Joint Heirs With Jesus

This past weekend Pan de Vida celebrated the highly anticipated Quinceñera. Pan de Vida has taken the cultural ceremony and made it very spiritual for the girls.  For all the girls that turn 15 within the 2008 year, the celebration is combined so it is on the same date.   Last year there were 2 girls and this year 10.  It is often more important than our weddings in the North American culture. 

Usually the girls will seek out individual sponsors for the dresses, Bibles, rings, flowers etc. that are needed for the special day.  Knowing there were so many girls and so few volunteers to divide among them, there started to be some anxiety in thinking of how things were to be organized.  God provided.  Four of the girls had specific sponsors for the dresses but a couple from one of the teams that comes each year, felt called to seek donations from friends and co-workers.  With this donation, the girls not only got the spiritual service but they got the feast and celebration afterward.  

The service started with praise and worship through music.  Then the message was presented based on Numbers 6:24-26.  Then the gifts of Bibles for the girls as they seek God's direction in their life and the rings to symbolize their commitment to Him were also presented.  They each also receive a photo album to document the beginning of this journey.  

It was so exciting to see the girls dressed like princesses even though many were nervous with all eyes on them.  There were women who came and did amazing things with their hair and they were even treated to getting their nails done. A special day indeed!

Numbers 6:24-26  "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

       

Ira and I are back from week 3 at the hacienda.  The ministry brings mixed emotions with us seeking God's direction.  There is such a need for an on-site maintenance/handyman but there is still no formal contract or funding to budget regular repairs.  Just an example is that all the water from the main cistern needs to be done manually to get the water to the kitchen, dorms and bathrooms.   I will be in the kitchen working or doing laundry and all of a sudden no water.  The cistern is full but someone has to go there to turn the pump on to fill the holding tanks to the areas you need the water. Then you have to watch it so that the tanks don't overflow.  It isn't hard, it is just something that has to be monitored since it isn't on an automatic system.  And of course, you always run out of water right in the middle of doing these tasks.  I won't even go into the story of me trying to get my 1st shower there.  Let's just say..I got lots of exercise and ended up taking a birdbath.

As I have mentioned before, transportation has been an issue for the kids to get back and forth to Pan de Vida for School and church.  This week the blue van that was being used, lost it's transmission.  God had a plan already in the making because that afternoon a brand new Nissan van was donated.  He always gives us what we need, just when we need it.  Each time I am still amazed.  The kids were so excited and I think they all fit in as they inspected it.  There were nothing but smiles...God is so good!!

This week I guess the biggest blessing we got was during Tuesday night Prayer time.  We first go around and say what we are thankful for.  It was so humbling to hear the boys say our names over and over in gratitude for the work we are doing there.  We were able to share how we have been blessed to be there and share fellowship.  It has been a joy getting to know them more personally, help them with some of their English homework and learn just what their interests are.  After we give Thanks to God for all these things, we then submit petitions of request.  Again it is very humbling to hear them open their hearts to the struggles they go through.  For us, it was a very intimate time of fellowship with each other and God.  I know God heard their cries and sincere prayers.  I see God responding daily.  

Just the other day I watched a service on the internet.  We all need nourishment and since our services are in Spanish, it is good to indulge in the Word in English.  Anyway, the speaker said God doesn't tell us to be busy, He tells us to be fruitful.  I was reminded of this that night.  There is lots of work there but sometimes volunteers come and feel that they don't have a lot to do physically but it is more about being present in these kids lives.  

Currently at the hacienda, their are 64 boys.  Geno and Augustine are the only 2 adults supervising them.  Now that Ira and I are there, it gives more assistance in their lives and we see the boys open more and more to our presence.  Richard and Ximena come out later in the afternoon 2-3 days a week for about 3 hours and even that time, the kids spend talking to them about life stuff.  They also do the Wed night devotions and the kids are learning more about God and His word.

With so few volunteers, much of the work is assigned to the kids.  We witness daily the fruit God is producing.  The boys are learning to cook, clean and even help with the little ones.  One of the older boys with dreams to want something more in his life said that he feels God is using this as a time to mold him.  He is so right and he reminded us that God is still molding us  too.  

  

Mexican Independence Day here is very symbolic to how Patriotic the Mexicans are.  The Day of Independence is Sept 16th but they start on Sept 15th with the celebrations.  This year, it was a blessing to be able to have the event in the auditorium because it would happen whether it rained or not.

