I often find myself perplexed to reflect on my time thus far in Mexico. Coming up on one year. I still remember my first night with my first family, in my first host home. I was utterly intimidated. Two years here with people I do not know, with whom I cannot communicate - Had I lost my mind? Stanley Hudson then came to mind with his famous quote from, The Office, “Boy have you lost your mind? Because I’ll help you find it.” I laughed and brought myself out of my wallowing in self pity and ceased my descent down the rabbit hole of my thoughts. I had been praying one common prayer for months, why should I stop now?
I have known that God has been here- working in Mexico, far longer than I could imagine. Infinitely longer to be exact. And so, my frequent prayer reflected that understanding. It’s simple really. Leading up to arriving to Mexico, and even still, now that I am here, I am asking God to allow me to join in the work that He has already been doing. I know that His plan is infinitely wiser, infinitely more loving, and infinitely greater than anything I could think to do myself, so why reinvent the wheel? I ask God to let me tag along and join the movement He has already begun.
Well, here we are, nearly one year later, and I can see those prayers being answered. My Pastor at El Redentor has been working with a church planting ministry, founded by Timothy Keller, called City to City. Pastors, ministry leaders, community activists and the like, all passionate about seeing The Gospel transform a city come together to discuss how to make that vision happen. Well out of this, a church plant idea was given life. In the Northern region of Mexico City there is a little delegation called Azcapotalco. Sometime before I arrived, my church began praying to have a community center in this delegation. With the intention of transforming it into a church. The conversations have continued throughout my time here, and now it is almost ready to be launched!
La Casa Del Dia, is a community center where people from the area can come to take carpentry classes, cooking classes, have dental work done, receive counseling, and learn English. But most importantly, while taking advantage of these opportunities to better their health, and economic situations, they will be encountering Christ in new ways, or for the very first time. As this ministry began to take form I saw my prayers being answered before my eyes. And realized this is exactly what I have been praying for throughout all this time. After speaking with the needed parties from Avance, Church and friends I quickly settled into my second home with my new host family. Just a 30 minute walk from La Casa Del Dia. I am incredibly excited to begin serving my church, the community, and Christ in this way! Please join us in prayer for the community of Azcapotalco (it’s ok if you can’t say it), that they would begin encountering Christ, and for our wisdom and discernment as we share The Gospel with them!