Amanda in Mexico
February - March Update
|
|
|
Hello from Mexico! I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have finally reached a comfortable weather again here in Chihuahua, in which I can pack away my jackets and thick sweaters… and we are all so excited! The month of March has probably been one of the most challenging months in many years here at Oaks of Righteousness: physically, spiritually and emotionally. The verse that comes to mind is James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” It is one of those verses that you know is true and you choose to believe it, even though it does not feel true in the moment.
|
|
|
The month of February was an exciting, hectic (and exhausting!) month for us here at school. We were preparing for a talent show, another event to help strengthen family relationships. We also had “Reading Weeks” in which we encourage the students to read, planning lots of fun activities, such as dress-up days, special guest readers, “Drop Everything and Read” times, reading buddies, reading goals and an ice cream party to finish the reading weeks. It took lots of planning and preparation for the teachers, but it was definitely worth it to see the kids get more excited about reading. Our students are all at a low reading/comprehension level due to Spanish being their second language. We always look for ways to encourage them to read more. The reading weeks were immediately followed by the talent show the students had spent 2 months preparing for. The talent show was a success, as the students presented songs, dances, a play, and played guitar for the parents. I remember the following day talking with the other teachers about how amazing and exhausting February had been. What we could not know then was what the month of March would bring.
|
|
The month of March started with some incredibly exciting news! My sister Amelia and Joel had their baby! We were all very excited to meet the new baby! As Joel took the week off to help at home, all of the teachers did an incredible job helping me juggle all of Joel’s classes. We also welcomed a new teacher from China, Diego, at our school. It seems unbelievable as I write it out. About a month ago, a pastor and good friend of ours from Monterey contacted me, asking if we needed help in our school. He shared about a believer in China who felt God calling him to do missions amongst the indigenous in Chihuahua. He had studied both Spanish and English languages. So after an application process, Diego joined us here at Oaks of Righteousness to serve as a missionary. He has already taught our students to greet in Chinese and the students are looking forward to the optional Chinese class he will be giving! I laugh as I walk around the school and see Chinese writing with chalk on the cement walls/sidewalk, on white boards, or on random papers. It has become a saying amongst the teachers, “Looks like Diego was here.” He has been mainly helping us tutor students in math and Spanish, and serves as an assistant in other subjects. He is especially focusing on building relationships with the Tarahumara people right now.
|
|
A week into March, March 7, we got a devastating phone call. Our teacher, Cande, received the news that her brother (our student) died tragically in a tractor accident. Everyone’s world seemed to shatter. Mateo was an active, lively and incredibly sweet 11 yr. old boy that had impacted so many people. His name was always on every teachers tongue. He was the first to jump up to help whenever volunteers were needed. He was quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. He truly enjoyed life and made it his goal in life to bring joy to those around him, especially his classmates when it was time to sit down and work. He was very young when the school started back in 2017, and grew up hearing about Jesus and His love for Him. Mateo accepted the gospel wholeheartedly and loved to sing praises to God on the top of his lungs. He was the student everyone heard when the students sang together. He had a beautiful childlike faith. The family planned a beautiful funeral for him, and I truly believe Mateo would have loved it. The students sang. Family members, teachers and friends shared memories of Mateo. Joel shared a message. At the end, an altar call was made and several people from the community came up to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One of our students, a little 7 yr. old girl, says to me. “Teacher, I want to go up there.” She understood enough to know that Jesus wanted to come into her heart and forgive her sins. I told her she could go, but she was to shy at first. But after a few more opportunities she says to me, “I want that, teacher, I want to go up there.” And the next thing you know she was on the stage to accept Jesus as her Savior. It was so beautiful to watch her repeat the prayer in the most sincere, childlike way… and incredibly exciting to see about 6 people make the decision to follow Christ that day. The following week Cande took off work as her family mourned together and the ministry organized daily suppers with the family made by different people. It was so exciting to see Tarahumara families step up to the plate to host the family and just fellowship together. Even some of the students’ families hosted a meal. For one week, every evening we had times of prayer, Bible study, singing or activities to just be there for the family. The Lord taught me a lot that week about walking beside our brothers and sisters in Christ through suffering. I had always been afraid of how to approach families that were suffering loss. I did not know what to say or do. The Lord showed me there is absolutely nothing I can do to take the pain away. However, I could help carry them carry the burden. It was wonderful to see the family looking forward to the evenings of fellowship, as it helped them to find peace in the midst of their sadness. I ask you to please pray with us for the Palma family as they slowly adapt to life without Mateo. Also, please pray for our students and the teachers as we go through the healing process together of losing a friend/student.
|
|
I also ask you to pray for this ministry and myself, that God would provide the wisdom and strength as we move forward. Thank you for your prayers and support for the ministry. I know that those prayers have gotten us through these incredibly difficult weeks and I trust God is working in powerful ways.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. God bless! Amanda
|
|
|
