In the heart of Mexico & nations around

Projects.

2012-02-05T00:34:00.001-06:00

Having fun in Cali.

I know it's been a long time since I've written, and I can't even decide where to begin. So, I guess I'll just jump right into this "update". Although, more than just sending an update, I really do wish to share my heart and gratitude with you whenever I write. After a rather trying 2011, and being able to experience God's faithfulness on a deeper level, I know I have continued to grow and mature in my relationship with him, and know him more (which is really the essence of everything). I was blessed by some time away for Christmas Break, and traveled to Baja California, where I am always able to unwind and be refreshed by time with friends and family. Spending a week in Fresno was needed as well, as I got to visit my home church and spend quality time with Mom and my aunt and uncle, and other friends. I had a real nice time up at the cabin; we spent Christmas Day and a couple of days after there, and it was absolutely beautiful! As you all know, the weather has been more than strange, so it was like spring up there - no snow, cool, sunny days, and great for cozy fire-making at night. I enjoyed reading, watching TV, and looking up at the stars.

Classroom painting in progress.

Mom spent the first week back at Pachuca visiting as well, and we all got to work on the final details for the upcoming Discipleship Training School that started mid-January. We have 6 students - 1 girl from the US, and from Mexico, 2 guys and 3 girls. It has been a good group thus far and we've definitely been busy! We are now at the end of week three, and I've been able to translate and teach a few classes. I will be heading up the - I hesitate to use the word - dance area of the arts training. :P I am no dancer, but along with a local dance student and friend, I will help teach some choreographies. I will also put together some stomp/step routines, which is something I started teaching myself last year, so that will be fun. We're currently working on a creative project that the group has to put together to be able to present for ministry.

Reto & DTS learning the Old Testament

Being able to attend the DTS classes is also a blessing, as I've been able to learn new things, and God has spoken to me in these times. There are four hours of class a day, so it's intense! The cool thing about translating is I tend to remember more, because I've not only heard it, but said it also. However, because everything is so wham-bam-boom, I don't have a chance to process, so I have to be intentional about reviewing what sticks out to me.

We've now gotten together for 5 weekends during 5 months with the Reto kids (teenage discipleship group), and there has been growth! It's encouraging, because it's been difficult to really detect how much they've been "getting it," but we had a full time of classes and some outreach this past Reto. Lecture phase of the DTS goes until April, and we'll start the first week of outreach with the DTS students and the Reto group. We are planning on going to the villages and towns in the Huasteca, so I will be helping to prepare that. In the meantime, the 25 of us who live in this crazy YWAM house are working hard, growing in unity, and loving our God. Ivan is doing well, and is an integral part of the kitchen staff, along with two new staff members, Juan Manuel and Amanda. Michel (the youngest sister from Mexico City family) is also growing and continues to go to school in town. She's a blessing to have around.

Well, I guess that's all for now.Thanks for your support and prayers. I would appreciate prayer at this time for the current happenings of the DTS, as I am still in charge of other areas and also part of DTS staff. I also have some opportunities of teachings that might come about soon, and I continue to seek opportunities to design.

All my love!

Meghan

DTS students in my class.

Ivan ministering to Toña.

Kids' games in the park.

Chrtmas program with "Identidad" in Mexico City.

Days get shorter as winter draws near.

2011-12-02T08:54:00.001-06:00

The temperature's dropped and we're all getting used to bundling up, and going outside frequently to "sun ourselves like cats" and soak up some kind of warmth. There are a few weeks left till we take time for Christmas vacation, and the days are packed until then! It's been neat to meet more young people and transmit God's heart for the lost and suffering to them. We hosted a group with a wide age range (12-40+) last weekend, and it's really cool to be able to be a part of when God infuses his heart for the nations into others - no matter their age.

Some youth from the visiting group and Ivan.

I was also able to experience this by taking part with my church in reaching out to a community they've been focusing on for some time now. There is a small team of people rising up to take God's love to the streets, and they called on us for help, so we were able to present a couple of dramas and I gave a short message. For so long now, I have largely been teaching others dramas and such, so it was cool to be a part of presenting dramas once again, leading street programs and kids' games, etc. We have a couple of new additions to staff as well, so it was fun to all get involved together.

Doing it all with Reto.

This upcoming weekend, we'll have another Reto gathering, where we'll continue to train and disciple, have a time to celebrate Christmas together, and visit Toña, who's now serving in the training area of the rehab center she began with seven months ago. Seven months clean - drug-free and purifying her heart and mind with God's truth! I visited with her a couple of weeks ago, and she is doing very well. It's evident that she's more comfortable with herself, more confident and eager to help others. It will be fun to hang out with her, as we'll celebrate her 24th birthday that passed in November, and also have some activities with others who she lives with in the Christmas spirit.

Part One of design & paint project.

After all this next weekend, we'll have our last week here at the base before shutting down for Christmas. In the meantime, we are in staff training for the upcoming Discipleship Training School in January, will be hosting a Christmas dinner with our friends on the streets of Mexico City, and are painting the walls of the base hall. (I have been putting together designs reflecting different regions of the world and God's heart for the nations, which has been a long, but interesting project.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN 20 DAYS!

Meghan

5 years in the making...

2011-10-31T18:38:00.000-06:00

Hi all,

I’m writing from the base near Guadalajara (end of October), where we’re having a few days of leaders’ meetings. It’s always good to be with other members of the family, and we have all 11 bases represented here, plus a few more in the works.

It's been cool to experience God fulfilling some of my dreams, one of them being to travel more and teach. Towards the beginning of October, I had the chance to travel to Villahermosa, Tabasco to teach for a few days in their School of Urban Missions. It was a great experience where I had the chance to pour into about 50 teens, young adults, pastors, and moms and dads alike - all taking the challenge of reaching out to their cities. I was able to share a lot from what God has taught me over the past number of years working in the ministry in Mexico City, which was neat to reflect upon and be able to use to help guide others. By the way, last September 26th, I celebrated 5 years in Mexico!

We’re coming along on the end of the year here, and we’ve still lots to come!

I now pick up this story, middle of November. As you can see, I've been traveling a lot and was able to teach another course towards the beginning of the month, then spend a week in Mexico City receiving a training geared towards being able to counsel at-risk children and teens. Reto continues each month, and we've got staff training for the January Discipleship Training School around the corner.

One month left here in Pachuca, and then I'll have a couple weeks of vacation, where I'll be traveling to Baja California and the States to enjoy time away with friends and family.

:)

2011-09-04T20:32:00.000-05:00

Here's a short flashback review of the past few months, since it's been so long since writing:

July - It was very rewarding to see the fruits of discipleship during the week of Reto Urbano. We had about 30 teens from Mexico and the United States participating in conferences, arts training, team building times, and ministry; in addition, about ten student staff made up of the Reto participants from this whole past year. Since beginning this program, I've dreamt of it being cross-cultural and bilingual, and this is the first year that was able to happen! We were also able to invite a great speaker, Joseph Watson, to be with us for the week, and the teachings centered in on identity and dreaming with God.

August - We were able to, once again, sweat away in Huitzi while running a children's camp with about 80 kids. My mom and her friend were able to come be a part, too, which was great!

July thru now - We have had more young people come off the streets (Tonia, Victor, and Armando), and continue to look after them, and rejoice in their growth. Tonia got baptized yesterday, and as we were there supporting her, Iván decided to jump in the water, too! He continues to grow so much, and is learning more and more about God's purpose for his life.

After fifteen years, I have taken up the cello again, and am loving it!
We have been celebrating lots of birthdays, anniversaries, and Cori and Neil's return to Pachuca.
As a base, we are seeking God's direction and unity, and have been able to receive teachings and reorganize ministries. It's been a good time of refreshing and refocusing.
Yesna and Michel continue to study here in Pachuca, and are growing as well. Something recent that happened with them is one day, a little over a week ago, they arrived home later than usual after school got out. Their explanation: they had walked by an elderly man's home as they were coming through the neighborhood on their way back to the base, and he asked for their help. All the man needed was to go to the store and get some tortillas across the street, but he has very little eyesight and shuffles along very slowly - so slowly that an hour later, the job was done. The girls' story touched me, and you may see it as just a simple "act of kindness" but I see it as another fruit of discipleship. The girls had gone out of their way to help someone, and shared God's love through action and word.

This past Friday I went with the girls to the man's home to help clean. He lives alone, has hardly anyone to help him in anything, and as you can imagine with his condition, he gets taken advantage of often. As we entered the property, the old man began to explain to us how he opened and closed the door, how he had his "signals" (ie. items in certain places that he could touch and get his bearings on where he was in the house), etc. etc. He then began to talk about a spoon, taking us over towards an area full of weeds. He said he had dropped the spoon and couldn't find it. It was nowhere to be found, and honestly, we didn't really get the importance of what a dropped spoon had to do with much of anything - after all, we wanted to get in and clean - and we definitely saw the huge need for cleaning! Nevertheless, the man kept giving us the tour, signaling where his kitchen area was, and then the main room and so on, all the time still asking about the spoon. Just as we entered the main room and he finally was about to resign and let us grab some brooms, I saw it. The spoon. I interrupted and hollered to Don Eduardo, "Is this the spoon?!" (He can hardly hear a thing.) The old man took the old rusty metal spoon from my hands, held it close to his face and froze for a second, took off his hat, eyes tearing up, and said, "Yes. Thank you God... I have been looking for this for two days... Thank you..."

