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

God is Good

Our journey as one began recently. It's had its ups and downs; but in every moment, God is graceful. The Lord opened the doors not too long ago for us to live outside of the base. Though it's only been a few days, I love our home! It's sweet, it's special, and God is here. Whenever any of you readers decide you want to explore our world a bit, take the time to come and stay with us here in Mexico City! Everyone is welcome with the doors wide open! 

I am excited for this new season of marriage and the building of a home to be starting. It's a strange feeling to have adjusted to an atmosphere and culture and then moving to a brand new one where you can how you want it to feel. I love learning with my husband about our different ways of being raised and now joining them together as one.

Since we just received the keys to our apartment, we are still in the process of making it homey and that's where you guys come in! As most of you have supported me in the past (which I am very blessed by) this time I am going to ask for a greater commitment! We are in need of monthly supporters. People who will commit to send from the smallest to largest amount they can think of every month. I know our God is good and He provides, but we need you guys just as much. I love loving all my girls here and my friends on the street but I need your help to continue doing just that. Come join us someday and see for yourself if you don't understand. Step out of your comforter zone and love hard. 

Let's build His kingdom together!

Our Story

I'm living the rest of my life with my best friend!! Most of you are probably wondering where this random man in my life came from...so I thought it would be fun to share our story! 

I arrived to Mexico City in November 2013 where Rodrigo claims to say he metme. He says he remembers me very well because I wasn't wearing shoes (that isn’t uncommon I Mexico). Although I don't remember it, that was the first moment we met. Months later, on March 10th, sa2014, I began our six month journey of DTS. That is where I remember meeting Rodrigo, but even then I thought nothing of it. I didn’t seen there in that moment what the Lord had in store for me. In fact it took me a very long time to hear exactly what the Lord was speaking to me.

As most of you know, at the beginning of my school I damaged my spine. I had damaged it so poorly that my leader said she did not see how I would be able to go on outreach with them, because I was unable to walk a lot, I could not carry a backpack, and we had no idea where we would be sleeping most nights. For me, that was when the challenge seemed impossible. And I didn't understand why the Lord was telling me to do the school when I (thought) I didn't want to do it. In all of the chaos, this is where he step in. This is where Rodrigo had something to say. As a loyal peer, Rodrigo came to me confused, not understanding why I was unable to go to Brazil with everyone. Once I explained the situation to him, Rodrigo knew our God worked out of the impossible. So he found a way to make it possible. Rodrigo told me he would fight for me. He said he would do everything I couldn't do for myself; my work duties, carrying my backpack, and carrying me days that I couldn't walk anymore. Which is exactly what he did do for me.

It was one of my biggest challenges the whole six months. To humble myself to a Mexican man who only wanted to serve me selflessly. It was challenging in all ways because of the fact he is a man, he is Mexican (like my father), and he served me without awaiting anything in return. I didn't understand how a man could do that for a woman or why he would wanted to do that for me. I felt undeserving of such a sort of love. The Lord really had to work on my heart and show me what Jesus paid for me on the cross. I looked to Jesus for my new identity, created through Him. Once I grasped hold of who Jesus is,  that's when I began to hear the Lord speaking to me of Rodrigo being the one for my forever.

My mind couldn't grasp what it was hearing there in that moment. I was fearful of not hearing correctly, because Rodrigo had become a dear friend to my heart. Rodrigo always came to me on how the Lord was talking to him about our friendship. That is where the feeling of fear grew even more. I told the Lord if He wanted this to be my husband, He had to talk to Rodrigo too. It wasn't until our last day in Brazil when Rodrigo opened up the door of the Lord speaking to him about how our relationship was going to become more profound.

To make this very long story shorter, here goes the end:  We prayed about starting a relationship and the Lord said no. We heard that we were supposed to get engaged and married, although the timing we were praying about wasn't the right time. Honestly there we moments Rodrigo and I didn't understand why would couldn't be in a relationship at the time and how we may not have walked into it correctly. But in December while he was away in Honduras the Lord spoke to us that we should have a wedding in April, the time of blooming. Rodrigo came back in March from Honduras a proposed to me and we began to plan our wedding. Although plans changed from having the wedding in Texas to having it Mexico, everything was beautiful. More than what I ever dreamed. All thanks to my family and friends supporting and helping in all ways they possible could. I'm now married to the man of my dreams. The man I never expected to meet, and falling more in love with Jesus since I found Rodrigo. This is the goodness of our God.

Traveling outside of Mexico City

These past three months have been a very challenging season upon my heart. I've fought to give it all to the Lord and thankfully He always wins. We have had a team of 8 staying with us the past month from Battleground, Washington. With them being here, I've had the opportunity venture out of Mexico City twice now.

Our first travel was for a weekend to Iztapalapa where we went to go and minister to  the youth in the church there. We had the privilege of playing with kids in the parks, going to hospitals, and partnering with a church. It was a bitter-sweet experience because the Lord broke my heart for the younger generation in a new way. These children are very poor and many come from  rough family situations that really impacted me.  I heard their stories and saw their lives... I wanted to take them all back home with me. It is really hard to see such devastating situations and not be able to do a thing about it. You do what you can and hurt for the people and yet it seems all you can do is trust in a faithful God. Have you ever asked the Lord to break your heart for what breaks His? My whole weekend in Iztapalapa felt like that. Being in the hospital, seeing suffering parents waiting on their children, and meeting a man who had burned his eyes with some sort of acid. It's was all an open door for the Lord to let His healing fall. What a beautiful God we serve who LOVES to heal!

