Camp Season

The words "camp season" bring to mind images of cabins in the woods, swimming or canoeing in a cold lake, and a special bonfire at the end of every week.  Well, in Guadalajara I experience camp season a little differently...although next week I will certainly be staying in a cabin in the woods!

Today was the last day of our 4th annual Kids' Camp at RETO church.  And although I didn't have a specific role as teacher this year, I enjoyed getting involved where I could, building relationships with the kids, and encouraging many of our church youth who served as teachers and helpers.  It's awesome to see some of the same kids from the community return year after year, and to hear them explaining Bible stories that they're learning in their classes.  I appreciate anew how much energy it takes to work with kids (and recognize that I am more likely called to work with youth and young adults!).  But I can't help falling in love with all those little ones!  Sooo cute!!

It was also an awesome week to see some of our newer youth, who haven't yet integrated themselves into the youth group, come out every day and pour into these kids, while strengthening friendships with one another.  Just as the little ones were learning new lessons about God this week, I know that the youth helpers were too.

And today we also welcomed a team from South Abbotsford Church.  They are here to lead our English Camp next week.  Sunday morning we will celebrate with a closing program with the kids from Kids' Camp, and then promptly head 2 hours out of the city to a town called Tapalpa up in the mountains.

I'm super-excited about some of the new people from our community that will be joining us, as well as some of our newer youth.  Last year God did some amazing things at this camp, and I am anticipating more to come!  Jen and I have been planning and coordinating this camp, and while Jen will head up all the cooking, I will oversee programming.  Please pray that English will be learnt, but more importantly that relationships will be built with God and with one another.

Well, it's been a long day, and I should head to bed.  Another day of orientation and cultural awareness awaits me tomorrow!

Since Then...

So, Jen just asked me tonight if I'd decided to stop blogging, and I told her that it wasn't an intentional decision...but it would appear so by my obvious lack of blogging in almost 3 months! Does it ever feel like technology just makes life more difficult, rather than easier? So, I don't have a clue if anyone is even checking this thing anymore, but I thought I'd write a few things, send them off into space, for those who might (like my Aunty Minna).

It feels like I've lived an entire year since I last wrote! My sister has been to visit me again, we hosted a young married couple (Krista and Mark) for a month while they studied Spanish, hosted some of the TREK leaders, my aunts and uncle came for a visit. Not to mention using our house to celebrate many TREK/youth birthday parties, sleepovers, pyjama parties, an all-night TREK farewell...wow, I'm exhausted just remembering back. No wonder I haven't blogged!

With all that we've had going on, and looking ahead to a continuously busy summer, I felt encouraged by a verse I read today in Colossians 3:16- "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." I love the image of allowing God's word to "dwell in me richly". And I realize that I really have nothing to give to teams, youth, and those I'm discipling if I'm not spending significant time resting and soaking up his word.

Sorry I got a little preachy, but it's one of those basic truths that I feel like I need to be reminded of all too often, and maybe my life lesson can serve to encourage someone else today (if you're actually reading!).

Well, until the next time...

New House

Hey Everyone!
So, I know I haven't updated again for a while...life continues to be one crazy activity after another! My parents and my sister were down a couple of weeks ago and spent some time here in the city, and then we went for a week of vacation in Puerto Vallarta, which was amazing! You can check my Facebook for photos.

And this last week has been spent sanding, painting and scrubbing to get this house ready to move into. We've found a much more spacious house to rent instead of our apartment, which is already being put to good use. We spent the day moving, with the help of a lot of different friends. And now I'm sitting here in my new living room, unwinding after an intense week! And we already have 3 guests staying with us on our first night here!!

I'll post pictures later, but I wanted to let you know my new address:
San Bonifacio #461
Vallarta San Jorge
Guadalajara, Jalisco
C.P. 44500
Mexico

Phone: 011-52-33-3122-3889

Hope to be hearing from you soon!

HADIME 2008

Since I'm not the most technologically knowledable person around, it's taken me a little while to figure out how to upload this video. But, here it is! Just to show you a little bit of what we did in our 10 day discipleship program called HADIME (Making Disciples in Mexico) in the first 2 weeks of January. It was a really amazing experience! We had 16 participants, from 5 different cultures (Mexico, Colombia, Canada, USA, Thailand). Plus 6 of us leaders, and my brother Anthony joined us for most of the time as well. The video is in Spanish, but I think you'll be able to get the idea:)

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

I forgot to mention in my last post about all the great gifts that Kathleen brought down for me! Some of them I can't open until the 25th (I love surprises!), but others I was able to open already. A late birthday/early Christmas gift from Misty, several good treats from Kathleen, Christmas gifts from family, and a sweet little care-package from a group of junior youth girls from my church.