...That, Meghan, was the significance of the spoon.
I'm reminded of the story of the woman who lost a coin in the dust of her dirt floor, and wouldn't cease until she found it... just as God pursues those who are so valuable in his sight, and longs for each one to return to him, the rightful owner, even when others, society, you or I say they are of no value.

And so it went. Yesna, Michel and I spent over an hour sweeping out pounds of dirt and trash, washing the few dishes the man seemed to use, and helping him fix his bed and bring water from outside.

It's interesting how sometimes God drops people in your path who just really need a helping hand. How often do we really do anything about it ourselves? So many times we get caught up in our own agenda, and overlook the things that really have value. I mean, really... a spoon?! Yeah, a spoon.

Be very blessed.

Pressing on.

2011-05-23T00:28:00.000-05:00

Reto presentation in the rain, Chapulhuacanito, San Luis Potosí.

The RETO outreach was incredible! For a week during Spring Break, when most teenagers soak it up sleeping in, watching countless hours of TV and zombie-ing out online, 13 young people set aside all else to travel 5 hours away to the mountainous region of Huitzitzilingo to know God and make him known! It was really cool to be able to spend five days straight together with this group, see them further develop their skills and learn from their example of putting their faith into practice. Take the first evening, for example: after traveling the whole first half of the day, we unloaded and shortly after headed out to our first pueblo on the agenda. Mind you it had been raining for hours, and we had planned to put on an evangelistic program in the main plaza, outside! After going around and talking to people in small teams for awhile, the rain was not letting up, so the group got back together and decided to do a program anyways, however, the teens were asking permission to present in the rain so that the public (the few or many who may gather) could stay dry under the gazebo! And so they went, invited folks to come, and then danced, acted, threw themselves on the ground, and showed the love of Christ, not at all detained by the rain! It was truly a special night, and a great precursor for what was to come in the rest of the outreach (the only difference being that it got about 25 degrees hotter by the end of the week!) We reached hundreds of folks, visited numerous towns, served people in the Huitztitzilingo community, were able to meet God in a different way, and create more unity amongst ourselves.

Saint Jude idols and merchandise.

Shortly after arriving back in Pachuca, Natán, Esther and I headed off to Mexico City to team up with a Discipleship Training School on outreach from Mazatlán. We were with this group of 12 for 9 days, and were able to witness, pray and reach out to different areas of the City. We have continued focusing in on certain areas including the homeless youth and drug addicts, children's centers, areas of increased homosexuality, and specifically the idolatry prevalent in the Saint Jude Catholic Church downtown. We spent many hours praying, serving, meeting practical needs, talking, listening, and witnessing in creative ways.

Toña regaining strength in the rehab center.

Lastly, I've got some more good news stemming from our Mexico City street minstry, IDENTIDAD. Toña, a girl we've known since we began visiting these youth on the streets, finally decided to take the step to get off the streets and off drugs! :D She's currently in a rehab center that is Bible-based and helping her get stable again, healthwise, emotionally and spiritually. We praise God for the continued response and his hand working through this ministry. There are also another three potentials to come off, and we continue assessing each case and doing our best to help these teens who have become our friends. Please, please help us pray for finances for this ministry, because as encouraging as it is to have at least one person approach us for rehab each week we hit the streets, each person's recovery implicates costs, as well as our travel expenses to go to Mexico City each week, and then going out of town each week for the visits we have with those we've placed in the centers. We are currently spending about $150 a month for this ministry, and need more to partner with us.
So, for now, those are just a few of the encouraging things that are happening around here!
There's still a lot ahead for this summer, and while we're gearing up and preparing, we're also spending some time doing some "introspective" assessment as a base and staff. I will be taking a few weeks to refresh myself with God, regain strength, and attend to some personal matters, so ask for your prayers during this time as well.
Romans 15:2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

From the Inside Out.

2011-04-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

I suppose I could begin this blog writing an analogy about the figurative season changes as of late, however, I'll choose to go ahead and make it literal - SPRING IS HERE, and as the heat has increased in the past few weeks, the days seem to even shine brighter! Yes, I am a big fan of sun, and spring, and while not a fan at all of the pollens released, I love the new blossoms around.

Some of the RETO students

Things have been busy around the base, as we've continue to run the Reto discipleship group. We're also getting ready to take 15 of these teens on a short outreach to the Huasteca Region for Spring Break, where we'll present evangelistic programs using dramas, songs and choreographies they have prepared, share in churches, connect in the communities, and focus on team building and personal spiritual growth. It should be a great time of new experiences under the HOT sun, refreshing moments together and in the RIVER, and a different kind of opportunity for the group to put what they've been learning into practice; most of them are from cities, so getting out into some villages will be a change of pace and will give them new encounters and challenges. I'm pretty excited for it!

Another thing we've been up to here is with video production. A little over a week ago, we had a fellow YWAMer come and give us a three-day workshop on videography to be used for news, documentaries, promo, etc. This is something I've dabbled a little bit in, but it was really cool to be able to learn more and practice specific techniques and the like. We also got to work really quickly in putting together a promotional video for a few of our ministries: DTS and Reto Urbano, Skate ministry, and Mex. City Redemption ministries. The video is now up on youtube. It's in Spanish, but you're welcome to watch and understand what you can, and see images. Promo Video YWAM Pachuca

Redemption Ministry: Identidad

This past week we also visited the set of a Christian TV program that we were invited to share on. We went to Mexico City to record two half-hour programs that gave us as YWAM Pachuca a chance to share what God is doing in our midst. We also presented two dramas (something I hadn't had the chance to do in a long while, so that was exciting), Antes Ciego (the ministry's band) played, and we were able to share on this program that is aired nationally (and on youtube). We pray God will use it for his glory and purposes. I'll let you know when it's available for viewing on youtube!

Toñita at the base.

Please continue to join us in prayer for what God wants to do in these parts of the country. In the ministry with the youth on the streets (which now has a name!), opportunities continue to arise each week, and there has been increased numbers of teens asking for help to get off the streets. The ministry's name is Identidad (identity), and it is one of the Redemption Ministries (which refers to all of the Mexico City street ministries), as one of the strategies/goals is to redeem the identity of these youth in Christ. I'm grateful to say that yesterday we were able to take a young girl, Antonia, to a rehab center nearby! She's someone we've known since the ministry began, and have been working on her for the past three years. Tonia finally made the choice to get off the streets, and will need lots and lots of prayer, especially during these first few weeks. Please join us in supporting her in this way - much of the rehab is through God's word, and we know He is the one who transforms lives. I'll be able to have the first visit with Tonia on Easter Sunday.

We will also be seeing Ivan (the first guy to come off the streets through our ministry) when we go to the village this next week. He's been there with part of our family, enjoying his new life, working and growing in God. We praise the Father for the great work He's doing in Ivan's life, and know it will be good to share with him and work together this next week with the RETO group.

I want to close with a couple of lines from a book I'm currently reading that has been ministering to my heart, and I hope it will yours:

"The ones who will have the ear of the next generation are the ones whose ears can hear His voice. The more the world changes, the more God stays the same. Those who know Him will be highways of holiness and pathways of peace for the myriad that will soon look for a spring in this twenty-first-century desert." [Steve Fry, Rekindled Flame]

We are to seek God above all else. As things are constantly changing around us, I can attest to the uncertainties of many. Therefore, my life is to be a "highway of holiness", a "pathway of peace" that leads to the One who has the power, who knows the individual, and who works for the good of those who love him; but, I've first got to know the Father myself, spend intimate times with him, and let my heart be captivated in his presence.

May you enjoy your Spring Break and make good use of your time to go deeper with the Father and seek to hear his voice!

All my love!

Jesus showed an incredible respect for human freedom.

2011-03-15T22:59:00.001-06:00

After an unintended hiatus for several months, I'm getting back into writing. So much has gone on, and I have since seen many of you - it was great to be back in California for Christmas, and there have been numerous changes thus far in this year.

We are now living back in Pachuca, and are continuing the Mexico City ministry operating from there. As I write this, I am in Mexico City, after a day of street ministry, where we continue to try to spread God's love, truth and light in the darkness of these areas.

I have recently been learning a lot more about dependence on God and carrying one's own cross (ie. not the cross of others). There has been some personal discouragement for me within the ministry, as we've seen some of our friends seem to take steps backward. However, God has been teaching me more of his faithfulness and that I, like so many I witness to, need to fully depend on him. I want to share something a friend of mine shared with me not too long ago that has to do with this:

Jesus healed everyone who asked Him, but not everyone He met. He had the amazing, and rare, capacity to let people choose their own pain. He exposed Judas but did not try to prevent his evil deed; He denounced the Pharisees without trying to coerce them into His point of view; He answered a wealthy man’s question with uncompromising words and let him walk away. Mark pointedly adds this comment about the wealthy man who rejected Jesus’ advice, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Mark 10:21.

In short, Jesus showed an incredible respect for human freedom. He had no compulsion to convert the entire world in His lifetime or to cure people unready to be cured. Those of us in ministry need the kind of “Savior complex” that Jesus demonstrated...

