Ministerio La Final Trompeta

The Last Trumpet Ministry
There are many small, Evangelical churches in Tuxpan with creative names. I recently finished a course
"Teachers of Excellence" in one of these small churches.  Pastora Martha, together with her husband, Javier began "The Last Trumpet Ministry" about two years ago.  Many of their congregants are new to the saving news of Jesus Christ and need training and discipleship. They also want to raise up quality teachers to work with the children.  Therefore I was asked to give a teachers training course.

Rebekah and Pastor Martha

This group made an apron with cloth figures to represent the lesson

I invited children to attend because children make great evangelists and can be good  teachers, both now and in the future. There were about 15 eager students in the class, ages 7 to adult.  Along with a practical demonstration of how to teach a children´s class, they learned how to study a  Bible passage in depth, make up good questions and present their lessons in a creative way.  They were also assigned to read the Gospel of Mark during the course.

Putting together a puzzle of the memory verse

On activity was to write a letter to God asking Him to help them learn, grow and become teachers that are pleasing to Him. Here are some excerpts from their letters:

"Lord, I want to be a teacher of little children to teach them your word, give me the wisdom that I need...I will preach your word, give me strength."(Génesis, age 13)

"Lord, I want to be a teacher of children and teach them your word and that they can be saved...and that they can learn and preach to all the people on the earth" (Haniel, 10)

 "Lord, this morning I make a commitment to you, to be a good teacher...with your help to be honest, and to teach the little ones to love and respect  you as their Father...help me Lord Jesus to overcome these fears that keep me from growing."(Janet, adult)

 "Lord, I promise to be a good teacher and so I ask you to help and guide me, I ask that you give me patience...and  help me to bring children, and that you give me wisdom...I love you Jesus!" (Libni, 10)

"Lord Jesus...I promise to serve you more each day and strive to please you...guiding each little one through your blessed word...I thank you for the great privilege you have given me to work with the little ones." (María, adult)

Teaching the memory verse

To  practice their learning, the students were divided into three groups with a mixture of children and adults. Each group was assigned a passage from Mark to present to the rest of the class the next week. When the big day arrived, the students arrived early to gather their materials and make last minute preparations. Their hard work payed off and they far exceeded my expectations in the quality classes they presented!
Each group wrote a chorus to go along with the assigned passage.  Some made their own puppets and puppet stage to act out the lesson.  Another downloaded a short video to illustrate their lesson. All groups involved children as teachers, taught a memory verse in creative ways and wrote questions to help their students think about the Bible lesson and apply it to their lives. They are Teachers of Excellence! Pastora Martha explained that they have a children´s class on Saturday mornings.  She plans on having each group present their lesson they did for our course, and then they will rotate so each group continues to plan lessons.

 Pray they will continue the good work and impact many children with the Good News of God´s love.

Teaching the song they wrote

Next project...they´ve asked me to teach the "Narrating and  Acting out Bible Stories" workshop.  And the students who read the entire book of Mark during the course? One adult and three children received the prize!

Congratulations for a job well done!

One group made puppets

¡VIVA MÉXICO!

  LONG LIVE MEXICO!

Outside of church decked out with Mexican flags

September 16th is the day Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain.  This year marked the 203rd anniversary.  The celebration begins on the evening of the 15th as families and friends gather to share a feast of traditional Mexican dishes. "If the food can be red, white and green (like the Mexican flag) so much the better!" (Quote from "about.com Latin America History.")

 In Mexico City thousands gather in the main square, the Zocolo, to see the president as he comes out on a balcony.  A 11:00 p.m. he gives the "Grito" (shout) "¡Viva (long live)  Hidalgo!...¡Viva Morelos!" (Mexican heroes of the Independence) and finally "¡Viva México!" The crowds roar and cheer their response "¡Viva!" and fireworks light up the air. Every village, town and city across the nation celebrate in much the same way. 

