I just got back from anoth
er visit to Monterrey, Mexico. I was there for about two weeks and it was so good to be back there again. It was a re-energizing time for what's soon to come.
I say it was a preview for what's soon to come for several reasons. First, we got a glimpse of what ministry will look like in Monterrey again. After a year of no groups, we had Grace Bible Church of Chicago come for their annual Springtime missions trip. Our ministry has taken new directions within this past year, so this veteran group got a taste of starting up something new instead of completing tasks and seeing final results as they have in the years past. They were such a great group to start us off again! Not only were they flexible, but they were responsible and spiritually mature, able to handle what was in store for them. Instead of doing their usual cement roof-po
ur and park ministry (which they still did a bit of at the church, as pictured right), we did some painting jobs and English conversation within a school and in the church. Instead of being physically exhausted, we all were mentally exhausted, but with good results. This is a new ministry we hope to build up, going into schools and also inviting university students into the church to practice their English. It will be a way to make the church known to the people and the first steps to connecting them to a church, and more so to connecting them to a relationship with God.
This group also got to enjoy intermingling with their "sister" church that was started this past August by our fellow missionary, Douglas Gibson. Grace Bible Church has helped to start and support this new church, Iglesia Biblica La Gracia (also Grace Bible Church). It was a great time to see believers from two cultures and languages coming together to praise and worship God, as well as a preview for how we can better connect future groups with the national church. Really, it was a preview for what heaven will be like!
er visit to Monterrey, Mexico. I was there for about two weeks and it was so good to be back there again. It was a re-energizing time for what's soon to come. I say it was a preview for what's soon to come for several reasons. First, we got a glimpse of what ministry will look like in Monterrey again. After a year of no groups, we had Grace Bible Church of Chicago come for their annual Springtime missions trip. Our ministry has taken new directions within this past year, so this veteran group got a taste of starting up something new instead of completing tasks and seeing final results as they have in the years past. They were such a great group to start us off again! Not only were they flexible, but they were responsible and spiritually mature, able to handle what was in store for them. Instead of doing their usual cement roof-po
ur and park ministry (which they still did a bit of at the church, as pictured right), we did some painting jobs and English conversation within a school and in the church. Instead of being physically exhausted, we all were mentally exhausted, but with good results. This is a new ministry we hope to build up, going into schools and also inviting university students into the church to practice their English. It will be a way to make the church known to the people and the first steps to connecting them to a church, and more so to connecting them to a relationship with God. This group also got to enjoy intermingling with their "sister" church that was started this past August by our fellow missionary, Douglas Gibson. Grace Bible Church has helped to start and support this new church, Iglesia Biblica La Gracia (also Grace Bible Church). It was a great time to see believers from two cultures and languages coming together to praise and worship God, as well as a preview for how we can better connect future groups with the national church. Really, it was a preview for what heaven will be like!
[Our end-of-the-week program for the group, church members, and those invited from the English conversation classes. The night included songs, skits, a short message, and, of course, food!]
Finally, it was also a preview for what's to come for me as I prepare to make my move down there soon. God willing, I will be making my move down there mid-May. Just a month to get things ready here, pack up and go! It was very helpful and necessary for me to be able to talk with the team there about what this ministry will look like in the next coming years. I also got to enjoy seeing the house where I will be living with another TIME missionary, Jessica Heagy. I got to familiarize myself a bit more with the area so that hopefully I will know how to drive to the basic places I'll be going to regularly. Out of all my times in Mexico, this time felt the most like it was home. Praise God!
[Our 2-level house, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom (two bathtubs--very uncommon for Mexico!). I was very excited that my bathroom curtains, etc. that I had brought from Iowa match perfectly with the bathroom! We will also be housing our female intern this summer. I can't wait to furnish and decorate the house!]
