Fall 2005

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, the weather has changed here in Mérida. It's hard to say if we are now in winter or a sort of fall that just fades to spring. It's not cold, per se, but given the humidity, lack of insulation, and lack of heating, it can get pretty chilly. It always reminds me of the best of an Augusta , Georgia fall – cool outside, but sunny, great for football – but without cookouts or any sort of cool weather clothing.

I've just finished moving again, ever in search of lower rent. This time I've moved in with Noah Roberts and Jimmy Pérez in the house where the groups stayed during the summer. Jimmy is a young pastor who also works at the school in the maintenance department. I will miss my last house. I had put a little work into it, so it was beginning to feel like my house; and I was just beginning to get to know my neighbors. They are a young couple who, among other things, open up a “tienda” at night and sell great tacos and burritos. I'll still be stopping in from time to time (for the food ) and we've been inviting them to the church.

School is going very smoothly this year. Teaching only one level of English (to both junior and senior high) has allowed me to plan and prepare adequately for my classes. Also, a part of those changes was to put students in a classroom with others at the same level of English; and that has worked out well. I did, however, lose many of the students that were in my class and I miss them. We have so many students now that its hard to feel the same one-on-one ministry that I've always enjoyed here; but there are as always many chances to share Christ with these kids.
Along those lines, Manolo and I are trying to start up a little sports ministry on Saturdays. Basically, we play soccer for a while, have a little talk during “halftime” and play some more. It's only really come off once, but it looks like it could be a great strategy to evangelize and disciple some of these guys in a more direct way. Hopefully, warmer weather and other options (ping pong, bowling...?) will help this to be a good way to reach more of the non-“church going” students.

In my ministry with the Young Adults (ages ~ 25-35) at Shalom, things are... well, going... sort of. Thus far, we have started a Friday night “game night”and a Sunday School class – as well as continued our “usual” infrequent special activities. The new house is great for the Friday night activity! What we seem to be lacking in both areas is direction. For me, this comes from a lack of any sense of ministry as a whole. We've put the cart before the horse, so to speak, having established some of the parts or the ministry without having ever really established a Young Adults ministry. And fundamental to that is, of course, our relationship with Christ. As one of our number recently pointed out, “your relationship with Christ is the root from which your ministry grows.” So, as we approach the end of the year, we will be reviewing and reevaluating our relationship with Christ and the direction (and existence ) of the ministry.

I am surprised to find that Christmas is just around the corner. This year I am planning a trip back to the states for the holidays. I am afraid that, as much as I will enjoy Christmas with my family, it does bring a certain amount of anxiety. Between now and the break, as far as school goes, I have to finish up this bimester, make the bimester exams and then grade them. I am also hoping to find another vehicle to drive back afterwards. The van I have been driving has reached that age when everything starts falling apart. Just in the last month, I've had to replace or repair the radiator, alternator, brake pads, brake rotors, a window, two doors... well you get the picture. They've just changed the laws so that any type of car that is at least 10 years old can be legalized. So the plan is to legalize the van before I leave, which requires a trip to the Belize border. I'm then hoping to buy a small pickup that will cost less to maintain and can possibly be sold down here later. On top of all that, my trip is also leaving only one week to be with Lauren, as she comes to Mérida to be with her family for Christmas.

As always, I appreciate your prayers. I think I would just point out things you might have observed already:

• Keep praying for the kids at school, both Christians and non
• Pray specifically for opportunities like soccer on Saturdays, that God might use those to reach more of the kids
• Pray for the Young Adults ministry, that God would give us direction and leadership and use us to reach others
• Pray specifically for the young adults already “active” in Shalom, that they would become active in ministry
• Pray that my Christmas trip, that all would come into place and that I would “be anxious about nothing” but trust God with plans, travels, purchases, driving...everything

I praise God for the three-and-a-half years that I have been here and for always providing for me in every way!

In Christ,
Byron

P.S. Please check this “blog” for other updates as well as our ministry's website at http://www.pefmerida.org