We're Doing Okay...!

Well, if you've been watching the news, you have seen that the violence that was mainly in western Mexico has now moved to our part of the world. Competing drug-cartels engage in an almost-all-out battle for control of the trade routes that bring drugs to the U.S. Towns and cities in our area that were for the most part tranquil have seen a rise in violence.

Last night (Friday, March 19), we had our weekly small-group gathering from church in the San Jerónimo area. During our Bible study and share time, we received news that just five blocks from where we were, the federal troops were in a gun battle with suspected drug-traffickers. At the same time we were meeting, the church youth were gathered in another house some blocks away from us...perhaps a little closer to the fire-fight.

This is the closest we have been to the upsurge in violence. Living in a city of some 6,000,000 people, a city with some of the greatest wealth in the western hemisphere (if not the world) and some the most abject poverty, a city of limited natural resources and limited job opportunities, we expect violence to be a part of the mix. However, this is a new violence that has drug-cartels and federal troops fighting it out on the streets and highways of the city. Thankfully, in most of the clashes, the federales (as they are known here) come out on top. If there are casualties, the narcotraffickers are the once who suffer most. (Not that we're happy when anyone suffers or dies!) However, there are those times when innocent by-standers, or passers-by, take fire and end up wounded or dead. This tragedy of violence has us praying and hoping like we haven't before.

People have often said in the US, "Well, when I take drugs, it only hurts me." Or, "Hey, man...I'm not into the hard stuff--I just use a little pot...and it's cheap...just a few dollars a joint." I have news for all of those people--when Americans buy drugs, no matter which ones, it's hurting a LOT of people and it's costing a whole lot more than a few dollars. It costs lives and futures and sons and daughters. We don't have a "Mexican problem"--we have an intricate, international issue that is fueled by an American appetite for drugs. I don't know the answer, but I know that the violence we are seeing is all about getting marijuana, cocaine and heroin across the border into the US.

Our prayer is three-fold--one, first and foremost, that the narcos would see a better way, a life that is constructive rather than destructive, that they would find the One who can fill the emptiness in their lives. Two, we pray for peace...whether it come by the success of federal forces or a divine act. And, three, we pray that Americans who use drugs or involved in the drug trade would see the incredible path of death and destruction that their addiction or "recreational drugs" leaves behind them...and that they, too, would find that perfect Thing that will address their cravings and needs--the person of Jesus.

Please pray for us. Pray that we know best how to live, that we live with prudence. Pray that we can be voices of hope and calm and peace in this part of God's world.

Happy New Year - 2010

Yes, it has been far too long since we've posted anything, so let's get this New Year started off just right!!

Of course, today is New Year's Day...and it is a beautiful day in Monterrey, México. We have 42º this morning and we're looking for a high of 62º. That doesn't sound too bad, but taking into account that the houses here don't have heat or insulation...well, we'll just keep our jackets on today--inside and out! ha, ha.

Last night, we continued our Herrin tradition of an intensive movie night! We made goodies all afternoon--merengítas, magic-bars, mallow-cups, dips for chips, and the like. Then, around 6:30pm, we filled-up our plates with goodies and settled in front of the tele for an evening of DVD action--a couple of movies, some TV series. We enjoy doing this because it allows us to stay awake until midnight, to welcome the New Year. And, it was a good thing we did, because it all broke loose at midnight!!

Last year, we spent a quiet and uneventful night in San Jemo...and this year it seems that Santa Catarina was definitely the place to be! The fireworks began in earnest around 11:45pm...and it sounded like a war zone for the next 30-40 minutes. I'm not talking about "officially sanctioned" fireworks displays--I'm talking about everyone, in every house for miles around with their own bottle rockets and firecrackers! It was amazing! We settled for some sparklers...but here the sparklers are about 2ft. long...and burn bright and big! ha,ha. But, the fireworks weren't even the best part of the New Year celebration.

Best of all, everyone in all the houses poured out into the streets to greet the New Year...and all their neighbors. We weren't sure how it was going to be since this was our first New Year in Sta. Catarina...but just after we left our front door, our neighbors started coming over with hugs and kisses for all, wishing us "¡Feliz Año!" (Happy New Year!) After greeting our immediate neighbors, we decided to take a walk around the block to see what was happening on the streets around us...and we found even MORE fireworks, but also happy people wishing any and all a Happy New Year. We were hugged and kissed all along the way as we welcomed 2010.

Around 12:50am we finally got back to our house, and happily crawled into our beds to sleep. As I was falling asleep, I couldn't help but think about the joy and hope we saw in the people around us. Here are folks who work so hard just to make the barest ends meet. Here are people who are facing such an uncertain future--with economic difficulties, illnesses, and all the "normal" problems of human life. Yet, as the New Year arrived, they face it with all the hope, all the confidence. That is a very Christian way to enter the New Year...and we who are Christians have every reason to enter the New Year this way--we have a faith and a hope, bound up in a love from God and for God.

