Scaffolding

As many of you will know Mexico has played a hugely significant part in our lives for a long time now. I think it was before we were engaged that we were first asked by our local church, Carrubbers Christian Centre in Edinburgh, to consider leading a team to work alongside Fidel with the street kids for a month back in 2001. It was during that visit that we felt called to return for a season to continue working with the street kid ministry. Three years later we were back in Mexico under the care and supervision of OMS International. For just over a year our main focus was the work God had called us back to - the newly named Proyecto MEFI. It was during that time that Alex and Paty were added to the team.

After a further year in N. Ireland where Tabitha was born, we were back in Mexico City having felt that God had more work for us to do in the ministry.

We have learned the analogy that missionaries should be like scaffolding - they support the national structure until it is ready to support itself. What we really wanted to see was a Mexican team: called, gifted and prepared to lead the ministry forward. Since the beginning of this year Andrew has felt that the 'building' might soon be ready to stand alone.

In Fidel, Juana, Alex and Paty we have some gifted, passionate and faithful workers. Over and over again we have been amazed as we have seen the selfless way they have loved the kids and the ministry and have seen kids come to know Christ and leave the streets as a result. They are based out of a fabulous, remodelled centre which is beginning to serve as a local church and have vision for the future of the ministry.

The ministry is by no means complete. Future plans could include a drug rehab facility, live-in accommodation, micro-enterprise development, more drop-in centres etc. etc. What is important is that though the work is still relatively small it is now ready to be lead by the current team. As the national church becomes more aware of the ministry and gets increasingly behind it financially and with personnel it may be able to grow in some of these areas. Currently the team is supervised by our pastor and national church president, Miguel Romero who visits the team weekly. We are happy that he is a wise and Godly person to have helping and encouraging the team.

So what about us, the scaffolding? Well Mexico is a big country with many needs. Since the start of the year Andrew has been asked to consider different ministry possibilities on the field. With prayerful consideration he hasn't felt that was the way God was leading him. When we went home a few weeks ago it was a good chance for us to have some time apart to pray and consider some more. There is no doubt that God has been closing and opening doors in an obvious way. We clearly feel that the door has been opened on the other side of the Atlantic, back in Scotland. We are excited about the opportunity of full-time ministry in what in many ways is a similar ministry just outside of Edinburgh.

Of course, this was not an easy decision to make. There are times when the ministry is difficult and we would gladly jump on the first airplane home. But when that reality begins to sink in we realise that there are so many things we have grown to love here in Mexico, not least it's people. Over the next few months I imagine that we may process some of those thoughts here on the blog.

So what is the timescale? Well, for the moment Andrew is still a necessary part of the MEFI team, particularly to help with effective communication between the members. He thinks the team will be ready to move forward themselves by autumn time and so we are looking at a return date before the end of the year.

You may have questions and we are more than happy to try and answer those if you write to us. We are so grateful for our experience here in Mexico and for how God has blessed us, led us and taught us so much. We are delighted to be able to continue to serve Him and as always our deepest desire is to see His name alone glorified and His kingdom extended all over the world.