Atalia

Last Tuesday while I was out running various errands I stopped at a little place to eat some lunch. The girl who took my order saw my white skin and was very excited to practice her English with me. I was immediately impressed with her level of fluency, and she confirmed my hunch that she is currently studying English in the university. She is studying tourism and is 6 months away from taking her English language proficiency exam. She was very friendly, and we had a good little conversation. When she learned that I do Bible studies with women and kids, she asked if I am a Christian. Her reaction to my confirmation of this fact was something like this, "Oh I know several people in this city who are Christians. Christians are always such nice people and such happy people!" I shared my phone number with her and invited her to call if she wanted to get together and practice English. If I don't hear from her, I will probably decide to eat there again in a few weeks and see if she is there. I am praying that God will provide an opportunity for us to have a deeper conversation and that she will come to understand that everything good she sees in Christians is a reflection of Christ.
BTW: I am so relieved that this is the impression she has been given by Christians! It hurts my heart to hear people talk about Christians being judgemental, click-ish, etc. Praise God for the good testimony of the Christians Atalia has met!

Leading Worship

Saturday I recived a text asking me to lead worship at church Sunday. While I'm fairly comfortable with singing in Spanish and with dealing with the technology to project song lyrics on the wall, the thought of speaking in Spanish between songs, etc. made me nervous. My fear was that I would make Spanish errors big enough to distract from worship. I enlisted the help of one of the men of the church to lead the part where people share praises and prayer requests and other people pray for them. God was faithful to guide me through the rest. Though not perfect, things went pretty smoothly. It was truly a blessing to have the experience. Though not easy, I've gained an appreciation for these experiences that stretch my comfort zones.

Pajama Party

Last Friday night I helped Robin host a pajama party for the women in the Wednesday afternoon Bible study. These women have never participated in a pajama party in their lives and had to ask Robin and I to explain what it entailed. Five of our six women who regularly attend were able to come! In addition, Claudia brought her mom and sister-in-law who have visited the study, and Lidia brought her daughter. Robin also invited another woman we work with a lot, making a total of 11 of us. Robin's husband Charlie opted to go spend the night in my house. I can't imagine why!
Robin arrived in their neighborhood to pick up the women at 8 pm and finally made it back to the house after 9. We started with a Bible study, so it was probably 10:30 before we ate dinner. After dinner I gave the women little squares of paper to write an encouragement or something they admire about each of the other women. They worked on these throughout the ensuing "spa" time.

After the spa was craft time! We put together the encouragement notes and pictures into a little memory book of the party.

The women played a few games and had a great time just laughing together.

At 5 am, we decided it was time to snuggle under blankets and watch the movie "Facing the Giants." A few dozed a bit during the movie, of course.

I left to take them all home at about 7:15 am, arriving back at my house aroun 8:30 a bit tired but content. I feel like the women grew a bit closer to each other, had a lot of fun that their lives don't always permit them to have, and learned a bit more about what it means to follow Christ. I continue to pray for each of these precious women: Bety, Luz, Julieta, Lidia, Deisy, Claudia, Dalia, & Maria Ofelia. I'm excited to see them at the study tomorrow and pray that the 3 visitors will come study with us.

Updates

Claudia is improving well. My IMB partner Robin, who was a physical therapist before coming to Mexico, is doing therapy with her daily, and Claudia has regained enough movement in her hand to return to work cutting hair. She was in church again Sunday, filled with thanksgiving to God. Her sons are planning to come to our youth group this Saturday.
This Saturday will be the second meeting of the youth at church to study English and the Bible. Several people have said they will come, so I am praying expectantly. Monica and I may decide to divide them into 2 groups because some already know quite a bit of English and just want the opportunity to practice it.
The neighborhood where I work with kids on Thursdays is very close to Monica's house, and her sister Alejandra has decided to join me in working there. I am praying that if God leads me to work somewhere else on Thursdays that Ale will be able to take over that group so that they can continue to learn about God.

Jovenes Follow-up

Saturday we had our first English lesson and Bible study with "young people" at my church. The only person who came who completely fit the group I was trying to target was my teaching partner Monica's sister Alejandra. There were also a couple of young moms, a young man who might still fit in the "jovenes" group, a friend of his, and his friend's pre-teen daughter. Although it wasn't what I imagined, it went well, and I think it was a good thing. I was very excited that the invited friend and his daughter were drawn into the church building through this effort. Maybe this is what God had planned, which is more important than any plans of mine!
Later I learned that the 3 young people I'd expected to come had wanted to but couldn't for various reasons. All 3 of them plan to come to our next meeting in 2 weeks, on Feb. 12. I am thankful for what God is doing and plans to do!

