Mission Update: Mexico, March 9 (Part One)

Mission Experience in Partnership with ConeXión Mosaico

March 4–11, 2017

Today began with Jean-Luc Krieg (founder and executive director of ConeXión Mosaico) leading us in a devotion centered around two main questions we have to ask ourselves before and during our ministry to others. The first question is, “What are the groans of the people around you?” And the second is, “What’s in your hand?” These two questions are in relation to the story of Moses when he is called by God (who hears the groans of the Israelites) to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses tells God that he’s not the right one for the job, but God then pointedly asks him, “What is that in your hand? (Exodus 4:2), in order to show Moses the mighty power that God can display through Moses’ simple staff.

What we saw today as a group was that ConeXión Mosaico is answering those questions in remarkable ways. Carmen is a young man who helps teach children and adults literacy skills in Chimalhuacan. He started off in one of the programs run by ConeXión Mosaico and continues to this day–listening to the needs of the people around him, adapting to their levels of knowledge, and bringing people together to learn and grow alongside one another. The nearest library is 40 minutes away by car, and many of the people cannot afford to drive that far. So they use what they have at home, sharing books with one another and asking for donations from book shops.

Another example is a co-op in Las Palmas led by Christina and her friend, who make soap and body care products alongside other women in the area. They have heard the groans that they need money to help provide for their families. Many of them cannot leave their homes for long periods of time to work, because they have to make sure their children are taken care of and they have other responsibilities. Being a part of the co-op allows these residents not only to have the flexibility to take care of their homes and families; it also allows them to make income. In addition, it gives them the opportunity to connect with their neighbors and build relationships with buyers, because they sell their products door-to-door.

ConeXión Mosaico works alongside people here in Mexico, listening to their groans and then allowing them to use what is in their hands to make changes in their communities. Isaiah 41:6-7 says, “They help each other and say to their companions, ‘Be strong!’ The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.” These verses describe how I see people here coming together in unity, just like the psalmist described how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity. Talking with Carmen and Christina, and hearing how they enjoy building relationships with people in their neighborhoods, shows how vital community is and how powerful relationships are. ConeXión Mosaico truly provides the platform for neighbors to come together as brothers and sisters, dwelling in oneness with God our Creator and in unity with one another.

Contributed by Natalya Mishkova