Hola Todos,
I have to say that Toluca has been quite the learning process. God has really revealed Himself to me more than I could have ever imagined. On top of that and last week, this week has been just as much of a blessing. Yesterday we found a person who wants to start a movement of Enfoque México, the Mexican version of Cru, and tomorrow we have a meeting with another person who wants to start a movement on their campus. Two movements! An improvement from Cuernavaca. As the group that is the first part of laying the foundations of movements here in Mexico, it is great to have a promising future in a city the size of Toluca - approximately two million people. The people we have been working with are also a huge blessing. One of the guys is actually interested in joining the Enfoque México staff! He has a great heart and could be a huge asset for Enfoque México to have here in Toluca. His name is Alejandro. I have mentioned him before. Pray extra hard that God will help him see his path along God's will.
I wish I could share what God has been showing me and teaching me here in Toluca, but they are things that aren't exactly best to share to the masses.
I look forward to returning home, in 11 days - hence the title. I hope I can continue to learn from Christ while home because as beautiful as the people are here, they aren't my friends and family back home.
Please, continue to pray for our group as we continue to do our best to glorify God down here in México. God bless you all!
Regardos,
Caballero
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
¡21!
Hola Todos!
Toluca has been amazing! Our group as led 25 people to Christ within a week! During our two days on campus, each day, we had two people to join the Kingdom of God. Then, yesterday as we went to our service project to play with kids in a rural area just outside of Toluca I had the opportunity to share with the mothers! You guessed it, 21 of them. As our team was going to play with the kids, the pastor of the church we were working with wanted me to stay back and talk to the mothers. I then asked two of the guys from Toluca, who have joined our team (Alejandro and Zabdiel), to help me out with my Spanish because the Word of God isn't exactly something you want to miscommunicate. We went through the Gospel as we would with any person individually, just with 21 women. I asked for them to read the scriptures and points in the 4 laws booklets that we have been using to evangelize - yes, in Spanish. With a little help from the pastor and asking for a few vocabulary words from the guys from Toluca, all 21 women either recommitted their lives to Jesus or for the first time accepted Jesuscristo into their lives! It didn't even hit me until after I had finished handing out extra 4 law booklets to the ladies, encouraging them to share with people who are important to them who might not share the faith in Christ that we do, that the pastor asked me if I had counted how many women had accepted Christ. He then counted and told me 21! It was amazing to play a big role in that moment for those women. Many of them took several booklets and everyone left with a smile on their face!
God is good! Thank you for praying for our group and the people here in Toluca, Méxcio!
Regardos,
Caballero
Toluca has been amazing! Our group as led 25 people to Christ within a week! During our two days on campus, each day, we had two people to join the Kingdom of God. Then, yesterday as we went to our service project to play with kids in a rural area just outside of Toluca I had the opportunity to share with the mothers! You guessed it, 21 of them. As our team was going to play with the kids, the pastor of the church we were working with wanted me to stay back and talk to the mothers. I then asked two of the guys from Toluca, who have joined our team (Alejandro and Zabdiel), to help me out with my Spanish because the Word of God isn't exactly something you want to miscommunicate. We went through the Gospel as we would with any person individually, just with 21 women. I asked for them to read the scriptures and points in the 4 laws booklets that we have been using to evangelize - yes, in Spanish. With a little help from the pastor and asking for a few vocabulary words from the guys from Toluca, all 21 women either recommitted their lives to Jesus or for the first time accepted Jesuscristo into their lives! It didn't even hit me until after I had finished handing out extra 4 law booklets to the ladies, encouraging them to share with people who are important to them who might not share the faith in Christ that we do, that the pastor asked me if I had counted how many women had accepted Christ. He then counted and told me 21! It was amazing to play a big role in that moment for those women. Many of them took several booklets and everyone left with a smile on their face!
God is good! Thank you for praying for our group and the people here in Toluca, Méxcio!
Regardos,
Caballero
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Mexican Hospitality
Hola Todos!
Much has happened in the last week. I apologize that I haven't updated you within this week. However, I now have a lot to tell.
I will start with the latest happenings. Our team is in Toluca! God had Toluca prepared for us perfectly. Even down to putting a Christian woman, Gloria (good Christian name), right outside the taxi Seth and I were in. We didn't have hotel reservations yet, so I got out looking around for the nearest hotel to check prices and Gloria asked me where we were staying. I told her we didn't have one yet and she started giving me suggestions on where to stay. I then noticed her icthus necklace and asked her if she was a Christian. Since that question Gloria has taken our whole team as our own and actually took me and two of the girls with her to church this morning. Let me tell you, great church! They have helped us plan our service projects for our two weeks here and have a professor in the congegation who is going to help us get into one of the private campuses here in Toluca. That may not seem like a huge deal, but private campuses are difficult to get onto here. In D.F. we actually had several groups of people kicked off campus for sharing. The other half of the group went to church with the contact that we already had here in Toluca. I'm looking forward to see how that is going as well. Needless to say, God has blessed our time here already and we are all looking forward to see what happens the next two weeks!
We ended our time in Cuernavaca the right way! We kicked off a movement on the largest campus there! We also said some sad goodbyes to the soccer players who our team had a big impact on. Even though we had to leave Cuernavaca, God willing we will return and be able to continue to enjoy the friendships we made during our two weeks there.
