VBS at Principe de Paz (Ejido) Playa del Carmen

by Gilda D. Samuels


Friends/Amigos,

"One can't believe impossible things" said Alice "I daresay you havn't had much practice,"said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

When God called a few people in Dubuque to dream impossible dreams, he sent Leonel Pech, and then Ramón, along to help those dreams become a reality.
When God called Whitewater Valley Presbytery to dream impossible dreams, he sent Leonel, and then Ramón, along to help those dreams to also become a reality. Leonel and Ramón were experienced in dreaming impossible dreams that God had helped come true.

God called us to help construct a church in the Ejido of Playa del Carmen and gave each member of the group a blessing for answering the call. The area continues to grow, along with the church. Near the Valmar hotel (2003) once was a vacant lot. It is now a super Walmart with all of the latest conveniences. A large group of Italians are moving to Playa. Tourism is still the strongest industry.

I had the privilege of joining a group from Whitewater Valley Presbytery to help in the Bible school of Principe de Paz from July 15th-22nd , 2006. We didn't do construction as the building plans are still with the architect.
The church is planning on an L shape, adding 3 story classrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Instead we taught English with music and games in the mornings. During breaks the kids practiced their futbol (soccer) moves with Sam, John, and Ben. Our group was from four different churches and two states (Indiana and Iowa). Judy Kimmer, from Anderson, Indiana, was our group leader. She brought daugher Katy and friend Kaylee. Everyone was musical and able to communicate in Spanish.
The women of the church prepared lunch for us almost everyday.

In the evening was vacation Bible school. Judy and friends did the openings with lively music in Spanish. It was a blessing to watch the children respond and sing from their hearts. Katy and Kaylee worked with 40-50 preschoolers doing crafts and Bible stories. Judy and I did crafts with the 1st to 6th grade group. Sam, John and Ben did recreation. Several people in the church came along side us to get it all done. We averaged about 150 people a night. All the Bible teaching was done by people in the church.

I am happy to have had a small part in the working of God in this church.
Don Moncho (Ramón), Pastor Joel and Reyna, and all the people of Principe de Paz send their greetings and love. They are praying for us. Please keep them in your prayers. Gavin is helping in Cancun this week. He will have more to tell us. May we be open to the future leading of the Holy Spirit.

Working on communication

by Felipe Martinez

Today we had a very special meeting with members of the New Hope team and most of the planters from our partner churches (some of whom also brought elders from their congregations). Under the leadership of NQR partnership coordinator Ramón Celis and New Hope elder Jim Cooper, the group talked about how to improve communication among our churches, especially inviting the planters to be in email contact with their WVP partners to share stories of their ministry, prayer concerns, joys, etc. The group also talked about looking forward beyond the first five years of the partnership and encouraging the congregations involved in this partnership to deepen their connection with each other.

One way in which the partnership is developing and moving forward was evident on Sunday. New Hope's partner church, Jesús El Buen Pastor, became chartered as a congregation during their Sunday morning worship service. The date for this special service had been timed to coincide with the visit from New Hope. Members of the planting commission of the NQR presbytery led the service of chartering. During the service, elders and deacons for this new church were ordained for the first time, and several of the WVP and New Hope participants were able to be involved in the laying on of hands, ordination prayer, reading of scripture, etc. It was a very special moment. Now both NQR and WVP are in a position to ask: how does this particular relationship between New Hope and El Buen Pastor grow now that this former new church development is a chartered congregation? That question is really a joyful question, and it will be asked again in the near future by ZPC - Colosio, Noblesville - Puerto Aventuras, and Center Grove - Tulum.

Tomorrow I will be returning to Indianapolis, but not without first visiting the dental mission team which is stationed in Cancun for the first part of the week (and will be in Playa del Carmen Th and Fri).

It has been a good trip, though a long one. It has made me even more grateful for the leadership of our partners here in Mexico and in Indiana. It has helped reaffirm my vision to work towards culture bridging ministry in our presbytery. It has allowed me to tell presonally each of our planters and their churches just how much our presbytery loves them and prays for them.

