NOE Center

NOE to Field Team in the 2012 Portland Marathon

2012-02-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

NOE student Luis Daniel Garcia runs in a park near Morelia. Luis will be participating in the NOE exchange program this summer in Portland.

We're in it for the long run. Relationship. NOE is about getting to know kids and their families and interracting with them week in and week out. The Garcia Reyes family is an example of that. Their three boys are very involved in English and basketball at NOE. Erick was an exchange student last year and now helps at NOE as a substitute English teacher among many other things. He was just operated on for kidney stones. We were there with the family during that trying time.

Luis Daniel will be going to Portland this summer. Emmanuel is in his final year of English. Their parents open up their home as a hang out for NOE students and also attend the adult Bible study.

NOE is twenty years old this year, and to help us pick up the pace for the next twenty, we are going field a team in the Portland Marathon. We need runners. We need volunteers. Brian will need oxygen. Many needs! We're in it for the long run!

What's In the Box?

2012-01-23T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hany, age 5, contemplates her Christmas Child gift box at NOE's "Festiniños " event last Saturday.

NOE staff and a host of high school volunteers gathered up on the new site for our annual Christmas child event on Saturday. A similar event, with 150 kids, had been held at the current NOE during Explorers the week before. On Saturday, there were another 70 ranging from 4 to 13 years old.

One 12 year old boy, thinking "You can't fool me,"commented to his friends, "I know what's in the boxes...Bibles." He was pleasantly surprised to find otherwise.

David, 13, was amazed that everything in his box fit perfectly, even the underwear (no, he didn't try it on there).

Afterwards, a little girl who was hugging a stuffed animal, came up to me and ask, "Where's the gringo?" "Right here," I replied. "No, the gringo who sent me this...I want to thank him."

The Vancouver Connection

2012-01-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

(Photo used without permission--sorry guys!) Lower right laughing: Esther Chan. Upper left in pain: Kevin Souza.

Mireya and I read about a restaurant that supposedly served the best Tarascan soup in the state. Our visit proved otherwise, we won't be back. What a letdown. Fortunately, the NOE Center isn't like that. The people who are most excited about what is happening here are the ones who have seen it first hand.

In May of 2010, a group from the Richmond Chinese Free Evangelical Church in Vancouver, Canada came to visit NOE. They participated in English classes, shared, laughed and generally clicked with our students. The relationship has continued to the point that their very own Esther Chan arrived here last night by plane for a five month internship, repeating the phrase "Wow, I´m in Mexico" while shaking her head in disbelief. She'll add her own special brand of spark to NOE.

Tears Can Sing and Joy Shed Tears

2011-12-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

Ricardo and Lidia, atfar left in the photo, know what it is to go through hard times. When we met them 15 years ago they had justmoved to Morelia and were struggling to get by.

Ricardo is now themaintenance man, driver, security guard and whatever else he needs to be atNOE. His wife Lidia is the afternoonreceptionist and registrar. On January 1of 2011, Lidia had a minor stroke which she has fully recovered from. Their daughter Celene, a Walton scholar,graduated last week from John Brown University.

The other day, when Icame into the office, Lidia was beaming. “It was such a blessing to be able to deliver the food boxes!” She exclaimed. “Señora Leti (on the right in the photo) justbroke into tears when we arrived. Shesaid it had to be God. She is goingthrough a very hard time. She wouldn’tlet us take the photo until she stopped crying.”

The NOE Centerdelivered nine food boxes this year, thank you to all who make that possible. And may you have a very blessed Christmas!

Where Thieves Break In and Steal

2011-12-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

The first morning of Christmas break with Mireya's family, we got a call that the house had been broken into. A nine hour drive later, friends who guarded the house while we travelled told us the story. The garbage man noticed that we had a microwave in our lawn at 8 am when he drove by. On further inspection, he saw the hole in the front door, called the police and with another neighbor looked in the house, scaring the thieves who escaped over the back fence.

They got a few things, but left a lot more behind. We're grateful, knowing it could have been a lot worse.