Our team also had a great celebration to finish off Cuernavaca. Mack, the guy who is starting the movement on the UAEM campus, invited us to his house to celebrate and give me a Mexican birthday. It was quite a blast and I was extremely thankful for all they did for me and the group. We also had a chance to practice our salsa skills; which will come in handy down the road. Mack and his family took us all in as their own; which was more than we could ask for, but a blessing in the same.
All in all, we are ready for Toluca and will continue to pray for our new friends in Cuernavaca. I also want to make a day late shout out to my mom, Happy Birthday! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to her on her birthday, as I was able to talk to her and the rest of my family on my birthday. That is more of a blessing because both of my siblings had surgery on my birthday. I'm not finished with this blog, and will finish it when I have more time. We are going out with our contacts here in Toluca to watch some fútbol.
Regardos,
Caballero
Added 23/6
Last night was great! Our contact here in Toluca, Ruth, has a great family. It was nice to spend time getting to know them. God has truly blessed us and our lives here in Toluca should me much easier because of all He has done for us.
To finish the update on my siblings, my sister's surgery went well. Everything seems to be going on track for her. I cannot wait to be home and see her. Hopefully by then it will be a short time for her to be back out and about so she and I can be adventurous together, since it has become our new thing to do. My brother was also blessed with a successful surgery. I hope he heals fast because being the dancer he is I know that 6 to 8 weeks out of dancing will drive him nuts. Hopefully everything will heal right for him to continue his dancing and be able to join my sister and I on adventures. Needless to say, I'm missing my family because I know I could be a help at our house right now.
I have to throw this in here because I have yet to mention her, I am also missing my girlfriend as well. This time together has been a healthy test to our relationship and has brought us closer. I won't get to see her right away when I get back, as she will be in Hawaii with family, but it will still be a blessing to get to see her when we are both back in the continental US. She has been great at helping me stay on track during this trip through e-mails and our minimal phone/skype contact.
As God is blessing my family, my project team, and myself; I also pray that God is blessing you lives as well. Your prayers are working and I encourage you to continue to praying for our group. I'm certain that the only way God has been so focused on blessing our team is because of all the prayers we are getting from our supporters. Thank you so much for all you have done. Allow me to pray for you right now here in written word,
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for how You have blessed my family, my project team, and myself. I pray that you will also bless the lives of those who are praying for us, as they have been a blessing in my life. I pray that You will bless us all with good health and a daily growth in understanding Your love and compassion to us as followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please forgive us of any sins that keep us from your straight and narrow path. Bless us all with the presence of Your Holy Spirit to guide us and keep us from falling off of that path. We are all dealing with seperate issues that you are using to teach us all about your great love and power. Give us the strength and courage Heavenly Father, that I know you can provide, to learn from You. Your Spirit provides us fruits in our lives through this perserverence. Heavenly Father, I lift this all up to You in Your Sons Holy and Righteous name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Regardos,
Caballero
Much has happened in the last week. I apologize that I haven't updated you within this week. However, I now have a lot to tell.
I will start with the latest happenings. Our team is in Toluca! God had Toluca prepared for us perfectly. Even down to putting a Christian woman, Gloria (good Christian name), right outside the taxi Seth and I were in. We didn't have hotel reservations yet, so I got out looking around for the nearest hotel to check prices and Gloria asked me where we were staying. I told her we didn't have one yet and she started giving me suggestions on where to stay. I then noticed her icthus necklace and asked her if she was a Christian. Since that question Gloria has taken our whole team as our own and actually took me and two of the girls with her to church this morning. Let me tell you, great church! They have helped us plan our service projects for our two weeks here and have a professor in the congegation who is going to help us get into one of the private campuses here in Toluca. That may not seem like a huge deal, but private campuses are difficult to get onto here. In D.F. we actually had several groups of people kicked off campus for sharing. The other half of the group went to church with the contact that we already had here in Toluca. I'm looking forward to see how that is going as well. Needless to say, God has blessed our time here already and we are all looking forward to see what happens the next two weeks!
We ended our time in Cuernavaca the right way! We kicked off a movement on the largest campus there! We also said some sad goodbyes to the soccer players who our team had a big impact on. Even though we had to leave Cuernavaca, God willing we will return and be able to continue to enjoy the friendships we made during our two weeks there.
Our team also had a great celebration to finish off Cuernavaca. Mack, the guy who is starting the movement on the UAEM campus, invited us to his house to celebrate and give me a Mexican birthday. It was quite a blast and I was extremely thankful for all they did for me and the group. We also had a chance to practice our salsa skills; which will come in handy down the road. Mack and his family took us all in as their own; which was more than we could ask for, but a blessing in the same.
All in all, we are ready for Toluca and will continue to pray for our new friends in Cuernavaca. I also want to make a day late shout out to my mom, Happy Birthday! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to her on her birthday, as I was able to talk to her and the rest of my family on my birthday. That is more of a blessing because both of my siblings had surgery on my birthday. I'm not finished with this blog, and will finish it when I have more time. We are going out with our contacts here in Toluca to watch some fútbol.
Regardos,
Caballero
Added 23/6
Last night was great! Our contact here in Toluca, Ruth, has a great family. It was nice to spend time getting to know them. God has truly blessed us and our lives here in Toluca should me much easier because of all He has done for us.
To finish the update on my siblings, my sister's surgery went well. Everything seems to be going on track for her. I cannot wait to be home and see her. Hopefully by then it will be a short time for her to be back out and about so she and I can be adventurous together, since it has become our new thing to do. My brother was also blessed with a successful surgery. I hope he heals fast because being the dancer he is I know that 6 to 8 weeks out of dancing will drive him nuts. Hopefully everything will heal right for him to continue his dancing and be able to join my sister and I on adventures. Needless to say, I'm missing my family because I know I could be a help at our house right now.
