Dear friends,
Well my year is over! I am back in the grey, wet and windy country I love to call home and have already started a new job. The last two weeks have been a little hectic so I hope you forgive me not writing to you before. Part of the problem has been a lack of net access but I seem to have survived that trial relatively unscathed.
My last weeks at Armonia were, in many ways, strange. I spent a few days away with my parents catching up on sleep and enjoying the Chihuahua countryside. The Copper Canyons were spectacular and I was reminded of how small we all are in comparison to the great God who rules over all. They are amazing if you ever get the chance to visit. I did a little driving, including a stretch through the most intense thunderstorm ever (it felt like Storm Chasing in the US) - it was hard not to think of Revelation and be awed a lot.
Back in Armonia, the last days were about winding down and handing over my responsibilities as a volunteer. I went to Oaxaca to help with a group where, upon arrival, everyone asked me if I was going out to do something with Sr. Saul. Apparently they didn't want me in the house, which was explained by a surprise party they threw later that evening. Smoked meats, spring onions, massive tortillas and mountains of salad provided plenty to chew over physically while they asked me to talk to the students of the residence about my experiences (hopefully giving them something to chew over metaphorically). It was a great chance to talk honestly about being a volunteer and to hear their thoughts. It was moving - one of the new students, Moises, stood to ask if I would stay an extra year so the new ones could get to know me. They had clubbed together and bought me a big wood-carved jaguar head (it's quite sizeable) to remind me of my time there. (The jaguar is linked with much of Oaxaca's history, not only living up in the mountains where the students come from but considered in the ancient religions one of the gods). With some tears and many hugs, I returned to Mexico, leaving my younger brothers and sisters in Oaxaca to start school and (hopefully) study hard.
Staying back in Alheli was a bit strange. I hadn't been there most of the summer, nor had I spent much time at the Santa Cruz Community Centre. In many ways, I think I had already left them emotionally, even if the Armonia staff hadn't gone through that process. I worked three long hard days in the office having convinced Saul to work following a list (like a westerner?) and we were quite productive. In many ways, the change from just 6 months previously was astounding. Then I had been wondering whether to continue (after Liz, the other volunteer left) and had to fight to prove my reputation, integrity and worth. This time, it could not have been different. I was invited to meetings that I don't even think I should have been in, being party to senstive ministry information and even being asked my opinion of how they should move forwards. I know many of you have prayed for improvements in my working relationship with the Cruzes and this really is proof that those petitions have been answered.
And so more farewells came. First at the office, then the community centre (that was pretty emotional) and lastly to the guys at the residence (they tried hard to behave like 'real men' but still didn't manage to keep the tears back!). I had the chance to use my last £20 to take the Cruzes, Dani and the students out to dinner (by the way, notice £20 to feed 9!) and we swapped stories and remembered good times. I will miss all those friends I made out there.
Many of you and many of them have asked me if I'm going back. I will. But I don't know when. I don't think I can promise things when I don't know how the next chapter of my life will unfold. But of some things I am sure, having either learnt them or had them reinforced this year. And this is how I want to fill my 14th and last newsletter.
~God is faithful. The number of prayers both general and specific that have been answered demonstrates that again and again. Pat (who organised my Eden prayer group for the year) chuckled that it was good to see items on the petition list one month and then the praise list the next because they had been answered. Just consider my big worries for the year: safety, health and language. I was only properly ill once and that was something I caught in the UK (or ate on the plane).
~Christ is sufficient. I would not have made it through this year on my own. I know I would have given up. I now know my limits but they are not based in me alone. He is sufficient to give all perseverance to persevere, all strength to be strong, all forgiveness to be forgiven and all love to keep loving.
~Armonia is onto something. 20+ years of walking alongside the poor, self-sacrificially serving all their needs with God's love again and again has not been for nothing. This changes lives. This transforms poverty into full life. And this has radically altered the way I think about my engagement with the poor. Secular aid organisations CANNOT make poverty history without the gospel because it will always come back to a financial cost-benefit balance sheet, not a sacrificial outpouring of energy, health, time and ultimately lives to serve others. That's what Jesus did. That's what we should do. I want to stay involved in this, but what does it all mean in the UK? I guess this year I will start exploring that in my mind.
~Service means no expectations. After years of 'serving' in various things (usually those that would gain more glory) I realise I have often done it for the attention and positive comments afterwards. True servants think only of the treasures in heaven and serve in all ways, even when they know they will never ever be recognised.
There are many more but they are the highlights that come to mind. It has been a tremendous year, in the experiences I have had, the things I have been through and the things I have learnt. And so to round off, having started newsletter 1 with a request that you stay in touch and pray for me, I end with some thank yous.
To God for His power, strength, grace and salvation.
To Saul and Pilar for their vision, patience with me, trust in me and love of me
To Zoe for consistently ringing, emailing, praying and supporting so generously
To Mum and Dad for the little text messages and phone calls and the willingness to let me go to a foreign and dangerous place!
To Pat and Steve for organising my Eden prayer group and all those who went along - I love you guys :)
To Jean Newstead, Karuna and other for representing me at Surrey Chapel
To Julian, Marvin and Tom C for preparing me well beforehand and wise guidance during tough times earlier this year
And to all of you who thought of me occasionally and sent quick little messages across from time to time.
So who knows what you have taken out of this string of newsletters. Hopefully you understand a little more of what I did out in Mexico. Hopefully also a little more of what Armonia does. Perhaps it has even challenged you in the way you live too. I am back now and although I don't doubt that God has more interesting and challenging things in store for me, I think now is the time to wrap this line of communication up. I will stay involved in Armonia UK so expect me to keep talking about them. www.armonia-uk.org.uk is the place to go for more information.
So thank to you all.
May God have all the Glory for whatever He has shown you this year.
Consider this from 1 John 3 (NIV):
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."
Chris
:)
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