"Ariz" Turns 15

2011-12-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

The 15th birthday part is a big deal in Mexico, that is, if your family has the means to make it that way. We found out Arizbeth wasn't going to have a big party, so the youth group threw her one at NOE.

I had a photo from the party, but the one here from a few years ago gives a better idea of who Ariz is. Active. Brings a skateboard with her to NOE. Youngest of three children, no dad.

She became a Christian through NOE and started playing drums on the worship team, now her mom accompanies her to church.

She usually has a smile on her face, you don't need a lot of money for one of those.

Explorers Visit Elderly

2011-12-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

The assignment for the month in the Explorers Bible club was to visit an elderly person and spend some time with them. Jonathan Abel visited a neighbor named Eva, 62 years old, who is diabetic. His note above reveals something about the encounter: "I listen to her when she talks and I make her laugh because she can no longer see."

Sounds like a good assignment for all of us this month!

Thankful!

2011-11-27T13:26:00.001-08:00

There's a lot to be thankful for in this photo, but let me start with the food. Ryan, Brent, Sophie and Mireya put on quite a show. Turkey, dressing and the fixin's just like home. These Duck fans know how to cook a turkey!

People, that's what I am really thankful for, the people that make NOE happen, generous with time, resources and energy, to all of you a big GRACIAS!

Election Year Politics Undercut 3X1 for 2011

2011-10-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Girl plays with the Morelia mascot at the inauguration of the basketball court at the new NOE property by then mayor Fausto Vallejo in June of 2010. The mayor resigned to seek governship of the state in elections that will be held November 13th of this year.

Politics. Although the NOE Center is not aligned with any political party, in our process to get approval for a 3X1 matching grant for construction of a classroom building on the new property, we ended up being affected by politics. PRI. PAN. PRD. Those are the three political parties vying for control of the state and the city. I won't even attempt to instruct you on the intricacies of this particular election in Michoacán. Suffice it to say that the right wing PAN controlled federal government, the left wing PRD controlled state and the middle PRI controlled city are all at odds with one another for a grant that we needed all three in some way to support. We have already started doing what we can in advance of the elections to better our chances in 2012.

To any of you that were waiting to support the construction project this year, I would strongly encourage you to take advantage of a first ever matching grant the NOE Center was awarded this fall, see www.noeinternational.com/Dessert.html for details. Thank you!

What's up, doc?

2011-10-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Doctor Andrés checks a man's blood pressure in downtown Morelia as part of his current job with the state health department.

I ran into Andres Bravo, M.D. the other day, recentlygraduated as a doctor, interned in a hospital in Cancun and is now back inMorelia working for the State Health Department. Andres was part of the 2002 Dream Team, as wellas his two brothers Javier and Eduardo. His mom passed away years ago after a long battle with breastcancer. Andres is planning on studying aMasters in Toxology in Mexico City beginning in August of 2012.

"It's a Stick School"

2011-10-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Carmen and her brother Arcadio with a desk NOE donated to her for her junior high (right photo). Every student is required to provide their own desk. It was difficult for me to believe that this school existed in Morelia, it is by no means the norm. When we open the new NOE, these are the students who will be given preference for registration.

The NOÉ Center was founded almost twenty years ago on the belief that underprivileged youth, through educational, recreational and spiritually challenging programs, could achieve great things and permanently break the cycle of poverty many are caught in. We have seen that happen in hundreds of lives throughout the years, yet constantly find ourselves in situations where that original vision is reinforced.

The other day I was up near the site of the new NOÉ Center talking with Carmen and Rubi, two girls who played on our elementary basketball team last year.

"So, Carmen, what junior high are you going to?" I asked. She lowered her gaze and mumbled, "Number 145." Her friend Rubi chuckled. "Why did you laugh?" I asked Rubi. "Because it's a stick school," she replied.

I asked Carmen and her brother to show me the school, turns out it is only four blocks from the new NOÉ site. It is easy to see why she was embarrassed by it. I turned to her. "Carmen, soon there is going to be a NOÉ Center close to you, and if you take advantage of all we have to offer you will have no reason to be ashamed of where you go to school, you can fly, girl!"