I have to throw this in here because I have yet to mention her, I am also missing my girlfriend as well. This time together has been a healthy test to our relationship and has brought us closer. I won't get to see her right away when I get back, as she will be in Hawaii with family, but it will still be a blessing to get to see her when we are both back in the continental US. She has been great at helping me stay on track during this trip through e-mails and our minimal phone/skype contact.
As God is blessing my family, my project team, and myself; I also pray that God is blessing you lives as well. Your prayers are working and I encourage you to continue to praying for our group. I'm certain that the only way God has been so focused on blessing our team is because of all the prayers we are getting from our supporters. Thank you so much for all you have done. Allow me to pray for you right now here in written word,
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for how You have blessed my family, my project team, and myself. I pray that you will also bless the lives of those who are praying for us, as they have been a blessing in my life. I pray that You will bless us all with good health and a daily growth in understanding Your love and compassion to us as followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please forgive us of any sins that keep us from your straight and narrow path. Bless us all with the presence of Your Holy Spirit to guide us and keep us from falling off of that path. We are all dealing with seperate issues that you are using to teach us all about your great love and power. Give us the strength and courage Heavenly Father, that I know you can provide, to learn from You. Your Spirit provides us fruits in our lives through this perserverence. Heavenly Father, I lift this all up to You in Your Sons Holy and Righteous name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Regardos,
Caballero
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
Hola Padre!
This blog is especially for you, Dad. Today is a special day to recognize your father's, so if you are reading this and you haven't thanked your father for all he has done in your life please do so. Don't forget your Heavenly Father too.
Dad, yesterday I had the opportunity to go throughout Cuernavaca and just site-see. I got to see some new sites, as well as many of the sites we saw together in May 2006. It makes me think back to all of the opportunities you, and Mom, have provided me throughout my life. I cannot thank you enough for that. Our trip to Cuernavaca has made our groups stay here smoother than it may have been if you had never taken me here. My first thought when driving through the center of town last Sunday was, "Yep! This is exactly where my Dad and I were!" I don't think there has been a day here that I haven't thought of you because of a place we saw together.
I also want to thank you for being a father that not many guys get in life. I don't think I've told you this, but several books I've read over the past year and a half have mentioned how many guys don't have fathers who reflect God's image. Saying that many of them struggle to understand and fathom God as a father figure who looks out for us and loves us. Even sometimes with tough love. As I read those books I was thankful that I couldn't relate, and I just want to thank you for not being one of those men. I want to let everyone who reads this know that you have been an amazing example of what a Christian, Christ-reflecting father should look like. You have created an atmosphere where you are a role-model, friend, and teacher. Maybe even soon a boss, we'll see. I cannot look at many aspects of my life and not see your positive influence. I am proud of who my father is, and not everyone can say that. So, on your day to be recognized, thank you for all you have been. I love you and wish I were back home to share this day with you.
Love,
Your son
Caballero
This blog is especially for you, Dad. Today is a special day to recognize your father's, so if you are reading this and you haven't thanked your father for all he has done in your life please do so. Don't forget your Heavenly Father too.
Dad, yesterday I had the opportunity to go throughout Cuernavaca and just site-see. I got to see some new sites, as well as many of the sites we saw together in May 2006. It makes me think back to all of the opportunities you, and Mom, have provided me throughout my life. I cannot thank you enough for that. Our trip to Cuernavaca has made our groups stay here smoother than it may have been if you had never taken me here. My first thought when driving through the center of town last Sunday was, "Yep! This is exactly where my Dad and I were!" I don't think there has been a day here that I haven't thought of you because of a place we saw together.
I also want to thank you for being a father that not many guys get in life. I don't think I've told you this, but several books I've read over the past year and a half have mentioned how many guys don't have fathers who reflect God's image. Saying that many of them struggle to understand and fathom God as a father figure who looks out for us and loves us. Even sometimes with tough love. As I read those books I was thankful that I couldn't relate, and I just want to thank you for not being one of those men. I want to let everyone who reads this know that you have been an amazing example of what a Christian, Christ-reflecting father should look like. You have created an atmosphere where you are a role-model, friend, and teacher. Maybe even soon a boss, we'll see. I cannot look at many aspects of my life and not see your positive influence. I am proud of who my father is, and not everyone can say that. So, on your day to be recognized, thank you for all you have been. I love you and wish I were back home to share this day with you.
Love,
Your son
Caballero
Friday, June 13, 2008
Cuernavaca: God Works Amazing Wonders!
Hola Todos!
This week has been amazing! We have found a leader on the biggest campus here in Cuernavaca who wants to start a movement of Enfoque Mexico, the Campus Crusades mission here in Mexico, on his campus. He has a group of Christians friends who he thinks are interested in joining him. It is exactly what our group has been praying for, and God has been faithful and provided. Now we have the opportunity to pour into him, Mac, and his friends and help them start their movement. It is quite exciting and an awesome opportunity.
