Queretaro is an amazing city to be in at every stage of the year. I love the atmosphere, the markets, the street stalls, the energy and vibrance of a city that loves to share and showcase culture. Christmas brings even more vibrance to this city with all the streets of el centro decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments and the famous Christmas scenes in Jardin Zenea.
They even have a scene for the devil trying to attack the Christians however the truth is that the power of God has overcome the devil and he is condemned for eternity
Thanks to everyone who reads my blog, is patient when I don't get around to updating it and who supports me in one way or another. I wish you the very best for this Christmas season and my desire is that you would encounter the reason for Christmas in Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world, who longs to be your Savior, friend and Lord.
Ok... so I'm still here in Queretaro, Mexico, but I've moved house. I've had a fantastic nine months living with Yola, Ruben and during the holidays, Alex, but now it came time to move house. Alex has finished his studies in music and worship in Monterrey and has come back to Queretaro and another family member is going to stay with Yola. So... after much prayer and waiting on God, he provided a place that is excellent and provides exactly for my needs. In my new place I have a great balance of care and independence. I now live with a Señora, an older lady who is the mother of the family I stayed with in 2006. It's a big house and she rents out some of the rooms so I live here with her, another doctor called Pablo and another doctor and his wife who live in the bungalow. The Señora prepares my meals for me and has a lovely manner of looking after me. I feel very blessed to be so well looked after and that God has provided for me just what I need.
If you would like my new address, please email me or check my next newsletter for the details.
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.
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!)
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.
