Well we've been back from our Mexico trip for a month now. That excursion seems long ago already. It took some convincing for me to convince self that I still had the energy and gusto to spend a month in Mexico. Push yourself, I told myself and so I did. ruth and I flew from Dulles International Airport on september 26, 2013. It was a grand trip. See below: Here are our notes on our trip to Mexico: September 26th to Sept 29: It was quite a vigorous trip and we felt God’s strength and blessing. Arrived in Mexico City at 9:30pm on the 26th on a direct flight from Washington, D.C. Stayed in the apartment of Rosario and David and six month old David James. Rosario was our student in La Generation, 1996-97 at the Bible School in Jerez and “one of the three.” Toured the city, ate in favorite restaurants and reminisced. September 30th to October 22nd. Ruth and I took an ETN bus from M.C. to San Juan Del Rio, a small city of 50,000 a three-hour bus ride north. Pastor Hector Manuel, 9-year old Mairon who is my namesake, and 7-year old Betsi picked us up at the bus station and drove us to the new house on the outskirts of the city at the bottom of the scar-face mountain that rears its summit a ½ mile behind the house. We are teaming with Hector to build this “House of Blessing”. The house is completed except for laying floor tile, painting the walls and installing appliances. We met Maricela at the house and spent the remainder of the day and overnight at the house. We celebrated Mairon’s birthday that night at the house. On Tuesday, Oct. 1st, we rode with Hector and family on a six-hour trip to their home in Zacatecas. In August of 2013 Hector and family were transferred from the church in Necaxa to the church in Zacatecas. This was a surprise for them and we since we all had hoped and expected that they would be given one more year in Necaxa. So Pastor Hector left a large and thriving church for the small, poor church in Zacatecas. The contrast couldn’t be greater: tropical climate - for high desert plateau; a two-story church building 100 feet long by 40feet wide with a lovely parsonage - for a small building that is cold, damp, dark and unappealing; helpful friends – for strangers. Starting over to build church membership and new buildings with only a handful of people is difficult work. The church in Zacatecas has been there since the 1980es but due to neglect, membership has dwindled down to 15. Evangelism, visitation and preaching and construction will fill Hectors and Marcela’s days. It will take years of work. Wednesday, Oct. 2nd … because Ruth’s brother David Rosenberger’s plane from Minneapolis was late, it wasn’t till 12:15am, Thursday morning that Hector, Ruth and I met David at the Zacatecas airport. The problem had been that while in flight, a large bird had flown into the windshield of the plane while flying at 30,000+ feet altitude and the pilot made an emergency landing, thus throwing off the whole schedule and arrival time. We were very thankful that David arrived safely. David spent the next week with us in Hectors house in Zacatecas and left on Oct. 9th. Friday, Oct. 4th … Myron’s 35th spiritual birthday celebration in Jerez. Hector, Maricela, Ruth and I drove to Jerez and ate at the restaurant on top of the hill near Lois Rasers house. Those eating with us were Jose and Jan Solis and Joan Murray. This meal came about as I lay awake one night thinking. Suddenly it came to me that Oct. 3-4, 1978 was my spiritual birthday. This would be my 35th birthday. What should I do to make it special and glorify God? The thought came to me; why not invite my close friends to a ‘birthday’ meal? So I did. I paid for our meal, each one ordering form the menu. Afterward I gave my testimony about the Lord finding me and saving me. The Hound of Heaven, Francis Thompson haunting poem is my testimony … “I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
 I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
 Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.” It was a very special celebration, one I shall never forget. Tuesday, Oct. 8th … Pablo Ramirez, a former student, and “one of the three” came from Fresnillo where he was visiting his mother, and spend the day with us. In the morning we all drove up to La Bufa overlooking Zacatecas. What a grand view! We rode the cable car down and had Hector pick us up. We all went out to eat at El Recoveco buffet in Zacatecas. It was good to see Pablo, though we were disappointed that Nick and their children; 10-year old Jaci and 4-year old Andreas were not along due to cost for the trip. Pablo rode over from near Tampico in the cab of a tractor-trailer truck. Thursday, Oct. 10-14th … stayed with Jose and Jan Solis in their home Thursday is the day that Hector and Maricela teach at the Bible School in Jerez. We left Zacatecas at 7:10am and took the four-lane highway that now runs the 35-miles between the two cities. Cruising at 100klm per hour we arrived at 7:45 in time for Maricela’s class at 8am, the first class of the day. At 9:20, we went with Hector to his class titled, The Pastor as A Counseling Shepherd. Myron took Hectors time and taught the class. Pastor Todd Schierkolk was my translator. Todd is a Lutheran pastor living in Jerez. The class of fourth year students went well and was very stimulating. When it was concluded we went with Todd to his home for a visit. At 11:30, Jose and Jan and Joan Murray joined us for dinner; Hector and Maricela came after their classes were concluded at 1pm. We had a lovely time; Barbara Schierkolk is a gracious hostess. Her daughter Kirsten helped with the dinner. We stayed in Jerez over the weekend and Pastor Jose asked me to preach at all three services in their two churches: Jerez and at La Ermita. It was good to reconnect with Jose and Jan. On Monday we rode with them back to Zacatecas where we ate lunch El Recoveco buffet again. When you find a good place, you keep going back, right? In the evening we went to visit Veronica and her twin, 4-year old daughters at her mothers house. Veronica was a student of ours in La Segundo Generation in 1997-98 at the Bible School. The days flew by filled with visiting, trips to El Centro shopping, and services. On Thursday, Oct. 17th we again returned to the Bible School where I taught the class. I presented the students with two, true, counseling cases and they presented solutions. Fourth year students are so much more advanced than freshmen and teaching and dialoging with them is exhilarating. After classes we four went to the home of Joan Murray for dinner. The Schierkolk, Jose and Jan and Jimmy Spulecki were there also. We had first met Jimmy and her husband Al in 2001 when we were living and teaching in Jerez. Al was a cripple and we often went with them on excursions. Al had died a few years later and it had been some years since we