When
people come to Mexico, they always notice the large numbers
of VW bugs. We're so used to every other car being a bug that
we don't even notice them any more
(in case you didn't know, Mexico is the only place in the world
where the old bug is still made).
Note:
place your cursor over any photo to view description
Another
reality of life here that we take for granted is the large number
of youth. Everywhere you go in Mexico you see teenagers; they're
waiting for the bus, walking to school, standing in line for
tortillas, sitting on park benches talking with their friends,
hanging out at the mall. We spend so much time around teenagers
and young adults that we forget to be amazed that according
to the 2000 Mexican census there are 70 million people here
under the age of 29. Yes, that is about 67% of the total population.
As we
drive around and I love to watch the people on the sidewalks.
I frequently wonder where they're going and what their life
is like. There are times my heart just goes out to someone.
Who wouldn't feel something for the old lady stooped under the
huge bundle of firewood she is carrying on her back, or the
young girl, with the dirt streaked face and the baby strapped
to her back, selling gum at the stoplight.
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But
I also think about the 15-year-old girl in the skintight jeans
whose boyfriend has arm draped heavily, possessively over her
shoulder or the earnest, studious-looking group of young adults
talking outside their school. I think how that possessive boyfriend
will probably treat her as badly as her father treats her mother
and how those students' hard work and sacrifice will not bring
them the bright economic future they hope for. You may think
that sounds very pessimistic. After seven years here I feel
it's the reality. And the world around us shows us that if no
outside force intervenes, things left on their own get worse,
not better.
But
I'm not a fatalist. I do have hope for these people; hope that
they can have a fulfilling, good life in spite of their circumstances.
So as we drive by I frequently turn my thoughts about them into
prayers, "Lord, please reach into their life and bring
them the joy that comes from really knowing you." But as
Paul says in Romans 10:14, "And how can they hear if no
one tells them?"
So now
you have a glimpse into what keeps us motivated. 70 million
people with only a handful of people specifically focused on
trying to meet their spiritual needs. And of those who share
this burden, who are pouring out their life to bring hope specifically
to the teenagers and young adults in Mexico 86.3% of them have
had no training specifically for youth work. As we mentioned
last month, we are so excited about the possibility of 500 people
being able to receive the highest quality, comprehensive training
in youth ministry this summer through the two "Raices"
conferences in Mexico City and Veracruz.
We are
so grateful for the part you have played in this project, for
putting and keeping us here with your prayers and financial
support! And as part of our support team we want you to know
these are going to be a few extra-ordinary months for us, both
in terms of workload and for the Mexican church in terms of
opportunity.
Because
we know that "some reap and some sow, but God brings the
harvest", we would love it if you would feel called to
extra-ordinary prayer support for this project: for the organizing
committees, for all those conference details that need to be
dealt with, and that God would bring the right people to attend
them.
We would
also love it if you would feel called to make a one-time donation
to these conferences, providing scholarship money so we can
lower the price tag, which now stands at $200/person, so money
wouldn't keep away the people who need to be there.
For
your convenience you can contribute online by clicking here,
or by clicking on any of the "contribute"
links found at the bottom or left of most pages.
We'll
keep you posted!
Annette & Tim
P.S.
- If you like any of our pictures above and are
interested in viewing more click
here -- you will be
taken to our "happenings" section. There
you will
find links to animations, hundreds of still photos, a
multimedia slideshow, and anecdotes from our life.
