Algo Mas!

Bible study sisters ERJ thanks you again for providing another awesome dinner!  The kids were told that they were going to spend an evening in an italian restaurant with appetizers, baked spaghetti, fresh bread, fruit salad and then a surprise for dessert.  My favorite part of the entire evening was the demonstration given for what to do with the plates of raw veggies and various dips on each table because it involved triple dipping into the sauces.  The kids got sooo excited about eating VEGETABLES and jumped right in after the prayer eating carrots, broccoli, and celery.  Apparently kids will eat any raw veggie as long as they can dip it into ranch and salsa.  
As the kids ate dinner, one of them told the american sitting next to them, "yeah this dinner and these foods, this dinner was made with love.  These are love foods."  Bible study sisters, no expense was spared on this night and the kids knew it.  That's success.... well that and kids eating raw veggies like it's candy.
The kids thought the baked spaghetti was kind of weird and just totally foreign.  I found that to be a little odd seeing as the directors requested italian food this time around.  Oh well.  They seemed to like it and a lot of the kids asked for seconds.
And these poor kids had to put up with Rosa taking a ton of pictures of them while they ate.  I told Rosa that I didn't really take any pictures last time we brought ERJ dinner because I didn't want to be the paparazzi.  Rosa took my camera and said she would get lots of pictures so i could email all the nice ladies who paid for the meal.  I dont know about your family, but in my family if you try to take certain people's photos during dinner.... you will hear a lot of yelling and protesting.  So dad, go ahead and yell your frustrations for these kids who arent allowed to yell at us during dinner.
After dinner Juan Porto, a fellow B2B staffer, got the bon fire started so we could roast smores with the kids.  He was a mexican boy scout and said the test for fire building was if you could get it started with just one match.  Yeah... Juan is really good at making fires as you can see from the photo.  It was so hot and intense that he actually had to hose it down with water and make the kids wait about 20 minutes before they were allowed to get close enough to roast marshmellows.  The kids passed the time by collecting fire flies and playing with them as if they were their pets.  Some of these kids are taking a lot of classes in english now and wanted to know what the word "smore" meant and how to translate that into spanish.  They decided that the word meant "something more" in english so they called them "algo mas." 
To the right is Ulysses displaying his "Algo Mas" technique.  The fire was so intense and hot that the kids looked as if they were participating in a tornado drill as they crouched on the ground with their faces down and their sticks pointing behind them towards the fire.

All in all, it was an awesome evening and I'm looking forward to our next trip to ERJ.  

Let it Rain!!

Allow me to take of my "everything is perfect mask" that I typically hide behind:  It is actually rather difficult at times for me to live in a foreign culture away from the comforts of familiarity, feeling completed disconnected with my family and friends, be away from the beach, unable to run on the streets alone, unable to attend church or worship in your first language, and pretty much always being the one who stands out everywhere you go, and feeling like you never have a moment to yourself (I'm not married NOR do i have children yet so I should be able to be alone).  

But moment of truth again yall.... I am just SO BLESSED!! Seriously.  And in the last couple of days this truth has just hit me again and again.  I feel like God is just raining down blessings in my life.  Anybody seen the movie Slumdog Millionaire?  Cause after watching that movie, I feel like the biggest punk for ever thinking that I was "poor."  It's about time I stop comparing my possessions and wealth to those around me - which is usually americans who don't have to question whether they will eat that day or not.  Over half the world's population lives off of no more than $2 a day.  I spend more than $2 before breakfast is over most days.  I can't comprehend $2 a day - can you?  I am just overflowing with opportunities to do and be anything I want to be as an American citizen and I can visit just about any country I want to.  I've always had clean water to drink.  The majority of deaths due to poverty each day are because of unsafe drinking water.  Could you imagine your kid dying because of bad drinking water and there is nothing you could do about it? 