had seen Jimmy. Jimmy is quite eccentric, to say the least. Irreligious but interesting. Joan and Jimmy are bosom buddies, two peas in a pod, though Joan is more sophisticated and not as raw. Dinner was delicious and our group time together first rate. We said goodbye to our Jerez friends knowing that we would never see them again. Over the years our bond with these Jerez friends had deepened, they had been such a help to us and we will miss them keenly. I felt like Apostle Paul when he was parting with the church members on the beach at Ephesus. It was difficult not to shed tears. Friday, Oct. 18th we rode with Hector and family and Hectors down syndrome brother Esok, (Isaac), to La Quemada, the Indian ruins, 30 miles south of Zacatecas. These ruins date from around 300-400AD. We toured the museum and then began a stiff climb to the top of the ziggurat style ruins. We left Esak under a tree and the group forged ahead of Mairon and I. I decided to do the climb and the two of us slowly went up toward the summit. The view to the four points of the compass is stupendous. What a watchtower! After we had hiked down, we gathered in one of the rooms and ate a picnic lunch of Mennonite cheese, boleos, chilies, and chips washed down with pop and fruit water. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our outing tremendously. It gave the children hours of exercise and got them out of their cramped quarters back at the house. Saturday, Oct. 19th … was a quinciniera, a coming of age party for a fifteen-year old girl. It is equivalent to a bar mitzvah for a Jewish boy. It was held at the church with Pastor Hector officiating. Veronica’s niece was all decked out in a lovely, full-skirted, topless, blue gown almost as if she were getting married. Family and friends packed the small church for the hour-long ceremony. Later that night we went with Hector to her party in an upper room where a banquet had been provided. I shudder to think what it all cost her father. Bankrupted him, I hope not. Sunday, Oct. 20th … morning and evening service at the Zacatecas church. Maricela led the morning Sunday school service. After service there was a benefit meal for the church building fund in the upper rooms where the old feeding station once fed hundreds of children in the 1980es and where Ruth used to come to supervise. That evening Ruth played the keyboard while Israel, Veronicas brother and Eric, a student from the Bible School, along with Maricela led the singing of eight hymns. The singing of hymns is unusual in La Movimiento where they sing the same old praise songs over and over. The hymns that were sung were sung in Spanish were: The Old Rugged Cross, I would Love to tell You What I Think of Jesus, This is My Story, Onward Christian Soldiers, Take My Life and Let it Be, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, I’m Anchored in Jesus. The words were put up on the wall since they were not regularly sung and there were no hymnbooks. Then Hector preached a good sermon. When he was finished I was surprised when Hector called me to the front to “bare witness” to his sermon. Eric, who can speak some English, though not fluently, translated for me. He done fairly well as I spoke for 15-minutes off the cuff, so to speak. It had been a long, taxing, day. Because of the chill in the narrow, un-insulated bedroom, as well as the altitude and active schedule, I was not getting more than 3-4 hours of sleep. It is distressing when one goes to bed tired but cannot get enough sleep to be rejuvenated. But God gave grace and strength. Monday, Oct. 21 … a church member named Linda invited us to her house for a nine o’clock breakfast. A former elected official to the governor of Zacatecas, Linda had set out quite a spread featuring tamales. We ate and talked for three hours, the children got quite bored. The house was quite nice befitting a government official; need I say more? I enjoyed the food but the visit seemed interminable. We left around noon. After supper that evening we sat in Hectors living-room while the family gave us gifts: a bag for Kathy, a leather belt for Ric, a leather purse for Karen, a leather belt for Roy, and a ceramic key chain holder for us. I prayed over Mairon and Hector and Ruth prayed over Betsi and Maricela and we cried. A sweet but sad time. It was difficult for me to sleep that night. The three weeks we had spent with them seemed like a dream that I did not wish to wake up from. Who knows if I will ever see them again this side of heaven. Tuesday, Oct. 22nd … we left at 9:10am for the House of Blessing in San Juan Del Rio. Passing through San Louis Potosi and arrived in the city around 2pm. We chose Toks, an upscale restaurant, as the place to eat our dinner. We arrived at the house by 3:45pm. The House of Blessing nestles at the foot of Scar-face Mountain, a summit that can be seen for miles around. It lies on the outer, NE perimeter of the city in an undeveloped colonia. I think that within ten years it will be part of the main city. It is built on a slightly promontory above the city and one has a good view of downtown from the flat roof upon which I delight to sit and view the sunset. After a chill evening and night we got up an left by 7am. We drove toTepije where we ate breakfast in the home of a former member of Hectors church when he was pastor there four years ago. This brother then drove us to the Fiesta Inn Airporto in Mexico City because Hector could not drive his car into the city because he did not have the proper plates for his car. We arrived around 10:30am. After again saying a emotional goodbye at 10:45, Hector and friend departed leaving us in the hotel lounge waiting till noon to check in. The lobby was a chilly place as there was no heat, even in a 4-star hotel. Rosario, David and baby James arrived at noon and we went to our room on the third floor. After chatting and diaper changing, David drove us to the House of Tiles near the Zokalo where we ate a good dinner from 2:00-4:30pm. This is my favorite restaurant in Mexico and well it might be. The building was built hundreds of years ago and the hand painted, blue tiles still look new. I always say; if it’s good enough for the Mexican president, it’s good enough for me. Returning, we visited till 6:30; praying, and saying farewell. Why are partings so difficult? Thursday, Oct. 24th … we left the hotel at 6am via shuttle to the airport, a mile away. Everything went smoothly and we arrived in Washington, D.C. on schedule at 2:50pm. In the end it turned out to be a wonderful experience in spite of the difficult beginning. Many answered prayers, good health, ( didn't get Montezuma's Revenge) great connections with old friends, seeing/sleeping in the new house, interacting with Hector and family and Rosario, and mental and spiritual stimulation. What more can one hope for in life?

