Young Friends

It is said that one of the major inhibitors of getting new missionaries to a foreign field is the objection of the parents. Parents fear for their children's safety, economic situation, and the environment in which their grandchildren will be raised. In fact, there are many legitimate concerns that parents raise when their children talk about the possibility of serving in a foreign capacity. From the early days of our christian walk, both Bernard and I were privileged to participate in various foreign projects. These opportunities instilled within us the huge need for Jesus, not only for our surrounding communities, but for those far and wide. The love of what we do today can be traced back to those early experiences of walking along side missionaries, both in local and foreign works. It has been our long-standing desire to provide such opportunities for our youth of today; thus, we recently hosted 11 Young Friends and their two chaperons. Young Friends is a ministry of the Let's Start Talking Organization in Ft. Worth, Texas. High School students train to lead a week of English conversation sessions based in the book of Luke. Besides these four sessions each day, the Young Friends learn how to interact and lead fun activities that will deepen their relationships with their new friends. A third component of the program is to involve the YF in service projects that will enhance their understanding of servanthood, as well as improve the quality of life for those who live where the YF are destined. We knew the potential of growth was great for the Young Friends, as well as for those they were going to serve, but little did we know of the depth and width of such growth!

With the YF group having been gone now for two weeks, Bernard and I still marvel at the power of change they brought with them. Again, we are convinced that God's power is best exhibited within relationships. The first Canadian/Mexican "meeting of the youth" was, at best, awkward.
Fears and self-consciousness ran rampant, but with smiles and sign language, the youth came to know each other. By the end of the week, and after lots of learning, fun, and service, one would never guess the "international best of friends" had only met a few days earlier. It was easy to see that there would be buckets of tears shed when our Canadian Young Friends said their good-byes.

Although the program is directed at serving those in the host country, I wonder if the greater good is not done in the servants themselves! We said good-bye to 11 changed youth (and two very tired, but happy chaperons). How could so much change happen in just one week? Bernard and I had the opportunity to debrief with the YF team before they headed back to Canada. It was a night to remember! Here are some of the comments we heard:
*"We came to serve, but God taught US through them."
*(This project) "made us step out of our comfort zone-no matter how hot or how difficult."
*"You know, it's our Spring Vacation. Had I not come on this project, I would have just slept and
watched TV, but we did great things here!"
*(My new friends) are the future of Mexico. They have touched me so much.
*"Picking up all that garbage was really gross, but I feel like we have cleaned somebody's life
after cleaning up all that garbage."
*"I was amazed at how the word spread about us. We became "celebrities here!"
*"David (one of our LST readers from Wade and Richelle) really made me think. He asked
some questions that I need to ask myself."
*"I saw that young people can do amazing things!"

These declarations of change make Young Friends worth every penny they had to raise to be with us for the week. They, too, were agents of change for our Mexican youth...
*Julio, recently deported out the US, is starting a new life here in Mexico. He has no friends, no job, and little hope for the future. After the influence of the YF, Julio stated, "From here on out, THIS is MY church." Julio continues to be a part of our Sunday Celebrations as well as is studying with Bernard each Tuesday morning!
*Ana, one of our precious youth was baptized the Sunday after YF left. She told one of her new friends, "God brought you here for me, so that I can hear more."
*Another new friend, after one of the Luke sessions said, "You make me think so much."
*After Aaron's moving testimony, one of the Mexicans said, "You have blessed me on this journey."
*One of Logan's school mates heard that YF were picking up garbage at the school. She came
over the next day looking for them because she, too, wanted to help.
*Neighbours and strangers asked, "WHY are you doing this? Would you call me the next time you have this group. I want my children to be involved, too."
*Logan, contemplating the sadness of the YF leaving, asked, "When can they come again? Can
they come for longer next time?"

Bernard ended the Young Friends Project with these profound words: "This week I saw
CHURCH! We worked together and we shone for Jesus. Thank you!"
We wish to thank our Young Friends,Marshall, Aaron, Kelly, Nathan, Brady, Mallorie, Paige, Kim, Shiane, Heather and Haleigh, and their energetic chaperons, Andrea Muirhead and Deanna Cook. Young people can SURELY do great things. I want to especially thank the parents of these 11 amazing young friends. You could have said, "Absolutely NOT! YOU are NOT going to the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Haven't you heard the news reports from down there?" You could have said, "There's no way we are raising that kind of money for a week." You could have said many things, but thank you for saying, "Yes!" Many hearts have been touched. Lives have been changed because of that answer!