While living among missionaries in Peru, Henri Nouwen concluded that the two most damaging motives among ministers are guilt and the desire to save. “The problem with guilt,” he observed, “is that it is not taken away by work….Guilt has roots deeper than can be reached through acts of service. On the other hand, the desire to save people from sin, from poverty, or from exploitation can be just as harmful, because the harder one tries the more one is confronted with one’s own limitations. Many hardworking men and women have seen the situation getting worse during their missionary career; and if they depended solely on the success of their work, they would quickly lose their sense of self-worth.” Nouwen concludes, “When we can come to realize that our guilt has been taken away and that only God saves, then we are free to serve, then we can live truly humble lives.” God works best through those who have a spirit of humility and gratitude.

As I continue to come closer to people's conflicts and downfalls, bondage and helplessness, I am reminded once again, that God is the one who saves. It is not until one has a real, personal encounter with God, that one can ever really be transformed... and even then, the process of transformation is at times rocky and wearying. However discouraging it may be for me to see people make decisions that go against the best that God has for them, it's not my calling to save. I am called to love and trust in God's power and faithfulness to continue to move people's hearts and reveal himself to them.

These have been important reminders and lessons for me lately, and was helpful for the time we spent in Mazatlan partnering with the YWAM base there in ministry during the Carnaval (Mardi Gras party a couple of weeks ago). I was part of an evangelism team, and was able to meet dozens of people and share God's love and truth with them, including young teens, vendors, police men, and an entire Mexican regional music band who all wanted to know more of Christ!

During the week we were there, I was given the chance to share a short conference with everyone who was a part of the ministry, and I'm thankful for continued opportunities to grow, put into practice, and share what God is teaching me at the time.

Now that I'm living back in Pachuca, I've been seeking God for the next steps to take with the ministries, how to keep growing personally and stay in tune with what God is doing in our midst.

On a side note, thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes. I am now 27 years old! It's incredible to think about, and for whatever reason, it seems to me that 27 is big. :) Anyways, life is good here in Mexico. Change is good. God is faithful!

All my love,

Meghan

Seasons.

2010-09-06T23:28:00.000-05:00

Reto Urbano Cycle 1

Reto Urbano Cycle 2

This week we’re coming up on the first follow-up weekend of RETO. I don’t know if you remember, but we started a youth training camp last year called Reto Urbano, which involved worship times, arts training to use in evangelism, team building exercises, conferences, etc. We held two cycles of Reto Urbano this past July, and were able to pour into 30 young people’s lives, ranging from 12-27 years old. It was a time where we really saw God break through in their lives and many not only left the RETO fired up, but have continued to grow and exercise their faith, starting outreaches in their youth groups, getting together and preparing food to pass out while making hospital visits, initiating gatherings to pray for their cities, etc. Something that always excites me is being able to experience when youth take what God has given them, begin to dream and walk out those dreams, and give glory to the Father. This is exactly the fruit we’re seeing from the RETO ministry, and it’s so cool! :D Something new about this RETO URBANO experience is that, starting in a few days, a select group of young people who participated in these week-long camps will be getting together for one weekend a month throughout the year to continue to train, grow and reach out to the needy. There will also be a short outreach during this training year, most likely during Spring Break of 2011. We are very excited to see God growing ministries and allowing us to invest in this Mexican generation - I know there will be some great fruits born by many of these youth!

Painting our apt. with Fresno Team

Shortly after the two weeks of RETO URBANO in July, the Fresno First Baptist group came down for a week! The time with them was a lot of fun as well, and I would say a very fruitful time. With this group of twelve, we were able to reach out to different parts of Mexico City, partnering together in our street ministry with the homeless, giving out hugs in the city plaza, partnering in prayer with churches, putting on street presentations, dancing kids’ songs in poor neighborhoods, and partaking in group worship and class times. All in all, God showed himself to be truly faithful and he blessed in abundance! It was really cool to have my mom down as part of the group and be directly involved in ministry outside of the base, as we do here in the City. She had never been a part of the street youth ministry before, for example, and I was really glad she got to be a part with me hands-on. It was also neat to see God use her as she got out and preached to a group of folks gathered to celebrate a Catholic saint; this celebration often ends with empty results, drunkenness, drugs and fighting. Another thing that I really enjoyed was being able to see many of the youth I used to work with as a jr. high leader all “grown up” and passionate to serve the Lord. (Thank you to those of you who came down and/or supported this team.)

Birthday with Ivan

Right after the Fresno team left, our Mexico City team had the chance to take a guided tour of the presidential house/offices. I was hoping to meet the president, but he didn’t come out to greet us. :( Oh well, it was cool enough to see around and be able to pray in one of the sites where so many crucial decisions are made as pertains to this country.

Presidential House

Ministry has carried on and continues to develop, thank God. Ivan is doing really well after a couple of months in rehab centers in Pachuca. We got to celebrate his birthday with him at the base in July, and he has grown so much in the Lord; the transformation that is taking place in his life is so evident and contagious! I’m hoping to get to visit him within the next couple of weeks to check in and see how he’s been doing more recently.

I was able to get in a couple of breaks this past couple of months as well, as I was able to go to Acapulco for the first time ever! We drove (Ricardo drove) all night to get into town. I went down to the beach with Citlali, and took Brianna for her first beach experience, we rested up a bit and were able to be there for a couple of friends’ wedding. We had a great time getting away, experiencing new places (and shrimp on the beach), and well, with a beautiful beach like the one we were at, it would have been hard not to be grateful! The following weekend, I was able to go to yet another wedding, this time in Baja California. So, I was able to spend a few days with my “family” there, and also attend another friend’s wedding, helping translate the ceremony and reception. It was a lot of fun to be there with them and other friends as well.

Presentations with Reto Urbano

And now, after lots of work and a little play, it’s back to a busy season! Immediately following this weekend’s RETO, we’ll receive a DTS team from the Tijuana base for a little over a month, and at the end of October, will be going to the leader’s meetings in Guadalajara, as well as YWAM’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Ministry

Please join me in praying for strength and energy for these months ahead. I have a lot of design work to do, as well, as we’re producing more promotional/informational material to take to Guadalajara, I’m designing various things for the RETO ministry, as well as working on designs for a worship CD project Ricardo and other staff/volunteers have been putting together. I love doing it, and I’m very thankful I get to use the gifts God’s given me, but time is of the essence!

Much love!

"I want to draw near to God... I just don't know how."

2010-08-31T23:12:00.002-05:00

Last week as we came around the bend of the boulevard, nearing the median where are friends on the street had lived for over a year, we dropped our heads upon seeing the whole area cleared, dirty rags tied to tree trunks that once sustained a stretched tarp as a roof. Once again, the homeless crew was left with even less than before, run out from another area of the city. Now, I don't speak for or against, but do know the reality and consequences this causes for the crew of Bolivar. Rut and I later visited their temporary shelter, the "Mansion" as they called it. We shrunk down (well, I more than Rut who's just over 5ft.) to duck under the sheet metal covering, and enter the property of a large abandoned house. I have to be honest, when the guys told us they were staying in an abandoned house with others, my thought was, "thank God, they've got a roof over their head." However, as we walked up and into the small dark room, and listened as Jordy whispered to us (so as for other guys around not to hear), telling us what life was like for them currently, I thought twice. This is a place where druggies stay, robbers hide out, cops come in unannounced and with full "authority" to do whatever they want upon whatever suspicions they may have, other armed guys hang around, etc. Our friends don't feel safe, have lost their bearings, and have to be careful when exiting the property, as another crew in an abandoned building across the street will often threaten and throw rocks and cement chunks at them. There's so much spiritual need. Their situation sucks. Poverty sucks. Drugs suck. Deceit sucks. Our only hope, our only cry that day and today is, "God move!"

We showed up again today, praying and open to what God might open up. Only a couple of people we knew were at the "usual spot" as we approached. We said "hi" and began to pick up trash, immediately offered help by a twenty-year-old Honduran who we'd never seen before. Cori and Neil ended up talking more at length with him and a long story short, Gerson's final thoughts before falling asleep last night were about his "life before": a Christian family, desires to be a youth pastor, a missionary... Then, for some God-reason, he found himself at Bolivar today (hours earlier than he usually would go), talking to missionaries, people who knew God and cared for him... Gerson wept uncontrollably to be so reminded of God's presence in his life and longing for him to come "home". Cori and Neil were able to encourage Gerson and challenge him to return to what he knew was right. Shedding God's truth and light on him, Gerson confessed his need and desire to come back to the Lord.

Down the steps of Bolivar, another "new guy" was sitting and getting high. He approached Rut and me, and we began to talk. Alejandro shared his current problems of going through the army, joining the police force, and being fired for no apparent reason. He was disoriented and seemed at the end of his rope. Lost. Unable to cover his expenses. Far from his family. Lost. As we opened the Bible and shared with Alejandro, God used us to speak to him, not only about his material circumstances but spiritual as well. After more than an hour of conversing, reading, small talk with other visitors, Alejandro confessed, "I want to draw near to God... I just don't know how. What do you recommend I do?" The conversation continued... and I believe that Alejandro reached a point where God can take over - a willing, repentant heart, open to follow.