Gone South, Down Mexico Way

If God wills, we leave for Mexico on Tuesday, February 16th. We fly Southwest from Philadelphia to San Antonio, TX. This trip we are using the home of Nadine and her husband Miguel as our hub. From S.A. we must take a bus to Jerez. We plan to visit Lois Raser for a week. Then it’s off to Celaya to visit Pablo, Niky and children for a week before trekking off on our walkabout through Mexico to visit friends and do some teaching at the three Bible school campuses.
In the American Peace Corps I was taught to be flexible and that word defines
our 8-week trip to Mexico. No firm schedule because beginning in March it will depend on dates
Dr. Esparza wishes me to teach. I know, I know, most people pull out their hair if they are not given a hard and fast schedule of dates and places and work assignments. But our assignments in Mexico are only bookended by the dates on our airplane tickets. Once I met an itinerant wanderer who belonged to a group who communicated with notes left in a tree: a message in a park or a word-of-mouth invitation in the mouth of a wayside peddler. We are more sophisticated travelers than that; we do have cell numbers and email addresses and a blog site you can hit to keep up with our meanderings. They are as follows:

Email: noasark747@yahoo.com

Blog site: xanga.com/royalroad

Lois Raser’s cell #: 01-52-494-947-1474
So you see we won’t be completely incognito. Some enterprises we hope to undertake:
• Visit Lois Raser for 3-weeks in Jerez. Show Jesus Film in villages and mission sites like the villages of Susticacan, El Chiquiuite and Jomoquillo. Teach at Bible School.
• Visit Pastor Pablo and Niky and children in Celaya. Show Jesus Film.
• Visit Pastor Hector and family in Nacaxa for 2-weeks. Show Jesus Film in surrounding villages throughout the mountains and at the orphanage. Teach at the Indian Bible School in
La Sierra.
• Teach on the main campus of the Bible Institute in Mexico City.
• Visit John Pendleton, creationist who teaches/lectures on creation in Zacatecas
You can find him at www. creacionistas.com

Our trip centers around teaching, showing the Jesus Film and visiting friends who will be involved in our work. Last February we did not go to Jerez to visit Lois Raser and friends, so this is our major destination. Lois is 82-years old and we want to spend as much time with her as possible. While in Jerez we will stay in the home of a mutual friend named Joan, who is a member of Lois’s Scrabble Club. This club meets weekly on Friday to play, chat and eat and is one of the bright days in Lois’s schedule. Jerez is our favorite place in Mexico but since the drug cartel Zeta took over the city it has become dangerous. Please pray for Lois’s safety and ours as we move among the villages in the Valley of Jerez, in the town and on the roads to the cities of Zacatecas and Fresnillo where Ruth and I worked and traveled in past years. Inner mountain back roads to villages can be quite dangerous but they are the locations where we wish to show the Jesus Film.
We hope to be in Mexico from February 19th to April 12th. We will be taking a bus from San Antonio across the border into Mexico and then on to Zacatecas/Jerez. Our main mode of transportation will be by bus, the metro in Mexico City, and some private vehicles. We want to do whatever the Lord permits, trusting him for protection and deliverance from evil. We know we can only make this trip,” if the Lord wills.” Please keep us in your prayers.

Gone to Manana Land

"It's time!"
"It's time for what?" my wife Ruth asked.
"It's time to begin to think about returning to Manana Land."
"Oh, you mean Mexico?"

Ah. and so I do.
It seems we are always either comin' or goin', as if Mexico were the center of our universe. And so it might seem.

The older I get, the oftener I find myself in Eccl.12. A trip to Mexico seems more intimidating. The "what if's", loom larger.
It becomes more difficult to come to a decision. Should we go, or stay? What about ...?

And then I think about my open invitation to teach at the Bible Institute, "whenever you are in Mexico", as Dr. Esparza put it.
And we think of Lois Raser, our Mexican mentor. Of Hecor and Pablo and Rosario and their families. "Your grandchildren send their greetings and ask, "when are the abulitos coming?" Hector informs me in a letter. "Will abilito Carlos walk me to school?" Jaci asks her father Pablo. Who could turn down an invitation like that?

Myron and Ruth possible schedule

Arrive in Jerez between Feb. 8-13 … visit Lois through the weekend and leave Jerez on Feb. 17th to go to Celaya to visit Pablo. The climate in Celaya is warm, sunny and pleasant in February. Pablo and Niky pastor a small church in the garage of their house. We could stay in their guest bedroom. Would be with them perhaps a week.

Leave Celaya somewhere around Feb. 24th , and take a bus to Mexico City. Spend the weekend with Rosario and her husband David.

Hector picks us up in his car on March 1-2 and drives us to Nacaxa. This is a 3 ½ hour drive. Necaxa is SE of M.C. at an elevation of around 7,000 feet. Hector and Maricela pastor a church in Nacaxa. The church is located at the gate leading into the denominational orphanage. We would spend 2-weeks with Hector.

Return to M.C. where Myron would teach his Death and Dying course at the main campus.
When this is completed, we would take a bus back to Jerez and spend a few weeks with Lois and friends. March 25th to April 6th. We want to be in Jerez for Easter and for the annual farm fair.
While in Jerez Rosario and David would come to Jerez to talk to Joan about the possibility of migrating to Canada

April 6-7th, return to USA

We are told in the Book of James, (4:13-15) to say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that." And in this light we make tentative plans to travel to Mexico. We invite you to pray for us.
Keep tuned for updates.

Being A Sojourner

Psalm 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

The concept of being a Sojourner is a Biblical theme that follows us through the O.T. into the New. Our forefather Adam, became a sojourner when he was put out of the Garden of Eden after he sinned. Father Abraham left Ur as a wanderer. Jesus walked the hills of Galilee as an itinerant preacher, never owning even a tent.

And we? Well, we own our our lands and estates, our cars and vans that would make Jehu envious, and our wardrobes and dozen pair of shoes as a noose around our neck. If we were called to leave "this place," how long would it take us to pack?

I am afraid we would answer Jesus as those called to the feast in Lu 14:16-20 ... (18) And they all with one consent began to make excuse.....
What is your excuse not to be a sojourner?
If you claim to be one, what is your proof?

C.M. and Ruth on Otter Cliff, Acadia Nat. Park

God Bless Your New Year / 2010

Ruth and I greeted the Sandman at his usual time on New Year's Eve, no special accommodation for him. If rowdy neighbors exploded firecrackers or shot off a pistol at the midnight hour, we were oblivious to their celebration. Walking in dreamland down some ancient path, under a new year's eve blue moon, blessed my slumber-time. And do you know, we won't see another blue moon like it for nineteen years? By then I will be in heaven, O glorious thought.

