ARMONIA UK TRUST

Thanksgiving Update from Mexico

2010-11-26T21:37:00.003Z

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

Further details on Saúl's UK visit

2010-08-14T17:18:00.015+01:00

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

2010-05-21T12:08:00.002+01:00

These are: 18th - 27th September

More soon on where they are going to be speaking

Could this cloud have a silver lining?

2010-05-17T11:04:00.004+01:00

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

2010-03-30T21:59:00.004+01:00

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

2010-03-16T23:12:00.004Z

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

2010-03-16T22:31:00.002Z

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.

Paloma

2010-03-15T22:20:00.003Z

It is with great sadness we regret to tell you of the death of Paloma aged 7 on Thursday February 11th during her heart surgery operation. Her parents Remedios and Jose and her brothers Aaron (10) and Josue (9) are being supported by Saul and Pilar, Saul Junior and other members of Armonia at this time and will send news when they can. Please keep the whole family in your prayers at this sad time.
Paloma was born with a heart condition and by Christmas 2009 needed urgent reconstruction of one of the valves or the installation of an artificial one. Sadly she didn’t survive the surgery. The news has shocked everyone who knew her especially her school friends and people at the community centre.
Paloma’s mother, sad but strong said to Saul and Pilar at her funeral “Thank you for making my little princess so wonderfully happy all her life”. She was buried as the song ‘children belong to Christ’ was sung.
It was at the Christmas celebration in Jalalpa last year that a spontaneous offering was taken up to help pay for the cost of Paloma’s surgery. The $1500 collected just exceeded the amount needed and was a true expression of the community’s love and support for her and her family. Without this offering, there would have been no chance of surgery at all.
Provisions for family expenses and food have been taken by the Armonia community and friends.

MANCHESTER - MEXICO CULTURAL EXCHANGE

2010-02-27T21:20:00.003Z

http://www.mexicomanchester.co.uk/ is the new website created by a group of Manchester people - promoting a trip to Armonia in June. They are hoping to spend two weeks linking up with Armonia's "family and friends" mainly in Oaxaca to make music, paint, photograph and in all ways get colourful and creative.

If you want to hear about their project - then try to get to Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday March 2nd at 7pm.
There are also places for new people to join the team. More information from their website.

ARMONIA DIRECTORS IN UK for MARCH

2010-02-27T21:01:00.004Z

March 1st-23rd Saul and Pilar Cruz will be visiting churches and groups -
if you can't meet them at any of the venues listed please Email us!
and we'll see if we can arrange a meeting.

Tuesday 2nd March

MANCHESTER

7.00 p.m. Manchester Cathedral, Launch Event
Mexico-Manchester 2010 Intercambio

Sunday 7th March

LEICESTER

Carley Evangelical Baptist Church
Wharf Street North
St. Matthews
Leicester
LE1 2AB

10.45am & 6pm church services

Wednesday 10th March

NEWCASTLE

Email mission@church.org.uk
If you wish to be included in their appointments

Saturday March 13th

LONDON

MEXICO PARTY – INFORMATION - MOTIVATION
2.30pm-6.30pm, St James The Less SW1

2.30pm
Introduction Conversation and interview
Refreshments – snacks and drinks

3pm-4.30pm
Saul and Pilar keynote address
including premiering new film
Reminiscences from volunteers

4.30-6.30pm
Food and fun, networking and conversations

The Upper Room
St James the Less
Thorndike Street
off Moreton Street
London
SW1V 2PS

Nearest Tube – Victoria / Pimlico

Sunday March 14th

CAMBRIDGE

Eden Baptist Church – Administrator Ruth Tricker
1 Fitzroy Street
Cambridge
CB1 1ER
Tel: 01223 361250
www.eden-cambridge.org

LUNCH 12.30pm-2.15pm at Eden

6pm – interviewed and preach at evening service

Thursday 18th March

KENT

8pm

St Peter’s hosted event

Stream Cottage,
Ditton
Aylesford
Kent
ME20 6AG

Sunday March 21st

OLDHAM, LANCS

10am Church Service

St. Mary's High Crompton
Rushcroft Rd,
Shaw, Oldham,
Lancashire OL2 7PP

SALE, MANCHESTER

St.Mary Magdalene
44 Moss Lane
Ashton on Mersey
Sale, M33 6GD
Junction of Harboro Road
& Moss Lane

7pm church service

Reflaction

2010-02-20T20:52:00.006Z

Most of us are accustomed to reflection before action: education precedes employment, knowledge equips us to perform particular tasks, and learning leads to new forms of living. During our year as Armonía volunteers, however, we experienced a more dynamic way of relating reflection and action.

