Growing Gozo...

Safety

2008-06-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your prayers of safety. Yesterday as I traveled back from my visit w/ those in the country our Luke (our trip leader) and I were in an accident. Everyone was fine and there were no injuries. The damage to the cars involved was minimal. The accident happened 1 block away from the church so we were able to get Pastor Andres over there to help us sort through the details. The car is one we borrowed from a member of the church. The accident wasn’t our fault and the car is insured so there is nothing really to worry about…it is just an unfortunate accident.

I’m extremely thankful for the way that the church looks out for all of us and for the way that God provides for us. We didn’t choose to serve here in Monterrey because we know we will be safe, but because God is working here and we want to be a part of it. We trust Him alone for our safety on the work site and on the road. Thank you to all of you for your prayers of safety. Keep them up! We leave on Saturday morning (9am) on a bus from Monterrey to Mc Allen, Texas, where we will spend the night. We will then fly home to DFW arriving shortly before 1pm.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. We love and miss our friends and family as we love God and others in Monterrey!

Jeff

City Life: Lindsey Juarez

2008-06-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

One of our goals as missionaries in Mexico is to look for opportunities to spread the message of God’s love. After being on this for two years I feel like I haven’t had much of an opportunity to connect w/ others who are not already Christians. Earlier this week, three children who don’t go to this church came over to join us in a game of soccer. After our ball went over a brick fence they offered us theirs. Now these children were between 4-8 years old so this “soccer ball” was really more of a light kickball. During the coarse of the game, in which they scored goal after goal, the ball went flat. We are hoping to get them a new ball and I have another gift for them that will share w/ them God’s great love for them. - Lindsey

David Nicholson

2008-06-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mexico ’08 has revealed me at my spiritual best and my spiritual worst. Let’s start with the good news. I believe my spiritual life is most vibrant and alive when I’m actively praying for, looking for and taking action on opportunities to share my faith. I was able to do that today (6/24) with Nosario, a 65 year-old man with whom I started a relationship with last year, but never got to the point of sharing Christ. When I talked with him today, although I helped him with being assured of his salvation, he told me he had actually accepted Christ earlier in the year, when after he almost died from a heart attack; his niece had shared the gospel with him.

Now for the bad news. Despite the fact that Pastor Ruben and his wife Veronica currently have up to 12 children living with them in addition to their 4 daughters, and despite the fact that they are trying to adopt 7 of the little ones, they can’t help everyone. A cute little girl named Adriana had barely been there a week when we first arrived, but it had already become apparent that things were not working out. She was very distractible and distracting in the classroom, and would wander off on the property, putting herself at risk since Lugar de Gracia is in a rugged rural area. Yesterday, (6/23), officials from the government came and took her back to the federal institution she had been at before coming to live with the Sanchez’. This really broke the heart of one of our adult leaders, who had so much compassion on little Adriana’s plight. While her departure saddened me, and caused me to be concerned about her future, apparently I was not concerned enough to include her in my journal entry later that evening. As I was reviewing all of the memorable events of the day, I covered our work routine and my daily conversation with Nosario, but somehow totally overlooked about how a major reroute of a sad little Mexican girl’s life had taken place. I can be so self-absorbed and ultimately insensitive at times. I really did care at the time, but had already moved on to “other things”.

Wow! From a spiritual high to a spiritual low within 24 hours. I am so glad I am on this mission trip, getting to use my spiritual gifts and having my spiritual growth areas exposed. There is no other place on earth I’d rather be at this time. I encourage you to continue praying for us and whether God would have you go on some type of mission trip in ’09. In Him, David

In the Country: Jeff Jones

2008-06-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today I visited the group in the country. They are spending the week with Pastor Ruben on his property called “Lugar de Gracia”, Place of Grace.

At Lugar de Gracia there are dormitories for abused women and their children. They also have a school so that they can teach the women and their children. Also at this school are their 15 foster children that Pastor Ruben and his wife Veronica care for…7 of which they are going to adopt. When I asked Ruben about why they considered adopting, especially in light of them being a family of 6 w/ little financial support, he said, “Christ promised to take care of the orphans, so I know I don’t have to worry about food or money.” When the government agency asked how many more they might adopt he told them, “Christ has no limits.” What an awesome man of faith!

I was blessed today to sit and visit w/ Ruben for 45 minutes (thanks to Luke our interpreter). Ruben shared story after story of his faithful dependence on God and God’s continual provision for him. Just as recently as last week Ruben found himself w/ a gas and electricity bill they couldn’t afford. When he asked what it would cost to have it for this week when our team was here, he was told $500, of which he had only $6. He and his family prayed for God’s provision and last week before we arrived he collected an anonymous $500 offering from one of the churches he pastors.