If the Lord tarries and permits us to go, we hope to journey to Mexico in February. I am looking at a teaching assignment which may likely take me to the three campuses of the Bible Institute: Mexico city, Jerez and La Sierra, the Otomi Indian Bible school. At present we are trying to determine the best route to take to Jerez: fly to San Antonio, TX. and take a bus, fly into Mexico City and backtrack to Jerez by bus or go from M.C. to Celaya where the clime is grand in the winter. Rosario's birthday is on February 20, so we must be in M.C. for that celebration. Escaping the winter here in the states would be a bonus.

Would welcome your prayers for our travel plans. Will keep you posted.
We wish you all a blessed year full of happiness and health. Let us remember Jeremiah 29:11.
C.M. and Ruth

Small Churches are Important too.#3

Eating a meal in Paul's home

Shepherding A Small Flock
On this shepherding assignment Pablo pastors a small group that meets in what used to be a one-car garage built to the end of the building. Somewhere around 15 friendly adults attend. The Sunday we were there Pablo decided to show the Jesus Film for Children. That afternoon after services Paul and the boys hung a homemade white screen on the side of the building facing the small peoples park. My thought was that people walking through the park might stop briefly to see what was being shown. Sunday evening after prayer time the people picked up their white, plastic deck chairs and moved them into the park and set them facing the wall screen. After an hour tech-work they finally got the sound to blare forth from the speaker and using a power point projector a member had just that day given to Pablo, showed the one hour film. I was gratified to see numerous souls stopping out of curiously to view the film as they passed through on there way elsewhere. Since Paul’s house is on the Jardin at the corner of the walkway that stretches for five blocks between streets, he is located at a strategic crossroad.

On the day before we departed, Pablo and Niky decided to name the baby boy. It might seem strange to wait almost three weeks to name a child but that is not uncommon in Mexico. I think they have a month to pick a name and have the baby registered legally. Pablo and Niky named their boy Pablo Andres, a strong name. Our time with Paul, Niky, Jaci and baby was a restful, pleasant interlude in what was to be one hectic month of activity elsewhere.

Our next blog post will move us to the NE of Mexico City to the home of Hector.
Be prepared for some surprises.
And remember to tell a friend to “look in.”

Ruth holds baby Pablo Andras while a proud father looks on.

Celaya and Pastor Pablo #2

Sunny Celaya, where the sun is always shining

I had planned our trip in such a way that our exposure to the smog of Mexico City would be as brief as possible. After three days with Rosario and David, Ruth and I departed for Celaya, in the State of Guanajuato to visit Pablo and Niky.

Because of our luggage, Rosario flagged down a taxi and we rode to the bus station. Some of you might remember taking the all-night bus from Jerez to Mexico City. Upon arrival in M.C. you alighted at the North Bus Station and this is where we caught our bus north to Queretaro where we would turn west to Celaya.

Bus Service in Mexico:
My greatest concern as I traveled on a bus when I first came to Mexico in 1981 was finding a toilet when the bus stopped. In those early years bus travel was the pits. Third class busses will take you anywhere, even places you don’t want to go, just ask Dan and Eva. Over the years I had lowered the priority of cost saving and instead of economizing, inspected the bus lines for built in toilets. Sometimes they had the last laugh when the ticket agent assured me the bus had a toilet on board but later when I needed to use it, the driver, ”couldn’t find the key.”
Ya, right! I was having none of that on this trip, age justifying an upgrade. We decided to travel on Primera Plus Bus Line, executive coach style. And why not? There was only a few dollars between the prices.
Us Airways had frowned when I had asked for a free glass of water on the flight into M.C. from Charlotte but as we boarded our bus, Primera Plus loaded Ruth down with drinks of our choice, sandwiches, which I didn’t eat, and packs of snacks. The seats fit even a large fella like brother Don. Unfortunately this bus line does not travel throughout Mexico but where it does, it’s your best choice. Instead of crowding 52 passengers into the bus like Omnibus de Mexico does, our bus had 28. Large, seats with plenty of legroom. The bus was full and we enjoyed our 3-½ hour ride to Celaya.

Arriving, we waited in the executive lounge till we saw Pablo’s friendly face smiling at us as he walked across the station. Pablo’s friend, a taxi driver, had the family van waiting for us outside the station. Pablo informed me that thought he had, had an excellent Drivers Ed teacher, me, he still was reluctant to drive in downtown Celaya, a city about the size of Des Moines.
“Didn’t I teach you good enough?” I chided Paul. “Don’t you remember anything I taught you about driving the old Jeep in 1996 during your freshman year at the Bible school?”
“Yes I remember. But you taught me on the back roads around Jerez, not in Zacatecas City,” was his reply. He had a point.

A thirty-minute drive brought us to Colonia San. Juanico where Pablo and Niky live. In August 2008, they had been transferred from Huchinango, where it rains almost every day and the chill rain blew into their living quarters, to the home where Niky lived as a teenager with her family. Her father had since given the house to their church denomination but she said it was wonderful to be, “back home again,” even though her parents no longer lived in Celaya.
Niky and her children:
Niky was still confined to bed rest in their bedroom when we arrived. A baby boy had been delivered ten days before by cesarean section. Pablo had emailed us about the impending birth before we left Lancaster and Ruthie was eagerly waiting to hold the baby. Ruth always laughs at me saying I am afraid to hold a baby lest I let it fall. She’s right, I am. She wasn’t, and enjoyed every opportunity to do so over the next six days. Since then the poor chap had a hernia operation during the week of March 19th but thankfully is now doing fine. Isn’t it nice that God does not pull back the vale of time and allow us to see all the unpleasant moments we will need to pass through? Would you like to “know” the future, including them? I think not.

We found five-year old Jaci to be a friendly, talkative sprite, every ready to listen to a book or play a game. Not a restful child but an intelligent, pleasant one. Seldom grumpy, a mirror of what Niky must have been like as a child. Jaci delighted in having us walk the five blocks with her to school in the morning and “pick her up” at 1PM. Kinder, as they call Kindergarten in Mexico, is compulsory.

March 28,09 Highlights #1

Policemen on patrol in La Alameda, the large park in the center of Mexico City

Organ Grinder in front of Belles Artes, the famous art museum near La Alameda in Mexico City

Rosario and David's apartment

On February 10, we flew into Mexico City. Rosario met us at the airport and took us by taxi to the small apartment that she shares with her husband David. We used their apartment as our hub from which we spoked out 150 miles in different directions to visit friends. We spent Feb. 10-13, 17-20, and March 9-12 with them.