First, we experienced reflection on action. The Armonía directors frequently encouraged this by asking the pivotal question: “What did you learn today?” With the hard work of the day still fresh in our minds, and often the smell of sweat still on our skin, we debriefed, discussed and prayed together, learning more from these times of reflection on action than we could ever glean from books.

In addition to reflection on action, we also experienced reflection in action. This type of reflection occurs by asking: What are we learning right now? Some of our most memorable insights into the meaning of ministry and Christ-centred service arose in the midst of digging a ditch, teaching an English class or washing dirty dishes. By reflecting in and on action, we allow God’s Spirit to convict and convince without giving our minds time to distill what forms of action are the most manageable. Reflection in/on action is the method for cultivating kingdom lifestyles, propelling us beyond comfort and convenience.

It is difficult to communicate the dynamic interplay between reflection and action. Perhaps an illustration is helpful. Reflection and action are related like eating and exercise. Eating without exercising is like reflection without action: we get bloated with ideas and spiritually out of shape. But the opposite is also true: exercising without eating well is like acting without adequate reflection, since we will not have the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual nutrients to keep going, running the risk of burnout. To fully convey the inseparable relationship between reflection and action, we use a new, blended word: reflaction.

Volunteering with Armonía in Mexico was a unique way to experience and grow in our ability to reflact. The challenge for all of us is to practice reflaction as we seek to know and follow Jesus in unique situations and circumstances. How will you reflact today?

Wes and Steph Vanderlugt (centre) were long-term volunteers with Armonia, living and serving in Mexico between August 2008 and July 2009. Here they are teaching visitors and AIMS students alike to dance after visiting the Oaxaca Guelaguetza (annual dance festival). They now live, study and serve in St. Andrew's, Scotland.

Six Flags and Six Baskets

2010-02-10T17:47:00.004Z

12 of the students from the residence in Oaxaca were rewarded for their high academic achievement just before Christmas with a week-long trip to Mexico City which included, amongst other things a trip to ‘ Six Flags’ - the Mexican equivalent of Alton Towers. They also had a cinema trip to see the film ‘Avatar’ (followed by a very interesting discussion lead by Saul Cruz on the links of the plot with the history of Mexico), saw some city sights and enjoyed the novel experience of using an escalator - some spent half an hour travelling up and down ....!
Their city trip gave also gave them the opportunity to work alongside locals and volunteers from the UK and US in giving out food for Christmas to poor families and organise games for children in some of the community centres. This type of experience is very important as it gives the students a window on other things going on in Armonia and enriches their cultural understanding. For most of the students this will have been their first trip outside Oaxaca!
The students who didn’t do quite so well in their studies (and therefore had to stay behind to do extra revision for their re-takes) were presented with a challenging forfeit – Saul got them to each fill six baskets full of harvest produce from the land cultivated around the residence in Etla. This was no mean feat as the baskets were pretty large! Produce included maize and root vegetables among other things. This exercise taught the students how to harvest maize and the result has been that they think they have enough maize to last the whole year! Food growing is just one of the skills that the students are learning as part of the AIMS programme.
Photographs to follow

All Souls Team at Dedication of Students Residence

2010-02-09T22:00:00.003Z

The dedication ceremony of the Students residence was poignant. The beautiful Oaxacan mountains surrounded a large plane, the sun beat down and for the 200+ who gathered - neighbours, local dignitaries and children from the Summer Course and their parents - a feast was served. Saul and Pilar Cruz shared their vision for the Students residence, and the Community Centre to be built there.

The residence for young indigenous students had taken 2 years to complete, and we felt privileged to contribute in just the last two weeks. Our team of 23, in itself cross cultural with 9 nationalities represented, found ourselves forming strong relationships with the students through our common tasks together – running a Summer Course for about 50 children each afternoon – and painting the Students residence. Despite little language in common, we had become a wider family as we walked alongside Armonía and tried to understand the meaning of true community in Christ with others around the world.

We pray that the residence will continue to be a welcoming home for generations of students as they develop intellectually, socially and spiritually – building possibilities for their future and avoiding the need for illegal migration. We also pray for funds for a second residence.

Back in Mexico City, we were challenged by widespread urban poverty, and in the same way by our own preconceptions of poverty. We participated in another Summer Course, visited Armonia’s three Urban Transformation Centres and also spent time with the Hornos community, who were displaced because their fragile shacks had been built on the side of a steep, sandy cliff and had began to collapse. In re-housing the community, the government provided one small room for each of the families, with up to 8 people. Some in this community had much praise for God, though little material comforts. For us it is often the reverse.

