Working With Wood

A few days a week, me and one of my friends Jordan go into town and work at the carpenter shop with our friend Chava. Chava is what I would consider a "Man of Peace" in this region. He is respected, influential, and quite open to spiritual things. I've really enjoyed getting to know him and his family.

Almost every time we go to work there, Chava's cousin, who we refer to as "Fat Chava", and his neighbor Edgar come and hang out with us as well. In Latin American cultures, I am learning that priority is always placed on relationship, rather than how much work you can get done each day. Many times we will stand around in the shop just talking, getting to know about each other and our families. It's a great time and I'm constantly blown away by how open all three of these men are to the ideas of following Jesus.

One day back in November, we were processing a bunch of lumber when Chava asked me if we needed any furniture for our apartment. I told him that we would love to have a table and he promptly pulled four boards out of the pile and set them aside. The next week, leading up to Thanksgiving, he stopped all his other work and taught me how to build the table above. I wanted to surprise Rachel with it, though it was driving her crazy that I was spending every free moment at the shop. I kept telling her to be patient and that soon she would understand. On Thanksgiving morning, I went down to the shop and helped Chava load the table into the back of Edgar's truck. When we delivered it to our apartment, Rachel was quite pleased and I think she pretty much forgave me for being away so much.

Please be praying with us for Chava, Fat Chava, and Edgar. All three of these men have a lot of family here in Tlaxiaco and I sense that if they really fall in love with Jesus, our time here will be short.

Davis' First Day

Missionary Kids Preschool Class

Waiting to go into the Schoolhouse

Jacket, Snack, Backpack...ready!

My neighbor and friend, Jenna, opened up a preschool for the kids on the missionary base. They learn one letter a week, sing songs, finger paint, have snack time...I just can't believe how real it all is. When Jenna told me she wanted to do preschool for the little kids, I thought she meant a few random toddler activities. When she gave me the list of required items for Davis to bring, I giggled. She was totally serious.

So, as I packed Davis his own water bottle, juice box, snack, art smock, and sanitary hand wipes all into his little backpack, I realized how big this is for him--and me. Much to her delight, Davis asked Zaisy to walk him to class. As the other kids came in and sat at their prepared name plates, I felt like a pioneer woman in a new land, sending the children to the schoolhouse to learn to read and write with the local schoolteacher. A community coming together to make a new life in new land. I loved it.

Thanks Jenna for using what God has given you to make a difference. See you on Tuesday!

Journey to the Center of the Earth

One night while we were in the States some of our friends asked us some detailed questions about driving through Mexico. That got me reflecting on the AWESOME grace and mercy the Lord has shown us on all the crazy Mexican highways. This last trip down was just as amazing. Half an hour into the country I did get pulled over for speeding and had to pay a $100 peso bribe…and that was not fun. But it was a good reminder to slow down and obey the laws of the land.
Another time, while reaching down to grab a cookie, I missed an exit. Not a big deal, but it did send us on a two hour detour and got us stuck in traffic in some random city…also, not fun. Live and learn. I was so frustrated the whole time we were lost but I kept sensing that we were avoiding something bad with the delay. Sure enough, a couple hours down the road, the highway was backed up for miles with what appeared to be a bad accident. We were directed to a old cobblestone highway that was shaded with a canopy of trees. We got to travel on that for about an hour and it was beautiful.
40 hours of driving gives you A LOT of time to think. Someday I’ll get all those thoughts written out, but this blog is not that time.
I had borrowed a Monster energy drink from Jim’s garage and I saved it for the last leg of the journey. I’d never drank one of those before. WOW! My whole body was asleep by the time we got here, but my mind and my eyes would not shut off ‘til several hours later.
Getting back to Tlaxiaco is amazing. When we left here, the climate was very cold and winter-like. We returned to Spring/early Summer conditions. I love it!
We also returned to great news about my carpenter friend Chava and his cousin “Fat Chava” (we call him “Fat Chava” because they’re both named Chava and he is the fatter one)…I know, very creative. Anyways, both of these men have become very interested and receptive towards spiritual things. Please be praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to move in their lives. They both have so much family here that if they really get lit on fire for God and their families follow…watch out Mexico!
Money-wise, things are going great! We’re at 26 of 30 days covered. We still have four slots available, so if you’d like to join “Team Nagel” please do not delay. We also found out today that we’ve had about $3000 come in toward our $8000 tuition fees. Praise God!
So, we’re busy getting back into the groove of our Mexican lifestyle. We are happy to be here and it’s so exciting to see all the great things that the Holy Spirit is doing here. I sense that a revolution is brewing down here and when it really takes off it will be like trying to hang on to the bumper of a speeding car!

I've Got a Golden Ticket

In the new version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, there is a scene where Charlie is verbally contemplating selling his golden ticket to help provide financially for his family. His grouchy grandpa pulls him aside and says something to the effect of, “Charlie, there is plenty of money in the world. In fact, they print more every day. But this is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity which you must not pass up!”
I’ve never been very good at being your typical anything. After a year of being a full-time missionary, I find that I’m not a very good at fitting that mold either. I still love to drink a Guinness with my friends. I still cuss. And on cold nights, I still love to sneak out to have a puff on my corn-cob pipe.
Despite the many flaws in my life, the Lord continues to use me and my family. When we came to the States for a visit this last summer, Rachel and I could barely tolerate the idea of going back to Mexico. It made us sick-to-the-stomach. Before we crossed the border, we stopped at a Walmart in Harlingen, TX. After doing some shopping and dragging our feet, we looked at each other and with tears in our eyes we started to laugh. We both agreed that no one was forcing us to go back, but if we didn’t, we would never know.
Going back was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The progress we’ve made with the language and the many Mexican friendships that have developed over the past four months are priceless to us. Especially, my friend Chava the carpenter. Working side-by-side with him, eating meals in his house, and getting to know all of his family and extended family, has been a delight to my soul. I would love for them all to fall in love for Jesus. So much we would have missed out on if we would not have pushed past the pain of our emotions.
Strangely enough, as much as we love visiting all of our family and friends, it now pains me very much to be away from Mexico. I can’t wait to get back!
We do need money to get back. The training program that we are going through costs $8,000. We told them we would try to have $4,000 to them in January, $2,000 in February, and the final $2,000 in March. At this point…we have a long way to go.
We are also currently raising up a team of 30 supporters that will commit to at least $50 a month to cover our expenses. We’re about half-way there.
I’m not a fan of using the guilt-you-into-it method, or even using phrases like, “Partner with us.” They all feel too cheesy to me. The simple truth is…we need money. If you’re looking for a good cause to give to, we’re it. This is our once-in-a-life-time opportunity, this is our golden ticket, and we don’t want to pass it up!
Here’s a guarantee that we can offer you: When you give to the Nagels you will never get the typical results because quite frankly…we are anything but typical!