Mission Discovery Hidalgo County, Texas-A Reality!

Planning is going well for the projects in the Rio Grande Valley near the cities of Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Pharr and McAllen, Texas. Mission Discovery staff spent two days on the ground last week and Stan Horrell is returning next week to finalize some plans we have initiated. There is an agency connected with building projects for the poor and offer a great partnership for us to quickly connect with the needs of the county. We have also been invited by the Baptist Association to consider leading seminars for pastors. Most of the pastors in the Association do not have any formal training and are looking for ways to learn from others.

We are looking at the possibility of returning with a few leaders two or three nights during your week to do that. That would really be unique to the Mission Discovery experience. We have also been asked to host a neighborhood party serving food and presenting Christ with the students. The invitations went on an on.

There are over 900 colonias in Hidalgo County alone. While the homes are some what larger than what you are use to seeing in Reynosa, these homes are still in terrible condition. So all that to say, it went really well. Some of the extra events could be challenging, but we were excited about the trust level given to Mission Discovery church leaders.

We also laid the plan to continue our work in Mexico this summer from the U.S. side. We met with our broker and she explained that a constructed house is much easier to cross that the parts that we normally cross. Teams will build the wall panels for the Mexico houses, then they will be transported by truck to Reynosa.

Mission Discovery Moves Projects From Reynosa to Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, Texas

In the last two months violence has escalated in the border cities of Reynosa, and Juarez. The U.S. State Department reports that, “some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades.” While we have watched closely the media coverage of the last few days, we have also made contact with our sources on the ground in Reynosa, Juarez, Mexico and McAllen, Texas to measure current events in Mexico as they relate to the safety of our upcoming spring and summer short term mission projects.

After calls to contacts on Thursday and Friday in these regions a meeting was called on Saturday with the Executive Team of Mission Discovery to report the data from these contacts along with current warnings from the U.S. State Department. It was the unanimous decision of the Mission Discovery Executive Team to:
1) Move all of our teams scheduled to serve in Reynosa, Mexico to service projects that will now be relocated to the U.S. side of the border in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, Texas. Hidalgo County, only 15 minutes from our camp, is the 22nd poorest county in the U.S. Cameron County is number 60. Teams will lead Vacation Bible School, evening “Jesus Film” outreaches in partnership with local churches and serve in vital community service projects such as building play grounds, renovation of homes of the poor, installing ramps for the disabled in partnerships with the cities of LaFera, Weslaco, Pharr, and McAllen.
2) Continue our work in Reynosa from this side of the border by sharing in building a complete home per week to be loaded and shipped with hand written notes, and household supplies to communicate that we will continue to remember the poor of Reynosa.

Mission Discovery has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the kinds of projects we are offering in Hildalgo and Cameron Counties. We have been invited to serve in these counties for many years, and consider this God’s direction, confident that every student and adult volunteer will walk away at the end of their week having seen our Great God do His awesome work! In conversations with the Hidalgo County Commission, they indicate that no one has ever offered to help the poor in their county in a service project of this scope and volume. They are excited about your arrival!

In every project location there are unforeseen dangers that teams may encounter. That is true with any international travel. However, the dangers to teams in Reynosa and Juarez, Mexico are evident to our Executive Team and it was these dangers that lead to our decision.

We will hold two conference calls on Thursday to explain our decision, explain the project changes and answer questions. One is scheduled for 10:00 AM Central Time and for those not able to call at that time the call will be repeated at 2:00 PM Central time that same day.

I deeply respect the decision-making ability of the Executive Team. Their travels to investigate potential Mission Discovery project locations have taken them to some of the most dangerous locations on the earth, where Mission Discovery teams would never travel, and give them a wealth of knowledge in evaluating project locations that provide a vital, and safe environments for serving with middle school and high school students.

