Feet on the Ground

 

Hello everyone! 

 

I am really excited that I get to share with you all what has been going on here in Puebla, Mexico. I arrived last Sunday, February 13th and have really been enjoying my time here so far. I am currently staying in a Puebla seminary where young men, around my age, study the gospel to build upon their relationship with God and prepare for their future role as a pastor. My friend John whom I spent my outreach with during my discipleship training school, and whose family lives here in Puebla, has close connections to the seminary. Because of this, it was possible for him to set up accommodations for me while I am here on mission.

 

When I first arrived at the seminary, I was a little unsure of the living arrangements John had made for me. The room is very small, comparable to college dorm, and consists of little more than a bunk bed and a desk that I share with my roommate, Gabriel.  However, I now look forward to coming back to my modest space at the end of each day because of everyone’s graciousness and acceptance of my presence in the seminary. Over the past week we have formed a great bond, and have had an incredible time watching movies, going out for tacos, and making jokes with each other. Gabriel even makes my coffee every morning and leaves friendly reminders for me to apply sunscreen. These individuals at the seminary have portrayed a true reflection of Jesus’ love and it has been such a blessing to experience their kindness and support throughout this trip.

 

This past week I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with John and his family as well. They have generously welcomed me into their home and have treated me as if I am one of their own. His mom often cooks delicious, homemade Mexican dishes for us, and his siblings love spending time with me and John. Because his mom teaches guitar lessons at the local missionary school in the afternoons, it has become John and I’s responsibility to look after his three-year-old sister. During these hours I have been thoroughly entertained by playing basketball with John’s younger brother, Matthew. We both have a passion for the sport, and it has been so rewarding to encourage his love for basketball and offer pointers on how he can become a better player. I believe that this time spent with Matthew has been a blessing for both of us. Since the start of the pandemic, he has not had the opportunity to socialize with many friends and has felt somewhat isolated. I am so thankful that God has provided this opportunity for me to be Matthew’s friend in such a difficult time.

 

Every morning John and I have made the effort to venture to a peaceful, outdoor location to discuss God’s word and study bible verses we feel God is putting on our heart. Several days we biked for miles to find the perfect spot to spread the good news, and it has been so satisfying to do so. This past week I have had the opportunity to share the word of God, as well as my own story, with Grace followers, a ministry that John helped pioneer that consists of young people between the ages of 16-24. I spoke about the challenges I overcame my freshman year of college; where I failed and ultimately what I learned from my mistakes. I am very hopeful that my message was encouraging to these young individuals who may be experiencing similar hardships.

 

Lastly, my friend John is a very talented musician, adventurer, and photographer and he is being called by God to use his talents to further the kingdom and make Jesus known. His next step in this process is to complete a worship school through YWAM and to continue leading Grace Followers in Mexico. Grace Followers is the ministry I am here working with now. He is fundraising and needs financial support to be able to do this. A worship school costs around $3,000 USD and anything helps. 

 

Here is the link to donate to John and what God is calling him to do: https://express.adobe.com/page/H0eYJFE2GUul0/

If you are able to donate through Paypal, there is a link on the page and his bank information is also available.

 

This mission trip has been a rich and rewarding time for me. Please keep me and John in your prayers as we continue our ministry and grow together in Christ.

Me and John

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Isaac

Puebla City

As I leave for Mexico tomorrow, I am doing all the last minute things before embarking on a month long trip to Mexico. I am feeling very excited to see my friend John who I spent 2 ½ months with on my discipleship training school. John is very connected in his hometown of Puebla, Mexico. Thankfully, his connections have made some opportunities for me and him to do ministry together in this time. I am looking forward to being a part of Grace Followers Mexico and meeting new friends through this group. I will also be engaged with cumbre ministries while I am there. I will share more details once I am on the ground. I am sure that I can learn a lot from them and will grow during this time.

 

I will land in the Mexico City airport tomorrow and take a bus to Puebla which is located roughly 2 hours from Mexico City. Puebla is also a large city and home to around 3 million people. There is a local seminary there that is willing to host me and I will be staying there for the duration of my trip. We will also have the opportunity to share in churches that are located in smaller communities outside of Puebla. Mexico is so diverse so I know that being in Puebla will be a whole new experience. I have been so encouraged lately by reading the word and realizing how much God is teaching me. I feel so blessed that God has allowed me these experiences and that he is with me wherever I go.

 

Please be in prayer for this trip!

 

Thank you

Here I am, Here I go

As I was reading about the armor of God in Ephesians 6 today, I was fascinated by verse 14 and 15, that encourages us to fasten the belt of truth around our waist and to have our feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. I love reading the bible, it’s so intriguing and teaches us so much. The word of God is referred to as a double-edged sword in Hebrews and is something we take with us wherever we go in our spirits and our hearts. It gives us a readiness to extend love, grace, and compassion to those around us. It gives us a perspective of how God sees people, rather than how we see people. I am so excited that I get the opportunity to bring this good news to people internationally. It’s so amazing that even in a place completely different from my own upbringing, I have something in common with others wherever I am through the Holy Spirit. It gives me the perspective that wherever I go, and whatever I do, I am always on mission.

My international mission experience has only been for seven months, but I have already learned so much about the mission field. Going to Mexico and the Dominican Republic has broadened my vision and understanding of the world in ways I didn’t know were possible. My experiences abroad have allowed me to grow so much as an individual. Some of the ways I have changed from my discipleship training school is that I can adapt to unexpected circumstances more easily. On the mission field, things are always liable to change whether it be the car you’re taking to the ministry sight or what time you are getting home. There were many times where we slept on ground mats, showered with no hot water or had to share a single room with ten plus people. These comforts I once took for granted are now something I can easily give up. I feel prepared for missions and what I might encounter in my future endeavors. I have discovered a joy and a very deep excitement for missions that I cannot completely describe. I have become passionate for countries in Central and South America. One thing that I am keenly aware of is that I have a lot more to learn. Each trip I’ve taken, I’ve learned something new about how organizations work and can better gage where I belong.

 

My last trip to the bateys in the Dominican Republic was a lesson in sub-cultures and groups of people who live and function in very specific lifestyles. I learned that people can be very happy, while also having so little. The joy and energy from the kids was so fun to be around. I loved talking to the older men in the communities who have been working in the sugarcane fields for most of their life. It’s interesting to hear their perspective on things and hear their stories. Communicating in the bateys is significantly more difficult than in urban areas, because most of them are Haitian and speak French Creole. We were able to get to know the locals better through door-to-door food distribution, prayer, and sharing of the gospel. I really admired the people on the team who were so passionate about the word of God. It’s so encouraging to be alongside people who have the same love for Jesus as I do.

I had such a great time being able to share with the youth group from Langston Baptist church about my missions’ experiences and I think they enjoyed seeing the kids smile in my photos. I am preparing to embark on another trip to Puebla, Mexico this coming Sunday. I am so excited for what God will teach me in this time and ask you to be in prayer.

 

Thank you so much for reading,

 

Isaac

This is Jayden. He is helping us work as you can see. He lives in batey Papita.