Second week travelers ready to go

The groups from the remaining churches in WWVP will be leaving today for Mexico. We will most likely pass the happy, but tired first week churches in the airport in Cancun. Please pray for continued good weather while in Mexico.

Stories of Faith and Ministry

by Felipe Martinez

I have been visiting several churches while they are having VBS this week (Ejido Monday -pastor Joel-, Principe de Paz Cancun Tue -pastor Neri-, Betel Cancun Wed- pastor Moises) and I have also been visiting with the pastors whose churches will have VBS next week (so far Juanito from Getsemani Puerto Aventuras, Francisco from El Milagro Cancun, Marcos from Tulum). When I visit with the churches and with pastors I have met individually, I have brought official greetings from the presbytery and have given the pastor of the church the NQR DVD that was created by WVP (and which we showed at the June presbytery). Footage for this DVD was filmed during VBS Blitz week in July 2005 (remember how we only had one week last year because hurricane Emily forced us to cancel one of the two weeks originally scheduled?). The pastors will show the DVD to their congregations, and Ramon promises to show it to the presbytery at an upcoming stated meeting.

Here are two stories of faith and ministry to give you an idea of the work of our partners down in NQR:

From Tulum: Pastor Marcos tells me that the children at the church really liked several of the VBS songs from last year and from this year. Pastor Marcos, a person of great vision, had an idea. What if we create a children´s choir, and have them record those songs, and then they could sell CD´s (about 100 of them) to raise money for the church? Well, they're following up on the idea. Marcos has some contacts in both Merida and Cancun that could have the choir recorded professionally (pro bono). The children (ages 5-7 approx) have been practicing once a week for several months. There is even a little child who is about 2 1/2 years old who joins in, an unofficial choir member. Turns out this 2 1/2 year old boy is the child of one of the adult choir leaders, and this little guy hears the choir rehearse and has picked up the tune and the hand motions for songs. In fact, as his language ability allows him due to his young age, the little boy sings along. Can't wait for their debut album!

From Betel Cancun: Magdalena is presently a church member of Betel, where Fairlawn Columbus helps with VBS. A couple of years ago Magdalena used to live in Merida and she lived there near her grown son. She told him that, when his company transferred him elsewhere in the Peninsula, that she would move to whatever town he went to. It turns out that the son was moved to Cancun, so she moved there. Magdalena had been an active member of a presbyterian church in Merida, and she wanted to find another presbyterian church in Cancun. She wanted a large church like what she had been used to, where she could be a part of an active women's circle and have lots of people in worship in a nice facility. But churches that met those requiements were far from her new home in Cancun. Magdalena prayed that God would be able to show her a church where God could use her. As it turns out, one day Magdalena was walking to the grocery store and she noticed a sign outside a house a block away from her house. The sign said that a presbyterian church (Betel, led by pastor Moises) met for worship there every Sunday, and listed other activities. Magdalena came to women's circle on a Monday night and then came for worship, and she has been attending that congregation ever since. Pastor Moises has challenged her to take a leadership role in the women's circle, even to help with singing on Sundays. Magdalena knows God brought her to that church, which although much much smaller than what she was used to in Merida, will be a place which grows spiritually and numerically through God's grace.

amazing days

okay so today is wednesday and it was our day off.....well first i guess i should say that I am Kirby, or Kaylee as the children call me. they can´t say the R in Kirby. okay so on our day off we took the ferry over to cozemul, a tropical island, and went snorkeling. it was amazing because we saw so many tropical fish. It was definatley and once in a life time experience.

