We're up to the challenge!

Teen Challenge directors, Gamaliel and Alejandra Cerda, have guided numerous adult and young men from drug and alcohol addiction through a proven, well-structured, faith-based program. Graduates of Teen Challenge Mexico (Reto a la Juventud) leave with their dignity recovered and the strength required to take control of their lives to reintegrate with their family, or form a family free of addictions.

Stuart and I have had the privilege to serve Teen Challenge Mexico these last few years to witness such miracles.

As you can imagine, housing, feeding, and training upwards of 20 men takes it toll on the facilities. And for Teen Challenge Mexico, many of their basic necessities have worn out and need replacement or repair.

This is where you and I come in. Gamaliel and Alejandra have submitted a short list of basic necessities that need replacing (like pillows and bedspreads), a few high end repairs (of a refrigerator and freezer), and wish list to upgrade their kitchen (like an industrial blender).

Expenses total a modest $3000. With your help and generosity, we believe we are up to the challenge of raising this amount quickly and get the funds into their hands as soon as possible.

Just follow this giving link and these simple steps:

1. Choose the amount of your offering

2. Click on class 40 in the drop down box

3. Write Teen Challenge in the comment box

4. Press Give Now

Easy Peasy.

Please note, offerings exceeding the expected amount will joyously be given to Teen Challenge.

Thanks for your help!

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. Matthew 10:42

Y quien dé siquiera un vaso de agua fresca a uno de estos pequeños por tratarse de uno de mis discípulos, les aseguro que no perderá su recompensa. Mateo 10:42


Mexico City Missive ~ We're up to the challenge

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A different kind of Advent

After the earthquake on September 19, thousands in our city had to abandon their residences. This apartment building, right across the street from our neighborhood, left more than a few people homeless. In fact, many who left this building have been camping out in the park behind it.

This past weekend, 2 1/2 months after the quake, workers scaled the building and began tearing down the upper portion with sledge hammers. Today, some heavy duty machinery continued the work.

Please continue to pray for Mexico City. Many buildings in our area remain uninhabitable but have yet to be demolished (or repaired). Which equates to thousands of residents unable to return to their homes or their businesses. A sad state of affairs especially at this time of year.

Yesterday began the season of Advent - the season of waiting and hoping. We light our advent candles in patient but hopeful longing for the light of the world to shine in our midst. We make ready our hearts in hopeful anticipation to welcome the Christ child into our homes. But for many in our city, it'll be a different kind of Advent. A different season of longing.

As we prepare for the holidays in the days and weeks to come, will you join us as we remember in prayer and serve our displaced neighbors who also wait and hope for a brighter future and a secure home?

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.*



*Tickle, Phyllis. Christmastide: Prayers for Advent Through Epiphany from The Divine Hours (p. 10). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

What brings us together

Just over a week ago, Mexico's Independence Day brought a nation together to celebrate. Likewise, Stuart and I joined together with our friends and family at Teen Challenge Mexico (Reto a la Juventud) that Sunday afternoon to enjoy their festivities.

Lively songs, traditional dress, and wonderful food brought a smile to everyone's face.

Only a few days later, though, a tragedy brought the nation together once again. We watched firsthand as Mexico City rallied in unity, not in celebration, but in collaboration with local emergency personnel to rescue the trapped, give aid to the hurting, and comfort the distressed.

As clean-up, rescue and recovery efforts continue throughout our city, signs of hope and encouragement pop-up as well. The sign posted below replaces the building collapsed above. 

Neighbors give tribute to the lives lost and thanks to all who helped.

This past Sunday, our love and concern for everyone at Teen Challenge Mexico brought Stuart and I back to worship in unity with our friends and family: The Lord is in this place.

El Señor esta en este lugar. El Señor esta en este lugar. Para sanar, para curar, Para romper toda obra de maldad. Para sanar, para librar mi alma.