The New Year is a time of new possibilities. It's a time of "second chances"--a time to do things differently, better. Year 2009 was a good year--with good times and hard times. And, now we have 2010--and I believe it's going to be the best year yet!! May God bless you in every way, may you dream big and hope with all fullness as we move into this New Year!

After a Long While....

Well, it has been a while since I've written...and that with good reason! Life has been pretty crazy, but things are finally calming down a bit.
We managed to finish up the school year--all of us--after making it through the Swine Flu and the resulting extended school year. But, the end of school did not bring rest! My brother, Jeph, and his family arrived the weekend we finished up school and graduations (Megan graduated from secondary school, Andrew graduated from primary school, and I preached the graduation sermon for the seminary!). That weekend before my brother arrived, we moved over to our new house...and not everything was moved! Still, we thoroughly enjoyed my brother and his family--even got to visit some places we'd never been in our area of México: Saltillo and Santiago de Nuevo Leon. The cousins had a great time together--first time in two years! Then, all the Virginia Herrins left....
We put the rest of the house together, got the rest of the painting done, and finally settled into some "do nothing" mode. Of course, that lasted about a week...and here we go again! Jesse started classes this past Monday (Aug. 3) and so did Jeanne. Jeanne has moved from the primary program at the Misiones campus to the high-school (Prepa) program at the Insurgentes campus...so, her classes began Monday, after they hired her last Friday! So, life is going again.
Megan and Andrew and I all start schooling on August 24th...and we'll be happy to see that day come. We'll fall in a rhythm again, and that somehow always makes life a little easier....
Meanwhile, we are thoroughly enjoying our new community. The children gather most evening in front of our house (and did so long before we moved here!) to play in the street and just hang out. Brandon, Francisco, Gregorio, Susanna, Evelin, Eric and others are often there and love to talk to the "gringos." We are also getting to know their parents, brothers and sisters, cousins...and anyone else who might be around! ha, ha. It is wonderful to be in a place where we can know people like this, where we can begin to share our lives in more and more meaningful ways.
We are confirmed in our move here...learning more and more each day about how God is working around us...and striving to live life one day at a time, sharing God's love and grace however we can.

Wise as Serpents...Innocent as Doves

In a technical sense, I am a missionary. I am one of those set aside by the Church and commissioned to serve outside the immediate community of my local church, in a cross-cultural setting. I know this. However, I almost NEVER introduce myself as a missionary. Why is that?
In October this past year, I had the wonderful honor and opportunity of attending an international conference that our sending-agency held in Prague, Czech Republic. I boarded the plane here in Monterrey for the first jump to Atlanta, GA. The plane was almost full, and I was seated in the last row...with a woman from Monterrey. She was probably in her mid-to-late 40's. We exchanged greetings...and began to chat. She, I learned, was on her way to Italy for the vacation of a life-time, was going to meet her boyfriend there for a two-week stay at a luxury villa. We talked about Monterrey...the changes she has seen...the education system...our families...and a bunch of other things.
At the beginning of the conversation, when she asked, I introduced myself as "a professor." After all, that is what I DO...I'm a missionary serving as a professor at the John Wesley Seminary. Throughout the conversation that happily (for me) filled the 2-hour flight to Atlanta, I gradually revealed my connection to the Church...and some more aspects of our work and ministry.
As we touched down in Atlanta and were standing to gather our stuff, she turned to me and asked, "So...are you like a pastor or something???"
I responded, "Yes, I'm a Methodist minister teaching at the seminary."
If I could have captured the look on her face! She said, "I can't believe I talked with an evangelical pastor all the way from Monterrey to Atlanta!!" She then turned to the fellow who had been seated in front of us and said to him, "I can't believe it--I talked to a pastor all the way!!!"
If I had sat down from the beginning and introduced myself as a pastor and missionary, I am certain that it would have been a very quiet and uneventful flight from MTY to ATL.
Of course, I'm not "ashamed" of who I am or what I do--far from it. I love what I do. However, I also know how people react to what I do. For me, it is much more important that I keep doors of communication open. Announcing my religious vocation tends not to be a great door opener!!
As a minister and pastor, I have no problem introducing myself as an educator, community development worker, or leadership consultant. These all fall under what I do as a pastor/minister/missionary...and most important of all, in our culture here that generally holds Protestant/evangelicals in suspicion and at arms-length, presenting myself in one of these innocuous roles keeps the doors of communication wide-open so that relationships can develop...and discipleship can begin.
This way of living, I believe, is what Jesus meant when he said we are to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Mat.10:16). I hope that the lady on the flight to Atlanta is still telling that story, of how she talked for almost two hours with some "evangelical pastor." Our gentle, non-confrontational interaction just may have laid the groundwork for someone else, for another passionate Christian to come along and now find an open door to evangelicals in her life.
"I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; therefore, be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves" Matthew 10:16

The JAM...and She Did it AGAIN!