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Laura's (TREK girl) birthday. We made some tasty strawberry margaritas (no alcohol!!).

Since it's the end of the year, it seems like we've got to cram in every possible meeting!! But, last week we went on a little missionary retreat. Just the Beltrans (our Colombian pastors), Godards, and Jen and I. We went to a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in Ajijic (about an hour away- where the world's largest ex-patriat community exists), and spent some good time together.

Then last weekend the TREK girls came over and we made some Christmas cookies. I've never had such a variety of icing colors before. These girls did an amazing job of decorating!!

So, all these events are helping me to get in the "Christmas Spirit". Hard to believe it's only another5 days till Christmas! I hope you're all enjoying the time with family and friends that usually comes with all the Christmassy activities!

Facebook Killed the Blogging Star

So, the past month has been full of activity, and if you're on Facebook you've likely seen some of my photos. Remember the song "Video killed the Radio Star"? That's how I feel about Facebook to Blogging. Don't get me wrong, I've completely given over to it myself. But I realize it's not quite the same.

And what has Sandra been busy with? Well, we've had a few different youth events, some together with the 3 other youth groups in our denomination. Here's a picture...I'm the white girl right in the middle! Haha! It's exciting to see our youth breaking down prejudices and discomfort with one another and starting to bond.

It's also been great to have the 3 TREK girls here for the past month. They've been learning Spanish and getting into life with their Mexican families. We've done some fun outings with them as well. Having new people here gets us out and exploring a little more. One day we went for a picnic to a park with hot springs in it. The water was soooo hot!

And then I went to the wedding of the century when my friends Josh and Francis got married! It was a real Mexican fiesta, and it was so great to see how happy they were together. Francis is Mexican, and Josh is American and he had about 40 people attend from the States. It was a Catholic wedding, with a mass and everything, which was interesting to be a part of. And then there wasn't 1, but 2 "after-parties". Lots of dancing, great food, amazing service, and a beautiful location.

Jen had a little too much fun at the wedding!!

Seriously, just a little accident when we tried to jump this little creek...and a couple of torn tendons later, and she's wearing a cast. She wore it for 2 weeks, and is on the mend!

Then I had a very special visit from my amazing friend Kathleen Doll from BC. It was so encouraging to have her here, and we toured around, drank a LOT of Starbucks, and just basically got caught up on life! It was hard to see her go!!

We went out one night to celebrate Kathleen's birthday! So, we did it Mexican style with Margaritas (non-alcoholic of course!!).

Aside from Starbucks, I also took Kathleen to my other favorite cafe called "Chai". Coffee and good conversation with a great friend...can't ask for anything better than that!
So, there it is. A little of what I've been up to lately. My attempt at not letting Facebook completely take over.

The State of Tabasco

I'm not sure what you all hear on the news these days in Canada, but our news in Mexico is inundated with the flood in the State of Tabasco. They're comparing it with what happened in New Orleans. Because of so much rain, the rivers burst over, flooding about 80% of the State of Tabasco, and ruining 100% of their crops. They're saying that anywhere between 800,000- 1 Million people have been affected by flood damage, with at least 1/2 million people stranded in shelters.

Here are a few pictures. The first one says, "Tabasco: Mexico's New Orleans! What a disaster...help! Don't let this become as bad as it was in the States."

There are serious health concerns, as well as getting people proper food, clothing and other necessities. It's really cool to see the people in Mexico banding together to help out the people of Tabasco. Our church is gathering donations this Sunday to help out.

So far the death toll is around 10, with about 25 people still missing. This was mainly due to a landslide. Please pray with me that those people would be found, and that no others would be lost in this tragedy. Pray also for the Mexican government, that they would know how to act quickly and wisely to care for so many hurting people.

Since we're on the topic of crazy weather patterns, here are a few pictures of the freak snow "storm" that happened in Bogota, Colombia this weekend. Many people were treated for hypothermia since the snow came so fast and people weren't prepared for it. But, it looks like some were able to really enjoy it!!