Much of the rest of the Bolivar crew showed up before we left, so we were able to spend some time with them as well. Each time, they are more receptive and participative in the lessons. Since most of their belongings were taken away with their shelter a week ago, we were glad to be able to offer them a bit of clothing that was donated.

On a side note, we continue meeting and connecting with prostitution workers each week as we paste posters filled with messages and verses of hope. God has arranged other divine appointments as well, and is at work in these high-risk areas.

Verse of the day

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." Psalm 95:6-7

Psalm 34:4a "I sought the LORD, and he answered me."

2010-07-02T23:11:00.001-05:00

This year started out with a lot of unknowns and has proven to be unique; I've been reminded to always expect the unexpected.

One thing I had not planned at all was to really travel much at all until December (when I'll be going to Guatemala to be in a wedding, and then Cali for Christmas and another wedding). However, the unexpected came along and God blessed me with the chance to head to Cali this past month - for just a few days - but to go nonetheless, and see my mom and close friends, along with visiting churches and families of the ministry. That was a huge blessing in and of itself, and in addition to that, I'll have the opportunity to go to Baja California in August, where I'll be translating a friend's wedding and will also be able to visit with some dear friends for a few days! Getaways like these really bless me and, although the traveling is usually pretty tiring, the visits refresh me.

If I were to have guessed four months ago (when moving to Mexico City) what life would be like now, I don't think I would've expected it to be so "right." I know a lot of the feeling before the move was, "well, we'll see what happens and how things go down." I knew and expected God to be faithful and provide, but didn't know what that would look like, and I guess I just look at where I am right now, and once again, things are "right." I know God has me where he wants me, and I'm trying hard to grow in the ways and areas he wants me to. It's been a huge blessing to be involved with the street ministry - and, although I must confess, there are plenty of days where I really have to go running on decision and love, because it's not always easy - I see God moving. He is undoubtedly moving, and the youth are opening up; the neatest thing is we are getting to know a lot of them so well that we recognize these small changes and openings and are able to act on them. Please continue to pray for discernment and right words, actions, opportunities.

As I mentioned, the ministry is not always easy, and this past week was especially hard, yet rewarding at the same time. The hard part was (and I knew this day would come, although I couldn't have ever been prepared for it) that for the first time, one of our friends who was out on the streets passed away. Young twenty-something Noe's body gave out on him as he was rushed to the hospital for what seems to have been emergency surgery on a ruptured intestine, where he went into cardiac arrest. (Noe pictured breakdancing). There are so many thoughts that go through ones mind at times like these, and we so long for those who are left to come to know God and allow him to transform their entire being; this very thing is actually something that counters the hard news we received a couple of days ago, Wednesday. For awhile now, we've had certain guys who we've been able to further invest in, who we've been reading the Word with, and been able to mentor and disciple. Ivan is one of them, and this past week (for the first time as well, and something I had been anxiously awaiting), we were able to take a friend off the street! Ivan is someone we met two years ago, and have come to know and love. In the past few months, Ivan began to show a special interest in God, in changing his life, and getting off drugs and the streets. Ivan had his day on Wednesday, and how special it has been. To see his face light up when finding out he'd be coming to Pachuca to be registered in a Christian rehab center, to experience how the "heaviness" he felt as he said good-bye to friends was turned into a "lightness" and peace given by God is something I praise God for over and over. Oh, how I've longed to see fruit, to see people "get it, get God." And I honestly don't invest so much into these guys just to see things happen - I really trust in God that he's at work either way. However, it's so wonderful to be able to see fruit! Having Ivan decide to pour out his remaining drug in the middle of the street, hearing him excitedly talk about his "homework" of looking up Bible passages, witnessing him discover God being personal with him and intervening in his life... that's stuff that fills the heart when you think about it, right?! THANK YOU, LORD! (Ivan pictured with fellow staff and me).

So, there have been ups and downs, but God comes through and "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Rom. 8:28).

On a similar note, I have a (really big) update on Sandra and Yesna's family that I will briefly comment here: their mom, Mayra, went through two months in a Christian rehab center, and the Word has changed her life! She's off drugs, continues to eagerly learn more about God, grasps her identity in him, and is recovering her motherly role with her daughters. She currently lives here at the Pachuca base (along with Sandra, Yesna and now, Michel, the youngest) and is helping out with the cooking, which she really enjoys. Today's my first day interacting with the family in this setting, and it's so encouraging to see yet more fruit of the God-given labor begun years ago. The family will be living here at the base for the time being, and Mayra receives a small offering that she uses to help the girls with their school transportation and personal items. Steps are being taken to get this family back on their feet and independent, though for now, they remain under our wing, and we're so glad they're able to!

For these next two weeks, we are in Pachuca and will be running another two cycles of the Reto Urbano (Urban Challenge) youth missions experience and training. During the Reto we will be discipling and training some 60-70 youth, so please pray for God's will in each one to be done, including us staff!

Shortly after the Reto ends, a team of 14 will be coming down from Fresno First Baptist! We will host them mainly in Mexico City, and will have some time in Pachuca as well. Please pray for unity of the team, our planning, and for lives to be touched by God during this time. We rejoice when our family from other parts of the world are able to join alongside us in the ministry, and know God opens doors and works the land through them. I, obviously, am especially enthused for this particular group, and look forward to spending time and learning by their side... here in my home!

To all my beloved, near and far away, you are appreciated.

If you would be interested in supporting Ivan or others who are beginning new lives off the streets, please let me know. Giving from the heart, as "little" as it may seem, goes a long way here. Thanks for your prayerful consideration.

Home

2010-05-24T01:14:00.002-05:00

Ahh... where has the time gone? I feel so at home now in Mexico City, and I continue to hone my navigational skills as we travel throughout the 1,160 sq. miles of my new home the by bus, mini-bus, micro-bus, mini-micro-bus (okay), train, metro, trolley and of course plenty on foot.

We've been able to partner with hundreds of other young people in reaching the city: with the MegaCities ministry, visiting DTS groups, youth groups and more. We were able to spend a few days with several YWAM base and regional leaders from all over the Americas, and it was a lot of fun and encouragement to hear some of their stories and fellowship with many of those who have such great experiences to share from their walk with God, challenges and growth in leadership, cross-cultural insights, etc.

Most of the past couple of months was spent here in Mexico City, although the first couple of weeks of May offered us a highly-contrasting life-style, as we headed to the mountains of the Huasteca Hidalgüense and Potosina.

It's been very touching to see God's hand move each week we visit our street ministry sites. Walls around hearts are gradually being broken down and we know it's been by God's spirit. Of the several friends we have made on the streets, there are a handful who have opened up in this last month to let more of God's light shine in - there are about four who show signs of wanting a change, a few who have asked for help in seeing that happen in their lives. We thank God that at this specific time we also have new contacts with Christian rehab centers, and we hope to be able to take some of our friends their soon! Please pray for willing spirits and strong willpower, as none of these centers are by force; each young person will have to hang tough during the process, and we are coaching them for that right now.

On the flip side of these street experiences, we also took a DTS outreach of 20 young people to the villages in the Huasteca, where we were able to partake in various community service projects. God once again opened a number of doors to public schools, and we were able to motivate and challenge the students and teachers there. Another cool thing while pueblo-hopping is that part of the plan with this DTS was to visit a couple of villages that we had never been to before, in fact they were towns hardly any foreigner has ever gone to! Here's the story: when Ricardo was giving us the low-down on the plans and such, he mentioned two villages to go to: a so-called "huichi-something-or-other" and another that (from all that I recalled) "started with a 'T' and had 'tl' in it." So, first pueblo, Huichintla, a sucess! Next day, T and tl - town! So, we loaded up the vehicles, our guide with me in the car, who was so nice as to check with me again, "Tultitlán, right?" "Yeah, TultiTLan, that's it!" was my response. And we headed off... very promptly onto some rather pot-holed dirt roads (2 vans and my Honda, of course!). And we continue... 15, 20, 25 minutes, each advance sketchier and trickier as I maneuvered my baby through what seemed like trenches as the car sat even lower to the ground with myself and 4 other guys crammed in.

"Hermano, do you think Ricardo has been to this town?" (I found myself wondering why Rich wouldn't have at least mentioned the condition of the road being as it were.)

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure he's been here."

"Hmm... okay," I thought, and we continued.

As the sun set we finally cleared the mountain road and pulled into town. Once we'd talked to the town delegate, we were given the okay to present in the main town area and the students split off to invite the community as we stayed back to set things up and ask more about the place. Come to find out after collaborating everyone's stories, there is a lot of "division" in Tultitlán, religious division that is. One Christian lady told of how the townspeople had gotten together to sign a petition to kick her out because she was Christian, how no-one had been to the town to evangelize in fourteen years, and how grateful she was that we were there because she had been praying! Others mentioned how outsiders rarely visited, and much less foreigners. We were also told of how much gossip and envy and not-nice things are stirred up within the community, which we conveyed to the rest of the group. Then the presentation began - a message of God's wonderful creation, gone astray and called back into truth - represented through drama, ballet, mime, song and choreography. I would estimate there were perhaps 150 people from the community there.

