So, the past week has brought up an interesting and unexpected chance to serve here in Guzmán, and to get to know more people in our community: I (Nick) am teaching English!
A few weeks ago, as Zoe started school at the nearby private school, the administration expressed some interest in me teaching English there, but we couldn't make it work because we were planning on being in the States in November and December this year, and they needed a teacher that wasn't going to need to miss 6-8 weeks of classes this semester. I was a little bummed out that I didn't get to teach, but I knew that God had the plan, and apparently there were more important things for us to be focusing on right now in Guzmán. So we worked on getting Zoe settled into her school schedule, focused on our Bible studies with the college students and some visits with pastors in Guadalajara, and looked for other opportunities to serve the Lord.
Then, last week, we got the call: one of the teachers had a family emergency, and they needed someone to cover for her for anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. So, since last Wednesday, I've been teaching a 3rd grade class and a secondary (Jr. High) class every day. It's been a challenge for several reasons: first of all, I'm definitely being challenged to use my Spanish in a very different environment than I've ever used it before. All of the normal classroom words and phrases that we use to communicate, to demand attention, and to control the class... all are ones that I haven't used much in my everyday living there in Guzmán. Second, normal classroom behavior here is slightly more chaotic than it is in the States... kids get up, walk around, talk more, listen less. And, with the gringo in charge, they KNOW that I can't command a room quite as well as their normal teacher, so they're definitely pushing their boundaries. The first few days were very rough, and I've been praying for patience. Today was much better and more encouraging, and I'm hoping that, as the students get used to me, they'll continue to respond well to my teaching. I have some freedom in my lessons with what I teach and how I teach it, so I've been able to talk some in class about my past as a pastor and what we're doing in Guzmán now, as well as topics such as prayer and God. I'm hoping for more opportunities to share, especially one on one with some of the secondary students as I usually have the chance to talk with them more personally after class is over.
Please pray that, for however long it lasts, I'll be able to be a light to these students, and bless them, not just with the teaching, but with opportunities to share the Gospel! Also, pray that we'll develop stronger connections to the community and to new families through this opportunities. Already, it's been exciting to have children come up to me saying, 'Hola, profe!' (Hi, professor!) at the school and occasionally in the streets of Guzmán, and we're praying for more and more chances to get to know these wonderful children and their families through this chance that the Lord has given us to serve them and the school during this time. Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
How You Can Help Us: Communication
This is going to be the first in a series of blog posts over the next few months about different ways you can support us on our mission here in Mexico. They won't be long, but hopefully they'll be helpful for you as you prayerfully serve us while we serve here!
Today's topic is one that we bring up from time to time, but one that is probably more important than you realize: Communication! Growing up in the Southern Baptist Convention, I heard frequently about giving monetarily to support missionaries, I heard often about going on mission, and I heard rarely about praying for missionaries (specific missionaries, not just ones in general). However, I'm not sure I can remember ever being encouraged to reach out and contact a specific missionary, probably because I didn't really know any missionaries. However, now that we've been gone for 18 months, I can say this: I never realized how important contact is for a missionary!
Sara and I were talking a while back, and she said, "You know, now that I've been a missionary, if we ever returned to live in the States, I think I would have to find missionaries to write to, now that I know how much it means." This pretty well sums up how much it means to us when we get letters, packages, emails, phone calls, skype calls, and even Facebook messages. They're visible, tangible reminders for us that there are people back home that are holding the rope for us, that are supporting us. They are weapons against discouragement on days when we feel lonely and homesick, that we are far away, but not forgotten. They are encouragements on days when we are discouraged, that we are not in the fight for souls alone. They opportunities to talk to our kids about how blessed we are to have the family and friends that we do. They mean the world to us!
And, we're blessed to live in the day that we do! Not that long ago, communicating with a missionary would mean writing a letter that may or may not make it to the missionary within a few months. Today, we have computer communication with Skype, Facebook, and email that is instantaneous. We have a VOIP (Vonage) phone that sits in our house, but uses a Wyoming phone number, that can be called at any time, and doesn't cost us extra. And even physical mail like letters and packages are much more reliable than they used to be. It's pretty incredible how much smaller the world is these days, and we can't describe what a blessing that is to missionaries!
So, that's all to say, we'd love to hear from you! Many of you already follow us on Facebook, and we'd always love to hear from you there. Or, if you would like our Skype name, phone number, or physical address here in Mexico, write us on Facebook, or email me at missionguzman@gmail.com, and I'd love to send you the rest of our information. Thank you to all of you who support us with your communication. You'll never know what a blessing it is to us!
Today's topic is one that we bring up from time to time, but one that is probably more important than you realize: Communication! Growing up in the Southern Baptist Convention, I heard frequently about giving monetarily to support missionaries, I heard often about going on mission, and I heard rarely about praying for missionaries (specific missionaries, not just ones in general). However, I'm not sure I can remember ever being encouraged to reach out and contact a specific missionary, probably because I didn't really know any missionaries. However, now that we've been gone for 18 months, I can say this: I never realized how important contact is for a missionary!
 |
| Our letter wall, just some of the letters and cards we've received here in the past year. |
Sara and I were talking a while back, and she said, "You know, now that I've been a missionary, if we ever returned to live in the States, I think I would have to find missionaries to write to, now that I know how much it means." This pretty well sums up how much it means to us when we get letters, packages, emails, phone calls, skype calls, and even Facebook messages. They're visible, tangible reminders for us that there are people back home that are holding the rope for us, that are supporting us. They are weapons against discouragement on days when we feel lonely and homesick, that we are far away, but not forgotten. They are encouragements on days when we are discouraged, that we are not in the fight for souls alone. They opportunities to talk to our kids about how blessed we are to have the family and friends that we do. They mean the world to us!
And, we're blessed to live in the day that we do! Not that long ago, communicating with a missionary would mean writing a letter that may or may not make it to the missionary within a few months. Today, we have computer communication with Skype, Facebook, and email that is instantaneous. We have a VOIP (Vonage) phone that sits in our house, but uses a Wyoming phone number, that can be called at any time, and doesn't cost us extra. And even physical mail like letters and packages are much more reliable than they used to be. It's pretty incredible how much smaller the world is these days, and we can't describe what a blessing that is to missionaries!
 |
| Yellowstone Baptist Church in Cody, WY recently had EVERYone at the church write us a postcard and send them in a large envelope... SO COOL! |
So, that's all to say, we'd love to hear from you! Many of you already follow us on Facebook, and we'd always love to hear from you there. Or, if you would like our Skype name, phone number, or physical address here in Mexico, write us on Facebook, or email me at missionguzman@gmail.com, and I'd love to send you the rest of our information. Thank you to all of you who support us with your communication. You'll never know what a blessing it is to us!
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