Well it's been a while, and although I am not feeling incredibly inspired to write a blog, I figured I should let people know that I am still alive.
Sometimes I stop and wonder if I am really on a "mission's trip". Mexican hospitality is AMAZING. I get invited over to people's houses or out to eat all the time, and everywhere I go they tell me "this is your house, Laura". It has been really cool to get to know families within the church, to hear the stories of their faith and just share a piece of their lives with them. On Sunday a family from the church took me to Bernal and San Miguel de Allende, two beautiful towns about 45 minutes outside of Queretaro. Bernal has a "pena" (cool-looking rock formation) and San Miguel has a beautiful iglesia. It was a beautiful day of being a tourist, and I will upload photos later when the battery on My camera is not dead.
As far as ministry goes, here is what has been going on: Friday I had a "pijamada" (slumber party) with the high school girls. I was a little nervous about it, but I think everything went pretty well. 11 girls came. I know it seems strange that part of my work here is to have slumber parties, but have no fear, it was a strategic action. The high school girls for the most part lack a sense of unity. Some don't get along and some are new to the church. Since there are not a lot of Christians in Queretaro, the girls really need the encouragement and support of Christian friends, and this is part of what I am trying to build this summer. Also, a couple of girls invited thier non-christian friends. Hopefully it was a good introduction to the church for them. I briefly shared a few Bible verses with them, and my desire that they truly love and support each other and grow in their relationships with each other through Christ, but I was really nervous and I have no idea if I used the right words or what anybody thought, but I hope that God was using me.
Additionally, we are in the midst of planning the "campamento" (summer camp). I'll just be up front about this one, I don't like Mexican planning:) For example, today we discussed who should and shouldn't receive financial assistance to attend the camp. We have talked about this subject in the past, and today we talked about it for a good 30-45 minutes and in the end, we still didnt come to a conclusion and we're going to talk about it at the end of the week. ahh!!!! so much for efficiency!!!! I'm kind of the go-to girl for anything nobody else wants to do for the camp, making flyers, buying materials, planning games, finding devotional verses pertaining to the subject. A few of the missionaries/people who work in the church act like they are just so stressed out and don't have time to plan the camp, and even though I don't really understand why they are so stressed, I am glad I am here to help. And I am really excited because it is going to be fun!!!
I have hung out one on one with most of the high school girls and I find myself in kind of a strange position. The original "oh cool, a foreign person" phase has passed and I feel like now a few of the girls arent very interested in spending time with me. I pray that God will give me wisdom in knowing who to invite out again and how to pursue a relationship with the girls. I feel like my time is short, and I want to be able to invest in girls who want and need my support.
This post is really positive, but I don't want to be fake, I really miss my family and friends language and culture, and I am constantly telling myself not to wish the time away. Please pray that I can keep my thoughts in the present and make the most of ever day here.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
hmm
I believe Queretaro is one of the nicer cities of Mexico, I haven't really witnessed a lot of extreme poverty but I did have a conversation today I want to share.
I was talking with Job, the worship leader about the show "extreme home makeover" (I show i happen to be a fan of and cry every time) and he was telling me that he finds that show so crazy, because when they start out with a family with a rundown house who can't afford to fix it. The American "poor" more or less. But Job remarked that these people usually start out with a house with 2 floors and a large yard, that's like a mansion here! He can hardly believe we consider them poor.
A few weeks ago a guest in our home and Evy were remarking that in the US, to be poor means that you don't have a car to drive to work in or you have to rent an apartment instead of own a house, but here that doesnt mean poor. Here, poor means you don't have a house nor do you have food on a daily basis.
The majority of people I have met here, I would not consider underpriviledged, they just realize what they can live without. I don't have AC and I'm still alive. We don't have a dishwasher and it takes like 2 seconds to wash the dishes by hand. They don't have a clothes dryer because they can line dry the clothes and dont need to pay for the energy to run the machine.
maybe simpler is better
I was talking with Job, the worship leader about the show "extreme home makeover" (I show i happen to be a fan of and cry every time) and he was telling me that he finds that show so crazy, because when they start out with a family with a rundown house who can't afford to fix it. The American "poor" more or less. But Job remarked that these people usually start out with a house with 2 floors and a large yard, that's like a mansion here! He can hardly believe we consider them poor.
