Here are some highlights from Uptown's mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico. Thank you to everyone who prayed and supported us financially! The trip went really well- we got to know and serve so many sweet Mexican families and their children. The main purpose of our trip was to be a connection between the local church and the community and to promote the VBS that was happening in the upcoming week. It was a good week :)
We did four nights of basketball camp in the community. The first night was very interesting....it didn't go quite according to our plan, but it DEFINITELY went according to God's plan! What looked like a bunch of intimidating young men who didn't looked interested in doing anything with us turned into a crowd of over 50 kids and teens playing and throwing balls around (football, futbol, basketball, volleyball) and just enjoying being outside.
An amusing translation..
Here is a picture of our team: 3 teachers + 2 seminary students + 1 High School student = great teamwork!
One afternoon we had some time to go visit the Grutas de Garcia-
The caverns were filled with stalactites and stalagmites and were a cool relief from the 100+ temperatures.
On the first day we went with Eraclio Conde, the pastor of Iglesia Bethel, and Carol Oban, Short term teams coordinator for MTW, to visit a lookout that had an incredible view of the city.
On the last day of English class we made animal masks :)
The "federales" or Federal Police were staying at our hotel. A month before we arrived there had been a standoff between the federal police and the local police in MTY after 80+ local officers had been fired because of corruption.
Brian and the "three amigos +1"....the three on the right were quite a handful, but a lot of fun :)
This is a view of Monterrey's most famous landmark, the Cerro de la Silla, or Saddle Back Mountain. The picture was taken from the Paseo Santa Lucia, a river walk located near downtown.
We did four nights of basketball camp in the community. The first night was very interesting....it didn't go quite according to our plan, but it DEFINITELY went according to God's plan! What looked like a bunch of intimidating young men who didn't looked interested in doing anything with us turned into a crowd of over 50 kids and teens playing and throwing balls around (football, futbol, basketball, volleyball) and just enjoying being outside.
An amusing translation..
Here is a picture of our team: 3 teachers + 2 seminary students + 1 High School student = great teamwork!One afternoon we had some time to go visit the Grutas de Garcia-
The caverns were filled with stalactites and stalagmites and were a cool relief from the 100+ temperatures.
On the first day we went with Eraclio Conde, the pastor of Iglesia Bethel, and Carol Oban, Short term teams coordinator for MTW, to visit a lookout that had an incredible view of the city.
On the last day of English class we made animal masks :)
The "federales" or Federal Police were staying at our hotel. A month before we arrived there had been a standoff between the federal police and the local police in MTY after 80+ local officers had been fired because of corruption.
Brian and the "three amigos +1"....the three on the right were quite a handful, but a lot of fun :)
This is a view of Monterrey's most famous landmark, the Cerro de la Silla, or Saddle Back Mountain. The picture was taken from the Paseo Santa Lucia, a river walk located near downtown.Thanks again for praying and for supporting us! Please continue to pray for:
1. MTW/National Presbyterian Church in Mexico: they have a vision to plant 52 churches in the largest cities in Northern Mexico. Their goal is big, but God is bigger and there is such a need for churches that teach and preach the word of God with care and conviction. The harvest is great but the workers are few- pray for godly men to be called to plant these churches.
2. Pastor Eraclio and His Family at Iglesia Bethel: They work in a community that is lower income and have also sought to reach out to an indigenous group called the Tepehuanes people.
3. The Theological Institute: this a place for men and women to be trained in how to study and teach the bible. Please pray for them and the institute.
4. VBS this week at Iglesia Bethel.
1. MTW/National Presbyterian Church in Mexico: they have a vision to plant 52 churches in the largest cities in Northern Mexico. Their goal is big, but God is bigger and there is such a need for churches that teach and preach the word of God with care and conviction. The harvest is great but the workers are few- pray for godly men to be called to plant these churches.
2. Pastor Eraclio and His Family at Iglesia Bethel: They work in a community that is lower income and have also sought to reach out to an indigenous group called the Tepehuanes people.
3. The Theological Institute: this a place for men and women to be trained in how to study and teach the bible. Please pray for them and the institute.
4. VBS this week at Iglesia Bethel.
