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.

Beautiful feet

"How beautiful upon the 

Are the feet of him who brings good news, 

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

¨Your God reigns¨"

Isaiah 52:7

It has been my privilege to share the Good News of Christ´s love with the people of Mexico for nearly twenty years. I´ve served with colleagues from North America, Canada, and Latin America.  Each one  has enriched my life and taught me something about love and service for our Lord. Mexico still has an incredible need to hear and understand God´s Word.  Praise God for His servants who are faithfully at work in this vast country.

In recent years I have heard much about the need for people to share the amazing truth of God with those in the Muslim and unreached areas.  It is difficult for a North American to enter these places because our speech, looks and culture are so vastly different.  However, many of these problems are not faced by our Latin brothers and sisters.  Last week I met a young family whose goal is to reach out to needy people in a place yet unreached for the Gospel.

They visited the church I attend and shared about their heart´s longing to live in this country and share God´s love as they minister in practical ways.  The husband recently returned form an exploratory trip where he spent time in a refugee camp.  The people he met thought he was one of them..until he opened his mouth and couldn´t speak their language! (Happens to me often...only my looks give me away first!)  They looked at his  hair, skin color and  goatee he wears and were sure he was Muslim.  When they heard his Muslim sounding name they asked, "Are you Muslim...are all Mexicans Muslim?"  The precious children he met in the camp were greatly amused  pointing out things and asking what they were called in Spanish, and then he would try to repeat the words in their language.  He will return soon with his wife and child to begin translating the Scripture into these people´s heart language.
I spoke with his wife later that afternoon and she told me how for many years she has longed to work among the people and children in this country.  However, since women are so poorly valued there, it was impossible for her to go alone. She rejoices that God brought her a godly husband so that together they can purse this dream.
I was greatly impressed with this young family, knowing that they have a challenging and difficult task.  Their mission board has asked them to establish a work there so that later they can send others to join them. That means initially they will be alone.
Prasie God for His call on His servants´ life.  Pray for this young family and other Latin missionaries who are answering the call to shed His light to the unreached.

Baptism in the Sea!

Out to sea to be baptized

Gathering on the shore prior to baptisms

Coming back to shore and praising God after baptisms

Last Sunday dawned hot and clear here in my city.  It was my Sunday to care for the kids in the children home sponsored by a church here in town. I was up early and over there by 8:00 a.m.  It was going to be a big day; all four of the kids were to be baptized along with other folks from the church.  I got them out of bed, a quick breakfast of cereal (not a typical Mexican breakfast but no time for anything more substantial!) and rushed off to the 9:00 a.m. service.  The children warned me that pastor had said it would be along service, no Sunday school today.  After a lot of music, prayer, a stirring message from Pastor Arturo and sharing from a young Mexican couple headed to Bangladesh as missionaries (more on them in my next blog), the meeting was over just as folks were arriving for the 12:00 service.

I took my charges back home, got lunch ready and even had a quick nap before the ladies arrived who wanted a ride to the baptism service at 4:00.  Shorts and t-shirts were donned, lunch packed and we all piled into "Vikingo" (Viking) my red, Nissan truck.  We arrived at the beach and found the pavilion where the church brethren were gathering.  There was a big crowd present with the 38 youth, children and adults to be baptized, plus family, friends and church members. Another short service with more singing, prayer and Scripture reading followed until Pastor Arturo invited us down to the water.

Everyone gathered on the shore while the pastor, an elder and the folks to be baptized headed out into the waves.  We couldn't hear what was said to the people, but we continued singing and clapping as we watched each one go under the waves, burying a former way of life, and come back up a new creature in Christ! I did notice a few of the youngsters, recently baptized, having a fun playing in the waves while the rest were baptized.  Kids will be kids! After all had been immersed under the water, they walked back to shore together holding hands and praising God.  Those of us on shore gathered around to give hugs and congratulate them for their decision to publicly follow Christ.

Once back in the pavilion, Pastor Arturo asked family members and church leaders to gather around the newly baptized and pray for them.  He asked us to specifically pray that they would faithful to Christ and follow through on the commitment they had just made and never turn back. I prayed fervently for the four precious young ones from the home, knowing that life is full of difficulties and challenges, especially for these who come from such difficult backgrounds.  God will keep them true to Him!

With the baptisms done and the service over, it was time for lunch. Everyone pulled out the food they had brought and lots of goodies were shared.  Finally it was time for ...swimming in the ocean! Some of ladies were fearful of letting the kids go into the water, but I'm a veteran swimmer from childhood so I promised to keep a good eye on them.  We spent an hour or so in the warm, salty waves, splashing swimming, dumping sand on one another and having a blast.  Finally, as the sun was going down, I dragged those children out of the waves and back into Vikingo.  We finally arrived home around 8:30 for showers, supper, a devotional time and bed.  The kids were pretty wound up so it took a lot of scolding and nagging before they settled down.  At last, I took my shower and collapsed into bed also, praising God for a blessed and fun day and for His many mercies and kindnesses to us His children.  God is good!