You Can Help!
The need is great in Mexico City, as well as Oaxaca, Chiapas and surrounding areas affected by the intense earthquakes that shook our cities. You can make a tangible difference by giving directly to our relief efforts here: Mexico Earthquake Relief fund   

The need is also great in our own Puerto Rico, recently devastated by Hurricane Maria. Let's all be as generous as we can today to help our fellow Americans: Hurricane Maria Response


Mexico City Missive ~ Special Report: After the earthquake

No easy journey

Every resident at Teen Challenge Mexico enters the program at different stages of recovery. Some while still reeling from the effects of withdrawal. Others after months of soul-searching. Regardless, Stuart and I watch and wait, pray and rejoice over every milestone reached, every hill conquered.

Theirs is no easy journey. Each graduate testifies of the struggle and the heartache that accompany the process of recovery. Indeed, for every life mended and every relationship restored all must acknowledge and grieve that which cannot be recovered or healed. Yet hope remains. Though consequences can never be ignored, in Christ lives can always be redeemed.

With this hope, day after day, week after week our front row guys persist. Because they know (and we know) Jesus can move mountains.

Cristo puede mover montes
¡Sólo Dios puede salvar,
mi Dios puede salvar!
Por siempre, autor de salvación
Jesús la muerte venció,
Él la muerte venció

If you or someone you love in Mexico has a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, click on the link below. ¿Problemas con el uso y abuso de las drogas y alcohol? Hay solución.

Reto a la Junventud México

Leading others toward freedom

Stuart had the gracious opportunity to preach to our front row guys and an attentive crowd at Reto a la Juventud (Teen Challenge Mexico) on Sunday. Before ministering, however, we found out a little something we didn't previously realize about our Reto family.

Each Sunday at Reto a la Juventud, current residents, their families, and all who love and support them join together for worship. Stuart and I always knew graduates of Reto faithfully supported the ministry as paid staff or volunteers. We just didn't realize how many of our hermanos were graduates until this weekend.

During service, Gamaliel (co-director of Reto) called for all graduates of Teen Challenge to come forward for prayer. Knowing a few of them personally, Stuart and I anticipated about a half a dozen people to walk to the front. What a surprise when at least 4 times as many came forward! 

Those breaking free from the cycle of addiction need the support of those who understand the process and will walk with them in their journey. Thankfully, many who have benefited from the ministry of Reto a la Juventud give back in immeasurable ways week after week, contributing to the success of the program. 

Leading others toward freedom. Journeying with them in the process. Isn't that what it's all about? Stuart and I give thanks to everyone who allows us to be a part of this special ministry in Mexico City through prayer and financial support. We really couldn't do this without you.

If you or someone you love in Mexico has a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, click on the link below. ¿Problemas con el uso y abuso de las drogas y alcohol? Hay solución.

Reto a la Junventud México

That one word

One word. I just had to think of one word. 

As it does every year, January first came and went, and I successfully neglected to choose that one word to focus on in the new year. In theory, I really like the idea of choosing one word. I appreciate the precision and the conciseness of the endeavor, but finding that one, perfect, all encompassing, wondrous word always eluded me. Granted, seeking perfection instead of inspiration probably distracted me a bit.

Yet, a moment presented itself a couple of weeks ago, forcing me from my self-imposed neglect to successfully choose that one word.

Some of Mexico City's finest ministers and leaders breakfasted together on a recent Wednesday morning when my friend and missionary colleague, Sandy Kazim, challenged us to choose that one word to focus on in the new year. Choose your word, she said. Write it down. Share it with a table mate. Alas, there would be no getting out of this one.

Think, Wendy, think.

How about faith? Faith is a good word. Familiar and prosaic maybe, but a solid choice. Or what about hope? Hope is a good, too. Poetic and strong; it sounds especially lyrical in Spanish – esperanza. Sort of just rolls off your tongue …

Focus, Wendy, focus.

As I listened to a room full of women serving fearlessly under some of the most trying circumstances in Mexico City, I found myself coveting their relentless spirit. Overwhelmed with news from my own country in a tempest tossed year of post-truth, alternative facts, and bald-faced lies I realized in that moment exactly what I needed. Courage.

