A Bunch of Little Niños went to the Market

We went shopping. We had debriefing. We are tired. We had an excellent meal at a Mexican restaurant in Mexico...wooo...See you tomorrow.

Carnival!

After breakfast, our leaders had a short leaders meeting (nothing unusual), but in the very short absence of our leaders a terrible thing happened...a cult formed within our group. This cult spread quickly among those of weak faith (TJ, Jeremy, John and Allen). As far as our analyst (me) can tell, this cult involved wearing your bedding as a robe and "chanting" (although very few words were intelligible) various things. Certain objects were worshipped for a short while (such as a balloon animal and a ball) before they were sacrificed to their gods. We know little about their gods and their ceremonies as the cult only lasted about 20 mins. Eventually their focus turned to "sacking". Colin was taken for the purpose of this ceremonial sacrifice and barely escaped...it was then that one of the clan leaders (Jeremy) prophesied that Colin would feel the wrath of the gods and that on the day of the full moon he would be sacked. Religious order was shortly restored upon the return of our leaders...so no big deal. (Note: None of the cult members actually have weak faith and we will choose to ignore this lapse into culthood)

Next...all of us went to site #1 to do the regular VBS. After the VBS was finished we set up for the CARNIVAL. The kids really loved the games or just enjoyed being with people from our group. We had many games like marble toss, rubber band guns, sponge throwing (at Marc and Amanda), frisbee toss, soccer shooting and bowling to name a few. We really enjoyed making the kids happy and seeing how much we meant to them.

We said goodbye to many of the children after we had given each a prize of some sort. We were sad to leave and wished we could have done more, but it does feel good to be finally done. It was a tiring week.

Tomorrow is our day off. We will possibly go shopping (this is not a promise that I will bring you anything) and do other things on our own. We'll see. Our work is done here, and a good work it was.

Until then...

Sunday...Domingo

Today we were able to sleep in as breakfast was only at 8:30 this morning. Afterwards we cleaned up the building as quick as we could for church. All of our stuff was moved to an office, the floors were swept and washed and chairs were set up for the church service (which was, of course, in spanish).

We were able to have our own (english) sunday school beforehand led by Stacy (Sandra's coworker) which went quite well. For lunch we had pizza ordered in...which reminds me...
I don't think that I had yet mentioned that the meals are a little different than back home. (And, I don't just mean the food) We eat a common breakfast...nothing very different there. Lunch is at around 2 o'clock (or so) in the afternoon and it is usually the largest meal of the day. Supper eaten at about 9 in the evening...this may be a little different, but we've been able to handle it so far.

In our down-time some of us played some more volleyball and then finished preparation for tomorrow's carnival. Jobs were assigned etc.

We also set up for an evening coffee house that the church is hosting. Colin and Allen will sing a set list they have prepared, Nicole will do a dance that she had previously choreographed and a group [Nicole, John and Jeremy] will do a skit as well that does not require too much translation. In addition, Jeremy volunteered himself to be MC of the event (we'll see what happens...oy). Others will help serve and fill in where needed. The leaders said that they may expect around 50 people to show up. We shall see.

yes yes...

prayer requests

Praise:

• the little boy who got hurt is recovering well
• the family is grateful for our help and not angry... understand it was accident
• cloudy weather has kept us from sun burn and extreme fatigue/sun stroke
• lots of group who have been sick have got better... and then got sick again...got better... so we are learning to cope with it and carry on the work

prayer:

• coffee house tonight will be encouragement and blessing to local youth
• last day at site #1 will have opportunity to bring kids closer to Jesus
• carnival will bless the Purepecha community

NEWSFLASH!

It appears that as soon TJ did not injure anyone (not that he ever tried to do so) his popularity skyrocketed.

Both morning groups went well today. We have tomorrow off as far as the camps go, but we have to prepare for a Coffee House we are doing in the evening. As well, Monday we will do a carnival for children from both Camps #1 and 2. So, we are planning and preparing things for that day. Stands etc. are being built/painted for the games that are planned for the Carnival. We will be doing this both this evening and tomorrow. Many kids are coming to the VBS (etc.) we are doing and they seem to be overjoyed that we are here. As a result, we are beginning to feel their enthusiasm, relax and really enjoy spending time with them.

mhm...

Niño...A Short* Introduction to Mexican Healthcare

I was able to go to Camp #3 in the evening yesterday and it was good to see yet another group of Purepecha children. We were once again able to play some games which the kids really enjoyed (both before and after the injury). After this we had a snack and a story told by Daniela (a local youth).