In 1991 Mission Discovery began a partnership with pastors, missionaries and the Mayors of the cities of Reynosa and Rio Bravo, Mexico. Over 1300 homes have been built in Reynosa and Rio Bravo alone and many have responded to the Good News of Jesus presented by Mission Discovery adult, and student teams.

Our prayers go out to our partners in Mexico, Myrna Gomez President of Mission Discovery Mexico, summer staff members Valente and Grace Sobrevila and Juarez ministry partner, Carlos Galaviz. We also lift those who were to be the beneficiaries of the work of Mission Discovery in Reynosa and Juarez and ask that God would meet their needs for shelter and a quick end to the violence that troubles not only the nation of Mexico but also the small neighborhoods that many of you have served over the years.

In addition to building a house per week in the U.S. to be shipped to Mexico, an idea has surfaced to collect money from team members to bless the 70 of those families in Mexico who would have received homes. Each family would be given 50 pounds of rice and 50 pounds of beans to say in a small way that, “we are here, and we have not forgotten.” We would deliver the rice and beans in July or when conditions were safe to do so.

One piece of good news is that there has been no rise in violence in Tecate, Mexico. Mission Discovery projects will continue in Tecate. The only safety related change decided by the Executive Team for Tecate was to keep Mission Discovery’s day off event in Tecate rather than traveling to Rosarito Beach.

May God bless you in the communication of this information to your leadership and teams willing to serve God in Mexico with Mission Discovery.

Video

Untitled from Maury Buchanan on Vimeo.

Slowing Down

Ashaye Williams is 10 years old and she stopped me in my tracks.

She is HOLD the Children un-sponsored child number 21. I took this picture of Ashaye the first week of January at Victory Christian Fellowship School, one of Mission Discovery’s HOLD the Children pre-schools. For those of you who may not know, Mission Discovery has a child sponsorship ministry in Jamaica and Haiti that allow over 350 children to receive a school uniform, a hot meal daily and of course an education.

When Ashaye’s teacher brought her in for her picture Mrs. Brown said, “She is 21.” To which I responded, “Ok.” To which Ashaye responded, “I’m not 21….I’m 10.”

I looked at Mrs. Brown, we smiled at each other, I put down the camera, sat in the floor and introduced myself to Ashaye. What followed was a conversation about how much she liked school, her favorite subjects, how pretty she looked today for her picture and how cool it was to be 10. I remember becoming 10. It was the first year in my life where there were two numbers to describe my age…a 1 and zero. It was somewhat of a big deal, and it sounded to me that Ashaye felt the same.

Rich Rohde, the Director of HOLD the Children, knows every child and his or her story. I was just to be a photographer that day, but was stopped by 10 year old and reminded that everyone has a story. It was a pleasure to get to know Ashaye. The encounter reminded me that over 350 children in our program have sponsors who know them deeply, how to pray for them and their families.

I’m now looking for the next long encounter….the next great story!

Update From Jamaica Christian School For the Deaf

[I received this message yesterday from Sophia Reid, Director of the Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf, a Mission Discovery partner. Maury]
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of troubles.

Many of our staff and students are down with the flu, they are weak, have high fever not eating and having lots of pain. A lot of doctor visits and we keep running out of medication. The Lord is truly our rock and our physician, night and day.

A time for everything under the sun and its our time for cars to break down. Mary and some of our students was on their way to school on Monday January 12, when the wheel flew off and over took them.

God was and is our protector and also our mechanic, they travelled down a mountain and would soon travel down another mountain side when God stepped in. Praise God for His mercy all is well.

We will lose another of our teacher come the end of this month, Miss Kesha Robinson will leave because of personnal reason. Now at this time we need four (4) teachers.

The evil one is trying to throw us a curve ball but with all of this, we continue to keep the faith and try to encourage each other to never give up because God will never give up on us, as we continue to do His work.

Two teachers are here from Sam Sharpe Teachers College doing their teaching practice, we are so happy to have them at this time, they will be here for three months.

Our graduating class starts their work experience today, they are very excited.

