Blessed in CA!

I briefly want to share with you that being in California for the month of July has blessed me in more ways that I can name. Just today, I spent the night at a dear friend's home and found that quiet place to ponder and reflect on such blessings! There has been so much going on these last months and challenging lessons faced, but in His presence - there is peace and rest!

Thank you for your prayers!
I hope to write soon!

Melissa Huerta

A Snapshot of MEX

This is a picture of Parque Hidalgo - found in the center part of Mexico City! Yesterday, 3/21 was a holiday, so there were LOTS of people and lots of venders!

Beautiful purple trees! Notice also the taxi's! We have plenty of them!

Hmmmm... I wish I paid attention to my friend, I think this monument up front is of Hidalgo, where you can actually use the elevator to climb up.

A Friend in Need of a Friend

I feel the need to write and to share what has been going on lately. Mexico City continues to break me and challenges me to step forward to help the many needs around and among this craziness of uncertainty, God blesses me of time with Him to rest, pray and wait in faith.

Living situation: I will be moving the end of this month. Living among my team outside the city, has kept me from ministry and deep partnership in the city. Early on, God has blessed me with an opening to rent a room with my new adopted Mexican mom this next month. Pray that this transition moves smoothly and that I will still be strongly connected with my team.

Ministry: I am still trying to find my place in ministry. I feel the desire to come alongside Camino a Casa as my main organization, but what about the desire to work with kids? World Vision has not answered my calls... However, God has blessed me with women (about 7) who desire not only friendship, but someone who can help guide them closer to the heart of God in His Word. Your prayers for these women have been abundant! I don’t know how God will use them, but oh how I am encouraged to see great transformation in their lives! I can share with you in detail about each one, but for now, let me share with you a young woman who I JUST met yesterday I will call her Gloria (because you can see the beautiful glory of God in her face)!

Gloria since birth lived in a broken home. Her abusive alcoholic father had left the family and her mother sought for another man to fill the emptiness in her life. She was just 18 years old when she had Gloria and very much immature in the ways of life. She drank, smoked and had relationships with several men who only encouraged this addiction. Many of these guys abused poor Gloria and her older sister by touching them in inappropriate places. Home was very hard full of violence, alcohol, sexual abuse, and a mother who simply denied/ignored the pain that was going on among her very own children.

At the age of 16, Gloria’s life turned from bad to worse. She desired to go to school, to study, this was her first year of high school, but simply couldn’t pay for this. At this time she fell in ‘love’ with a 38 year old man who said and did everything she thought she needed. He presented a job that would pay a little less than $600 a month in Monterrey, Mexico. She was desperate to leave her home situation. He said he loved her and would visit her. This looked like a hopeful future, but it was only a trap for more abuse. She was one of the many that are currently caught into human trafficking. For work, she was obligated to give her body. The extent is horrible. A young girl, 16 years old – trapped! No place to go. Depression sat in. Self-hate increased. It was a pitiful state. This lasted for 5 years!!

As she sat besides me, I couldn’t help but tear up! This beautiful young woman has been mistreated & terribly abused in many horrible ways. And in strength and beauty, she testifies today, that if it weren’t for God working in her life today, she would be in a worse depressed state as she had been. It is only God that has been giving her the ability to continue on and a dream to help heal and rescue the young women around her who has also been trapped in the same scheme. She is currently writing a book of her experience. Her identity is protected for it still goes on, and the network is very strong and well organized! She wants to fight again injustice and perhaps study law! She wants to make a difference!

Simply from hearing her story: My can't help but to think, How can I be part of this? What can I do to love Gloria? In tears she shares that she has been praying for friends who won’t judge her for what has happened, who won’t criticize her or degrade her. She needs friends and I am willing to be that friend for her. Pray for Gloria. It hurts to write the book and yet she knows it must be done. Pray for her family. They still don’t understand why she was gone for so many years and it hurts to be the 'scapegoat' for the pain that goes on in home. Pray for this HUGE ministry that God has placed before her to do, that God will continue to strengthen her work. She has confessed, “I’m weak, it is God that has strengthened me to move forward.”

"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad" (Ps. 14:6-7).

