The Truth Sets Free

This blog post will be like nothing I’ve posted before. Many of you will have different opinions, positive and negative ones. Know that this post is not about the innermost parts of me (Victoria) or what I've been doing, but the core of who God is and what He has been doing! 

 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

                                   2 Corinthians 12:9

  

For a couple of weeks now the Lord has been challenging me to speak the truth and to see freedom brought to this earth. This post has been very hard to share and it may be longer than normal, but I pray freedom and encouragement for all who read it. 

 

 Most of you know that in December of 2014, one of my all time favorite people in the world got to go home to be with our Daddy. Losing Angie was one of the hardest things I've experienced in my life. I didn't know how to deal with the pain, so I hid here in Mexico- where no one knew her and nothing reminded me of her. My heart became closed off in the most intimate way from the people I loved and even Jesus Himself. I had times when I absolutely broke, and when it came to the people who knew Angie, I couldn’t speak with them about her.

 In April I got married!! It was a very perfect moment where I felt heaven touching earth. God was so glorious in our wedding and it's a moment I will never feel again here on this earth, but forever treasure in my heart. As time being married went on, different parts of myself started showing in my life. Like closing my heart. There was so much anger in my heart that I took a lot of it out on my sweet husband. Anger then took a turn to depression. Drastic things began to happen in my family's lives and I wasn’t able to experience most things with them. My family packed up and moved to California, Gabby (my youngest sister) moved in with my dad, and my aunt (who is like another mom) got married and then pregnant with her first baby.

 I didn't know how to deal with all the emotions going on in my heart. I felt like I had lost sight of Gods purpose for my life and all He wanted to do in me. I was so angry with Jesus for taking Angie that I never turned to Him through all this pain. My husband was the only one who knew about the pain I was struggling with and I begged him not to tell anyone. I thought I could figure it out alone. Multiple times over months of feeling this pain I wanted to take some sort of pill. Whether it was a few or a lot, I just wanted to get rid of the pain. I share my truth with you, because I know I am not the only one who has, is, or will struggle with this pain. I want to shine light into this situation in hopes to encourage you. You are not alone. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

 After about 8 months pushing Jesus further and further, He spoke. He told me I couldn't continue to fight this battle alone anymore. That I couldn't do this on my own. I had buried so much pride in my soul to protect myself that I didn't want to let go of it. I came to the point where what I was feeling wasn't reality and I thought I was going crazy. I told myself that I'm a missionary and I'm not allowed to struggle like this. That's not true! It is a lie from the enemy not wanting you to reach your full potential in Christ. It took a lot of work inside of me to get to this point today. I shared my struggles with my leaders and stepped down from leading DTS as well as other ministry involvements. I needed time alone with Jesus to fill me again and remind me who I am. I felt like in ministry I was giving who I am and not who God is! So I walked away from my comfort zone. 

 It has been about a month and half since Rodrigo and I really let the Lord minister to us in what He wants to do. We've been going to a therapist and I have been walking through inner healing. Some days are not the easiest, but I feel like I'm learning to walk all over again. I have given my days and time to Jesus to remind me who He says I am. God has been sweet and gentle with me through this process, but has also been speaking and moving big time. Rodrigo and I were both very challenged by the Lord when he spoke to us about starting new things and not returning to YWAM as staff. I think that decision may have been the hardest. Many tears were shed as we tried to fight Jesus because of fear of something new, but we took the leap of faith. Now we are in the process of starting something new, but in baby steps. Like this blog. It was my first challenge to our new beginning. 

 

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

                                      John 8:32

 

 I pray my truth helps bring light to someone else's fears or pains. Know that  you are not. That it is normal to feel. I will continue to keep you all updatedon what's next in our lives. Thank you for the love and patience. 

 

Finding Rest

To all of our family, friends, and other readers,

 

Once again we must apologize for posting a late blog but I wanted to finish writing to all of you about 2015. I know this past year has already come to an end, but yet, God moved in that time.