As Ruben recanted story after story of God’s provision I thought to myself that there is no other place that I would rather be or our students be than working w/ Ruben. Tonight while we ate mucho tacos, we all told stories, sang songs (thanks to Josh and his stirring rendition of James Taylor’s Mexico) and we laughed and laughed. We were tonight one big…and I mean BIG family!

First Timer

2008-06-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

This year my roommate is Garrett Spencer. This is his first year on our High School trip. It has been so great watching him experience this trip for the first time. On the way down, I was telling him about all the great food he was going to have in Mexico and how despite all our hard work, he might even gain weight.

How great was the food Garrett ate during his first 24hrs in Mexico? I’ll let you decide…

When we arrived to the church in Monterrey, we were greeted with our first meal…Ham/Cheese sandwiches on white bread. Es muy bien! Then later for dinner we picked up a pizza from the Dominoes Pizza inside a local Wal-Mart. The next morning, before church we poured ourselves a bowl of Frosted Flakes “con leche” (w/ milk). We laughed about how it was almost like we never left Texas…as we ate our Little Debbie Snack Cakes…

You know what else is funny? How different we think we are from our hosts. Sunday we worshiped w/ passion to great music, we heard a great sermon from Ephesians 6 by Pastor Andres. We played soccer; we laughed, told stories, and shared life together.

One of the great things about is learning that loving your neighbor can really be like loving yourself. We often over think what it is God called us to, but in the end its all about finding people to share life with…loving both God and Others.

Even better if it’s over a good bowl of Frosted Flakes con leche!

Parting Thoughts

2008-06-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mexico was really sunny and hot w/ lots of work, Español, and fun. Our family was very nice and very grateful for the new house. I’ll take back more of a focus on missions because God loves the people of Mexico so much, he sent his only Son for them. -Tom Parker

It was a great time both at Mexico and at the camp. I feel like I grew a lot and will take a lot home. Time went by fast, but I still managed to read half of Proverbs. –Luke Nicholson

I am glad that I decided to come to Mexico. I grew in my relationships w/ those from church and God. Its good to be able to help others. –Max Perry

This week in Mexico has really changed my life. I have seen God work through me and others more than I ever have before. I’m taking back how fortunate I am for everything I have. –Mallory Gerner

I liked helping our family and I hope they like their new house. I liked hearing more about Jesus and I like Jeff’s talk. –J Kurtz

It was amazing to be a part of a group of 11 that built a house in 4 days. It is great playing with the family. –Atlee Spencer

This was the first time to go to another country. It was amazing to see what people of other cultures are like and it makes me thankful for the things I have (like electronics, electricity, air conditioning, etc). The people made great relationships with us even though they didn’t speak our language. It was VERY hot outside and we had to build a house in the heat. I’ve never helped someone like this before. –Emma Parker

I had a great week and I had an amazing time building new relationships and getting closer to God. I hope I can do this again someday, and yes, this trip was as good as Serbia! –Rebekah Bell

I’m so thankful for Tom Parker and Luke Nicholson being able to translate this week; it was invaluable to our communication w/ our family. I’m proud of our kids and how hard they worked. We loved the worship and Jeff’s teaching of the entire camp. He was very encouraging…and funny! We also used every bit of toiletries that were donated – such a gift to all the women of Mexico and us! –Pegi Spencer

What a trip! There was one verse that I had rolling around in my mind all week. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” Eph. 3:20. I had no idea what this week would look like, but I knew that God was going to make the very best! Be very proud FBCA as your students set out to build a house…but return having changed the world! –Jeff Jones

Day 5: Jeff Jones

2008-06-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who took time over the last couple of days to pray for our team while we were in Mexico, and a special thanks for praying for Maria. I posted that request because I desperately wanted to see God heal Maria’s foot while we were here. We talked on Thursday night about putting our selves in a position where only God could deliver us and I hoped that by asking for your prayers and by praying myself, that I would arrive Friday and see God do something only He could do.

Sadly, there was no miraculous healing. Maria’s foot looked just like it did on Wed when we last saw her. There was a small part in me that felt let down by God.
I asked…God said “No”.

Or did He?

