Amy Heckman Serving with New Tribes Mission in Mexico “Youth Group” – Jovenes
Here in Mexico the Youth group is made up of kids from the age of 15 to around 30 or so. Our church has a great youth group, and we have really enjoyed hanging out with them. We’ve cleaned, had a birthday party, gone to a nursing home, and a park with them. We just found out today that they are doing the Bible Study on Friday nights and social things on Saturday. So we will probably start going to the Bible Study part too. Here is a bit from my journal about the night we went to the nursing home and the park.
At 4 we went to the church for “youth group.” We went to a nursing home to visit the people. First, the lady that started the home, told us a bit about the history. Then we went in and walked around and said hi to people. We went in one room and listened to a man tell stories. We (Crystal and I mostly just listened). Although there was one man (that with the help of some of the jovenes (youth)) asked me if I liked it here. I told him I did but I don’t know spanish, and am here to learn it. He said “okey dokey,” 
. After a couple hours, they sang a couple songs and then we left.
We went back to the church and hung out for a bit and then they asked if we wanted to go to a parque (park) for elotes (corn with cream, chili, and cheese). We said yes, and so we all loaded up and drove to the other side of town. We had fun singing on the way there. We ordered our elotes, and walked to a wall that we could sit on. From there we had a view of most of the city. It was a beautiful sight, but so big. We visited with them, and talked about what spanish we knew and that kind of thing. After awhile we were cold and it was time to go. So we said we’d take the Bible School students home. We said goodbye to the others and left. It was a great evening, and we were able to get to know our new friends better. Now we even have some inside jokes with them.
A Welcoming Church Family
Although we have a hard time understanding what everyone is saying, we did understand our host church’s warm welcome and desire to help us. The first Sunday we rode to church with some missionary friends. We got to church and met a couple people. Then church started so we went to our seats.
They had a missionary introduce us and they welcomed us, and said they hoped we felt very welcome there. We sang songs, had a greeting time, and then sang several more songs. After that they had a prayer and then they had a time of sharing things they were thankful for. Next they prayed and thanked God for these things. Then Pastor Jose started preaching. He talked about the importance of listening to God! As I listened I was able to understand some of what the Pastor was saying. After he preached they took offering, and then they had announcements (that I didn’t understand very well at all). Then they had the leaders in the church stand up so we could know who they were.
After that we were done and we started visiting with people. We tried to talk a little bit with our host family. Mr. Vargas gave us his number (as well as Hecotor, one of the leaders) and said if we ever need anything or if we are sad, just call them. After we had talked to everyone and Pastor Jose said if we need anything call, and they are glad we are here. They aren’t concerned with how long the service goes, they just want to learn. Most Sundays the service starts at about 11:30 and ends around 1 or 1:30. They have Sunday School before Church from 10:00 to 11:00 or so. We have had 2 other Sunday’s with them, and have continued to feel their care for us.
February: A Whirlwind Month
On February 9th we received word from the Mexico leadership that we could come down to Mexico, due to the rise in our support. Crystal has written more about the details, so to read her story click here. They told us they would like us to be in El Paso, TX by the 24th of February, for some orientation. So I spent the next 3 weeks packing, and saying goodbyes. It was a hard time, but a very sweet time, spending precious time with family and friends. I flew from FL to TX, and only took 3 suitcases, a carry on and a personal item. In El Paso we had a day and a half of orientation. Then on the 26th, we drove into Mexico.
We left around 8 am, and made it easily into Mexico. They had found an apartment for us the day before, and so when we got into town, they took us to our apartment, and we were able to unload and unpack a bit. We had a friend take us shopping to get some basic supplies. He and his wife then took us to meet our pastor and his family, for supper. They asked what all we needed, and made sure we had everything we needed the first night. That was the first day. Since then, in the three weeks that we have been here, we have had many adventures. I will include some of these adventures in the next couple entries.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year: Looking Forward
How were your holidays? Read Amy’s Adventures: Click here to read my most recent update. Find out about my holidays, a little bit of Florida culture, and catch the latest on my video On To Mexico.
