Resources & Updates

Oaxaca - Day 1

Our first day of traveling to Oaxaca was quite the adventure! 

Our team was able to have quality fellowship through “breaking bread” in the San Antonio and Mexico City airports by enjoying “Whata B” and some authentic Mexican cuisine. In addition, we were able to quickly depend on one another after being split up in the México City airport due to “personnel issues” with airport security. However, after about 30-40 minutes of being split up as a team, with the Lord’s faithfulness and guidance, we were able to reconcile everyone together and find our way to our next stop. 

Whether it was chasing down airport staff in the San Antonio airport to get toys for Liam (6 years old) and Eleanor (2 years old) or overcoming the altitude in the Mexico City airport (7,350 feet!), our team was able to overcome the odds to make it safely to Oaxaca.

Oaxaca - Day 2

On day two, we immersed ourselves into the full Oaxacan culture. We started our day with a team devotional over Matthew 6. Next, we spent the morning learning from our brothers and sisters in Christ at Amor Y Proclamacion Church (IPAP). They hosted FPC and we toured and learned more about their Sunday School programs, and the incredible AMO ministry program that is implemented there daily. Pastor Josias Luna and his Elders, also explained their ministry model, along with the history and ministry of the church. They then hosted us for a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon,  we went to visit the XOXO church plant from Amore Y Proclamacion in Xoxocotlán district of Mexico. The community of Xoxo is in an impoverished, remote community on the outskirts of Oaxaca.  We had the privilege of serving lunch to the families of the Xoxo church plant. We had fellowship with them as they explained to us the history of the XoXo plant, home of church members, Ranulfo and Jose, and learned how they do multigenerational Bible Studies in the homes of their church members. They had a well thought out curriculum for introducing the gospel to new believers and were extremely organized. This, combined with the hospitality of the host, is a powerful way to disciple new believers and exemplifies the beauty of God’s word in action.

We then set off by going into the community surrounding the Xoxo church, by visiting homes in the area to distribute invitational fliers for an event the next day, featuring medical services, haircuts, arts and crafts, and games. This was an outreach event sponsored by the Xoxo church, in order to reach the community with the gospel.

After passing out fliers, we were able to have fellowship with the families of Xoxo by being hosted to a wonderful Mexican cheeseburger (#muy bueno!!) and papas fritas. 

To end the evening, our team spit up with half of our members going back to Amore Y Proclamacion to learn from Pastor Josias on how he teaches his volunteer church members the model for each upcoming Sunday School lesson, while the rest of the mission team joined Elder Issac and wife Carla for small group Bible studies in two of the members homes. The homes were prayerfully led and directed through various lessons of scripture. What amazed our team was the hunger for God's Word that was displayed by the various members of the church and their intentionality to want to live out the scripture in their own lives.

Overall, we were amazed at how the youth in both churches were consistently engaging in their Bible Studies, serving both our team and their families with generosity and glad hearts. Confident in their faith, they were enthusiastic about sharing how the scriptures were shaping their lives.

We look forward to what awaits us tomorrow!

Oaxaca - Day 3

It’s Day 3 of our trip! Thanks to the prayers of saints from home all of us are safe and so far free from illness, including our littlest team member who likes mouthing everything. We get up bright and early and have our breakfasts (delicious everyday), do our devotions, and get to our destination by 9am, despite many of us getting back to the hotel close to 11pm the previous night. Today is the day of the outreach event to the Xoxo community - the church provided free pediatric, medical and dental services to the community, as well as free haircuts. The youth had organized a fair of sorts - there was arts and crafts, games, crocheting, drinks and snacks. Later on the youth would tell us they had forgotten a few things and were feeling a little disorganized - but this was not apparent at all - they were so welcoming and good with the children and a fun time was had by all!

A couple of us got to share our testimonies with the youth. Sichan talked about faith, family, friends and his inspiring life. Sharm shared a bit about her testimony and encouraged the youth to see themselves the way the Lord sees them, and not listen to the voices of culture and the world.

At the event, we met a mom and her son, who must have been about 9 or 10 years old. This sweet child had cerebral palsy and was wheelchair-bound. He also suffered from epilepsy. His mom was grateful for the free medical checkup and the referrals given, and shared how difficult it was to get the right care for him because of how expensive things were. We were all moved by her plight and suffering. It was an honor to lay hands on him and pray. Amongst ourselves, we took up a collection for them. Please pray for this mother and child, that they would find comfort in the Lord and a loving home in the church. 

A couple of days later, we learned that 2 families had started Bible studies in their homes as a result of this outreach. Praise God!

After the event we had lunch at Ranulfo and Jose’s home (also the Xoxo church) - delicious black beans and Oaxaca cheese (quesillo) on a tortilla cooked over a charcoal fire. After that it was back to IPAP for the AMO conference with parents. AMO is a Christian curriculum that the church is implementing for children and youth. The unique thing about this program is that it is intentional in training the adults who disciple these children so that they have a holistic Christian view of education. As part of this, parents attend a quarterly conference on AMO principles. Francelia was the speaker this evening and we were all blessed by her presentation on Christian financial stewardship. Rich also had the opportunity to share his insights on the topic. The kids had their usual AMO class during this time, and Liam got to share the story of Jonah to the kids (the whole book - including the part about the plant!)

Finally, to close the evening, Lindsay’s flight arrived this evening and she was able to join us for the conference - YAY!

We look forward to sharing the updates from the final days of our time in Mexico very soon!

Oaxaca - Final Updates

Dear Oaxaca Mission Trip Prayer Team,

The team arrived back at home on Wednesday afternoon. They prepared updates from the trip for the final three days, which I am attaching to this email, complete with photos. The Lord was certainly at work through this team, and through our partner ministries in Oaxaca. We thank God for the opportunity to go and serve in fellowship with His Church. As the team has returned, we invite you to continue to pray for the following:

• That God’s Kingdom would continue to advance through the fruitful ministry of His Church in Oaxaca.
• That communities would be transformed by the Gospel as it is preached and received.
• For each team member’s discernment as they process all that they have seen, heard, and experienced - and for the ways they are strengthened to  continue to live on mission each day.
• For stories and testimony from the trip to encourage and challenge others to consider how God has gifted them to serve.
• For discernment on continuing ways FPC can partner and serve with the Church in Oaxaca.

Thank you for your participation in this mission trip as you prayed for this team, and those they served. What a blessing your partnership has been!

Download Day 4 UpdateDownload Day 5 UpdateDownload Day 6 Update