Through the Eyes of First-Timers

A few updates before I begin: Jonah and I are doing well and getting ready for our wedding in just two short months!

• I started back with the Girls' school this semester,: still three days a week: 12 voice students, English, choir, music theory, and a one on one literature/English class! I am currently raising funds for my salary to continue teaching and also ministry in Reynosa, Mexico!
• Jonah is still going to school once a week, but he started a full time job two weeks ago with Rainbow International. It is such a blessing for us to have some steady income. Jonah loves his new job and hopes to be able to work his way up in the company. God truly provides all of our needs!
• How you can pray for us: That we continue to seek God in every aspect of our ministry in these last two months of being an engaged couple, that we communicate well, and go to God as we prepare to begin our marriage. Also pray for more support so that I can continue teaching at the girls' school. I feel that God wants me to stay, and I know the funds will come. 

My first trip to Mexico was Summer of 2010. To some, this would seem like second, but for me it seems like a lifetime. While I remember it having a huge impact on my life, feeling many emotions, it's hard to remember the exact thoughts I had experiencing Mexico for the first time. This week I met a group from Illinois called the Carpenter's Crew (who was here on a building trip with Bruce and Paula Hepburn) and got to see Mexico through their eyes, and the eyes of the first-timers. Their testimonies brought back a flood of emotions: How they felt overwhelmed seeing extreme poverty for the first time, how they yearned for joy like the people of our colonia have, so much so that a woman from the group became our new sister in Christ! Many of them said similar things that I remembered thinking on my first trip like, "I came here to bless and left having been blessed!" It's so true. We always have the intention of helping them, and leave feeling like they helped us. That's the beauty of doing the Lord's work and something everyone should experience! He will bless you immensely for being obedient and working to spread the gospel.

This group also got to visit the girls school, some for the first time, and we performed for them and prayed for them individually. I was so proud of my girls for touching their hearts. Again, the group came to provide lunch and help them, but they left feeling like they had been blessed by the girls!

Because of the girls' impact, and the Lord's Will, the group was able to bring together $3000 for our Reynosa girls' sponsorships! Now we have $8,000/$12,500, only lacking $4,500 for the year! Click here to see how you can help complete the goal. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with joy!
Below are a few pictures from my day with The Carpenter's Crew at the house dedication.

As always, thank you for reading and for your support! 

Do you find yourself wanting to DO something, but don't know how?

I've heard so many people say recently: 

"I'd really love to help, but I don't know how..."

"I've felt called lately to DO something but I don't know what to do..."

Paola, Tali, Alma, Yaeli, and Cinthia.

These five young women wish to join our three "Reynosa Girls" we have now in Texas at the Regional Bible Institute, an exemplary boarding school for Mexican girls. 

Here, they can receive a Christian education learning how to grow as women of Christ. 

There are rules, schedules, discipline, but most importantly family, love, and support. 

The girls have met with current students and with myself (who teaches there three days a week) and are fully aware of the commitment and hard work it will take to pursue this. They are ready!

We will also meet with them all again once the paperwork process starts. 

This is a HUGE opportunity for them to learn, grow, have a degree from a good school, and most importantly to have a bright future living their lives for the Lord. 

Most of the girls have big dreams! They want to be able to work and give back to Mexico, some want to get a good job to help get their families out of poverty, one girl wants to learn as many languages as possible and travel the world as a missionary, one of our very own wants to be a veterinarian, all want to be amazing wives and mothers to their future husbands and children. 

The school gives the girls a chance whereas 

they may not have one in their current situation. 

Now there are many ways we can do this, but it will get done. 

We want to get started ASAP with paperwork for the 2015-2016 school year!

These girls have a dream and the only thing standing in their way is funding. 

So the elephant in the room, what does it cost? 

For all of them: $12,500

Each: $2500

Contact me for more info: emilymichele2819@gmail.com

A few options for you or your church/family/friends.
Each sponsor or group of sponsors will be able to:
write letters, pray for her, receive updates and pictures as requested. 
I am there every week! 

1. Individual Sponsors!

Have a one on one pen pal relationship!

$2500 a year which includes:

$700 for paperwork (passport/visa/travel to consulate)

$150 a month (tuition, personal needs, school supplies, etc.)

2. Co-Sponsors (2 people): 

share a girl with a friend or family member!

$1250 each:

$350 each for paperwork

$75 a month

3. Groups 

Sunday School, Workplace, Youth Group, Church, Sororities, Clubs, any organization!

I'll even do the math for you, you're welcome!

25 people:

$100 total

$28 upfront

$6 a month

50 people:

$50 total

$14 upfront

$3 a month

75 people:

$35 total

$10 upfront

$2 a month

100 people: 

$25 total 

$7 upfront

$1.50 a month

"22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

James 1:22-25

We already have a commitment for one of the girls above: Tali. 