As Mike mentioned yesterday evening, there was an injury at Camp 3 in the evening. To console the parents (especially the boy's mother) Sandra decided it would be best if we took him to the hospital to get checked out. Relations with these people are somewhat fresh so we needed to show that we cared and wanted to all that we could to help them. It appeared that the boy may have hit his head on the ground, but the injury was not obvious.

A group of us (Eric and I with Sandra and some of the local Mexican youth - David, Alfonso and Daniela) went to the nearest Hospital with some the Purepecha family members. Some tests were done and another doctor will decide what needs to be done this morning. Sandra and some others will visit the hospital to check on the boy and his family at various times today.

On a happier note, while all these other events were taking place, group 2 was able to do their amazing race. After this, everyone (well, I guess not everyone if some of us were at the hospital) went out for tacos...that seemed to sit in interesting ways in many stomachs, especially for those who were already not feeling so well (yes, there are a few who are not 100% well), but today is another day.

I trust that God will help those who are sick (and help all of us [group listed above] who went to the hospital and had quite a long night). We shall see.

Today (yes, it is now today...) both group #1 and group #2 will be going to their site again, as per usual and group #2 will head over to site #3 this evening.

Until next time...

Rain, rain, rain, rain...

Also yesterday...it rained so hard that it hurt on bare skin, but that won't stop us:

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! Woooooooooooooooo! Arrrrrriiiiiiiiibaaaa! Ok then....

It rained a lot...in a very short time.

Not Enough Time

Sorry I was not able to say anything yesterday...I was somewhat occupied.

Yesterday I went with group #2 to the 2nd site. From what I've heard they were quite the exciteable bunch on the first day. After making the rice-filled balloons, the children were very quick to find joy in throwing them at the members of our team. Oh well, the second day (when I was there) went very well. They were able to make confetti balloons, sing some songs, have their snack and play a game of duck, duck, goose (o Pato, Pato, Ganso).

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

This evening some of our youth went to Site #3 to do VBS in a new area... 1st time outreach to them. While we were playing games and having LOTS of fun a little boy fell down and others fell down too (playing flying dutchmen). AS a result of the accident, the little boy was quite hurt and he is currently being tested in hospital for head injuries. please pray:

• doctor will discover any injury and take good care of him (Purepecha are not socially accepted)
• God will use this negative circumstance to bring something good

1. Healing for the little boy (emotion, physical, etc.)
2. To his ppl group and the ministry to them will grow stronger through this difficult circumstance
3. The youth will stay focused and continue to serve to the best of their ability... if anything get more focused
4. Wisdom for Oscar and Sandra's mission groups as they seek to be Jesus in all this and need direction for this week and future ministry.

Today we began the children's camps that will run for the rest of the week:

I started at Camp #1, where we began with some singing (English and Spanish) and short bible lesson taught by our local spanish youth. Shortly after there was a snack and then it was time to play...there was some crafts and drawing and then many kids played soccer as well as other various games and activities that they thought of.

These included forms of catch (with rice-filled balloons) and many other random games that I can't really explain here. Many of the kids grew to like us very quickly and were sad to see us go...they were happy again when we told them we would be back the next day. Within a short time I was able to pick up the spanish and converse with the kids and translate for others in our group. It was great to talk to them and understand what they were trying to tell me/us (most of the time that is....)

Later that afternoon those of us in group #1 played a version of the Amazing Race here in the city of Guadalajara. We split into two teams and had to find landmarks and some short challenges along the way. It was great (or at least I thought so) to wander the city quite freely with no guidance but our own...and no translators either. I loved speaking spanish to ask questions and speak to people along the way. The game was very well set up so that we were able to see many famous sites in the city as well as use many of the services required to get around.

Another good day in Guadalajara...

Brady

ps...and also Jeremy did not get hurt today...at all....he's fine. We're all fine.

TJ strikes again...

This time he carefully (or possibly randomly...I really do not know if I can trust my sources on this one) chose his target: Mike The story goes something like this: Mike was running for something - TJ was running for some reason - TJ ran into Mike (in the facial region) and Mike's tooth broke through his lip...the damage can be seen here:

Brady

In addition...

I feel it is necessary to note a couple of events that I missed....

both of which relate to our beloved Jeremy...

