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June trip highlights from Melanie Fannin:
2015 Marks the High School Graduation of Six Sponsored Teens
Five of our teenage sponsored children will graduate this month from “Prepa” or what we call high school. We celebrated with four of the graduates and their families on Saturday, June 6. Three of the four who were present for the celebration plan to continue their studies at the university in Nuevo Laredo. The students who graduated are Edgar (#72), Maria (#253), Karina (#118), Elsa (#243), and Gabriela (#238).
Three Parents of Sponsored Children Return to School
We are so excited and pleased to learn that three of our sponsored children’s parents returned to school this year to complete their “Secundaria” studies. Each of the parents had left school early because of financial and family obligations. And, each of them have children who recently completed Prepa and are currently or will soon be in college.
One family had considered pulling their daughter out of school when she turned 15. We appealed to them to allow her to complete her high school diploma and offered support to assist in that effort. She has just graduated from high school and is enrolled in university this fall. Her parents credit her success in school with their decision to both return to school to complete their educations. Perhaps God’s plan is for MTM to start a sponsorship program for the parents to support them in reaching their educational goals!
168 Sponsored Children Measured for Uniforms and Shoes
As always the June trip was hectic for the volunteers. They stayed very busy measuring 168 children for uniform shirts and shoes to be delivered, along with backpacks and school supplies, in August. Apparently we are finally figuring out how to accomplish that goal in record time while still being sure to properly measure each child so as to minimize the chaos and disappointment when shoes and shirts don’t fit. Thank you volunteers for a job extremely well done!
Return of the Prodigal Niña
Our prayers were answered when one of our first (#7) young girls in the Sponsorship Program returned to the fold. She had experienced difficultly in providing grades to demonstrate both that she is currently in school and is progressing in her education. After several unheeded appeals to her mother to please bring the grades so that her daughter could continue in the program, we suspected she was not in school. To our surprise and joy, we were proved wrong. In June she and her mother arrived with current grades in hand. The frosting on the cake is that she has a 94% average for the current school year! Thanks be to the Lord and our savior Jesus Christ.
Reflection by Belma Villareal:
Every MTM trip is an inspiration to me. I share my experiences with co-workers on the growth of these families and the many ways we are able to assist them. I am blessed to see these families become more independent, embrace the value of education, and grow spiritually (especially on Saturday when Deacon Mike is working with his group). I believe this would not be possible without MTM assistance. However, this trip was more profound for me than I have experienced during my five years of going to Mexico.
A particular mom approached me asking if her nine year old son could be enrolled in the Sponsorship program. Waitlisted, and scheduled to be enrolled in April, his mom did not have the proper documents required for enrollment at that time. (Rachel had agreed that if mom brought the grades in June, we would enroll her child). She was speaking to me in Nahuati (her native language and the language of our Lady of Guadalupe) and as another mom translated for us, she and her child cried tears of joy, grateful to us for enrolling her son. I saw her again at the grocery distribution on Saturday, and again she thanked MTM for all we do for these families at the Colonia. I welcomed her to our sponsorship family. God is good!!!!
Words of Wisdom from Deacon Mike:
May of 2015 was going to be a time that I would have to make difficult decisions that would hurt feelings and disappoint certain people. On June 7, a good friend was to be ordained to the priesthood in Austin. I was excited about this and could not miss the awesomely moving ceremony that would involve two bishops and a hundred priests, many deacons, acolytes, servers and very talented musicians. The historic ceremony, unchanged over many centuries, is captivating to the mind and tantalizing to the soul for all those who witness the sacrament.
Then came conflict number one. My second cousin was scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in the Victoria Diocese. All the family was excited, for this was the first priest in the family for many, many years, and they invited every human being they probably ever met to come to the ordination. It would parallel to the one in Austin except for the clergy present.
Blood being thicker than water (whatever that really means?) I decided to go to my cousin's ordination. Alberto (my friend of the last year, with whom I visited almost daily) would just have to understand. Then, a personal invitation changed my mind yet again. Flip-flopping took its toll on me, until I realized June 7th was the day I had hoped to go to Nuevo Laredo with Mission to Mexico. I knew what I would do, what I had to do.
Ordinations for priests are so moving and hauntingly beautiful, they bring me to tears. But, some day I will have to stand before the Almighty and He will ask "What did you do for the LEAST of your brothers and sisters? Did you love the poor, provide for them, teach them, pray with and for them?" Although it's inspirational beyond description, God will not ask, "Did you go to a holy Ordination of your friend/relative?" I had no doubt as to what I would do that Saturday morning. I knew I would see the Lord Jesus, face to face, in the poor in Mexico and I had to be there to embrace and love my Lord Jesus, the Christ. My decision was right! I needed to touch and be touched by the Lord disguised as a person. My heart was lifted up and my spirit soared into the clouds as I visited with these blessed and holy people. We prayed together and offered gifts to many, and I drove back home with only prayer in my mind (and on my lips)--didn't even stop in Encinal for a cerveza.
The two new priests-I do love them and would liked to have been with them I will see again. I can't speak for the many good people who did attend their ordinations, but for me, it was the right choice to again find Christ in the Colonia.
If you haven't found Christ in Nuevo Laredo yet, don't feel left out. He's found you! You just didn't recognize Him, like the apostles on their trip to Emmaus. They walked and talked to the Risen Lord for hours, yet didn't recognize Him until they broke bread that evening.
Just a suggestion, let's together meet Jesus in His poor at the August Mission to Mexico.
Rachel's Message
Thankfully, we are able to continue our mission work because of your generosity of time, talent and treasure. Gracias for your continued support. God bless you!
Amor y paz,
Rachel Fannin
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