My life in Mexico

Greetings everyone!

Thanks for being patient with the blog updates. Things have been very busy here and my internet access is limited. I'm happy to be able to check in, though, and share what's been going on since I arrived here in Mexico City. I'll post some pics below which can help tell the story, and if you'd like to see more I'll try to get them posted on FB :)


This is my host family, the Roques. They are very hospitable and I always have PLENTY to eat. Since I miss my family at home quite a bit, it's a blessing to have people here who love and care about me. The whole family jogs together early in the morning so between that and playing basketball with Peter I think I'm getting enough cardio to burn off all of the calories!







Here I'm with my host brothers, Ivan (25), and Elliot (19). They're fun guys and I've enjoyed getting to hang out with them. They're really into music and are very talented! They attend a school of Christian music here in Mexico City and help lead worship at their church. They have been really helpful in communication as they know some English and are patient with my attempts at Spanish!






This is Peter Breit, the missionary who's supervising my internship (he's the one with his head still attached to his body). Peter and his entire family have been incredible hosts and mentors. They pastor a small church here which is enough to keep anyone busy with weekly services, prayer meetings, outreaches, Kid's Club etc. Additionally they're involved in training nationals for ministry leadership, getting a cafe up and running to provide work for some of their congregants, developing great relationships with locals, and serving on boards and committees. Peter and are really enjoying playing basketball when there's spare time.


This picture was taken atop an Aztec pyramid, which I think was built in like 300 A.D. (you can Wikipedia it and let me know for sure if you want). I'm standing on the sun temple and in the background is the moon temple where the Aztecs would perform human sacrifices to appease their gods. I'm thankful to serve a God who sacrificed Himself for me! The view was extraordinary and the history fascinating. Peter's wife Delia shared other things with me about Mexican culture and history. It's all very intriguing and understanding these things helps give me a more complete picture of the Mexican people.


El Club De Ninos (The Kids Club) is one of the minstries of the church, Living to the Max in Christ. This cement slab outside of a home is the meeting place for the club as well as for the church. The club consists of singing, puppets, Bible teaching, English classes, arts/crafts, games, and a good lunch! There is such a BIG need for this type of ministry here. This is one of the poorer neighborhoods in Mexico and the kids are exposed to so much! The club gives them a safe place to come and experience the love of God through a wonderfully caring staff.

After the club we got to play soccer with some of the kids in the street. It means so much to them that we're simply with them on their level. I also got the privilege of sitting and talking with some of them while they ate a good meal at the church (something some of them might not get all the time). No amount of programming can replace the simple presence of people who care! I feel so blessed to be a part of this ministry while I'm here! Some of you donated money and supplies specifically for children's ministry and I'm proud to let you know that it was given to help sustain the efforts of this Kid's Club to share the love of Christ with the children of Mexico City!

Beyond that I've been staying pretty busy preaching and just trying to adjust to the culture. The preaching has been going really well! Speaking through an interpreter is a new and interesting experience but the Gospel is powerful in every culture and it's been amazing to see it at work here. Also, in a place where so much is new and unfamiliar I'm so thankful that God's Spirit is with me and remains a consistent guide in my life and ministry.

The most difficult and frustrating part of my experience so far has been the language barrier! It makes me feel helpless and dependent...I'm not used to that! It's humbling to be sure but God is using it to teach me and mature me so I'm thankful for that. I look forward to learning more and more and to being able to communicate more effectively and I appreciate your prayers in the matter.

Actually, I appreciate everyone's love and prayers from back home. I don't have a lot of time for the internet but the blog responses and FB messages mean a lot. I love and miss you all! Until next time...

Adios

First Impressions

Greetings from Mexico City!

A big THANK YOU to those who were praying for my flight. I arrived safely here in Mexico late Thursday night after an uneventful flight from Portland, with a layover in Houston. The last hour of flying seemed like it took forever! I was so anxious to arrive and get through customs that I felt like the plane might never land...but it did!

As it turned out, though, landing wasn't even the climax of the flight. Have you ever looked out over a big city at night, in awe of all the the lights and the thought of the many people who call that place home? As Mexico City came into view from window seat 22A of flight 1094 my jaw literally dropped. I have never seen a more incredible display of urban beauty in my life!

The city stretched out for miles and miles (the picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice), a sea of lights making small islands of the majestic mountains it surrounded. It was truly a breathtaking site; one that I will never forget. The sheer vastness and expanse of the city from view of the heavens made me wonder at the unfathomable greatness of God, a blanket of His love covering the approximately 25 million people who reside here!

It took about 15 to 20 minutes from when the city was visible to the time the wheels actually touched the ground. When they did, I got to experience it in a much more personal way. After clumsily making my way through customs, baggage claim, and airport security (you know, like a foreigner), I was greeted by missionary Peter Breit and taken to the home where he and his family live, and where I have spent my first few days adjusting to the new culture.

The Breit's have been incredible...I couldn't have hoped for better hosts! They have 4 great kids and have helped me to feel right at home. I'm looking forward to being mentored by them and can see already that I'm going to learn so much.

I've spent the first couple of days settling in and getting to know some wonderful nationals that are involved in ministry here. They are all very gracious with me as I stumble through a few Spanish phrases and ask them often to repeat themselves. One thing I have going for me is that I LOVE the food here. Apparently that makes me a good guest so it's a win-win!

Some of you might be interested to know that I, the person who can hardly stomach a tomato, have already eaten pig snout, tongue, and other adventurous items! I've requested that I not be told the ingredients of the food until after I've eaten ;) I do appreciate that edible parts of the animal aren't wasted here, but still, I prefer not to know!

I look forward to meeting the family that I'll be living with tomorrow and should have plenty more to share soon. I hope and pray that everyone back home is doing well. Love you all!

Is thing on? Testing 1,2,3...

Bienvenidos!

Greetings, and welcome to "Adventures in Mexico!" Maybe the first adventure is trying to figure out this whole blog thing, so please bear with me. I plan on blogging once a week with reflections and updates on my experiences in the big city.

I guess if you're reading this then we're off to a good start! Actually, it's still 5 days before I leave on a jet plane (don't worry, I know when I'm coming back) and it's been an incredible journey already!

I'd like to begin by thanking each person who has contributed to this trip with prayer, encouragement, time, energy, and financial gifts. The level of support I have received has been nothing short of amazing, and I am humbled by it. I feel so loved!

My path to this experience has been unfolding for years now. It was about 10 years ago that I first sensed a call to missions and especially to the destitute places of the world. The Psalmist cried out to God:

"May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you rule the peoples justly

and guide the nations of the earth."

Gladness and joyful singing...what a contrast to the tragic picture we see of so many nations today! I whole-heartedly believe that as the seeds of the Gospel of Christ take root among the nations of the earth, the fruit of gladness and joyful singing will be bountiful!

This belief has lead me to pursue an education in cross-cultural ministry at New Hope Christian College. Pending completion of this internship I will graduate in May (an event you all are invited to attend) and will be open to the guidance of the Lord in how to use my education to plant those seeds.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and stay tuned for more!