First of all, when we arrived, 10 of us were to take a vehicle to the church at which we are staying...one of those was Jeremy (oh Jeremy...) and he forgot his passport on a table near where we were standing in the airport...his PASSPORT! Luckily (very very luckily) Mike randomly saw a passport lying on a table...upon seeing the name written on the outside Mike thought to himself, "Oh...it's one of our idiots..." Jeremy was NOT EVEN AWARE that he had LOST his PASSPORT! Oh well...he's safe now. (That means that he may yet make it out of Mexico alive)

SECONDLY (yes, Jeremy again), Jeremy recieved upon his head a beautiful injury. He was playing a game (with some certain people not named here...)

But rather named here: TJ, Rich etc. (but mostly TJ in this case) and as the game progressed it became..."competitive"

to get to the point...Jeremy ran into (or TJ may have caused him to run into...) a net.

He fell to the ground and did not move for few seconds...and eventually responded to his name.

He received a lovely new facial feature that can be seen here:

He is currently conscious and able to use his right AND left legs...don't worry, he's fine.

Alright then...Brady

How many people does it take to change a 2 watt bulb?

...Apparently three airport officials and a pilot. This was problem numero uno. We had made it to Minneapolis and all was going well...we boarded the jet and began to pull onto the runway and then we stopped...
Mhm...and waited...
So we learned that it takes approximately one full hour to change a light bulb (smaller than your finger nail no less) and then we were able to depart. Lets just say that the delay caused a few certain people (person) some unnecessary stress...little did we know that there was really no hurry...

We arrived in Atlanta about 25 min before boarding of our next flight was to begin (@ 6:10 pm). There was a slight sense of hurry as we had to transfer to another Terminal for the international flight. Upon landing Jeremy decided to relieve himself of his earlier meals into a Subway bag he had on hand...at least he felt better shortly. Once again we boarded the next jet, glad we were on time for the flight. We had waited for a few minutes and then the plane rocked noticeably...we thought nothing of it (maybe the pilot was 800 pounds?)

Then we received a lovely announcement informing us that a luggage carrier had run into our jet and it was in no condition to fly...some said a few words of pity (with tinges of anger) for the driver of the luggage car (whose employment was now in question).















We had to exit the aircraft and head down to another terminal down the hall where they had scrambled to find a replacement jet for us...thankfully all went well. (plus the extra time before boarding the new flight allowed us to eat a
most excellent meal...thankfully Jeremy kept this one down) Anyways...we are here, safe and sound.






Until later...Brady

(and don't worry...the spider is only a black widow)

Official Send-off Prayer

Sunday Prayer before leaving for Mexico...on Tuesday!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Winnipeg to Minneapolis Flight 3272 Delta Airlines
Depart 7:40am Arrive 8:59am Flying Time 1:19

Minneapolis to Atlanta Flight 1627 Delta Airlines
Depart 1:15pm Arrive 4:56pm Flying Time 2:41

Atlanta to Guadalajara Flight 691 Delta Airlines
Depart 6:40pm Arrive 9:25pm Flying Time 3:45
EVENING
9:44 pm- Ridgewood team arrives
Snack/supper at RETO church

Wednesday ( July 1)
AM
Breakfast
Orientation with Matthew Team
AFTERNOON
Lunch
Orientation with Matthew Team
EVENING
Orientation with Matthew Team
Tacos

Thursday (July 2)
AM
7:15- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
8:15- Devos
9:00- Team #1 leaves for ministry site
10-2:00- ministry at site #1
9:30- Team #2 leaves for ministry site
10:30-2:00- ministry at site #2
AFTERNOON
2:00- teams #1 & 2 return to RETO
3:00- lunch, clean-up and rest
4:00- Team #1 Amazing Race?
EVENING
5:00- Team #2 travels to site #3
6-8:00- ministry at site #3
9:00- supper/tacos
10:00- team time/devos

Friday (July 3)
AM
7:15- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
8:15- Devos
9:00- Team #1 leaves for ministry site
10-2:00- ministry at site #1
9:30- Team #2 leaves for ministry site
10:30-2:00- ministry at site #2
AFTERNOON
2:00- teams #1 & 2 return to RETO
3:00- lunch, clean-up and rest
4:00- Team #2 Amazing Race?
EVENING
5:00- Team #1 travels to site #3
6-8:00- ministry at site #3
9:00- supper/tacos
10:00- team time/devos

Saturday (July 4)
AM
7:15- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
8:15- Devos
9:00- Team #1 leaves for ministry site
10-2:00- ministry at site #1
9:30- Team #2 leaves for ministry site
10:30-2:00- ministry at site #2
AFTERNOON
2:00- teams #1 & 2 return to RETO
3:00- lunch, clean-up and rest
EVENING
5:00- Team #2 travels to site #3
6-8:00- ministry at site #3
9:00- supper/tacos
10:00- team time/devos