We are deeply grateful for all the support given to us in order to make this trip possible. Each team member returns with their own story enriched in some way – friends made, thoughts about poverty alleviation challenged, holistic gospel emphasised, dependence on God reinforced, serving others tangibly modelled and a new sense of becoming a community and family in Christ. Our adventure isn’t over. The challenge now becomes applying what we’ve learnt in our own contexts.

We've finished the Residence!

2010-02-07T13:07:00.004Z

The new AIMS Students’ Residence ‘Casa Margarita’ is now open in Oaxaca!
The new students’ residence was officially opened and dedicated in a celebration in October 2009. The ceremony was attended by Saul and Pilar Cruz, the International Board of Armonia, students, volunteers, local residents and other staff from Mexico City. The Wetfoot team of volunteers from All Souls Langham Place were also present, having helped put the finishing touches to the building (see previous story). Celebrations included a Feast, a Sermon, a blessing for the local community and local traditional dances performed by the students in their traditional dress. Saul says a huge THANK YOU to God and for the support from Armonia International and its world wide community.
The Residence provides a safe environment for the students aged between 14-18 in which to live and study. With the “Older Siblings” overseeing it during their pre-university year of service, it is a place where ‘Community’ and loving others are given a strong focus; a place where the Gospel is lived and preached, and the students are equipped with books and uniforms. They are given ongoing daily support in various forms: basic living skills including hygiene and communal living, Spanish lessons and bible studies to name but a few.
Selection is two fold: Students selected have to be among the best in the Mexican state School system (that is achieve 9’s and 10’s in their final exams) and they need to be committed to the ongoing activities of the AIMS community.
At present, the students love the new residence so much that Saul and Pilar have arranged for two groups of students to alternate between the residence in Oaxaca city centre and Casa Margarita (about a half hour outside town) so there is no favouritism. The new residence is proving to be very popular indeed.

London 14 year old does Mexico Trip

2009-12-11T11:44:00.003Z

I think that one of the amazing things about a trip like this is the way that, however much you give, you receive so much more in return. I went to Mexico thinking that we would be teaching the Mexicans and that they would be learning from us, but in reality it was completely the reverse. During those three weeks, I learnt so much from everyone there about humility and what it is to have a servant heart and I really feel like God was changing me through those individuals.

Mexico is a beautiful country full of beautiful people. Everywhere you go you see colour and vibrancy and, between the people, there is a sense of community which you often don’t find in central London. This really challenged my perception of poverty because, despite being poor and coming from very broken backgrounds, many of these Mexican Christians have a joy and contentment that all our money hasn’t been able to bring us. So, in some ways, they are richer than we are.

I feel very fortunate to have gone on this trip, particularly as a teenager, and I know that I learnt so much while I was there, things that I can hopefully bring back and apply to my life. Being a similar age to many of the students was lovely because I got to know them really well, but at the same time, I often felt like I could never understand where they were coming from, as their situation is so alien to me. In their villages, these girls would be expected to marry and have kids at an age as young as 14.

But it was incredible the way in which God worked through our team. Firstly, to think that He chose each member of our group for a reason and a purpose is hard to comprehend, but very beautiful. It is such a privilege to have been used by God in even just a tiny part of His huge plan and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.

Victoria Gallagher, 14 years old, went to Armonia Mexico with the ‘WETFOOT’ team from All Souls Langham Place, London in August 2009

Sergio - sheer Grace and virtuosity

2009-11-22T19:10:00.008Z

Sergio has a story which deserves to be heard all over. The sounds of an old busted clarinet, a boy with a lot of hutzpah, and an intervention from Christians in the USA with the arrival of a heavy package just in the nick of time... read all about it in our last newsletter. To be sent your own copy in future (January, April, July, October) please Email us! giving us your name and address.

To view our newsletter on-line click here

SPRING UPDATE

2009-06-18T14:07:00.000+01:00

Please click here to see the latest SPRING 2009 update from Armonia Mexico

SWINE FLU - RISK LEVEL NOW ZERO

2009-06-04T15:22:00.000+01:00

Armonía friends-

We are very glad to inform you that the flu epidemic level has gone back to zero here in Mexico. A week ago, both the World Health Organization and Mexican National Health secretary officially declared that Mexico is no longer under any level of alert. Therefore, we are glad to see that tourists, and even the cruise ships, can come back to all the wonderful Mexican destinations. Mexico is struggling to recover from the financial effects of this problem, to which Armonía responded by providing food, once a week for a month, for 120 of the poorest families in Armonía’s Transformation Centers.