So now, four more to go! Please don't ignore these girls and their futures! 

I don't have the $10,000 it will take, 

and neither does our team, but God does, and TOGETHER we can be DOERS and DO this! 

"O come, let us adore Him!"

Wow it's been over a month since I've posted anything! My apologies. The holidays aren't any less busy here in The Valley that's for sure. The past two months being engaged has flown by. Not only am I (we, but really just me) long distance wedding planning, I decided now was a good time to have two weeks of guests, take a big test (that I PASSED!!!) give finals, prepare for a recital, and move apartments ALL while enjoying the holiday season!?!? But you know what? I have! Somehow the busyness hasn't been so busy. I'm tired and complain, but isn't that what the holidays are all about? Being tired and complaining? (The answer is no by the way.) En serio though, it has been quite wonderful. We've had visits from friends and family, some experiencing Mexico for the first or coming back for their second visit. We've had many large gatherings for Thanksgiving (both sides of the border) , and the iron bowl of course. We've enjoyed Valley Festivities, lights, parades, mariachi, and food, and are now preparing a trip to Alabama for Christmas. Whew. I'm tired from just writing that. (There's the complaining again) Why do we complain? It's like when we don't know what to say we just throw in a "man I'm just so tired." Or "gosh this season is always so busy." It is! But it's also a time to fellowship, build relationships, meet knew people, make new traditions, and celebrate the birth of Christ! I've been reading an advent devotional by #shereadstruth and she had done an amazing job day by day. In the festivities and added busyness, I've been able to stay focused and excited! Not for Santa and cookies and lights, but for Jesus! A verse featured on today's devotion was John 1:29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" He took it away guys! Something to celebrate? I think so! Celebrate in the busyness, rejoice with friends and family, focus your day on the coming of Christ, when you're tired, change that tiredness to thankfulness and joy! You can check out that devotion here at shereadstruth.com . We're on day 14 but it's not too late to join in!

Thanks again to Kerrie Williams (kerriewilliams.com) for taking these gorgeous photos! 

Parents and friends from Gadsden visited the canal the week before Thanksgiving. 

First Baptist McAllen prepared an amazing Thanksgiving meal for the people! 

Celebrated a family's one year anniversary in their home! 

Made a trip to the market for our first-timer. 

Celebrated Thanksgiving with my Mexico family this year. Love them! 

Saw the sights in Reynosa thanks to some amazing friends of ours!

Somehow moved apartments successfully and managed to decorate a little! 

McAllen posada and Christmas parade! 

And the Hidalgo Festival of Lights! 

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas Season with family and friends! Never forget the reason for the season, though. Feliz Cumpleaños Jesus Cristo!

Remember to check out shereadstruth.com! 

Save the Date: 04/25/2015

Our Story...

As many of you know, Jonah and I met two summers ago while on a mission trip to Mexico. It was my third summer and his first, but let me back up a little....

A few months before Jonah and I met, I was at my last straw with relationships. After being disrespected, cheated on, pressured, lied to... and not the mention, I CHOSE to be with these people. I let these boys hurt me. I liked them, loved them even. I cheated myself, lied to myself, disrespected myself, but more importantly I was disrespecting my Lord and Savior. I was looking for love and fulfillment from everyone BUT God. One half of me wanted to be a missionary and serve the Lord, and the other half was obsessed with finding the "perfect guy." I was done. done. and done. with that lifestyle. I knew that if I was going to be obedient that I had to stop focusing on relationships that were hurting me and holding me back, and start focusing on how I could better seek a relationship with God. I promised him that I wouldn't date anyone unless he was put in front of my face and said that he wanted to move to Mexico with me and be a missionary. (fat chance right? wrong.) Fast forward to July 2012... 

I went to Mexico for the third summer with Christ Central, Lifepoint, and Bayview. The project I worked on for the week was digging in some super hard rocky caliche to level the land and prepare for a house to be built in the coming weeks. This is where Jonah and I met: I was doing hard, dirty work, no make up, sweaty, bossy, and many other unattractive things so I thought. I didn't have gloves and Jonah lent me his, making that the first time he did something to take care of me. Now, there are too many to count! We spent the week talking, serving, sharing, etc. I was glad to have made such a good friend. I admired his love for the children and sensitivity to poverty. We worked alongside each other all week and I had no idea he would be my future husband. 

Jonah meeting William for the first time!