Snowman in Scotland

2011-09-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

First in a series about NOE alumni "Where are they now?"

Rafael Peña grew up a block and a half from the current NOÉ Center, the oldest of three. He participated in the 2nd exchange trip back in 1997, went on to major in electrical engineering and even studied at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland--not even the good English he learned at NOÉ could have prepared him for THAT accent!

Rafael has now earned his doctorate in electrical engineering, is a college professor at the Universidad de la Ciénega in our state of Michoacán, is married and has a three month old baby girl, Sofía.

Worried Moms on Both Sides of the Border

2011-08-31T12:02:00.001-07:00

Lanky Luis Alberto, who will be on the 2012 Dream Team, dances with NOE star Nadia Salcedo in Patzcuaro's main plaza (all of our teachers are stars, not all of us dance, though).

Last night was the first meeting with the parents of students who were chosen for the 2012 Dream Team. Lots of worried moms in attendance, some still not convinced that sending their child to the United States was such a good idea. That there would be this concern might surprise some of my US readers. It shouldn't, given that 90% of the perception of the US comes through music, TV and the movies.

The same problem of perception goes the other way. Yesterday, I talked with Ruth Donohue of Portland whose son Andrew is going to intern at NOE this trimester. She had a list of questions and concerns, too. Hard to really know about a place until you live there. Another way to say that might be "Don't base your perception of an entire nation on what you saw on last night's news."

The 10 return, how many say thanks?

2011-08-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

Roberto Chavez, "Beto," grew up a half a block from the NOÉ Center, dreamed of participating in the exchange program and, with tears in his eyes, was one of the first students to thank me at the airport upon his return.

Mireya and I arrived at the Morelia airport last night to meet the 10 members of the 15th Dream Team who were returning from Portland, Oregon. Before the kids arrived, we were approached by several families and thanked. Then the students appeared to a round of applause. Before the night was done, every single student and at least one parent from every single family took the time to tell me thank you. Ten for ten! "Please tell the family how much we appreciate the care they gave our son!" one mom exclaimed. It was a wave of gratitude that didn't go unnoticed by Mireya's mom who was visiting from out of town.

So, for all the students and their families, thank you, host families, for being part of making a dream come true.

Quinceañera Faces Uncertain Future

2011-07-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

The NOÉ community was part of making a quinceaños party happen for Krystal last week. She and her family are renting a house just a half a block down the street. Despite having struggled with health problems most of her life, she has a great attitude and strong faith. I was struck by what her youth pastor said during the ceremony. "The one thing that stands out for me about Krystal is her smile, no matter what she's going through she has a smile on her face."

She'd Never Seen the Ocean

2011-07-19T07:20:00.001-07:00

Seraudi was one of two NOÉ students who witnessed the ocean for the first time at our annual summer retreat recently. It was the first time we'd gone all the way to the beach, 40 young people, six staff, three days, made possible in a large part by the generosity of Isabel Pais who gave us a great deal at El Manantial (see http://www.zihuatanejo.net/elmanantial/bungalows.html).

We were joined by Dani, the daughter of John and Beti Sullivan (see http://www.zihuachristian.org/main/index.php). I asked Beti yesterday if Dani had enjoyed herself. She replied, "Dani had a great time. What she couldn't get over is how, when talking to your kids, they repeated 'NOÉ this, and NOÉ that...' You can tell that NOÉ has had a huge impact in their lives."

NOE Dream Teamer Makes History

2011-07-14T06:33:00.001-07:00

Claudia Cedeño (2006 exchange program) was in the news this past week for being the first student in the history of the State of Michoacan's law school to present a dissertation for a degree completely in English. The subject of her paper, an investigation of the US process for granting tourist visas, was "Immigration and the Nonimmigrant B1/B2 Visa Interview Process: History, Intended Purpose, Problems andProposed Solutions."