I have mixed emotions about Mexico City, always have.
The largest city on the planet, with a population of between 20 to 24 million people, depending on who you ask, the city is an anomaly. Towering skyscrapers, tower over buildings that were constructed 500 years ago. A downtown that boasts its wealth with fine shops, boutiques, upscale restaurants and La Alameda where thousands of people promenade daily, while at the Zocolo, the huge square in front of the National Cathedral, Indian peasant women sit on blankets trying to hawk the few handicraft they made. Streets are lined with small stalls where merchants sell Chinese junk articles like copy-cat, name brand merchandise. Some might ask," How do the Mexican people in such a large city make a living?" I would answer, "Anyway they can."

Crime
Another question people asked frequently is "How dangerous is it in Mexico city?"
It can be very dangerous. David has a job working for the Mexico City government. The city is doing a census on unregistered, small, street-side, businesses. David has 5 men working under him. These men are to interview the small merchants in their grid and make an accounting to the government. On numerous evenings David came home frustrated by the dangerous atmosphere in which he had to work. On one occasion his "man" as he called him, was jeopardized when he inadvertently was caught in gunfire between rival gangs. On another occasion another man was involved in a robbery that happened near one of the stalls he was registering. This all happened within 4-5 days.
Banks, government buildings and fine restaurants are all guarded by men with AK-47 and they are on the alert, ready to fire. Lounging on the job may cost them their life.
However, Ruth and I moved around the city on the Metro, by taxi, and by foot and saw no trouble. However we became aware that Rosario and David lived in a high crime area when the taxi driver we tried to hire refused to drive us to their section of the city. To enter their apartment one has to go through 3 locked doors so we felt safe while there.

Smog
The pollution in Mexico City is horrendous. I always get sick but this trip was an exception since I was only in the city for no longer than 3 days at a time. Many years ago Dr. Esparza asked me to be a member of the faculty at the Bible College in Mexico but I had to refuse because of the smog. When one flies in from Lancaster they are immediately met by trying to cope with altitude higher than a mile and the smog. Thousands of people who live in the city have serious respiratory illness. When I asked some of these people why they didn't move they would reply, "Where would I go, the jobs are here?" Each week thousands of people move to the city in search of a job. Many end up on the street.

Traffic and accidents
Yes, it is true, drivers all drive like Jehu! Major avenues are six lanes wide. Traffic lights and policemen control the intersections. We traveled extensively throughout the city weaving in and out, competing with busses and tractor-trailers.
But we did not see one accident, a miracle.
Metro ... Subway system
The Metro will take you anywhere for two pesos=to 15 cents. It is an excellent system, clean, fast and safe, unless you are traveling at night or over rush hour when it is packed. We rode during off hours. There are 12 lines that radiate across the city and we learned to use them years ago. Large, wall maps are in all Metro stations. One can now buy automatic 'swipe cards' that make entering quick. I like the Metro and have had trouble only on one occasion some years ago when we had to run to escape being robbed. But thats another story.

Fast Food Restaurants & Wal-Mart
If you are a fast food junkie, you can still visit McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut,Burger King and Dominos. You can also buy Ben and Jerrys and Haagan Daass ice cream at Wal-Mart but come prepared to pay $9.00 American for a half-gallon. I didn't.
Wal-Mart is very popular and full of customers in its downtown locations. Upscale restaurants have parking lots full of late model cars.
However, when one leaves center city one falls down the economic ladder into the basement. Here passersby stand at taco stands munching on spoiled meat tacos, drink off-brand pop and eat chicharones, a hard, deep-fried pig skin. If you never have tasted it, don't!
Surprisingly Mexico City, at least the downtown area, is clean. Street cleaners walk the sidewalks and parks picking up trash.
My opinion of Mexico City improved during this visit and if it were not for the all pervasive smog it wouldn't be so bad.
I hope this blog posting has answered some of your questions as to what the largest city on earth is like. If you have a specific question, post it in the comment box or drop me an email at noahsark747@yahoo.com

Mexican Ministry February-March, 2009

Rosario sits in her apartment with the birthday card and gift we gave to her on her thirty-fifth birthday.

Pablo and Niky and daughter Jaci are with Pauls mother and Ruth in their home in Celaya.

Pastor Hector Perez and "Papa Carlos" Hostetter stand on a mountain near where Hector lives in Necaxa, Puebla State.

God has brought Ruth and I home safely and we thank Him. We also thank each of you who have been praying for us while we were in Mexico. One can seldom use the word, "perfect" but because of the good hand of God upon us, we can say, "we had a 'perfect' trip." We did not get sick, Ruth had energy and strength, we were delivered from the evils around us, the weather was terrific, and because God was with us we accomplished all the goals we had set.
In the following blogs I want to detail some of the mighty works of God that we experienced during our trip.
I will begin with a brief character sketch of the important people we visited. In future blogs I will detail some of the activities we participated in. Let me introduce the important players in our one month odyssey to Mexico.

Pastors Hector and Maricela Perez:
Ruth and I first got to know Hector when he arrived at the Bible Institute in Jerez, Zacatecas in 1996 for his freshman year. We
became a spiritual "papa and mama" to an eighteen year old lad who had never known the love of a father. In 1999 Hector married Maricela who had already graduated from the Bible Institute. We attended their wedding in Mexico City. In 2004 their first child was born. They named the baby boy, Mairon and I had a namesake and a grandson. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. In 2006 a daughter was born and they named her Betsi. After pastoring various churches, they were assigned to the church in Necaxa in August of 2008. Hector is also the national youth pastor for the denomination and tells me that at the last youth retreat held in Necaxa in December of 2008 there were 1,000+ youth. He also teaches at the Otomi Indian Bible School in the mountains of Hidalgo State. He and his family visited us in our home in June of 2008 and attended two Sunday meetings held on the farm of Matthew and Barbara Kniesly. Hector is 32 years old and Maricela is 34 years old.