Obviously before the lending of the gloves ;)

When we got home, we both had a rough patch and turned to each other for guidance. I always trusted him and felt safe sharing but didn't know why. Not focusing too much on relationships, I didn't think much of it. He invited me to a few things at his church and to a small group with a lot of the people I met in Mexico who I now consider family! After a while of having a great friendship, Jonah asked me out to dinner to get to know me better: Mexican food and a walk in the park :) A boy had never asked me out on a date before. I had been on dates, yes, but someone saying, "I would like to take you to dinner and get to know you better," never. He pursued me in the most respectful way possible, something I had never felt before. I was still a little weary because of my vow to not date anymore, but this was different. I knew it. That night, Jonah told me he wanted to move to Mexico when he graduated. (Ok God, here is a boy, you put right in front of me, saying he wants to move to Mexico, I'm listening.) 

We continued to see each other at small group and go on dates. He was so patient with me wanting to take things slow. He never pushed, pressured, made me feel bad or anything for not wanting to be his girlfriend quite yet. Then he went to Mexico in November for his second trip and came back with some surprises! A few things from the kids, and this beautiful ring on the right with two simple words. I promise. That day we made a promise to each other that we wouldn't give up, we would seek the Lord's plan for our lives and follow him where he lead us. After that, we finally made it officially official with a beautiful formal with my AOII sisters. We really believed this was the real deal, but we kept that to ourselves for a while. 

Left: engagement ring. Right: Promise ring.

First formal with AOII.

The next two years were spent laughing, crying, adventuring, finishing school, dating, falling in love, making more trips to Mexico, and we slowly began to share future plans with friends and family!

Trip to the Zoo 2012

Stone Mountain 2013

Destin 2013

Mexico 2013

Mexico 2013 

 Last August, we got to send dear friends and fellow missionaries off to Texas. Watching them follow their calling was so encouraging for us to do the same the next year. We kept saying, this will be us next summer, ready? And we were, we were SO ready. In fact, Kerrie just wrote a blog post that would go perfectly right here. >"Who is called to be a Missionary?"  In short, if you're a believer, the answer is you."< While we are missionaries in the RGV/Mexico Border, YOU, my brothers and sisters in Christ, are also called to be a missionary right where you are! Or, maybe God is pushing you do relocate, either way, we are all called to be missionaries. Great timing, Kerrie ;)

Kerrie and Wades, send off party! 

The next year we made plans, actual plans to move! So surreal. We graduated, spoke at churches, raised money, apartment hunted, and here we are now!

After four months of living in Texas, Jonah Proposed! We're getting married! Last Saturday, he planned a birthday party for himself in Mexico and we made spaghetti for the colonia. With everyone there, we sang happy birthday. Jonah had disappeared behind me when I noticed the kids telling me to look! He was down on one knee. I couldn't help but tear up, and of course I said yes! It was perfect! A huge thank you to everyone who made it special, and to Kerrie for taking these wonderful pictures! 

It has been and continues to be an amazing journey. I can't wait to see where God takes us, whether we are forever here on the border, or relocated somewhere else. I am so thankful that God saved me from myself to show me there there was something better, and I'm not talking about Jonah. God. God was the something better. Jonah and I are a young, engaged couple and God has provided EVERYthing we need including amazing relationships. I know he will continue to provide for the rest of our lives together. Most importantly, God gave me a great partner. We both have a lot to learn, but I couldn't ask for a better person to learn with or a better place to do it! I love you, Jonah! 4/25/2015.

WE are Wonderfully Made!

These are two pictures I took recently, one with make up and hair fixed, and one without and hair thrown up. I am proud to say that I have come to a point where I am comfortable with both. Maybe not everyday, but most days. That is a start! Consistently battling with weight loss, make up was at least something I could use to enhance myself, but why couldn't I just love both! 

Something the people have shown me here is love, and not the fake kind of love on the surface,  but real deep love! I struggle with self image and have ups and downs with myself. But, if we believe that everything the Lord made is beautiful and perfect, why should we think any less of ourselves? Recently, two of the women in the colonia, both in the same day in fact, told me how beautiful I was. I said, well I actually fixed my hair today! I laughed, but they both had the same reaction. "Emily, even with your hair up and no make up you are beautiful! You're always beautiful!" (In Spanish of course) Usually when people say things like this I think "Oh they have to say that, they're just being nice." But these women were sincere and spoke out of love. I love that the women are so supportive. We talk about weight loss, and eating healthy and how hard it is sometimes. We help build each other up and keep each other accountable! God wanted me to hear those words that day to remind me that he made me and saw that I was good! Women and Men, walk around today with your head held high, whether you are at the beginning of weight loss, or just gained it all back. Whether you think you are too skinny, or too wrinkly, too tall, or too big boned, YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made by our perfect Lord! WE are wonderfully made! And WE are beautiful! 

I'll close with the complete 139th Psalm:

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:1-24 ESV)