Help Us Set Our Departure Date!!
Summer is giving way to fall, and it even got down to 60 this morning!
Florida: After all my traveling this summer it was nice to spend some time in Florida. I had some dear friends visit, including my coworker Crystal, who came for about three weeks. During this time, Crystal and I spent a week in a “Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills” workshop, where we learned many great tools that will be a huge help in all our interaction with people.
Rocky Mtns
Colorado: On September 1st, I flew out to Colorado with my parents. We had a very busy week, visiting and encouraging friends. We also got to do some special things like, go to a Broncos game, go to my parents college/church reunion, and enjoy the beautiful Rocky mountains. Click on the links to see the pictures. After our whirlwind trip, we flew back to Florida and settled back into a routine of sorts.
Mexico??: As you may have noticed, Crystal and I aren’t in Mexico yet. However, we hope to head there soon, but before we can set a departure date our support needs to reach $1900 promised a month (60% of our recommended $3152). Crystal and I have both been very encouraged by how God has been raising this amount quite rapidly the past couple of months. Crystal is now at $1437 of the $3152 (45%), and I am at$1795 (57%). As soon as we reach 60% we can set our departure date. We are excited to see how God will raise the rest of our support, and maybe even beyond our minimum amount. If we do receive more than the $1900, it will allow us to minister more freely in Mexico. We are so close and greatly appreciate your prayers and financial support. If you would like to be a part, and by doing so, be a part of reaching the lost in Mexico, you can simply go to the top of the page and select the give button. Thank you!!
Tags: Colorado, Crystal Pierce, Florida, Mexico, Partnership Development
Your prayers answered….Please Keep Praying
Your prayers were answered while I was in Michigan. Many of our extended family members gathered by the lake for my grandparents memorial service. We shared wonderful memories, and my uncle gave a clear presentation of the Gospel. Later that day after some fun on the lake, I was able to share with them about Mexico.
After the family time at the lake, I spent a little over a week traveling around Michigan, spending time with friends and supporters, and sharing with many about the needs in Mexico. I’m so thankful for the opportunities that God provided.
Your prayers are still greatly needed. I have been reminded so many times that God’s timing is perfect. While keeping that in mind, Crystal and I are pressing on, and hoping to head to Mexico in mid September. However, for this to happen, 
we each need at least 60% (= about $1900) of our recommended $3152 promised monthly support. We are trusting God for the full 100% so that we can minister freely to the people in Mexico. There is a great need, with some 36 people groups that have no access to the Gospel. Please be praying that God will raise up our support as we are at about 37% and 25%, so that we can go and have a part in reaching those in Mexico. You can pray specifically that He will raise up opportunities for us to share, and be working in people’s hearts, so that they will be receptive, and excited to give to God, and be a part of reaching the lost. Thanks so much for your part!!
If you are interested in checking out my most recent newsletter (kind of a summary of my last few news articles on here for the people who don’t have email) let me know and I will email you a copy of it. (I haven’t figured out how to get it online, sorry). Thanks for all your prayers.
On The Road Again…
After the 1707 mile trip I had to bounce right back and hit the road running. There were many more friends to spend time with, Churches to share with, home meetings, an all nighter, and a dr. appointment in preparation for Mexico. The last couple weeks of my time in Oregon were packed, and are now wonderful memories that I can cherish through the years. As a quick recap: In the three months I was there: We shared at 12 churches, 11 other groups (Bible Study etc), 3 youth all nighters, and 2 camps, as well as meeting with over 45 people (specifically to share with them). This was a wonderful, busy time.
On June 8th I flew back to Florida. I was there an entire day and a half before heading out again. After seeing family on the 9th, and an appointment on the 10th, my family and I began the journey to Missouri for the New Tribes Enrichment Conference. This is a week long conference for missionaries that are on home assignment or state side, to encourage and refresh them. I was able to share at a church the Sunday before the conference. 