Claudia credited the NOÉ Center for her English skills. She definitely took a risk in being the first to do the entire process in English. "The process was full of doubt and insecurity...there were those who encouraged me and cheered me on and others who criticized me." Claudia is planning to apply to several US universities for her Master's program.

Dream Team XV

2011-07-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

Luis Enrique Avila took this photo in Morelia's largest downtown park. He will be traveling to Portland with nine other NOE exchange students on July 12th. Those of you who live in the Portland area can meet this year's group at the Welcome Party on July 21st, follow this link for more information: http://www.noeinternational.com/WELCOME.html

Luis shared this week that he had no desire to attend NOÉ. He preferred to watch TV all afternoon at home. His mom forced him to come. Even after beginning classes he wasn't all that motivated. It wasn't until his cousin Victor Pimentel (1997 Dream Team) talked to him about Portland that he started to have a desire to form part of the exchange group one day--it was a dream that motivated him to study harder.

A Smile Like the Sun

2011-06-21T12:34:00.001-07:00

Marco Ruiz monkeys around at the zoo during a NOÉ outing.

Some people's smiles light up the whole room. Marco's is one of them.

The oral exam during the exchange selection process is a tense time for everyone. Yesterday, during Marco's exam, I asked him, "How´s the weather today?" He thought for a bit, glanced out the window, then his face just lit up like it does sometimes. "It's overcast!" he exclaimed.

Exchange Selection for 2012 Begins Now

2011-06-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

Alicia Medina (2010 Dream team) stopped in for a visit yesterday as over 30 NOÉ fourth year English students nervously filed into the ark to take their final exam. For most, the nerves came from the knowledge that they would need at least 70% to be considered for the exchange program, a goal many have had for years.

Reminded me of a conversation I had two years ago with Alicia's mom. I called to inform Alicia that she had been picked, but our talk got started on a different note. At one point her mom commented, "I look at my three girls and I see things in their lives and I know the difference was NOÉ. You don't know how thankful we are." And then, after I told her the reason for my call, "I gotta go, Brian, I gotta find Alicia and tell her she was chosen, she is just going to scream!"

Kristen Becoming a Mainstay

2011-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Kristen Main found out about the NOÉ Center through Max Lucado's book Outlive Your Life. She arrived as an intern at the end of April. My first surprise was to find that someone so intrepid to come down to Mexico without knowing anyone would be so shy. She has proven to be an effective teacher, though, loves to hang out with students and has adapted well to her Mexican home. For more of her thoughts, check out her blog at: www.todo-con-amor.blogspot.com. Below is an excerpt:

43 days, left here.

I am sure I sound like a broken record, because with every mention of NOE-I can't help but recount the gratefulness that rests upon my heart. Although, I think it's necessary, I don't think I have ever felt so much love in one place.

Spanglish!

2011-06-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

No, this is not a sign for a landscaping business.

Language. If you were to ask me the one thing that will make Mexico more enjoyable for an American, it would be to learn as much Spanish as possible. Not an easy task, though, and plenty humiliating. I once told my future mother-in-law that I liked doñas (older women), instead of donas (doughnuts). One of our NOÉ interns said he was cold and needed a chamaca (girl) instead of chamarra (jacket)!

It's nice to see it can go the other way. We see some funny English mistakes on menus, in tourist information and even, as in this case, on a walk around the block.

Hitting His Stride

2011-05-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Ryan Hernandez has been an intern at NOE now for seven months. He started out teaching English, but has added the youth Bible study and the high school girl's basketball team to his responsibilities. That team just lost a semifinal last Thursday, which had Ryan asking me today, "How do you teach ball security?" That's the first time I've heard it phrased that way! He loves coaching, the girl's love their coach, which is why Ryan just hates the thought of having to leave. He will be missed!

These young people that intern at NOE are such a blessing, but it usually takes some time for them to hit their stride. New language, new culture. And at the end of their time, they go back changed.

