Mission Mazahua | contact@mazahuamission.com | 011-52-712-123-5462 | www.misionmazahua.com

Misión MazahuaDecember - January 2009

Dear Friends and Family

“Puma the golden retriever was the

Alpha at the Hacienda”

contact@mazahuamission.com www.misionmazahua.com

Do you ever say to yourself, “I wonder when things are going to slow down,” and then you find the speed invariably increases? This is not an excuse but it is a fact and it is in fact a great blessing. At Misión Mazahua you will never hear a complaint of “boring!!”. With our wholistic transformation philosophy and faith, where every human need is a mission field and where every human need (direct or indirect) deserves a healing response, we find ourselves stretched, challenged, and often quite tired, but blessed.

Here we will attempt to give you a concise summary of 2008 happenings in a form that will not cause information overload. In order to get the news in smaller bits and pieces and even with pictures and testimonies please look at the new website:www.misionmazahua.comIf you have trouble viewing the home page newsletter, just click on it and take it from there to enlarge it.

INDIGENOUS PASTORAL STUDIESMazahua Mission continues to support 15 Mazahua pastors and lay leaders in Pastoral studies in partnership with the Theological Community of Mexico. Last spring we were all inspired and encouraged to see the graduation of eight students from a course in New Testament concept of salvation. The students are presently doing studies in a program which will validate a high school diploma for them.

In September MM had a modest retreat with 8 of the pastors of the program and some of the wives in a beautiful setting in Valle de Bravo. We spent a weekend in fellowship, prayer, praise, study, and relaxation. There are two retreats for the team of pastors and leader scheduled for 2009.

LOS PERROSJonny found a new home with Lupita, Diego, and Ivan. He is now the alpha male of the house (Puma the golden retriever was the Alpha at the Hacienda) but misses his friends. The family says he whimpers most of the night--quite an expressive dog.  We hope Guajira is pregnant. Puma found a ball and he begs everyone in sight to throw it for him. Norberto makes them a mix of his food whenever he feels creative.

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TEAM ADDITIONSKatherine “Kat” Roesch came to the MM team since May of 2008. She is such a great blessing we do not want her to leave. At the end of this letter are some interesting numbers and comments that Kat sent.

Aldo Michelis from Mexico City has come full-time to MM after many years of volunteer participation as a great help in administration and in pastoral care. Aldo is definitely a “keeper”, too.

Please be praying for us all and for the people we serve, both among the Mazahuas and among the hundreds from elsewhere who visit. I often stop and ask myself, “why do we do what we are doing?” “What is the purpose of my life?” It is to love God and to make Him loved. He is calling all of us to be in a loving relationship with Him, to see His Kingdom come, His will be done, and to enjoy Him forever. I want to be an instrument in His hands to that end.

DIEGO, IVAN - HARD WORKERSIvan and Diego (17 and 14 yrs) worked all Christmas break so we the general staff of Mision Mazahua could take our break. WOW! What workers we have stumbled upon! Two of Lupita’s (from the Kitchen) three sons, Diego and Ivan; built gates, fixed doors, painted trees, and took care of the Hacienda animals during the 24 to the 29th of December.  Right now they are at work painting the walls a fresh coat of red before they have to return to preparatoria in February. The two help their

dad at home fix cars and go to the prep in San Felipe. They love the girls and went to church with us two Sundays ago.  

LAS CHICAS - CHATEANDO (TALKING)The girls are learning hymns with Norberto’s music machine. We have learned “Creatures of Our God and King,” “Jehova Omnipotente,” “A Ti la Gloria,” and “Cautívame Senor.” Some of these the girls can sing in parts. It is fun to listen to them humming the classics around the Hacienda.  

We have gone to a Holy Spirit filled church on Sundays for the past couple months. The girls have grown a lot in their understanding of praising the Lord in an outgoing fashion. We hope to open their eyes to another part of the body this month-- To visit the church of Hermano Rai.  God teaches in all sorts of ways.

CHRISTMAS VACATIONThis Christmas we all went home, everyone except Norberto, Diego, Ivan, y Carmen.  But those above stayed put. Norberto went to be with his mother on Christmas day with the expectation that Carmen was going with her father who never showed.  Norberto and Carmen went to Church, and Diego and Ivan had family time. 

Recently the word has been about working all the time and not putting aside time for the stuff God expects of us; family, friends, service. I love the Psalm that says, “Why do you work for dusk till dawn? God provides for you when you are asleep.