Afterwards, we were able to talk with many families, children, and elderly, each with their own story, each having been touched by God that night. I spent a good while talking with alcohol addict, a man who wanted to be set free and draw near to God, and I know there were dozens more who at very least caught a glimpse of God's love through the presentation, prayer, talks with the group members, and being in God's light that night. I confidently say that it was by God's design, his purpose and moving that we went to Tultitlán that night. Know why? Because come back home, as I'm reporting on the night and how things went in Tultitlán to Ricardo's mom (who we were staying with), she states, "Oh, so you didn't go to TaxcaTLa..."

(or something like that). I never did learn the real name of where we were planning to go, but I'm sure glad God allowed me to get it all wrong... so that it would all go so right.

Until next time! Be attentive to what God may speak, reveal or conspire... even when you least expect it.

Patience in the waiting.

2010-03-29T16:22:00.001-06:00

Throughout the last month we were able to visit a couple of churches and give evangelism trainings, which were fruitful and encouraging for both parties. After being with a certain youth group two Saturdays, one girl shared at the end something like, "Before I didn't really understand evangelism... and now I see that it has to be my life-style, that I need to set an example and be showing who God is through every aspect of my life, and not just on Sundays in church." It was very encouraging to be able to invest in this group of teenagers, and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to move in and through them.

We've also begun to implement a new strategy with the street ministry, and are visiting the groups who live out on the streets every Tuesday afternoon, using different techniques to reinforce Biblical values that speak into their lives. We will be sharing with them through one of the following ways each week: team-building exercises and activities, practical service (serving them and the area around them), Bible lessons, crafts, and hygiene. There are certain families and individuals who we are seeking to disciple on a more personal/one-on-one level, and pray for God to touch the hearts of others for us to identify and focus on more intentionally. We praise God for increased opportunities in the City, and are expectant for Him to do much more.

Now, after the last blog, it seems I left off when we thought we were going to be renting a 3 bed-room apartment downtown. Well, long story short, that place didn't turn out; the day we went to sign the contract, there were extra expenses that we hadn't been notified of, and in short, made it way out of our budget - so, don't sign and look for another place, right? Well, by this time, we had already been required to give a deposit, and the rental company refused to give us the amount in full, etc. etc. etc. To this day, we are still battling with them, and fighting for at least 80% of the amount we gave. Thankfully, there is a Christian lawyer who is helping us out free of charge, and since the day of the supposed contract signing, we began once again to look for a place to live.

We knocked on so many doors and tried numerous options, but whenever we thought something was going to turn out, something always seemed to go wrong at the last minute or a door was slammed in our face, etc. We continued to stay in temporary places, living out of suitcases, and trying our best to seek God on the issue while at the same time continuing with ministry.

I am happy to report that after five weeks of being blessed by friends opening their homes for us to stay, we can finally say we have a place of our own! It was through one of the evangelism trainings that this opportunity came our way, which is really neat, because honestly, we can't say we had anything to do with it, other than that we were obedient to God's call to serve in a particular church one Sunday afternoon. Here's how it went down: after sharing with some members of the church who were preparing for an open-air program the following weekend, one church member asked for the others to keep praying for us, the group of missionaries, and our problem with housing. Later that night, as we were having dinner at our friend's house, one of the guys who had been at the church that afternoon called up asking what the problem was. Our friend went on to inform him that we had issues with the deposit, etc. etc., and that we were still looking for somewhere to live. "Ah, I see. Well, the thing is, I have an apartment that I've been trying to sell, but have decided not to, and I'd like for the group to take a look at it and see if it might be something they'd be interested in," the man (Rogelio) began to tell her. Reader, are you ready for this? Rogelio went on to say, "it's a three-bed, two-bath apartment... the only problem is that it has furniture..." The PROBLEM is the furniture! :P Oh, wow. Well, we went to see the place and talk with Rogelio the next day, and have been very very blessed since. He was willing to leave whatever furniture that could be of use to us and remove whatever we didn't need or want (so, we have a desk, a vanity, fridge, stove, dishes, dining room table...). As far as rent, he asked for whatever we'd be able to pay, that we could stay as long or short as we needed, and that there would be no need for a contract - all he wanted was to serve God and felt that God was telling him to offer this to us. God confirmed that to us, and we have since gone to help Rogelio paint the apartment. Today Cori and I leave from Pachuca to take the bunk beds and our personal items to the new place, and will officially move in next Saturday the 3rd. God has really come through in providing this home for us for the next while.

Thank you to the many who have been fervently praying for us. We are so grateful for every experience that God is bringing us through, and know that He is sustaining us every step of the way.

I look forward to posting pictures soon, and telling of more things that God reveals to us along the way.

A Fresh Breath

2010-03-17T13:37:00.001-06:00

These trees are in bloom all over the city, and are a symbol for me of God's calming beauty and creation amidst a world full of noise, traffic and man-made construction.

Mexico City Rythm

2010-03-10T23:09:00.002-06:00

Greetings from Mexico City, my new home... all the while still actually looking for a "home!" We've been living in the City now for two weeks, and although there have been some difficult adjustments, we've been blessed to be here. Living in the City means a faster-paced rhythm, higher stress potentials, increased health risks and pressures of different kinds - emotional, spiritual and physical. On the other hand, it also includes exposure and accessibility to a world of arts, history and culture, and multiple opportunities to serve God and people.

As we've been making the various adjustments to our new lives in Mexico City, we've been staying with a family from a local church, whose daughter is also a YWAMer currently in Spain. They have been very hospitable and a huge blessing to us. They have even agreed to co-sign on the apartment we want to rent, which was a huge need in itself (more on this later)! We've also been making various contacts in our new home, learning about other existing ministries, and serving the local church and community where we can. I was able to translate for a YWAMer, born in Ireland, raised in England, and now serving with a base in Australia, here in Mexico City last week. He gave a seminar on Biblical Worldview, which is something that is really pertinent to the Mexican church right now (and all other countries as well). The experience really opened my eyes to how much need and opportunity there is for us especially as YWAMers to disciple and train the church to be more effective in their society. I think God has given us many tools and teaching methods, and I have been inspired to seek out more opportunities to use them. For these next two Saturdays we'll be working with a youth group, training them in evangelism, so that will be exciting. There are also numerous ministry opportunities coming up with MegaCities and the street ministries that we have. We are strategizing about how to further the ministries, and look forward to going every Tuesday to disciple them through activities, teachings, and whatever else God shows us.

Please keep praying for the MegaCities project, which had its official kick-off last Saturday March 5th. There were hundreds of YWAMers there and local church members as well. It was a great time of worship, prayer and unity. However, there are many issues and oppositions that are coming up along the way as well, so we need your prayer for God to break through. My mom was down this same weekend as well, so we were able to experience this time together. The two of us were able to spend some time together in both Mexico City and Pachuca, and although short, I was blessed by the time she was here.

So, here we are! I continue to learn as God teaches me patience, faith, trust and dependence on Him, and just allows me to grow overall. Like I said, we still don't have a place of our own; however, we actually went last Saturday to drop off our application for a 3-bedroom apartment near the downtown area of the City, and are waiting back for the reply. This is one of the bigger areas where God is teaching me. The apartment we are applying for requires a substantial leap of faith in finances, and we are trusting in God that if He leaves things open for us to go through with this apartment, then He will provide for every payment and more. It has been neat to see How God has already provided a couch, a fridge, and some dishes for us; and now we continue to wait expectantly to have our own living room and kitchen to use them in!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. May God continue to bless you with an abundant life that can be found in Christ Jesus.

Meghan

PS: I almost forgot! I was also able to celebrate my 26th bday a couple of weeks ago, so thank God for that! I was able to go out with friends and also celebrate with one of the daughters here at the house we're staying at, who turned 40 on the same day.

¡La Victoria es del Señor!

2010-02-20T15:53:00.001-06:00

Today's Saturday, and it's hard to believe that I will no longer consider Pachuca as my "home." Packing up three years here and sorting through what to take and what to leave is what has been on the agenda for the past few days. However, before getting into that, I want to take this time to share a bit about a week we spent with the YWAM base in Mazatlán serving alongside them in the ministry they organize during the time of the "Carnaval" (equivalent of New Orlean's Mardi Gras).

Seven of us from Pachuca hopped in a van one Monday morning and headed off to the coast 13 hours away. Thank God, we had no vehicle troubles and didn't get lost on the way - in fact, we even arrived earlier than expected! We then split ourselved up and spent the next five days partnering with about 85 others in the base ministry in: Remnant (a skateboard ministry), evangelism groups, a free coffee shop, a free beauty salon, a children's club, and prayer group (where I plugged myself in). The focus of every ministry was to touch people with God's love in practical ways. The premise/atmosphere of Carnaval very typically is drinking, sex, drugs, party, infidelity, carelessness, etc. A large part of what God put it on our hearts to pray for in this time was for that same spirit of Carnaval to change; for people to go looking for one thing and to find something completely different. These were words that came to pass, and I was able to see first-hand how God's Spirit moved through the place and in people's hearts. When families, young adults, married couples, men and women of all ages would walk into the place where we were set up, they would often say how much they felt a peace there; that although things were chaotic or insecure out on the street, they felt safe where we were - without a doubt, that was God's very presence.

