A safe place to emerge

What an adventure trying to locate a parking space in Mexico City, especially on Saturdays when Stuart and I go teach English at Teen Challenge. Sometimes it takes a few turns around the block. Sometimes a few more. Sometimes, alas, a few more than that.

This past Saturday, we happened to park in front of this little guy. I have no idea what form will emerge from this cocoon in the days or weeks to come, but I had to marvel at the fact he chose a random light pole in the middle of Mexico City as his place of transformation. Mind you, a tree stands not three feet to the left. Yet this guy hangs here, only waist high from the ground apparently oblivious to curious children, stray dogs, constant traffic, and any number of potential disruptions.

I realize Mexico City may not seem like the most hospitable place to encourage new life. However, whether you are an emerging butterfly or a recovering addict, transformation is always possible when we meet certain conditions: dedication to change, perseverance through the process, and a safe place to emerge. 

Stuart and I are pleased to be a part of Teen Challenge, a ministry that offers all this, plus the power of the Holy Spirit, to aid the recovering addict in his transformation. Throughout the year we have joyfully witnessed successful transformations as men have dedicated themselves to follow through with the program and have subsequently emerged new creations in Christ. 

Unfortunately, Stuart and I have also witnessed aborted attempts; those who left the program to return to their former life. Although we grieve for them, we trust the Lord has not abandoned them. God knows their name, he knows where they are, and will continue to call them back to a better life. That is his nature.

I've been giving the little guy above a lot of thought these last few days. I hope the best for him; I hope he survives the transformation stage. I hope he emerges strong and free. Stuart and I hope the same for the guys at Teen Challenge Mexico. Thank you for your prayers.

Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen. (BCP)

If you believe in the ministry of Teen Challenge, you can partner with us financially to help set the captive free. We gratefully receive and fully appreciate any amount donated. Thank you.

The Mexico City Missive ~ summer 2016

Stuart and I enjoyed the outstanding Olympic coverage in Mexico and the wonderful athletes who competed these last few weeks. I couldn't help but celebrate with the victors and hurt with the fallen. Like many missionaries, Stuart and I joyfully cheered on athletes from our home country as well as athletes from countries where we have served. Such extraordinary talent!

Stuart and I competed in our own Olympic event of sorts this week and are also celebrating a win. We both received a three – year residency visa from the good people of Mexico! Our experience may not seem medal worthy to some, but to us it is golden.

Although technically not an Olympic sport, applying for a residency visa seemed, at times, no less physically grueling or mentally exhausting. First, we meticulously deciphered the linguistic code on the government website for the correct way to apply (or, in our case, renew) a visa. Second, we laboriously gathered numerous (sometimes superfluous) documents to cover all possible contingencies. Lastly, after a quick photo shoot, quite a bit of $$, and lots of copies of everything we headed out.

In the span of two weeks, Stuart and I traveled to the immigration office in Mexico City five times. Five times we drove to the metro station; took three, sometimes very congested, trains (seriously, packed in like marshmallows at a chubby bunny contest); and then hailed a taxi for the final leg of the two – hour journey. Five times we waited for our number to be called to talk to a nice immigration officer. Thankfully, this week we stood victorious on the medal podium and received the coveted award.

Ministry at Teen challenge continues to expand. My Saturday morning English class has morphed into two as more young men join the program. I also began private lessons with one of the directors who wants to improve her conversational skills before a big meeting in November. Stuart has preached at Teen Challenge and we teamed together to teach in the youth class on a recent Sunday. And just for fun, Stuart usually joins the guys on Tuesday mornings to play a little b-ball and soccer.

Ministry opportunities beyond Teen Challenge include preparing the sanctuary at Luz a las Naciones for a fresh coat of paint. Stuart spent the better part of the week (when we weren't at immigration) to scrape down water – damaged and mold – infested walls. On Saturday, he joined a large group of motivated workers to complete the beautification process. It'll look great for when he preaches there next month.

Our nest is empty, but our hearts are full. Our daughter Olivia recently moved from Indiana to North Carolina to begin graduate studies at Duke Divinity. Wesley currently enjoys life and ministry in Spain as an intern with International Media Ministries. And Sophia, after a stint as chief to missionary kids at missionary training and renewal in Springfield, prepares for her junior year at Evangel University.

Printable PDF (Summer 2016)

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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.

Pick me. Choose me. Give me candy.

During English class at Teen Challenge this past Saturday, I took some time to review the basics since we were gone a few weeks to attend our son's graduation and visit family. After reciting the alphabet as a class, I asked for volunteers to recite individually. About half the class took me up on my challenge, but quite a few of my students are new and didn't want to try. 

Until I rewarded the students who made an effort. 

The moment I took out my little bag of candy, hands started flying in the air! Most of the rest of the students at least tried, although they had previously only attended one class. 

Note to self: buy more candy.

While I worked with some students who are a little further along, the new students played Bingo to learn their numbers.

Yesterday at Teen Challenge, Director Gamaliel preached on Boundaries. Quite often, Teen Challenge Directors, Gamaliel and Alejandra, and their staff preach through a series which is also taped during the service. Their teaching is then broadcast on a local cable channel.

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