I am back from Christmas in Oregon, and a recent trip to the tribe! A few weeks ago I was able to visit my friends, Chris & Rachel, that live and work among the Tepehuan Indians. I have been praying, planning, and waiting for the opportunity to visit them. After two years God answered my prayers and I was able to see them!
I spent three weeks in Oregon in December. I was able to attend the memorial service for my grandma. It was nice to be together as a family for that time with my mom. I also spent the time by visiting friends and updating people on what my next steps are. It was what I needed most in December, just to be home and with family.
Isaiah 41.13
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Work at the Ranch
This semester there are no students here, so it’s pretty quiet here. We aren’t offering any classes this year.
We are an international team. There are the Grangers, Lloyds, and myself – we are Americans. One couple, the Sanchez’ are from Columbia. Currently the Lloyds and myself are the only staff living at the Ranch. The Grangers are on furlough in the States for a year, and the Sanchez’ are living in the city so Edwin can get to therapy for his back.
Since we aren’t doing classes this semester, we are are using the time to evaluate our training to gauge how we are doing, what ways we need to improve the training & classes so that the missionaries are receiving the best training possible to be tribal church planters, and get us, as a team, all on the same page with our purpose and curriculum guidelines. We are hoping the seven of us can get together to have some meetings in February and work through these new opportunities!
Praises :: :: for a wonderful time in Oregon with family :: another exciting year in Mexico. I’m so thankful to be here. I’ll be starting year #4! :: that my Escape is still running wellPrayer Requests :: :: for the Ranch staff – as we reevaluate the classes and purpose for the next generation of missionaries that we will train.
:: for me as I’m learning a new program pertaining to my job here. It’s a program that is all in Spanish, but very necessary for the type of work I’m doing. It’s improving my business Spanish vocabulary 🙂
:: for Chris & Rachel as they learn Tephehuan, live and work among them. :: end of February I’ll be working on renewing my visa & I will have to do it in Texas. Please pray for a smooth process & that I’ll receive it quickly. :: for our fundraisers to raise monies for the tribal missionaries to be able to come to the retreat in March.
Servant of the Most High God,
Crystal
Oregon was beautiful, cold, and wonderful all at the same time! I enjoyed every day.
A picture with Chris & Rachel before catching the flight out! Tribal Visit
Chris and Rachel have been my friends for 8 years. We went through the training in Missouri together and now we are here in Mexico. Since they moved to the mountains to work and live with the Tepehuan Indians two years ago, they continually ask if I can come visit. I finally had the opportunity to fly out and visit them. The main purpose of the trip was for the consultants to be able to test their progress in learning the Tepehuan language. Chris and Rachel did very well and are advancing in Tepehuan. Currently, they are the only missionaries living there and the Tepehuan people come to visit them all day every day. Some come by just for a visit, others help Chris & Rachel learn the language, and some come by to receive some help in the way food, etc. The trip helped me see how I can be praying more for Chris & Rachel, and their Tepehuan friends.
Ladies Encouragement & Planning Team Before I left Chihuahua last year, I was involved with the LEPT (Ladies Encouragement & Planning Team). It’s a team of six ladies and we organize the monthly meetings for our fellow lady missionaries in Mexico and other events with our missionaries. This year we have the awesome opportunity to plan a retreat just for our missionary ladies in March! There is a group of 8 ladies from Oregon coming to Chihuahua with the purpose of serving us! We are praying that is an encouraging time for each of our ladies, especially the missionaries that live in the tribes.
As a team of ladies in the city, we are working on raising funds for the tribal missionaries to be able to fly to Chihuahua for this awesome opportunity. Currently we have two fundraisers planned – a spaghetti fee and a yard sale. Our hope is to be able to help with a portion of the flight costs for 14 missionaries in the tribes. If anyone is interested in helping our tribal ladies get to the retreat, please contact me: crystal_pierce@ntm.org for more information.
In March I will have the privilege of having my second set of visitors!!! My sister visited Chihuahua three years ago, and she wants to come back along with two friends from home!! I’m so looking forward to showing them my life, friends, & why I love Mexico. 🙂
Anyone else want to come visit? It’s much warmer here!