Mini Mission Trip!

While the mission team from San Diego and Michoacan was here (see post below), the Horizonte Churches in Queretaro (our church) and Sta. Rosa (a town to the north of QRO) had an outreach event for the peole who live in the neighborhood of Horizonte Sta. Rosa.  About 30 people from Horizonte QRO came out, and a lot more donated food - free food always attracts people! - for the event.  About 180 children and adults came to the event in Sta. Rosa.

Clown show and songs for the kids!

This was the first time that many of the Horizonte QRO folks had been to an evangelistic outreach.

Behind the scenes balloon-making!

Marco, the Sta. Rosa pastor, shared the message of salvation in Christ.  Afterward, five people accepted the Lord!

JP and I wondered how many of the 180 people in attendance were from a church.  We asked Pastor Marco, who recognized the people from both churches, and he estimated that HALF of them were non-believers from the town!  That was encouraging because many times "outreaches" end up being events for the people of the church and hardly any non-church people come.  So this was different, and of course the five who accepted Christ made the whole things worth it, as well as the fact that now all those people at least know where the little church in Sta. Rosa is, and will hopefully come back!

I was also encouraged to see people from Horizonte QRO come out and help in so many ways - from making food, to leading songs and games, to being clowns...  There were several who had never been to an event like this before and really didn't know what to expect, but came anyway.  Ramses, one of the clowns, is the only Christian in his family and had very little idea what the event would be like, but did an excellent job with the kids!  Ruben, Cristina, and Adriana and her teenage boys are attendees of Horizonte who hadn't really been involved in anything except attending on Sundays, but they came and saw what an outreach is all about and jumped in to paint faces, serve food, make balloons, and pretty much help with anything! 

We hope to do a similar outreach in the town of Cadereyta (kah-dare-RAY-tah), where the mission team from SD/Michoacan went last week.  A lot of  people in Cadereyta are even hostile toward Christians, so we want to be able to help that church in any way possible!  We were so encouraged by what God did in Sta. Rosa, where Christians are not well received either, and trust that the Lord will work in Cadereyta too!

Y SU casa Tambien!

So, like the very day that I posted last about using our house in any way we can to bless others, we found out that there was some people coming from San Diego CA and Michoacan MX for a few days.  So two ladies stayed in our house! 

Robin, Diana, and I in the Centro

The team of six came to visit three churches in the State of Queretaro, to encourage, help out, and find out what each churches' needs are.  They came to Horizonte Queretaro, and the Horizonte churches in the small towns of Santa Rosa and Cadereyta.

Part of the team in Queretaro Centro

These guys were a blessing to us, and helped out in even little stuff that needed to be done.  They were an encouragement to us as a church, and mainly to the church staff!  The three from San Diego are basically doing a road trip going to various Horizonte churches through out the country.  Three others are missionaries in Michoacan.

They left yesterday to go back to Michoacan for a while, then the Californians are off to Mazatlan and a couple other places before heading home!

The team (minus Diana who's taking the picture) and some Horizonte folks: (back) Zac, Me, Cinthya, Tanto, Pepe, Sal, Chepe, Sinai, Marlene, (front) Robin, JP

Nuestra Casa es Tu Casa

Our house is YOUR house! 

It's very common here in Queretaro, that when you talk about your house, you say something like, "Yeah, at my house... which is also YOUR house... we like to... blah blah blah..."  Or if you tell people where you live, you say the address and then, "That's where your house is for whenever you want to stop by." 

We really DO want our house to be used by others for blessings!  We generally have a good deal of activity in our house... which is also YOUR house...  hehe!... in the evenings.  We have people that we disciple over for Bible studies, JP's famous guys' movie nights with friends, JP's teachers come over for dinner, sometimes we have youth meetings and/or planning meetings in our house.  We're also getting a rather large stash of STUFF for youth group piling up. 

I LIKE this!  It's DIFFERENT for me!  Since I'm from the United States, I was always acustomed to having people over when it's PLANNED.  And that was never very often. 

Here, we frequently have friends (most of them being guys from the "guys' movie night!") stop by the house "conveniently" at lunch time.  The polite thing to do is invite them to eat with us.  Even though we weren't expecting them.  And being the good mexican wife that I am, :) I always have more food on hand for when this happens.  The mexican kitchen should never be without: rice, beans (already cooked!), limes, home-made salsa, tortillas, and eggs.  With these items you can extend a 2-people meal to a 6-people meal in 15 minutes.  We generally have a good 3-liter bottle of coke hanging around too. 