 

I feel every month we write to you that the base is going through something different, a new season. Here with us things change very quickly. We have our ups and downs as well. Right now we just went through a season of learning to rest.

 

I know you may think, well it's Christmas time...everyone has rest time. Not here, because there are still men and women on the street needing love.  Our ministry continues during this time of year helping the sex trafficked and street children.  The street people really needed our help and support during this season.  It is a particularly hard time for them since the loss of their families and lives is so vivid during this family time.

 

We asked for a week off during Christmas and had the joy of spending some time with my family

in Guajuanto. It was a bit strange for me not going to Texas for Christmas or going to California where my parents and siblings have moved to now. To tell you the truth, it was hard spending

Christmas away from my family as I am used to. This Christmas was still new though because for the first time ever I got to spend it with MY HUSBAND.

 

That first Christmas together will never be replaced! I was able to learn more of the culture I am living in today. 

 

For the American readers, Christmas in Mexico is celebrated on Christmas Eve. There is no Christmas tree that everyone runs down to on Christmas morning. Instead, they celebrate The Three Wise Men who come January 6th. In all of this strangeness, the Lord was still God. As most parents teach their kids it's not about the gifts, it's about who you are with. That was very true for me this year. 

 

Although my expectations were different, the Lord taught me more of who He is and the love He has for His people. That was the gift I was able to share in a new environment.

 

When we returned back to the base, our leaders spoke to us on how this year the Lord hasspoken over everyone to take time to rest. We enjoyed a week and a half off. Everyone. Which had never been done before. During this time we were able to find again God's purpose for our lives as individuals and as a base. We took time to reenergize and to connect again with our families.  Now we are ready to again dive into God’s purpose for us in Mexico.

 

 January will kick us off in helping to lead a DTS Discipleship Training School that starts this Monday January 18th!  Rodrigo and I am excited and nervous as we have never done this together as a couple. Please join us in praying for our students and for our marriage. If you could please prayerfully consider joining our journey and financially supporting us, we would greatly appreciate it! God is always faithful and He loves to use YOU to bless His Kingdom. To this day we are still struggling with finances and support and having monthly supporters. If it means skipping a Starbucks run which could enable you to send us $10 dollars a month, you'd be surprised how far that would get us. Thank you for reading about our life on the mission field! We love you all and the invitation still stands to all who want to visit us, you have a home here with us!! God bless.

Living the Life

Hello again to all my readers. Recently, I was talking to a friend and telling him how much everything costs here. I even surprised myself viewing everything by the dollar. Many things are very cheap here in Mexico, but as we also know it all begins to add up. In saying this, I want to remind everyone that if you donate in the smallest way possible you are making a difference here for my family and me. Thank you to those who support me monthly. You are a huge blessing in our lives. And I apologize for not posting enough of what we do here. I am trying to work on that.

Now, let me share what is new with the Peña-Otero family. For those of you haven't noticed we adopted a sweet fuzzy friend, named Oso (which means bear). He is our newest addition to the family and has been a very positive change in our lives. He helps us to be more connected with each other and to go out into nature. But he also opens doors to speak with new people we wouldn’t have met without him.

 This season—especially here at the base—has been new. New for everyone. We have been fighting to seek the Lord more as individuals and also as a family. We also have the privilege of spending more time together as a family as well. In digging in the deep dark scary stuff and just enjoying each other's company, it all has been very good and much-needed

 Since our numbers have been so minimal here at the base we have had new opportunities to do different things. Friday's are more different than ever before. In the morning, we seek time to search deep for Jesus together. And in the afternoon we go to the college for ministry. In the ministry, there are English classes where we go to speak English and just help out in whatever area they need, but where we also can have a personal relationship with others and speak of Christ. We recently went to Jalisco where the hurricane hit to help out there. We stayed for a week and worked hard in whatever areas they needed. It was a beautiful experience to love so many people. Lastly we had a team from Canada come for a week to love our people of Mexico City. They loved us as well. They blessed us in prayer and a wonderful meal. We love having people come to love alongside of us.