A few weeks ago a guest in our home and Evy were remarking that in the US, to be poor means that you don't have a car to drive to work in or you have to rent an apartment instead of own a house, but here that doesnt mean poor. Here, poor means you don't have a house nor do you have food on a daily basis.
The majority of people I have met here, I would not consider underpriviledged, they just realize what they can live without. I don't have AC and I'm still alive. We don't have a dishwasher and it takes like 2 seconds to wash the dishes by hand. They don't have a clothes dryer because they can line dry the clothes and dont need to pay for the energy to run the machine.
maybe simpler is better
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Available
Well, I am in the midst of week 4 of my time here in Mexico (to be exact it is day 24 and there are 35 left, but who's counting?) and things are going really well. After completely reconstructing my mindset and the way I viewed my purpose of being here, I finally feel like God can use me here. Dejame explicar (allow me to explain):
First of all, I am not here to do "stuff," to complete tasks, to check off things on a list. For me, that is SO HARD. I am a planner, I like to be able to track my successes and failures, I want to know if I am doing a good job. But there is no one here to say "Laura, do this, this and this". There is no list. Therefore, I have come to realize that my number one priority this summer has to be my own personal relationship with God. I knew that in my head before I came, but now I know it in my heart. Here in Queretaro I don't have my family friends, house, car, culture, language, schedule, and my appearance that fits in with everyone else. I didn't realize how much I depend on these things, and now I have to depend on God to give me my identity and my peace becasue I don't have these things. I have come to realize that the one and only thing I have to offer the people of Queretaro is my heart, and when they see my heart I want them to see God. I want them to see the God of salvation, the Lord of love. Often I cannot express myself very well in words, but I trust that the Holy Spirit can still speak through me with or without words.
At first I was really frustrated that I wasn't always doing something. I felt like I had way too much free time, but now I have slightly less free time and I am learning to embrace the free time I do have. I have never taken so much time to spend with the Lord, free from the pressures of my schedule and responsibilities, and this opportunity has been an immense blessing to me.
I have been hanging out with many of the high school girls one-on-one and I am also planning group events. I see the Lord in these times in the fact that these girls like me! I honestly don't understand it. I know I sound like an idiot when I try to talk most of the time, I don't fit into the culture at all, so I don't really understand why they would want to hang out with me but they are genuinely excited to get to know me. Thank you Lord!
**Please pray for the girls because there is a lack of unity among them, and in this culture where the vast majority of people do not share their beliefs, they need each other more than they even realize.
** Also, there is at least one girl I know of who has not accepted the Lord as her Savior, but she has not come to youth group the last 2 weeks. Pray that I can connect with her and that we can have some good conversation
I want to also share a sweet story of how I have seen God working in the church. On Tuesday, a 27-year-old lady named Christina was walking past the church and she heard the worship team practicing for the Wednesday night praise service. She lives close to the church and she said she had wanted to come check it out for a while, but Tuesday she saw the gate was open and came on in. Pastor Martin saw her and started talking. She said she would come to church, but she didnt know anyone. So Martin introduced her to Jessica, Yetzi and myself. She came to the worship service last night and I sat next to her. She thought it was really cool but I don't know how comfortable she is with Christianity because when it was time to pray in groups she wanted me to pray (praying in Spanish is not exactly my strong point). But it was really cool that I had the opportunity to pray with her and for her. She said she is going to come to the young adults group tonight. Praise the Lord for working in Christina's heart and giving her the courage to walk into the church, and also praise the Lord for the love I saw poured out by everyone welcoming her.