Jovenes

This coming Saturday at 4 pm, my friend Monica and are scheduled to have our first meeting with youth from our church. The plan is to have an English lesson and a Bible study. The word jovenes (similar to our word youth) is used to describe a broader range of people than we typically mean by the word youth. Here it typically refers to high-school age, college-age, and even beyond college through more of the 20s, especially for those not married yet at that age. Though we have very clearly stated that our goal is to reach out to the jovenes, who for the most part are not attending church, so many of the adults in the church keep saying things like, "Oh I want to learn English too! I'm still young, right?" So, I am not quite sure what to expect. It could go anywhere from nobody showing up to 3/4 of the church congregations showing up! It is out of my control and out of my hands. I am just praying that God will lead the right people there and will bring something good through whatever happens.

. . . And Who Else?

Monday my girls' groups read and discussed the story of Jesus' temptations. After we read the verse where Jesus quotes the Bible, telling Satan that we should only worship God, I asked the girls, "Who does the Bible say we should worship?" In both groups, the correct response was given. Then when I followed up with the question, "And who else should we worship?" (with the intention of emphasizing the word ONLY), they responded, "The virgin Guadelupe also." This is so ingrained in the culture here that they are very slow to understand anything different. I had to continue the discussion that if the Bible tells us "only God," we cannot add anything or anyone to that. In this way, seeds are slowly being planted in their minds, but it will take many seeds for the truth to overcome the culture of lies in which they live. Please pray that God will reveal Truth to them and give them discernment.

Claudia

One of my friends from church was involved in a car accident this past week. I think her brakes went out, causing her little Volkswagon bug to crumble into the back of a trailer. Miraculously, Claudia escaped with nothing more serious than broken bones in her leg and arm. She said the back of the trailer ended up just inches in front of her face. Because of her broken leg, she can't walk right now. While this is not insignificant, it is more significant to realize that God spared her life. For that, we are very grateful!

Please pray for Claudia as she heals and as she is unable to work right now, causing financial stress.

New Beginnings

Yesterday (Saturday) I had scheduled a time to meet with Monica, a young woman from my church who teaches English, so that we could plan for our upcoming first meeting with the youth of the church. (Our plan is to offer a time that combines English lessons and Bible study specifically for the young people so that they will be drawn to come and invite friends.)

After we finished our planning time, Monica invited me to join her and her younger sister Alejandra for lunch. By this time, I already felt like we had begun a strong friendship. When I got in her car and she popped in a Third Day CD, it was like confirmation that she is a kindred spirit! We had such a good time visiting over lunch in a little place that I never would have found without her.

Soon after I got home, it was time to head back out for our first women's association (MUA) meeting of the year. We set a regular monthly meeting time and discussed plans for activities for the year. Afterward, I followed my pastor's wife to my new friend Monica's house for a time of sharing and fellowship with a few women from the church. As I drove home around 11:30 last night, I reflected on how very blessed I am. In a way, I feel like my life here has finally truly begun, and I am so blessed by the church family God led me to here.

Potential Changes for Thursday Group

Some of the women who used to attend our Thursday afternoon Bible study have invited Robin to start studies where they live, which has led to our Monday group at the apartment complex and Robin's Friday group. Then the family who was hosting the study in front of their house moved across town to live with family. Now only a mother and daughter come for the women's study, and we have to meet on the sidewalk since we no longer have a house. For this reason, Robin is praying about the possibility of moving her study a block or so away to the home of the women who come.

I still have several kids from the neighborhood who come study with me, so I am seeking God's guidance on what I need to do with this group if Robin moves. I could go with her and start over, I could go and try to encourage these kids to walk down there, or I could separate from Robin and stay where I am with these kids. Or maybe God is closing that door to open up that time for me to do something else. I don't know what will happen, but I am praying that God will make it clear. I care about these kids and don't want to leave them unless it is clearly God's plan.
Please join me in praying for God to work in these precious lives and to make this decision clear for both Robin and me.

Catching Up

A few days before Christmas I went to Leon for a reunion with some friends from training in Virginia. By the time I got home from that trip, I was sick with a sinus infection and bronchitis. That kept me resting at home until after New Year's. Although it cost me some good planning/organizing time, I am grateful that it hit when our groups were already cancelled due to holidays so that it didn't cause me to miss any groups.