Now we're excited for Thanksgiving too!  We've lost count of the number of people we've invited, and aren't sure who's actually going to come and who won't make it (it IS at 3pm during a work-day).  I figure we'll have somewhere between 6 and 25 people...  just need to make sure that we have someone bring one roasted chicken for about every 5 people who come.  (We do chicken instead of turkey... way easier and cheaper!)  And maybe say it's a BYOC day (Bring Your Own Chair!) 

JP showing off last years' banquet for 9:

So come on over!  We'll hook you up with some food and 2 square meters of floor space to sleep on!  :)

And you can help us out with this the huge pile of youth group STUFF that we acquired recently - these three HUGEEEEEEEEEEE bags of chips (they're about of third of what was there before the "Santo Relajo" event!), pingpong equipment, 50 hot dog buns and 6 kilos of hot dogs crammed into the freezer, and a vast array of random youth-game stuff. 

Santo Relajo!

Last week we had a pretty much amazing event at Horizonte Church - Santo Relajo!  (doesn't translate well in english, but it's like "holy mess")  This was an outreach event for youth.  Many of the Horizonte youth invited non-Christian friends, and we had quite a few young people from other Christian churches come with friends as well.  We had 70+ young people at the event, which included live music from *Sweet Emily* - two girls from Horizonte are the drummer and a singer in the group.  We had a super-mega-abundance of hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, and cider for everyone, provided by the women of Horizonte and families of the young people.  We played lots of crazy games, and had a bonfire with the biggest marshmallows I've ever seen.  And most importantly, Pablo - a youth leader from another church in Queretaro - gave a message of salvation for those who might never have heard about Jesus' saving grace.  FIVE young people accepted the Lord that night!  We want to make sure to keep in contact with them to help them grow in their new faith!

Our invitation to Santo Relajo  (my pictures didn't turn out well, it was too dark...)



We're also planning a large Christmas party together with several other Christian church youth groups in Queretaro on December 18th.  It will be held at Horizonte, and will also be an evangelistic event!  We're excited about the partyyyyyyy!!

Honduras!

I (Jessica) was able to spend a week in Honduras this month with my Honduran "family" and friends, thanks to frequent flyer miles finally paying off!

It was an EXCELLENT trip!  I got to meet my friends' spouses that I hadn't met, and their babies that have been born in the past 3 years too!  I just wish Jean Paul would've been able to come...  But next time we'll go together!!

Here's a couple of pictures from the trip:

My little brother Ronald with his wife Ingrid and their son Alejandro:

 My little brother Franklin and his girlfriend Kendra

Me and my honduran mom Suyapa

The whole family at dinner!



I have more pictures on my Facebook HERE

Note to Self...

When you see a familiar-looking, harmless caterpillar on the ground, stoop to pick it up, and your husband yells "NOO!  No lo toques!  Te va a quemar!  (Don't touch that!  It'll burn you!)..."  don't touch it.

I've seen these caterpillars around Queretaro.  They look a LOT like those fuzzy black ones with an orange middle that we used to have as pet in Oregon (until they either dehydrated or starved to death!).  Hence me wanting to pick on up. 

I heeded my JP's advice and didn't touch the caterpillar (although I secretly wanted to to see what would happen). 

I went to Bernal the other week and was climbing the big rock (photo above), and my friend Pam (the girl with red hair, above) was having a rough go of it.  She was worrying about slipping on the rocks, and me and others were assuring her that she wouldn't slip.  I was right in front of her... and I started to slip, but caught myself before she noticed.  In that process, my wrist brushed up against something and immediate pain went through my whole arm.  I thought some huge bumble bee or something had stung me.  But no.  I had lightly touched an "azotador" caterpillar.  The stupid thing was unphased and went inching his way down the rock, as I tried not to cry.  We got up to the top of the rock and I was still in pain.  Someone suggested I suck on my wrist and spit out the bad stuff.  BAD idea.  Then my mouth hurt too! 

That caterpillar burn lasted for like 4 hours! 

I learned my lesson.  Don't pick up random caterpillars.

200 Years of MEXICO!

Mexico's Bicentenial was this week - September 16th!  JP and I, and friends, went to the Centro to celebrate!  It was wonderful!  Of course, we started out the night with "Antojitos Queretanos" (tipical Queretaro fair-food)



Jessi & JP with sweet tamales

Pam and Karen getting elotes

JP's favorite food booth!