Visiting the Street Kids

Yesterday, our team went to Barranca de Muerto to visit the street kids that Craig visits weekly. It is such a poor poor sight a condition you wouldn’t want any child to be in. Located right outside the metro stop is a dirt patch; this is their home. You can identify where they stay by the blankets that lay there, loaded with filth is their beds. Their main companions are dogs. Here live young boys and even a young teenage girl ranging from the ages of 16-19 inhaling drugs every couple minutes. They have wadded up a tissue dipped in some sort of paint thinner and placed it in their fist. You will see during every conversation, every couple minutes, their fist coming towards their mouth and nose – at times placing the tissue between their lips. Because of such addiction they have slower response system, they have killed many brain cells that it is noted how their cognitive understanding is to a basic level. They are skinny and you can see too clearly their bone structure of their faces. They are covered in dirt, thick patches on their fingers, hands and body. They wear oversized torn clothes – the ones that are donated to them. Their shoes are also torn. They are happy to see the familiar faces and repeat the word, ‘sandwich,’ wondering if we would feed them a decent meal (it is the plan). Because there are new visitors they take the time to ask us our names and to the special ladies, ask if they have a boyfriend. They are happy to see us and it shows. About 9 are there, one is laying down, either sleeping or simply unable to face the afternoon. Yesterday was a special event, not only it is our plan to enjoy their company through talk, and play and to feed them a nourishing meal; this time we also will provide an auditory recording of the Bible in Spanish provided by the organization Faith Comes by Hearing.

After a couple minutes through curiosity, Craig shows one boy the small listening device called the Mini Proclaimer and the Bible story begins in John 1. Almost instantaneously, there are four huddled in a circle to hear this story. They are hungry for the Word of God. In no time, there are more than half the young teenagers listening to the audio as it plays the story of Jesus using drama and background effects. It fascinates them as they intently listens. We are stunned! The Bible truly is powerful! Though they continue inhaling, they listen, and respond by the shaking of their heads or brief comments of a character. They story goes on until chapter 11, simply because we have food for them to eat and be nourished with. Again, we are blown away how the Word of God is so powerful in the midst of these young kids! A smile forms in our face because we know that the core nourishment they need is the Word of God, is the Truth.

It is unfortunate that because of such dependence on their addictions and filth, life will end in a matter of years. Because they are so addicted, there are no homes willing to house them for protection or transformation and because the majority of these street kids are above the age of 18, they do not fit under the care of the government. Who will care for them? Unfortunately, many of those who act like they care, are those who misuse and abuse them.

Did you know that Mexico City has 1,900,000 underprivileged and street children. 240,000 of these are abandoned children. Homelessness is found everywhere and it is an ugly sight to see, but are we going look at them in pity with compassion but walk by hoping for them to get a better life or are we going to do something about it? What can we do for them?

Turning the Spirit ON

Financially, I thought it was a good idea, but not soon into it, I became a bit doubtful and discouraged with this new tutoring job. Time flew as I drove, prepared lessons and taught 4 children. What bothered me most was the fact that the time I worked was time missed from visiting friends, family, and get to know more supporters. The quality time, I so desired was taken away. In part, I began complaining and wondering if there was anything good out of this part-time job?

YES!

1. Working located in and with a Hispanic community! I had major practice in Spanish and the culture (even delicious food!)

2. Experience with children! Grown and stretched in teaching, loving and patiently enduring with the young!

a. My love grew for these children that needed the extra support!

b. Greatly enjoyed watching them improve and ‘get it’ after hours of practice!

3. Challenged to live out a testimony of God! I tried giving my best as a tutor by arriving on time, organized, fun and encouraging!

BUT the most valuable lesson I learned came from a student name Jefferson. Jefferson was excited about learning and would be sitting at the table before I arrive, ready to work. He not only was a star student, he was a BIG talker! – Side note: He desires to someday be a tutor for children! I know He would do GREAT! – One thing he shared about, a silly concept, is having a switch in the brain that if turned OFF he had a hard time concentrating and would drag on the simplest lesson to the hours end. If the switch was ON, he was focused, and did an amazing job, ending with extra minutes to spare for games! During these moments, Jefferson impressed me with such skill and speed!

Keeping this example in mind, God has reminded me of the gift of His Holy Spirit and how one can choose to live under the law of the flesh or the law of the Spirit. It is a conscience awareness that one must make to live each day! Are you turning your focus on towards God by allowing Him to empower you with His work or are you going to allow the flesh – the natural being to do/talk/live like all the other normal behavior in this world? Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

What a new concept!! In this I have chosen to live each day with my ‘switch’ turned on as a slave of righteousness for holiness! Praying that I live in the Spirit’s Power and NOT my own flesh. God has been faithful with His promised and has surprised me OH so much when I choose to allow the Spirit to work in and through me.

Brief Examples: Woke up tired, overwhelmed BUT chose to allow God to work, He brought unity among a sister in Christ and gave me abounding energy to last!

Oppressed by the weight of work BUT when I chose God, HE gave me peace that was above my understanding and a faith that God will use me, and all I can offer for His GREATER WILL.

To be honest, some days it is harder than others to allow God to take control. Recently, I struggled in arriving on time and through it found myself rushing out, tensed with slow people, which almost ended with a car accident. Lack of God’s peace and guidance cause careless actions and hurt relationships. I much rather live in the Spirit’s guidance. This day was not fun!

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness (Lam. 3:21-23).

