What's Our Part Here?

We were there to help a visiting group better understand Catholicism in Mexico. The elderly couple was there to weave into the fabric of their family the beliefs handed down from generation to generation. I imagine them to be grandparents tenderly and lovingly leading their young granddaughter toward a sacred site at the Basilica in Mexico City. This generational ministry, the passing of the torch makes one stop and ponder – How will the cycle be broken and what's our part here? Good question. So, what's our part here?

Loving God: Our primary opportunity, our primary focus, our primary concern is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. By keeping first things first there is a platform for His work to be done in His way, in His time, for the glory His Son. (Matthew 22:37; 1Corinthians 2:1-5)

Family: In the context of missions our high calling remains to impress God’s Word on the hearts of our children and manage them well. We continue to nurture, train and disciple them through shared life experience and homeschooling. His plan for our lives includes His plan for their lives and for future family generations. (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; 1Timothy 3:12)

Prayer: Our heart remains not only to emphasize prayer in our personal lives but as a ministry focus as well. That means not only praying for others but praying with others both individually and in groups. We turn our attention to prayer believing that all the things that we accomplish He does for us. (Acts 6:4; Isaiah 26:12)

Sowing Seeds: Whether it’s “the verse of the day”, a tract, or an act of kindness in the name of Christ, sowing these seeds provides an opportunity for many to have a personal encounter with God – some for the first time. It’s a work that shows little immediate fruit but gives others a chance to water and to harvest so that can God give the increase. (Matthew 13:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Bible Distribution: God’s Word is living and active...judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Its power surpasses language, culture and religious barriers to bring new birth. It is our desire to get the Bible into the hands of as many people as possible. Whether we give them personally or provide them for fellow believers to give we try to do so out of a relationship and with the key salvation verses provided. (Hebrews 4:12; 1Peter 1:23)

Writing: The weekly journal and the Rope-Holders prayer updates are ways that keep others connected to us and God’s working here. Beyond that we have been writing a Bible study in Spanish from the book of Matthew. We confidently expect that after prayer, grammatical, cultural and theological editing this study will be used by the Lord as a compliment to the Bible distribution. (1John 1:3-4; Jude 1:3)

Discipleship: Going into all the world to make disciples is a multifaceted process for us. It includes living our lives before others controlled by the Spirit, showing hospitality, teaching English, loving our neighbors as ourselves, inviting others to study the Bible, or having tea together. The goal is to be able to entrust the deep truths of the faith to those who are reliable to share it with others. (Matthew 28:19; 2Timothy 2:2; 1Timothy 3:9)

Caring for the Poor: While Mexico has an influential upper class and a growing middle class, God has put it into our hearts to proclaim good news to the poor. We believe that when we spend ourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed our light will rise in the darkness. (Matthew 11:4-5; Isaiah 58:10-11)

Maria’s A Teenager! – A Photo Journal

Enjoying a nice cool fruit drink

Reminiscing with the family photo album

Christina decorates with a balloon bouquet

Lunch at the Angel’s taqueria on the Zócolo

All the way to Mexico for ice skating

Where’s Maria – and Christina?

Christina gets in on the fun

The ice cream cake was very moist

Yep 13 – count’em up

Womanhood Tea Party

On Saturday Diana put on a beautiful “Womanhood Tea Party”. This tea party and ceremony formally marked the time in Maria’s life when she begins to think about and prepare for her role as a woman. For the occasion Maria selected a blue and white knee length dress accented in black with a V-neckline. She wore dangling silver earrings with her hair fashionably done up in back twists. For the tea Diana served finger sandwiches of chicken salad, cucumber, and celery walnut on a three tied platter. Filled strawberries, cantaloupe, and scones completed the meal served on a royal blue table cloth complimented with Victorian lace. Irish Breakfast was the tea of choice for the day.

To the side of the main table was a smaller table with a spring basket arrangement of pink and white lilies. Also on the table was a framed copy of the definition that we gave to Maria of Womanhood. “A woman of God's design loves God wholeheartedly, finds her identity and security in Christ, seeks to reflect the image of God in modesty and virtue, and ministers grace to others through her biblical roles.

