The Hayes Zoo

Our Purpose


- to know God and use our entire lives in service to Him.

- to stand in the gap through prayer, giving and service to viable ministries in Latin America.

- to be transparent helpers of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, using our resources and skills that through the Holy Spirit, we might encourage and equip those who have less.

- to share a living perspective from Latin America to our churches, friends and family in the states and beyond.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Even when we're not 'there'....

This is a copy of a note from our co-workers Jim and Jamie Loker in Oaxaca. I'm sure you've heard at least a blip of news about the landslides if you watch/listen to any kind of news. I will admit that I didn't know about it 'till late yesterday afternoon as it was a day where I was practically unplugged. Now I'm looking for updates every few minutes...

Devastation in Oaxaca among unreached people groups

by Jamie Loker on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 7:48am

Dear praying friends,

It is with a heavy heart and a torrent of tears that we bring news of devastation in Oaxaca. Our hearts are aching and grieving for one particular people group that we have prayed for for many many years. Just a few weeks ago we shared how the translated New Testament was finally being recorded for the Mixe people of Tlauhui, and how we still want to see this unreached people group come to salvation in Christ.

Sadly it is too late for perhaps 1000 of these people who are presumed dead after mudslides washed their homes away last night as they slept. I am sitting here literally sobbing for those who are inevitably beginning their eternity of suffering and anguish without Christ. How is it possible that there are no known believers in that region after all these years? I pray that we are mistaken. Please join us in fervent prayer that the survivors' hearts would be softened to the gospel, and that physical help would reach them soon (roads are completely impassable for now), and that we can complete formatting the New Testament to be distributed to the Mixe of Tlauhui. Maybe this situation will open the door to ministry where we were forbidden to go before. That is our prayer.

May God have mercy on these people who have remained fiercely resistant to the Good News which is their only hope in these dark times.

Here is a link to the news we just received: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39398543/ns/world_news-americas

Yesterday we visited with our neighbor, Juan, a Chinantec pastor many short-term teams have worked with or at least prayed with in the past. His people, too, are isolated by mudslides, and food and supplies cannot reach them. The old landing field is overgrown with weeds, so no airplanes can reach them. Also the Mexican arm of MAF, Alas de Socorro (Wings of Help), has no permission to fly for now. Please pray that the officials would restore their papers so that help might be at least air-dropped to those in need.

Another area we have invested in is the Mixe region of Atitlan, where several teams have ministered in recent years with medical outreaches, showing the Jesus film, and Megavoice distribution. As far as we know, they are cut off from help as well. Please pray for a miracle that their food supplies would hold out. Their crops have all been washed away. It is truly a desperate time for so many we have worked with.

For us it remains simply a laundry problem since we rely on solar-powered (clothes line) dryers. It is almost inconceivable that these unrelenting rains have caused so much devastation. We are fine where we live. Jonny refused to take a shower yesterday afternoon, firmly expecting to get a phone call from neighbors needing help once their houses began to flood. It had rained non-stop for over 24 hours, and we expected the homes further down the road to be in trouble.

In the night, I slept fitfully as the rains continued, having a very uneasy feeling about the plight of the folks living on hillsides in surrounding villages. I am in agony now, realizing my fears had become a reality. I dreamed about this.

Bless you as you stand with us in faithful prayer. Thank you for passing this along to your churches and prayer groups. We will let you know if there is anything you can do to help in a more physical way. For now, please just pray.

Partners in reaching the unreached, Jim and Jamie Loker

If someone has forwarded this message to you, and you wish to be added to the mailing list, e-mail : prayerupdates-subscribe@lokerfam.com To reply to Jim and Jamie, write to jim-jamie@lokerfam.com

Thanks! 

End note: As of now the news is reporting a much more optimistic view of the actual number of dead. PRAISE GOD! May this be a catalyst of opening formerly closed doors to this area and people group.

Blessings,

Faith

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

5 years ago....

September 22, 2005

It is a day that is etched in my memory for better or for worse.