Pastors Pablo and Niky Rimerez
Pablo was a "project" boy in Fresnillo before coming to the Bible Institute in 1996 for his freshman year. He was one of the boys that came to the feeding project sponsored by Lois Raser in Fresnillo. Paul was saved as a teenager by God's work through this project. Paul's father died while he was a boy. One evening after and English class held in our home on campus, Pablo asked me if I would be his father? I happily agreed and so acquired another son.
Niky was a classmate of Pablos in Jerez and they married after they graduated. They have a five -year old daughter named Jaci and a two month old son named Pablo Andras. Paul and Niky pastor a small church in Celaya. Paul is 34 years old.

Rosario Reyes

Rosario came from Rancho San Antonio, a desert village 50 miles north of Jerez. She was twenty years old when she arrived for her freshman year in 1996 at the Bible Institute in Jerez. Rosarios father abandoned the family while she was a child and later committed suicide. She quickly won our affection and when she asked to be considered as our daughter, we happily agreed. God had given us a spiritual daughter. After completing her five years of schooling she graduated and was ordained as a pastor in 2001. After serving at various churches she left the pastorate when she married David in 2001. Rosario and David live in Mexico City. We celebrated Rosarios 35th birthday with her on February 20.

Our three former students all refer privately and publicly to us as "Papa Carlos and Mama Ruth." We accept our titles with humility and gratitude. Neither of them knew a father who loved and encouraged them. Rosario explained it to me this way, "my father is the one who cares about me, encourages me, prays for me." Each one of our spiritual children have a natural Mexican mother who is a giant in faith and there natural mothers have accepted us as one of their family. We respect them and honor them for being Godly mothers.

Doctor Graciela Esparza
Dr. Esparza is a missionary, teacher, pastor and counselor without peer. She has a PHd in psychology from a Canadian University. Though she is a single lady age 81, she keeps a schedule that would tire someone half her age. She has 3 adopted children, She works throughtout Mexico, Central and South America. A close friend of Lois Racer, she is a former Director of Compassion International, Mexican bureau. When I think of Dr. Esparza I compare her to John Sauder in her zeal and commitment to God. Dr. Esparza invited me to teach my Death and Dying Counseling Course in 1990 and I have been teaching it since having taught in all three pastoral Bible Institutes of her denomination. We have enjoyed the hospitality of her home on numerous occasions and she has always respected the belief and practice of the Old Order River Brethren. It is because of her good graces that the OORB's have an open door to minister throughout the 400 churches of the Movimiento, as their denomination is referred to. We thank God for this open door, it is indeed a unique invitation and opportunity, one we value highly. Dr. Esparza has invited me to teach this October and hope to do so, Lord willing.

You will meet many more people in future blogs. Each one has their unique place in God's Kingdom. We are thrilled to know and serve God with our Mexican brothers and sisters. We all have our special role to play in our generation and as we fulfill it we are blessed.
Please communicate with us either by posting a comment on our blog or via email to: myron@oorb.org
And be sure and look for our next blog post next week.

Week #5 Meeting at Esther Shirk

We discussed the first three points on the "A World In Crisis" sheet.
* Cash Withdrawal from your bank unavailable
Ric... suggested that we keep perhaps $50.00 in coins in our home for emergencies
Luke 12 was discussed. "Are we responding in fear instead of trusting?
It was pointed out that this had been answered during our first meeting.
We need to prepare. The example of the talents was discussed especially the man who buried his talent.
Dan ... We should not 'hoard up' coins. prepare enough for a temporary need but do not 'hoard' to use for self like the rich
man who tore down his barns and built bigger.
Kathy ( Matt. 25:1-13 )
Ric ... where does self responsibility apply? ( Luke 21:8 )
* Food Shortages
*Housing Shortages
We spent an hour discussing what a "community" looks like, who makes up a community and what it does.
Ric suggested three categories as follows:
1. Family needs of the day
2. Reach out to neighbors in need
3. End times; at that time community is who you are with.
a. we are all engaged in some way in something. what community do we wang to be part of.
Myron challenged the group to get practical. What can we do NOW to begin community?
We could choose one or two people in need and help them by providing fresh vegetables from a
'community' garden.
Dan ... We need to develop personal, practical skills that we can share with others in need. Skills such as
canning, sewing, meat preservation, carpentry, mechanical, nursing, etc.
Since Myron and Ruth are leaving for Mexico on February 10 the group decided not to schedule weekly meetings
till February 19 when a meeting was scheduled in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie. In the meantime there may
be a prayer meeting in the home of Jim and Kate Gurerra.
Those present in Esther's home were:
Myron and Ruth, Dee, David F, Dan M, and a new visitor, Michael Bomberger.

Picture taken in the home of Myron and Ruth doing the first meeting on January 8,09

Meeting #4, January 29,09

There were no notes taken for this meeting.
The meeting was held in the home of Esther Shirk. Those present were Ric and Kathy F, Myron and Ruth H, Dan Moyer and Esther.

Points 7-10 on your sheet titled 'Sovereignty of God' were discussed. Considerable time was spent on $10; Salvation for man, but no salvation for angels. Why? Was it fair for God not to make a plan of redemption for the fallen angels, and if not, why not?

The discussion on February 5 will be upon the points on the 'A World in Chaos' sheet.
The next meeting will be on February 5 in the home of Esther Shirk.

Meeting # 3

The group met in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie for our third meeting. Those present were Jay and Rachel bowman, Esther Shirk, Dan Moyer and Myron and Ruth Hostetter
The evening discussion centered around Points 4-6 on the topic, "Sovereignty of God"

#4. The Place of your birth:
Dan ... Here in the USA we live in a society that values its comfort and leisure. We are spoiled and fearful to go where we do not have the "comforts of home."
The group spent some time discussing the words, 'comfort' and 'fearful' We decided that both are hindrances to mission work. Can we truly go to a mission field where we have little comfort? Would we be fearful to go somewhere where our lives would be in danger? Whit about our children on the mission field?
Ric... Some countries have a nationalized religion, for example, Muslim countries. Being born in one of these countries would force you to abandon the religion into which you were born and 'convert' to Christianity. This would be very offensive to the national religion. Russian Orthodox for example.
Dan ... Talked about Paul on his visit to Mars Hill where he explained the "Unknown God"