I found my one word.

Yes, courage. Courage to face down the lies. Courage to fight for the truth. Courage to live faithfully. Courage to pray fearlessly. Courage to preach prophetically. I choose courage. Courage is a choice after all, is it not?

A long time ago, and many times since, the people of God had a choice between fear and courage. As per Moses' instructions, twelve leaders of Israel explored the land of Canaan. After forty days, they returned with a cluster of grapes and an honest, objective account of all they witnessed. Seizing the moment, Caleb encouraged Moses to take possession of the land. We should go, he said. We can certainly do it.

But the men who went with Caleb said, No we can't. And they began to spread a bad report among the Israelites.

Often when we refer to this story, we qualify the bad report as nothing more than unfortunate news we don't want to deal with. But such an anemic interpretation distracts us from the very essence and the severe consequences of the bad report referenced here.

To be clear, an honest accounting or an unfortunate diagnosis is not in and of itself a bad report. It may be bad news, for sure, but the truth cannot be ignored or dismissed just because it proves difficult. On the contrary, and more specifically, a bad report exaggerates the truth, embellishes the facts, and serves only to dissuade believers from acting courageously and living faithfully to God's commands.

I'll let you in on a little secret. When you're afraid, it's much easier to disobey God when you can convince everyone else in your sphere of influence to disobey as well. Just skew the truth. Offer a common enemy. Unite them in fear. It's an age-old tactic. But you knew that already, right? We've all seen it before.

With an impassioned appeal, Joshua and Caleb tried to inspire the people of God to move forward, but to no avail. Fear won out that day. And everybody lost.

God offered his people a good gift. A solid promise. But the faithless actions of determined, frightened men treated God's good gift as evil and it worked. Wholly and stubbornly united in fear, the people of God chose to remain outside of God's promise.

“If only we had died in Egypt!” they cried. “Or in this desert!” they lamented. In a twist of irony, they got what they wished for. The fearful men claimed the land would devour them if they chose to go, but in the end it was the wilderness that swallowed them up. All of them. Not one of the faithless, fearful men ever saw the land of promise or enjoyed its abundance. A future generation would claim what the previous generation feared.

Truth be told, courage does not shield us from heartache nor does it guarantee we won't suffer loss. But courage gives us something fear never will: A clear conscience before God. A chance to live with reckless abandon. A shot at the promise land.

Daily, I am overwhelmed with bad reports inciting me to fear refugees fleeing, despise women marching, distrust scientists researching, and criticize people of color protesting. Enough already. Choose what you will, but I choose truth. I choose life. I choose compassion.

I choose courage.

I am grateful for the Joshuas and Calebs of today. Faithful men who serve with humility, choose their words wisely, value the unblemished truth, and respect the image of God in all humanity. Thank God for the Esthers and Deborahs of our world! Courageous women who rise to the challenge, lead with integrity, and face down ungodly empires even when their very lives are on the line. I'm with them.

I choose courage. 

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:30

Her name means light

Weighed down and feeling a bit discouraged this past weekend, something beautiful happened on a lowly street in Mexico City.

 

“Would you lend me a hand?” she asked, as we approached a busy intersection on our way to Teen Challenge. 

Rolling her portable shopping cart to the tianguis last Saturday, she hardly seemed like a woman who needed assistance; she practically glowed with energy, kindness, and joy.

“Where do you live?” she inquired. “Where are you from?” she kindly asked. “How amazing you can speak another language,” she admired.

What a gracious soul, I thought.

As she wrapped her arm around mine, she beamed brightly. “It's a beautiful world we live in. Don't you think? We are all brothers and sisters, no matter where we are from.”

When we arrived safely to the other side, our new friend offered a grateful “Gracias.” 

“What's your name?” I hurriedly asked, not ready to let her go.

“Luz María,” she replied.