Lately, I can't really seem to believe that I live in Mexico and actually work for Back2Back Ministries.  How in the world did I get here in the first place and get to come on a spring break trip?  How did I even know about intern applications a few years ago? Why did they say yes to my staff application?  I'm just about the luckiest person ever.  I'm trying to let that soak in a bit.... God has done some crazy things in my life to make me a new person and somehow convinced these people to let me work for them.... stunning, unlikely, awesome. 

I've been praying for some friends here in Mexico that are not part of my staff team and within the last few weeks, God answered.  Meeting 2 people who don't work with you who have the possibility of being your friends might seem rather miniscule to the average person but for where I'm at right now - this blessing is like a torrential downpour. 

And yesterday... I was in Texas picking up some donations for our ministry with some other b2b staff and later that night somehow ended up completely surprised in South Padre Island, Texas and got to walk on the beach.  You better believe I was running around and just laughing and smiling and finally just started crying because I was so happy.  I LOVE THE BEACH- talk about being surprised too!  Just the day before I was super jealous that Kristen was on the beach as I talked to her via skype and then it was me looking at the same ocean, smelling the salt, feeling the humidity in the air stick to me.... instant 'cocoa beach' kind of feeling.

Then today... goodness.  It just keeps getting better.  This blessing is for you all too - so get excited.... I got to watch my favorite band LIVE in CONCERT for FREE online!!!!!!  And you can too-- TENTH AVENUE NORTH, Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me, Addison Road, and Hawk Nelson in concert and you can watch each and every concert for the rest of this tour live and for free.  INSANE.  Just go here, check out the tour dates and tune in:  http://www.therockandworshiproadshow.com/rstv.html  

But the greatest... is that while I was and still am totally undeserving of any grace or even a chance, God demonstrates some serious love for me and for you when God gave up his own son to die for us so that we could have a relationship with Him ~ Romans 5:8  God actually wants to be in a relationship with you and you don't have to clean up your life in order to start pursuing him.  Contrary to a somewhat popular view point, you can't earn God's favor by being a "better" person - so quit trying yall.... give up and let God cover you with his grace.  

Psalm 126:3, "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."  Amen to that

Go Gators!

University of Florida comes to visit!!!

The following are photos from the week that Betsy, Lauren, Kendra, Jenna, Kristen, Kaia, and Jessie came to serve alongside of Back2Back Mexico.  I LOVED having them here as I'm sure you could imagine.  They traveled all over this city to serve several orphanages, go out to eat a bunch, spend an evening at Tacos Fede and go to my favorite icecream joint.  ENJOY...

and poor Bill and Shane put up with them for an entire week.... 

Monica's Quince

FELIZ QUINCINERA MONICA!!!  (Happy 15th Birthday Monica)
Monica and my UF Theta Alpha sisters: Betsy, Jenna, (JJ Lail and Todd), Lauren, Monica, Kristen, Kaia, Jessie and Kendra.  Quincinera's here are like small weddings- a ceremony rich with biblical significance of how this girl is becoming a woman who has the opportunity to pursue a relationship with the Lord and be a woman of God, followed by a reception with dinner, cake, games, and dancing.  Monica and her sister Teresa are 2 of my all time favorites at Casa Hogar Douglas.  They have lived there practically their entire lives.  Monica's favorite color is pink and praise the Lord the borrowed dress she got to use was PINK!  Most orphans don't have the funds, support or people to put on a Quince like this but through monetary donations from people just like you B2B has a quincinera fund and sweet Monica was able to have a quince and it was beautiful- the entire thing.

Todd (our back2back mexico director and captain for Casa Hogar Douglas) asked Monica who her dream escort would be and she said Tim, a canadian teen who lives in monterrey with his family who do business here and has helped out at Douglas for the past year.  Well we asked him and he said yes and she was totally surprised and felt like a princess walking into the ceremony like it was her wedding or something.
To the right is the pastor, Monica, Beth and Todd when she received her special quincinera bible.  Throughout the ceremony, the birthday girl receives various items of deep significance as she enters womanhood - a bible, a pillow for praying, a watch to signify that she has time to do things in her life and to pursue the lord, a ring to symbolize eternity because a circle never ends and nor do we if we accept Christ as our savior, etc.  And because Monica does not have parents, different back2back staff sponsored each of those gifts and stood with her as she received them and the pastor spoke of their significance.  