#5 & #6 Race and Social strata
We combined these two since in some aspects they relate to one another.
What does race have to do with your place of birth?
Where you are born often has to do with your race. The USA prides itself on being "the melting pot" of the world.
This is not typical of other countries.
Genocide between races in places like the Sudan would mean that if you were of a lesser or weaker tribe you would
be in jeopardy of loosing your life because you were in the 'wrong' tribe.
Rachel ... When witnessing we must stress the 'eternal rewards' of becoming a Christian.
A discussion followed on that point. How can we best 'sell' a trade so that we can earn the right to 'share' our
Christian beliefs?
Ric ... In some countries Christian missionaries must enter the country with a trade or business to share with the people.
If someone asks you about your religious beliefs you may share but you cannot proselytize.
We must meet physical or practical need of the people before we can proselytize.
Kathy ... What are our priorities? Here in the USA we are rich compared to the poorer nations of the world like
Haiti, the Sudan etc. There it is a matter of survival. Stealing is a way of life.
Myron ... before we condemn stealing in someone who is starving we need to provide work or food and then share
Jesus. How can we condemn a father or mother who steals a piece of bread to feed a starving child? Talked about
children living in the city dumps around the world and the terrible life they have.
Dan ... people who have a desperate physical need are more open to the gospel. Rich, intellectuals are often close minded.
Jesus Film discussio. Myron and Ruth want to show the film in Mexico.
* Question, which is more effective:
1. Enter a village where there has been no previous 'seed planting' to show the film.
This novelty will bring a general crowd of curious onlookers. You hand out tracts and do follow up work.
2. Have someone like Hector do some groundbraking and then show the Jesus Film.
When this happens, the local people might have already become biased against the person who has tried to
evangelize and stay away from the showing of the film. This would mean that the general population would
not come because it was only a 'religious' thing.
We had a lively discussion on the pro and con of the two approaches.
The meeting ended at 8:30 followed by 30 minutes of refreshment and social time.
Next Meeting for Thursday January 29 in the home of Esther Shirk.

Sovereignty of God / Week #2

“… for such a time as this!” … Responding to a World In Chaos
Sovereignty of God as it Relates to You
Uniquely You

You are special!
Esther 4:14 / Job 1:19-22

How God made you unique: Things you had no control over at your birth

1. The generation into which you were born ( date and time )
“In the fullness of time”….
Gal. 4:4 Acts 2:1, Rom. 11:25, Eph. 1:10;
On your specific date of birth, more than 200,000 others were born somewhere in the world
In your specific century of time, hundreds of millions will be born.
However, You will know only a small fraction of them.
You will only be intimate with a handful of that fraction.
These ‘intimate’ people will influence you greatly
However, famous people worldwide such as leaders, etc will also influence you, people like Hitler, Stalin, Jonas Salk ( polio vaccine ) the Beatles, President Obama
2. Your parents, and family heritage

Sarah and son Isaac, ( Gen. 21:1-8 )
Manoah & Wife -Sampson, ( Judges 13:1-25 )
Hannah / Samuel, ( I Samuel 1:1-11 )
Susannah and Charles and John Wesley
3. Your gender
To the guys, … ever wonder why you weren’t born a girl?
Differences: Think of what these differences mean to you….


Discussion On Points 1-3
1. Timing is important, indeed crucial
Time is based upon the circuit of the heavenly bodies of the cosmos
Myron posed the question: If you could chose, what generation would you like to be born?
Esther … In the time of Jesus or Job
Dan … Noah will be knows in heaven as the ark builder.
What will I be known for?
2. Family and Heritage
Dan … Moses and Family, Joseph and family
Heritage is vitally important because of God’s love. God chose the family into
which you would be born because He loved you and wanted you to part of
that heritage. Even when our heritage seems rotten, there is a good purpose in
where you are because of God’s love.
Dan shared openly about struggles with his father and how he found victory.
James … Romans 3:1
Myron … love is good but what about God’s love in a tragic situation?
Kathy … Romans 8:28-30, Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6,
Rom. 9:8-22, potter and the clay
Myron posed the following case study:
Two couples who each adopt 2 Russian boys ages 3-4
The boys of one couple are fine
The boys of the other couple are born with fetal alcohol syndrome
All of these boys have two heritages, their natural birth Russian heritage
and the heritage of their new parents.
But there is a vast difference.
Question: How can we as Christians help the boys with their dysfunctional
birth heritage?
Kathy: respite care, prayer against spiritual strongholds, need a mentor for the children.
James … deal with the sin of the birth parent
Dan … they must be bathed in love
3. Gender - cross gender dressing / sodomy
Jake … Today I saw a transvestite on the HACC campus. I felt revolsuion
Dan … we must love
James … I feel like throwing up when I see one
Myron posed this question: how are we going to love when we feel revolted?
Dan … we are all guilty of a sinisim,
Myron … so we all have our individual lust or craving or dissatisfaction
And God expects us to control it and live righteously anyway.
Conclusion: We are to love the sinner while we hate the sin
and try to convert thesinner to God’s truth. We must be wise and loving in our confrontation
but we cannot compromise God’s truth on the matter. This takes much grace and prayer.
A very good evening of discussion
Those present were:
James Strickler, Rick and Kathy Fogie, Esther Shirk, Dan Moyer, David Fry, Jacob diets and Myron and Ruth
Next meeting on January 22 in the home of Rick and Kathy

First Meeting of 2009

KFB Study January 8,09

The first Koinonia Fellowship Bible Study of 2009 met in the home of Myron and Ruth Hostetter on Thursday evening, January 8th.
Myron was the moderator for this session. He gave a brief monologue covering the purpose of why we were meeting. The goal, he said, was to make our Christianity practical in helpful ways to the community around us. He opened with Esther 4:14, … “for such a time as this”, challenging us with the fact that we have been chosen by God to serve in these chaotic times.
How are we to respond to a society in chaos? With fear? Instead he gave us Luke 21:28 as the antidote to fear mongering.
A copy of the following sheet was then given to everyone.

A World In Crisis – Chaos
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Lu 21:28)
Some Topics to be considered for Discussed in the Coming Weeks
• Cash withdrawal from your bank unavailable or severely regulated
• Food shortages
• Housing shortage
• Lawlessness on the rise
• Medications cost skyrocketing, or not available
• National I. D. Cards / tracking chip inserted at birth / personal I.D. number
• Oil prices of $5.00+ per gallon
• Religious freedom, Erosion of personal freedoms / marshal law
Christian and home-schooling choice severely regulated or illegal
• Suicides: increase in Anger, Depression, Hopelessness
• Technology … how will it change our lifestyle? Cell phones, ipod, etc.
• Other …Fill in YOUR topic of interest.