God has been faithful in ways we haven't even asked for as well. On our first day at campus we also found some guys who are training to become professional soccer players here in Mexico. Wednesday we had the opportunity to spend time with them by hiking up a mountain and going to see some pyramids. We had some great talks with them during the climb and at the top. I was able to give them some food for thought on how they could help change Mexico for the better with the influence they will have. Oh! I forgot to mention that 3 out of the 7 are strong Christians that we have been intentionally pouring into. Yesterday we had the chance to actually scrimage with them and I got to go through some of their drills. Their skill level is amazing. It was fun to watch them practice, and shooting around with them was well - undescribable. One fo the guys just started doing bicycle kicks as another was crossing the ball from the corner. Their precision with the ball made me sick, yet excited for the fact that we are getting the chance to challenge these guys that are Christians to step out in their faith - even as professional athletes. The coach is taking to us well too. Obviously since he let us participate in practice and drills with them yesterday. He wants to take us to some other pyramids on Sunday, and I'm hoping to get the opportunity to talk to him and get him to be a Christian influence on his players. A conversation like that could have a huge impact on professional soccer here. Please pray for that conversation. Again, God is amazing and is giving us more opportunities to impact Cuernavaca and Morelos, the state Cuernavaca is located, than I ever thought imaginable. Praise be to God!
I had to share the good news from Cuernavaca! Next week we plan on moving on to try and find some people who are interested in starting a movement on the second biggest campus here in Cuernavaca; while pouring into the people we've already met so far. Thank you for your prayers, they are working!
Regardos,
Caballero
This week has been amazing! We have found a leader on the biggest campus here in Cuernavaca who wants to start a movement of Enfoque Mexico, the Campus Crusades mission here in Mexico, on his campus. He has a group of Christians friends who he thinks are interested in joining him. It is exactly what our group has been praying for, and God has been faithful and provided. Now we have the opportunity to pour into him, Mac, and his friends and help them start their movement. It is quite exciting and an awesome opportunity.
God has been faithful in ways we haven't even asked for as well. On our first day at campus we also found some guys who are training to become professional soccer players here in Mexico. Wednesday we had the opportunity to spend time with them by hiking up a mountain and going to see some pyramids. We had some great talks with them during the climb and at the top. I was able to give them some food for thought on how they could help change Mexico for the better with the influence they will have. Oh! I forgot to mention that 3 out of the 7 are strong Christians that we have been intentionally pouring into. Yesterday we had the chance to actually scrimage with them and I got to go through some of their drills. Their skill level is amazing. It was fun to watch them practice, and shooting around with them was well - undescribable. One fo the guys just started doing bicycle kicks as another was crossing the ball from the corner. Their precision with the ball made me sick, yet excited for the fact that we are getting the chance to challenge these guys that are Christians to step out in their faith - even as professional athletes. The coach is taking to us well too. Obviously since he let us participate in practice and drills with them yesterday. He wants to take us to some other pyramids on Sunday, and I'm hoping to get the opportunity to talk to him and get him to be a Christian influence on his players. A conversation like that could have a huge impact on professional soccer here. Please pray for that conversation. Again, God is amazing and is giving us more opportunities to impact Cuernavaca and Morelos, the state Cuernavaca is located, than I ever thought imaginable. Praise be to God!
I had to share the good news from Cuernavaca! Next week we plan on moving on to try and find some people who are interested in starting a movement on the second biggest campus here in Cuernavaca; while pouring into the people we've already met so far. Thank you for your prayers, they are working!
Regardos,
Caballero
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Team Cuernaluca
Hola Todos!
Sorry I haven't had much chance to update my blog and inform you on what is going on here in Mexico, but things have been extremely busy and I have much to tell.
First off, I will explain the title of this blog. Cuernaluca is not a city, it is the name of the team I am helping co-lead - more on that in a bit - that is traveling to Cuernavaca and Toluca to reach out to students at campuses there. Currently I am in Cuernavaca for two weeks, the city of eternal spring! Part of me being so busy is what I mentioned about being a co-leader. Last week I was asked to help lead the trip to Cuernavaca with a girl on our trip. Therefore, I've had extra meetings to help pick out teams, discuss planning, and allow the director to help give us a vision and foster us into our position. I'm quite honored by being seen as a leader here, as I'm amongst many other natural leaders that are in the group.
Now that you know where I am and where I'll be, I'll round up the final happenings in D.F. - Mexico City for those who forgot or who haven't read previous posts. My parents may not like hearing this, but last Thursday we went to the worst part of D.F. White people just don't go to this part of the city, it isn't well advised. It is called Tepito for anyone who is going to D.F. in the future. After being there, I would agree that you shouldn't go. I took money to eat and the clothes on my back, and that was it. The purpose of going there was to do a service project. We helped a church there in the area feed the homeless and take evangelism booklets out to the shops. It was sad to see the state of Tepito. I spent most of the day praying for that area of D.F. and appreciating what I have back home. However, the worship service before the meal at the church was encouraging. I've never seen men who have absolutely nothing have so much faith and enjoyment our Lord. Many of them were crying while singing and giving God praise. It broke my heart and giving them hugs was the least I could do. Well, I guess I did dance with them a bit too. I have never been apart of something more powerful then praising God in Spanish and being humbled so much to see how much they loved our God while being homeless in the worst part of the second largest city in the world. Words cannot describe that day, I hope I've done it justice. My tearducts swell just recalling the moment.
Hopefully that last paragraph was conherent. There is just so much to say about that experience and no way to describe it. To round out our trip we had a celebration/last night together dinner at a place called La Bellini, I think that name is right. Anyway, it is on the 45th floor of one of the tallest buildings in D.F. The floor of the restaurant moved slowly in a circle around the outside where the windows went from floor to cieling. It was really cool because we got to see a 360 degree view of D.F. It was a nice dinner in many ways: spending time with new friends, good food, and a great view.