Then we all crowded into one of the parks in the Centro - we didn't make it into the one in front of the State Capitol!

The governor gave the "GRITO" and we sang the national anthem.

Noe and JP in the park with THOUSANDS of other Queretanos!

And, what Independece Day celebration is complete without fireworks!

Fireworks over the San Francisco Church

Viva Mexico!  200 years!!

It was an unforgettable celebration! 

Mexico - 199 years, 363 days old...

Mexico is turing 200 years old!  I always love Independence Day here (September 16, and the celebrations start on the 15th at night), but this year will be extra special, as there is so much going on for the Bicentenial!  JP and I, and several friends are going here on the 15th at night:

This is a plaza in front of the State Capitol building.  The governor will do the "grito" which is a tribute to the people who helped Mexico become independent.  Somehow I have a feeling that we'll end up down some alleyway somewhat close to the plaza, as there will surely be THOUSANDS of people here...

The town is decked out in Independece Day decor, and we are too!

I'll definitely post pictures after the celebration!!

Scary Christians

Why do we, Christians, sometimes have the notion that we have to be "weird?"  I mean, technically, Jesus was weird - he did and said things that were counter-cultural - like the "turn the other cheek" thing - it was supposed to be "an eye for an eye," but Jesus spoke about vengence and forgiveness in a different way that the culture dictated.

But why do so many Christians ADD rules to life?  Isn't that what the Pharisees did?  And why are we, sometimes, meaner, less careful with our stuff, or more legalistic than people who DON'T believe in Christ?  There is a fine line between setting a good example of a Christ-like lifestyle, and turning your nose up at those who don't know Christ and therefore don't live a Christian lifestyle. 

I have two examples from personal experience that rather irritate me along these lines...

1.  A long time ago, I worked in a restaurant.  I usually worked at night, but this particular day I was working at lunch time, and some ladies that I knew from a local church came in.  Apparently, they went to that restaurant every week after a Bible study.  I greeted the ladies by name, and a coworker took me aside and asked me if I actually KNEW those ladies.  Yes, I said, I know them.  Why?  And my coworker said, "They're CHRISTIANS.  They're always totally rude to me and I HATE it when they come in here!  I know you're a Christian and you're not like that, but I figured you didn't actually have anything to do with them!"  And, right on cue, one of the ladies came up to the counter and started going off on my coworker for putting some extra ingredient on her pizza.  I'm not talking, "Um, excuse me, this isn't what I ordered."  (Which is totally valid - if you didn't get what you ordered, tell the waiters).  It was more like, "Um, did you HEAR what I asked for?  I mean, it's really NOT that hard to remember 'pepperoni with mushrooms and olives,' and THIS has ONIONS on it!!  I can't heat THIS!  You need to give me another pizza NOW!  I shouldn't have to suffer through this crap."  Not.  Even. Kidding.  I was MAD that this lady, representing a Bible study group, went off on my coworker like that!!  I think a lot of times non-Christians do a lot better job of "being kind to one another" that those of us who claim to follow Christ. 

2.  I remember when I was little and recycling became something that was plausable for people to actually do in their homes.  A lot of people didn't want to do it...  too complicated, too much work, I'm too lazy, etc.  But CHRISTIANS should be the FIRST people to want to jump in with recycling!  God created the earth for us to use AND take care of.  We can't continue using natural resources if we don't take care of them first.  I remember a LONG time ago when the "spotted owl" was a big issue and cutting down lumber was getting to be frowned upon (this is in Oregon).  Christians were the ones saying that we should just cut down the forrests for whatever we want, they're there for us to use and we can do whatever with the forrests.  Some of my friends and I even made up a song: "Cut down the old growth forrests, make the spotted owl live somewhere else!"  I totally agree that animals should not have presidence over humans, but no human is going to die if we are more careful in the lumber industry and plant lots of new trees for the trees that are cut down.  It's part of taking care of God's creation - something that I get the impression that non-Christians do a whole lot better than Christians.  That seems incongruent to me since if we want to honor Jesus with our lives, we should obey God's commands...  Including taking care of His creations...

