I have been attempting to set into stone plans for post college graduation, since before I started college (that's just how I function: ahead). And while, plans and goals have come and gone, changed and grown, I have found it very tough officially finalizing plans now that my college graduation is rapidly approaching. I have consider several, no many, options and had narrowed it down to ten before Christmas. Then during Christmas break I was able to narrow it down to two: spending a little under a year in either Peru or Mexico with Mission to the World (MTW). Well, I have been praying and praying for God's guidance on this decision, but just felt no clear pull in either direction. I finally gave myself the official deadline of January 31, 2010 to decide....and as it was quickly approaching I simply began feeling more and more confused and uncertain.
So the dilemma was this... my heart was to go to Mexico to work with and learn more about the people I have come to love here in the United States. I wanted to immerse myself in their language (and slang) and culture and truly gain a better understanding of them and how God created them. Also, in my long-term plans (yes, of course, I have already planned that far ahead) I would like to return to the US and work with Latin Americans here, most of which are Mexican. So why would I not choose Mexico????...well, the internship in Mexico was with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) a college campus ministry. I was not opposed to campus ministry, but that's not all I wanted to do; I also feel a calling to Mercy ministry....
...which leads me to Peru. I have never really wanted to go to Peru, at least not to live for a year, and to be honest I don't even know many Peruvians in the US; however in Peru I would be working with this ministry called the House of Glory, which was very attractive to me. The House of Glory takes in at risk teen girls who are pregnant and cares for them spiritually and physically. I loved the idea of this ministry, but not of Peru.
So, I was stuck. I liked each ministry for various reasons, but neither felt right. I kept praying (as did many other people on my behalf) and was hoping God would answer before January 31st. In the midst of my fears, stresses, and anxieties I often resorted to these verses:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
"Cast you cares on the Lord and he will sustain you..." Psalms 55:22
Well I continued reminding God of His promises to me (see above versus), I also continued pursing each ministry site by asking questions trying to get a better understanding of life in each country hoping that some piece of information would "make my decision". Since I do have a heart for mercy ministry I sent the following email to the Mexico team just to see what they would say....
"...Also, I know I've mentioned before that I feel called to mercy ministry; I was wondering if there would be a way for me to have this "outlet" while serving in Mexico City with RUF either through the church or through another ministry (on the MTW website it mentions something about a street child ministry?). I am obviously not looking for anything that would be more that maybe once a week, or anything that would "cut" into RUF time, but trying to get a feel of the broader church community in Mexico City. ..."
God answered my prayer (and the prayers of others) with the following response from Peter Dishman, the RUF minister in Mexico City on January 26th:
"On mercy ministries, I think you could have a number of "outlets." One outlet would be working with RUF students to put together "mercy" projects. We've done the local orphanage several times, and there continue to be opportunities there. We've also talked about helping at an abused girl shelter, a drug rehabilitation center, and a nursing home. So coordinating mercy with students definitely has an emerging place. We also have the "street child" ministry with Juanita Castañeda. Their team visits 2-4 metros per week, and there would be possibilities to participate with them in their monthly meeting and also do some metro visiting with them, possibly bringing RUF students along as well (I would like to have these two MTW ministries much more tied together). Let me know what other questions you have and I'll be happy to zap you some ideas."
Could God be any clearer???? I now can go to Mexico where my heart longs to go, and God has also provided Mercy ministry opportunities for me to get involved!
So, there you have it! As of now, I plan to go to Mexico City the academic year of 2010-2011. I will be doing college ministry on the UNAM (largest college campus in Mexico), teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) two days a week for free to college students as a way to meet them and then connect them to RUF, and hopefully pursuing some of those great mercy ministry options!
Moral of the story: Pray. It works.