Our Saturday was spent planning out as a group, Team Cuernaluca, our trip to Cuernavaca and Toluca. Setting a schedule and many other things. Not fun stuff, but necessary. That leaves me to where I am now, on my third day here in Cuernavaca, where we are already starting to make an impact. Yesterday we found some students, at the biggest university here in Cuernavaca, who we have befriended and are allowing them to let us get to know more and more people through their connections. God isn't wasting time. I'm excited to see what the Holy Spirit continues to do through these next two weeks here in Cuernavaca, and hopefully I will find time to keep you all updated so you can pray more specificly for our team.
Thank you for your prayers and support. It's hard to remember sometimes that I have a solid group of prayer warriors doing their part to make an impact down here. It is greatly appreciated and at time the motivation we all need here. Keep up the good work and may God bless you all as he is blessing us here!
Regardos,
Caballero
Sorry I haven't had much chance to update my blog and inform you on what is going on here in Mexico, but things have been extremely busy and I have much to tell.
First off, I will explain the title of this blog. Cuernaluca is not a city, it is the name of the team I am helping co-lead - more on that in a bit - that is traveling to Cuernavaca and Toluca to reach out to students at campuses there. Currently I am in Cuernavaca for two weeks, the city of eternal spring! Part of me being so busy is what I mentioned about being a co-leader. Last week I was asked to help lead the trip to Cuernavaca with a girl on our trip. Therefore, I've had extra meetings to help pick out teams, discuss planning, and allow the director to help give us a vision and foster us into our position. I'm quite honored by being seen as a leader here, as I'm amongst many other natural leaders that are in the group.
Now that you know where I am and where I'll be, I'll round up the final happenings in D.F. - Mexico City for those who forgot or who haven't read previous posts. My parents may not like hearing this, but last Thursday we went to the worst part of D.F. White people just don't go to this part of the city, it isn't well advised. It is called Tepito for anyone who is going to D.F. in the future. After being there, I would agree that you shouldn't go. I took money to eat and the clothes on my back, and that was it. The purpose of going there was to do a service project. We helped a church there in the area feed the homeless and take evangelism booklets out to the shops. It was sad to see the state of Tepito. I spent most of the day praying for that area of D.F. and appreciating what I have back home. However, the worship service before the meal at the church was encouraging. I've never seen men who have absolutely nothing have so much faith and enjoyment our Lord. Many of them were crying while singing and giving God praise. It broke my heart and giving them hugs was the least I could do. Well, I guess I did dance with them a bit too. I have never been apart of something more powerful then praising God in Spanish and being humbled so much to see how much they loved our God while being homeless in the worst part of the second largest city in the world. Words cannot describe that day, I hope I've done it justice. My tearducts swell just recalling the moment.
Hopefully that last paragraph was conherent. There is just so much to say about that experience and no way to describe it. To round out our trip we had a celebration/last night together dinner at a place called La Bellini, I think that name is right. Anyway, it is on the 45th floor of one of the tallest buildings in D.F. The floor of the restaurant moved slowly in a circle around the outside where the windows went from floor to cieling. It was really cool because we got to see a 360 degree view of D.F. It was a nice dinner in many ways: spending time with new friends, good food, and a great view.
Our Saturday was spent planning out as a group, Team Cuernaluca, our trip to Cuernavaca and Toluca. Setting a schedule and many other things. Not fun stuff, but necessary. That leaves me to where I am now, on my third day here in Cuernavaca, where we are already starting to make an impact. Yesterday we found some students, at the biggest university here in Cuernavaca, who we have befriended and are allowing them to let us get to know more and more people through their connections. God isn't wasting time. I'm excited to see what the Holy Spirit continues to do through these next two weeks here in Cuernavaca, and hopefully I will find time to keep you all updated so you can pray more specificly for our team.
Thank you for your prayers and support. It's hard to remember sometimes that I have a solid group of prayer warriors doing their part to make an impact down here. It is greatly appreciated and at time the motivation we all need here. Keep up the good work and may God bless you all as he is blessing us here!
Regardos,
Caballero
Monday, June 2, 2008
Primera Semana
Hola Todos!
The first week is over, and it was a roller coaster. I mentioned in my last post that I was feeling sick, but thought I was over the illness. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I had picked up a parasite that kept me out of group activities for three days, and made the other two days fairly misserable. However, I want to be out making a difference, so I toughed it out.
On the three days I missed, the group went into campuses extra hard. On the first night one of the girls of the group brought two guys to a personal relationship with Jesus! Also, the group has consistently found movement leaders on almost all of the campuses we've visited. When I say almost, I'm just being cautious about one of the potential leaders not panning out. We've found people on every campus. Even a campus that seems to be dead to the thought of Jesus Christ which I've had the privilage of going to on Friday and today. On Friday, a fellow project member and myself found one of two Christians on campus. The girl seemed to be very excited in our interest in getting a Christian movement on her campus. However, she seemed skeptical because her campus is very against religion. Pray for her, her name is Maria. Today I didn't have as much success on that campus. I only had the oppertunity to sit down and talk with a guy named Balam. He danced around questions that I asked him about Spiritual and religious beliefs. However, earlier today on another campus, the project director and I found two guys who are strong believers. The story of how we found them is worth telling, and proof the God is working through our project. We were not allowed to talk to students on this particular campus, so the project director started praying for something supernatural to happen so we could have some contacts on this one campus (the name slips my mind at the time). After his prayer, as we are walking away along the outside wall, the project director sees a car with a bumper sticker that reads in Spanish "There is nothing in this world that I love more than my God". He and I then went at talked to the man and the family in the car. The man happened to have two sons at the college who are strong Christians, as the whole family is, and he said he would make sure we got in contact with his sons. It took Joe, the campus director, three minutes to convince this man to have his sons join Enfoque Mexico. It was amazing to see the joy on this man's face. God works miracles. Believe it!
