Psalm 121
I lift my eyes to the hills--
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
He will not let your foot slip--
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel,
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you--
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will no harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from ALL harm--
he will watch over your life.
The Lord will watch over your coming and going,
both now and forevermore.
vs. 2 The Maker of heaven and earth is the ONE TRUE God, the King of all creation.
vs. 3 Not even when the way is treacherous
vs. 4 The Lord of all creation and the guardian over Israel--the One in whom the faithful may put unfaltering trust.
vs. 5-6 Assurance concerning unfailing protection
vs. 7-8 Assurance concerning all of life.
Apr 28, 2008
Pescadores
Since the beginning of this year I have became one of the leaders of our church's youthgroup which is called "Pescadores." Pescadores means fishermem as we are fishing and making disciples of Jesus.
The past couple months we have been teaching and talking about abuse and temptations. We took a survey from the youth and the top temptation on each of their responeses (22 responses) was sexual immorality--sex before and outside of marraige. These kids are surrounded by this temptation and it is the example of their moms and dads. Please be praying that these kids would fight against giving into the temptation around them. That they would choose to trust in the plans that the Lord has for them and that they would be obedient.
Last Saturday we asked another question from the youth as we are going to start a new series about families. We asked them:
What are the biggest problems your friends have in their families? (many times this is also another way of asking them what goes on in their lives indirectly)
Answers:
-Parents beating kids
-Lack of support from parents, parents do not listen or care about what they do
-Parents abuse each other, parents fighting
-Drug abuse, alcoholism
-Do not feel loved
-Parents do not understand--want to commit suicide
-Parents sexually abusive
Please pray that as we begin to talk about these things that the Lord would heal souls and families. Pray for wisdom as we prepare each week and meet with these kids individually that the kids hearts would be open and receive exactly what they need from their heavenly Father.
The past couple months we have been teaching and talking about abuse and temptations. We took a survey from the youth and the top temptation on each of their responeses (22 responses) was sexual immorality--sex before and outside of marraige. These kids are surrounded by this temptation and it is the example of their moms and dads. Please be praying that these kids would fight against giving into the temptation around them. That they would choose to trust in the plans that the Lord has for them and that they would be obedient.
Last Saturday we asked another question from the youth as we are going to start a new series about families. We asked them:
What are the biggest problems your friends have in their families? (many times this is also another way of asking them what goes on in their lives indirectly)
Answers:
-Parents beating kids
-Lack of support from parents, parents do not listen or care about what they do
-Parents abuse each other, parents fighting
-Drug abuse, alcoholism
-Do not feel loved
-Parents do not understand--want to commit suicide
-Parents sexually abusive
Please pray that as we begin to talk about these things that the Lord would heal souls and families. Pray for wisdom as we prepare each week and meet with these kids individually that the kids hearts would be open and receive exactly what they need from their heavenly Father.
Apr 14, 2008
Gloria's Birthday and a question
Today is my friend Gloria's birthday. She is the one in the picture from a previous post. Today she turned 29 years old! She has three children, Claudia who is 12, Rocio and Boo-ga. Gloria is a light in the darkness for her family and for everyone in the colonia where we work. Their family has little, but Gloria always seems to have joy regardless of circumstances.
I was hoping to bring her a cake to today so she could celebrate with her family because she is always thinking of others. I didn't have much time, but just felt that I was supposed to bring her a cake even if I couldn't stay and visit for very long because of the way that she has welcomed me here in Fresnillo and makes me feel like family. I didn't have much time. So I went to the store, drove as far as I could on pavement and then began walking super fast on the dirt road, looking really weird, carrying a cake in the middle of the colonia. Let me add that cumulus clouds were filling the sky and I was praying so hard that God would hold off the rain until I arrived at her house and that Gloria would be home. I almost decided not to go, but continued on accepting the possibility of ruining the cake and getting covered in mud.
I made it to Gloria's house just fine, the rain holding off, and she welcomed me with a huge smile. Now, here comes my question.....
What would you do or what would your thoughts and attitude be if your husband had been unable to find a job for two months now and a couple days ago the gas for the stove went out and you had gone back to the days of cooking over a fire and weren't sure what you were going to eat from one day to the next? Would you praise the Lord? Would you believe in a God that loves you?
Continue reading after you have an answer to that question and put yourself in the family of Gloria with three children.