Mexico City 2wk Trip

Many of you know that on Nov. 29th - Dec. 12th, I spent two weeks in Mexico City. My goal was to prepare the groundwork to see what, where, how, and who will be involved in ministry. It has amazed me to see how God planned and prepared the events beautifully in place! I left Mexico, praising God for His Work!

Some day soon, I would love to share with all of you in person the details in regards to how it all turned out, but as for now, let me share with you a couple stories that took place during this trip.

Visiting Camino A Casa: Friday was the day set to visit the safe home that has rescued women and young children, I was excited to see the place I would soon work alongside. I came with Jarah and Ann (two missionaries working with me with Revive). It took about 1.5 hrs, not including the 30 mins waiting for Monse (another young missionary) who knew the exact location to get there. I don’t mind the travel, it actually was a blessing since I really got to hear the heart of Monse and her younger sister in serving these young women! The visit at Camino a Casa was short, since we all had plans for that evening. Our main goal was to lead the women to decorating their personalized journal so that they have something to write down their thoughts, feelings and prayers. Before this was set, we had free time to get to know these girls and to eat lunch together. One girl I met was from Guatemala, she struggled in reading and writing the Spanish language since she was fluent in an indigenous language. I don’t know how old she was, probably 15. Another girl sat across from her on the couch, she shared her love for God and how He has changed her life from being really rebellious and fighting to a loving peaceful life (this I could see in her). She shared how another girl likes to start fights and has asked her several times to fight, but she chooses not to now. She also shared about her boyfriend (boys are not allowed to enter the gates, so he waits outside). I don’t know her full story, I was there to listen and simply to get to know her personally. What I do notice is that both her emotional and mental maturity for an 18 year old was not normal for that age. God only knows why her development is a little slower, but for now, loving and listening is best! I also noticed the tough young woman, the one who has such a strong personality, who seems to get riled up over the little things. This one, just out of observing her brought me to wonder how her past, whatever it was, to cause such hostility and anger built up within her. Oh, how I want to love her! Will she allow me to? Another girl, ask for prayer, the following day (weekend) she was going to see her parents at a Christian retreat after 2 years apart… she looks about 15yrs old. These precious girls/women have blessed my Friday. I want to participate on a regular basis with these girls, love them, teach them, and be a role model so that they can seek and know God through my life. Please pray that God will provide the words/wisdom to love and serve them. They are precious in His sight and I want to effectively show them that Truth.

Reconnecting with Yenedith: I have met with Yenedith a year ago at a Christian event (Next Generation) held at a café. Her mom, sister and little brother were there. I remembered I talked to her briefly. About a week later, a male student leader connected me with her, encouraging me that she needs someone to disciple her since she was about 6months in her faith and relationship with Christ. I gladly took that role and together we began a beautiful bond of love in God’s Word. The love and passion she has for God is fresh. Her testimony began with a miraculous healing of a fatal sickness she had and now she is studying to be a pediatrician to be a healing light to the young children. What a Caring HEART! Even through the hectic finals week, we met together for pizza and chatted. This semester has been very intense, but what still shines bright is how she so desires to follow and live her life completely for God. When I arrive in the end of Feb, I plan to disciple her deeper in God Word. Pray for God’s Truth to speak powerfully in her life and that we can devote a regular time set out to study His Word. I know that our bond is not a coincidence. Praise God!

Tijuana Weekend Trip

On Nov. 12-14, God blessed me to attend an evangelistic outreach with my church Cornerstone and New Life church. I am amazedhow God has and is uniting His people for the great work of bringing people to a love-commitment with Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior. There were more than 15 people who accepted Christ during this event and several hundreds who received food, encouragement, hope, and God’s Word through the worship and preaching. I had the honor to pray with a fellow believer for a lady who made that eternal difference for the rest of her life. It is amazing how God has the harvest ready to reap.

Behold, I say to you, life up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together (John 4:35-36).

Pray for the children that live in the daily struggle of poverty. While in Tijuana, I was amazed at how the young children came to my side to play and talk. I ‘adopted’ a nephew and many little siblings. They were such a joy to be with and to hear their stories. One girl of 16 years old shared how she was unable to go to high school because she fit in the cracks as an American but living in TJ because of her parent’s nationality. She wishes to become a singer and someday sing all around the world. Another girl and her family of 5 recently moved from Durango to Tijuana due to the abuse of women and young girls common in that community. Another boy hung around staring with big dark eyes unable to communicate clearly due to autism. I wish to say that he is getting the support necessary for his specific needs. A 12 yr old boy, stood by my side willing to help in anyway he could with the outreach event. This young boy sent out more than 300 tracks to the people walking nearby the area.

(My camera was not charged to take pictures while in TJ so the above pix is not my own).

Here is a youtube to have a visual of the ministry taking place in TIJUANA, MEXICO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FiYmqb1GKo