Well, looks like the Megan is really going for it all this year!
This past trimester, Megan participated in the annual speech competition. And, she took 2ND PLACE! Her topic was "Understanding the difference between needs and wants." Go, Meg, go!
Then, when the academic reports came out this past week, she also learned that she is 2ND in her class academically!! What next will this girl do!! We are so proud of her.
Of course, the rest of the JAM are doing great as well--Jesse holds 1ST PLACE in her class...and Andrew is sporting all A's!!! Not that I'm a proud father or anything, but these Herrin kids are doing great!!

The Swine-Flu in Monterrey...

You have seen it in the news...and seen it, and seen it! So, what is it like here...on the "front lines," so to speak?? Tough...but not nearly as bad as it could have been!
We were very happy to see the Mexican government become so pro-active as soon as it was clear that there was a very present danger in all of this. One of the first things the government did was encourage people to avoid social gatherings. And they followed that almost immediately with the closing of all schools, theatres, sports events and even religious gatherings. Restaurants in many areas were limited to "carry-out" only. From Monday, April 27 through Wed., May 6, our city was kind of like a ghost-town.
People really did all they could to avoid being outside among others in a effort to stop the spread of the influenza. We did our part to comply with the government wishes, staying in-doors most of the time, watching movies on DVD and reading books. We communicated with our friends here through phone calls and e-mail, taking every opportunity to encourage them.
Many people here live in fear...and this influenza certainly touched that part of their lives. Some folks were terrified...and all the hype about "the Spanish Influenza" of 1918 didn't help! So, we understood that part of our ministry was to quell fears, offer hope...to be a "calm in the storm."
Thankfully, the government's measures seem to have had a positive effect. With everyone home watching television and listening to radio, the government was able to bombard the population with flu prevention measures they could take, and basic anti-flu hygiene (wash hands, wash hands, wash hands!) While there are new flu cases appearing, things are not nearly as bad as they could have been.
All in all, while it certainly has not been easy time, the Lord has shown himself to be faithful through the calming presence of his Spirit. Please continue to pray for Mexico as the people wrestle with long-held fears and superstitions. And, pray that we can be the "calm in the storm" that they need.

CALHOUN FIRST UMC MISSION TEAM!!!

On Saturday, April 4, a youth mission team from the Calhoun First UMC in north Georgia arrived to work at the John Wesley Methodist Seminary and to minister with the San Pablo Methodist Church. The fifteen team members--five adults and ten youth--arrived full of energy and enthusiasm...and it didn't diminish the entire week!!!

Sunday morning we went to the San Pablo church where we worshiped together and Pastor Brian from Calhoun preached. After the service, we gathered on the roof of the church (soon to be the new sanctuary of the church) for lunch--rice, beans, beef stew and nopales (stewed cactus!). After eating together...the church had games planned--and it was a blast to see the American young people who spoke no Spanish playing, dancing, and laughing together with the Mexican young people who spoke no English! Indeed, there is much in our life of faith that goes beyond language!

Monday morning we hit the seminary at full tilt, taking over where the Asbury UMC (Tulsa, OK) left off in replacing the first floor of the seminary. About six of the youth from San Pablo joined us all as we pulled up the old floor, put down the new flooring, laid the tile, painted the walls, stained and put down trim.... It was a lot of work, some of it quite tedious...but we all pulled together for a wonderful finish.

In the afternoons, after a late lunch and a little rest, we went over to the San Pablo church for afternoon Bible schools. The children were wonderful...and the youth from Calhoun put together some rather creative story-telling to share the Good News of the Bible. Our children--Jesse, Megan and Andrew--did all of the translations for these Bible Schools, and did a GREAT job.
Thursday night, we joined San Pablo for a Communion Service...and for the "Good-Bye." After only one week together, wonderful friendships had already been forged...and many tears we shed. The Calhoun Youth and the San Pablo Youth overcame the language barrier through that greater universal language of love. Even though we all said "good-bye" that evening, it wasn't over yet! When the Calhoun team got to the airport to leave the next morning, the San Pablo youth showed up there...posters and pictures in hand...and they sat in the airport and sang a farewell song for the Calhoun team. Another time of tears and good-byes...and the Calhoun team had to go to the gate.

Of course, we laid a beautiful floor at the seminary...and we taught children the eternal stories of Scripture--but the greatest part of the trip may well have been the relationships that were formed between people of differing lands, cultures and languages. Both Calhoun and San Pablo will never be the same, all because 10 teenagers (and five adults) in north Georgia gave up their "Spring Break" to travel to Monterrey. Thank you, Calhoun First UMC...for coming, for giving, and for sharing your love and the love of God with us here!