June in Puebla
Greetings from Mexico! Pumpkin and I have lived here for more than a month. I'm learning a lot and am thankful for your ongoing support of my missionary service with One Mission Society (OMS). My last several weeks have been an adventure (good and hard) filled with opportunities to depend on and represent Christ every day.
Temporary Residency
I'm excited to officially be a temporary resident of Mexico! Through God's grace and diligent efforts of the lawyer OMS works with in Mexico, I was approved and received my card on Friday, June 9 in Mexico City! This is an answer to many prayers and will help me build a more permanent life in Mexico. (I will renew my temporary residency in June 2026.)
Language School and Ministry
As you know, I started language school in Puebla, Mexico, on June 2. This has been stretching in all kinds of ways, and learning Spanish is just one of them! While some students are Christian missionaries with a different organization, the majority are either Catholic seminarians or not religious (as far as I’ve experienced). Every person has been kind and fun to interact with, including my teachers.
Praise the Lord for some really fascinating spiritual conversations I’ve had with other students. Please pray for me to be a faithful ambassador for Christ, who knew my mission field would start immediately. I do thank God for the friends he has brought me and will continue to provide throughout my time here.
Weekday Schedule
We have class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a half hour break around 11 a.m. For lunch, many of us eat at a Mexican buffet nearby that has an agreement with the school (cost included in our tuition). Each afternoon holds two hours of one-on-one Spanish conversation (and/or walking Puebla) with a Mexican conversation partner/guide. The days are long, but the first five weeks have flown by!
I began in Level 4 (out of 8) and received a certificate of completion for this level on Friday, June 20! I'm now studying in Level 5. I have two classmates and a great instructor. Please pray for the Lord to continue allowing me to soak up Spanish grammar, learn and remember many vocabulary words, and grow in my confidence understanding and speaking Spanish.
Embracing and Exploring Puebla
I enjoy opportunities to learn about Puebla's fascinating history and how it fits into Mexico's history. It's especially fun to visit museums and other historic places during afternoons with a Mexican guide who can answer questions and fill in the gaps in my knowledge.
Below are a variety of pictures: Puebla cathedrals, visiting the house where the Mexican Revolution began (hence the bullet holes in the mirror!), and walking through history in Puebla's tunnels. The more I learn about Mexico's religious and historical background, the more fascinated I am and the more I desire for those around me to have a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
How Is Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is great! Sweet P has much more time alone these days. I’m thankful for a safe room for her to stay in, an automatic feeder, and a long hallway where she can chase toys and release pent-up energy. More than anything, I’m grateful for her presence that makes me feel at home amid so many changes.
Praises and Prayer Requests
There's much to praise God for and much I still need prayer for! In addition to thanksgiving and prayer needs mentioned throughout this update, I have two more specific ways you can pray:
-God’s grace and daily wisdom as I continue to adapt to life in Mexico.
-Next week (July 13-18) is OMS' biennial Latin America/Caribbean regional retreat. Many OMSers, including me, will meet in Quito, Ecuador, for a time of refreshment, fellowship, adventures, and personal/team development. Please pray for safe travels, great connections, and Pumpkin. A big praise is that the Lord brought me (via a trusted app) the right pet care for her (in Puebla) while I'm away.
You're a blessing to me, and I'm ever grateful for you!