3.  Then there's the whole "dress code" thing.  Those who follow Christ DO need to be careful in how we dress - cover what needs to be covered.  But there are lots of "modest" clothes that are actually cute and rather stylish.  I used to go to a Bible study (GREAT study, by the way) where there were like over 100 women.  I was always one of the only ones in pants.  It was like there was a "uniform" of jeans jumpers (AUS: "jumper" is like a dress that you put on over a blouse) and flat dress shoes.  (This was only about 5 years ago!)  Why?  I guess because that's how good Christian ladies were "supposed" to dress.  I'm sure that if you went to the closets of 100 non-Christian ladies in the same age groups you would only find like 2 jeans jumpers that actually get used.  Yes, as Christians, we are called to be different, but not to isolate ourselves from all things/people who aren't Christians!  (Note the "purple jumpsuit missionary" for another example). 

It took me a long time to find a picture of a jumper, and this is not quite as bad as the ones I'm talking about...

The point: We scare people when we make rules and /or disregard cultural norms.  (Cultural norms that do no go against God's Word, that is).  Who wants to be a Christian if it means that you're going to turn into an old bag?  Or if it means disregarding what you know is right - like taking care of our resources - because it's all of a sudden not important?  Or if it means that you're subjected to a life of jeans jumpers and turtleneck sweaters?  Because I feel like this is the impression we give of what it means to be a Christian.

Just saying...

Zombies!

"Wait on the Lord."  "God will open doors for you."  "God works in His timing."

I agree.  Biblical concepts  by which we sould live.

But, many times as Christians, we take phrases like these and turn them into excuses to do...  NOTHING.  We graduate from high school and don't work or go to college because we're "waiting on the Lord."  We don't tell anyone about Christ because "God hasn't opened the door" for us to do so.  We turn into ZOMBIES - having that blank stare that shows that you have no clue what's going on, and following what everyone else is doing. 

We've begun a series in Infusion (Horizonte Church young adults' group) called Zombies.  Too many young people are falling into complete apathy and blaming it on "God not showing up," or "God hasn't given me the opportunity."

Let's take the story of Joshua as an example of correctly "waiting on the Lord."  Joshua was a young guy when the Israelites left captivity in Egypt.  At some point, he became a helper to Moses.  Moses and all the people "who were of fighting age" when they left Egypt were not going to be allowed to enter the land that God had promised the Israelites.  (Joshua could because he was obedient.) 
Anyhow, all the old guys are gone and the Israelites are set to go to the Promised Land.  But God tells them that they'll have to FIGHT to get into the land.  What's more, they have to walk around the whole city for seven days, probably while the people inside laugh and make fun of them, and maybe stand on the city walls throwing rotten vegetables and spitting on the Israelites.  (this is the Jessica version)  In the end, the Israelites race in to Jericho and kill all the people inside. 

So...  What if Joshua and the Israelites would've "waited on the Lord" in the same way many of us do now days?  They could've sat in the desert thinking, "well, God's going to give us this land, so I guess we'll just wait here outside the city until the people inside decide to leave and give the land to us."  Wow, there's a threat.  "I guess God hasn't opened the door for us to go into the city yet, but some day He will." 

Guess what!  "Waiting on the Lord" and "Looking for His open door" doesn't mean being lazy!!  The Israelite wouldn't have and  Holy Land today if Joshua would've been like, "well, ok, we'll go in to Jericho when the people decide to give us the city."  They took action and got their hands dirty!  "Waiting on the Lord" involves LISTENING to Him and TAKING ACTION when He gives us a promise or an opportunity.  We need to provoke things to happen.  I'm not at all saying that God isn't taking action - it He's not the focus of our lives, we might as well just forget about even saying we want to follow Him.  We DEFINITELY need to seek God's will.  But SEEK is a VERB - that means we have to take action!  If we don't ACTIVELY SEEK His will, how can we wait on Him?! 

So, we should shake off the Zombie-ness.  Zombies have been dead and are now alive (ok, THAT we don't need to shake off!), just like we were dead in sin, and are now alive.  But Zombies just do what everyone else is doing, following blindly with blank looks on their faces and not using words just grunts.  And THAT is what we DON'T need to be doing.

This is what we're learning in Infusion.  We hope and pray that it will impact the young people to TAKE ACTION!!  :)

We made a funny video about zombies who just follow what everyone else does.  I don't have the video, but we made ourselves up like zombies.  Some of us turned out pretty freaky-looking...  But the video was funny and served the purpose to show what we DON'T want to be like!

You only get one picture of Zombies, because the rest look like bad holloween make up and are kind of scary...
Pam, Lluvia, Amayrani, Brisa, and Karen doing their zombie make-up for the video!