What do you do with Back2Back, exactly?

Lately I've had a few people ask me "What does a normal day look like for you?" The only answer I could come up with was "I work with children". Not exactly satisfying or specific :) I struggle very much with generalizations and estimates. Maybe that's because I strive to value the uniqueness of each person, each day, and each situation or maybe that's because I'm a detail person, not a big picture girl.

For me, every day in Mexico is a new day. It may look similar or different from the previous, but God's presence unites them all. The best way I've come to categorize my work with Back2Back is by looking at each site we work with and then looking at how I'm involved in that site. So, over the next few weeks, I'll try to give a picture of each one.

Rossy's. A ministry lovingly called Mision Educarte, similar to a Christian outreach/community center. Rossy has a room on her property that she has used to host a children's program on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the past 20 years, and I've gotten to join her in teaching and serving these kids for the past few months. She leads a time of worship, a teaching time, a craft time, and then serves the children dinner. It's both dynamic and energetic. Anywhere from 30-70 kids come on any given night, and I have come to love each and every one of them. In the midst of situations saturated with poverty, these kids have hope. They are hungry to learn and to grow and to help others. They love each other, and they love Jesus. When you drive up to Rossy's, kids come running out to greet you--literally jumping into your car to hug you because they just can't wait for you to get out. I've been blessed in so many ways by these kids who have challenged me to tickle wars, shown me how to break-dance, trusted me with the name of the 13 year-old love of their life, and taught me how to give thanks for all things (even stolen tv's) because God's got it all under control. I always leave Rossy's tired and completely full of joy. It's undoubtedly my favorite part of the week. In the next year, we're hoping to expand Rossy's ministry by starting small groups that will be able to go deeper with the most consistent kids. We're also hoping to start an after school tutoring program. Prayer for these two goals would be very much appreciated as we seek God's direction regarding program details and funding sources.

Siblings Jocelyn and Jorgito: Rossy's Regulars

Work Day at Rossy's (Rossy's in the Center)

 

Bigger Perspective

Lately there have been quite a few changes in the way the Mexican government operates, especially concerning taxes. Because of this, Back2Back has had to change and re-think some of the ways that they do things. It’s been very hard, stressful, and overwhelming at times—feeling like these changes are thwarting our work here. Lately I’ve realized that I’ve had a very small view of all of these changes. Yes, they are making day-to-day activities very hard. Yes, they are limiting some of the ways Back2Back can work at this time. Yes, the details are complicated and many. Yes, it is all quite scary.

But this is only a shadow of something much bigger. If I choose to focus on this small piece of the story I will see only darkness, but if I open myself up to seeing the larger picture I think I’ll find light, hope, and glory. While these changes will cause pain and difficulty for many over the next few months, they are a step towards a more stable and efficient economy and Mexican nation. These pesky tax changes are a piece in God’s overall plan to bring restoration to the Mexican people by ridding the country of corruption and supporting a legalized economy. What I may quickly label as hurting the people I desire to serve may actually be a road to increased sustainability and a higher level of quality of living.

I pray that I would trust evermore in the wisdom and ability of God, who promises to never forsake his children but always work for their well-being and for the fulfillment of his good, beautiful, and glorious will. May he teach me to see past my shallow view of the current circumstances so that I might better know him through greater understanding of his plan, which is so much more than anything I can ask or imagine.

Kids at the Tres Reyes Community Center

Kids Served at a Free Medical Clinic in Bonfil