With the flu scare behind us, Armonía is open, ready, and willing to welcome all group and visitors for the summer. We look forward to the ways that we will partner together with you in the coming months!

Blessings-

Saul and Pilar Cruz

Pilar Cruz health scare

2009-06-04T15:09:00.004+01:00

Pilar - Director of Armonia (Saul's wife)- has had a shocking viral attack which has part paralyzed her face. Please do pray for them as it requires day and night care to irrigate her eye and she is suffering quite severe pain from behind her ear to her forehead. Last night she was able to speak to me on the phone and was grateful to God that there had been signs of improvement. Today and tomorrow they have appointments with doctors and neurologists.

This is a virus which has been in Pilar's body since childhood chicken pox.

It has nothing to do with the swine flu and is not contagious.

Click here and again here for more information

UPDATE 4 - SWINE FLU

2009-05-07T22:57:00.000+01:00

click here for the latest news

LATEST On FLU

2009-05-06T09:24:00.001+01:00

CLICK HERE for a link to an update on the swine flu situation, from Armonia.

SWINE FLU

2009-04-30T22:13:00.004+01:00

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the level of alert regarding the swine flu to level 5 out of 6. Ever since the level was raised to 4, Mexico has seen significant adjustments in its way of life, such as the closing of centers of education, places of public meeting, restaurants, and of course, a definite decrease in the economy as tourism and production has slowed down. Millions of students are in their homes, and many thousands of parents, especially those who have humble jobs--waiters, street vendors, and people in charge of small businesses--are without income. At this point, transportation will continue throughout the country: bus stations and airports will be open and functioning. But we would not be surpirsed if they would decide to close down public transportation centers and vehicles in order to disinfect them.

In addition, this virus is not very well known. It’s process of maturation and infection are still not clearly identified, and making decisions that are difficult for experts in terms of recommendations and predictions, are certainly very difficult for us. As a result of this, we have decided that our actions will be twofold:

1. Regarding our Visitors and Planned Activities for the Summer

Visitors in May. We have decided to ask our visitors and people who will be involved in any type of activity regarding the ministry of Armonía in May, to postpone their visit or work for the whole month, since all official activities in Armonía have been canceled or postponed for this month. If this applies to you, we will communicate with you very soon, asking you about any other possible dates you could be with us.

Visitors in June. For those who are planning to come by June, and for everything planned in our calendars, these activities will be on standby based on the progress of the flu in the following weeks.

Visitors in July and Afterwards. Regarding any other activity planned by Armonía from July onwards, we will wait until the end of May to make final decisions. We cannot anticipate now if the virus will be totally under control or if there will be a new outbreak before it disappears, or if will be only seasonal.

In sum, we appreciate your prayers and ask you to please bear with as we wait to see how this situation develops. We will understand if you need to decide to cancel your trip, but please email us if this is what you are thinking and we can discuss the situation further.

2. Actions to Meet the Needs of Armonía and its Beneficiaries

Let me praise God first, sharing with you the fact that there is not yet a single case of infection within the Armonía communities: staff, volunteers, students, etc! We pray that this will continue! But please consider the following:
Prayer. Please keep interceding for us! I have received precious and encouraging messages from some of you. This means a lot to us and feel free to continue sending any notes.

Prevention.

We are basically semi-quarantined in our homes and residences, but we need masks and respirators for the time when we do have to go out, which are not very cheap. Since there are not many in the market, and I was only able to bring a few back from my recently interrupted trip to the US, and tomorrow we are going to try to make some that will be versatile and washable, made out of appropriate material. We are anticipating to need around US$2000.00 for supplies for five weeks.

People in need.

We need to help people who have no income and whose children or themselves attend our community centers. They have already been without work for one week, and the government has decreed an additional closing of all the public administration buildings and activities. The few who still supported themselves by selling food to the millions of bureaucrats and business people in Mexico will suffer even harder from this new situation. However, helping these people with one box of supplies per family per week in all the Armonía centers would be a great assistance for them. This means an extra expense of US$2000 week, which is only a limited amount of help, providing limited supplies to the 30 poorest families in each center and the 45 families at Hornos community (a total of 135 families). But we firmly believe that we should try to find resources to help them.

Armonía’s lack of resources.

Finally, facing this situation and considering that several groups already canceled their trips to Mexico because they were concerned about safety issues, we need to speak frankly to you about our own viability for the future. As you may know, a lot of what we do in terms of construction, advancement of the ministry, payments for building fees and maintenance, salaries, and even scholarships depends on what we receive from the services we offer to our visitors and also from the offerings they bring to us when they visit. So far, the equivalent to 8 one-week groups have canceled their visit to our ministry, and that will have big consequences for us. We not only do we lack extra resources to help ourselves, but we are also very short in resources to help the families with no income. In addition to the $10,000 that Armonía is praying for to provide assistance to these families ($2500/week for 4 weeks), we are also praying for the sufficient funds to finish the students residence in Oaxaca (about $9000) in time to welcome the new students in the AIMS program. So far, a wonderful group of beloved friends from a supporting Church in the Uk have offered three thousand dollars.