On Monday the 15th, Pan de Vida hosted the event.  The boys from the hacienda came as did many of the families that are outside of Pan de Vida that attend the church.  The meal was basically a Pot Luck type of deal.  With so many bringing, there was more than enough.  Pan de Vida did however, make a soup.  It is called pozole and a favourite among the locals and even ourselves.

Then the youth group leaders organized and set up for many games.  There was putt putt golf, bingo and lots of dancing.  They also encouraged everyone to dress as traditional as they could with contests for the best dressed, best mexican yell, performances etc. I think everyone had painted faces of red, white and green which are the colors of the flag.

After the evening of food, fun, games and dancing the event came to an end.  However, at the hacienda the boys stayed up past midnight to ring in the Day of Independence.  Then on the 16th they had a meal consisting of Barbacoa (BBQ) rice, and consume.  It was a nice relaxing day of fellowship and to round off things, we roasted corn and served them.  They are called elotes and are dressed with mayo, shredded cheese and chili but for this day we opted for just chili and lime.  Needless to say, everyone was exhausted Wed morning as they got back into the regular routine of things.

Just a quick update on our first few days at the hacienda.  As I explained before, we had a burden for the living conditions as the DIF sorted through logistics with the directors.  Ira made a list of the necessary maintenance needs so  Pan de Vida bought the supplies and the work has started.

I guess what we weren't prepared for was the work God would be doing in our hearts.  We never realized how much we missed the boys.  They come to Pan de Vida for school and church but just their presence was a blessing we are more aware of.  

Immediately Ira started working on the pump for the cistern and all the bathrooms. The main water source is over a football field away and the boys would go to the source to turn the water on to fill the cistern and have to remember to go back and turn it off.  Now it is automatic with a shut off valve and float.  So no more flooding or not having any water when anyone forgets!

 We are also cheering that a vision Ira had to minister to the boys through apprenticeship is having some seeds planted.  A hand full of the older boys are spending their spare time to learn the trade of plumbing and carpentry throughout the maintenance.  They have worked on 7 toilets and 5 sinks so far and they are all working.  Now there are 4 showers to install....but the drain is the big question with no answer.  The boys are just excited to get the showers and say they will sweep the water to the doorways and drains.  However, we do know there is a way to make it work but it will take more time which  Ira is committed to do. 

As for me, I immediately scrubbed and prepared a bathroom for us 2 women.  With all boys, we definitely needed a space of our own.  It has also been fun to get back into some of the kitchen duties as well.  Today I spent all my time doing laundry.  It is very stimulating when the sun is so hot.  The boys have chores and laundry is one of them but while they are in school, so much time is lost to get them washed and dried so this is something I feel I can do that is a help to others.

It is such a blessing to see the kids come home, get changed out of their uniforms and start homework.  Afterwards, we all pitch in on chores and then have supper together.  Last night a few of us hung out and talked under the stars.  These are the times that make us feel like family and makes my heart burst with joy!

 

  

 

I am going to post about 2 recent activities for you all! The last weekend before school started was a busy weekend for everyone.  The Levi Youth Group had spent most of th summer working on the preparations and the activities of Daily Vacation Bible School week.  It was a very fruitful ministry.  As a treat, the youth leaders treated the kids to a day at one of the many parks here in Querétaro.  In one way it ended the season they had just finished but at the same time, it was a kick off to the start of a new school year and back to the routine of meetings.  The youth group goes year round and the kids look so forward to it every Saturday!

This anniversary was special in the fact that Justo has completed all of his studies and in June graduated from the University of Theology.  Paco, the Associate Pastor, and his wife Elena are in their 1st year of a 2 year Seminary Course. Justo and his wife Elia along with Paco and Elena make all of these events at Pan de Vida special with all the gifts God has skilled them with in ministry.  They work hard to be creative so that the kids remain interested and want to learn more about their Saviour.

Justo preached on the 1st church described in Acts.  The directors, Dario and Elena shared their testimony on the growth they have seen over the years.  Then the kids from the DVBS did some songs while the Levi youth group did a couple of dramas.  One of the dramas, the Levi, created and played out all on their own.  It is great to see them having confidence to present the gospel!  Now we all look forward to what this year will bring.

Oh and of course, no event is ever complete without a great meal to follow.  This a wonderful time of fellowship!  I have also posted a picture of Lindsey and Jami who are here volunteering.  Lindsey will be here for the year and Jami until mid December. We know they will be blessed and a blessing as they find their ministry at Pan de Vida.