How appropriate, I thought.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our table is a bit empty today, but our hearts are full of gratitude for our family and friends around the world. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In case you were wondering, we get to share a traditional meal with the Mexico City clan on Monday :)

Artists, we need you! A plea and a prayer for artists.

A couple weeks ago, Stuart and I visited the Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia in Mexico City. Dedicated to the memory of genocide victims and their survivors, the museum transports the visitor in time from the Holocaust to present day with a special exhibition at the end honoring Martin Luther King (I blogged about it here).

After an emotional, but well-spent two hours, Stuart and I headed toward the Zócolo (main square) and came across a very different kind of exhibit – El Arte de la Indumentaria y la Moda en México – The Art of Apparel and Fashion in Mexico. Like a daisy sprouting from the rubble, the artistry of design and color refreshed our minds and souls. 

Later that day, I paused to consider how each museum depicted humanity's great potential. The first displayed humanity's potential to dehumanize and destroy, and the second showcased humanity's potential to affirm and create.

Lately, we've seen too much of one and not nearly enough of the other. Have we not? I offer a heartfelt plea to all artists and creative talents out there: We need you. We need you to affirm life and overwhelm us with beauty. In the rubble of hatred and violence in our world, we need the daisies of hope and love to spring up. 

I am grateful for a God who appreciates beauty and artistry, so much so he filled the artisan Bezalel with his Spirit to enable him in his artistic calling (Exodus 31:1-11). Likewise, we are God's masterpiece created in his image (Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:26), therefore to create is to reflect the image of our Creator.

Again, I offer a humble plea to all poets and storytellers, painters and sculptors, photographers and architects, dressmakers and printmakers, actors and vocalists, songwriters and instrumentalists: Remind us of humanity's positive, life-affirming potential. Reflect the image of God back to us in your artistry. Let your creative powers flow and inundate our dark world with light and color, beauty and life.

A Prayer for Artists

by Vienna Cobb Anderson

Bless the creators, O God of creation,

who by their gifts make the world

a more joyful and beautiful realm.
Through their labors
they teach us to see more clearly

the truth around us.
In their inspiration
they call forth wonder and awe
in our own living.
In their hope and vision
they remind us 
that life is holy.
Bless all who create in your image,
O God of creation.
Pour your Spirit upon them
that their hearts may sing
and their works be fulfilling.
Amen.

(http://www.beliefnet.com/prayers/protestant/work/prayer-for-artists.aspx#OK2IELwXY7R9f0Mm.99)

It begins with a dream

Last Friday, Stuart and I stumbled across the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia as we explored more of Mexico City.  

These dedicated world-changers greeted us at the entrance to the museum.

Much of the museum is dedicated to the history and memory of Holocaust victims and survivors. (Did you know Mexico City has a large Jewish population?) But it also included various tributes to those affected by the atrocities in Rwanda, Darfur, Guatemala, and around the world.

The Lost Potential is a serene and understated dedication to the memory of murdered children lost to genocide.

The tour ended with a special exhibit dedicated to Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. A timely addition to the museum if there ever was one.

Visitors are welcome to sit in the back (or the front) of the bus and watch an interview with Rosa Parks.

Likewise, all are invited to express their hopes and dreams for their country and the world.

Can you read the writing on the wall? 

I have a dream of a world without prejudice, injustice, and discrimination.

I have a dream of a country without hate, drugs, or violence.

I have a dream that the change should begin with me.

I affirm that #BlackLivesMatter and #BlueLivesMatter

His life is not worth less than her life. Her life is not worth more than his life.

Updated daily, this piece included current events, headlines, and some now-famous viral videos.

A couple of hours of viewing the aftermath of intolerance and violence in our country and around the world left me inwardly grieving and about in tears. Fortunately, the curators of the museum had the foresight and wisdom to end the journey with Martin Luther King's complete speech, I Have a Dream.

Listen and dream with me for a brighter future. 