Later that night I was scrolling through pictures taken of the days events when I noticed this picture of Pegi Spencer washing Maria’s feet. It occurred to me that when the women began to get their feet washed that Maria may have feared that her feet wouldn’t be touched, washed, or polished. Given her condition could you blame someone for not wanting to touch her feet. That picture became a significant God Sighting for me because I imagine that for that moment, while her feet were being washed, that she felt normal...that her feet were no different than anyone else’s.

God did heal Maria for a moment and I almost missed it. It may not have been how I imagined…but then again He is able to more than we ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20)

Day 3: Rebekah Bell

2008-06-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

Today I went to VBS for the first time and at first I thought I would have a hard time trying to talk with the kids, but I actually made friends with these two girls named Monica (6) and Gloria (10). They were really sweet and we got to make necklaces and sing songs in Spanish. I was able to speak to them in Spanish and we had a really great time. When I got back to the work site, I was surprised to see all the walls on our house put up and the tresses for the roof being put in. Our house finally looked like an actual house and it was very encouraging. During the day Mallory and I got to spend time with Jasmin the neighbor next door and were amazed by how well she was picking up on English. The whole day was very fun and full of hard work and I can’t wait to see the house completed and the looks on our family’s faces when they see the finished product.

Expecting God

2008-06-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

We are building our home for Maria and her extended family. This is a picture of Maria's foot. We are asking you all to pray for Maria and her foot. She has seen doctors, but to this point there is nothing more they can do for her. We told her that we wanted to take a picture of her foot and invite our friends and family back home to pray for her.

Will you join us in asking for God to heal Maria?

We spend tomorrow (Thursday) at the market, but are looking forward to seeing Maria again on our last day as we finish our house for her.

Mallory Gerner: Day #2

2008-06-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

¡Hola! Cómo Estás? Today was our second day in Mexico and personally my most favorite so far. It started off when we first got to our work site, and Mrs. Spencer, Luke, Emma, and I all went to VBS at the church down the road. First arriving we played around with the kids trying to bond, and get to know them. When VBS started, I sat on a bench with four adorable Mexican girls. Our translators announced that we were going to be making gospel bracelets, and one particular little girl named Genesis rushed over to me with a big smile, speaking to me in Spanish. After we made her bracelet, she made another one to give me, her new amiga.

Back at the work site we finished the floor, three walls (which includes windows and paint), while Rebekah, Jeff, and Emma built nine tresses. My favorite part of the day was when J. and I made relationships with the neighbors, Jasmin(4) and Andrianna(8). In two minutes things went from not really talking at all, to being drawn on with washable markers we brought by two girls who didn’t even speak the same language as us. It’s quite amazing how you can see God working through other people who are speaking in a completely foreign language.

I’m really looking forward to finishing this house for a very deserving family, and returning home to see everybody! :D

Luke Nicholson: Day 1

2008-06-17T15:05:00.001-07:00

I really enjoyed the first day of Mexico. The thing that stuck out to me most once we arrived the house was how they were happy with what they had. After introducing ourselves, we prayed, and the woman we were building the house for was holding back tears. She was crying over getting a house built for her that’s smaller than most people’s garages. When your parents told you when you that you could be worse off, this is what they were talking about. I got bored after an hour. I can hardly imagine what it’d be like living there with no computer, no television, and no books to read.

The family was very kind. They only had a very shy toddler and a baby, which was a challenge for me because I normally cling to the children. I got around to introducing myself to the woman we were building the house for, but I was mainly busy translating for the rest of our group. I’ve only had two years in Spanish and I was being treated like the chief translator. I thank God that I knew most of what they asked me, because in my class I’m supposed to barely be scratching the surface of conversational Spanish.

I’m definitely looking forward to sharing Christ with the family and talking to their neighbors.

Puzzels

2008-06-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

Last week we were in need of some donated items for our trip…and I like to say thank you to all of those who so kindly gave. We ended up bringing two coolers full of supplies for the foot washing service that we will be a part of w/ the women of the colonia.

Last week we also got a great gift from a Girl’s Bible Study. These girls (Baleigh Gartrell, Mikaela Greathouse, Maddie Callow, Hanna Thames, Addison Thames) helped us by preparing the bracelets that we wear on our trips. Theses bracelets help us share the gospel w/ people we come in contact, as each color represents a truth of the Gospel message. It also serves as a reminder to us that we are to be working and living in a way that the gospel is made known. Thank you girls!

It got me thinking a bit about puzzles and how the pieces fit together. I couldn’t help but think that your donations and prayers are filling in the gaps of our trips…that the picture that is this Mexico Mission trip couldn’t be completed w/ out you offering your piece.