Many evangelical churches also have their own celebration with a "Noche Méxicana" (Mexcian Night), to celebrate not only the freedom as a nation, but the freedom we have in Christ.  Sometimes the pastor himself will dress up in red, white an green and give the "Grito" to his congregation.

The inside of the church is also decorated

Last night I went to the "Noche Mexicana"at the Methodist church I sometimes attend.  It began with a

Daniela and Valerie in their Mexican finest!

service of worship songs and testimonies of God´s goodness in the lives of some of the members this past week.  A "trio" mimicked a  "Norteño" (Northern) style song complete with a paper accordion, and a broomstick guitar! Pastor Arturo challenged us to pray for Mexico and her president. "Anyone can post a critical remark about the goverment.  Anyone can criticize the president. Only a true Christian will pray for and seek God´s blessing on the nation and it´s president." May we take his words to heart!

Afterward the service we spilled out onto the church lawn to enjoy typical Mexican dishes such as: corn on the cob slathered in mayonnaise, cheese and chili powder, tostadas (fried tortillas) with beans and chicken on top, pampazos (thick rolls dipped in chile sauce with meat and lettuce on the inside), a sweet dessert of vanilla crackers slathered in condensed milk, and other delicacies.  After the service and food, some went to downtown Tuxpan to hear the "Grito" and see the fireworks. I decided to head home to talk to my family on the phone and wish them a "Happy Independence Day!"

With my friend Carmen and her grandson Johan

Today is the official holiday so all schools and goverment offices were closed.  I invited the kids from the children´s home over to my house with some other friends.  We had fun making pizza (no, not typical Mexican!), dong crafts and playing games.  We were going to go out to the camp but the recent storms and threatening rain clouds convinced us we had better stay put! 

It has been a special Independence celebration with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we thank Him for so many blessings and enjoy the abiding friendships we have in Him.  

HAPPY MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Valle de Chalco

Valle de Chalco Solidaridad  (Chalco Valley) 

Chalco Valley as seen from sewage canal

Last week I returned to my former "stomping grounds" Chalco Valley, where I lived for about 15 years.  The purpose was to visit friends and my Mexican mama, Oceila Soto, as well as clean things out of the house I used to live in.  I figured it it´s stuff I haven´t used in nearly three years, it´s time to get rid of it!         

The bus ride from Tuxpan to Mexico City is about 6 hours.  For a few extra pesos I got the premier class bus complete with men´s and women´s bathrooms and  individual T.V. screens, that way you don´t have to watch the trashy movies they often show!  I arrived in good time Friday evening and called a friend, Araceli who lives in Valle and works in the city.  She suggested I go to the house they own near the metro stop and she would meet me there.  Afterwards  she and her husband could drop me off at my former house on their way in to their Chalco house.   

She got home around 6:30 and we headed into Valle.  Arriving at my former home I discovered no one was home.  That was not surprising because the pastors, Danny and Maru,  who live there now are extremely busy people.   Felipe (Araceli´s husband) suggested they leave me at his mother-in-laws house just a few blocks away.  Ociela was so glad to see me and,  as any good Mexican mama does, she made sure she fed me right away.   Yum, I was hungry!    Shortly afterwards I get a text message from  Maru saying they had situation at church and would be delayed a couple hours.  At the point it seemed best to stay with Ociela.  Since her husband died last year, she and Erika, the youngest daughter who has down syndrome, live alone so she has plenty of space.  It brought back many memories of my first years living in Mexico when I used to spend weekends at their house.   I enjoyed sleeping under blankets that night.  It was a welcome change from Tuxpan heat.   

