Nobody gets a smooth ride.
Every child will learn how the asphalt burns
when he takes sharp turn too wide.
Nobody gets a smooth ride.
I’m really sorry the way things are going these days,
try to be careful, that’s all I can say

“Nobody Gets a Smooth Ride” The Choir

I find much of my inspiration from music. I have been listening to the song above for a while now. When I hear it I can’t help but think of the situation that has enslaved Mexico over the past year. What can really be said but that this is a dangerous world and please try to be careful? It has had a major impact on the city of Juarez and the surrounding areas of Chihuahua. This is the place God has put me; it is the people of this area that I have fallen in love with. It pains me to know that because of fear we are unable to pour out God’s blessing on these people.

For some reason in 2007 we were unable to build a home for the Davalos - Olague family. In 2008 we saw a large drop in the number of groups due to several factors – one of which was the fear that has affected every ministry working along the border. So, once again this family of six waited. Our pastors and field reps had to talk to them several times and ask them to be patient and wait on God. Needless to say, this family as well as a few others became a high priority for us to build for in 2009. Unfortunately, the beginning of 2009 saw the violence in Juarez rise to an all time high. On top of that, the swine flu made itself known to the world and Mexico became feared all the more. It was looking as though this family would have to wait even longer. The family told Alfredo Chavez, one of Amor Ministries’ Operations Coordinators, that they gave up hope. No one was coming to help. A few years ago our logo consisted of the phrase “Come Build Hope,” but  now so few are coming that this family lost all hope. They had made their home in an old eighteen-wheel trailer that must have felt like an oven in the summer and an ice box in the winter.

When we found out that First Baptist Church, Wichita was not going to cancel their trip, I wasted no time in assigning them to the Davalos - Olague family. This group came to offer hope and were not going to let anything stop them. Just before the trip, their numbers started to decline and they did not know if they could complete the size of project that the Davalos - Olague family needed. I kept telling them that their numbers were fine for a double house even as I watched the numbers slip into what I would normally assign to a single-sized house. I just could not tell this family to wait again.

They came. And they built that double with a little help from me and Alfredo. The community leaders were so grateful that they offered to help by escorting the group to and from the worksite and by checking in on them throughout the day to make sure everyone was okay. They understood the fear and wanted to do all they could to ease that fear. It was one of the most trouble free weeks I have experienced in all my time working for Amor. But best of all, after waiting two and half years, a hope lost became a hope restored.

At one of the nightly devotionals this group held, we spoke about the situation in Mexico and how it was affecting the blessings that God wants to bestow on people. They were shocked at just how profound it has been. One of the members shared a story of one of his teachers that I will leave you with. He lived in Houston, TX and I believe it was hurricane Rita that was headed straight for them. The streets were flooded and all his teachers canceled classes. When he asked his EMT teacher if classes were canceled, the teacher replied “We are EMT’s; this is when we go to work”.

The world is a dangerous place. Please try to be careful, but if we follow Jesus;

This is when we go to work.

Michael Williamson is the Chihuahua Field Manager for Amor Ministries. You can read his personal blog by clicking here.

Hello Chihuahua group leaders and participants!

As we have been talking to some Chihuahua trip leaders about next year, a few have asked to be updated on Amor’s ministry there. So, we will be periodically posting updates on Amor’s blog specifically about our Chihuahua location. While our policy has been “no news is good news” in the past, our desire is to build partnerships with our valued trip leaders through open communication. Some months we might not have anything to report on the blog, but from what we have gathered from talking with various leaders, hearing that nothing is going on is more helpful than no messages at all!

So, let’s get started! After a rough start to the year, violence around the city of Juarez has decreased recently. The army moved into town this spring, and our experience in other parts of Mexico leads us to believe that this action will help further reduce the violence. We anticipate a steady decline from here. We do have several groups scheduled to arrive this year, although not as many as we would like. The area surrounding our camp and worksites has been clear of violence, and so we are confident in bringing any group to Chihuahua that wants to serve. However, we do understand that convincing parents of this can be difficult, and so we have the following suggestions:

-Amor will be building in Puerto Peñasco, south of Arizona, once again this upcoming spring. It is a small tourist town free from the levels of violence reported in other parts of Mexico. Several groups served in Puerto Peñasco instead of Baja and Chihuahua this past spring, and they all had a wonderful time. We will gladly answer any questions you might have about planning a trip there.

-Amor is also looking into the possibility of building homes on an Apache Reservation in Arizona, about two hours east of Phoenix. Details are still being finalized in regards to serving the Apache people, but please let us know if you would like to be updated about the opportunities for taking an Amor trip to Arizona.

-Plan a trip for the adults! Prior to the youth spring break trip, invite adults in your church to come experience Mexico for themselves over a long weekend. Parents may feel more comfortable after hearing positive first-hand information from someone that they personally know…or if they see it for themselves! With a pre-poured slab, 10-12 adults could easily complete a house in three days.

As always, Mission Services is always happy to talk through any questions or concerns that you may have, so feel free to contact us!

God bless,

Mission Services

619.662.1200 extension 6