Never the Same

Sorry to break the news, but I am not and will never be the same as I was before. Each day I am transforming into someone different – in two main aspects.

One, I find myself growing in transformation in being more like Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, but I do see how joy and peace has more often than not embraces my heart and soul. I also notice how my spirit is more sensitive to others – their hurts and struggles. There is still so much more to grow and learn of, but it is so awesome to see that change in me as I read His Word, pray daily and consistently, and do His will accordingly!

Two, I have noticed an uncomfortable realization that as a missionary, being one to spend an extended amount of time in a new culture/surrounding (doesn’t matter the location), my personal culture changes. As a result, I don’t fit in either my home land – United States, nor Mexico for I have integrated them both in my life. Emily, my mentor, mentioned to me, that there aren’t many who would really understand this concept, but those in the mission field. I have notice this truth when I was in California, visiting my home, there was just a part of me that didn’t feel like I fit in. Yes, I have friends and family who love me dearly, and I seem to fit in fine, but there is a difference in me that long for Mexico’s environment and culture. However, in Mexico City, I am a foreigner. Never will I become fully Mexican nor do I want to be. I have American traits and tendencies so I don’t fit exactly right here either, but there being here has molded me. I am a mix of the two and will always have part of me American and the other part Mexican.

Just a thought I wanted to share with you all! Hope to give you a little bit of the life as a missionary.

Another of God’s provisions, our apartment!!

8/25/09

Remember our long 4 hour walk searching for apartments? Mandy and I were specifically looking for one near the other staff members, with two bedrooms, already furnished, clean and yet within our budget. We noticed there aren’t many furnished apartments as well as pricy. Being in California, we have a mindset that Mexico’s housing is cheap. That is true, but it also depends where one will be staying at. Napoles – the district where the other staff members are at, is a business area near the World Trade Center and one of the major streets, Insurgentes. I would state that they are staying at the mid-upper class area and pay about $675 monthly with maintenance (they provided all the furniture) for two bedrooms, 1 ½ bathrooms, kitchen, nice size living and dining room. Our goal was to find one nearby, FURNISHED less than $600 for two bedrooms, 1 bathroom, clean, a nice size living and dining room, and not so close to the busy streets. We so enjoy our peace and quiet! That afternoon, we had one lead! It seemed great… except the price and the size. We thought maybe we could handle a one bedroom small apartment that cost as much as the other staff members’ apartments. Just then we hit a bump.
Alejandra Mendoza is also looking for an apartment. She is planning to move out when Sandra (her current roommate) moves out in the end of Sept. It was actually planned that I would be her roommate while Mandy would be with Erika and Jaime. Unfortunately, both Erika and Jaime did not raise enough support and so stopped all together in coming. I definitely did not mind having Mandy as my roommate for we were roomies last year! Mindy and Mandy were the best roommates I could have asked for last year! They were surely God’s provision for me!
The question is, would she be staying with us? How would that play out? Could we? Ale is a Mexican National. One huge thing to take in consideration is the culture differences. It creates challenges in the bonding of the two since values differ. For one, Americans LOVE space, Latin Americans tend to not mind if their space is invaded/shared, it’s just how it is. Americans value cleanliness. Latin Americans value people more. Americans value quietness. Latin Americans don’t seem to mind. This will change the dynamics of our apartment searching.
Luckily, she had ONE apartment in mind. The owner of the apartment she is currently staying in actually owns a three bedroom apartment nearby, practically on the same street. Mandy and I, honestly had our hearts settled with the one-bedroom apartment just across the street to the staff girl’s home, but we tried out this apartment. Just to check it out. This was on 8/24/09. About 15-20 minutes away from the staff apartments, in a 8 story apartment building, we entered.

To our surprise, it was super cute, very spacious, quiet, natural light, in a nice area AND within our budget. If that wasn’t enough, the owner was leaving to the US (California) the following morning and won’t be returning till the 25th of September. She needed a decision RAPIDO! She was not the type to guilt or rush our decision, she simply said that either answer would be fine. Since Ale wasn’t done with her contract yet with the other apartment, Mandy and I would just pay about $515 for this months rent not including the gas, electricity and water. After this month, when she arrives, we will give her an answer if we would all (including Ale) stay at this apartment each paying about $300 monthly (including maintenance, gas, water, and electricity). Sounded great! Mandy and I left there and talked it through and prayed about it. Our answer, YES!!
The next morning, set to wake up at 6:30am to meet with her at 7am before she left to the airport. I found myself up at 7:06am!!!! NOOOOOOO!!! Right away I called her and asked if I could still make it. She said yes. I didn’t know if Mandy had woken up or not, I just ran out!