I started back with my groups on Monday, January 3 and am now back in the swing of things. I am focusing a lot of energy on preparing lessons and crafts/activities for my kids and girls groups a ways in advance so that I can free up some of my time each week for other things. I'm also partnering with a Mexican friend from church named Monica to start working with the youth of our church. We're planning our first meeting for the last Saturday of this month at Monica's house and will combine an English lesson with a Bible study. We believe that this format will draw them in (the idea originally came from one of the youth) and give them an opportunity to invite friends. I'm excited to see what God will do and so grateful that He has prompted Monica to partner with me.

Pray for Selena

One of my favorite little girls, Selena, suddenly got very sick about a week ago. She apparently went into a coma and had no pulse. The health care providers at the government hospital could not determine the cause and sent her home once she appeared okay. She is still extremely pale, and the family has no answers. They are extremely poor but want to try to save money to take Selena to a private practice doctor to get the diagnosis and treatment that she needs. Please pray for this beautiful, precious 4 (or maybe 5 now) year old girl!

Christmas Celebrations

Throughout last week, we celebrated Christmas with each of our Bible study groups. Then on Saturday night we had a dinner for our Wednesday group, giving them an opportunity to invite their husbands/dads to join us. As we crowded 35 people into a tiny space, we sang Christmas songs . . . . . . ate dinner . . .

. . . then distributed our Christmas gift bags and watched the kids receive them with such excitement!
Then I took pictures of most of the families in front of the litte tree.

Then the women started saying that it was my turn to pose for a picture. Since I had no interest in standing alone for a "family" photo, I politely declined. That's when they told me that they thought it should be a picture of me with all of my "students." I loved that idea, and I love this picture!

Feliz Navidad!

Girls Groups

When you have to miss a week with a group, there is always the risk that the group will fall apart. After only having met with my new pre-teen girls groups two Mondays, I prayed that my one Monday away in Puerto Vallarta would not cause the groups to fail. Monday morning I headed out to see if my 2 girls would be there. I was still pretty tired after my long day of riding buses back to town and my short night of sleep, but I was hopeful. Myrna was already there and had brought her 12 year old sister as well. Daniela soon joined us, and we had a good morning. They even asked if we could have a Christmas celebration this month.

In the afternoon I had my 3 girls from before plus 2 new ones! What a blessing to see these groups not only continue to exist but to grow! Please pray for these 8 young girls to understand more of God's love and His plan. Also pray for God to protect them from the dangers they face growing up in such a rough neighborhood. I am praying that He will continue to show me ways that I can bond more with these girls and pour His love into their lives.

Birthday

On Thursday during my time in Puerto Vallarta, I celebrated my birthday. I was overwhelmed by all of the phone calls, emails, and facebook posts from friends and family. What an amazing reminder of how very blessed I am!!! Plus, my dear friends Preston and Courtney went far above and beyond what I could have imagined to ensure that it was a great day for me.
Preston brought home these beautiful flowers while Courtney cooked a great breakfast.

In the afternoon we went for a walk on the malecon, looking out over the ocean and drinking Starbucks (mine, of course, was chai tea!) Then that evening we went out for a seafood dinner where we could watch the sunset over the ocean. (Can you tell I love the ocean?)

In many restaurants, when the servers are informed of a birthday, they gather and sing and bring a dessert to the guest of honor. Bubba Gump was no exception. As they circled the table and sang and clapped, our primary server held a cup of ice cream and seemed to have intentions of feeding it to me during the song. In reality, his intentions were to smear the ice cream on my face. I have to say, I laughed quite a bit in the process of trying to avoid it!

Thanks to all of my wonderful friends and family, including Preston and Courtney as well as all who sent a message or called, for helping make my day far more special than I dreamed it would be. What a blessing you are in my life!

Vallarta Ministry

While a few things I had planned to do in terms of ministry while in Puerto Vallarta did not go according to plan, I am excited about some things that did happen and have learned not to be surprised or overly upset when things don't go according to plan in Mexico.