Alongside canal

Canal is now under this cement casing

Mamá Ociela, Rebekah and Erika

Rebekah with Mamá Ociela

Early Saturday morning Ociela, Erika, a neighbor and I headed out for a morning walk. I was eager to see the progress that had been made in enclosing the open sewage canal that ran through most of Chalco Valley.  Sure enough, the canal had been tubed in and covered in cement casing.  After many years of contamination and often flooding nearby houses with black sewage water, it was good to see it contained.  As we walked alongside the canal, we had to keep getting out of the way of cars that were driving there.  It also made walking difficult as they caused huge mud puddles.  We heard from other walkers that there had been a serious accident on the highway so the cars were finding any path they could to get around the traffic.  On the way back we decided to walk along side streets to avoid traffic, but they were also clogged with cars.  I was getting nervous because I had a noon appointment in Mexico City and it usually takes about two hours to get there from Chalco.  How would I ever get there with all this traffic?  Two hours after we started out we finally arrived back home.  Araceli and Felipe were waiting outside the door when we arrived. Ara had to get to work so they were trying to figure out the best way to get her there.  By then the traffic seemed to be moving better so they decided to try the highway.  I asked to go with them and Ara and I would get off at the nearest metro stop.  As we drove down the highway we eventually passed the accident site.  A tractor trailer had crashed into a passenger van and crushed a car also.  I started praying for those who had been in the vehicles I was sure no one had survived.  We heard later that no deaths were reported, God had mercy!

Houses alongside canal are slowly sinking

Unusual traffic for a side street

Dogs watching from ledge of house.  Many houses keep dogs on the roof.

Traffic Jam

About an hour and a quarter later we made it to the metro.  Thankfully I made it on time for my noon appointment with my namesake, Rebeca.  Her aunt picked me up at a metro stop and we spent a lovely afternoon together.  Rebe turned 11 in August and is still a little girl.  She loves to play, especially tag (hard for me to keep up with her) and had fun opening the gifts I brought her.  I was pleased to see her father, Jacob, looking well.  He was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  His attitude is good and he is asking God to extend his life to see Rebeca grow up.  We do pray fervently for God´s mercy especially since Rebeca´s mom died several years ago.  May God´s perfect will be done.

Jacob and Rebe took me back to the metro in the late afternoon and I headed back to Chalco and Ociela´s house.

Rebeca and Rebekah

Rebeca with dad Jacob

Sunday I visited the little church I used to work in.  Of course the kids are all growing up and it was good to see many of them in the worship band.  There hasn´t been much growth in the church due to problems among the members and lack of solid leadership. Maybe these kids can make a difference and bring unity where the adults have failed. The pastor asked if I wouldn´t be able to come back and help them.  No,I replied,  I labored there for many years and now it is time for others to take over the work.  God has opened ministry for me in other places and I must follow His leading.  

After another refreshing night´s sleep at Ociela´s house, I went back into Mexico City Monday morning  to visit Rebeca´s maternal grandma, Eva.  It was raining so traffic was heavy and even the metro was stop and go. I arrived safely about two and a half hours and enjoyed brunch with Eva.  Afterwards I  headed over to our mission office in Mexico City before I returned to Chalco.  

Back at Ociela´s house I packed up my stuff to spend the night with Danny and Maru. I wanted to get an early start at sorting though my stuff the next day.  However, just as I was about to head out the door, it stated to pour rain. 

 I called Maru and said I better wait till the next morning. 

Early Tuesday morning I took my suitcase and walked the four or five blocks to my former home.  Pastor Danny received me warmly and shared  about the exciting things God is doing in his ministry.  He also told me how crime and violence are on the increase in Chalco Valley and many people are afraid.  Stories of kidnappings, stolen cars and extortion  of average citizens made me ache for friends who live there. However, he said it has caused many people to be open to the  Gospel and they´ve had opportunities to present Gods message of salvation in unlikely places like government offices and public schools.  