Speaking of lifetme experiences let me share some.
I came to mexico knowing how to say one thing: My feet hurt. crazy yea?
In just 3 days I have learned more spanish then, i think, a spanish 1 student would learn. do you know how i learned the phrases and words? through the children i have been working with.

along with Kati, i am in charge of about 40 preschoolers every night @ vacation bible school. we do the arts and crafts and games. These kids have so much life in them and its hard to imagine how much they have changed the lives of the people on this mission trip.

in the mornings we teach english to a smaller portion of the kids. To see children try and succeed in learning a second language is extremely worthwhile. I dont think that i could do what these kids are doing when i was their age.

basically what is suppose to be ¨work¨ is nothing of the sort. i have more fun watching this kids learn about God then anything i´ve ever done in the church. God is good

Principe de Paz

I am Gilda Samuels from Dubuque, Iowa. This is my third time to be at Principe de Paz. Each time the building has improved. The people remain very gracious and loving. They make me feel at home and listen carefully to my limited spanish. They cook for us delicious food for lunch. I am happy to be here, to see the new babies, and help teach the children. They are all beautiful.

Second Presbyterian Church

(2nd try as the computer froze on the first with one whole paragraph completed....)

Greetings from the 2nd Pres mission team in tropical Playa del Carmen. We are on day 4 of our adventure, day 2 of VBS (or EB de V en espanol). Apparantly we are behind in our blogging activities, so I will try and catch up the folks at home.

Day 1 Safe, timely arrival in Cancun. Ramon met us at the airport and got us set up with our 2 vans for the week. Our suprise waited at the hotel, when Manases (pastor at Monte de Olivos) and his family were our welcoming committee!

Day 2 We began the day with Bible study at the church, there were 2 adult classes and classes for the children as well. We had the afternoon at leisure for shopping, going to the beach or pool, or the ever prevalent siesta. Just like in the midwest, it is hot and humid here as well. We returned to the church for their evening worship at 7 and had a chance to be introduced to the congregation. There are 3 of us from last years mission returning (David, Bill (aka Guillermo) and Jenni...todays "blogista" ) and we were seeing our old friends again!
Felipe from the presbytery gave a fantastic sermon switching seamlessly between English and Spanish.

Day 3 We met at the church for breakfast and fellowship. Some members of our team are better in Spanish than others, but we all paired up with a member of our sister congregation for a getting to know you exercise, then we introduced them (in our language of choice) to the group at large. EBV begins at 6pm every night and there are 4 stations that the participants rotate through-games (juegos), crafts (manualidad), snacks and lesson. There are 3 groups of children by age, then a group of adults/teenagers. I am on the games team, and it´s always a lot of fun. We finished EBV with a special guest...a vaquero (cowboy) clown who told the story of the good Samaratin. Confetti was also involved....so much that we may be bringing some home in our luggage.

Day 4 (today) We met at the church for a day of fellowship with our brothers and sisters on the beach. We swam, played volleyball and had a picnic lunch together, then returned and had a large group prayer. Today´s lesson is the woman who prayed without ceasing and between all of us, there is a lot to pray for and a lot to be thankful for as well.

More adventures still to come!
David, Carlos, Guillermo, BJ, Juanita, Leah, Katarina, Jenni, Holly, Raquel, y Donaldo

Pictures from NQR

By Felipe Martinez


Here are a couple of pictures of the Anderson/Orchard Park team teaching English at Ejido Monday morning.

"Head and shoulders, knees and toes..."

Taking a break.

And now some pictures from VBS at Ejido

Registration. By the end of the night we had 139 children, adults, helpers and teachers. And it will grow!

Singing songs
to the glory of
God

Putting together
tonight's craft

Sunday Evening Worship

By Felipe Martinez

I had the pleasure of worshiping with the folks from Second Pres and Nicte Ha last night (Sunday) at their regular worship service (they worship at 7pm, with Sunday School in the morning at 10). As I arrived with the folks from Second and I introduced myself to pastor Manases, he asked me if I would preach (not an uncommon request of a visting pastor). I had an inkling that such a request would come whenever I visited a church in my official capacity, so let's just say I had something ready to go. The congregation was very gracious as I preached in Spanish and English, and message of the sermon was well received.

The worship service was lively with great music performed by the worship band (1 leader playing two keyboards, a bassist, 1 drummer and two singers). The songs had great tunes and rhythms which the congregation sang along with the band.