Praying for assistance.

Please consider us in your prayers. We would like you to consider helping us as God tells you to in your hearts. And for those who will have to cancel their trips to Mexico this summer, we are wondering if you could consider doing some project of your choice, but if you save money in terms of travel costs, could you consider donating that money Armonía in order to provide assistance for our needs as explained above? Please let us know what comes to your hearts and minds in this regard.

I had a wonderful time in Baltimore. I was so well hosted by the Jacksons, the Dutras , the Simmons and many other. Thank you for your prayers! I shortened my trip so that I could come back sooner to help Pilar to keep organizing, assisting, and cheering up those in the Armonía community. Everyone, especially the students and volunteers, have been working hard every day, and they seem to be in good spirits. Please feel to contact us if you have any feedback regarding this email.

In Christ,

Saul & Pilar Cruz

VOLUNTEERING

2009-03-25T20:57:00.010Z

Armonia has been visited by hundreds of people over the last two decades - either as individual trippers or in organised teams.

Most donors and regular supporters in the UK have been "hooked in" to Armonia through making a personal visit or hearing first-hand accounts from people who have. Not many projects or charities are quite so well set up to receive individuals or groups, as Armonia.

Armonia Mexico has recently rewritten its dossier of information for those thinking of heading to Mexico.

If you are about to form a group or simply want to enquire about the possibilities and are unsure about what help you could be, then please Email Wes Vander Lugt (volunteer) in Mexico City, and he can send you all the necessary information. If you are thinking that sending a donation would be better than spending that sort of money on flight tickets to get you there, think again. Armonia believes that putting yourself in relationship with some of the world's poorest is part of the transformation which the Gospel brings about.

UPDATE

2009-03-11T20:28:00.004Z

Armonia Mexico has put some news and pictures on a website for people to see. Please click here for an update.

LATEST NEWSLETTER - SPRING 09

2009-03-04T18:18:00.003Z

Is available online here

If you didn't receive a copy through the post, or would like more then please Email us! and give us your postal address in case we don't have it.

2009 APPEAL for FUNDS

2009-03-04T17:21:00.012Z

We have just launched a new Fundraising Appeal for 2009.

Leaflets are available online - two separate leaflets for two linked Appeals.

We are asking for funds to build a STUDENT RESIDENCE for 48 students in Oaxaca, southern Mexico.

Rapid progress has been made on the first student residence (see photo above) in readiness for students moving in at the end of the summer 2009. This building work has been funded through USA donors and others.

In total four residences are planned, each housing 48 students. Armonia UK Trust wants to raise sufficient funds from its donors (you!) to cover the costs of one of these.

£50K is needed....Urgently!

click here to see a copy of this leaflet

We are also asking for funds to support individual ARMONIA SCHOLARS. They get financial support for their university studies, in return for three years commitment to working with Armonia children and young people. £1440 per year is needed per student to see them through their studies.

click here to see a copy of this leaflet

We hope to put up stories and photos over the next few weeks - stories of the students able to benefit from these two appeals and those who have already received help.

Saul and Pilar UK Events

2009-02-06T21:58:00.009Z

Saul and Pilar are in the UK from March 6th - 17th

More details of their schedule involving trips to Kent, Gloucester, Nottingham, Manchester, Oxford, London - are found in an older post.

If you miss them this time - they are back from October 10th until November 3rd 2009...so.....please Email us! for further information or to ask if they can make a trip to your own church or venue..

The Vision of Armonia

2009-02-06T21:55:00.001Z

Many false impressions about Armonía exist. It is not just a charity, though part of it is. It is not just the Cruzes’ ministry, though that would be true too. It is actually not just a community of Christians, though this is closer.

So what is it? It is so difficult to define because Armonía has a vision that constantly reacts to its context. The best written description is nothing compared to a visit, where ‘armonía’ can be seen, touched, smelt and even tasted. However, despite being so intangible, so difficult to define neatly, so messy and dynamic, it rests on some simple and radical Christian principles: in short, Armonía seeks to express amongst the poor:

1~ Jesus’ compassion for the needy. Years ago, Jesus started His ministry in the darkest place: Galilee, the land of the Gentiles – known for being a dark and unspiritual place where people were either too poor to partake fully in Jewish religious rituals or too spiritually dead to care. Jesus did not begin in Jerusalem but instead He went “teaching … preaching … and healing every disease and sickness” (Mt 4:23). He turned the preconceptions of the day upside down (much to the disgust of the religious experts) as he reached out in compassion. Now that he is no longer physically present, his disciples (Christians) are called to be his feet, his hands and his face in this needy world (Matt 9:35-10:1). In response to this call, Armonía seeks to express Jesus’ compassion for the needy.