In the prayer ministry I was a part of, sometimes we would all stay together and worship, other times we would split up into teams and pray in strategic areas God pointed us to, sometimes we would go pray for individuals, in some cases we would feel God telling us to go in one certain direction and He would reveal the purpose along the way, leading us to pray into and/or against certain things, etc. Much of what we would do through prayer is provide the spiritual covering for all the ministries taking place around us. The days were long (we would be "on" from about 10am to 3am, rotating teams from 2am to 2pm for two-hour prayer sessions at a time so there would be prayer 24-hours a day), and it was emotionally, physically and spiritually tiring; we really had to lean into God for rest and strength. On one night in particular, we were in our regular worship time with all the ministries together, which started around 7:30-8:00pm, I was just having a really hard time focusing in - there was a kid running around and others goofing off right in front of me, and in short, just a lot of things distracting me. So, I decided to just close my eyes, raise my hands, and will to worship. Not long after that, a strong whiff of beer reached me, and I opened my eyes to see a man (maybe in his mid-thirties) standing not too far from me. I didn't recognize him and probably would have even thought he was someone from the local church if it hadn't have been for the alcohol on his breath. We next moved into a time of prayer for those standing around us, so I got next to this guy and prayed for him. He then shortly after began telling me of how he had been drinking but then saw this place, and came in and left the beer at the door, and knew he was wrong, etc. "Wow," I thought, "God I'm guessing you've dropped this guy into my path for some reason, huh?" So, we began to talk and the talking turned to shouting as the music got louder and louder, until finally we went to the back of the room, where I was able to share some more with Eleuterio (whose birthday is actually today, Feb. 20). Terio shared about who he was, why he had come in to where we were, his thoughts on God, and what he talked about gave me the understanding that he wasn't willing to give himself over to God - although I could tell his heart was somewhat prepared and touched, it was still hardened to change. We went back inside and listened to a pastor friend share a short message, and as he was finishing up, Eleuterio got up and left the building (signaling to me that he would be "right back"). Well, the "right back" turned into 10, 15, 20 minutes. "Did he go off to finish his beer or what? Agh, he's got to come back. God, you've got to bring this guy back! I know he's going to meet you personally tonight..." were thoughts that ran through my mind...

The worship session ended and the rest of the crew went off to set up the café, get the salon going, etc., and there I was in front waiting and praying for this guy to get back when I look up and here he comes... with two sodas in hand! "Man, I didn't think it'd be that far! You probably thought I wasn't coming back, huh?" Eleuterio told me, smiling. We moved over to the café and then spent the next few hours talking, reading different stories from the Bible, relating Biblical truths to everyday life, and I was so taken aback to really share in Terio's experience of how the words of the Word came to life in front of him as this young man who didn't even have an elementary school education would pick up the Bible and stumble through the passages, delighting in what it had to tell. When I next looked at the time, it was already 12-something AM, and I could see how the layers of Terio's heart had melted away with each passing hour. I then reminded him again that God had set before him life and death, blessing and curses, and it was up to him to choose which way he wanted to go; and Eleuterio then began to share how 'even he' could be a missionary, "I mean, I don't have to travel far at all; it's just about telling people about who God is wherever I am, right?" and "I want to change. I need to change. I'm willing to do my part and trust in God to do His." This was followed by Terio asking God for forgiveness and giving the control over to Him! "My family thought I was going to come home all drunk and messed up, and they worried for my safety, but now I'm going to get home early, safe and sound, and man are they going to be surprised!" Praise God! Praise God! We said our good-byes around 1:00 am, and I could not thank God enough for the four-hour battle he used me in. The victory is the Lord's.

Please pray for Terio to get his hands on a Bible, as I was only able to give him a New Testament. He really wants to read it all, and also desires to be part of a congregation. He works out in a remote area where there is no Christian church, so join us in prayer in asking God to open the doors perhaps for a new job and the opportunity for Eleuterio to continue to be fed, to learn to trust in God more, and to be a light wherever he goes.

The harvest was so ripe in Carnaval, and we thank God so much for moving and moving us like He did - hundreds were able to meet him and experience His unconditional love in a place where fear, emptiness and lack of identity abounded. Each member of our team grew during this time, and I know I really learned a lot as my faith grew and God spoke various things to me. Oh! (I almost forgot) I was also given the opportunity to give the message in one of the night sessions, which is a whole other story, but another way that God showed me his faithfulness in more ways than one.

And now, may I briefly update you on the latest plans for our Mexico City team. Things have not gone as we thought they would, and the doors to rent certain apartments we found have slammed shut. We thought we'd have moved in by now, but have yet to find a place to live. However, we do still believe that God wants us there, so for the next couple of weeks we will be staying with a couple from one of the churches we've partnered with in Mexico City, and pray to find a permanent place by the first week of March. Please keep praying for this! We've got the word out to numerous pastors and fellow believers, seeing as how it we're going to have to rent from someone who will be willing to trust in us and understand what it is we're doing in the City (apartment companies and most renters ask for proof of substantial income and the like, which as missionaries, we simply can't legally verify, as we really don't have God-signed pay stubs!). So, Monday morning we'll grab our suitcases and head into the City, leaving behind other packed boxes ready to take when we have our own place to move into. There's a lot of work ahead, including training local church groups, partnering with the MegaCities teams who are already arriving, and lots and lots of prayer. The "official" kick-off for MegaCities will be March 6, so we are excited for all that brings as well. Please be praying for this effort as well, as it involves lot of logistics and really good communication, cultural differences, and the need to keep our eyes on God.

Our team now consists of: Cori, Rut, Neil, James (a fellow YWAMer from the Tijuana base who will partner with us for two months), Ricardo (who will be supporting from Pachuca) and myself.

YWAM Pachuca team on the move to Mexico City...

2010-01-24T23:03:00.000-06:00

... what was it Jesus said about the Son of Man having no place to lay his head? Well, it seems we're following in his footsteps right now!

As many of you have heard, 2010 has been a highly anticipated year for Mexico, as it celebrates both the 200th anniversary of Independence and 100th anniversary of the Revolution. For me personally it brings several changes, and one giant leap of faith I have felt led to take is in leading a team from YWAM Pachuca into Mexico City (the base in Pachuca will continue to run as well).

As of now, there are four of us – Cori, Rut, Neil and I – who will be making the move to the City as soon as we find a place to live. We are currently hitting the streets on the search for a small house where the four of us could live, allowing room for visiting teams to stay as well, or an apartment that would house at least the four of us. As far as finances and logistics are looking right now, we’ll most likely end up taking the latter option as we get started.

When talking about this move, it’s exciting and very challenging at the same time. The truth is, moving into Mexico City with our motives to spread God’s kingdom is not something to be taken lightly. Mexico City is a place with a heavy atmosphere, spiritually and literally, and we need to be just as heavily covered in prayer. Please pray for unity for our team, for finances, health, no problems with the government (as three of the four of us are foreigners), and strategy. We seek to further develop the street ministries we currently have (with at-risk youth on the street and prostitution workers); please pray for vision and open doors for these ministries to advance. We just spent a day last week hosting a DTS from the Mazatlán base, went out to the ministry, and found another dozen or so young adults living out on the streets next to where we usually visit who hadn’t been there before. I am constantly reminded of how many lives are at-risk and within our reach; living in the City will allow us to have more consistent presence with these groups.

The plan once we find a place is to move in and get to know the area, neighborhood, needs, people and prayer points. We will spend much time in intercession seeking God as to what He wants to move in and through us. We don’t have any groups scheduled until June, although we invite any groups who would want to come down before then to partner with us in prayer, ministry, and the like. We will be working alongside the MegaCities ministry, which is a year-long undertaking that will bring thousands of missionaries into Mexico City to partner with local churches and ministries (including our team) to evangelize, train and minister to the lost, starting in March and going until February 2011. We will be in the City just as long if God allows, however, for now, we are focusing on what’s in front of us and being obedient to God’s call of just moving in.

As always, thank you for your support! If you are not currently giving, would you please prayerfully consider? This effort will require more finances on my part personally, as will the ministry. A gift of as “little” as $15 a month would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

Meghan

Worth the Read - Pt. 1

2010-01-17T23:29:00.001-06:00

"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD

His going forth is as certain as the dawn;

And He will come to us like the rain

Like the spring rain watering the earth."
Hosea 6:3

As I sit here at my desk in Pachuca and think about the past three months since I’ve written anything here, my mind floods with memories of new experiences, unexpected encounters, and innumerable blessings. With God’s grace, I was able to lead our DTS students on our two-month outreach, was able to enjoy a well-spent vacation over the holidays, and am now gearing up to make the move into one of the world’s largest cities, Mexico City!

It’s amazing how much can happen in two months, and so I’ll try my best to sum up what was an incredible, stretching, miraculous, intense, rewarding, blessed and learned-from outreach experience from October to December.