Around 9:00 my friend Enriqueta arrived to help me with my sorting.    We opened and unpacked boxes, dividing into piles what would be given away, what I would take to Tuxpan and a few boxes I would store with Felipe and Araceli.  It didn´t take long before everything was re-packed and ready to go.  I took Enriqueta out to eat and then spent the evening with Danny, Maru and their little daughter, Lesly.  A neighbor who drives a taxi agreed to take me to the bus terminal early Wednesday morning so I said goodnight to my friends and turned in for my last nights´sleep under blankets!  The taxi arrived at 7 in the morning and, fighting the "normal" early morning traffic we arrived at the bus terminal in about an hour and a half.  I paid the driver (about $15) and bought my bus ticked to return to Tuxpan.  

Once on board the bus, I marveled at God´s goodness and provision during these days in Chalco. I was so thankful to reconnect with old friends and hear testimonies of God´s working in their lives.  It was also good to clean out my stuff and not be tied anymore to Chalco Valley. I will always love and pray for my friends there and be thankful for their impact on my life and the opportunity to minister to them. Now God has moved me in new and exciting directions.  Praise Him for all He has done and is doing!

Black squirrels in Mexico City 

Princeton N.J. (contrary to popular belief) is not the only place in the world with black squirrels!

Children´s Festival Camp Kikomar

 Every summer Camp Kikomar hosts a children's festival.  Many children are invited but the guests of honor are children and youth who live in the beach communities near the camp. This is because, "the inhabitants of our island (where Camp Kikomar is located) are fishermen and land squatters, though the population is low, the level of dysfunction is extremely high. These children live very difficult lives, with scanty attention from parents, exposed to alcoholism, drugs and violence at a very young age. We do our best to address this with occasional festivals and parties, but we sure wish we could do more." (From co-worker and camp director Diana Garrett)
The festival is held on a weekday so that the children can help their parents either in the fields or in their tourism business on the weekends.  Normally these families would be suspicious of outsiders inviting their children to an event.  However, during the past several years my co-workers have established good relationships by handing out bread donated by a local grocery store, giving rides to people on their way out to the beach (no public transportation during the week) and by past festivals.

A team form Memorial Park Church in Pittsburgh came this year to take charge of the festival.  Early Wednesday morning we started making trips to pick up the children and bring them to the camp.  A rousing volleyball got going and then a soccer game until we were ready to start. 

Next the team acted out the story of Jonah and the whale complete with an inflatable whale and audience participation trying to "hide" from God.  After Jonah repented and was vomited onto shore, we encouraged our audience to obey God and give their lives to Him.

Next the kids were split into three groups for an art project, games and a time of reflection about the story.  Each child also had their picture taken with a Polaroid camera on the inflatable whale.  The moms in attendance also made a special craft.

Our cook Pati made a scrumptious tuna salad for everyone to enjoy and then we began the rounds to take everyone home, making sure to invite them for the next day.

Thursday was less attended probably because many of the children were working.  This time I translated as the group acted out what happens when sin enters your life and gets you all dirty.  Even the fellow who thought he was pretty good found out that he was dirty with sin too.  This was aptly illustrated by inviting the children to smear mud all over his clean, white tee shirt!  Then they saw how only Jesus can wash away the sin and give us a clean heart, illustrated by taking off the dirty shirt and putting on a  clean one. 

Groups for games, crafts and discussion were divided up and I had the privilege of leading three precious

children to invite Jesus into their hearts to cleanse them form sin. 

Sandwiches and juice were served and again the rounds made to take them home.

We thank God for the opportunity to bless the lives of these children and look forward to an ongoing contact with them.  Mostly we pray for Jesus to touch hearts and bring many into a relationship with Him.

Hidden Treasures

"Come with us  hidden treasures we are going to find.

Together we will travel beyond the sea

the Bible is the map, 

the Spirit will guide us.

 (Chorus) Hidden treasures that God left us,

Hidden treasures that Christ found. "

This was our theme song for the Vacation Bible School (VBS) we held at the Noah´s Ark church in July.  A group of seven teenagers from Christian Heritage Academy in Brooklyn, NY came with my brother and sister-in-law to help with the big event.  It was quite the cultural experience all around!  The Mexicans were amazed at the size of these kids (Mexicans tend to be petite and these kids were big and tall), their zeal, laughter, rowdiness and the inner rhythm they have when they sing.  The "Brooklynites" were overwhelmed by the heat, the bugs (we housed them out at Camp Kikomar on the beach), the amazing food Pati cooked for them as well as the humility and love of Pastor Armando and his wife Elianet.  

