So it has been a while…

Yes, I know that is has been several weeks since the last time I have blogged, but these last few weeks have been incredibly busy here in this area as the participants have finally taken way into their full-time schedule with internships and WOWs – well, at least that is one of the two reasons. The second reason being, the base here in Mexico has been experiencing some major technical difficulties with our internet service provider, but, we believe the problem has just alleviated itself and pray that it continues in that direction. Nonetheless, buckle in.


“Please keep all extremities inside the cart and in 1,2,…..ahhhhhhhhhh”
That is exactly how these last few weeks have gone – exactly like a roller coaster. Speeding up, then slowing down just enough to catch your breath and then – 1,2,…..ahhhhhh.

Each individual within the leadership, here, has rolls and responsibilities that are instituted to them, that the different ministry might move smoothly – or at sometimes, just move. I am heading several of different types of ministries. Those being the internships, Saturday ministry, Wednesday night family night, Worship, and Discipleship.

I want to share with you a vision of what those look like.

Internships:
The internships are a Wednesday – Friday ministry that are involved with several areas around the city. There are four different sites.
       One is Harvard school. Harvard is a private, Christian school that has approximately 170 students. The curriculum is taught completely in English, giving the student the advantage of learning English at an early age and being able to apply what they know of the language daily within the classroom. We have 5 participants that have incorporated themselves into the school with different rolls from tutoring to teaching Gym class.
       Next, there is the prison. Over the years the prison has shown itself to be a wonderful site for building close relationships and having frequent opportunities to share your faith with the inmates. At this moment we have 3 of the participants that have infiltrated the prison walls to bring love and compassion of Christ. The three participants are all female so they are limited to the side of the prison that is the women’s prison. Nevertheless, great relationship have already preceded within these few week there.
       As well there is Esters. Esters is a children’s home, primarily for children that have parents, but their parents, for one reason or another, cannot care for them, so they are sent to Esters. There are 2 participants involved with Esters that are able to bring Christ’s joy and love that they might not receive from anywhere or anyone else in there normal weekly schedule.
       Last, but by far not least, the hospital. God has opened many doors to allow us to build a great relationship with some ‘key’ workers inside. They have pushed and pulled some strings that have created a seamless and easy ability to enter and minister to the patients. There are 3 participants that are involved in the hospital ministry. The hospital is one of many in the area, although, this is the one – that members of the community that have no insurance – go to or are sent to. After you are treated in this hospital you cannot leave before paying your bill.

Saturday Ministry:
Saturday ministry has almost endless opportunities. During Saturday mornings or evenings, we go out into the community as an entire group to do ministry. Some of the places that we go to are, the plaza’s, the sports complex, the dump, the YDC, the prison, and different colonias for children’s ministries. I will share with you more about each one as we go out to them during this year.


Wednesday Family Night:
Woohoo. Family night is a time designed for the team to have the opportunity to have fun together as an entire unit. Do to different ministries and different groups, the team is separated for most of the day every day of the week – so the dream of family night is to allow a deeper unity through simple acts of randomness (charades) to a large movement (70’s night).

Worship:
Sunday nights are when the church, Castillo Del Rey, congregation meets. The church has a worship band and, similar to my first year, I have the opportunity to be incorporated into the band. In the last 4 Sunday nights, I have yet to play the same instrument – ha. Praise God for permitting me the ability to play multiple instruments.
As well, I lead worship for the team in the morning times on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Discipleship: (The closest ministry to my heart)
Here at AIM, we have an emphasis on discipleship. One of the largest ministries is towards our participants, where we meet together one on one and simply discuss or dialogue through what is going on in their lives. Each of the participants have a ‘discipler’ that meets with them weekly. I am overseeing that process and making sure everyone is under the same understanding, and that the disciple and the disciple are moving in the same direction.