In mid-October we loaded up our two vans and headed toward the Huasteca, a four-hour drive that turned into quite an experience as the heavens poured down on us just about the whole way, and about 20min from our destination, caused a big mudslide right in our path (take note: from day 1 God’s hand of protection was upon us, as it appeared the ‘slide had just taken place before we arrived). Although a bit delayed, we arrived in Huitzitzilingo, Hidalgo that evening and were able to invest a week’s worth of service for the community, including painting projects (elementary school, pharmacy, library, speed bumps, a house), English classes, churches, sports ministry and evangelism. One of my highlighted experiences was attending a “conference” at the local jr. high where our students were able to present dramas, music and a short teaching with the message focused on dreaming and achieving great things in life. Many of these students, as well as a majority of the community, tend to have a limited view of what life is all about, and although we weren’t able to share it on stage in front of the whole school, we had the opportunity to share the true motivation for and possibility of dreaming big these kids can have when they know God. So, after a week of long days and hard work, picking up a bit of Nahuatl (the local language), swimming in the river, and eating some really good home-cooked meals, we headed out to another area of the same mountainous region, Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosí.

Tamazunchale welcomed us with the invitation to put on an evangelistic program in an outskirted community, and enjoy a giant “zacahuil” (a traditional eat kind of similar to a huge tamal, stuffed with an entire turkey and cooked underground). We would enjoy many other treats as we went through the week as well, as we went to one to three schools a day where they would thank us for our visit with enchiladas (also typical of the region), chicken, tamales, etc. In Tama and the surrounding towns we had the opportunity to reach thousands of students and teachers at the elementary thru college level, giving presentations on values, such as obedience, hard work and vision; at several of the schools we were also given the opportunity to talk with the students and teachers one on one, where we were able to encourage them on a personal level and share about our personal experiences. The visits left the doors wide open at the schools we went to and still others who have opened their doors for future visits from other teams! While in town, we also preached at and encouraged a few of the local churches, whom we were blessed by in return. Another amazing experience we were given was being able to preach in remote communities around, including visiting one small village that had a previous negative experience with Christian missionaries, and were not “welcoming” to other Christians. Despite this, we joined with the local Christian few and went out to the community inviting the locals to the presentation; by the end of the night, we were able to really pray into the area and talk with a number of families and townspeople. God moved in the schools and the towns, and by this time in outreach, the DTS had gotten a feel for what it is to serve the lost – something that launched us into a completely different setting in Mexico City.

Serving in Mexico City alongside the DTS students was a very special experience for me. As it was most definitely tiring and pressing (as life in any big city is, and even more so when you add in the spiritual forces going against you), this was a week where I experienced much of the results of faith and prayer. Part of leading the outreach also implicated handling the finances of the team. We had seen God use our cooks to stretch a dime and provide for us through meals given us at schools, however, going into Mexico City, it was to be a whole week of paying for and preparing our own meals and increased costs in transportation. Be that as it may, to all of our surprise (which, knowing our God, really shouldn’t have been as such), when we got to the church where we were going to be staying and I sat down to talk with the pastor, she informed me that they had already bought a gas tank (which meant access to hot showers), and that the church members were eager to cook for us, many out of their own pocket. She didn’t want any of the families to “miss out” on the blessing it would be to serve us in this way. Wow, they really did serve us and blessed us beyond imagination! Along with God’s provision of finances, he provided transportation through church members, and also protected us as we trooped around the big city, visited with the youth on the streets, and showed genuine love to prostitution workers. Mountains were moved in the spiritual realm as we prayed with people out on the streets and got down to a personal level them. It was so neat to watch our students take on God’s eyes as they got down onto the filthy concrete to hug a homeless pregnant girl, grabbing the guitar and singing for young guys on drugs, hugging on worn and weary ladies working the streets and more; it was as if my heart were over-inflated with gladness at seeing a generation compassionately caring for those who my soul breaks for as well.

I’d like to share another short story of something that happened as we partnered with one of the churches in Mexico City. One of our contacts had set the weekend up for us to work with this particular church, and the first day we arrived, I pretty much discovered that there wasn’t a whole lot planned for the day (good thing we YWAMers have “flexibility” practically seared on our foreheads!). After talking through numerous ideas with the pastor and church leaders, which went something like this: ME: “if there’s a park, we can present dramas and a children’s program” HIM: “No park nearby.” ME: “any open area – a court, a market, anywhere people pass by...” PASTOR: “No, there’s not really any of that around here... We kind of thought about passing out tracts on the street... it's not really a residential area...” And so it went; after investigating possibilities of entering the health clinic nearby and being denied access, God brought together something that turned out pretty incredible! The church was to hold a service that night and wanted to invite people, along with evangelism in their area, so what ended up happening was we got out the sound system and set it up on the busy street in front and had Christian music playing off of CD’s and live from our DTS students. Those who weren’t playing went down to the corners to pass out material, talk with people passing by and in their cars, and invite folks to church. Later on that night, the students presented a couple of songs and dramas in front of some of the church members, other outside families, and homeless guys off the streets. God spoke through us in great ways to a struggling Christian family and a couple of young homeless guys, whose hearts were touched and broken at experiencing God first-hand. I personally praise God for the chance to have a long conversation with one of them, and also to have been used in this church – I think it was the first time they had ever had any homeless person or drug addict inside the church doors, and I believe their eyes were opened to the world around them that awaits the invitation to know God...

... to be continued.

Worth the Read - Pt. 2

2010-01-17T23:12:00.003-06:00

Journal entry Nov 23, 2009: "In these past two months I've been: a caretaker, a barber, a construction worker/plasterer, a teacher, a translator, an ambulance, a nurse, a mechanic, a mother, an intercessor, a big sister, an accountant & administrator, a chauffeur, a problem solver, a painter, a chef, a waitress & a dish-washer, an advice-giver, and a physical therapist... Some of these things are a part of who I am; others are just things I do, but in the end I thank God that I'm just one of His daughters seeking to establish His Kingdom on Earth."

I now pick up here as we were half way through our 2-month outreach experience and headed toward the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. For the next four weeks, God challenged us as a group, caused us to grow, and provided a multitude of diverse opportunities to serve, including: serving at an after-school lunch and Bible study children’s program, partnering with youth groups and churches, presenting dramas at an evangelistic concert and in parks, reaching poor and underprivileged communities with the Gospel, leading worship and partnering with the Cancun YWAM base, serving at a missions conference and exposing kids to missions, participating in construction projects, volunteering at a food bank/second-hand store/old folks’ home/clinic for the terminally ill, and much more.

Our time spent in Cancun and the surrounding areas was very blessed. I saw the team really pull together and put a lot of effort into the ministry. By this time the student leaders were a lot more involved in overseeing the ministry events while the rest, although some more than others, were handling their respective responsibilities pretty well. This allowed us to work better together as a team, and I thank God for the opportunities he gave me to learn how to manage and lead each student as they needed, to address conflict issues (although not so grateful at the time), handle large finances, sort through tough logistical issues, and to be reminded that ministry is not about the activities rather it’s about the relationships. I also found myself to be enjoying being a part of it all a lot more, and really trying not to stress out or just “get through.” A few things that really got me to smile were seeing the students in action – seeing the previous 4 months of discipleship bearing fruit as they taught little children, washed dishes, cleared properties or preached in church on Sunday; I also loved experiencing many of the students’ first time in a plane and/or going to the ocean (and rolling around in the waves and burying themselves in sand like little kids).

One particular experience that impacted me and showed me God’s hand of protection so clearly was with a van we were renting during our stay. In previous days, there had been an issue with the brakes temporarily going out, then showing no signs and so forth. Well, the thing is we were all set to drive an hour-and-a-half to enjoy a fresh-water pool on our day off, and the night before I had a dream about the van where I saw myself and a couple of students looking under the hood – some kind of mechanical problem. We got up the next morning all ready to go, I jumped in the driver’s seat, and we headed off with the other YWAMers. About an hour out, I was still thinking about the mechanical issues with the van and the brakes and such, and as we came to a checkpoint and slowed to pass the speed bumps, I was continually praying for God’s protection and safety. Just as I was picking up speed again I heard a voice say, “Check the brakes.” Sure enough, at that moment I pushed the pedal down and nothing – no brakes... or any car in the lane to the right of us and plenty room on the shoulder to pull over without any kind of scare! Don’t tell me God’s not real! Yeah, it was a great reminder of just how good he is, and what’s more is that we didn’t have to waste hardly any time finding a mechanic thanks to our fellow Cancun YWAM staff who took the van from there; we were still able to enjoy a full day of sun and swim!

So, my friends, God showed himself to us in numerous ways throughout the entire DTS. It really felt rewarding to see the fruit of many many months of praying and planning, caring and exhorting, teaching and translating, driving and staying up late, and in all sense of the word, investing. I still ask myself how I ever got to be living this life, but I am sure of one thing: I couldn’t have dreamed it better for myself. Although it’s not always fun or it is hardly ever easy, it’s a life that causes me to grow, it’s a life that brings me closer to God – out of necessity and out of love.

So, after spending about a month resting, visiting and enjoying vacation in California and Baja California, I’m now back in Pachuca, on the brink of making a huge jump into what this next year is to bring. ...More on that in the next blog.

... to be continued.

Leaving Saturday...

2009-10-14T16:25:00.000-05:00

Once again, it's time again to set off on another journey in Mexico... this time with our current Arts DTS! We'll be leaving Saturday for the beginning of a 2-month outreach that will take place serving communities in the mountainous regions, big cities, and... beaches!

