I’ve been here a few months, and it is going well, the situation is much different from what I’ve been used to, on all fronts.  As I’ve been on my own a lot over the years, I’m enjoying getting to know and work with the other missionaries.  The leadership has picked up on a few of my missions skills, and I’m helping with teams, both in El Paso and Mexico, and I’ll be working with the August Discipleship Training School (DTS – training for new missionaries).  I have also spent some time working at the office in El Paso, with Mary Beth Maifeld, the base director.  Right now, I’m in a place where mostly what I do is help everyone else ‘do’ what they ‘do’ as everyone is getting to know me.  

 

 

I’ve also been progressing with the Massage Therapy skills.  God made it pretty clear to me that I needed to get licensed in the state of Texas, and “practice” what I’ve learned in a professional environment.  To do that I work a few days a week at Massage Envy, a massage therapy chain that is in most states in the USA.    It takes a bit out of me physically.  The first month, I was sure my body couldn’t take it, even for just a few days a week.  But my muscles are developing, and so is my skill set, I really enjoy it!  I’m so surprised that the Lord would lead me in this direction; I never would have thought to pick this field and as it turns out, I really like it.  

 

 

The last 5 to 8 years I’ve had two main goals I’ve focused on with mission’s ministry.  One is the training and giving opportunity to Latins to move forward in missions.  The other is the herbal remedies and concept of natural medicine in missions.  The YWAM base in El Paso-Juarez, is very focused on raising up Latins and sending them into missions.  It’s easy for me to see why the Lord led me to this base, so that I could move forward in this area.  The Discipleship Training school is in both languages, on both sides of the boarder.  Many of the staff in Mexico are Mexicans that have given their lives to serve in missions, some are called to serve here, others are in transition to move to other parts of the world.  I really look forward to participating in this part of the ministry.

 

The concept of herbal remedies and missions is going to be a bit more difficult, but ‘ironically’, this base has a branch called LifeReach.  LifeReach is a ministry of Midwifery.  Consuelo York is the director of LifeReach, she is a midwife, and travels into many different countries teaching midwifery, and training Doulas (helpful birthing companions).  A lot of what she teaches is natural techniques for the different stages of pregnancy, birth, and child care.  When I first heard what she does, I immediately saw a link with my interest in traveling and teaching herbal remedies and natural health.  I have decided to wait a bit before pursuing this avenue, I’m trying to establish myself here at this base, learn my skills as a massage therapist, and wait for the Lord to open the door for me to move into this area of ministry in His time.  I do believe that LifeReach is one of the main reasons why God brought me to this YWAM base in particular.  I am still in prayer about this part of the ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- I’m still adjusting to the changes.  

 

- There are a few things that are still unclear, mainly I’m not sure about the house I’m living in. The             house still needs a lot of work, and I think I need a house-mate; or I need a different house.

  

- Since the Lord has led me to stay in the USA,

I need to go to Costa Rica and ‘deal’ with the things I have in storage.