In other news with our group, last Thursday and Friday we were filmed doing evangelism on campus. A TV station has taken to what we are doing and is partnering with Enfoque Mexico to get the word out about the movement!
For a little site seeing we went out to some idigenous pyramids this weekend. They are called the Teotihuacán Pryamids. It was amazing to think that I was visiting a site that still stood strong centuries after the Teotihuacán's died off. However, the cool part comes from my shopping experience. As I was looking for souviners, I met vender who is in college at one of the schools we've been visiting. His name is Ivan, and I have been in contact with him several times already since Saturday. He is very interested in spending time together, and I have a feeling that he would be very interested in what Enfoque Mexico is all about. If anything else, it prooved to me that God does not ever take a vacaction, even when I might. Keep praying for the group and those that we encounter. It is evident from down here that God is working on the hearts of Mexicans and guiding our group to those who want Christ or want to make a difference.
Regardos,
Caballero
The first week is over, and it was a roller coaster. I mentioned in my last post that I was feeling sick, but thought I was over the illness. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I had picked up a parasite that kept me out of group activities for three days, and made the other two days fairly misserable. However, I want to be out making a difference, so I toughed it out.
On the three days I missed, the group went into campuses extra hard. On the first night one of the girls of the group brought two guys to a personal relationship with Jesus! Also, the group has consistently found movement leaders on almost all of the campuses we've visited. When I say almost, I'm just being cautious about one of the potential leaders not panning out. We've found people on every campus. Even a campus that seems to be dead to the thought of Jesus Christ which I've had the privilage of going to on Friday and today. On Friday, a fellow project member and myself found one of two Christians on campus. The girl seemed to be very excited in our interest in getting a Christian movement on her campus. However, she seemed skeptical because her campus is very against religion. Pray for her, her name is Maria. Today I didn't have as much success on that campus. I only had the oppertunity to sit down and talk with a guy named Balam. He danced around questions that I asked him about Spiritual and religious beliefs. However, earlier today on another campus, the project director and I found two guys who are strong believers. The story of how we found them is worth telling, and proof the God is working through our project. We were not allowed to talk to students on this particular campus, so the project director started praying for something supernatural to happen so we could have some contacts on this one campus (the name slips my mind at the time). After his prayer, as we are walking away along the outside wall, the project director sees a car with a bumper sticker that reads in Spanish "There is nothing in this world that I love more than my God". He and I then went at talked to the man and the family in the car. The man happened to have two sons at the college who are strong Christians, as the whole family is, and he said he would make sure we got in contact with his sons. It took Joe, the campus director, three minutes to convince this man to have his sons join Enfoque Mexico. It was amazing to see the joy on this man's face. God works miracles. Believe it!
In other news with our group, last Thursday and Friday we were filmed doing evangelism on campus. A TV station has taken to what we are doing and is partnering with Enfoque Mexico to get the word out about the movement!
For a little site seeing we went out to some idigenous pyramids this weekend. They are called the Teotihuacán Pryamids. It was amazing to think that I was visiting a site that still stood strong centuries after the Teotihuacán's died off. However, the cool part comes from my shopping experience. As I was looking for souviners, I met vender who is in college at one of the schools we've been visiting. His name is Ivan, and I have been in contact with him several times already since Saturday. He is very interested in spending time together, and I have a feeling that he would be very interested in what Enfoque Mexico is all about. If anything else, it prooved to me that God does not ever take a vacaction, even when I might. Keep praying for the group and those that we encounter. It is evident from down here that God is working on the hearts of Mexicans and guiding our group to those who want Christ or want to make a difference.
Regardos,
Caballero
Monday, May 26, 2008
First is not always best
Hola todos. I first just want to say that Mexico City (D.F.) is gorgeous. Yesterday we took a tour bus around the city and saw most of the sites. We also got to witness Mexican soldiers taking down a huge flag they have in the middle of what would be like their Congress building. The director and I got lucky and picked a spot that put us about two feet away from the soldiers and the Military Police. I got a great video of it, and plan on uploading it to the blog as soon as possible.
During the tour yesterday, I starting thinking really hard about STINT; which is a Campus Crusade position that would have me in Mexico for a year. One of the things I´d like figure out this summer is if STINT is a serious possiblity for me that I would want to consider after graduating. D.F. romanced me a little yesterday with that tour. However, the food has not been to kind to me the past 16 hours. Since dinner last night I´ve been fighting a fever and my body has been flushing out my digestive system. I´m about 99% certain I know how I got the food poisoning, and will just advise everyone that if you come to D.F. do NOT put a street venders vegetables on your taco. I am the first one in the group to get sick, and hopefully the last. It has not been fun being the first person getting seriously sick on the trip. I had to miss out on our outreach today; however, with that time I was able to break my fever and plan on being active again tonight.
