Thanksgiving Update from Mexico

Saul and Pilar have just sent this update through from Mexico. Happy reading and Happy Thanksgiving!

Further details on Saúl's UK visit

Saúl Cruz will be in the UK from 18th - 27th September:

On 19th September he will be preaching in London at All Souls Langham Place at the 6:30pm service. You can also join us from 4:45 - 6:00pm when there will be a time to find out more about the work of Armonía at the Waldegrave Hall (All Souls - lower floor).

If you'd like to see pictures from this summer at Armonía please follow this link:

http://gallery.me.com/eidicruzv#100128

Look forward to seeing you soon!

Dates for Saul and Pilar's next visit to the UK

These are: 18th - 27th September

More soon on where they are going to be speaking

Could this cloud have a silver lining?

The High School in Oaxaca that Armonía has partnered with since 2007 when AIMS was set up is under new Management and has been experiencing a few challenges lately. However, some of the parents from the locality as well as Joaquín from Armonía (who acts as an Older Brother to the Armonía Students) have had meetings recently with the directors and things seem to be on the right path again.

Going back a bit for the school’s history – the previous Director used to accept indigenous students from Armonia who were on the AIMS programme. A strong bond was formed between the 2 organisations. The school ran sports activities among many others and the Armonia International Board visited and were impressed with what they saw. The PTA were won around to the work the school was doing with the Armonia students. So successful was it that non AIMS students began to ask if they could go to Armonia! In a schools wide exam in Nov ’08 the top 3 places went to Armonia Students representing the school at State Level and also at an Olympiad – a University Challenge type event at schools level. The Director and Saul & Pilar were understandably thrilled at its success. The partnership was coming to fruition! Then, last year, out of the 17,000 University applicants in Mexico City, 5 Armonia Students were placed in the top 25 (including the three who won the Oaxacan Olympiad). Quite an achievement, I’m sure you’ll agree.

However, publicity like this can be double-edged. News of this success spread quickly and a new scholarship scheme is being set up for non-indigenous students. Some kids from the Community Centres in and around Mexico City have been identified. This is great news and shows the ripple effect that empowering a small group of indigenous students has.

Unfortunately, news of this success spread to the wrong kind of people too. Armonia is about creating new possibilities.... it doesn’t drive for publicity but sometimes it comes anyway. Giving a voice to the voiceless can lead to negative consequences. At times politicians want to cash in on the publicity but of course this runs against the principles of walking alongside the poor.

However, there is always a strong belief in the way God rules in all things. As we know, the current AIMS Residence came out of a difficult situation. Armonia has to constantly adapt to the context it finds itself in.

Which brings us to the good news – a new community centre is in the process of being planned and built near the new residence. Though a lot of prayer and funds are still needed. This may be able to double up as a school in the future, which will not only take Armonía students but serve the local community as well.

The Daisy House

The newest residence for AIMS students is called 'Casa Margarita' - the Daisy House. It was named after Saul and Pilar Cruz' second daughter, who was still-born.

"For many years we didn't understand why God put us through that", explains Saul. "But now we realise that although we lost our precious daughter, God has given us many more children in the students. We're privileged to be considered like parents to them".

The railings along the balcony and stairs have been decorated with metal daisies in honour of the old Margarita and the new life that Casa Margarita represents.

AIMS Residence, Oaxaca

Following Saul and Pilar's recent visit to the UK, we now have some more photos to put up to update you on what's going on in Mexico.

I'll be posting some from time to time and although I posted about Saturday a moment ago, this one is so spectacular that I can't wait to next week to put it up! It strikes me that the vibrancy of the residence against the rugged Oaxacan back-drop mirrors the vibrant lives which the students have found in the Christian community of Armonia.

Armonia UK Celebration

Last Saturday afternoon, a collection of visitors, volunteers and friends of Armonia came together at St. James the Less for an afternoon of sharing, news updates and food. Saul, Pilar and Eidi Cruz were able to join the Armonia UK Team and other visitors for the few hours. Each person had their own fond memories of visits and adventures. As we shared, we found that the work of Armonia in Mexico had touched each one of us in a special way.

For some, it was the teaching on poverty that the Cruzes are so clear on. For others, the memories of summer schools and teaching kids who would otherwise have little hope apart from the work of Armonia. For yet others, it was the impression of seeing the conditions in which some live; images that never leave.

Yet all of us found our memories came a little more alive as Saul and Pilar gave an update on the work. We watched the newest Armonia promo/update DVD, which we hope to post a link to soon here. We heard of how the community centres are progressing and saw the fantastic photos of the newest students' residence. The orange walls struck a stark contrast against the deep blue Oaxacan sky. We saw familiar and unfamiliar faces and our links with Mexico were re-kindled.

To finish, we ate a simple (but tasty) meal. It was just 4 in the afternoon but seemed fitting as we shared food; just like the disciples did in Jesus' time and just like many of the Armonia communities would be doing over in Mexico.

More news from the update will follow here. But if you were there, please make sure you have given us your contact details so we can keep you in touch with all that's going on in Mexico. And if you weren't, get in touch with the Armonia UK office to make sure you hear about the next get together, probably in October when the Cruzes will return with more news.