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Mission Mazahua | contact@mazahuamission.com | 011-52-712-123-5462 | www.misionmazahua.com

2008 IN REVIEW2008 New Year’s Camp- This year’s Corpus Unum was postponed for next year. We didn’t give the Americans enough time to respond. We expect bigger numbers next year. Dec 10th is our cut off but for Americans--the sooner, the cheaper the airfare!

Weather – It is getting warmer, but the rains should be starting soon. No more dust! Everyone it seems has the seasonal bronchitis or lung gunk that is getting passed around. We all carry extra tissues in our pockets to catch the cold morning nose runs.

Stained glass -  The stained glass shop moved down to the hacienda. Angeles is now ready to exhibit her trade to all that come to visit in the room below the water pump.  Moises is happy that his friend is closer.  Claudio is bummed as this is one less person at Las Rosas.  

Ceremics – Marina returned to work and is helping Lety. We have an order of cups for the fair trade part of the Olivet College book store. Marina should be started soon with the help of our new volunteer from Washington, Jennifer; a friend of Daniel Cortes’ girlfriend, Lyn who is our web tech support.  

Prayers - Lisa Cortes and Mom problems. Please keep her in your prayers she is trying to get her mother out of the nursing home to the Hacienda but this looks near impossible. God’s will God’s time. 

COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATIONYolanda Blas as well as the rest of us have been so pleased with the work and the response of the group of 18 ladies in the community of Rioyos. This project has lasted for over a year. Every three months there is an evaluation, and with this particular group it is deemed that the project should continue. The ladies have been taking courses in sewing, embroidery, ribbon embroidery, smocking, cutting and confection of clothing, and now quilting. They are hoping to commercialize the quilts and are incorporating Mazahua motifs in the designs making their quilts especially beautiful and unique.Today, Jan. 23rd, Norberto and some of the MM team are going to Rioyos to give a demonstration of the solar stove and maybe other options such as the “rocket stove” and the sawdust stove.

Ten cisterns were built during 2008. Nine were in Rioyos and one in San Antonio Mextepec. Some of our American groups were able to help on some of the construction, shoulder to shoulder with Raimundo’s team and the villagers. What a blessing!!!

There are ten more cisterns on the calendar over the next two months, at least five of them in Raimundo’s community.We face the challenges always of proclaiming Christ not only in the communities but also so that our own MM team might grasp the wonder of His grace and communicate in everyday living and everyday relationships.

RECONSTRUCTIONIn July of 2008 MM was finally able to open service to the first swimming pool built with funds and in memory and honor of Dr. Jean Seay. A second smaller and shallower pool for children is now in progress.

A kitchen for the staff was equipped for the staff in a room close to the office in 2008 and the remodeling of the large kitchen has begun. Taking advantage of a sizeable cut in price, we bought one industrial stove which will be installed, as well as some sinks.This year we hope to see the camp kitchen totally remodeled through the help of a fund being raised by Jean PH.

A new laundry room with industrial washing machines has also been started with funding coming from a project headed by Star S. Two machines have been purchased and an area is being made adequate for the installation of the new laundry.

The cabin at the Presa Brockman lake has been remodeled and although not totally prepared can receive groups for retreats in a beautiful and relaxing setting with opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and even horseback riding in addition to the typical spiritual retreat blessings. MM has 5 horses at the hacienda at the present time to form a part of “ecological tourism” options.

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LAS ROSAS ACADEMIC PROJECTThis past year one of the biggest challenges was to initiate the high school once again. MM opened its Internet high school at the hacienda in August 2008 with only 5, but excellent students, four young ladies from the community of Rioyos where we have the community transformation sewing project, and one young man, Guillermo, from the neighboring community of Dolores Hidalgo. Guillermo dropped out of the study discipline for several weeks but is now seeking to make up for the lost time. The four girls live at the hacienda where they participate in many, many activities and tasks. These four, Diana, Janet, Marissa, and Nancy are doing very well and making progress. Two more girls, Selene and Cristina entered the program in November. Mission Mazahua Mariposas Monarcas: is the name of our 6 amazing girls gave themselves as the MM Girl’s Boarding School. Four of the girls come from troubled backgrounds. They led Bible study one morning this week with discomfort but passion. There have been several parents who have come inquiring about this system for their students for the next school cycle.In 2008 MM took in two other girls, Sofia and Carmen, who study outside the hacienda but live here to give them a safe environment while their parents are in the U.S. (and have been for the past 8 years, meaning Sofi and Carmen have been shuffled here and there during that time.) These troubled teens need additional care and guidance. Sofía, who is 18 years old, moved out and distanced herself from us, but Carmen, 14, continues at MM.