Then the crazy week began. It was a week of meeting new friends, and catching up with “old” friends. I had the awesome privilege to help out with the high school and college group. Imagine listening as the approximately 90 voices praise our God, watching them play crazy games like flour wars, learning with them about practical ways to love others, deal with depression, and live for the Lord. There was lots of free time to encourage, hang out, have fun, and sing with them.
On our way to the conference we stopped at a friends house in St. Louis and found out their neighbors had a really nice minivan for sale. Mom and Dad prayed about it during the week and then decided to buy it. After the conference we went and helped a friend from FL do some work on a house in Kansas so that he can rent it out or sell it, and then we came back to St. Louis to get the van. The next morning dad went to get our van checked, and it wouldn’t start. Come to find out the fuel pump is bad, so they found one at a junk yard. That was replaced and the next morning we headed to Michigan with both vans.
This trip has been great preparation for Mexico and life. We have had to be flexible, and really enjoyed it even in dealing with “big” problems, because we’ve been able to rest in God and trust His provision. 
Now we are visiting friends in Michigan and preparing for the family reunion/memorial (for my Grandma). Thanks for all your prayers for safe travel. I’d really appreciate prayer that I can set up meetings in Michigan and see the people I need to during that time!
Road Trip!!
Crystal and I just returned from a 7 day road trip. Here are some statistics.
7 Day Road Trip
1707 Miles of driving
Interesting things we saw along the way:
140 Prius’
2 snakes (on the road)
8 deer
13 log trucks
1 mystery machine van
It helps to count something to stay entertained.
We had the awesome opportunity to represent the 36 people groups in Mexico who have NO any access to the Gospel, (as well as the 10 people groups who already have missionaries but are just hearing the Gospel for the first time) by visiting and sharing with:
2 Family members (my cousin, Crystal’s Grandma)
26 friends in 13 Cities
1 Bible Study
1 Sunday School Class and
1 Church service
We had a wonderful time connecting with friends and meeting new people. 
Also, it was so exciting to be able to share our heart for the people in Mexico. We even through in a little sight seeing by visiting the Space Needle and Crater Lake.
Thanks for all your prayers, we had a safe trip with just one little car repair (changing out some fuses (funny story, email me if you’d like to hear it)). We got along well, and I think we even learned more about how to communicate with each other. Check out my website to see more pictures of this trip, and thanks again for all your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Awana Camp and Beyond
Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for Crystal and I as we shared at Awana Camp. We really appreciate and needed those prayers. It was an awesome weekend. We were able to share the Gospel with around 75 kids, as well as teach them how to share it with their family and friends! What an awesome privilege. Also, seizing the opportunity to open their eyes to the thousands of people around the world and in Mexico, who don’t have a chance to hear the Gospel unless we go tell them. Please continue to pray that they will use what they learned to reach out to those around them.
A church of dear people in a small mountain town, here in Oregon, welcomed us last Sunday, allowing us to share with them. They were so kind and excited about reaching people in Mexico. They also shared pictures and stories of a recent trip that some of their members had recently made to Mexico.
Recently the leadership in Mexico told us about some changes they are making to the “Spanish language program.” They really want the focus of our time studying Spanish to be “Going to do cross cultural ministry in Mexico (Chihuahua) while learning Spanish.” They are setting it up so that we will have a Mexican host family from a local church down there, who will help us get settled and functioning. We will rely on that family the first month, and then start to meet the missionaries. This will give us a kick start in language and culture learning as well as help us depend on the Mexicans instead of the missionaries. We are very excited about this change, however, as change often does, it brings lots of unknowns, and other changes. Your prayers will make a huge difference, by encouraging and helping us as we make some big decisions, continue raising support, and prepare in many ways for our time there.
A verse that God has brought to my attention, as an encouragement and challenge is James 1:5-8. Once again thanks so much for your prayers that you pray believing that God, who is faithful, will answer! By doing this you are making a difference in more lives then you know!!
PS Check out the picture section of my website to see more camp pictures