A Day of Rest

Wednesday, we took a break from ministering with our brothers and sisters here in the valley, and took a drive up "Valle de Guadalupe" through some of the richest wine country in all of Mexico! The valley has over 25 wineries, and while we were not poised to stop at them all, we were determined to visit a few.

What an enjoyable afternoon! While this is not the tour that many of my peers in ministry will opt to do with their youth in tow...I'd highly recommend it to couples, families and peers who might opt to study at Lantern Hill, take sabbatical here or come here to write a thesis, for example.

At Vinerio Xanic, we met Erica. Educated in Canada, with a degree in psychology, she was unable to find work in her career field in her native Mexico, so she had turned to working at the winery and along with helping in the tasting room, she had a number of management responsibilities.

Once we shared that in our party were two youth ministers, two young adults close in age to her that were serving at a local mission/servant ministry site, and the missionary who started the site, the conversation shifted dramatically.

Erica’s passion was working with children, particularly children from abusive families situations. Since the ministry at Casa Esperanza focuses on women and their children transitioning out of abusive households, JJ made the invitation to Erica to consider using some of her days off perhaps serving in that community with the Lantern Hill team. She seemed truly flattered and excited by the possibility as she was feeling in her words, “unfulfilled."
The invitation, coupled with the fact that she now sensed she was with a group of seemingly caring “tasters” prompted Erica to begin to share about a recent failed relationship and her sense of loss, battered self-esteem, and desire to be connected to others in significant ways. The whole experience was lovely.

I found myself thanking God that even in the midst of our “chill” day He had presented us with an opportunity to be in accompaniment with a sister in Christ. Erica shared a piece of herself with us enhan the day for us all, and perhaps in taking that risk had opened up opportunities for the children at Casa Esperanza to benefit from her expertise. Finally, it had opened the door for Erica to reconnect with her passion in a healthy and real way. I never cease to marvel at the way the Spirit works through and among us in our daily experiences.