LAS ROSAS PRODUCTIVE AREASThe shops for stained glass, ceramics, sand-blasting, and carpet sculpturing are at very minimal levels of production. Berenice (Judith’s sister) who had taken charge of the ceramics shop was married a year ago and now has her first baby. Being a stay-at-home mom, Berenice cannot be taking the responsibilities of the shop. These four shops continue to train our students and others and to produce special orders.

The greenhouses, rabbit farm, oyster mushrooms are doing well. Evelio who is in charge of the agricultural production was able to get the victory over an infestation of fungus in our red tomato production last summer. The production decreased dramatically due to the infection but was still quite good. The other greenhouses in his care gave a bumper crop of chile manzano (apple chile peppers) which we will be seeking to process in canning or freezing for future sale and use. The oyster mushrooms have produced, but not nearly as well as past years. The steps are being taken to establish four more greenhouses at Las Rosas measuring 40 meters by 12 meters. If Mexico does not start to make their agriculture more dynamic the attempts to fit in at any profit in the Free Trade Agreement will fail. The granola production continues alive and very well. Bragging aside, it is the best granola there is!! Ask any of the groups. We have not planted amaranth at the mission for two years. The crop we harvested the last time has carried us through until the present. This year some plots of land in our care either at the hacienda, at Las Rosas, or those rented in nearby communities will be planted once again with the high protein option of amaranth. Our sheep are doing very well, now up at Las Rosas. The imported ewes are lambing for the second time.

THE HORSESWe have two new horses, a thoroughbred male and Shefire.-- Shefire, because although she is the smallest of the full grown mares she is tough. She bit Diego when he was bringing food and drew blood. Paloma, Vikina, and Mora received baths and a brushing Saturday. They look beautiful. Sunday everyone went riding, the group that Aldo brought, the students, Evelio, Diego, Ivan, and Norberto. We hope you all come ready to ride! 

Mission Mazahua | contact@mazahuamission.com | 011-52-712-123-5462 | www.misionmazahua.com

SPECIAL FRIENDS MINISTRY, CAMPS, PARTNERSHIPS

The year of 2008 was not really good as far as national, Mexican camps and retreats but better than 2007. However there was wonderful blessing and growth for the Special Friends and True Friends camps and others. The group organized and directed by Pastor Jack Brown in June to aid with the Special Friends camp and with community projects numbered a record 53 members . There were several other small American teams from 4 to 8 people representing several congregations.

Mario who is now organizing the Special Friends and True Friends activities is a true leader. He is exploring the possibility of setting up a wheelchair repair service and maybe even a wheelchair building service for heavy duty off-road type chairs. We had the blessing of meeting Craig Young in Great Falls, Montana. He has a remarkable story. www.axessoutdoors.com

This past summer MM was able to work hand-in-hand with Richard and Hazuki St. Denis representing The Mobility Project www.mobilityproject.org to receive 5 American groups to aid in the distribution of wheelchairs across several counties. We spent the summer seeing how Richard and our MM representative fighting for the clearing of 180 wheelchairs through customs to no avail until after the 5th and last distribution group had come and gone. However, at least 50 chairs, some already in existence at MM, others brought by Jack’s group, and still others provided by the Mobility groups, were distributed with great TLC and blessings to many. Since August an additional 8 chairs have been distributed. Take a look at YouTube Mobility Project Mazatlan 2001 . You will be inspired. PTL!!

Next summer we will be counting on the 170 plus chairs, walkers, crutches, in storage at MM in addition to a new shipment which will hopefully be imported without the same delays and expenses, for distribution in the partnership once again with TMP.

Another “Kingdom” proclaiming partnership is taking shape between MM and New Life Community Church, a Montana congregation with multiple campuses. www.newlifewebsite.com Members of New Life have visited MM on three occasions over the past two years. Norberto and Lisa spent the month of October in Montana at the three campuses of New Life and also participating in the New Life prison ministry—their fourth campus. Be looking for new and wonderful developments.

We are encouraged that the relationship with Berea College, Kentucky, also continues to grow. Norberto was the Robbins Peace Convocation Lecturer at the college in March. We have been significantly blessed to receive the Bonner Scholar students for their summer service project for three summers.

MM volunteers, Kat R. and Alicia H. organized and directed the two children’s camps at the hacienda this summer. This next summer we hope to have at least five children’s camps to give the children the most wonderful experience of their lives.