2~ The responsible, transforming power of the Integral Mission. Jesus’ compassion was not just spiritual, nor was it restricted to the physical realm. He taught God-fearers, he preached to those who did not know God and he healed those who came to him. As our perfectly balanced example of mission, we see in him the need for a combination of physical and spiritual restoration. Saúl Cruz often teaches from Lausanne Covenant, which urges Christians to consider Evangelization; “the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world”. Tim Chester summarises the concept eloquently in his book Good News to the Poor: “though evangelism and social action are distinct activities they inseparable in always supporting the central aim of proclamation”. This ‘Integral Mission’ is a transforming power in people’s lives.

3~ Lives lived as disciples of Christ whilst also making disciples. The commitment to the responsible, transforming power of the Integral Mission requires dedicated, sacrificial disciples of Christ. People seeking Christian transformation must bear many burdens gladly as they fight to live out their faith publicly and distinctively. It is one of the most obvious things to those who visit and makes an immeasurable impact on those who live alongside it – just read Veronica’s story in the Thanksgiving 2008 newsletter.

4~ The life of a balanced Christian ministry. All the above is rolled into a ministry. Sr. Saúl and Sra. Pilar have been given a great vision and they do a considerable volume of the work required to achieve it. But it is not fully contingent on them. Instead, community members become actively involved in the ministry as they are taught to read the Bible for themselves and together discover and live the balanced vision of Armonía in their own lives.

Maybe the fact that the surface seems untidy, complex, or sometimes confusing has led to so many misunderstandings about the Armonía’s work. But look closely enough and the transforming, compassionate power of the Integral Mission cannot be missed and should not be ignored. Together, we can transform poverty into life.

Saul and Pilar in UK in March

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Another visit is planned for March - here is the line up so far. Please Email us! for further information or to ask if they can make a trip to your own church or venue...

March 6th Ditton, Kent

March 7th Armonia Development Grp 11am-3.30pm (London)

March 7th (evening) & March 8th - Gloucester – Hillview Church

March 10th World’s End Estate, London (HTB Pastorates) 7pm

March 12th St John’s College, Nottingham 12-1pm

March 14th & 15th St Mary’s Ashton, Sale, Cheshire

March 17th Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union

Grandmother of Armonia

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The winter 2008 newsletter which was sent out in October is now archived on-line. To read about Socorrito "grandmother to us all" click on this link

WHERE WAS MY COPY?
If you would like to be included in future mailings (and didn't receive your own copy of the last newsletter) then Email us! giving us your up-to-date postal address. You can also request multiple copies if you have a place to display them.

NEXT NEWSLETTER - February 2009

Global Reach

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In January nineteen counsellors and care givers from eleven countries came together (funded by the Lausanne movement) at the Armonia centres in Santa Cruz, northern Mexico City, for a four day consultation facilitated by Brad Smith, Clinical Psychologist. Their theme was how to support Christians working with the most vulnerable and hurting people in society. Saul Cruz was very impressed with the ability to teamwork intensively and Armonia staff and volunteers were singled out for special commendation. Cross-cultural conversations were able to take place within a “live setting” where direct reference can be made to Armonia’s ministry in the Urban Transformation Centres. Eidi and Saul Cruz Jr were participants alongside their parents making their own observations on what it is like to be working in family therapy and counselling with very poor families from urban slums.

Saul will be travelling to USA and Korea as part of the advisory group (on Care and Counsel as Mission) for further planning before the Lausanne Congress meets in 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Lausanne Movement has been driving the cause of social action alongside evangelism in nearly forty years of work with evangelical churches across the world. For further information on the Lausanne Interest Group on Care and Counsel as Mission click here

Learning to serve as an Armonia Volunteer

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In September 2007, I packed my bags, boarded a train and headed to Gatwick airport for the long flight out to Mexico to start as an Armonia volunteer. Many questions filled my head; What was I going to do? Would it be safe? Could I learn Spanish quickly? Most importantly, would I like the food? To be honest, I had very little idea what I would be involving myself with. I was going “to serve the Mexican poor”. But what did that mean?

