God is huge in his grace and provision... and he has allowed me to buy a HUGE car to get around and to carry the young people for activities and after our student group. I bought a 9 seater, Chevrolet Suburban 1997 with my savings and it is BIG! I have been super-excited to have it, but it also needs a few repairs which have been a bit of a stress... it has something going on with the transmission that we didn't find before I bought it (I had a mechanic mate check it over) that is costing me a bit to repair. As they say in Mexico... mi Suburban es tu Suburban! (hehe well actually, it's "mi casa es tu casa", but you could sleep in this baby!)
Just got back home from having a coffee with a friend and his cousin. My friend has been chatting with his cousin about Jesus for a long time and his cousin is on a journey of questioning and searching. We had a great time chatting and then waited with him for his bus. Afterwards, my friend and I were waiting for the bus on the other side of the street when a young woman selling tamales (umm... a corn/wheat thing) came and offered us tamales. We started chatting with her and she asked me for how many days I was here. The math was too difficult to work out on the spot, so I told her I was here for two years and she asked me if I was studying or working. I explained that I was working with the Christian community here, particularly with young people. We got to chatting about the church community that we are a part of and she started explaining how difficult life is and that she has lots of challenges in her life. She was interested in coming along to experience church with us so we wrote down the church's details for her and invited her along on Sunday. She said she hoped the 10% tithe wasn't too much there and we chatted about our belief that what we give as an offering to God is voluntary and an act of thanks and worship to God - not an obligation. She seemed pretty relieved.
Hmm... it reminds me that people all around are searching. Searching for meaning to their exisitence, and help in their tough times. I regret now not buying a tamale from Jessica, really, I just wasn't hungry! But I pray that the conversations that God brings my way, the kindness I am able to show, reflect Jesus Christ to the world that really needs His love.
Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.
Ok... here I am catching up! Passion Mexico was INCREDIBLE! It was a massive time of excitement and blessing for our uni students and leaders. Just before lunch on the 3rd of October we all piled into our hired bus and headed on down to Mexico City with a group of 25 students from Queretaro. Chilling out on the journey, we got ready for a big weekend. Finally all the stress and work of preparing was making sense, God was and is control of every detail! We arrived in Mexico City and checked into the hotel in the centre of the city before heading out to the first session of Passion Mexico City!!!! Wow!!
The event was excellent. I was impressed by the way everything was directed and done in the name of Jesus Christ. There was no other name lifted up, praised, exalted, promoted, except for Jesus. I was refreshed to once again hear the story of God's grace presented to a group of uni students that desperately need to take hold of the depth and amazingness of a God who offers us unmerited forgiveness as a free gift.
Friday night we ate convenience store food and a few brave young people tried the tacos outside the convenience store... bad planned, but hey, we ate okay.
I felt a few tests of my leadership thoughout the weekend, having to make some quick and tough decisions to lead the group, but God was right there beside me guiding me and helping me.
I was blessed by God's hand in everything and saw him working to transform lives. We had a new girl who came with us - Alexandra - who hasn't yet accepted Christ, but God is working in her life.
Here is a video of the introduction... an amazing moment!
We all had fun, were encouraged, lifted up and challenged to be the generation that lives for the name and renoun of Jesus Christ. That's what my life is for, that's why I'm here in Mexico!!
Oh yes... and when they mentioned Australia, I yelled and screamed for all of us and I am pretty sure that I was the only Aussie there!!
Hey all... I haven't died, disappeared or got a tropical disease... I'm still here. Just got a lot of things that I'm juggling right now. Thanks for your prayers and emails, I appreciate keeping in contact! Soon, I'm going to give you all an update on what's been happening... here is what you can expect:
A song that God allowed me to write with a friend to express our pastor's journey
Passion Mexico City - wow! how amazing is our God!
Yes, I'm feeling better... but still laying off the tacos ahhh!
Lots planned for uni students here in Queretaro
In the middle of all that is going on, I have a distinct peace in Jesus that He has everything in control and is looking after the busyness of life here. He has a purpose and a plan for me here and he is showing me how much is mercies are new EVERY morning and His faithfulness is MASSIVE!
Ok... going to help one of the young people paint their apartment... see ya soon!
I haven't forgotten my blog, just pretty busy keeping up with things at the moment. Passion Mexico City is in 9 days and getting ready for that is keeping me very busy and a little stressed trying to get everything under control with logistics (I think I am the ideas person and need someone around me who is really good at organising events). The IT Adviser in me made a cool spreadsheet to work out the costs though... Matt O'Keefe would be proud... Got a cool God story to share about the weekend, but will have to wait for the moment. Been a bit sick in the stomach over the weekend and until Monday but feeling better now.
These were the words that resounded in our ears as we celebrated the shout that started the Mexican revolution that subsequently led to Mexico's independence in 1810 which we celebrate on September 15 (the shout) and 16 (Independence Day). Last night at approximately 12am, we had our "grito" and shouted Viva Mexico! Viva!... and so on with the names of the Heros of Independence... and finally Viva Jesucristo... VIVA!
Jean Paul gritando Viva Mexico
Plaza de Armas all decked out for the party
Here's where it all started!
I celebrated the occasion with some close friends and we had a night of Mexican celebrations which I think helped me become even more Mexican... check out the photo...
We ate pozole and enchiladas which are both VERY Mexican and danced some very Mexican dances. It was cool to see my friends dressed up in traditional Mexican dress from different parts of the republic - Jalisco etc...
The dancers
Traditional Mexican dress with Ruthie, Lucio, Sandy and Romi... (ok, the moustache isn't part of it... that was mine!)
So next year, look out - the celebration of Mexican Independence Day is coming to you - get into it!!!
On the 9th of August, one of our team members got married! Jessica tied the knot with Jean Paul in a fun and meaningful ceremony at Horizonte. I played drums in the wedding (I think that's at least three weddings now "the wedding drummer") and also helped out with the serving at the party. Congratulations JP and Jessi!!
Phil is on a cool journey, an adventure of serving God in Queretaro, Mexico working with a team involved in talking with Mexican young people about Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. He was married to Sandy in February 2010 and they are seeking to love God and love others as they form a family together with Romi.
The purpose of this blog is to bring together people who are interested in Phil and Sandy's journey and work in Mexico and to provide news, stories and things to pray for.
God is huge in his grace and provision... and he has allowed me to buy a HUGE car to get around and to carry the young people for activities and after our student group. I bought a 9 seater, Chevrolet Suburban 1997 with my savings and it is BIG! I have been super-excited to have it, but it also needs a few repairs which have been a bit of a stress... it has something going on with the transmission that we didn't find before I bought it (I had a mechanic mate check it over) that is costing me a bit to repair.
As they say in Mexico... mi Suburban es tu Suburban! (hehe well actually, it's "mi casa es tu casa", but you could sleep in this baby!)
