Saturday, May 16, 2020

May 2020 Update

Since my last update, our situation has changed here in General Cepeda, Mexico. The first case of COVID 19 was diagnosed in our town this week; however, cases began to appear in the larger cities in Mexico in March. Our mission trip that had been planned in March was cancelled at the last minute. During the trip, we had planned to help three families living in one of the villages we visit, La Noria de la Sabina, to repair their roofs. Glory to God, some local men from General Cepeda volunteered their time to go with Jeremy to the ejido and help the families to complete the roof repairs needed. It was an especially blessed time because Jeremy had the opportunity to meet, to talk, to pray, and to work with several men from the village who he had not previously been able to visit. He hopes to develop more of a relationship with these men in the future. 

Beginning the roof repair for a family in La Noria de la Sabina

The completed roof repair for one of the families in La Noria de la Sabina

 By the end of March, Churches and schools were closed and no gatherings of people were allowed. Our scheduled prayer groups were also cancelled. The government gave out money for many people to buy food initially. Factories were closed; travel restrictions and the banning of gatherings meant the people of General Cepeda who usually make money from selling food and other goods to people visiting during festivals had little to no income. This means the people here who normally are able to provide for their own basic needs are now struggling or unable to pay their rent and electric bills. A woman from one of the little villages an hour away from our town rode a bus into town to turn in paperwork for her and her husband who were just able to get a new job. Their applications were missing copies of their birth certificates which she didn’t have so she came to ask if we could help her pay for copies of her and her husband’s birth certificates to be printed. Before I walked with her to have the certificates printed, our family prayed with her. After praying, she had silent tears running down her cheeks. Jeremy asked her what she was feeling and she said the coronavirus and quarantine has made life a lot harder in her village. At times there is no food to give her four kids. As in the U.S., this crisis hits the poor the hardest. We are so grateful to our supporters who give us the opportunity to help the people here by sharing resources and also by praying for them. It is so important to help all people to have their basic needs met, but truly only God can give us the hope of Heaven: an eternal reason to live, a purpose for our suffering, and the grace to keep striving for holiness.  

Our little ones on Easter

Dressed up for Jesus on Easter

Along with the closing of gatherings and non-essential public places, the government issued a stay at home order and also closed the roads for non-essential traffic to Saltillo, the big city where I normally prefer to buy groceries. This has provided a great opportunity for me to learn more about the stores here in our town. In the past, I have frequently found the produce in the local stores to be rotten. However, in visiting the stores more frequently and also asking questions, I have discovered that the produce in the stores is great here on the day it is delivered and the next day. It is common here for people to visit the stores every day or two for groceries, and I have adapted to doing the same to find the produce when it is freshest. We are so grateful to have access to the farm where our horses are kept during this time to allow our kids space to run around. We share the farm with a couple of boys who graze their family’s sheep there. Over this period of time, we have developed a relationship with them and several of their friends who come to visit. They seem especially interested in learning from Jeremy about horses and exercise. As they have become more comfortable around us, they have begun asking questions about God. These youth have a curiousity and a yearning (as all of us do) for the Truth and for the love of God to become real in their lives. 

The main grocery store in our town.

Simon holding a stray puppy found at the farm

Jeremy, with his little helper Zane, studying Spanish

Zane (& Simon in the back) with their "store" they created from scrap found at the farm

We have gotten in the habit of cooking our dinners over a fire at the farm. This is Jeremy’s favorite way to cook and to eat. And I am all for him cooking and the lack of a mess in the kitchen. We always offer food to the boys who are present when we cook. One of the boys doesn’t eat “carne” which means meat in Spanish. We had chicken one day, and he liked that. I questioned him about his preferences and was so confused. Then I remembered that on Fridays during Lent, Catholics here fast from carne (meaning beef and pork) but eat chicken and fish. At first I was so surprised by this-why would they eat chicken on Fridays-don’t they know they shouldn’t do that? (In the US, Catholics fast from meat which includes chicken on Fridays during Lent). Ha! In fact, chicken is much cheaper than fish and in Jesus’ time, fish was cheap, simple and common. Wouldn’t it make more sense to eat the simple and cheap food of the place you are? It’s so hard sometimes to remember that our American way is not the only way. 

Lincoln with his thoughtful teacher who delivered goodies to her students at home for "Dia del NiƱo" (Day of the Child)

Lisa and our crew

We have another American missionary family here this year, and it is a blessing to be able to journey together. Their presence and participation in our ministry to the boys that the Lord has put in our path has been such a gift. 

Gabriella is so proud of her new skill: climbing the stairs

Jaylyn being goofy at the farm

Something the Lord has really laid on our hearts during this time is the importance of intentional intercessory prayer. We have made a habit of praying for our benefactors and we pray with the people here when we are with them, but we haven’t consistently been intentionally praying for them when we are not with them. After reading about the power of intercessory prayer and hearing this message from a mentor, we have been re-convicted: Conversion only happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. The change in our schedule has allowed us to devote more time intentionally praying for the men, women, and youth we have been journeying with here, and we recognize the need for that prayer time to continue even after this quarantine is lifted.

We are so grateful for those of you who are praying for us and the people here. I was sitting in the chapel in the mission house one evening feeling the love of Jesus in my heart and just feeling so amazed that with all of my past sins and poor social choices, He would have chosen to bring me here and to make Himself so real to me. What a merciful God we have! Then it hit me: Who prayed for me? Who prayed for my soul? No doubt my mom, my grandmas, my godmother. How many others have I crossed paths with or never even known that have chosen to pray for me? Who prayed for my husband? Prayer is so powerful! Thank you to each of you who have prayed for us and who continue to pray for us and our family! And most especially thank you God for your mercy and your overwhelming real love. I pray for every one of you, every one of the people here in General Cepeda, and every one in the whole world: may each person feel the shower of His mercy and the real, tangible love of our God.

With love in Christ,
Lisa


Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.

9 comments:

  1. I enjoy following your family's journey. Keeping you and your family in prayer. God's blessings to all.

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  2. Thank you for sharing. The pictures of your family answer the questions in my mind about your families acceptance of the mission journey. I pray that God continues to bless and keep you. charlie

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    1. Thank you, Charlie. Yes, praise the Lord, our kids for the most part are thriving. God bless you!

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  3. I'm so grateful the Spirit is still moving in General Cepeda! As always, I'm astounded and inspired by your missionary family staying strong in this rough time. Praying for you guys!

    May he grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and may Christ dwell in your hearts through faith... rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:16-17

    Darin

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  4. You are on our daily prayer list offered up as part of our Divine Office Morning and Evening Prayers. Your comments about intercessory prayer is inspiring me to be more intentional to list each person and need that is represented on that list more often.Love the quote from Phillipians. God's blessings be on all of you!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Deacon Al for your prayers. God bless you!

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