Discussion:
John Strickler opened with a relevant question. How specific should our preparation be?
Can we be specific? Should we not rather focus upon our relationship with Christ?
John gave the example of Daniel and the three Hebrew lads not knowing what their
challenge would be but nevertheless being able to respond to the lions den and
the fiery furnace.

This lead to a lively discussion. Trust John to be a catalyst!
Responses to John’s questions:
Rick / Kathy … salvation must come first, our relationship with Christ is all important, faith/works
go together … specifics come out of our relationship with Christ
Donald … Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
We should have an ability to plan, then adjust to our plan.
Dan … the ant prepares for winter, Noah built an ark for the coming flood, God gave us
Matthew 5,6,7, specific instructions for the end times, last day’s scenario,
Jesus said the laborers are few.
Myron ..What are laborers to do?
Jake … we need to help others when we see a need.

Donald then shifted the focus of the evening by zeroing in on the matter of a National I.D. card
or an implanted chip.
Ric gave information and examples of how National security or tracking technology is already
available and in some cases being used. Explained the difference between the Internet
and the Intranet. He explained it in the following way. The public uses Internet; Intranet is a governmental system that is closed and secret, used only by authorized personnel with a “need to know.”

Both Ric and Donald pointed out that information chips have already been implanted and are
being used for various purposes. Used for marketing purposes and inventory tracking.
Also used to track children as a security method.
Donald asserted that it’s already ‘global’.

Question? What is the mark of the beast?
If a chip is implanted in a baby at birth, is this the, ‘Mark’?
Must there be specific intent on the part of the implanter stating that this implant
is a sign that we have rejected our Christian faith?

Kathy … I.D. cards and implanted tracking chips o.k. However, if they’re specific reason is to
indicate we reject our Christian faith we cannot receive them.

Group consensus on global I.D. cards and chip implantation:

People must know and be able to chose or reject; card, implantation or mark, that is
issued by a controlling, anti God movement for the specific purpose of causing us to rejecting our belief In Christ. The avowed purpose for the I.D. chip or mark must be to receive the “mark of the beast.”
A believer must be able to say ‘no’ to card or chip. Thus a baby receiving one at birth
Cannot make a spiritual decision and is not accountable for having one implanted. Since this is true, a chip implanted at birth cannot be the ‘Mark’.

Though a global I.D. card or chip implantation may be invasive of our privacy, and may
be used for tracking purposes of some kind, this is not necessarily the mark of the beast
and as law-abiding citizens, we must obey the law.

Myron offers this dissenting viewpoint:
Since the Bible talks about being unable to ‘buy or sell’ without this ‘mark’, be it I.D. card
or chip implantation, does it not make any such device The Mark of the Beast by its very
nature?
Re 13:17* And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Perhaps more prayer and study need to be done before a decision is made about what the ‘Mark’ consists of.
It was certainly a very interesting evening with lively discussion of various viewpoints.

Discussion topic for week 2. / Myron handed out a sheet on the topic, “the Sovereignty of God”
Next meeting will be in the home of Myron and Ruth on January 15th, Lord willing.

Those attending this meeting were:
Ric and Kathy Fogie, David Fry, Dan Moyer, Esther Shirk, John Strickler, Donald Sauder, Jacob Dietz and Myron and Ruth Hostetter

2009 First Meeting Set

Koinonia Bible Fellowship
For 2009

Date: Thursday, January 8th, 2009
Meeting thereafter each Thursday through end of March
First meeting in the home of Myron and Ruth

Time: Thursday at 7pm
From 7-8:30pm, followed by light refreshments

Topic: A practical Christian approach to the coming chaos
A 10-week discussion on Biblical principles and their practical application
Goal : the group will focus on specific ways to help those with needs
caused by the upheaval in the society around us.
Though the group will meet weekly for only three months,
its service to the community will continue throughout the year.


Location: In different homes within a 5 mile radius of Silver Spring
We will meet in different homes. Hosting a meeting is voluntary.

Everyone is welcome!
We hope that you will commit to most of the evenings scheduled.
In the past, those who have done so have been encouraged,
strengthened and challenged to a deeper walk with God and their
fellowmen.
This will be our eighth year, come join us as we celebrate God’s
call to “be our brothers keeper.”

Interested, Questions, want more information?
Call Myron Hostetter at 717-285-9355
Or Email at: myron@oorb.org

Blogging at: www.koinbb.blogspot.com

After the meetings begin, meeting notes will be posted weekly
at our blog site above.

Please let us know if you intend to attend.

Continuing Updates

Blogging From Our Home on Oxford Hill

Though our three month Bible Study ended on Thursday night of the 20, I as blogmaster will continue to post Bible material on various subjects. Please continue to visit our blog site for future topic and discussion. Myron Hostetter
These three months have been ones of searching the scriptures; learning, applying and good spiritual fellowship. This makes our eighth year and if God gives us life, we hope to continue next January. We were blessed as various people took the responsibility to lead the Biblically based topical discussions. Now it becomes our responsibility to practice what we learned. By God's grace we will be better citizens of God's Kingdom.

Intercessory Prayer

The first 20 minutes of the Bible Study on 3-20 were about Intercessory Prayer.
Praying as a Friend of God 2 Chronicles ; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23
• Anyone with an intimate relationship with God can be an effective intercessor.
• Holiness gives us confidence in our prayer life.
• A friend of God can ask God for anything because they understand what pleases God.
• “If we ask anything according o His will ….”
• An unsaved person cannot be an effective intercessor
This part of the evening was moderated y Norma Link from material taken from the
Book by Dutch Sheets titled, Intercessory Prayer

For the remainder of the evening Ric Fogie moderated a discussion on
The Character of God

No matter what extreme action is taken against God and his Word, the Word of God remains true and nothing can thwart its purposes.

Study taken from the web site www.siscom.net/~direct/god’s_character.htm
“All About” God’s Character – Bible Basics Series

This evening concluded our three-month, annual Bible Group study.
On Thursday, March 27 the group will meet at 6:30pm at the Ichiban Restaurant for a meal.