My next adventure was in Maztalan for a second year now! What an honor it is to be able to partner with YWAM Mazatlan in the journeys into Carnival. Once again I was in the ministry on the outside of Carnival where there was still a loud party going on. This year, the Lord absolutely gave me even more empathy and understanding in a new way for all the girls we serve here in Mexico City and around the world. Last year we had a line of males and females tied up by a rope. This demonstrated what it meant to be a slave of human trafficking in a very-so-real way. This year we did the same skit, but with a larger group which included my younger sister Gabby.  At that moment it was when it really hit home for me and I experienced how vital and real these situations are.  Why couldn't it be my blood sibling that was on the street? There are over 5,000 girls that work a day within a four-block radius. It could be anyone's grandma, aunt, mom, sister, or even daughter. My anger grew stronger within me knowing the Lord's heart was also against it all. It made me never want to stop this fight. Everything that I go through, including being away from my family and my "reality" of life, is worth it all.

Thank you everyone to all your support and prayers! May the Lord continue to bless you all!!

Wedding Fund

                                                       
 Our Wedding Fund Picture  Link   
                      

We are very excited for this time in our lives, not only for our wedding but also for the next season God is taking our ministry into. God brought us together and is providing in big ways! We are so amazed how God has provided for us. 

THINGS PROVIDED:                                                             

 Organizer - Charity Young Repurposed By Grace.                  

The Venue - Paridase Cove                                                        

Catering - Flores's.                                                                     

The Cake - Yoshia Flores.                                                          

Wedding Photographer - 

                                                           

 THINGS NEEDED:

1. Wedding dress, Bridesmaid dress

2. Flowers

3. Music/DJ

4. Wedding Videographer

5. Honeymoon

         

If you would like to help provide any of these services please click Our Wedding Fund link above or email me rejoice2rescue@gmail.com. 

Our plans after the wedding are to continue working with Yourh With A Mission Mexico City in the fight against Human Trafficking. Thank you for all your support & prayers!

                                                  
 Picture Link

For My Sister, Angie League

On December 3rd, my mentor, Angie League who was 31 years old, went home to be with the Lord. This has been a tough season for me. I know we serve a good God, but it has been hard processing the passing of my sweet sister. I went home for the week of her funeral. There were actually two services, one in Louisiana where she lived and one in Dallas where she graduated from Christ for the Nations. I had the opportunity to speak at her service in Dallas which was very difficult for me to do. In the natural, I never would have been able to do this. But, once again, the Lord was My strength and He spoke through me. As I am still learning to walk through this season, your prayers are greatly appreciated....not only for me, but for rest of Angie's family and friends as her life impacted many. I wouldn't be the person I am today if God had not used Angie to her call out the potential in me. Prior to Angies going home an article was written about my journey in Society Life Magazine, where I dedicate the transformation of my life to Angie. She will forever be in her favorite place, Gods presence! Angie League  4/12/82-12/3/14.

SURPRISE! WEDDING SOON

 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE 

 

Wedding Fund Picture Link

    The Lord has been so sweet! The Biggest news in my life (SURPRISE!!!)  is that I will be getting married April 26th in Grapevine, Texas.  I am marrying one of my fellow coworkers on the mission field, who's name is Rodrigo! :). The Lord has been speaking to me about him since August when we finished our Discipleship Training School and ministry in Brazil. The Lord spoke specifically to both of us about how He was developing a friendship between us that would lead to marriage. As most of you know (from the tattoo on my wrist), the Lord spoke to me regarding my name, (Victoria) which means "victorious".  Also, the Lord spoke to me regarding Rodrigo's name which means "He who bring glory". Then the Lord explained to both of us that as we walked along the path He has prepared for us it would bring "HIM GLORIOUS VICTORY"! Please pray for this new season of our lives as the Lord begins a glorious adventure on the mission field full of victory! We are so excited!

Staff in YWAM CMC!

In October I returned as a staff member at YWAM in Mexico City. The director of the base put me in charge of the kitchen! (Yikes!! What was he thinking). I am definitely out of my comfort zone in this area. My responsibilities are to buy all the food for the entire base for every meal and to cook, plus making sure that we stay within our kitchen budget.  I am also in charge of hospitality at the base, Ms. social that I am! God is really pressing me, disciplining me and calling out many talents I never knew I had. We had many teams arrive into the base this month which means we are very very busy.  Many times I have fallen under pressure with these new responsibilities, inconjunction with all of our other duties (street kids, homeless, & human trafficking ministry). I am reminded daily how God is the one who gives me strength and His power is so much greater than mine.
One of my favorite responsibilities though this is in leading intercession.  It is such a joy for me to have the privilege to pray with everyone who we come in contact with. Everyday has been a learning experience full of challenges. One of these challenges involved a substantial confrontation with corrupt authorities in Mexico City while doing our ministry work. Through prayer and divine intervention this confrontation turned into an opportunity to join with several partners enabling us to triple our forces in the streets. So when I am not on kitchen duty, ect.,  I am leading groups in the street ministry to the homeless and training the students to minister in the red light district. Jesus always amazes me in how He shows Himself  strong!

CARNIVAL IN MAZATLAN

                            
           HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN MAZATLAN 

     It's that time again!! We are returning to Mazatlan for Carnival and I'm so excited!! Last year I had such a special encounter with the Lord. I had never experienced Him in such a mighty way before, and it was powerful! I am ready to return and see how the Lord will show up to do great and mighty things. I don't have the full details on everything yet, but we will be leaving February 9th for two weeks. I need to raise about $300 dollars for this trip, which includes: my flight, food, lodging and supplies for the trafficked victims.  
As I know more details,  I will let everyone know! 

Thank you for being apart of my wild and different journey. Everyone is a huge blessing in my life. Your prayers and support are very appreciated! Your contributions are helping to bring His kingdom to this earth right where you are by sending me to the nations to spread His good news.  Thank you and God bless you!