Mexico Team Update 11/14

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November 14, 2011

Effie Dean

11/14/11

Contrast… that seems to be the main theme here in Puerto Penasco, as in many cities around the world. Culture and climate, as well as age and economics, vary greatly in the region known by many Americans as “Rocky Point”.  Spiritual welfare is played out daily for all to see, with victory awaiting the faithful.

Penasco seems to contain evidence of American influence splattered here-an-there through commercialism, amongst the native tapestry. Current American culture seems to oppose the Hispanic way of life.  Mexicans value family above all; they hold “relationship” in high regard, while we value productivity, as a means to success, as explained in “From Foreign to Familiar” by Sarah Lanier.  As Christians, we are required by the Lord to find a bridge that will allow us to reach the other side.

Economic divisions are seen everywhere. High-rise condos border the beach, while Mexican families huddle in makeshift shanties along the railroad tracks. Many exist in poverty, while few lounge in pleasure.  The Lord calls us to take care of those in need, while fighting for justice, throughout the New Testament.  Penasco is a perfect place for us to work toward “righting this wrong”, following the principles explained in “When Helping Hurts” by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert.

As in all things, Penasco is a battleground, not of flesh and blood, but of spiritual warfare.  Daily, this drama is portrayed as few workers go out into the harvest. They battle, not only the starvation of the body, but mainly, the emaciation of the soul.  Not only do these few loyal Christians, such as the members of Penasco Christian Fellowship, gain the trust of the needy by feeding their bodies, BUT through this act of kindness they prepare the hearts of these same souls to receive the gospel, leading to eternal life!  In turn, the Lord’s army is enlarged to further the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.

In the end, it all comes down to relationship, our relationship with the Lord, AND our relationship with our brothers and sisters, no matter what language they speak.

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”  2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Taylor Clark

11/14/11

In the desert about 14 miles north of Rocky Point, a beautiful love lives. A love personified in the form of a children’s home called Esperanza. And on this day, we got a chance to bask in the love and the joy of the 40-50 young Mexican kids that live there under the care of only two couples. Often people come to the home, drop off their kids, and leave- never to see them again. With no information or context on these kids, the four loving adults take them in, caring for them, and driving them to school everyday. Food, games, a playground, a futbol (soccer) field, homework, and safety are among the many things they bring into the children’s lives. With that they also teach the kids about Christ, and how they can become better people and learn to know the Lord better.

Today we trekked through a flooded road in our rental vans and arrived to be greeted by many small kids. This was just before lunch, and so the older kids were still at school. In Mexico they cannot afford as many teachers, so the school days are much shorter, and broken up by age. We gave them some soccer balls, and headed out to the dirt field to play. After only a few minutes we were all called in. I forgot we were bringing them pizzas. I just wanted to play with them! Pizza is one of their favorite foods, and today we brought them the rare luxury of soda. Soda is something the kids rarely get at the home. Not too long through our meal the older kids arrived, and they joined us for pizza.

Once we finished pizza, we worshiped, and Jeff gave a short preaching to the kids about following Jesus and becoming fishers of men; it was translated by Carmen.  After this we made crafts- necklaces, bracelets, and pictures. Once the kids had finished crafts it was back out to the field to play soccer. While a few of us played soccer with the boys, the girls were treated to an awesome afternoon of jump roping, courtesy of Holly. She loves showing the kids how to turn, and do tricks.

I am thankful that I could have such an awesome time with so many joyful children. How blessed we are that we could make such a difference for them. I will not forget it, and we know the kids won’t forget today either. Praise God.