• I was able to share informally with Preston and Courtney and a few key people in their church a bit about my role in Aguascalientes and an idea of how they could come here on a mission trip to support this ministry.
• I was blessed with the opportunity to spend some time with some people who have become dear friends over the years of my trips to Vallarta, attend a party in honor of one friend who is getting married soon, and meet a couple more people.
• The church there has just acquired a new building where they can meet. Preston has done a lot of work to get it ready for them to use, and then Friday night and Saturday we worked hard to paint over the crazy green walls. It was an honor to be a part of this momentous occasion in the history of the church, including attending the first service in the building. In spite of the associated aches and pains and paint on my clothes and shoes, it was also pretty fun to bond a bit more with these friends by working shoulder to shoulder on this project.
• Saturday night Courtney and I invited some women over to make Christmas cards. Things like this are a great way for the women of the church to have a little time in fellowship together as well as a great opportunity to reach out and invite people who don't come to church.

While I didn't get nearly all the pictures I wish I had taken, the past week added some precious memories that I don't think I will need pictures to remember. Such a blessing to be a small part of the work there and to have such special friends there. Please join me in praying for the church, La Esperanza de Vallarta, as they reach out to the people in the neighborhood where they now meet. Pray for each member of the church to continue to grow deeper in their personal walk with Christ and to reach out to those around them. Pray for Preston and Courtney and their daughter Callie as they continue to serve there and to seek God's direction for their ministry.

Puerto Vallarta

Thank you for praying for my trip to Puerto Vallarta and for everything in the week leading up to my trip. I had a good time celebrating Thanksgiving with part of my IMB family, and I arrived here safely yesterday morning. Tonight I will get to spend a little time with some women who have been my friends since the first time I came to Vallarta on a mission trip.
Please pray for me as I speak to the church here tomorrow morning. I am excited for the opportunity but a bit nervous about the combination of public speaking and Spanish. Praying that God will have me say what He wants me to share about my work in Aguas.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to say how thankful I am for each of you! Hope that you are enjoying some time with family and/or friends and that you are taking time to express sincere gratitude to God for all that He has done!

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

No, that title is not a reflection of my grammar skills. If I remember correctly, it is a line from a song. It came to mind as I was thinking about my morning. Last Monday afternoon 3 girls had asked me to come teach them English and the Bible on Monday mornings because they have school in the afternoon and can't join that group. I wasn't sure if they would remember or would come out this morning.
I sat in the beautiful sunlight a few minutes before the appointed time of 10 am, and a curious woman from one of the apartments came and sat near me and asked about why I was there. After a few minutes, she said, "Oh. Here comes a girl who seems to know you. It looks like they did remember." Her words were music to my ears! Myrna approached, carrying the little notebook that I had given them to write their English vocab. Soon Daniela joined us, and we found a spot in the shade and began.
It was such a blessing to have this time with these girls. I pray that God will pour Himself into their lives through me and that they will begin to read the Bibles I gave them. Also praying that the fact that I will be out of town next week won't cause the group to end but that they will come the following week, as they agreed to do this morning.
Not only is 2 out of 3 not bad, I'd say it is fabulous! I am continuing to pray that the other girl, Yuritzi, will join us next time and that they will invite a few other friends as well.

Prayer for the Week

The week ahead is very full and also very exciting! Would love to know that you are praying for these specific requests throughout the week.

Monday:

• 10 am meeting with group of pre-teen girls for Bible study, English lesson, and just to be a part of their lives. Please pray that these girls will remember and be able to show up as this will be our first morning meeting. Also pray that God will speak through me.
• 5 pm meeting with the other group of pre-teen girls. Please pray that the girls will participate and will feel God's love for them specifically.

Tuesday:

• 4 pm Bible study with our group that normally meets on Wednesdays. Please pray for these women and kids to grow in understanding of God and for their husbands/dads to come to know Christ. Some have brought a sister or sister-in-law with them recently. Please pray that these women will return and will come to know Christ as well.
• During the day, please also pray for me as I finish preparing my house for company and prepare a couple of dishes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Wednesday:

• Please pray for safety for other missionaries who are driving here from 3 other cities to celebrate Thanksgiving with us at Robin and Charlie's house. Also pray that we will have a good time of fellowship and giving thanks to God. (The company I mentioned above is a family of 5 who are staying overnight with me. I LOVE VISITS, and I love this family!)

Thursday:

• Pray for continued good fellowship and safety as my visiting friends see a bit of the city and then drive back home.
• 4:30 pm Bible study: Pray that the women will be able to come study with Robin, and that the little boy who was hospitalized last Thursday is doing well. Pray for Angel and I to be the embodiment of God's love to these sweet kids.
• 10:20 pm bus departure: Pray for a safe trip as I ride an overnight bus to Puerto Vallarta, arriving at 7 am.