Saludos desde Mexico
“Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever." Jeremiah 33:11
|
|
Hola <<First Name>>!
We pray this letter finds you filled with peace, joy and thankfulness despite all the current unknowns.
|
|
A Quick Summary
In a nutshell we are continuing in our Spanish language and Mexican culture studies.
- We are in our 14th week of Spanish study
- We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary
- We were able to travel to Mexico City with our teammates
- Isei turned 13 years old
- Our city is in "Red" in the stoplight system, and locked down tightly
- The kids are doing school remotely online
|
|
 Our City is in Lockdown (again)
Mexico has adhered to a stoplight system since the virus broke out. As of October 23rd the state of Chihuahua has been put back into the highest restriction of "Red".
Being in "Red" means:
- We must wear a mask at all times while we are outside the house
- No public or private gatherings
- Everyone is asked to stay at home except necessary outings
- No riding in the car with anyone besides immediate family
- Many retail stores, restaurants, and parks closed
- Grocery stores and larger stores close by 7pm M-F, and completely closed weekends
- Churches are closed
The temperature check continues, with a stationary forehead scanner, required hand sanitizer, shoe sanitization, and often age verification when entering a store.
This means that Ayin and Isei's school has moved online. We are very thankful to have teachers and a biblically based curriculum for the kids to follow. It removes stress from us as parents and allows us to devote more time to language study. Even so, moving to online classes has impacted our time in Spanish quite a bit.
Before the lockdown we were in a good rhythm and routine. We're seeking to get back into that, but it's proving difficult when live classes are happening throughout the day. It's much harder to find a consistent time to devote to Spanish studies. Gamaiel is responsible for 40 hours a week and Rebecca is responsible for 24. We are still managing to get our hours in thankfully.
We trust that the Lord has placed us here during this unique time in history. Learning culture and language while being restrained in our home is a huge challenge, but we know nothing is impossible for the Lord (Matthew 19:26), and His timing is always perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:1). He continues to refine us through this season of life (1 Peter 1:6-7).
|
|
MEXICO CITY
We recently had the awesome opportunity to visit Mexico City with our E2* teammates. Travel was still allowed, the city was open, plane tickets and hotels were super cheap, and everyone felt up to the challenge. We're thankful we were able to make the trip.
We stayed for a week, and explored this historically rich city, lead by our awesome language helper, Paty. She grew up in Mexico City, so we knew all the best places to go and how to get there. We had a great time and learned a ton.
In this photo we are standing in front of the President's house at Los Pinos, although at the moment the president is living in a different place since this one basically represents the other party.
*E2 means "Equipping 2" - learning the national language and culture. The current team is our Spanish language and Mexican culture study group. When we move into the tribe we will be in E3, learning the tribal language and culture. Our E2 teammates are potential E3 teammates. Lord knows! (E1 was all of our training and support raising.)
|
|
PHOTO 1: Our first morning in Mexico City we found a vendor selling tamales and hot chocolate from his bike. They were wrapped in banana leaves and the masa was much smoother than we are used to. They were really delicious.
PHOTO 2: We got to float down the river in Xochimilco (which in Nahuatl means "the flowerbed") in a boat called a "trajinera".
PHOTO 3: The market in Coyoacán was filled with beautiful colors and flowers.
PHOTO 4: These were our favorite tacos in Mexico city, which we randomly found while we wondering through the Mercado in Xochimilco.
|
|
The Virgin of Guadalupe
While we were in Mexico City we visited the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This is the place where in 1531 she appeared to a native Nahuatl man named Juan Diego. To prove her appearance she miraculously impressed her image upon his mantle, which is framed in the photo above.
We are beginning to learn more about the Virgin of Guadalupe and how she holds the hearts of many Mexicans. We still have a lot to learn about her and her sway over much of Mexico.
|
|
|
Here are some more places where we've seen the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
|
|
Hiking Up Cerro del Pescado (Fish Mountain)
During this time in "red" we are told not to leave our houses unless it's a necessary outing. A few days ago we found it very necessary to escape our house and go for a hike up a nearby mountain.
It was such a blessing to be able to be allowed some fresh air in the great outdoors. A policeman drove up as we were getting ready to start, and thank the Lord he just turned right around and let us continue on our adventure.
The view of the city was quite beautiful, and Chulita was extremely excited to be able to prance up the mountain.
|
|
Los Niños
Isei and Ayin are continuing to do great despite the current lockdowns. Isei stays busy with his school work and looks forward to finishing everyday. Ayin does really well in school as well, so we are very thankful for that.
Isei celebrated his 13th birthday on October 29th. So it's official, we have a teenager. Yikes! Ayin's birthday is coming up on December 13th, and Gamaiel's is December 19th.
Ayin's favorite playmate these days is our puppy Chulita. We are so thankful that we found her when we did. She's a joy to us.
|
|
This is a scripture that we are praying over our people group and over the lost of Mexico. It seems like such hard spiritual ground. Rebecca's Grandmother reminded us of this scripture after she was explaining the most obvious spiritual obstacle in front of us. It's His Word that breaks up the rock and hard soil. We are clinging to this promises of God.
|
|
New Contact Info
Our new mailing address is:
Gamaiel and Rebecca Zavala
10101 Dellwood Dr.
El Paso, TX 79924
We can get packages and letters here. Mail takes a while to get to us since there's an additional trip from El Paso to Chihuahua, which is dependent on whoever is passing through and able to take our mail down. It is very rare these days to get mail since the state is locked down, but it is possible.
Text us on WhatsApp anytime:
Gamaiel (805) 570-9728
Rebecca (805) 452-5449
Download WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/
Instagram:
Rebecca posts on Instagram frequently, so if you'd like more updates follow us there:
www.instagram.com/gamznbecz/
|
|
PRAISES
- We have found language helpers
- We got to go to Mexico City
- The Lord is so faithful to continually provide for us
PRAYER REQUESTS
- For our hearts and desires to be aligned with the Lord's will
- For our kids to be encouraged while learning remotely
- For Gamaiel and Rebecca to be encouraged in Spanish study
- For our promised and remaining support to come through
- For our future people group in Mexico - that God would begin working in their hearts now
DO YOU NEED PRAYER?
<<First Name>> - thank you so much for praying for us. We are so thankful for you. We would love to pray for you too. Please email us your prayer requests by replying to this email, or WhatsApp Rebecca at: (805) 452-5449
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. - Psalm 145:17-19
|
|
|
Would You Like to Join Us?
Do you want to be involved in God's mission but don't know how? Become part of our stateside team to help us reach the unreached of Mexico.
Would you prayerfully consider supporting us and our ministry?
|
|
CONTACT:
Our shared email address: gamznbecz@gmail.com
You can view past newsletters and more on our website: gamznbecz.com
Text or WhatsApp us anytime at: 805-452-5449
Get frequent updates by following us on our new Instagram account @gamznbecz
|
|
|
|
|
|