After this delightful tea the women in attendance shared a meaningful verse around the womanhood theme. Maria also heard from different women who have been instrumental in her life and who shared encouragement for her to fulfill God’s design. There were also letters written from family and friends. Here is a sample of the kinds of things that were said:

* “Always stay close to Him and always search the Scriptures…”
* “I just want to encourage you that, no matter what your feelings are throughout this season of your life, the more you trust God and allow yourself to fully experience where He has put you, the more your life will blossom!”
* “Fill your mind and heart with the truth of God’s Word. Surround yourself with peers and mentors who remind you of your identity in Christ.”
* “It's really easy for us to get our value wrapped up in how valuable we feel we are, how nice we look, or how important others think we are…keep focusing on who God wants you to be.”
* “A woman of sweet and pleasant speech makes a long lasting impression”.
* “The world will try to pull you in so many directions at this critical time in your life, and you'll be tempted to allow it to shape the way you view yourself, your family, your church, and your own convictions.”

Afterwards everyone enjoyed yellow marble cake with chocolate icing and another round of tea. It was indeed a wonderful celebration of womanhood. Thanks to all you who came and all who participated in our lives long range. We certainly need support, encouragement and words of wisdom in this journey.

Famine Relief

While sitting in a café studying my Spanish Bible this week the waitress came by my table. After a few pleasantries I told her I read the Bible daily and she asked me if I was a Christian. Hedging a bit I answered, “I follow the Words of God.” Not to be dissuaded she asked me again if I was a Christian. “Yes…I am a Christian.” To which she replied, “I am a Christian too.” That was a pleasant surprise. Having an extra Bible at my side I asked if she had a one. The unpleasant reality of it all was that she didn’t.

It’s actually common for most people here to be without a Bible. And it isn’t uncommon for Christians to be without one either. That takes some getting used to for me. Really now, how many Christians can you name that do not have a single copy of the Bible? Probably they have more than one or maybe even a stack. I am reminded of the words of Amos, “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” (Amos 8:11) Brothers and sisters, we are in famine!

We also believe providing famine relief is one of the ministries God has for us here. He has led, nudged and encouraged us into this area in a number of ways. It started over a year ago with a VBS gift that was used to purchase Bibles. About that time we were reading the story of Brother Andrew and his ministry of taking Bibles into communist countries. The Lord led us to the thought that we could do the same. I wrote in a journal entry at the time, "Maybe, just maybe there is a link between our being in Mexico and getting the Scripture into the hands of those who have the religion of Christ but not the truth of Christ." Since then God has used many situations to confirm us in this path. It is as if He has been saying. "I'm in this - keep praying, keep moving forward, keep trusting."

We are confident in God's Word to penetrate the interior life that is enveloped by a religious crust. By His grace refreshing showers will come to bring famine relief to the land and break up the hardened soil.

Basilica of Guadalupe Visit - A Photo Journal

While we often think of a Basilica as a description of a building, it is also an important and significant place that is given ceremonial rites by the Pope. In Mexico City this significance is derived from the apparition of Mary in the form of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This apparition in 1531 is credited for bringing the valiant roots of the Aztec and missionary Spain together at the feet of Mary – Mother and forger of the homeland of Mexico. The memorial above is titled the “The Offering”.

The old cathedral (If it looks crooked that’s because it was damaged in the 1985 earthquake. The original chapel for the Virgin can be seen on the hill in the background.)

The newer and modern cathedral

Friday morning mass for the faithful

The impression on the tilma of Juan Diego located behind the platform

The family visit (A good time to establish family bonding and traditions.)

The well kept grounds and gardens (The Basilica is visited by millions every year with over 7 million pilgrims coming on December 12th alone.)

Pictures * Pins * Prayers (These are left with the hope of a particular saint's intercession.)

Guadalupe and Pope John Paul II – two highly respected figures (John Paul II was a Marian priest inspired by the teachings of Saint Louis de Montfort. He went to every Marian shrine in the countries he visited including four visits to Mexico.)

Worship inside the chapel (This is said to be the exact spot where the temple of the Aztec goddess Tonantzin stood.)