San Andres Trip Update
What is it that makes change so difficult?
When I left for Mexico in May of 2005 I missed my family so much. It was the hardest thing in the world to say goodbye to them and wondered if the sadness would ever end. I took one day at a time, praying, meditating on the Word and helping out my fellow missionaries in any way I could. As the days and weeks passed, so did the sadness and as I began to adjust and I found that I could look forward to the time in which I would see my extended family again.
The same is true with leaving Mexico. Even though this last time I only spent a week there, I had a very difficult time leaving. I find that I can not go down to Mexico without my heart and mind becoming completely involved. It was sad to leave Mexico again and difficult. It makes me wonder, why do I want to keep going back? Why not just try to have a normal life? Is all the change, heartache and inner turmoil worth it? Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but this is something that I struggle with and perhaps some of you can relate.
God has given us a unique ability to adjust to the situations he puts us in. Harsh changes in climate, new food, hard physical labor, foreign language acquisition, new friends. He made us so we can deal with change and we adjust. However, the biggest trials can come when we try to resist the change. I can remember a few times in my life when I resisted change to the point of making myself physically sick and almost completely useless for anything in life. God was working a change in my life and I was holding on for dear life, trying not to let go of what I thought I wanted to hold on to. It affected my health, relationships and so many other aspects of my life. When I finally was able to let go of what I was grasping so tightly to, God still took care of me. Things were different, but he allowed me to adjust slowly to the point where I felt like life was normal again. And wouldn’t you know it, I was once again in his will!
So as I write this, I’m back to taking one day at a time. I am in the process of looking for a new job, trying to live a “normal” life here in Pennsylvania. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be here… too. Being near family, the regularity of a steady job, the prospect of beginning my own family some day… all these things seem much more feasible here in the states. My prayer continues to be that if God wants me back in Mexico that he make it extraordinarily clear in a way that only He can. And if he wants me to remain in Pennsylvania, that I will have a peace that passes understanding that it is his will. Please keep me in your prayers regarding this.
San Andres
The Church at San Andres. "Xatiti Kyakgapun" means "Camino al Cielo"... "The Way to Heaven"
We had a very eventful trip out to San Andres. Our original goal was to look into the prospect of beginning to build a church building near the medical clinic, which was started by German missionaries and now run by a Mexican missionary doctor and his team. In our conversations with Dr. Emilio we found out that there were projects that needed to be completed before the actual construction of the church building. One of those projects is a retaining wall that must be constructed to stabilize the small plot of land that the church is to be built on. Because of the mountainous terrain, every square foot of property is significant. The building of this retaining wall will maximize the existing church property and aid the solid foundation for the new church to come. There are also many maintenance projects at the clinic from painting to plumbing. We do not yet have an extensive list of what maintenance items need to be addressed, but that will come in time. During our stay in San Andres we are planning on sending a few workers from our group to one, perhaps two nearby churches in the area. One of those churches, in a town called Tonelapa, is a 13 minute walk from San Andres and a 30 minute drive! The other church we are considering visiting, in a town called Chilics, is two hours away, driving of course.
This is the bank where the retaining wall is to be built.
Tonelapa
Tonelapa is the church that is only a 13 minute walk away. Our main goal in visiting Tonelapa is to begin to restore Mexican and American relationships that were hurt a few years ago. They are a small church of about 30 people who need encouragement more than anything. Perhaps we can help them with some maintenance items, but right now a building project at Tonelapa is out of the question. We just want to be wise in showing them the love of Christ and seeing if they have any immediate needs.
Chilics
An even more remote church than the congregation at San Andres, the church at Chilics is an encouraging example of spiritual growth. Up to this point they have raised their own money and constructed their church to the point where it only lacks a roof. Located on top of a hill, the only access to the building is a 300 ft steep walk up a trail. My initial thought about this church was “Why we don’t go there and put a roof on their church?!” But in talking with Dr. Emilio we realized that it would be important to build up a relationship with them first, perhaps by visiting this year and spending some time with the members of their congregation before planning a return to help with their building project.
Eli-
Eli’s parents, Rosa and Abel told us the whole story of Eli’s sickness and recovery when we visited. A few weeks ago, Eli came down with a very serious illness which caused vomiting and diarrhea. After this happened a number of times she called the doctor who prescribed a medication for him which only subdued the symptoms until they came back again. After a very difficult night of these recurring symptoms, the doctor said that Rosa should bring her boy to the hospital right away. He stayed in the hospital for four days while being treated for an intestinal infection that had spread to his kidneys. After the fourth day, he was discharged and sent home with medication to continue to treat the infections which seemed to be subsiding. Almost immediately after returning home, Eli relapsed into the sickness once again and for two more days was sicker then even before. At that time Rosa and Abel had spent all their saved money and borrowed money on hospital bills and medicine and came down to their only hope, prayer. They called everyone they knew and even had a special prayer service at their church for Eli. It was at that same time that people in the States were praying as well. Rosa shared with us that it was at that point that they thought they might loose their little boy. But God was merciful. Whatever God used, whether the medication finally kicking in, or his body finally overcoming the infection, or just a miracle, their prayers were answered. Little Eli turned the corner and began recovering less than a week before we arrived in Mexico. We saw them on Wednesday of last week and gave them the love offering that was raised to help pay for medical expenses. They were overwhelmed with gratitude, giving all their praise and thanks to God.
Rosa and Abel with their infant daughter Ruth... and family (Eli was taking a nap when this picture was taken)
As of right now we are tentatively planning on preparing a team to return to Mexico from June 14th through the 28th. These dates could change, but we hope to have a very solid idea of when the team will go within the next few weeks. I will post more information about the trip in the coming weeks as it becomes available to me.
We met on Monday with Dr Emilio at the clinic. Left to right: Dr. Emilio, Efrain, Pastor Juan, Len, Jon and Neil
Blessings in Christ,
Jon