Would you join me in praying for Monica and older sister Teresa:

-   as they search for significance in this world that they would find it in their eternal father

-  for monica as she finishes up public education here in mexico and these 2 sisters make decisions regarding their future

God's Promises

Ever wondered what the Word of God (the Bible) has to say about orphans?  The more time I spend around these Christ centered orphanages, the more I'm convinced that God loves orphans with the kind of everlasting love it talks about in Jeremiah 31.  A recent group from Family Christian Stores' James Fund painted new coats of paint at 2 of the orphanages we serve and then posted all the promises that God makes specifically to the orphan child in Scripture all over the 2 homes - in the front offices, the kitchen, their bathroom, their bedrooms, the hallways... everywhere.  

Here is what the Bible says about God's promises to the orphan child and what is now posted on the walls:

God promises to defend you.

        Dios promete defenderte.

God promises to rescue you.

        Dios promete rescatarte.

God promises to deliver you.

        Dios promete llevarte.

God promises to come to you.

        Dios promete venir a ti.

God promises to hear you.

        Dios promete escucharte.

God promises to not leave you.

        Dios promete no dejarte.

God promises to lift you up.

        Dios promete levantarte.

God promises to lead you out.

        Dios promete dirigirte.

God promises to be your Father.

        Dios promete ser tu Padre.

God promises to make you a home.

        Dios promete hacerte un hogar.

God promises to not forget you.

        Dios promete no olvidarte.

God promises to execute mercy toward you.

        Dios promete tener misericordia de ti.

God promises to execute true justice to you.

        Dios promete hacerte justicia verdadera.

God promises to give you food and clothing.

        Dios promete darte alimento y ropa.

God promises to help you.

        Dios promete ayudarte.

God promises to maintain your cause.

        Dios promete ayudar tu causa.

This same day, I heard crying coming from the younger kids' dorm room and went inside to check the situation out.  I found 3 year old Sarai just laying on her bed in the corner and crying.  I laid down next to her and asked her what was wrong and one little girl told me that "she was crying because she wanted to cry."  And Sarai just kept saying "I want my mommy."  She has lived at this orphanage practically her entire life with her now 5 year old older sister Juanita.  So I laid on her bed next to her and just rubbed her back for a long time and cried on the inside with her.... and as I sat there not having a clue what to say to her to try to make her feel better, I saw on the wall one of God's promises for her - God promises to execute true justice towards you - I just started praying for God's promises to her to become evident to her in the years to come and for God to heal the pains of her tiny little broken heart.   

1 Thes 5:24 "The one who called you is faithful and He will do it."  I try to rest in this verse and its truth.  He is faithful and He will bring His promises to completion.  

Yesterday the 60 children from Casa Hogar Imperio de Amor brought a group of 21 visiting americans to tears as they sang in english and in spanish songs about how they don't have moms or dads but in Christ, God has given them a huge family in God.  They sang of God's promises to them as loud as Gators cheer for touchdowns.  I am convinced that I serve a God of justice- a God who is passionate about the poor and broken hearted.  He has a plan, I know He does.  And when nothing here seems to make any sense to me at all - when i question everything - I just know that one day God will right every wrong and injustice.  He will.  He promised.  

Kristen Rupert's Music

Meet Kristen Rupert - one of my best friends.  She and 6 other University of Florida Theta Alpha ladies came to Mexico to spend a week serving with Back2Back.  Upon realizing that Kristen could record CDs on my computer, we decided that she had to record some songs to give my mom for mother's day and then this turned out to be a 16 track cd titled "Live in Mexico - Kristen Rupert."  Mom: I got to sing back up on 3 songs!!!! I'm famous!  Not really but Kristen should be.  For years in college I was blessed with the opportunity to worship with Kristen anytime I wanted and lately I've really been missing her a lot.
To the right are some of the Theta Alpha girls who helped sing back up on Kristen's CD in my apartment.  Kristen recorded the entire album on an old Back2Back guitar that was missing a string- but she made it sound awesome.  

