Dear friends

This just came in and because it came in our departing day, I share with you this beautiful letter. It is something you got to read! Joselyn and Adrian are Puerto Ricans volunteers working with us at the ministry at Chiapas. They have helped us make a transition during our departure and yes, they are fully in love with our Mayan brothers and sisters! Praise God!!! This is how embracing missions goes... just trust God and give your whole self to serve. Serve with your body, your heart, your mind and yes (become a faith giver!) with your money and resources. Your life will be changed and miracles will happen! EMBRACE THE CAUSE!

   And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.  James 3:18 (GNT)

                                                                              "PEACE" July-Sept 2013

At the end of the Youth camp, we had a small activity in which we had to interact with two brothers or sisters in faith about what we learned during the week, and what we would take home in our hearts. The ones who I talked to were Emily, from Puerto Rico and Josefina, a 9-year-old girl from Pueblo Nuevo Sitalá. Emily came from Puerto Rico with a lot of energy and a generous heart willing to offer her talent in dance and to meet the Mayans she had heard so much about. She told us she would take the love, the laughs of each young man and woman, and their desire to learn God's word; she would treasure in her mind each image as one of the best experiences in her life. I also expressed how happy I felt to see the commitment and hard work of the young people and the pastors; I saw them assuming their role as leaders to organize the next camp in the Maravillas' community.

Finally, it was Josefina's turn to answer the question: ¿What will I take in my heart? Josefina, with bright eyes and a shy smile, answered: "Peace”. I will take peace." Wow, in just that single sentence, Josefina resumed everything learned in the camp and what she would treasure in her heart. Her smile meant that the small seed was planted in her and it would have its effect in due time. She also told us she had loved the art workshop and that she would love to be in the camp next year. Listening to Josefina was to experience God's word in the flesh; it's the hope of a God that still lives in us, making us messengers of His justice and His peace. In the midst of the pain, the poverty, the discrimination, and of many forgotten lives, Josefina reminds me the meaning of what the Mayans call "Lekil Kuxlejal", which is that good life that Jesus wants for all of us. And yes, it's possible. But more yet, Josefina challenges me to keep walking and fighting so that others experience "peace" in their hearts and their lives.

With Love, Joselyn M. Lopez  

Volunteer at SIM, Chiapas, Mexico.