Christmas Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We pray a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year for you and yours. We pray in gratitude for the prayers and blessings with which you have graced us, and our shared work in the Lord here in Mexico. 

Teresa Ramirez was 15 years old and attending Padre’s mission school when her Father was ambushed and murdered by drunken neighbors jealous of his ranching success. There wasn’t much law in the Sierras at that time, but eventually justice was done. Not however, until after her Mother was forced off the home place, the cattle stolen, and the family left destitute. Life is difficult everywhere, it is often brutal in remote areas of the Sierras. But Teresa was tough, a survivor, and with Padre Pascual’s example became a follower of Jesus.

Now, twenty years later, Teresa is teaching at the Albergue Fray Pascual, raising an adopted son as a single parent, and is an active member of the Albergue Association Board. She is also closing in on finishing her PhD. in Human Development. She is loving, focused, committed, and competent - a great example for students and staff at the school, as she teaches her primary class of 12 to 15, 6 to 9 year old students.  The other day she asked the students in her class what they would like to be when they grew up.  Every single one of the boys enthusiastically said they wanted to be narco-traffickers because they drive new trucks and have lots of money. Now there is a Merry Christmas reality check.  

Sure they’re just kids. When I was their age I wanted to be like Gene Autry, and Collette wanted to be a ballet dancer - didn’t happen.  But at least we had positive dreams.  What do these little guys and gals have to look forward to without the help of people like Teresa?  Not much.  Here’s another problem. Teresa can’t afford to stay and teach because she has a family to raise and a degree to finish.  Two years of working for nothing, because she cares, hasn’t helped her financial situation. The Albergue needs more people like Teresa, and they need to be paid a living wage. Not much by our U.S. standards, $200 a month does the job for a licensed teacher up here. 

There is good news. For every one of the younger students figuring out their dream, there are older students who are well on their way to understanding that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. Make no mistake, they are still vulnerable teens with all that that implies. Yet we are excited for their futures because they are receiving and responding to the Word.  God promises His Word never returns empty. God is developing His eternal Kingdom right here, right now.  Joy to the world, the King has come!

Thanks for all of your help, we deeply appreciate you.  Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!

Tom and Collette

 

 Teresa with a few of her students.

November Newsletter

Dear Family,


We pray this note finds you all in good health and in the joy of the Lord. Another month has passed and we see Jesus working daily in our midst. The students are hearing and responding to the word of God in the morning and evening Bible devotions, and are memorizing scripture in English and Bible study classes. We have noticed physical growth in many of the children, because they have more fruits, vegetables, and protein in their diet. Many thanks for the finances allowing the purchase of more than rice and beans!


We lost a young teacher named Wendy who was responsible for the first level secondary class. She was a former student of the school, is a new mom living away from her husband who lives in a pueblo hours away. She understandably chose to return to him, so Collette is now teaching Math, Geography and Reading along with English and Art. Alicia, the woman full time cooking for the school, is a gem and has offered to teach Spanish and History. There are about 28 kids in this class at four levels of ability. Please join us in prayer for financial provision for teacher compensation.
One family has four children attending the school, three of the four were born in the US. They lived in Colorado for 5 or 6 years, imagine the changes they have endured. The eldest, Ricardo, will be eligible for high school after another year here. He would like to return to the US for that education. We would like to help him by finding a host family. He is a hard worker, a student leader, and an excellent student as well. We have over a year to prepare, please pray that doors will open for his dream.


Now for an answer to prayer. Mexico Public Television sent a crew to the school to shoot a documentary focused on the power plays by the local Catholic Bishop. It will be a two part series that we will post on our website with English subtitles - God does work in mysterious ways! Our good friend Jay Tenbrink rebuilt our website www.intothemountains.org , he is also building a web site for the school. In addition, the municipal president of Tepic made a visit this past week and expressed interest in helping the school. There are growing possibilities for financial support from Mexican resources for the school.


As we look to the year end, we would ask you to prayerfully consider an additional gift for our ministry here in Mexico. We so appreciate the one time gifts, and all of you who continue with monthly giving and much needed prayers for health, safety, emotional strength, and courage to continue serving in these areas of spiritual darkness. We are very grateful and blessed by each of you. Our best wishes to you and your family during Thanksgiving and Christmas. God is so very good to us in America, we are blessed beyond our knowing. May the peace and grace of Jesus flow through you.


Our love and deep affection,


Tom and Collette Beytien