The pit for the staff apartment was dug but needs more fund to put cover on it, right now its uncovered and we would love for it to be covered as soon as possible, it will cost $2000.00 US.

We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.

Yours in Christ,
Sophia Reid
Administrator/Plant Manager

The God of Drama

I have a friend named Macon. It’s now wonder that a man like Macon, who has such a unique personality, would love theater. Macon is a regular in community playhouses around Nashville. He’s good too. So all this to say, that, because of Macon, I have been to more plays this year than I had in my entire life to this point and I’m starting to notice some patterns. Plays that hold my attention have the following things in common:

There is a problem
There is drama
There is mystery
And the solution is a surprise

I’m sure as time goes on I’ll get better at recognizing what holds my attention but that is basically it for now.

Get this for drama. Jesus last words on earth before He ascended to be with the Father were, “and you will be my witnesses in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Verse 9 of Acts 1 says “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Wooh what a show! Read the next verse, two angles had to tell the disciples the show was over, but that Jesus would be coming back the same way he left! At the end of the Elvis concert I attended in 1972, smoke surrounded the King of Rock n Roll and when it cleared he was gone and a voice came over the sound system to a stunned crowd and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.” This is similar.

My experience with walking with God since 1972 is much the same as the story of His ascension. My live has been fraught with drama. I can’t say that I have enjoyed every dramatic change of scene, but am on the edge of my seat while at the same time a co-writer of the events to come!

Imagine walking out on stage and all of the actors are speaking in other languages. Imagine entering stage left and a fellow “actor” hands you an orphan, “here, change his diaper.” You’re on stage following a tractor-trailer loaded with all the lumber for houses for the poor in Mexico and it flips over on a sharp curve and catches fire! (That really happened too!) Or an elephant turns toward the car you are driving (a small Toyota), floats his ears forward to warn you to “back off!” Or a homeless man warns you to back off or he will punch you out, later only to weep in prayer as he experiences God’s love and all in the middle of a gas station parking lot at the corner of Expressway 83 and 10th Street in McAllen, TX. Caleb, remember that?

Macon, thanks for introducing me to your world. God thank you for inviting me to Yours too!

A Kindom of No Walls

This past August I walked the grounds of Windsor Castle in London, England. On the grounds were actors and actresses reenacting scenes from the past; there was a changing of the guard, and people lounging in the green grace of the lawns. Surrounding us were the walls of the castle. I'm guessing the walls were 30 or more feet in height, 15ish feet thick and plenty of room on the top of the wall for ammunition, troops etc.

I'm sure the King's of Windsor Castle felt a security here in this place and were able to rule without fear of reprise.

I wonder if Jesus disciples had wanted something similar? A safe place where Jesus ruled. In the book of Acts starting at verse 6 they asked Jesus if he was going to "restore the kingdom to Israel?" Remember, they are talking to the resurrected Jesus. There must have been all kinds of rumors circulating about Jesus and his followers, possibly a certain volume of fear was present when they asked the questions.

There will be a day for what the disciples asked, but Jesus said that day was a secret! Then verse 8 starts with a "But"! It's impossible to know the inflection in Jesus words, but imagine with me the best storyteller at the public library pausing before her sentence, leaning forward then saying, "But you shall receive power." Stop here; think about what prompted this answer. It was the question, "Jesus, when will You establish power?" So Jesus switches it and says, 'lets not talk about My power...let's talk about your coming power.' "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

So if I am reading this correctly, the Kingdom that you will witness will be the works of Jesus not just in your home town, but in places where you think they don't like you, and even that place in the world where you would stop, look around and say, "How in the world did I get here? This must be the end of the earth!" And even see Jesus at work there!

So God's Kingdom has no walls! We are subjects in the largest, grandest Kingdom ever. You and I have opportunities to meet other members of this Kingdom wherever we go in this world. And regardless of where we are, invite others to be citizens of this Kingdom.