The Corpus Unum camp for college age youth had to be postponed this past Christmas break, but we are ahead on the planning for this year, and hope this might become an annual Jesus mission experience.

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Mission Mazahua | contact@mazahuamission.com | 011-52-712-123-5462 | www.misionmazahua.com

MM in partnership with the Mobility Project distributed 50 wheelchairsin addition to walkers, crutches, toilet seats, for the handicapped. One crate of 180 wheelchairs, numerous crutches, walkers, and toilet seats took more than 3 months to get past the border, but the power of God got it across. One Mobility Project rep, Chris Luna, later helped distribute 8 chairs separately with 6 people from MM who didn't know anything about wheelchair distribution. Six hours later the light of Christ GLOWED. One group of Americans planted 10 trees along the wall in front of Molino in fellowship with the Mexicans. Another group helped plant over 250 trees in the community to help with the Mexican reforestation program to the glory of God's creation. One roof was rebuilt in response to a desperate need; one group painted around the Butterfly Cross instead of painting over it keeping the wings of groups-past protected. Six light fixtures were finished in the annex to the lunch hall making the place look just a bit better as God calls his good stewards. Two

dogs from city homes needing homes arrived at MM Two computers were donated to the school. MM accepted 2 foster girls to stay in a safe place while their parents are in the USA. One of these girls discovered Christ at Bernal Christian Camp to which MM sponsored 5 Mazahua girls to go. A group of American women taught the community transformation group from Rioyos how to do Amish quilting. Four solar panels were donated by one person to start our solar power project of 2009. One storeroom was cleaned and reorganized 3 times. One hundred flowers were planted and weeded ; four trenches were dug; 12 people helped Lety with cleaning. More than 10 American groups came and shared the love of Christ to surrounding churches and communities. Thirty-five Mazahua kids came to 2 Children’s Bible camps organized and sponsored by MM at the hacienda. Over 30 children from the Catholic VBS in the colonial church in front of the hacienda came upon special invitation to play in the swimming

pool. Las Rosas is working on 140 pieces of ceramics for the Olivet Fair Trade section of the Bookstore. Five children are participating in our kindergarten at Las Rosas. Fifteen rabbits were sold yesterday to a woman from San Agustín. Two soccer teams have their weekly soccer practice on the Hacienda field. Twenty-four national groups rented the hacienda this past year, including one group of Christian Gypsies and one group of Orthodox Jews. One solar stove was bought by a professor in Tenancingo; a group of high school kids from Emilio Portes Gil came to see MM solar water heating system, solar panels, and solar stoves. One more stove was sold. A group of 5 classical musicians led 2 devotions and performed 1 formal concert for 100 people Three college volunteers visited MM, One year full of the Glory of God, the Light of Christ, and the awesome works of the Holy Spirit, shared by Americans and Mexicans in service, worship, and Love!

Interesting Facts

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Mission Mazahua | contact@mazahuamission.com | 011-52-712-123-5462 | www.misionmazahua.com

I know there is much, much more to share. Please keep up with our news and needs through the website and stay in touch with us. You may write to mazahua2@gmail.com or to contact@mazahuamission.com or to our Mexican postal address which is not confidently recommended because of delay and unreliability at:Mision MazahuaAPDO 140CP 50450, Atlacomulco, Edo. De Mexico

Or you can write to an new temporary Ohio address from which correspondence will be forwarded to us:Lisa Cortesc/o Kim Fritz626 Columbia St. Marys, OH 45885

When we are in the U.S. you may reach us at 419-953-8014. I have had difficulty in getting my voice message changed. If you get the message that we may be out of the country and you see that we do not return your call within 48 hours please contact us in Mexico.The telephone in Mexico is 011-52-712-123-5462 which rings both in the office and at our home. If you want to speak to us personally I recommend your calling after 8 PM Eastern time.

Donations are to be sent through the treasurer of Misión Mazahua, David Hawk:763 Merrimak Dr., Berea, OH 44017

Home telephone: 440-234-9712 Cell: (Verizon) 440-554-7905

We are particularly looking for donations to sponsor the children at summer camp, our students in the online high school studies, the pastors and lay leaders in pastoral ministries, the remodeling of the kitchen and the equipping of the laundry. If you want to help with one of these, please contact us for the details.

Thank-you . God bless you,Lisa and Norberto Cortés

One year full of the Glory of God, the Light of Christ, and the awesome works of the Holy Spirit, shared by Americans and Mexicans in service, worship, and Love!

A word from Lisa and Norberto Cortés