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Schmidt Newsletter December 2007 |
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Dear Friends
Greetings from Guadalajara! Christmas is just a week away and I look forward to celebrating a 2nd Christmas here in Mexico. Since I’m not surrounded by what many of my Christmases have held – cold weather, snow and family time, I feel as though I’m learning what Christmas is really about. I’m thankful for the promise of Immanuel – God with us. While I won’t be with my family during this holiday season, I hold on to that promise that God is with me. I’ll be honest and say I don’t miss the cold weather – but am enjoying beautiful sunshine and the poinsettias that fill every grassy area in the city.
Life seems to be full these days. One of my highlights during the past few months has been Saturday evenings. Youth happens every Saturday afternoon and it’s become routine that 2 youth end up spending the night at Sandra and my apartment – making good use of the guest bedroom! Daniela and Alfonso are brother and sister who have faced many trials in their lives. An absent father, financial difficulties, family that has rejected them since they and their mom have become believers, and just being youth in this culture are some of their challenges. Their hurts and pains are many, and yet I see God at work in their lives. Daniela who is 16 has a deep desire in her heart to work with young girls like herself who have no father. Saturday evenings have been a great time for discipleship to take place. Every week seems to be a new topic – whether its relationships, future dreams, or past heartaches we generally talk late into the night. A month or so ago, Alfonso wrote a note on our fridge that said, “You are great friends and good sisters”. What a privilege it is to walk alongside these two young people as they discover who they are and who God is. I invite your prayers for Daniela and Alfonso.
The TREK team arrived at the end of October – missing one Thai team member because of issues regarding her visa. Laura, Nikki and Angie have spent the last 7 weeks in Spanish classes and learning culture. They are living with host Mexican families and are enjoying the joys and challenges that this brings. It’s great to have these girls here to work alongside us and to disciple them as they figure out what it would mean to work full time as a missionary. I know Laura from my time working at Bethany College as she was a student during that time, and I spent my adolescent years babysitting Nikki (and her siblings), so it’s a great privilege to get to know her as a young adult. These girls have a youthful spirit and willing hearts to serve.
A fall I took over a month ago landed me with some torn tendons in my right foot which made me take life at a little slower pace. I was given a cast (my first), crutches, and told to stay off of it for 2 weeks. By the end of the 2 weeks, I was tired of the inside of my apartment – but my foot is healing well and while it doesn’t feel like normal yet, it is much better.
As I look back on this year, I’m so thankful for the many experiences that God has brought me through and what He has taught me. As I look forward to the new year, I wait with expectation for all that God has in store. January 3-13, I will be involved with a 10 day discipleship program for the youth of Guadalajara – this is our 3rd time running Hadime (making disciples in Mexico) and I ask for your prayers during this intense 10 day period.
Thank you for your financial support, encouragement, emails, phone calls, packages, letters, and prayers for me during this last year! May you experience Immanuel, God with us this Christmas season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Blessings
Jen
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