On a lighter note, when I finished on the computer at the internet café - after posting the other day - I had one of the employees come up to me and asked what we were doing in D.F. and how long we were staying. It was great because she has some friends who she wants us to meet, and seemed to be interested in starting a Bible study/Crusade movement on her campus; which wasn´t a campus we were orignially going to visit. She and the owner of the internet café were very interested in what we are doing and have offered to help in any way possible. Talk about a blessing.
Keep praying for the students here in Mexico, and that our team would obey God´s every command to best glorify Him - and I guess our health too.
Regardos,
Caballero
During the tour yesterday, I starting thinking really hard about STINT; which is a Campus Crusade position that would have me in Mexico for a year. One of the things I´d like figure out this summer is if STINT is a serious possiblity for me that I would want to consider after graduating. D.F. romanced me a little yesterday with that tour. However, the food has not been to kind to me the past 16 hours. Since dinner last night I´ve been fighting a fever and my body has been flushing out my digestive system. I´m about 99% certain I know how I got the food poisoning, and will just advise everyone that if you come to D.F. do NOT put a street venders vegetables on your taco. I am the first one in the group to get sick, and hopefully the last. It has not been fun being the first person getting seriously sick on the trip. I had to miss out on our outreach today; however, with that time I was able to break my fever and plan on being active again tonight.
On a lighter note, when I finished on the computer at the internet café - after posting the other day - I had one of the employees come up to me and asked what we were doing in D.F. and how long we were staying. It was great because she has some friends who she wants us to meet, and seemed to be interested in starting a Bible study/Crusade movement on her campus; which wasn´t a campus we were orignially going to visit. She and the owner of the internet café were very interested in what we are doing and have offered to help in any way possible. Talk about a blessing.
Keep praying for the students here in Mexico, and that our team would obey God´s every command to best glorify Him - and I guess our health too.
Regardos,
Caballero
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Viva México
Hello to all! I am in Mexico, sending this message from the computer at our hotel in D.F. D.F. is how the Mexicans refer to Mexico City. I´m enjoying everything I learn from the culture here in Mexico. There is so much you just to know that you cannot get out of a classroom.
Our project dove in head first yesterday. Our project leader said the best way to learn how to share the Gospel to the Mexican students is to just go out and share. The only worry I had was whether my Spanish would hold up in an evangelical conversation. However, I should be meeting with a guy that I talked to who seemed very interested in Christianity. He believes in a higher power, but not God. He has a compassionate heart, and I think could come to know Christ with a little more conversation. He had tons of questions. His name is David, be praying for him. Another guy, Inrique, was not so sure about the Christian thing. I have his contact in formation and hope to be able to talk to him more, but the language barrier started to come up in our conversation. Be praying for him too, as well as the other students we will encounter these next two weeks in Mexico City.
On a side note, our group experienced Nacho Libre style wrestling, luchadero, last night. Masks and all. It was very interesting and very fake. I´m not a huge fan of WWE and luchadero style wrestling, so sat there soaking in the atmosphere. It was sad to see how they worshiped these possessed men and women fighting. I found myself praying for the crowd several times. However, there was one wrestler, Mistico, who has some awesome moves.
Well, I don´t have much more time left before I need to get going again, but I´d like to thank everyone for their prayers. I plan on keeping my parents and girlfriend up to date on any urgent news, so they should know of any more specifics if you´d like them.
One last thing, I want to make a quick shout out to my youth back in Lexington at FUMC. I´m thinking of you guys and miss being around you. Take care of Jan for me.
Regardos,
Caballero
Our project dove in head first yesterday. Our project leader said the best way to learn how to share the Gospel to the Mexican students is to just go out and share. The only worry I had was whether my Spanish would hold up in an evangelical conversation. However, I should be meeting with a guy that I talked to who seemed very interested in Christianity. He believes in a higher power, but not God. He has a compassionate heart, and I think could come to know Christ with a little more conversation. He had tons of questions. His name is David, be praying for him. Another guy, Inrique, was not so sure about the Christian thing. I have his contact in formation and hope to be able to talk to him more, but the language barrier started to come up in our conversation. Be praying for him too, as well as the other students we will encounter these next two weeks in Mexico City.
On a side note, our group experienced Nacho Libre style wrestling, luchadero, last night. Masks and all. It was very interesting and very fake. I´m not a huge fan of WWE and luchadero style wrestling, so sat there soaking in the atmosphere. It was sad to see how they worshiped these possessed men and women fighting. I found myself praying for the crowd several times. However, there was one wrestler, Mistico, who has some awesome moves.
Well, I don´t have much more time left before I need to get going again, but I´d like to thank everyone for their prayers. I plan on keeping my parents and girlfriend up to date on any urgent news, so they should know of any more specifics if you´d like them.
One last thing, I want to make a quick shout out to my youth back in Lexington at FUMC. I´m thinking of you guys and miss being around you. Take care of Jan for me.
Regardos,
Caballero
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
¡Hasta Luego Estados Unidos!
It is exactly 6 hours and 10 minutes until my flight leaves for Houston(12:10am Thursday), my connection to Mexico!! Next time I will be posting it will be from Mexico!
I'm extremely excited to do God's work, sharing the message of His love! In addition to that, I'm going to be sharing the Gospel with complete strangers, the other U.S. students whom I've yet to meet. It is starting to set in on how much of a life changing experience this is going to be because of the many ways God has already challenged me and how I'm sure He will challenge me in Mexico. I look forward to updating you on everything we are doing in Mexico, and hope that I will soon be able to have a Mexican student post on here with me - sharing the joy the Lord has brought them.