Determined, I arrived at the apartment within 7 minutes in sandals! Crazy, yes! My hair was not taken care of and of course I didn’t take time to brush my teeth. Let’s just say I was not pretty!

Sweet, Aurora showed me around and taught me the nicks and crannies of her apt. Then she handed me the keys and left at 7:30am!

What a God thing! We weren’t even looking this way, nor were we looking for a 3 bedroom apartment. It was perfect!

That day we moved in! It is truly amazing how God has provided this home especially the time we needed one!

Sorry didn’t download pix at this time! 

Back in Mexico

Leaving to Colorado and arriving to Mexico was exhausting. My day began at 4:45am and ended at 8:30pm. It was a LONG day, but a good day. We had one stop in Houston, Texas. Instead of sitting and reading on my own, I initiated a conversation with my neighbors. I found out that they just came back from celebrating their youngest son’s wedding in Colorado and heading back home to Florida. I love the way God places people in your life for a reason. They were not only a friendly couple, but ones who live for Christ as well. I don’t know how to explain it, but there is that bond, the connection between strangers when the Spirit of God is there. We had a great conversation sharing our hearts and books. That was a big highlight for the trip.

Arriving in Mexico, a couple students and about 3 staff members were there holding up a “Welcome Home” sign. Oh, how I missed Mexico! We hugged and greeted one another with a kiss (its traditional here). Then off we went!

Me and Mandy did not have an apartment so we slept in the homes of our coordinators. I slept on the couch of Katie’s apartment while Mandy slept on the ‘deflating’ air mattress with Emily.

The following days weren’t relaxing. On Thursday, we had one LONG meeting to catch us up with updates and ministry info. Friday, we had a shorter meeting sharing our schedule outline, about one hour to talk with Mandy about the ‘must have’ and ‘would prefer to have’ in our apartment scouting, then at 5pm game of GOTCHA, aka paintball, for team bonding. This was going to be my first paintball experience ever! In the game, I found myself out of breath quite easily (working out hasn’t been a priority the last monthish), but I still pressed on to shoot straight at my opponents. Opps! I accidentally shot Joram, my own teammate, on the leg. It was an accident!! I guess when you are in the game and the adrenaline rushing, one shoots without thinking. I don’t think I like the game too well. I felt violent. Saturday, me and Mandy took about 4 hours walking around the neighborhood finding available apartments and calling for details. A long day, some leads, one especially. That night was our welcoming party. (If you are thinking about rest, it comes… eventually). Sunday, church at 11am, had a chance to meet several students and had lunch with last year’s STINTer, Michelle (who is now working as a 4th grade English teacher). From here, I rested!!! Spent time with Jesus at Starbucks till 7pm! Monday, yet another team meeting, this time about our roles in our team and the logistics of how we will specifically play out the WIN, BUILD and SEND to reach to the lost students in Mexico.

Let me pause right here to share with you some data of Mexico City:
~~We have 8 full time staff (including 2nd year STINTers) and 4 volunteers (who work full-time, but offer their time for launching movements).
~~We will be working on 17 campuses. Each person will be specifically on 4-5 universities.
~~We will meet every Monday morning at 10am for team planning and building.
Every other week we will have a Bible Study.
~~We will be keeping up data information of contacts and ministry information through a secured website.
~~Every 2nd Saturday, the Community Service team (of two) will have about 4 services students can help volunteer for the poor, the fatherless, the young, the hungry, and the disabled.
~~We will be hosting events to invite, uplift, encourage, and teach students how to become leaders in their campuses.

I am excited with all that is going on! There is so much to look forward to! I know that God will do amazing things this year! One thing I shall take from Colorado is, “Each person on our team is God’s provision for the other!”