Gloria started telling me how she this IS her situation Her next words were..."But we have never gone a day without food. We have a roof over our head. I imagine that Christ suffered more than I will in this life. In fact, I believe He did. He died unjustly because of us. My suffering and worrying is nothing compared to Christ." And these words that she spoke to me are the attitude of her heart. She was starting to get frustrated, getting worried about how they were going to eat this week, but she instead she chose to dwell on Christ and in his sacrifice and hope that he gives us. To dwell on the sacrifice of His death that he suffered because of our sin. And if you could only see the house that Gloria lives in...imagine the worst house you have ever seen in the states and then think less of a house than that. Really puts things into perspective.
God used my conversation with Gloria today to speak to my heart. We can claim Matthew 6:25-33 as a promise. God's word is truth and hope for those who believe. I cannot describe in words the way that God works, but I believe in His Sovereignty and that He walks along with us daily, empowering us to walk through whatever storm may come our way.
Matthew 6:25-33
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I was hoping to bring her a cake to today so she could celebrate with her family because she is always thinking of others. I didn't have much time, but just felt that I was supposed to bring her a cake even if I couldn't stay and visit for very long because of the way that she has welcomed me here in Fresnillo and makes me feel like family. I didn't have much time. So I went to the store, drove as far as I could on pavement and then began walking super fast on the dirt road, looking really weird, carrying a cake in the middle of the colonia. Let me add that cumulus clouds were filling the sky and I was praying so hard that God would hold off the rain until I arrived at her house and that Gloria would be home. I almost decided not to go, but continued on accepting the possibility of ruining the cake and getting covered in mud.
I made it to Gloria's house just fine, the rain holding off, and she welcomed me with a huge smile. Now, here comes my question.....
What would you do or what would your thoughts and attitude be if your husband had been unable to find a job for two months now and a couple days ago the gas for the stove went out and you had gone back to the days of cooking over a fire and weren't sure what you were going to eat from one day to the next? Would you praise the Lord? Would you believe in a God that loves you?
Continue reading after you have an answer to that question and put yourself in the family of Gloria with three children.
Gloria started telling me how she this IS her situation Her next words were..."But we have never gone a day without food. We have a roof over our head. I imagine that Christ suffered more than I will in this life. In fact, I believe He did. He died unjustly because of us. My suffering and worrying is nothing compared to Christ." And these words that she spoke to me are the attitude of her heart. She was starting to get frustrated, getting worried about how they were going to eat this week, but she instead she chose to dwell on Christ and in his sacrifice and hope that he gives us. To dwell on the sacrifice of His death that he suffered because of our sin. And if you could only see the house that Gloria lives in...imagine the worst house you have ever seen in the states and then think less of a house than that. Really puts things into perspective.
God used my conversation with Gloria today to speak to my heart. We can claim Matthew 6:25-33 as a promise. God's word is truth and hope for those who believe. I cannot describe in words the way that God works, but I believe in His Sovereignty and that He walks along with us daily, empowering us to walk through whatever storm may come our way.
Matthew 6:25-33
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Apr 11, 2008
Hole in his pants...
Today a kid that I think is super cute got a hole in his pants...right down the crack on our field trip and had to take off his shirt to cover it up. It was hilarious...I was like...why do you have your shirt off....response....my pants got ripped....do you want to see? As he began to turn around with a big smile...i said no thanks.
After playing in the park for the first part of our field trip we went to the Coca factory. Awhile ago I stopped by the company to see if they gave tours of the factory or did anything for classes and they do! We have taken all three of our classes for a tour now.
Back to the story of Luis David without a shirt. So, we are heading to the Coca factory and Luis David needs a shirt, so we ask if anybody is wearing two shirts. One boy raised his hand and had a wife beater underneath his shirt. One of our teachers told this little kid to give his shirt to Luis David so he would not go shirtless into this business environment. It was pretty funny....maybe you had to be there :)
I will post a picture of one of this class soon so you can look forward to it!!
After playing in the park for the first part of our field trip we went to the Coca factory. Awhile ago I stopped by the company to see if they gave tours of the factory or did anything for classes and they do! We have taken all three of our classes for a tour now.