Because a dream can ignite hope and hope can unite us, then we can embrace justice and righteousness together.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reason #394 of why we love Mexico City

La Comida

Stuart and I have enjoyed some fabulous food in every foreign context we've lived and Mexico City has been no exception. Fortunately for us, if we have a craving for a torta, or some tacos al pastor, or a warm mug of atole all we have to do is venture just a minute or two right outside our front door to satisfy it. Yesterday, walking back to the car after service at Reto a la Juventud (Teen Challenge), we finally decided to stop by this place and picked up a rack of costillas (ribs) for lunch. We were not disappointed :)

Hungry yet?

Well we can't share our food, but we'd like to share our ministry news and Easter greetings with you in the near future. So please make sure we have your email and/or physical mailing address so we can keep in touch. 

Click here to sign up with your email.

Or email me with your mailing address (wendy.brown@agmd.org).

Thanks!

Rules to live by from the missionary couple who used to live next door, part 3

I grew up in southern Connecticut in an area densely populated with Italians, many of them family members. Therefore, when I met my Hoosier-born husband, Stuart, in Florida and then moved to Indiana I had a few linguistic and cultural barriers to climb: “What's a roastin ear?” “They put noodles on mashed potatoes?” Granted my husband didn't always understand my native dialect either: “You'll find pens and pencils in the draw.” “I need ah-ree-gawt for the lasagna I'm making tonight.” 

(Seriously though, I gave Stuart a whole new world filled with eggplant parm, antipasto, and fried dough pizza and he gave me corn on the cob and noodles over mashed potatoes. I'm just saying.)

Then in 2010, we moved to Mexico City and lived next door to Dave and Cheryl Greco (Straight outta NY) and I thought I died and woke up in my old neighborhood. Finally, 24 years after leaving my homeland I would now live near and minister with people who get me. They understood things like “agida” and “anginetti” without explanation, as well as how to pronounce “Italian” without making me cringe.

Dave and Cheryl became fast friends who offered us a wealth of wisdom. As an avid (but not rabid) Yankees fan, Dave hung Yankees memorabilia in his TV room every fall to honor his team and appease the baseball gods. As his beloved pinstriped team gained momentum during the playoffs, more and more memorabilia appeared. If the Yankees won, Dave celebrated. If the Yankees lost, Dave shrugged and simply noted, There's always next year.

Rocky, the missionary dog who used to live next door.

Rule # 3 There's always next year.

Losing is not the end, Dave would say, it's just another opportunity to begin again. In fact, whether you win or lose, everyone has to begin again the following season. Life is not so different than baseball. Like any good team at the beginning of a new year, we examine our strengths and weaknesses, we set goals, and then we strategize for a positive outcome. In the end, our year will be what we make of it: how much effort we put forth, how well we rely on our teammates, and how we respond to unknown variables.

As new missionaries to Mexico, Stuart and I did not set our sights on winning the World Series; we just wanted to answer the phone without fear and have a coherent conversation with the guy installing our internet. However, as we gained confidence and experience our expectations and goals increased and became more substantial. Although we achieved reasonable success in certain areas, other expectations never quite made it out of the dugout.

That's life as well as baseball. Sometimes we're going to win and sometimes we're going to lose. Sometimes we'll swing hard and connect, and other times we're going to whiff. More important than winning or losing though, is how well we respond to each outcome. Will we celebrate with the team or brag about our importance? Will we learn from our failures or stomp off the field in despair?

Although Stuart and I have enjoyed the thrill of winning a few away games, we've also suffered our fair share of foul balls and unforeseen losses. The trick is to keep showing up – for the next game, for the next season. After all, it's not so much about winning or losing, it's more about learning and persevering. So remember, no matter what happens today, win or lose, there's always next year.

(In case you were wondering: roastin' ear = corn on the cob, draw = drawer, ah-ree-gawt = ricotta, agida = heartburn, aginetti = Italian cookies)

Rule #1 Never ask why

Rule #2 Never get beat by a bus

Rules to live by from the missionary couple who used to live next door, part 2

Rule #2 Never get beat by a bus

We live in a big city. A great-big, beautiful, noisy metropolis with a myriad of pedestrians, taxis, cars, and buses. If taxis and personal vehicles are the demigods of the road, city buses are the sovereign lords who rule by divine right, manifest destiny, and eminent domain.