Well this post is long enough, but the last thought of the day is this: The importance of being AVAILABLE. I think in the US we feel like we always have to fill up our schedule with stuff to do. But when we sit back, relax, and just enjoy the presence of the Lord, this is when he can fill us with is Holy Spirit. When our eyes and schedules are open to those around us, we can find such great ways to minister to others!
First of all, I am not here to do "stuff," to complete tasks, to check off things on a list. For me, that is SO HARD. I am a planner, I like to be able to track my successes and failures, I want to know if I am doing a good job. But there is no one here to say "Laura, do this, this and this". There is no list. Therefore, I have come to realize that my number one priority this summer has to be my own personal relationship with God. I knew that in my head before I came, but now I know it in my heart. Here in Queretaro I don't have my family friends, house, car, culture, language, schedule, and my appearance that fits in with everyone else. I didn't realize how much I depend on these things, and now I have to depend on God to give me my identity and my peace becasue I don't have these things. I have come to realize that the one and only thing I have to offer the people of Queretaro is my heart, and when they see my heart I want them to see God. I want them to see the God of salvation, the Lord of love. Often I cannot express myself very well in words, but I trust that the Holy Spirit can still speak through me with or without words.
At first I was really frustrated that I wasn't always doing something. I felt like I had way too much free time, but now I have slightly less free time and I am learning to embrace the free time I do have. I have never taken so much time to spend with the Lord, free from the pressures of my schedule and responsibilities, and this opportunity has been an immense blessing to me.
I have been hanging out with many of the high school girls one-on-one and I am also planning group events. I see the Lord in these times in the fact that these girls like me! I honestly don't understand it. I know I sound like an idiot when I try to talk most of the time, I don't fit into the culture at all, so I don't really understand why they would want to hang out with me but they are genuinely excited to get to know me. Thank you Lord!
**Please pray for the girls because there is a lack of unity among them, and in this culture where the vast majority of people do not share their beliefs, they need each other more than they even realize.
** Also, there is at least one girl I know of who has not accepted the Lord as her Savior, but she has not come to youth group the last 2 weeks. Pray that I can connect with her and that we can have some good conversation
I want to also share a sweet story of how I have seen God working in the church. On Tuesday, a 27-year-old lady named Christina was walking past the church and she heard the worship team practicing for the Wednesday night praise service. She lives close to the church and she said she had wanted to come check it out for a while, but Tuesday she saw the gate was open and came on in. Pastor Martin saw her and started talking. She said she would come to church, but she didnt know anyone. So Martin introduced her to Jessica, Yetzi and myself. She came to the worship service last night and I sat next to her. She thought it was really cool but I don't know how comfortable she is with Christianity because when it was time to pray in groups she wanted me to pray (praying in Spanish is not exactly my strong point). But it was really cool that I had the opportunity to pray with her and for her. She said she is going to come to the young adults group tonight. Praise the Lord for working in Christina's heart and giving her the courage to walk into the church, and also praise the Lord for the love I saw poured out by everyone welcoming her.
Well this post is long enough, but the last thought of the day is this: The importance of being AVAILABLE. I think in the US we feel like we always have to fill up our schedule with stuff to do. But when we sit back, relax, and just enjoy the presence of the Lord, this is when he can fill us with is Holy Spirit. When our eyes and schedules are open to those around us, we can find such great ways to minister to others!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
a few pics
Here are just a few pictures to give you an idea of my living arrangements this summer.
(Left) Me, Berta, Evy and America. I live with Evy and America and Berta is a really good friend who eats with us a lot and I went to her house to eat once too.
(Left) Me, Berta, Evy and America. I live with Evy and America and Berta is a really good friend who eats with us a lot and I went to her house to eat once too.
(below) the living room and dining room of my house, this makes up most of the main floor
My bedroom. Look mom, I make my bed every day!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A few things that I believe need to be addressed...
This blog has no purpose but there are just some things I have found interesting so I am going to share them....