You can listen to several of the tracks from her new "Live in Mexico - Kristen Rupert" CD on her myspace music page at http://www.myspace.com/kristenrupert

Listen to "One Day" - Kristen wrote this song after her first mission trip with Back2Back Mexico last year about the emotions that an orphan might feel.  It's beautiful.  And if you'd like your very own copy of this cd or would like kristen to lead worship for a retreat or event - email her or me and I'll get your info to her.

So Thankful

I am so unbelievably thankful for my friends and family!  Today has been an extremely emotional day for me- my friends from UF arrived today to spend a week serving with Back2Back and I could not be more thrilled.  I cannot even begin to explain how joyful and satisfying it feels to be surrounded by people that you love and share so many life memories with and I'm just so thankful for all of you in my life.  These days and it seems like the longer I'm here, the more I miss all of you.  My 4.5 years at UF were the best years of my life and I just want all of you to know that I'm thankful for you.  My mind has been full today of college memories and hilarious events of my past thanks to Kristen and Jessie: rafting, BCM lunches, skateboarding on campus, doing ministry with your best friends, random trips to the beach, the very beginnings of theta alpha, my original AG, campus in general, gator football games, my mom preparing all our meals for our first ever retreat in cocoa beach..... momma soulis and how awesome she has been to us, LKS' 19th birthday dog pile on kristen's couch.... and it goes on and on and on.  But I noticed something today:  life is so much more fun when you have people with to share your memories.  

FRIENDS I MISS YOU

Safety Concerns

I figured I should write something to let all of you know that the situation here in Monterrey is not much different than it was when I moved here in August.  What are you all viewing on the news is mostly footage from the border town of Juarez, Mexico.   Juarez is a very dangerous city but I dont live anywhere near there.  I'm fine.  We are taking a lot more precautionary measures though just to be on the safe side.  I live in a gated community with multiple night watchmen who guard the property after dark (this has always been the case but maybe many of you were not aware that we always guarded our property).  And from what I've heard, violence here is between drug cartels and the police.  Americans are not 'easy money' and messing with americans would only give the US govt and armed services a reason to invade and the people causing problems here do not want that.  They are rather intelligent and are purposeful and if you have nothing to do with them- they dont really want to have anything to do with you.  So please, rest assured.... I am not in any more danger now than I was months ago.

Safari

Last week, we drove an hour outside of the city to go to on a safari at the zoo with all 80 Casa Hogar Douglas kids and a group of middle school students from Cincinnati. It was 100 degrees and by far the most memorable day/experience of my entire time here in Mexico.  
Little Angel was enthralled as were the rest of us.  You pay about $5 and get an experience of a lifetime.  This is not your typical "zoo."  It's a safari with hardly any fences.
We screamed for an hour straight.... screams followed by extreme laughter and honestly just shock.  it was awesome.  The animals are only restricted by the one bar you see on the truck.  It was like a really bad version of Jurassic Park Mexico.
The camels will eat your hand if you are not careful.  We didn't have any mishaps but I can only imagine how many people are injured every year at this "zoo." wow is all i have to say
Some of the kids loved the safari but the little guys were definitely a little scared of all the animals that kept poking their heads inside our vehicle for food.  and of course, all the americans just kept screaming and laughing and taking pictures in disbelief. 
And Steve McCollum (trip leader for this group) hugged a giraffe.  This day convinced me that Mexico has no lawyers and the ideas of liability just don't exist here.  I love it - life and the zoo are much more fun this way.
Clearly, we went to Africa for the field trip and didn't even have to fly... amazing - 2 continents for the price of one.
Best part about the safari is that you can drive your OWN car through it.  My only goal in life currently.... is to drive through here with the beast.