Whirlwind Beginnings

Buenas tardes!

Although I am just now writing, I arrived here in Mexico on Monday, the 13th. I was greeted by my our director Paul, and my roommate for the time I am here in Mexico City, Erika. She is a Texan, recent college graduate and taught Spanish in a public school this past year. We are getting along great, which is a huge answer to prayer. My Mexican "mama" who is now 22, is pregnant, and due any day now (well, technically, Nov. 7). Monday when I arrived, I went straight to the same host family as this summer, and it was great to see them all and catch up with them.

Then Tuesday morning, we left for Cuernavaca, a warm, sunny Mexican town known for its many pools and water theme parks, for a three day retreat with the YearOut Team. That team consists of Erika, Alicia (an awesome Californian girl who is postponing her marriage until she gets back from this year in Mexico), Michelle, who was also a YearOutter last year, and me. Our directors, Paul and Nydia, their son, Andres (4) and the program coordinator, Wendy, led the retreat. Special guests were Maki, a Japanese girl who has been living in Mexico for two years now independently, and Natalie, a younger girl who is helping teach English in a school and also with Andres. We all rented a house and spent three days getting to know each other, eating, taking walks, getting ice cream, seeking God's heart for missions and learning about Mexican culture.

On Wednesday night of the retreat, I received the terrible news (for me, not him) that my granddaddy had had a massive stroke and was probably not going to make it. That night and the following day, I cried more than I have in a long time, unable to believe that my granddaddy, who was actively involved in his church, community and family life, had so suddenly and painfully been jolted out of my universe. But as Jesus promised, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." I immediately experienced the love and heart-felt prayers of all those on the retreat, and also of many of you back home. I had never realized the capacity we have to "mourn with those who mourn," but the girls on the YearOut team taught me the value of this.

Friday, I headed home to be with my family for the visitation and funeral of my granddad. It was a whirlwind, for certain, but it was well worth the trip home to mourn with those who loved my granddaddy the most. As we mourned, I am certain that he was rejoicing in the presence of the Lord in a glorified body. For all of you that have lifted my family and I in your prayers, I thank you and I ask you to continue praying for me, my dad, my mom, her sister and my grandma as we wade through the darkness of grief.

I returned to Mexico City on Monday, and miraculously I am feeling very stable and happy to be here. God has used these last months to prepare me, so that I truly feel at home here. This is my life, and I am starting to feel that way!

In the coming weeks, I will be here in Mexico City (until Nov. 15th) participating in a Bible study with the other YearOutters, receiving training for the language and my ministry, and generally observing the culture and absorbing as much Spanish as I can. On November 15th, I will leave Mexico City and move into the Casa Hogar in Morelia until May.

I'll leave y'all with a verse I read the day my granddaddy died that brought me great comfort:
"He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand." (Ps. 121:3-5)

And it so happens that this verse goes really well with what I've been learning from a book we are reading as a team. I've been learning about resting, making space for God, waiting on Him and trusting Him enough to relinquish control of my life to Him. One of the ways we prove to ourselves that we are surrendering control is through sleep.

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for He grants sleep to those He loves." (Ps 127:2)

ps- I'm going to need about 10 extra supporters to make up for losing my granddaddy's extensive and enthusiastic support. So send some extra letters, emails (lauren.bruton@gmail.com) and prayers!

love.