merge (I joined with the Granjas group since two of our group members left for colonia Estrella), we have still been able to visit the same folks as before.  Since February, I have seen God begin to restore broken hearts and start a new church in Estrella with many of Castillo del Rey’s old members.  God blessed the people of Matamoros by bringing a pastor from San Fernando to them, as well as bringing Pastor Pedro (who had lived with us earlier and was sick) back to Matamoros to continue his Bible study in Granjas.  The Lord has brought an abandoned flock, so to speak, into his arms and nurtured them despite the circumstances.  In my colonia ministry this year, I have seen him repair marriages, provide houses, heal sicknesses, lift up spirits, change hearts, break the strongholds of addictions, bridge culture gaps, and even answer specific prayer.  The other night, a virtually penniless deported family approached us looking for a place to stay for the night.  Not knowing where to lead them and having no shelter to offer, we directed them to Castillo in Estrella for more answers.  Thanks to the colonia’s compassionate efforts, the entire family found a place to rent!  They had, by the way, been walking around the area for more than 10 hours that day with a family of six (two of which were twins younger than three years old).  I have full confidence that these people will carry on God’s will without us here.  In fact, to quote a fellow teammate, the fact that He doesn’t depend on our influence points to how small we are — even better, to how big He is!

            The internships that we have been carrying out are truly a labor of love for me.  Prison women are sometimes difficult to get to know, or at the very least, communicate with, but God has blessed that ministry with curious minds and broken hearts – yes, broken hearts.  Just like patients in a hospital, prison inmates are often living in what they feel are the lowest moments of their lives.  Some feel restless, angry, depressed and  hopeless.   Some are just waiting out the time until they see the outside of the gate again.  In many of my talks with some of these women, I try to point out to them that these trials and tribulations can indeed be the perfect opportunity to seek answers, to get to know the Jesus that loves them so adamantly and tenderly and knocks gently at their door.  I’ve enjoyed seeing some women turn to the Word and develop a curiosity for what God has to show them.  Some women in the prison who have already accepted Christ as their savior have really shared their hearts with me during this time.  One of these particular women is very dear to my heart, Marta.  In these last few visits I was touched by the Lord’s work in the area of vulnerability; she finally was able to open up about the resentment she held against her mother and ask me for prayer over the matter.  One thing that has really yanked on my heart strings, though, is the desperation of these women, who depend on visitors to bring them supplies for their needs.  Marta, for example, has no visitors, and thanks to God’s provision with groups that have come in for short trips and donated supplies, we have been able to help her out with diapers and other necessities for her one-year-old, Lionel.  With the purchase of a few paint supplies, God’s also enabled me to help her set up a way to earn a small living through painting ceramic molds and selling them.   Overall, the prison ministry has been a blessing in many ways: God has allowed me to minister to his sheep, lost or not lost; he’s provided curious hearts to teach, broken hearts to pray for, and life stories to listen to; sometimes he just uses simple humor to help us bond with them (my internship partner, Timi, has fallen victim to the oblivious use of a few Mexican swearwords).

            In addition to these ministry opportunities, the FYM team has had several experiences with leadership and project support, from a college group in Canada, to a high school youth group from Birmingham, Alabama, to a large group from Marietta, Georgia that built 19 houses.  In addition to house building, these groups have come with open hearts and have delved into other ministry on their trips, such as house visits, random acts of kindness, vacation Bible school (kids’ youth groups), and prayer walks.  I had the privilege of leading and translating several of these ministry activities.  Translating in itself has been a blast and a great way to surrender my gifts to service, whether through medical clinic visits or house dedications.  I actually translated a conversation in which four people in one family accepted Christ after receiving their new house…one man had tears in his eyes! 

            God is beautiful and never ceases to amaze me, no matter where I am at.  He has even called me to visit another place near to my heart this summer: New Orleans!  Two weeks after getting home on May 15^th, I will be heading off again for a trip from May 31^st to August 4^th, where I will be working with AIM as a project facilitator who helps organize and run week-long summer projects in NOLA.  I’ll be working with three other girls (one lives in Spokane – who knew?), a couple leading the project, and a worship leader I met earlier this year.  I am anxious and excited, but I know God will provide the strength I need for this project, as well as the means for transportation and all the other necessities. 

            Thank you for taking the time to read this long overdue (meaning that it is both long and overdue) letter.  Your moral and financial support has meant so much to me and confirms how faithful God is to those who put their trust in Him.   One thing I would like to ask is if you all wouldn’t mind keeping a few things in your prayers.  In addition to praise for the ways God has worked in the colonias, I would ask that you please pray for strong male leadership in these neighborhoods, as well as pray against the stronghold of addiction and abuse in some of the families there.  As far as the internships go, please pray against the influence of the satanic cult following of Santa Muerte (see my blogs for further explanation or my earlier letter), and for restless hearts to turn to God for answers instead of drugs. 

            Thank you all again for your generosity in many areas of my life, but even more for your investment in the people of Matamoros.  I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13), and your support for me shows me that you care about these people and His heart for them.  God bless you all, and have a wonderful week!  Remember: He loves you!