Back to the story of Luis David without a shirt. So, we are heading to the Coca factory and Luis David needs a shirt, so we ask if anybody is wearing two shirts. One boy raised his hand and had a wife beater underneath his shirt. One of our teachers told this little kid to give his shirt to Luis David so he would not go shirtless into this business environment. It was pretty funny....maybe you had to be there :)
I will post a picture of one of this class soon so you can look forward to it!!
Apr 9, 2008
Alejandra and me
Picture on the left is of Alejandra (one of my girls), one of her sisters and I
Picture on the right is at the market with Daniel and another guy when my parents were visiting. My aunt's son's school recently donated a large amount of money to our kids' club program and we were taking picture with the "flat stanleys" to show the school what it is like here in Mexico.
Peques
Please be praying with me for Peques who has lived in 3 different houses over the past month. Her mother and father are separated and I believe are getting a divorce. Peques' father has been angry that her mom leaves Peques and her brothers and sisters alone during the day. Peques has decided to live with her dad while the rest of her brothers and sisters decided to stay with her mom who already has another boyfriend and has had one for some time. I don't know the details of what her dad is like. Peques has not been able to come to club because I didn't know where she moved and has been missing school a lot too. She is a sweet sweet girl, accepted Jesus into her heart and has been coming to club for many years. I asked her if she had been crying a lot over the past couple weeks and if it has been hard and her response was unemotional and simply no. I cannot imagine all the emotional hurt that she is going through right now and know that what she is experiencing now is just a glimpse into the life of many. Please be praying for her joy and innocence to be would be protected by the Lord. Pray that the Lord would continue to show her his love for her daily. Pray for her protection and that God would be healing her heart.
42 people in a fifteen passenger van
So while I haven't updated you all on the things that I was planning on yet, I thought I would stick with the present right now and let you know what has been going on with some of our kids in Fresnillo.
On a normal Wednesday Kids' Club day we take two 15 passenger vans and a normal size van to pick up all the kids in the neighborhood "Plan de Ayala." Our normal attendance for this Wednesday afternoon club is about 60 or so children. Today my roommate Becca was sick and not able to drive one of the vans. When we are short one person we have an "emergency route" in which we combine all the kids into two vans. Last week this plan worked just fine. However, today I had 39 children and 3 adults in the 15 passenger van I was driving!!! Our attendance was about 80 kids. Seriously, it was craziness. On the way home we took the limit of kids which is supposed to be 30 and it just took a bit longer to do another vuelta (trip) home.
Praise the Lord for all the kids that came to club, but at the same time I was so stressed out by running late and going to kids houses that I don't know all over the neighborhood that I quickly got frustrated on the way home with the 30 kids and me being the only adult in the vehicle. To give you a better idea of not knowing where kids live let me give you this example....
Question: Chuy, where do you live? (Chuy, donde vives? o ?donde esta tu casa?
Answer: In a grey house (una casa gris)
Detail: All the houses in our colonia are made with large, grey bricks some are painted but many are not:)
Thanks Chuy!! :)
This didn't actually happen today but it happened many times my first couple months here.
It was kind of like a little flash back to teaching in the Bronx with TFA which lasted the whole day instead of just 30 minutes. I stopped the van three times as kids were fighting and crying and standing up and waited for obedience before continuing our journey home. Let's just say that it was a long 30 minutes. But I also was thankful for some of the disciplinary skills that I learned from the teaching and going through hard times.
It is kind of crazy how easily I forget that the Lord is in control of all thing and that I am not. After the stressed filled ride home I stopped for a second to breathe and stop worrying that a kid was going to fall out of the van while I was driving and hoped that the next time I am in a situation like that (which is soon to happen again) that I stop luego luego (right away) and pray in mind and ask the Lord for guidance, authority and patience. How often I am like one of those kids wanting my own way, thinking that I know what is best for me, when in reality my heavenly Father is watching out for me, wanting to protect me and keep me from falling. He indeed knows what is best for me.
On a normal Wednesday Kids' Club day we take two 15 passenger vans and a normal size van to pick up all the kids in the neighborhood "Plan de Ayala." Our normal attendance for this Wednesday afternoon club is about 60 or so children. Today my roommate Becca was sick and not able to drive one of the vans. When we are short one person we have an "emergency route" in which we combine all the kids into two vans. Last week this plan worked just fine. However, today I had 39 children and 3 adults in the 15 passenger van I was driving!!! Our attendance was about 80 kids. Seriously, it was craziness. On the way home we took the limit of kids which is supposed to be 30 and it just took a bit longer to do another vuelta (trip) home.