For a couple of months ahead of time we were preparing skits, backgrounds, Bible lessons and workshops at the church.  Noah´s Ark church has been struggling to be a positive influence in this community plagued by dysfunctional families, poverty, apathy or downright hostility to the things of God.  Our prayer was that we would begin to remove rocky soil and plant seeds that will grow into healthy plants for God´s Kingdom.

Each day we taught a different parable such as: The Pearl of Great Value, The Mustard Seed, The Sower and the seed, The Good Samaritan and The Good Shepherd.  We shared how God´s Kingdom is more valuable than anything here on this earth.  We are of great value for our King Jesus who gave His life to make us part of His Father´s Kingdom.  The lessons were complimented by games, crafts, a workshop on missions and other activities related to the theme.

It was exciting to have new children attend who either had never been to the church or whose parents had stopped attending. The last day we took children and parents for an outing at Camp  Kikomar where we held one more lesson taught by my sister-in-law Heather, played some games and swam in the ocean.

Saturday afternoon we had a "cultural exchange" at the camp for youth.  There was a good group of youth from local churches and non-Christians we had met in town.  My brother gave his testimony how as a youth, he decided to follow Christ over his best friend who leading him down the wrong path.  Luis, a young Mexican man helping at the camp, shared his testimony of growing up in a dysfunctional and alcoholic family. In desperation, he cried out to Christ for help and was rescued him from these vices.  Afterwards  we enjoyed hot dogs cooked over the fire and we taught them how to make "s-mores" (Have you ever made those?  Know what they are?!)

It was a blessed, fun and exhausting week.  The Brooklyn teens returned home challenged and excited by what they had seen and done.  Rocky soil was indeed removed and seeds were planted in the Ochoa neighborhood (where Noah´s Ark church is) and  in Tuxpan.  Now we wait, water the plants and trust God for the increase. 

Last Sunday we held the closing program in the church.  Elianet prepared one more parable where Jesus teaches how the angels will come at the end of the age to separate the good fish from the bad fish.  What kind of fish are you?  Have you given your life to  Christ so He can take you to His Kingdom?  Or you living life as you wish, with no regard for Him?  At the end of the service we gave out a gift bag to each child and extra prizes to those who had learned the six memory verses and parts of Psalm 145. Sunday evenings they will continue to have a children´s class and once school starts up again, we begin our Friday afternoons homework club.  Pray indeed that God will use all these activities to build His Kingdom in this church and neighborhood. 

Praying Kids Advance God´s Kingdom!

Saturday morning dawned hot but cloudy.  I woke up early with knots in my stomach.  This was the big day, how would it all go?  What if it rained? What if the workers didn´t s how? Or what if no kids came?  I managed to eat my cereal, gather my things and head out the door.  Sarah, the Baptist pastor, was waiting for me.  Our first stop was to the park where the event would be held.  No rain so far but the park was quite overgrown with lots of grass and weeds. The person in charge of cleaning parks was probably too busy with the upcoming local elections the next day to worry about cleaning a park!
The next stop was to pick up tables being loaned to us.  On our way back to the park we noticed some of our people in another park.  Pastor Armando quickly jumped out of the truck and steered them to the right place.  By then those in charge of the different stands were arriving bringing with them children form their churches.  We got everyone set up in their spot and registered the kids and leaders, dividing them into teams.
Still no rain thankfully and the sun was starting to shine. 
We started with some praise songs about prayer, said an opening prayer and handed out the clues to each team.  They´re off!  Each team was given an envelope with a Scripture verse in it.  Each verse had something to do with a body part such as the eye, the foot, hand etc.  Each stand had a drawing of one of those parts and the teams had to figure out where to go by matching up the verse and the drawing.
Luis and Cintia were in charge of teaching the Bible verse, Ephesians 6:18 to each team that visited their table.  They helped each group develop a drama to represent the verse as well as praying for the persecuted church.