And the benefit? It seems simple and complex too....as the library storyteller leans forward to speak in a whisper...."and once the Holy Spirit comes to you...you will be able to see Me...all over the world!" She closes her book and says, "Who would like to travel all over the world and see Jesus?" Every child's hand goes in the air. Is your hand in the air too? Let's go!

Jen's Jamaica Story

Jen Pignataro is one of kind and one of hundreds! Jen served in Montego Bay, Jamaica two weeks ago with as a part of a team of 48 adults serving with Mission Discovery. One of a kind in that she brought the unique talent of being a mural artist, and one of hundreds in that she represents what we have seen hundreds of times on Mission Discovery projects---that God continues to reviel new passions, and open doors not previously considered of service to Him.

Jen’s passion can’t be contained. She met an orphaned child at Blossom Garden Children’s Home named Emmanuel. Since Jen’s return home to New York she has work tirelessly to find a way to adopt Emmanuel or find a family that would adopt him.

Several years ago Jen came to Jamaica on a Mission Discovery project for the first time with her mom. I’m sure her mom would be proud of how that first mission trip has blossomed in Jen’s adult years!

Not just Jen, but 47 other participants connected deeply with the needy in Jamaica. One team lead a pastors training conference, another prepared a meal for the community one evening, another labored installing windows at a school for the deaf and another labored hard mixing concrete and building classroom space for a Christian pre-school in a needy neighborhood. It was a great week of hard work, but most would report that it was the relationships they built with Jamaicans, and seeing people give their lives to Christ that meant the most.

Everyone I talk to about Mission Discovery wants to go on a project, but wonders if they would really fit? Would you like to experience something life-changing? Go with me? I have the perfect location for you! And I make this promise, that you will never be the same…Just ask Jen!

Jamaica Project Report

The verdict in in and it's "Guilty". 48 adults from Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and even London, England just concluded a final day of work here with Mission Discovery in Montego Bay, Jamaica and they are "Guilty" of having done an incredible work in the name of Jesus!

Teams worked at Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf, Blossom Garden Children's Home and Victory Christian Fellowship School this week. They mixed concrete, held babies, gave out hundreds of shoes to children, installed windows and doors and left the project sites today saying what countless others have said, "We received so much more than we gave!"

This Saturday, November 1, marks Mission Discovery's 17th birthday and there couldn't have been a better party that seeing the scripture in action this week. Thanks to all of you who poured out your lives to the poor this week!

Flowers in Bomb Craters

During World War II the bombing of London left devastation. Lives were lost, buildings destroyed and bomb craters littered the landscape. After the passage of some time it was noticed that in the bottom of some bomb craters was a flower growing not seen in this region of England in quite some time. It seems that some of the bombs contained phosphorus, which trigger the growth of what had become a forgotten flower.

Hard times have fallen on our country economically. Ann asked if I would turn the television off this morning before coming into work, that the news was “just too bad” to listen to. I agreed, and turned the television off.

This morning I met for coffee with 10 businessmen and women, some of whom were non profit directors based in our town. We all shared the same concerns. I shared the news that this past week cuts impacted every staff. Two of our staff are or have departed; others must raise additional support to maintain their current salaries. These changes are all because of a 21% drop in the number of those going on trips with Mission Discovery.

As we sat together as a staff there was grieving and sadness. Rob, one of our departing employees gave me his book “Raving Fans” in jest remarked that this was no indication that he was not still a Raving Fan of Mission Discovery! These are and have been incredible ministry partners going to the worst places in the world to serve the poor and depart Mission Discovery with dignity and hope.

I know for us here at Mission Discovery we are looking for and have found “flowers in bomb craters.” The scripture says it this way, “I’m confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” While the world’s confidence in the U.S. economy falters, we find our confidence in a foundation of Jesus, who has a purpose in our lives and uses every event that passes through our lives to make that purpose possible.

Thank you for remembering Mission Discovery’s work in the poorest part of the world through giving. Thank you for remembering our staff in prayer.