Enjoy the photos. Until next blog,
Alicia for the Krogsgaards

PEOPLE--Is there anything more frustrating in this world than PEOPLE? Sometimes I wonder how it is that I, a natural-born introvert, find myself in an "occupation" (or as I prefer-style of life) that requires that I surround myself with people. Then I turn on my computer and try to download my photos or create a power point presentation, and I remember why I've chosen to work with flesh and blood rather than steel and wires-or better, microchips! I laugh with tongue in cheek as I type these words because as frustrating as it is working with people, it's also true that nothing is more rewarding than working with people.
The lifestyle of Mexico, especially in this coastal area, is so very different from our private, enclosed lifestyles in Canada or the States. There's really not much privacy here. Our houses are connected to each another. The windows and doors (if you have any) are left open to receive any hint of a breeze. No matter where you walk, most people know where you are going or where you have been. We truly live in a "fish bowl". The privacy issue doesn't bother me much since we live in a way to attract others to us-the more they see, the better the effect. However, there are times when I just want to close shop and pretend that I am not home. But how does one do that when living in a "glass" bowl, I mean house?
I admire Jesus for his loving patience as people constantly demanded of him. After about the third phone call and the fifth visit of friends and neighbours "just popping by", not to mention the constant squeaking of the machines at the tortilla factory and the bazillion cries of the many bread vendors in the streets, I want to put up a sign that says NO ONE IS HOME!!! But then I get dressed for the day and I realize how blessed I am to have the opportunity to be in so many people's lives. (Okay, I confess, the above details MAY be a bit exaggerated, but you get the picture!)
Such were my days not so long ago. I felt that if just ONE more person banged on my gate screaming, "Senora" or if that phone rang just ONE more time, I would go ballistic--Then in the quiet places of my heart God ever so gently reminded me of whose I am, and in his gracious mercy, He began to remind me how much He truly loves people, AND that I, too, love people...

It began with Marco. He had wanted to "chat" with Bernard and me because he was being challenged by his perceptions and thoughts of what we were teaching. As it turned out, we found ourselves in the age-old "salvation debate" between the Calvinistic and Arminian "camps". I despise this conversation because I see religious people waste too much time debating within themselves that we lose sight of the lost outside ourselves. But I was struck in a profound way by Marco and his quest to understand and apply the truths of God. He came to us, not intent on a battle of words and doctrines, but as a humble sinner who deeply desires to know and understand the heart of God. His understanding of God's truth had been challenged, yet he, like the Bereans, strove to examine the scriptures to confirm what he believes is true. As he and his wife, Yuneun, walked away from our house, I just shook my head and said, "Wow, how I love them!!! What humble and seeking hearts! They have taught me the spirit of searching for truth."

Next, entered Ivan, our Mexican preacher. We have felt immensely blessed, not just by Ivan and his ability to make God's word come alive in the mother tongue of his listeners, but also because of his wonderful wife and son, Stefanie and Ethan. Things slow down a bit during Semana Santa (Holy Week), which is really two weeks. Several of our team families have been vacationing away so it was just the three of us gathering to pray on Wednesday-Ivan, Bernard and I. Ivan is somewhat quiet in a group, so we don't get to hear from him too often when the eight of us gather to pray each Wednesday. During our time together we spoke about important heart issues in the baby church that God has planted here in Lazaro. Ivan spoke of the many ways God has shown His power through relationships that he has developed with others. Although quite young in years, as well as in his faith, I was awestruck by the immense love that Ivan has for his Master and those whom He brings into Ivan's life. Despite obstacles and barriers that come with the choices he and Stef have made for their family, Ivan serves people with the love of Jesus!! As he walked away from our house, I shook my head and said, "Wow, how I love him! How he loves His Master. He has shown me how to serve especially when it's inconvenient and difficult!"

My third lesson came from Carmen. This dear sister involves herself in the important ministry of visiting and studying with women at the local prison. She's been a weekly visitor there for years. She is deeply loved by the women she has touched with Jesus' love. Carmen lives from day to day selling tacos and other "fast foods" from the garage of her humble home. She has raised the five children of her widowed husband that she married when she was 17. (He failed to mentioned that he had five children at the time!), and two children from their marriage, and countless other children who have been abandoned or in need of a family. She has no idea how many children she has raised. It has been my privilege to learn from this great woman of faith as we visit three women in the prison each week. From her little salary she manages to take food and other necessities to them. Every few weeks Carmen brings me a little bag of money saying, "This is my "diezmo" (my 10% offering to God). It is indeed a very humbling thing to receive what I imagine is WAY beyond 10% of her pension, yet she gives it gladly and sacrificially. As she drives away from our home, I shake my head and say, "Wow! How I love her!! How graciously she gives, not only of her little money, but of herself. She has taught me what it means to be the hands and heart of Jesus."

And dear reader, I have no doubt that after you have left my presence, I've shaken my head and said, "Wow! How I love that person. He/She has taught me so much..." Thank you for imprinting upon my life. Thank you for helping me remember why I do what I do. You may have even been a point of frustration for me, but in the end, I know I have learned from you. After reading The Shack (yet again!) I am struck by the lesson that Jesus is teaching Mack concerning loving others:
...All I want from you is to trust me with the little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It's not your job to change them, or convince them. You are free to love without an agenda." (page 181)

May we all learn to love people, in spite of the frustrations that some bring to us, to the point that we, like the God of The Shack, can say, "Ah, ________. I'm especially fond of her/him!!

Until the next blog post,
Alicia for the Krogsgaards