Texas/Mexico Missions Trip Update
Dear Friends and Family,
This past reading break (2011), I had the privilege of serving the Lord alongside 19 other Redeemer University students in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico (with Life Challenge International). For weeks leading up to the missions trip, our team was faithfully praying that God would be working in us while on this trip, that the Holy Spirit would move hearts, that much would be accomplished, that God would protect us, and that He would be glorified in all that we do. Many people: friends, family, loved ones from our home town and people in El Paso bid us caution, for Juarez is presently known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world (due to the constant tension caused by armed and reckless drug lords and the supposed corrupt Mexican government). Praying to not have a spirit of fear and being strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we ventured to El Paso (bordering city to Juarez) and Juarez in the name of the Lord, and we were humbled by the people and culture of these two cities.
To be honest, at first it appeared that nothing seemed to go "as planned." We were suppose to stay at the Life Challenge compound in Juarez, Mexico for the week, but because of the danger that the "Cartel" (the drug lords and their followers) that threatened the locals, the government, and visiting peoples, Life Challenge had accommodations for us arranged across the border (on the American side) in El Paso, Texas. We all lived in a small little white house that was a 30 second walk away from a Christian high school. Every morning we were blessed to have breakfast at the school with the ESL students (who were often from Juarez and would get up at 5:00am every morning to cross the border to school). We inquired about and helped out with their school work, shared fun conversations and many laughs, and had a lot of fruitful discussions. Sometimes we would ask them if they were afraid because they live in Juarez, and without a blink we always received a warm and confident answer, "No, why should I be afraid when God is with me? I know God is with me." Their faith in God is humbling. It's interesting because a lot of people in El Paso (even from family members at home and the border guards), asked us (the team) a similar question, "Why would you want to go to Juarez? Do you know that it's dangerous?" Sometimes their inquiry would concern us, but then we realized that we as Christians are called to be dependent on the Lord in everything - in a circumstances, we are to give up everything for the sake of the cross. I do not want to doubt the power and grace of the Lord because I am afraid of my enemies or I (I am reminded of Jonah's attitude) to believe that some people are not worthy - or worth it to love and take the Gospel to. This missions trip challenged my faith in the Lord. If our Saviour is calling out to us and bidding us to come as He is walking on stormy waters, I pray that God will continue to give us all strength and the courage to follow after Him -that we may surrender our fears and pride. God's sovereignty is so humbling.
In El Paso, we also played with kids in the park and taught a Bible lesson (The Prodigal Son). The joy that these children have is incredible, and it was such a blessing to have fun with them, and also to share the love of God and about Jesus Christ. We learnt that many of these children are from shelters, and we went to visit them at these shelters. My heart stirred as I saw that some of them lived within the building on a little square piece of concrete floor that is divided by nothing other than cloths and tarps (there is huge lack of privacy). All of the families share one bathroom...and we thought that it was trying having one bathroom in our little white house for about 20 people. It is really great to see what they are doing at the shelters. I encourage you to pray for them because the facilitators take people and families in and help them to get jobs and put their children through school. A lot of these children and families attend the Spanish church that we participated in on the Sunday.
As far as work in El Paso goes, we did various tasks. We helped out at a Christian TV station (it was so neat to watch how media can be used to exhort believers and preach the Gospel). At the station, we painted the chapel, trimming, and door frames (this taught me a lot of patience as I am not a good painter and I was given a fat brush - with no tape to put on top of the trimming!!!). We also helped to clear out all of the old material/insulation/garbage out of one of their old buildings so they can start fixing it up and using it. By the end of the week, many people at the station knew who we were, and it was such a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with them, encourage one another, and even pray with one another.
Tuesday and Thursday we spent in Juarez. The culture is so different compared to El Paso. Juarez is very desolate in some areas and has a lot of dry land. While in Juarez, we visited the orphans. We also cleared rocks and levelled out sand in order for them to be able to continue with construction, and helped to lay foundations of plumbing for a house. There are a lot of things that we wanted to do in Juarez but did not get the opportunity to do. This is where the Lord taught us patience and that everything does not always run according to "our plans." We learnt that in ALL that we do, we need to give glory to God. It is really not be about what we do but our attitudes in whatever we do. One day we wanted to lay concrete for the house and fix/set up a roof, but the weather was too cold to pour concrete, and the lumber did not show up. Sometimes, we were left for hours waiting for our missionary leader to return with supplies - during that time (and after we completed our work tasks) we decided to take time to fellowship, encourage one another, play worship music, and play with the children. Originally, when we were suppose to live in Juarez, we would have be working at the Life Challenge headquarters (with construction of their new building)- there is so much to be done there - but because of the threat of the Cartel, we did not end up working there. However, we did visit the base, and it was such a blessing to see the potential in and future plans of Life Challenge. It is there to serve their community and get the Juarez young people to serve in their own community. It's like a work/Bible camp. It is something that really excites our team - and something that we feel compelled to pray for now. Although we did not serve at this base in particular, we now see what needs to be done; therefore, we see what needs to be prayed for. Please pray for the base that God will continue to use it for His glory and that many teams will be willing to come to help build and foster its growth. Unfortunately, due to the risk, there are presently only a few teams from the US and none from Canada that are willing to go on a missions trip with Life Challenge. Please pray that people will continue to support this ministry.
Playing with the orphans was an amazing experience. Due to the recklessness and raids of the Cartel, many children in Juarez are being left as orphans, but the gratitude and joyful spirits of these children are contagious. One evening we had a "fiesta" with them (we ate spicy spicy spicy Mexican food with them and then danced to the Christian music playing). Near the end, we sang songs together, and prayed for them. Pray for their health, their school, their safety, finances, family and their relationships with God.
One evening in El Paso, we had a "block party" which is when Life Challenge puts on a Christian concert near a basketball court under an overpass in a immigrant community. There we passed out Christian tracts, played with the children (various sports), and were given many opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and pray with/for them. I was able to pray with a young girl named Amy, and it was such a beautiful moment when we could pray together as sisters in Christ. She prayed in Spanish, and I prayed in English. It's amazing how God knows all of our hearts and all languages. I also remember talking with a boy named Carlos. He says that he wants to be a drummer in a Christian band someday - I hope to see him!
God taught me a lot from this trip, and I am still continuing to learn about Him as my Father, Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and my Master. I have been learning a lot about my faith and spiritual walk in the Lord and about missions and ministry. Just a couple of the things that I learnt on this trip is to trust God and to not have a spirit of fear but to fear God more than anything or anyone; also, I learnt that there are many different aspects of ministry and how often it is not just an occupation but a lifestyle. I am prayerfully considering missions and ministry and am excited to see what the Lord has in store for not only my life but for those of my team members as well. It was such a privilege and blessing to serve the Lord alongside of them. Please pray for me and the rest of my team as we seek to continue to serve God here in Hamilton and at home, and also that we may effectively and boldly share how amazing God is and what He has done and is doing in El Paso and Juarez and in our own lives. To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Thank you for your prayer support. It has meant and still means so much to my team and I. Praise God! He has kept us safe and has blessed us with a wonderful experience that we are excited to share with all of you. I pray that we can justly testify to the greatness of our Holy God.
His love endures forever...
Sister in Christ,
Amanda Jose
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:28, 38-39
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace..."
Isaiah 55:12
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