Thank you for all of the prayers! They are much needed, as are all prayers, and know that you all will be in my prayers as well.
Regardos,
Caballero
(I'm going to use this nickname so I can keep my real name confidential, for safety reasons. If you are commenting and want to direct a message to me, please use "Caballero" in place of my real name. Gracias!)
I'm extremely excited to do God's work, sharing the message of His love! In addition to that, I'm going to be sharing the Gospel with complete strangers, the other U.S. students whom I've yet to meet. It is starting to set in on how much of a life changing experience this is going to be because of the many ways God has already challenged me and how I'm sure He will challenge me in Mexico. I look forward to updating you on everything we are doing in Mexico, and hope that I will soon be able to have a Mexican student post on here with me - sharing the joy the Lord has brought them.
Thank you for all of the prayers! They are much needed, as are all prayers, and know that you all will be in my prayers as well.
Regardos,
Caballero
(I'm going to use this nickname so I can keep my real name confidential, for safety reasons. If you are commenting and want to direct a message to me, please use "Caballero" in place of my real name. Gracias!)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Enfoque México
School is finished for the semester, support is ALL in (praise God!), thank you letters are out, and now it is time to focus on Mexico!
It has been a while since I have updated the blog, but with reason; rounding out a semester does not leave much time for blog posting. However, now this blog has become a priority as I am ONE WEEK away from Mexico. In fact, a week from today I will be in the air on my flight to Mexico City!
I never thought I could be so anxious and excited to do God's work, but I am. However, I have plenty to do within this week to keep me occupied. I think the most important things are marking all the important passages in my new bilingual Bible; refreshing myself on some Spanish; and prepare myself Spiritually, mentally, and physically. I know God still has a lot to teach me before I can go off and speak His word in another language, in a foreign country.
I would like to take the time to thank everyone for their support and encouraging letters that came with them. They were nice to read and it is encouraging to know that there are many people out there that know the importance of sharing God's word to the world. I plan on taking those letters for continual encouragement while in Mexico, and hopefully this blog can allow you to leave comments on posts about what is happening in Mexico or leave some encouragement if you want. Both are welcomed and encouraged.
Well, I am off to finish the hustle and bustle of preparation for Mexico. ONE WEEK LEFT! Next time I post it will be, "Hasta luego E.E.U.U!"
It has been a while since I have updated the blog, but with reason; rounding out a semester does not leave much time for blog posting. However, now this blog has become a priority as I am ONE WEEK away from Mexico. In fact, a week from today I will be in the air on my flight to Mexico City!
I never thought I could be so anxious and excited to do God's work, but I am. However, I have plenty to do within this week to keep me occupied. I think the most important things are marking all the important passages in my new bilingual Bible; refreshing myself on some Spanish; and prepare myself Spiritually, mentally, and physically. I know God still has a lot to teach me before I can go off and speak His word in another language, in a foreign country.
I would like to take the time to thank everyone for their support and encouraging letters that came with them. They were nice to read and it is encouraging to know that there are many people out there that know the importance of sharing God's word to the world. I plan on taking those letters for continual encouragement while in Mexico, and hopefully this blog can allow you to leave comments on posts about what is happening in Mexico or leave some encouragement if you want. Both are welcomed and encouraged.
Well, I am off to finish the hustle and bustle of preparation for Mexico. ONE WEEK LEFT! Next time I post it will be, "Hasta luego E.E.U.U!"
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Support Update
I'd like to give an update on how much support has been raised for my Mexico project. God has shown me how amazing He is through the support that has come in the past two weeks. I've already received ~32% of my $3,500 needed for project. Along with the support, I have received some very encouraging letters of support. The words of encouragement and others' understanding of God's work blows me away. My confidence grows with each letter, and I really appreciate the support and kind words.
I have some other encouraging news. This weekend I had the opportunity to talk to a senior that I greatly respect. We talked about God's work through these summer projects, he went on one to Russia last summer. He was able to give me some insight on how God may work through me. I'm excited to see what God has to teach me in Mexico and see how He will use me for His glory. I pray that God will be blessing you as He is blessing me in my daily life.
I again want to thank all those who are already supporting me, please pray that I will continue to receive support and that God will start to work on the hearts of those I will encounter this summer. God's blessings to all!
I have some other encouraging news. This weekend I had the opportunity to talk to a senior that I greatly respect. We talked about God's work through these summer projects, he went on one to Russia last summer. He was able to give me some insight on how God may work through me. I'm excited to see what God has to teach me in Mexico and see how He will use me for His glory. I pray that God will be blessing you as He is blessing me in my daily life.
I again want to thank all those who are already supporting me, please pray that I will continue to receive support and that God will start to work on the hearts of those I will encounter this summer. God's blessings to all!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Step One
My blog is up!! I decided to create a blog to keep my supporters, of my summer project, up to date with how things are going. I plan on updating this blog with pictures and the latest happenings while I'm in Mexico.
First update - all of my support letters are out and now it's time to sit and be patient, trusting that God will provide the proper amount of support for the project. Next update will be on the progress of the financial and spiritual support raised. Keep checking to see how God is working now, and will be working in Mexico!
First update - all of my support letters are out and now it's time to sit and be patient, trusting that God will provide the proper amount of support for the project. Next update will be on the progress of the financial and spiritual support raised. Keep checking to see how God is working now, and will be working in Mexico!
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