A video, gifts, and giving.

We just got back from a fun conference with our fellow Camino Global missionaries in Mexico. Each team was assigned to make a video of their ministries. A big thanks to Jim Cottrill for putting such a great video together...

He summerized a bit on his blog about the video
"Incidentally, the team name – the “TLC Team” – is intended to have a bit of a double meaning.  In English TLC is familiar as “tender loving care”.  But in Spanish it’s Tratado de Libre Comercio – or free trade agreement, the equivalent of NAFTA in English.  It reflects the fact that our team is made up of people from various cultures – currently from Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
I should point out one more thing for those that don’t know Spanish – the newspaper clippings in the early part of the video show some of the sad things that you would see in most newspapers – death, unemployment, crime.  We know that sin has done terrible things to the world.  But then we look up and see who God is, and our perspective changes…"

Take a look!

Tis the time of year when you are considering giving to organizations, buying christmas presents, and getting those LAST minute tax deductions!

Some ideas:

First of all, you can give a one time or monthly gift to my ministry fund. All of that money keeps me here in Mexico ministering to these amazing people.

You can also give to our community center! 

You can give the best gift ever. COFFEE! Hope coffee is a  Camino Global ministry. Buy coffee and most of the proceeds go to a ministry in Honduras that builds homes, adds roofs, or clean water systems to houses. It is a practical way to share the Love of God. If you put that you heard about Hope Coffee from me (Tina Barham) then I get a few cents per dollar spent in my account! =) There is discounts right now AND a christmas blend!

Thankfulness (Part Two)

 1. The small moments that leave you in awe. 

2. Space heaters. Never thought I would use them like I do in Mexico.

3. Travel. It is so great to be able to go to a new area, experience new parts of the world. I am thankful for the people that I get travel with- the adventures shared together creates great memories and some amazing stories.

4. I am thankful for all of the tough times in my life--- they have made me the person I am today.

5. Laughter and silliness. Gosh, life would be boring without them!

6.  Scarves, jeans, tshirts, hoodies, fuzzy socks.

7.I am grateful to have the opportunity to listen to other peoples stories. I love that.

8. I am thankful for modern technology- Skype, facebook, e-mail etc. etc. Without them, I wouldn't be able stay in contact with people all over the world!

9. Colors.

10. I thank God for relaxation after a day or week or month of not much rest.

11. Blankets. Wrapped up on a chilly night with a warm cup of (chose your favorite hot beverage!- mine is coffee!)

12.  naps. I take them like once a month, but when I do, its the best thing in the world

Just another Sunday

A lot of people always ask what a typical day looks like here. Well, there is no such thing, and I love that. But lately, my Sundays are killer! They are really fun, but at the end of the day--- I am tired!

First, wait for all the stuff for the church to be picked up from my house.... I am the storage unit!

Second, head to church for worship and praise time. Have I ever mentioned I like worshiping in Spanish more than English?

After worship time, take the youth girls to my house for a bible study. We are studying the Fruit of the Spirit. This weeks topic: LOVE

Then youth group. We eat, have a small bible study and do some sort of activity. We are studying David. This week we talked about the story of David and Goliath.

 During the activity, the girls were at the table talking and being creative... the boys- watching football (american) --------- typical!

Then I went to watch a youth play soccer. Today was the finals so it was an intense game with LOTS of people. It is fun to watch the youth do what they are passionate about. They won by the way in a shoot off at the end. =0)

And finally, a youth leadership study. It is a study for the older kiddos.... give them more responsibility in the group! This week we studied.... "why is it important for leaders to pray"

Thankfulness (volume one)

In the spirit of Thanksgivingness, I am just going to make a list of things I thank God for. (installment one of at least two)

1. I am thankful that I serve a God who is bigger then I can even comprehend. I am thankful for His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace in my life.

2. I continually thank God for all the blessings, hard times and life changing experiences I have had while living in Mexico.

3. I am thankful for my friends in the USA.When you move somewhere, especially a new country you find out who your true friends are. I am blessed to be able to say I have some of the greatest friends who are more like family.

4. I am blessed to have a great support system and friends in Mexico as well. I am thankful to have not only Mexican friends but also some incredible missionary friends as well.

5. I am thankful for Maggie, my great dog! (well, shanti too-- Tiffanys dog currently residing in my house.) On a hard day she is there with her head on my lap, when I need protecting she protects, she is always worth a smile and a constant companion.

6. I am thankful for every prayer and financial supporter that I have. Without them I would not be here in Mexico. I am thankful for their encouragement and prayers.

7. I am grateful that God has always provided me and my family clean water to drink and food to eat beyond what we need.

8. I am thankful for Nebraska football. No matter where I am in the world it is a constant for me on fall Saturdays. It is something most of my friends from Nebraska love and it is a hot topic of conversation within my family.

9. I am thankful for coffee. Its like a warm hug on a chilly morning.

10. I am grateful, everyday, to hear how friends of mine are changing the world with the Love of God. As a teacher in a public school, sharing the Gospel all over the world, being a mommy to precious kids, being an example in a hard workplace ... etc.

11.I am thankful for the opportunity and ability to learn new things.

12. I am grateful for adventures (big or little) and new experiences. It can be a planned adventure where I do something I have always wanted to do. Or the unplanned ones like getting lost and seeing something amazing that I would have not other wise seen. God never ceases to amaze me.

13. I am thankful for creativity. I never feel so alive as when I get to use my creative juices! I actually crave it sometimes.

14. Sweatpants

15. I am thankful for nature. Being able to see Gods beautiful and wonderful design. Especially, for the the two volcanoes I get to see everyday.

On a completely different note:
My house is a disaster... see why here.

Toughing out the brrrrrr

Today was/is a BITTER cold day in Mexico City. It feels like its near freezing- with the midst and crazy winds.  Do you want to know how good a little space heater is---- not good! Unless, of course, you are sitting RIGHT in front of it, which my dog does.

As i was sitting and shivering at the community center earlier I kinda doubted ANYONE in their right mind would show up for classes. But they did!

On the docket-
Rod's guitar class
My kids craft class: we made masks!

Bake a Cake - Make some Fondant

Today Shari did a great job organizing a cake decorating class at the community center. Fun times, new people, creative cakes, some of God's Word shared! =0)

Day of the Dead

Today we got together as a church to celebrate, our own way. Because Christians celebrate LIFE not death!

We started with the adults praying and the kids getting a small devo on why we do not celebrate the Day of the Dead.

All the children wore white and made angel wings. So, they suited up and we hit the streets. The adults received little gospel papers and the kids, well candy of course! =)

Then we came back and partied with the kids!

As we were walking around a few of us stumbled upon this house with a HUGE tent in front of it. It was packed with images and statues of the saint of death- something that is definetly worshipped here. I have also seen many offering tables with food and pictures of their dead relatives.
BUT this one takes the cake. It really breaks my heart seeing the emphasis they put on the dead. I didn't take too many good pics because i didnt want to be rude. As we were standing there we were invited to thier prayer time to the saint of death as well... yikes. In the picture below you can see about 1/2 of the statues and images.
Keep praying for Mexico!