Armonia is not so much an organisation as a learning space. A community of people who together try to learn to answer the question: ‘What would Jesus do if he ministered in Mexico City?’ Founded on The Bible and a strong belief in practical loving Christianity combined with concepts such as ‘walking alongside the poor’ and ‘reflection in action’ (all of which I am sure will be expanded in this blog), the people of Armonia seek to serve their neighbours in practical, self-sacrificing love. Through community centres, kids’ homework clubs, subsidised medical care, education schemes, nutrition programs and saturated with prayer and Bible study, Armonia tries together to transform poverty into full life.

The volunteer fits awkwardly into this. On the one hand, they have to learn what it means to be a true Christian engaged in the evangelization of Mexico. On the other, they are expected to throw themselves whole-heartedly into Armonia’s activities and serve. For this reason the best description of a volunteer’s time in Mexico would be ‘learning to serve’.

I say it’s an awkward fit because I now see that I didn’t know how to serve when I arrived, though that was what was required of me. I had prayed earnestly that God would send me somewhere where I could serve Him, but he didn’t answer my prayer quite as I expected. He first showed me that my concept of service was skewed. Yes I had done lots of stuff in church in the UK but it soon became clear to me that white, middle-class Englishman do not know much of life in Mexican poverty. I didn’t know the slightest thing about Mexican language, style, social expectations, history or culture.

Much is expected of Armonia Volunteers. Professionalism. Discretion. Patience. Humility. Not substituting local leadership. Servant-hearted love. Cultural sensitivity. And unsurprisingly I underwent a rapid cultural experience, trying hard to avoid feeling isolated and learning even the most basic tasks from scratch. But through errors, misunderstandings and guidance, I soon learnt what it meant to serve. Whether it was checking communications for the Directors late at night, cooking 6am breakfasts in the students’ residences, co-ordinating foreign group visits, teaching English in the community centres or taking traditional Mexican dance lessons, I realised that service is not about doing but an attitude. An attitude that is willing to put others first. Read Galatians 2 to see it manifested in Jesus.

Seeing this modelled day-in and day-out in Mexico opened my eyes. When people who have nothing are served by people who have much, a special bond of love is forged, opening hearts to the gospel – ‘why are you doing this?’, they ask.

So now, a year on, I have returned safely. God was very faithful in answering many prayers throughout the year, but I marvel at how he took me away to teach me about service. Maybe you are like me a year ago. You are thinking of a time of service, perhaps in Armonia. Don’t assume you already know how to serve. Go in humility and perhaps God will surprise you. Perhaps you will come back, like me, with new friends and great memories. And you will have learnt a little more about Christian service.

If you are interested in volunteering for Armonia, please contact the UK Trust. The best way to start to get involved is to work in Mexico on a short-term placement. But have a good look around this blog (I hope to write more about my experiences soon) and our website so you are well informed about who we are and what we do.

Chris Rimmer

Armonia Mexico Thanksgiving Message

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Dear friends and family in Christ-

A successful visit to the UK and US:
Today (November 27th 2008) is Thanksgiving Day in the US. Maybe in the UK and in Mexico we can join them in expressing thankfulness to our dear God for his faithful love to us. Along with that purpose Pilar and I want to express our immense gratitude for your care and concern for us during our visit. We had a wonderful time visiting with you, and we were able to celebrate the achievement of some long-awaited and cherished goals of Armonía: speaking in Conferences and Churches, making new friends, renewing old friendships, and sharing stories of Kingdom joys and sorrows. In the midst of these special times, we were confronted with many difficulties: getting sick, tooth problems and being robbed, to name a few. These are the times, however, when we need to bring to action the faith that brought us to this path of Kingdom work. We need to remember that in this world we will be afflicted, and we should not be fooled with the idea that if we are serving God, everything will go smoothly and perfectly, as we will not have to deal with any difficult situations. Furthermore, these times of affliction are when God multiplies his blessings and gives us amazing help and friendship with brothers and sisters like you, around the world.

Our health:
We thank God for your care, concern, readiness, and generosity, whether in giving us food, a place in your home, beds to sleep in, medicine, taking us to the doctor, and letting us use your computers and cars. Truly, we have been blessed by your generosity. After finishing our trip in the UK, we were blessed by the help of gastroenterologist Doctor Bill Rylander in Titusville, Florida, who looked after Pilar and discovered that the problems she is having are treatable. We praise God that the doctor did not find pre-cancer cells or any other affliction that could put significant limitation on our life and work. Pilar's problems are treatable, although she needs to take precautions on how she eats (especially the hours) and needs some good rest. We rejoice that her problems are not as serious as we thought, and we were incredibly privileged to have so many people praying for us and to have friends so that we will be safe.