I will be leading this team of 13 students, accompanied by co-leader, Cori - the dynamic duo! These past three months have been spent preparing, where we've had 12 weeks of different "in-class" teachings, ministry preparation including learning dramas, music, children's programs, choreographies, language, and much more. We will now continue to learn and grow together as we set out to bless the nation with and through God's giftings.

Currently and for this week, we are serving here in Pachuca: in schools, parks, and nearby towns. Last weekend, there was an all-city "community-focused evangelistic outreach" on Saturday that we, along with some local churches, participated in. It was a day where we were able to bless and connect with our neighbors more and additionally reach out to people in the downtown area. Our students also organized a praise and worship concert, held Sunday night, to motivate young people and the church, and to present the opportunity to partner with us in the upcoming outreach.

As far as the rest of the outreach goes, we will spend the next two weeks in indigenous areas of Hidalgo and the state of San Luis Potosí, first in Huitzitzilingo, a small-town where we've previously made connections and built relationships. We'll participate in a few painting projects (like painting the town speed bumps and elementary school), visit and present in the jr. high, connect with youth in the city centre, and encourage the local church. I look forward to reconnecting with past friends, and encouraging the families and believers in this area. From Huitzi, we'll go to a nearby town called Tamazunchale in a neighboring state, where we'll be able to go to many different public schools to promote good values and encourage leading a life-style that pleases God. This will be my first time going to these schools, and it's exciting to think about the number of young lives that we have the potential to impact!

After those two weeks, the scenery will change drastically as we travel into Mexico City, where we will minister to and serve people on the streets including at-risk children, drug-addicts, and prostitution workers. As most of you know, these ministries have a large chunk of my heart, and I am always eager to visit with and go deeper in relationship with those who we've met out on the streets. We will be in the City for a week, also partnering with local youth groups, and then we fly out to the state of Quintana Roo.

Once in Quintana Roo, we will be staying with the YWAM base in Cancún (wherein lies the "beach" mention). It will be my first time in these parts of Mexico, and I am so excited to experience new ministry, different workings of YWAM, and unique culture, as we will be serving in the Mayan community as well. We will spend the latter month of outreach time in Quintana Roo, and I will fly back to Pachuca a week early, to be able to travel to Oaxaca for the YWAM Mexico leadership meeting. I'm thankful for this upcoming meeting for two specific reasons: 1) Ever since many of my old restaurant friends (from Mexico) told me about their state of origin, Oaxaca, I have had such a strong desire to visit. So, I'll finally get to experience its beauty first-hand. 2) There will be much talk about Mexico City 2010, which I am directly involved in, and I am excited to think about how God might move our hearts collectively as YWAM Mexico.

Looking ahead past all that, DTS graduation day is December 11, and I depart from Pachuca December 16, making my way to Cali, going through to visit family in Ensenada and San Diego, and then arriving in Fresno! It might seem really far off right now, but I know this time will fly by, and I may not have much opportunity to write before December comes.

Please keep us in your prayers as we move along this DTS journey. I would also like to open the invitation up to any and all who would like to partner with us financially; as a group, of the near 10,000 dollar starting total, we only need about $2,000 dollars more! Please shoot me off an email if you would like to give financially. The names of the team members are:
Meghan - leader
Corina - co-leader
students: Chelsea, Brittany, Carolina, Katherine, Dana, Ruth, Angela, Oscar, Cristhian, Adrian, Arturo, Efrain, and Natan.
Please be praying for each one of us.

One last thing before I sign... THANK GOD, WE HAVE ANOTHER VAN!!! Last Friday, Ricardo pulled into town with our latest addition to the family (the van... nicknamed "furious"), early in the morning, just in time to be able to pick up a group of 35 youth from Mexico City - it was so incredible to be able to make it in just one trip! Until we fly out to Cancún, we will be using the two vans for transportation, so please join us in prayer for everything to run smoothly with the vehicles, and to keep us safe.

Eternal blessings!

Meghan

Thanks.

2009-09-09T15:47:00.000-05:00

More than writing to report or update, this month I've decided to write my "newsletter" by giving thanks for various things:

I'm THANKFUL for (in no particular order):

an infinite number of opportunities to serve God
the chance to preach in my church
my God who's alive and speaks... to me
music that glorifies God
being pushed and stretched and used
hot water to shower with
unexpected persons who cross my path to go out of their way to help me (like the doctor I've been going to)
"real" family that's far away, and "provisional/adopted" family close by
3 young girls whom I have the opportunity to influence and disciple (Sandra, Yesna, and youngest sister Michelle who now lives with us as well)

AND, that...
... in their spare time before bed, they choose to re-enact dramas and kids' songs like the ones we presented to them when we first met them
Yesna enjoys attending the DTS classes and pays attention, even if much of it goes beyond her current understanding
the youngest one who has been living here only 2 weeks likes to sing worship songs
God continues to show me how to improve my relationships...

... I'm also thankful for:
friends who invite me to dinner as family
my new niece, Brianna
the fact that my new niece, Brianna, doesn't cry every time I hold her (the in-womb, pre-birth coaching seems to have helped!)
chocolate
reasons to get up in the morning
that God is giving me more hunger for His word
because I can trust, really trust, my God
the mountains
color
that steps are being taken towards unity in the Church of Pachuca
for silly bedtime stories I can tell my roomate when she's sick
13 DTS students that have open hearts
Pachuca blue skies
the prayers of so many that back me
for a culture where girls can walk hand in hand, arm in arm, and it's just a sign of friendship and mutual concern for one another
examples of couples married for 41 years
hope, patience, and dreams.. and that I'm growing in each one of them

... and that, my friends, is where I'm coming from right now!

"... put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Col. 3:14-17

To see more pics of recent things of my life, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104616&id=536908531&l=eb208e123f

Dreams Before my Eyes & a Rainy Summer

2009-07-28T21:44:00.000-05:00

Pachuca's in the middle of the rainy season now, something which I still find hard to get used to (summer being cool and wet instead of dry hot heat in the valley)! It is refreshing, however, and the land does really need the rain.

In a metaphorical sense, as well, it has been raining down on Pachuca's youth in many other ways. Much of June and July were spent in preparation for a missions experience I led here with the base, the "Reto Urbano" (Urban Challenge). The third week of July, we housed some 30+ youth from various parts of Mexico (including two of my friends from Durango), ages 13-28, for this 5-day cross-cultural, missions training and discipleship "youth camp." Throughout the time, we held conferences focused on different topics to motivate and move the youth toward a deeper relationship and purpose with God; some of things we touched were true identity, loving our neighbor, and doing justice. We exposed the youth to different world issues as well, and encouraged and guided them in practical ways we are to be a part of making God's kingdom come to this earth. The Reto Urbano was something that God had laid on my heart in one way or another since last year, and it was gratifying for me to see it all finally happening! We had a solid and unified staff made up of YWAM Pachuca staff and volunteers, and other invited staff. Although it was a short time, I also do believe that the 5 days we spent investing into the lives of these youth bore fruit and will continue to multiply in them and in those they had the opportunity to touch. Amongst the conferences and teachings, we also had training times in three areas: choreographies, dramas and puppet ministry. After a couple of days of training in the certain areas, we all hopped onto a bus and stomped through the streets of Mexico City to reach out to those who live on the streets and further the existing ministry we have there. It was neat to see God really open the eyes of many of these Mexican youth to things they had perhaps gotten used to seeing (ie. homeless on the street), and have them recognize the lost around them as valuable and special to God; others hadn't before realized that they could be a part of the solution to the problem, that they are commanded to be part of the solution. So, all this to say that it was a great 5 days where we all were able to grow and learn from one another. A big blessing was that we saw in every single participant a real desire to learn, grow and participate... not one was here on accident, and God has also opened the door for the Reto Urbano to continue! Right now, we are in the works of forming a group of young people (many whom attended this camp) to get together one weekend a month to continue to be discipled and active in ministry. I'll write more about that as it comes together more, but we praise God in the meantime for causing the fruit to grow and using us in His kingdom purposes.

In these past couple of months, as well, it was cool to have my mom visit for a week-and-a-half. There was a bit more of downtime (pre-hectic days of the Reto), so we were able to travel around some and spend time together, which was nice.

And now, we are running right along in the next phase on the YWAM Pachuca calendar, our second Discipleship Training School (DTS). This year we have a group of 12-14 (some are still possibly on their way) youth from Canada, the US and Mexico. There are about the same number of guys as gals, and most are from Mexico! This DTS is focused on the arts, and as of today, the third official day, we see God moving and preparing these students. With the addition of a new staff member as well, we look forward to growing and serving together in this time. Our newest member is Freddy from New Jersey, and he will play a big role in the area of choreographies during this school, and will also be involved with me in the Mexico City ministry. Please keep us all in your prayers during this time... and, Ricardo and Citlali especially! Baby Brianna Lisset will be born this Thursday morning, and we all anxiously await her arrival; please pray for the family in this time of transition.

All my love to you, and thank you again for your continued support! Feel free to write and encourage us during this DTS time, as we will be investing all that we have into the lives of the students, day in and day out for 5 months! I will try my best as well to keep you updated on what's going on here in the rainy Windy Beauty of Pachuca.

Meg