If you travel here you know, buses assume the godlike quality of omnipresence. They're always behind you, always beside you, and always before you. Like your favorite Italian grandmother, they are all up in your business. And just when you least expect it, Bam! There they are, interrupting and intersecting your life like they own you.

Like they own you.

Our first week in Mexico City, our beloved missionary friend (who used to live next door) cautioned us with rule #2, Never get beat by a bus. It's a lesson in survival as well as life. We have all faced situations, circumstances, even people who appear as imposing or intimidating as any city bus in Mexico City. Often, it seems, we may only have a split second to assess the situation and adjust our speed so as not to get knocked over or run down.

Now depending on the circumstance and the safety of the other people sharing the road, sometimes it's best to speed up and maneuver around the imposing figure. Other times it's more prudent to change lanes to avoid disaster. And still, other times it's wisest to slow down and yield to the unwavering force.

Of course, we can argue all day long that technically we have the right of way so we don't have to move, maneuver, or yield. But life and city driving has taught me that 2-ton city buses (and Italian grandmothers for that matter) have less concern for technicalities than they do about getting their own way. In other words, we can be technically right and mostly dead all at the very same time.

Certainly, there are moments we need to confront and not back down, but other times the more prudent course of action is to maneuver gracefully or yield patiently so we can survive another day. Mind you, surviving is no small matter, it helps us gain wisdom for the next time life (or Italian grandmothers) happen.

Therefore, on the road of life may God give each of us the wisdom to size up our situations prayerfully, consider the welfare of our fellow travelers carefully, and love our lives enough to travel gracefully, so that we may never get beat by a bus.

If you missed it, you can read part 1 here.

And Part 3 here.

A day of honor and celebration

Yesterday, we attended Centro Evangelistico Emmanuel church to witness our friend and missionary colleague Donna Bustos and her husband Miqueas as they were officially installed as pastors.

Donna Bustos has served in Mexico City for many years and is currently also the Academic Dean of Facultad, the master's program of Christian Education Service of the Assemblies of God in Latin America and the former director of Anna Sander's Seminary in Mexico City.

I am grateful to Pastor Carlos Dávila del Real (next to Stuart) who took such wonderful photos of the whole event (all the photos here are his except for the video at the end). We are gathered with our Area Directors Paul and Sandy Kazim (to my left) and Carlos' wife, Lilia. Both Carlos and Lilia also work at Anna Sander's Seminary.

Donna and Miqueas' wonderful son, David, greeted the congregation he has known all his life and honored his parents with a special blessing.

Que Dios los bendiga con una insatisfacción santa frente a las respuestas fáciles a preguntas difíciles, a las medias verdades y relaciones superficiales, de modo que ustedes puedan buscar la verdad y el amor con valentía en lo profundo de sus corazones.

Que Dios los bendiga con ira santa ante la injusticia, la opresión espiritual o física, y la explotación de las personas, para que puedan trabajar a favor de la justicia, la libertad y la paz de Cristo entre los pueblos de la tierra.

Que Dios los bendiga con lágrimas para derramar por aquellos que sufren dolor, rechazo, hambre, o pérdida de todo lo que es de gran aprecio, para que ustedes puedan extender sus manos para consolar y transformar su dolor en alegría.

Que Dios los bendiga con suficiente locura para creer que ustedes realmente pueden hacer una diferencia en esta ciudad, nación, y hasta los confines de la tierra, para que sean capaces por medio de la gracia de Dios de hacer lo que muchos dicen es imposible.

Y que la bendición de Dios, la Suprema Majestad y nuestro Creador, Jesucristo, el Verbo encarnado, que es nuestro Hermano y Salvador, y el Espíritu Santo, nuestro Abogado y Guía, permanezca con ustedes, hoy y para siempre.