Praise the Lord for all the kids that came to club, but at the same time I was so stressed out by running late and going to kids houses that I don't know all over the neighborhood that I quickly got frustrated on the way home with the 30 kids and me being the only adult in the vehicle. To give you a better idea of not knowing where kids live let me give you this example....
Question: Chuy, where do you live? (Chuy, donde vives? o ?donde esta tu casa?
Answer: In a grey house (una casa gris)
Detail: All the houses in our colonia are made with large, grey bricks some are painted but many are not:)
Thanks Chuy!! :)
This didn't actually happen today but it happened many times my first couple months here.
It was kind of like a little flash back to teaching in the Bronx with TFA which lasted the whole day instead of just 30 minutes. I stopped the van three times as kids were fighting and crying and standing up and waited for obedience before continuing our journey home. Let's just say that it was a long 30 minutes. But I also was thankful for some of the disciplinary skills that I learned from the teaching and going through hard times.
It is kind of crazy how easily I forget that the Lord is in control of all thing and that I am not. After the stressed filled ride home I stopped for a second to breathe and stop worrying that a kid was going to fall out of the van while I was driving and hoped that the next time I am in a situation like that (which is soon to happen again) that I stop luego luego (right away) and pray in mind and ask the Lord for guidance, authority and patience. How often I am like one of those kids wanting my own way, thinking that I know what is best for me, when in reality my heavenly Father is watching out for me, wanting to protect me and keep me from falling. He indeed knows what is best for me.
Apr 5, 2008
La Velada
A couple people from our church organized a "velada" or time of worship and prayer last night. I cannot remember the last time that I have seen the Holy Spirit work so powerfully--changing lives as we prayed and prayed-- laying hands on all those who are in bondage, suffering, and hungry for the presence and healing power of the Lord. We began the velada at 9 pm and finished at 1pm, but could have stayed all night long.
After singing a couple songs at the beginning of the velada, we were getting ready to change gears and spend some time in silence praying and receiving from the Lord and a man, Miguel, walked into our church. He walked right up to the front of the congregation. At first many of us were kind of nervous, wondering what this man was going to do and say to all of us. However, God had plans for this man last night. He had plans to speak truth to his heart, to show this man the way to Jesus, to give hope to this man's life... who is living day to day on the street, without a job, without a family nearby, wandering through life. It is not by coincidence that this man walked into the church last night. The first thing he said to us all was that he was drawn in by the music, by the words that we were singing to the Lord. This man prayed with one of the men in our church and stayed the rest of the night praising the Lord with us. We prayed in faith that the Lord would provide a job for this man so that he can eat tomorrow. We prayed in faith that this man's life would change and that He would begin to live with joy and hope in Jesus. Amen.
Next, a teenager who has been through our Kids' Club ministry, youth group and comes faithfully to our church, who I believe is 18 years old and knows the Lord, recently has made some bad decisions. His girlfriend and he got pregnant began living together and their baby is due in June of this year. This is the cycle that almost 99% of the people in our colonia go through. Many of these kids become pregnant even earlier around the age of 15. This man was a leader in our church. He has a heart and the gift of worship. He was asked to step down from all leadership positions that he had in the church until he begins to walk in obedience again. This is the first step that began to break his heart. However, praise the Lord that he and his girlfriend have continued to come to church. Last night, this man asked all who were right with the Lord, not living in sin, to come and pray for him as he did is struggling. He does not feel the desire to live for the Lord, yet he knows that Jesus is alone is his hope. His heart was crying out to all who were there to cry out for him and intercede for him as he alone cannot push forward. I cannot describe the prayers of his mother last night to you...this mother was crying out for her son with her whole heart for mercy. Please pray for Luis and Evelyn and their soon to be new baby. That the Lord would provide financially for them and that they would love the Lord above anything else in their lives. That they would make the changes necessary to be walking in obedience.