The Walk

​People said this would be challenging and too hard, but I love being married! With someone right beside me sharing all of life’s experiences, everyday is new and exciting.  We have been overly blessed by one another. I am thankful everyday that Jesus blessed me with my life long partner. There are rough times, but anything can be overcome throughthe rewarding love of Christ. Learning to love one another as Christ has loved His people is an important, and sometimes difficult lesson.  We learn and grow everyday, trying to balance our love and commitment we share with one another and our love and commitment to those in need.

  We have had various opportunities these past few weeks to put it all in to practice and really discover how to love hard together. For a whole week we hada blast serving at a bible school in our church with kids from ages 1-18 years old. The Lord gave us a great vision of them all; how they are the next generation and we have been called here to raise them up.

  During this time we were host for a team, where we were able to reconnect and renew our love for the City. We visited all the places we know well and love dearly.  Other places we visited were known to us but not as familiar. There the Lord was able to show us beauty through the power of speaking to others. It was amazing to see all the people’s faces light up.  I think they appreciated our youthful energy and the passion we have for our work.

  It was incredible being able to show that hope. We saw faith and grace in God through the people. Recently, there has not been very many girls in Buenavista!! At first it was truly hard to acceptbecause I (Victoria) wanted to speak with them.  Nevertheless, the Lord showed me it was for good and that I should be thankful and excited for what the future holds. We have also been very challenged by God to speak with clients and pimps.  These can be difficult conversations, but nothing that is worth anything ever comes easy.

​If you would like to get involved in this ministry, I (Victoria) have made a Facebook page called Loving Loud.  Please go like our page!  There you can findmore details about ways you can help out, get involved, or even join our cause!

  In our Street Friends ministry, even those who call the streets home have found hope and begun to pray!! Two such people we have met, Abel and Juan Manuel, are ready to leave the streets and join a rehab center.

  Thank you to everyone who keeps up with our crazy lives and supports our cause, whether financially or in prayer. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without you. May God bless each and every one of you richly. We love you deeply. Feel welcomed to come visit us whenever you'd like, we love having people over!

Little Steps

Three weeks ago we returned to staff at YWAM CMC. There has big challenges, visions, and dreams that God has put in both of us. 

The leaders of the base have trusted us to be leaders of ministry. They have asked Victoria to lead our ministries on Wednesdays with the prostitutes. Ever since this February, when Victoria went to Carnival in Mazatlan, she has been more passionate. She saw her sister go out and talk about sexual exploitation; but her sister was dress as they think girls in prostitues dress representing in a skit they did.

For Victoria her passion has grown in seeing the girls as family and truly pouring her heart out to them. She really enjoys going out there and listening to everyone's stories, because it is a way the Lord has shown love to her.  

I (Rodrigo) and Abel are now leaders of our "Street Kids Ministry" where we play soccer with people who live on the street. Generally the guys go and play soccer and the girls speak to the kids around them. 

For us, it is an opportunity for us to go share the love of God. It may not be direct evangelism, but with showing a smile, hearing others stories and seeing them grow spiritually we can see a change in them. Our friend Miguel is a good example of these changes we see. He is no longer on the streets and has a steady job! 

In the same manner, our leaders put us in charge of organizing the last Block Party which was located in the Merced. We throw a huge banquet for everyone in the area. Most of the people who go are women in prostitution and men who could be clients or pimps. We invite the girls by giving them roses and bringing them to eat and meal and blessing them with a gift.  It is really glorious! 

We recognize that is not a part of us that callus us to go and give a homeless person a hug or speak with people in sexual exploitation; rather, it’s the heart of God who calls us to these places. We are called to go and bring truth into the lives of everyone. To take out darkness and let God's light shine. 

We still have dreams and visions that God has placed in us to reach the people of Mexico City. We understand it may seem hard and or impossible, but "there is no thing impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).

Thank you for reading our blog! Blessings. 

Victoria y Rodrigo