Today is our first day in Mexico and I know that the picture we bring back is going to be beautiful one because you have so freely offered of yourselves to us.

Thank you!

Dirty Feet

2008-06-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

The stories I could tell you about Mexico…

One of the most beautiful pictures of service rooted in love is found in John 13. John tells the story of Jesus and the disciples being gathered together before the Passover feast and how Jesus, knowing that he would soon be returning to God, “got up from his meal…poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet”. (John 13:4-5)

For the last two years Pegi Spencer, with women volunteers from the other churches, gather to wash the feet of the Mexican women that we have come to serve. On that last day they will wash and dry their feet, as well as paint their toe nails. As you can imagine this is a powerful moment. Most of these women live in homes w/ dirt floors and on streets made of dirt and rock. To have painted toe nails, let alone, clean feet might seem like a waste. After all, when the service is over, they are going to walk right back out onto those dirt roads.

As I think about it though, I guess Jesus could have said the same thing. Even more so, why should God send his only Son? So he could be rejected and crucified in spite of His loving-kindness. Yes…that’s exactly why! When I was in college I heard a pastor say that “Grace loses its power to transform when it loses the ability to be abused.” When those women’s feet are washed, though they will get dirty again, for a moment they have experienced a symbol of the grace and loving-kindness shown us by God.

In order to make this happen we are in need of your help. Will you consider donating one of the below items to make this happen?

Washcloths
Baby Oil
Cotton Balls
Fingernail polish remover
Lotion
Foot Scrub
Fingernail polish (doesn't have to be brand new)

Please bring your donation to the church office before Thursday 4pm.

The Adventure Begins...

2008-06-09T09:00:00.001-07:00

Next Sunday jr. high students will board a bus for McAllen, TX where their Mexican Adventure begins! Early Monday morning our team will board a bus to Rio Bravo to meet the family we'll be building a home. That day we will begin building our relationship w/ the our family, working on the foundation and walls of our house, and inviting students to the next day's Vacation Bible School.

All that is happening on Monday...and guess what? You can be a part our team, by praying for us as we look to Love God and Others in Mexico.

Here is how you can pray...

1. Safety in Travel: We will be leaving for McAllen at 2am Sunday on an 11hr bus ride. We will also be busing to and from Mexico each day, Mon-Fri, before returning home on a bus that leaves at midnight Sat. morning. Please pray for safety as we travel!!!

2. Health and Courage: The team will be working hard in the hot sun and will be waking early (6am) each day in preparation for Loving God and Others. Please pray that the team stays healthy and strong, both sleeping and eating well. Also, please pray for courage in the sharing of our stories. It can be difficult to share your story, let alone build a relationships w/ those you don't speak the same language.

3. Expereince God: Students will be challenged physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout the trip. Please pray that God would not only sustain them, but that He would become bigger in their eyes through their personal experience of his unfailing love.

4. Leaders: We are so thankful to have Pegi Spencer, Tom Parker, and Jeff Jones going on this years trip w/ the students. Please pray for that God would be their strength and give them wisdom as they seek to create an experience that not only makes an impact on those being served in Mexico, but also in the lives of our students. Jeff will also be the nightly speaker for the camp. Those meetings will include more than 200+ students and adults from different churches and backgrounds. Please pray that God would speak through Jeff in a way that would challenge us all to Love God and Others more deeply!

Thanks to those who have given generously to financially support what God is doing in Mexico and our students at FBCA. Know that the ministry that goes on this week is your ministry. On Monday, your Mexico adventure begins...

Thanks for being a part of our team!

Jr. High Mexico Team: J Kurtz, Luke Nicholson, Max Perry, Atlee Spencer, Tom Parker, Rebekah Bell, Mallory Gerner, Emma Parker, Pegi Spencer, Jeff Jones

The "Gozo" Bean

2008-06-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

So I bet you're wondering what "gozo" means... Its a Spanish word that means "joy". Each summer a group of jr. high and high school students from FBCA head to Mexico to experience the joy of "Loving God and Others" in Mexico. The trips are from June 15-21 (jr. high) and June 21-29 (high school). All participants have been asked to raise the money for their trip and thanks to the help of a Bob and Nancy Baker, owners of White Rock Coffee, you can help.

By buying a pound of their organic fair trade coffee here, you can support these students and their journey of joy. For each pound of coffee that you purchase, a donation of $3 will be made to our Mexico Mission...and if you're not a coffee drinker, you can still make a donation there as well.

Will you consider partnering with the FBCA Students on their Mexico Mission as they look to change the world by "Loving God and Others"?