God did many more miracles last night, but the last prayer that spoke to my heart was from a woman and friend names Gloria. Gloria was crying out for mercy for her husband who she believes is a stumbling block for her in her relationship with the Lord. She was crying out as she has prayed for years that her husband would come to know the Lord, but continues to stumble and walk in his own ways. She cried out that she doesn't want to lose either of the things that she loves most in her life, the Lord and her husband, yet could not continue anymore by herself. I believe that it was not the prayers of the people around her crying out for Gloria, but it was the Lord himself who spoke to her heart through the Holy Spirit telling her that he delights in her, that nothing is impossible for the Him, nothing, to continue forward in faith. Please cry out for the salvation of Gloria's husband Ernesto and that Gloria would not grow tired of doing good and serving the Lord.
As I reflect on the people that were at the velada last night, the people that have become my friends and family, I don’t understand a thing about suffering... each one of them has suffered more than I can imagine and will ever experience. Their lives are a battle zone, sometimes fighting to eat each day, fighting to keep their families together, fighting to live with joy and hope when their lives don't seem like they will ever change. My heart hurts just thinking how unfair life seems, why wasn't I born in the colonia with these people? Grace. I am encouraged to think that we serve a mighty and powerful God who has victory over death and that the suffering that is experienced does not compare to the joy that is to come. Hebrews 12:2-3
After singing a couple songs at the beginning of the velada, we were getting ready to change gears and spend some time in silence praying and receiving from the Lord and a man, Miguel, walked into our church. He walked right up to the front of the congregation. At first many of us were kind of nervous, wondering what this man was going to do and say to all of us. However, God had plans for this man last night. He had plans to speak truth to his heart, to show this man the way to Jesus, to give hope to this man's life... who is living day to day on the street, without a job, without a family nearby, wandering through life. It is not by coincidence that this man walked into the church last night. The first thing he said to us all was that he was drawn in by the music, by the words that we were singing to the Lord. This man prayed with one of the men in our church and stayed the rest of the night praising the Lord with us. We prayed in faith that the Lord would provide a job for this man so that he can eat tomorrow. We prayed in faith that this man's life would change and that He would begin to live with joy and hope in Jesus. Amen.
Next, a teenager who has been through our Kids' Club ministry, youth group and comes faithfully to our church, who I believe is 18 years old and knows the Lord, recently has made some bad decisions. His girlfriend and he got pregnant began living together and their baby is due in June of this year. This is the cycle that almost 99% of the people in our colonia go through. Many of these kids become pregnant even earlier around the age of 15. This man was a leader in our church. He has a heart and the gift of worship. He was asked to step down from all leadership positions that he had in the church until he begins to walk in obedience again. This is the first step that began to break his heart. However, praise the Lord that he and his girlfriend have continued to come to church. Last night, this man asked all who were right with the Lord, not living in sin, to come and pray for him as he did is struggling. He does not feel the desire to live for the Lord, yet he knows that Jesus is alone is his hope. His heart was crying out to all who were there to cry out for him and intercede for him as he alone cannot push forward. I cannot describe the prayers of his mother last night to you...this mother was crying out for her son with her whole heart for mercy. Please pray for Luis and Evelyn and their soon to be new baby. That the Lord would provide financially for them and that they would love the Lord above anything else in their lives. That they would make the changes necessary to be walking in obedience.
God did many more miracles last night, but the last prayer that spoke to my heart was from a woman and friend names Gloria. Gloria was crying out for mercy for her husband who she believes is a stumbling block for her in her relationship with the Lord. She was crying out as she has prayed for years that her husband would come to know the Lord, but continues to stumble and walk in his own ways. She cried out that she doesn't want to lose either of the things that she loves most in her life, the Lord and her husband, yet could not continue anymore by herself. I believe that it was not the prayers of the people around her crying out for Gloria, but it was the Lord himself who spoke to her heart through the Holy Spirit telling her that he delights in her, that nothing is impossible for the Him, nothing, to continue forward in faith. Please cry out for the salvation of Gloria's husband Ernesto and that Gloria would not grow tired of doing good and serving the Lord.
As I reflect on the people that were at the velada last night, the people that have become my friends and family, I don’t understand a thing about suffering... each one of them has suffered more than I can imagine and will ever experience. Their lives are a battle zone, sometimes fighting to eat each day, fighting to keep their families together, fighting to live with joy and hope when their lives don't seem like they will ever change. My heart hurts just thinking how unfair life seems, why wasn't I born in the colonia with these people? Grace. I am encouraged to think that we serve a mighty and powerful God who has victory over death and that the suffering that is experienced does not compare to the joy that is to come. Hebrews 12:2-3
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