Sunday ( July 5)
AM
8:45- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
9:30- Devos/team time
10:00- Clean up around church
11-1:00- Attend RETO church
*2-3 girls go help with kids at Oscar’s church
AFTERNOON
Lunch
Prepare for Coffee House
EVENING
Coffee House with youth
Supper/tacos
Team time/devos
Monday ( July 6)
AM
7:15- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
8:30- Devos
9:00- Both teams leaves for ministry site
10-3:00- ministry at site #1- includes Carnival
AFTERNOON
3:00- lunch with kids or back at RETO church
Travel back to RETO, clean up and rest
EVENING
7:00- supper/tacos
8:30- team time/devos

Tuesday ( July 7)
AM
8:00- Breakfast/leaders’ mtg
9:00- Devos
10:00- Tonala (shopping)
AFTERNOON
Late Lunch (Tonala?)
Debrief
EVENING
Debrief
Supper/tacos
Team time/devos



Wednesday, July 8, 2009
AM
5:15- head to airport

Guadalajara to Atlanta Flight 5944 Delta Airlines
Depart 8:00am Arrive 12:45pm Flying Time 3:45

Atlanta to Minneapolis Flight 1490 Delta Airlines
Depart 4:10pm Arrive 5:56pm Flying Time 2:46

Minneapolis to Winnipeg Flight 2946 Delta Airlines
Depart 7:10pm Arrive 8:36pm Flying Time 1:26



Detailed Ministry Schedule

Site #1:Team: 10 Ridgewood people, 2 Mexican youth, 1 MTC leader (Jen, Stacy or Sandra)Days: Thurs-Sat, with the closing program and carnival on Monday
Program:10 AM- Cleaning around the camp, cutting grass, etc.11 AM- Snack 11:30-12:30- Bible lesson and craft12:30-2:00- organized games, sports 2:00- Travel back to RETO church for lunch Site #2:Team: 10 Ridgewood people, 2 Mexican youth, 1 MTC leader (Jen, Stacy or Sandra)Days: Thurs-Sat, and we'll invite them to site #1 for the closing program on Mon all togetherProgram:10:30 AM- Snack
11-12- Bible lesson and craft12-2- Organized games, kids' video, visiting parents2:00- Travel back to RETO church for lunch Site #3:
Team: 10 Ridgewood people, 2 Mexican youth, 1 MTC leader (Jen, Stacy or Sandra) Days: Thurs-Sat, and we'll invite them to Site #1 for the closing program on MondayProgram:6-6:30 PM- Snack6:30-7:00 PM- Bible lesson 7:00-8:00 PM- Sports and organized games 8:00 PM- return to RETO church for supper.

Commissioning Service - June 28

Sorry for the late warning, but we are planning to have a prayer time during the service on Sunday for all of us going on the mission trip. Be prepared to be called up to pray!

Prayer Requests

Here is a list of prayer requests from our meeting

1. please pray Col. 1: 9-14
2. fears (flying, health issues, travel sickness)
3. pray for Oscar (missionary and family who we will be working with)
4. pray for Sandra & Jen from MBMSI who are hosting us and have organized everything on that end
5. pray for the local youth group we will be working together with as they prep the Bible lessons for VBS
6. pray for the families and kids we will meet. Many will be hearing about Jesus and Christianity for the first time!
7. pray for the language/cultural barriers. Remember Peter in Acts? everyone heard him in their own language... God is a BIG God who is not limited by these things! PTL
8. pray for us to adapt to the heat
9. pray for unity (emotions, frustrations, and having to be in close quarters with a big group of people for a week is difficult at the best of times)
10. pray for youth and leaders who have stresses that will affect them before we leave and may try to distract them while we are in Mexico (exams, etc.)
11. pray for families at home to have peace and especially for Crystal, Dawson, Tyson, Sadie who will miss their dad and not understand... the enemy will also try to attack
12. pray for spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional protection ... that no plans of the enemy will succeed in distracting us from accomplishing what God has intended for us to do in Mexico

For His glory,

Pastor Mike

Matthew 25:40 (NLT)
40　"And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Final Trip Planning Meeting

Final Trip Planning Meeting:

Warning!

Only 26 days until we leave! And take note: June 17 Youth Meeting for one last go-through of EVERYTHING...7:00 at the church.

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