Our Campus team:
Emily – The overseer of what goes on in Mexico. Has a great talent for administration and leadership skills. She is my mentor in my spiritual and emotional growth!
Katie – One of the team leaders. She guides us to our vision. Her job is to maintain, monitor the team and the activities we do. She too has a talent for administration and the Word of God.
Luis – Is our National leader that works with Katie in monitoring our activities. He actually is raising up support since he just got married with Liz and instead of support for one, he and Liz needs to raise support for two! Currently they are in Wisconsin. I hope they come soon!
Liz – Is new to our team since she just got married with Luis. I don’t know her too well, just that they met at school in Jalapa.
Alejandra – Is from Jalapa, Veracruz (like Luis). She has a great talent for prayer and discipleship with young women. She also has boldness to speak the truth when something is wrong.
Sandra – I feel like I was the closest with Sandra last year in my team. She has a personality like my own. She has a talent in planning for events and directing teams/students to a goal. She also is the best hospitality skill I know!!
Victor – Victor volunteers when he isn’t working. He has a weird schedule in which he works out in the ocean, pumping gas for 15 days straight then free for 15 days. He has a gift with providing necessary materials when needed. He also disciples men very well! I always joke with him with his outward appearance. First glance one would think he is the toughest man ever (big with a frown), but once you get to know him, he is as soft and sweet as a teddy bear. (Don’t tell him I said this…. Hehehe)
Joram – Joram is from Holland and has a talent with languages and music! He came last February and probably will stay till August ends (we are hoping so).
Lola (Jessica) – Jessica first came on one of the summer project. She had such a great experience that she returned. Not for a month, but for a year (hopefully more) working with college students. She has a gift with hair cutting and graphic designing. I haven’t worked alongside her much, but I will have the opportunity to do so in 2 of my campuses!
Mandy – My old roommate! Mandy is such a sweet young woman of God. She is from a small down in Oklahoma. Being in Mexico is a big change, but she has adjusted well – especially with her Spanish!
Me – I have received a heart for Mexico since Winter Conference 2005. Ever since I stepped foot in Mexico, I knew this was for me. I don’t know how long God calls me here, but what I do love is the people here. There are so many to reach! I have a gift with evangelization and organization (but if you look in my room, you may disagree).

Community Service team:
Angie – Angie is a full-time staff (like Emily & Katie). She has a HUGE heart for the community, especially working alongside with prostitutes. She has a gift for hospitality and cooking!
Tim – Tim was working in the campus team last year, this year he feels called to work alongside the people in the community. He has a gift with photography and devotion to God.

Colorado Briefing

8/13 – 8/19

I have learned a lot since my last year experience in Colorado for our STINT briefing. For one, I did not have a keen understanding with finances and the support I needed to raise. I felt that I was about 80% prior to Colorado with support, but due to miscalculations and change of support goal, I found myself at 73% of my support. I knew from the depths of my heart that God called me to the mission field in Mexico City (through divine interventions), I just didn’t know why I did not have the support. The only answer was, I guess I didn’t work hard enough. So, I worked even harder that week in Colorado. Briefing went super fast because I was simply focused on support! I felt that I could not enjoy time with my new team since I was behind and needed to call and email possible supporters. Those moments seem like a blur, but 2 days before my team left for Mexico, with about $670 monthly support left, I was about to get the plane ticket back home to California. I begged and pleaded with tears falling down my face. I tried to make excuses of my situation. Rules are rules, and I understand now why they are strict in making those decisions. It makes sense now. However, God intervened. A teammate had actually raised up more than he needed. It wasn’t because he chose to raise more; it was because so many gave. He spoke to the financial advisor, Regina, first (this was all unknown to me). Then, I and another teammate, Jenn who didn’t have the support either, received a phone call to meet her at her room. There, thinking that we were heading home, found out that this person’s support was exactly the amount we needed to go to Mexico City. There are no other explanations but God intervened. It isn’t about what I do – how hard I try. I have learned to rely on His provision. For if God wills it, God will make it happen! No doubt!