This morning (Monday) I went to Ejido to support the Anderson/Orchard Park folks as they conducted an English class with about eight children ranging from 1st to 4th grade and a couple of parents who came with the kids. The children paid close attention and interacted as the group used songs and games to teach words and phrases in English. The women of the church prepared their Indiana guests a delicious lunch.

Tonight we will have the first night of VBS. Pray for the children and adults coming to these events in Cancun (Northmister and Columbus), Playa del Carment (Second and Anderson/Orchard Park) and Cozumel (Tab)

First impressions-Ben Crouse

As the only member of this particular team involved with Orchard Park`s trip last year, I am returning to familiar faces and a radically different church building! The pastor and congregation of Principe de Paz in Ejido proudly show off a building that now has a full roof and nearly three walls. I was also introduced to two of the newest members of the congregation, infants whose parents confided that only appeared in God`s plans when I was here a year ago. It is beautiful to see how Principe de Paz has grown so dramatically, and I look forward to a week playing and sweating with my mexican brothers.
Ben

Mutually Encouraged

by Felipe Martinez

The first set of Indiana mission travelers have arrived in NQR. We have people from Indianapolis Northminster (Cancun), Columbus Fairlawn (Cancun), Indianapolis Tab (Cozumel), Indianapolis Orchard Park / Anderson First / Dubuque (Playa del Carmen), Indianapolis Second (Playa del Carmen).

Today I had the opportunity to greet people from Second and Anderson/Orchard Park, as we are all staying in the same hotel ( http://www.haciendamariabonita.com ). Both groups went to their respective partner churches (Second to Nicte Ha and Anderson/Orchard Park to Ejido). I joined the folks going to Ejido at 10 a.m., where pastor Joel gave us a gracious welcome. We spent time with the congregation singing praise songs (some of them we knew in English, which emboldened us to sing out the Spanish lyrics) and then we had a time of Sunday School. Worship will be tonight at 7 p.m., and the group will be back. I will connect with the Second's team to go to Nicte Ha for tonight's worship.

It was interesting that this morning's Sunday School lesson at Ejido was about Christian Stewardship. The pastor is planning to teach on this theme for several weeks, to remind the people that what we have comes from (and ultimately belongs to) God, to encourage the people to be good stewards of those gifts, and to challenge them to give with a glad heart. I admire the stewardship of the churches here, because they work hard with limited resources and are able to lift up new congregations to serve the people. And yet, one of the examples the pastor used was how these "visitors from the United States" modeled good stewardship as churches and members generously donate from their time and their money to come to Playa del Carmen to help with God's work. I am humbled that he lifted up our efforts as an example, since I consider them a model to emulate as well. I guess that's the point of the partnership: we learn from each other and are encouraged by one another.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Romans 1:11-12

Getting ready to go

By Felipe Martinez

Well, we’re getting ready to go to NQR (Northern Quintana Roo) for our annual VBS Blitz and Dental Mission! 70 people are going on this first week (July 15 – 22) and 116 are going the second week (July 22 – 29). I’ll be posting updates from Mexico and hopefully members of the various church groups will also be posting.

Though I have been to NQR before, this will be my first time to go during the VBS Blitz. I am looking forward to connecting with the church planters of our 12 partner new church developments, seeing the children and adults at the Vacation Bible Schools as I travel from site to site, planning with coordinator Ramon Celis, coordinator Barry Sumner and the NQR commission.

As I prepare to leave tomorrow, Psalm 121 is on my mind. When I was a child, my family would drive to Mexico City or Guadalajara from Monterrey for a summer vacation to see family. Early in the morning of our departure, the ’68 Ford Galaxy 500 would be warming up, trunk fully packed, food and Coca Cola’s in the cooler, pillows in the back seat for when my brother and I decided to sleep through most of the 12 hour drive. Then mom and dad would gather us at our home’s entry way, and one of us kids would read Psalm 121 “I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth… The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” Mom or dad would pray, we’d get in the car and mom would say “En nombre sea de Dios -- (We go) in God’s name” and then our journey could begin.

So, our journey begins. En nombre sea de Dios.