It is the day we arrived in Mexico. After 2 weeks in a truck with our life packed in the back of it, we made it across the border to a foreign country and a new life. Yowzers, was I 'green'.

Sometimes it seems a lifetime ago, other days....not so long ago. Familiar feeling isn't it?

We arrived thinking we were there to fill a particular role and be there for a certain time. That thought process lasted about 6 months then we realized things were not exactly as formerly perceived. God allowed us to be part of something bigger, more complicated. Then we moved on...several times - and now we're back in the US. This is NOT where I expected to be five years ago. Heck, it's not where I expected to be 4 months ago. In some sense it seems a giant step backwards yet, I know that everything is preparation for something...if I will let it be.

I will admit to having struggled a bit the last month or so (okay, so 3 months...whatever) in being here....now. I've felt it's all backwards and somehow I missed the correct exit off the highway. Yet, as I look over the last few months I see God's hand in placing us here.

There are pieces of enjoyment and excitement over having reliable utilities, smooth roads, and availability of basically whatever I feel like. I can speak the language without thinking too hard (although I do have to catch myself that I speak in English some days), I have resources for my children, family close, and I can DRIVE here. :)

Even still, I feel a niggling of something at the back of my mind or heart.

There is a scene from the Lord of the Ring Trilogy that haunts me a bit. It's in the 3rd movie 'The Return of the King' and Frodo is wandering through his house after the journey he went on and says this line...."How do you pick up the threads of a former life?"......

Egads. I know I'm short, but geez - that one hits a bit close to home. Maybe I'm more hobbit than I realize. We've seen outside the shire to the bigger world. We've fought certain battles and traveled dark and rugged roads. Seen some pretty evil things and had to stand close enough to get my eyebrows singed. Met new people, gained some understanding and a whole lot of empathy and gratitude for God's merciful hand.

I am glad for the chance we've had to look beyond our own corners but with that opportunity comes some sense of 'not belonging'. Just another peeling of the layers of self that God needs to remove to bring me closer to realizing this world is not my home. So don't mind me if I seem distracted. The last 5 years has not left me the same...thank goodness right?

I'll sign off with this last bit - I read this the other day and it resonated with me like nothing else has for a while. I guess, for today, I can sum up the lessons I've learned with this statement.

"Make God your permanent residence. Everything else is just temporary"

Is it ever.

Faith

Friday, September 10, 2010

home again, home again ....

Back home again - I arrived Wednesday evening after a fairly uneventful trip that lasted 15 days and included 5900 miles of driving. It was very good to see friends in Oaxaca again, sad to be packing up and leaving but very ready to be tying something off and now able to start making plans in some direction. The priority now is finding a job.

Thanks to all who were watching and praying during the epic journey to the center of the earth, or at least partway there. The trip included few legitimate encounters with police or military, but a couple interactions with local police in Mexico allowing me opportunity to tip them for their wonderful services, which I declined. The trip also included minimal mechanical problems and no accidents or major delays.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Back in the USA

I heard from Alan a couple of hours ago. He has crossed the border and is on his way to spend the night in San Antonio with friends of ours.

I don't have many details on the trip other than the dot he put on the google map online, but he's across the border, safe and sound.

Now, to get him home to ME. :) Oh yeah....something like 5 or 6 more states.

Muchisimas gracias,

Faith

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tomorrow

Thursday, the 2nd begins the trek home. Or to the states. Or back to the family. Or.....

Alan is packed and ready with loose ends tied off in our Mexican world and will be leaving in the morning. Someday I may write about how I feel about that but today it's 'just the facts, ma'am'.

The trip down was extremely swift with only one 'stop' and gosh, would I ever love to see that happen on the north bound trip, but I'm too much of a realist for that.

He is imagining it to be slower for two reasons.

*One - he's loaded.
*Two - with said load, he'll be much more 'interesting' to look at.

We would be thankful for any and all prayers on his behalf. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop.

Blessings,

Faith