This year! Prior to Colorado, I had a chance to talk to the same financial advisor to share my situation. I believe I was around the 70ish%. She suggested that I buy an airplane back home to California, simply stating that it would be cheaper if you buy it sooner than later. I agreed, but my heart didn’t setting with that response. I strongly felt that God will provide once again, but then, I knew that it would be wiser to buy – just in case. It came to show that I received 83% of my support on August 13th, and moving along smoothly. Regina didn’t know, but I didn’t buy the airplane ticket back home. A part of me wanted to trust in God’s provision. Couple days past and we had set a date to talk about ministry and finances two days prior to the 19th, but I truly needed to share with Regina my status without a ticket. I surprised her as she was in line for lunch by quickly stating that I had no ticket home and praying that God will provide. She took it in very well even though she had advised me to buy the ticket. From that day forward, I wanted her to know how God was providing my support. In the 87%, support was slow, It was tough, I begin to rethink to myself that maybe God has plans for me to go back home. However, I refused to dampen my days. Instead, I took the extra time to value my team. Together we went hiking up the mountain, 12,000 feet up! We spent time sharing our summer and how we each had missed Mexico and our plans in returning. We even had a chance to get to know other mission groups, especially a group going to El Salvador. Last year, I worried more than anything. This year, I focused on the here and now, and grateful with where I was at. Not to say, I didn’t work! During the days we spent alone, I called and emailed possible supporters. Two days prior to Mexico and I was certain God was going to provide the 100%. Instead, I ended at 94%. The last and final day, God had completed 97% during lunch. Like before, I texted Regina with the latest news. Due to the farewell dinner and the commissioning ceremony, I knew I would not be able to raise up the rest, so I prayed. Downstairs I met with Regina and my team. Without any fear of what if’s I trusted in the words Regina planned to speak. She handed me a sheet of paper, as I looked at it, I noticed my ticket wasn’t to California, but Mexico! Praise God! I was going to Mexico City with my team! This year, God pushed it even further. No worries. For dinner we were to dress up since we would all be eating at a restaurant. As we sat and shared of our plans to Mexico and our excitement, I received a phone call from my church. The remaining support I needed was taken care of – 100%!!! Truly God provided, not incompletely, but fully! Praise HIM!!

What did I learn from this? God will provide as He wills it to be, to whoever he wills it to be for, and when he wills it to come. It is our attitude that matters during the tough time! Last year, I fretted and worried. This year I choose to trust in God, to read His Word in prayer. This time my faith was strengthened and my heart was at peace. I rested in God’s promises and His plan for my life. I knew He knew my situation. It wasn’t a secret. I didn’t have to plead. It was simply resting in His promises. If I may encourage you tonight, please note that God is so good to His children! Rest in His mighty hand for your life! Will you risk trusting I Him even if you don’t know what tomorrow holds?

Woman’s Conference

8/8/09

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Ps. 34:8

I just want to say that God is super good! I had an opportunity, the first ever, to teach a message of God’s goodness through a woman in the Bible. This was a yearly Woman’s Conference with the church, Calvary Chapel Cerritos. I knew the pastor through his son, Andrew, through the organization Campus Crusade for Christ.

For this conference, I chose Mary, the mother of Jesus. God has chosen her to be a mother of the Jesus Christ – the son of God! I was a bit nervous to teach for a good 30 minute lesson, but I knew that I was not the one teaching with my own strength, but God’s. And He definitely used me to encourage the women attending! I know God shined through me as I spoke! Praise HIM! For God is working so much in my life to take steps of faith like this one in presenting to 110+ women, something I never dreamed about!

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phil 1:6

May God continue to work within me! I am ALL HIS!

Mr. Fix It

Is your computer giving you trouble? Have you found yourself frustrated when the computer decides to shut down before you asked it to or when the mouse decides not to move? I know I have, especially recently! I'm not really the gifted one with computer problems, but there are those who are!

The great thing about life is that there are different people in this world with different skills and talents. I am not gifted with computers! I am more gifted in talking and sharing experiences/lessons/etc. A couple days ago, after "talking" about my computer issues - I realized a new friend of mine had such gift! His name is Luis Arce! I drove down towards San Diego...! For those who don't know directions, I really didn't when a guy says 20-30 minutes, he means 45 to an hour! hehehe It was a very nice drive though.

A young man from Bolivia - has a heart to travel! I can't wait to see what God has planned for his life. He already is very active in CSULB especially with the Latin American people! Pray for continual direction in His life!

August 2nd... life in CA

Work! I may be the one like my mom says, Type A when it comes to a goal, a desire in which YOU KNOW will happen, but is not YET there. I find myself with that one track mind. Work! What is work? Well, raising up funds for Mexico. Why? Because God wills it to. He has guided me every step of the way! It is evident! OH but just look at the time left! 12 more days!!

Lord! I am not and can NOT do this on my own without you! Oh help guide the way! You have already proved yourself faithful and a provider in my life, I shall now rest in your Word, trust in you, and do what you call me to do.

I have met some wonderful people through this time. I have talked and shared and heard how God's people come together to support one another in prayer and financial giving! Thank you! What a blessing to be connected by so many wonderful people!

Let's work - one day at a time, faithful for the little things but hoping for the BIG things!