Amanda in Mexico

October/November Update

Hello from the mountains in Mexico! I hope this newsletter finds you well. I am excited to be able to type this newsletter on my computer, as yesterday we went up to the little town nearby to charge my laptop in the store. I’m also sitting here eating cabbage mixed with mayonnaise (another luxury around here). I can honestly say I feel joyful, because I am learning to appreciate little things in life more, whether it’s a jar of mayonnaise, a perfectly temperature bucket shower (you have no idea how often I’ve made it too cold or too hot), or someone stopping in to drink a cup of ‘pinole’ (ground popcorn) with me. Also, we have begun practicing our Christmas play, and after singing “Feliz Navidad” several times a day, you can’t help but be in joyous spirits.

On October 16-17 was a huge highlight for me. My sisters and all the missionaries helping her in the school brought the students from the school in Cuauhtemoc up on a mission’s trip. I cannot describe the excitement I felt to see the students we’d poured years of love and time into, finally ready to give of themselves to the children we have here in the new ministry. They did an incredible job, as I watched them take over my class, each teenager taking a student to work with. I felt so proud of them and I am so thankful that God permitted me to see the fruit of countless hours poured into those teens. Praise God! I guess what struck me the most is how these former shy, nervous students were confidently teaching children and sharing the gospel through songs, prayers, and just showing love.
 
Ana Cristina, my co-teacher shared with me a few weeks back her desire to learn how to make things like noodles, jams, etc. so she could teach people here and  sell it in our little “store”. We have been trading food in exchange for arts and crafts that the Tarahumara make. This has been a huge help for the people here, but it has been hard to keep the shelves stocked as we cannot sell the arts and crafts fast enough to be able to afford more food to stock up the store. So, Ana Cristina had the opportunity this past week to go to my aunt’s place back in Cuauhtemoc to learn how to make several things. She came back encouraged and excited to share with her family the new things she has learnt.
Lastly, I want to share about some things God has been teaching me. I began reading the book of Joshua, over and over again I see the importance of getting rid of sin in our lives. In today’s reading, I read about how the tribe of Ephraim didn’t completely expel the Canaanites that lived among them. Instead they made them into slaves. Yet God had commanded very clearly that all the foreign tribes must be driven out. As we continue to follow Israel through history, we see how these tribes end up becoming a huge stumbling block for Israel and they suffer greatly because of it. What they thought was “under control”, would contribute to their downfall. This reminds me of how sometimes there are certain sins in my life or lies from the enemy that I believe. It’s easy to think I don’t need to deal with those because I have them under control. Yet those are the things that can cause me so much pain and heartache. One of the lies I had believed for so many years was “I am not worth much. Nobody would love me if they really knew me.” I knew that it was wrong to think this way, but I didn’t think this lie needed to be dealt with because it was hidden in me, so I worked hard to be the person people would enjoy to be around. But the more I got to know our Amazing God, He began to expose those lies and brought me to a point where I finally had to deal with them, so I could see myself through Jesus’ Eyes. I am so thankful that He did, because Jesus truly wants each one of us to live a life of abundance and true freedom. John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come so that you may have life, and that you may have it in abundance”.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I feel so blessed have you be part of this ministry with me, and I hope one day, Lord willing, you will be able to come see for yourself what God is doing here! God bless! Amanda