AIMING FOR CHRIST

September 2009

“ You are the

light of the
world. A city
set on a hill
cannot be
hidden. Nor
do people
light a lamp
and put it
under a
basket, but on
a stand, and it
gives light to
all the house.”
September.
Over already.
Amazing that
it’s been over
four months
since we
arrived, and
over a year
since
Lubbock. Updates on John McCoy in the
Here’s what is
going on Adventures in Missions program
down South.

Seeing Mexico and Cultural Organization) site, and Mexico gathers to partake in what
has significant cultural and religious is called “El Grito” (literally ‘the yell’
Living in Mexico, I have
history in Mexico. It is a center for in English). In Mexico City, the
been able to see more and more
both artisans and United States president gives a short speech,
the rich history and culture of the
retirees, which creates an artistic and then the country yells “!Vive
country. I have had the unique
and reserved feel to the city. It was México!” to celebrate the Mexican
experience to witness many
a great experience for all of us independence. This year was the
cultural events already, and now I
non-Spanish speakers to learn 199th year of independence from
present two more. First, this
more about Mexico. Spain, so it will be great to be here
month for Spanish class we had
Another cultural experience next year for the bicentennial. In
quite an interesting assignment.
that I was able to be a part of was Guadalajara, there was a big party
One day, we were required to visit
the Mexican Day of Independence. with the church for the celebration.
the city of San Miguel de Allende, a
Guadalajara, not León, was the We all had pozole, a delicious
quaint little settlement situated in
location of this celebration for me. mexican soup, and gathered
Guanajuato, the same state that
Before the Mexico Missionary around a television to view and
León is located. We had never
Retreat (see below), I spent a few take part in the Grito. It was great
been to this city before, and we
days with the AIM team in being there among Mexicans and
were to use the Spanish that we
Guadalajara, and spent the holiday American missionaries partaking in
have been learning to simply
there with the church. Each year the festivities. Like many AIMers
explore. San Miguel is an official
at midnight on September 15, before me, I am beginning to feel
UNESCO (United Nations Scientific

1
AIMING FOR CHRIST September, 2009
Mexico’s pull on me as I identify more and more with
the people here.
We had yet another opportunity this month
Mexico Missionary Retreat 2009
This month, we all received a well-needed (Shawn’s son) travelled to the poorer area of the city
break to Puerto Vallarta for the annual Mexico
Missionary Retreat. We had a great time hanging
out on the beach and getting to spend time with
fellow missionaries working here. The time was very
relaxing, with an all-inclusive hotel and private
beach, but the truly beneficial thing about the retreat
was spending time with other AIMers and
missionaries. There were five AIM teams
represented in total; Guadalajara and Tlalpan from
the 2007 class, and León, Guadalajara, and Tlalpan
from the 2008 class. Us AIMers all had a pleasant
surprise with the appearance of Kris Smith and Pat
Sheaffer, the directors of the program, and Logan
Smith, the León team’s old assistant from Lubbock.
They were able to encourage us as we work here,
and update us on the new class in Lubbock. Next
month, Omar, Tana, and I will be going to give a field
presentation for León, where we will be able to see
first hand the new class and hopefully recruit a new
team for next year. Overall, The retreat was five
days of fun in the sun with some dear friends, and I
am revitalized and ready to do more work back here
in León.
Filming
with
Martin
and
The beach
at Puerto
Vallarta
2
Reaching Out
to help out some less fortunate citizens of León in
Cañada Real. The team, Omar, Shawn, and Mason
and planted trees. It was hard work, but it was
great getting to do some good old manuel labor. I
feel like many times a way to reach out to people in
and out of the church is simply letting actions speak
for themselves. We were exhausted when we were
all finished, but it was a great opportunity to do
service for some people who will really benefit from
our hard work.
Another unique opportunity we had to reach
out has involved, interestingly enough, the amount
of hair one of our teammates had on his head and
face. Our beloved Jedda made a pact to not cut his
hair for one year, and in the meantime he grew quite
an impressive beard out. Consequently, he strikingly
resembled the popular image of Jesus, and a
member of the church had an idea to use this
resemblance as an outreach tool. Martin Galvan,
who works as a video editor, has been working on
an evangelism video for a church in Guadalajara
with Jedda as Jesus. All the guys on the team were
able to partake in the video, with Ramiro being a
gang member, me being a drug addict, and Renato
playing Satan. It will be shown to demonstrate
AIMING FOR CHRIST September, 2009
San Miguel de Allende
and
Planting trees

Christ’s love, acceptance, and power over sin. The Contact Information
video won’t be ready for quite a while, but it was
great working with him and I am excited to see the
Email:
finished product.
john.mark.mccoy@gmail.com

Many Thanks Website:

I want you all to know that it has been quite a
johnmarkmccoy.blogspot.com
four months so far. Spanish classes are coming
along slowly, and Tana says that if we work hard, we
may be wrapped up by the first week in December. Phone:
Please keep my team and the work here in your 918.266.1766 (US number)
prayers, they are needed it very much. I thank God
so much for all the support and love I am getting from Mailing Address: !
back home. I say now that I could not be where I am Iglesia de Cristo
without your generosity. We are partners together in C/O John McCoy
the advancement of God’s kingdom. I am excited to Apdo. Postal 453
see what God will be doing in the next months to León,Gto C. P. 37001
come here in Mexico. God bless, brothers and Mexico
sisters.