If you want to see the English translation, I posted it on the blog about a year ago: May God Bless You with Discomfort.

And just so you can have a taste of what worship is like here ...



(This song should sound familiar to many of you.)

Don't be afraid. Don't be the least bit afraid.

Playful esqueletos (skeletons), colorful calaveras (skulls), and bright cempasúchitl (marigolds) adorn neighborhood yards and local parks in preparation for el Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) this weekend (Nov 1 & 2).  

Contrary to the intentions of many in the US during this holiday season, our Mexican counterparts don't decorate in order to scare us to death, but to mock and make fun of death. My Mexican friends explain it this way: Death is inevitable. Therefore let's not fear what we can't avoid - death - rather let's choose to celebrate life. Let's laugh in the face of fear, let's remember with fondness those who have died, let's rejoice in the life once lived!

See this cutie patootie – not the least bit afraid :)

Many Mexicans also place photos of loved ones, their favorite food and drink, and other remembrances upon these ornate tables. Around these tables, families recall and entice loved ones who have died to visit and enjoy life's pleasures on this one day of the year it is thought they are allowed to roam the earth. 

Although these tables are often referred to as altars, don't mistakenly assume these families worship the dead. According to my Mexican friends, these tables/altars are not places of worship, but simply a gathering of familiar tokens to remember a cherished loved one.

However you choose to celebrate this weekend, may it be filled with laughter and joy at the remembrances of loved ones and the hope of life eternal with Christ.

I almost forgot. Look who I found wondering the streets of Mexico City – MiKo the chameleon ready to join the festivities!

(All my kids and MK friends know who MiKo is. You can too by following this link.)

One more thing. At the request of a friend and missionary colleague, I shared a story of transformation on her blog this past week. Enjoy! The Shape of My Faith

What a character!

Like many mornings here recently, Sunday began as cool and overcast, but by the time we got to Reto a la Juventud (Teen Challenge) we were warmed up sufficiently to regret wearing our choice of attire. Regardless, we enjoyed our time yesterday, including the testimony shared by this hermana prior to the sermon. 

The series, 40 Days of Purpose, continued with Hermano Mario (who usually leads worship) preaching on Fuiste Creado Para Ser Como Cristo (You were created to be like Christ). Mario reminded us that God uses a variety of sources and circumstances to shape our character throughout our lives. 

Haven't we all experienced the consequences of poor choices? Although painful, God can redeem our choices and grow our character. Such truth is quite liberating and provides hope for a better life, especially to the young men of Teen Challenge. 

Yet sometimes we suffer through no fault of our own. Nevertheless, God can (and does) develop our Christlikeness as he comforts us in our misery, loves us through our frustration, and strengthens us in our weakness.

Your partnership in the gospel allows us to be partners in the ministry with so many wonderful people. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Created to worship

Forty Days of Purpose continued at Reto a la Juventud (Teen Challenge Mexico) as co-director Alejandra Martínez preached this week on what it means to truly love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Each week the teaching is recorded and later aired on a local cable channel. What an opportunity to spread the message of hope and purpose to a wide audience! 

So remember, as we learned this week, we don't need to pretend with God (no necesitamos fingir). He simply wants you to be you (quiere que seas como eres). So just take your everyday life - your rest, your meals, your work, and your comings and goings - and give it all as an offering to God* (Toma tu vida cotidiana, la vida de todos los días - tu descanso, tu comidas, tu trabajo, y tus idas y venidas - y ponlas como una ofrenda ante Dios).

Please continue to pray for Alejandra and Gamaliel as they present this teaching week after week through October and disciple the residents of Teen Challenge day by day.

Thank you for your prayers, we have secured a new language tutor! He arrives twice a week for two hours at a time and already we feel the linguistic juices flowing more freely :)

Please visit our new and improved Missionary Profile on the AGWM Directory. There you will also find links to our Blog, a Newsletter Signup and Archive, as well as a giving link. Check it out!

*Paraphrase of Romans 12:1