Pastora Sarah and her church had fun activities with balls and baskets where the children prayed for friends and family members who don´t know Christ.  Pastora Margarita, ever the teacher, used a poster and her pointer to lead the participants in prayer for "at risk" children .  The next table was headed up by Dra. Elianeth. This stand had pictures of children in Mexico who have suffered because of their faith in Christ.  After praying for them, our kids wrote letters which Elianeth sent to a contact who works with the persecuted church here in Mexico.  At the next stop, Pastor Bisteni´s daughters led the prayer for Mexico, Veracruz and  Tuxpan.  They used a coloring page of praying hands to focus the prayer. 
Each team had 20 minutes to spend at each stand and then three minutes to find their next table. At the end we call came together to sing our theme song, review our verse and see the dramas the kids had prepared.  The skits were very creative, focusing on prayer in every day life and praying for those who suffer for their faith in Christ.  They even showed that in an accident, before you call 911or an ambulance you should pray.  That´s the quickest way to get help!

We wrapped up the morning praising God for the youngsters and the adults who took time on a Saturday morning to pray.  Six different churches were represented, four of whom were in charge of one of the stands.  I was impressed with the creativity, dedication and hard work of each group.  And it never did rain!  I know we are forming a generation of prayer warriors and only God knows the lasting impact that will have.  Lord willing, June 2014 we´ll hold prayer rally number three, although it was suggested we "should do this more often."  I don´t think any of us have the energy for that!

Training Camp Counselors

Many of us grew up in summer camps enjoying warm weather, new and old friends, swimming, sports and those precious leaders, counselors, who helped us grow deeper in our walk with the Lord.  I always thought being a camp counselor was something you just did, as a Christian you instinctively "knew" how to work with your campers.  In my years as a missionary here in Mexico I´ve often been on the other side, as a counselor and as a  director.   Thank God that He uses us even when we do lack experience and training, but how wonderful it is to receive the training and learn better how to plan, lead and implement a Christian camp.
This past weekend we were blessed with the visit of Cliff, Joy, Caley and Jack McCalister.  Cliff is an expert on Christian camping and is receiving a doctorate in this area.  The directors of Camp Kikomar (and my housemates) Mirna and Diana invited the McCalisters to give a weekend training at Kikomar.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather, activities to get in touch with nature,  getting ot know one another, and learning to challenge campers to grow in their walk with the Lord.  We also had to change deeply ingrained ideas that it´s not about "competiton" but "cooperation"!  I include an insert from Diana´s update.

"Last weekend was a milestone for Camp Kikomar, as we held an introductory training for camp counselors, with five churches from Tuxpan represented. It was great to see pastors and leaders, together with some of their youth, playing games, and helping each other discover new concepts. They also expressed the great benefit of fellowshipping together from different churches in a neutral environment.  It was great!

And yet, a harrowing event in one of the churches, reminded us how fragile our lives on this earth are. Part of the pastoral family from the Last Trumpet church, (five people) joined us on Friday afternoon at KIKOMAR, and while doing a trust walk in the evening through the trees, they received a phone call that their 35 year old daughter/sister/cousin had literally dropped dead, while leading the prayer meeting at their church a few minutes before. Those of us who were able, attended the funeral service on Sunday morning. They need our prayers."

Thank God for His control, plan and sovereignty in our lives, over the joys and the heartaches.  Another in-depth training is being planed around Easter next year.  Come and join us if you can! Continue to pray for God´s work through the camp activities and in our lives.  Also remember to uphold this family who lost their loved one and seek God´s grace that we might glorify Him in all we do.