Life in Mexico is difficult at the moment:
When we arrived back in Mexico, we had the joyful opportunity to meet up with all the members of Armonía's communities and to hear about their situations and listen to their stories. The financial situation of Mexico is terrible, unemployment is on the increase, and many former illegal migrants are back from the US with their hands and pockets empty and cannot find jobs. Theft is increasing and great despair is being lived among the poor and those who are jobless. Many are running into solutions that will destroy them or at least will complicate their lives even more. Many others are flocking into sects and looking for the ¨magical-spiritual fix¨.

Hope remains for those who have faith:
In our communities, among those who stay firm we have found faith and hope. A few days after arriving into Mexico City we travelled to Oaxaca City to visit the Students Residence (AIMS-Oaxaca). We arrived very early in the morning, and the students were very kind to let us sleep and rest, waiting for us so that we could have breakfast together. After we woke up, they cooked breakfast, and Veronica, who is one of the older sisters, volunteered to pray. In her prayer, she thanked God for reuniting the family that we have become in Jesus Christ. She also prayed for our health asking the Lord's mercies for Pilar, myself and Dani, and the health of her own relatives and the relatives of others. She prayed for those that help us to run the house, and all of the volunteers who contribute to the work of Armonía. When she finished, we were very moved, because a very short time ago, this girl did not know about God's love for her or for the world, and she didn't know about the power of prayer. Now, however, this 18-year-old girl is praying in a wonderful way in the name of Jesus. Veronica is pictured below.

Once again, we thank you for your love expressed in practical ways for us, and please join us in praising God for old and new friendships, good health, and especially for the way in which God is working to transform people's lives into something unimaginable beautiful.

Yours in Christ-
Saul and Pilar Cruz

Saul & Pilar Cruz in UK October - November

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Try to get to one of the venues where they will be speaking - check details about when and where -
Email us! for the full itinerary

Sunday 26th October
10.30am St Paul’s Hammersmith LONDON
7.00pm Taste, Youth Meeting, TADLEY Community Centre

Tuesday 28th October
7.30pm World’s End Estate LONDON

Thursday 30th October
evening - Welwyn Garden City, HERTS

Friday 31st October
7.30pm Crowded House, SHEFFIELD.

Sunday 2nd November
6.30pm Jesmond Parish Church, NEWCASTLE

Wednesday 5th November
Kingham Hill School, COTSWOLDS

Thursday 6th November
church cell group evening, MAIDENHEAD

Saturday 8th November
7.00pm St Mary’s High Crompton, near MANCHESTER

Sunday 9th November
11.00am St Mary’s High Crompton, near MANCHESTER
7.00pm St Mary Magdalene, Sale, MANCHESTER

Tues 11th November
6.45pm All Soul’s, Langham Place LONDON

LATEST NEWS summer 2008

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We have a recent update from Mexico which contains a rich source of stories and information.
CLICK on this link:

http://web.me.com/stephvanderlugt/Armonia_Update:_Summer_2008/Summer_2008_%28main_page%29.html

WELCOME

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Armonia UK Trust is the support network for Armonia in Mexico. It was created twenty years ago in 1988 when Saul and Pilar Cuz returned to Mexico City from a three month sabbatical in London. The last two decades since the birth of Armonia has seen hundreds of people experience a transformation at multiple levels - social, spiritual, individual. Poverty is a threat. It makes us angry at the insult to God's image that anyone should have to grow up in these appalling circumstances. Compassion and a thirst for justice in the name of Jesus are also driving us to make a difference.

Armonia's work can best be described through the eyes of those who live daily in the stressful and dangerous conditions of the five ravines, leading west of downtown Mexico City, or those in the northern edge of the city heading towards the ancient pyramids at Santa Cruz, or again those who are the latest to be touched through Armonia's work amongst the indigenous families from the Zapotec speaking regions of Oaxaca.

There are also the stories of those from other parts of the world, particularly those coming from settled neighbourhoods of affluence and comfort, in the UK and other countries, as they spend a few days or sometimes many months, living alongside the Mexican poor. Transformation is experienced by these visitors and volunteers as well, and their stories are part of the Good News.

This blog will be a "sticky ball" attracting comment and collecting stories as we celebrate twenty years of one remarkable Christian ministry amongst some of the poorest people on the planet. Stories from the beginnings back in the 1980's can sit alongside anecdotes from the last few days. There are hundreds of us who have memories and experiences worth sharing.

Make sure you send us your stories Email us! please write no more that 550 words and add a photo if possible.

Or simply add a comment in response to an entry - it's so easy.