Coffee: anyone who knows me knows that I am very passionate about my coffee, so of course this was one thing that I was very much looking forward to about coming to Mexico. For heaven's sake, the SSP team came back with real coffee beans and coffee fresh from the mountains of mexico and pictures of the whole coffe-making process. I was EPICly disappointed when i came to Queretaro and found that basically everyone drinks instant coffee. This suck! Even at restaurants and coffee shops you can't buy just a regular cup of brewed coffee. Boo! But clearly, I am surviving
I ate fried bananas Tuesday, topped with sour cream and sugar. It was weird. I liked it
It is governor election time here. They have interesting means of campaigning here. There are cars that drive through residential neighborhoods with big ol speakers announcing things about the candidate. One time, as I was walking for the bus there was a group of campaigners in the street at a busy intersection. When the light turned red, they would run out into the street waving flags, yelling, and asking people if they wanted stickers on their cars. The weirdest part was that they were blaring a song with these lyrics "I want to make love like na na na, I want to make love like na na na" over and over. It did not strike me as professional. Maybe they didnt know what the song said haha.
Yesterday I wanted to take bus #5 from el centro to my house. There are 2 route 5's. I took the wrong one. When I realized this, there was really nothing I could do but wait for the bus to complete it's route so I could get off on the street I got on a take a different bus. Low and behold, it took almost 2 hours. Good thing I didn't have to be anywhere...
Oh Mexico :)
Coffee: anyone who knows me knows that I am very passionate about my coffee, so of course this was one thing that I was very much looking forward to about coming to Mexico. For heaven's sake, the SSP team came back with real coffee beans and coffee fresh from the mountains of mexico and pictures of the whole coffe-making process. I was EPICly disappointed when i came to Queretaro and found that basically everyone drinks instant coffee. This suck! Even at restaurants and coffee shops you can't buy just a regular cup of brewed coffee. Boo! But clearly, I am surviving
I ate fried bananas Tuesday, topped with sour cream and sugar. It was weird. I liked it
It is governor election time here. They have interesting means of campaigning here. There are cars that drive through residential neighborhoods with big ol speakers announcing things about the candidate. One time, as I was walking for the bus there was a group of campaigners in the street at a busy intersection. When the light turned red, they would run out into the street waving flags, yelling, and asking people if they wanted stickers on their cars. The weirdest part was that they were blaring a song with these lyrics "I want to make love like na na na, I want to make love like na na na" over and over. It did not strike me as professional. Maybe they didnt know what the song said haha.
Yesterday I wanted to take bus #5 from el centro to my house. There are 2 route 5's. I took the wrong one. When I realized this, there was really nothing I could do but wait for the bus to complete it's route so I could get off on the street I got on a take a different bus. Low and behold, it took almost 2 hours. Good thing I didn't have to be anywhere...
Oh Mexico :)
Monday, June 8, 2009
The 2 week mark
I can't figure out how to place the photos in a different location, but I thought I would just give you a taste of the things I have seen so far in the beautiful city of Queretaro.
So I have kind of been avoiding blogging for a while because it's been a little rough adjusting to Queretaro. I have felt a little lonely and homesick and at times quite useless. Like I said before, my ministry here is mostly relational, which means that I don't always have a task to do, which is hard for me. I talked with the pastor's wife Saturday and she gave me a little insight that I came in kind of a hard time, and hopefully God can use me to do a "healing work" in the hearts of some people here who have been hurt. God has been teaching that my chief job here in Mexico is to love him and become a woman of righteousness and grace after his own heart.
I am starting this week with a good attitude, and not letting Satan invade my thoughts and discourage me. Yesterday church was great, we had a potluck and in the evening I went to an amazing traditional Mexican dance show with 2 of the high school girls. I feel like I am finally jumping into the relationship building, and I have a few other "hang out" times scheduled for later in the week.
please pray:
I won't be homesick
I can build awesome relationships with the high school girls and church staff
I will get along with my host family, they will enjoy having me here, and I can encourage them.
God will be glorified!
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