NOE Student Receives Kidney Transplant

2011-05-23T07:14:00.001-07:00

Keep on paddling, Juan! This photo, taken at the 2010 summer retreat, shows Juan Quezada (in color) and his team in a boat race.

During the past two years, as he waited for a kidney to become available, a couple things happened in Juan Quezada's life. His condition worsened and he went through a serious bout of dialysis related peritonitis for which he was hospitalized. But as his health failed, his involvment at NOE increased. Besides taking English classes, he helps as an assistant basketball coach and is a regular at youth group. The first place he went upon leaving the hospital during his last stay was to NOE to ask for prayer, to see friends.

So, when the NOE community heard yesterday that Juan had just received a kidney transplant, it impacted all of us.

It's All About the Gift

2011-05-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

She is studying her degree in the mornings and sometimes arrives at NOÉ in the afternoons having had lots of homework, ridden several combis (Morelia's most common form of public transportation), just plain tired. Yet, when Nadia stands up in front of her elementary English class she is pure energy. Just like Hugo, Mireya, Juan, Kristen, Ryan, Irma, Jon, Montse, etc. they've got the gift of teaching and it is what sets NOÉ apart. Today is Teacher's Day in Mexico, Congratulations!

Nancy's Surgery Successful

2011-05-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Nancy Valdez had her eyelid operated on last Wednesday, April 27th. The operation went well, although it is too soon to know the final outcome. Nancy is encouraged and recovering.

For those of you not familiar with her story, Nancy started at the NOÉ Center while a fifth grader, first in homework help and then in English. After finishing the upper level English program she was chosen to be an exchange student for the 2010 program. As we have seen many times, the exchange experience reinforced growth, both social and spiritual, that had been happening gradually at NOÉ. Her host family was able to find a surgeon to do the surgery pro-bono. For more on Nancy and other happenings at NOÉ, go to: www.noeinternational.com/newsletter-archives.html

Cherry Blossoms, Canada and Cold

2011-04-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

In the middle of a week long stay in Portland, I took a quick trip up to Vancouver, Canada to drop in on Kevin, Janice, Emily, Mike and the gang at the the Richmond Chinese Evangelical Free Church who had visited Morelia (see the May 2010 entry). This time I met Pastor Allen Chang, Dorcus, possible NOE intern Esther and stayed with Andrew Chan at his home. I became an instant Vancouver Canucks fan, walked along the "Highway to Heaven," a row of mosques and temples near the church. If spring and cherry blossoms conjure up visions of balmy weather, I found out otherwise on a walk with Andrew out at Fisherman's Wharf in Steveson.

The welcome I received was nothing but warm, though, encouraging to see the love for the NOE Center kids that these people have far away in the frigid northland!

Thanks, Mom!

2011-04-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Sharon Overcast (a.k.a. Mom) from Billings, Montana ended three months of interning this past week. All of us at NOÉ will miss her patience, encouragement, riddles and brownies.

In the photo at left are some of mom's advanced English students, including her granddaughter Keila, far right, and Montserrat Maldonado, front center. Montserrat's family is hosting the new intern, Kristen Main from Indiana, who found out about the NOÉ Center from Max Lucado's most recent book _Outlive Your Life_. More on her later!

She Came a Long Way

2011-03-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Nancy Valdez at home with her nephew "Pepino" which means "Cucumber."

I could also have titled this entry, "She's Come a Long Way", as Nancy has progressed in many areas of her life since beginning homework help classes at the NOÉ Center eight years ago. She learned English, went to Portland as part of the 2010 Dream Team, and also has made headway socially and spiritually. Next month, she will once again travel to Portland to have surgery on her left eyelid, arranged free of charge through her host family.

But, I didn´t realize until visiting her home yesterday how far she had to come to actually get to NOÉ throughout all those years, 45 minutes to an hour of public transportation each way. You gotta want it!

Inching Towards 3 X 1 Approval

2011-03-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, the hours. Sometimes, you can't do anything more than wait, like when you've got conditioner on your hair in the shower. Even as I write this I know that once the 3 X 1 match is approved and the classroom building on the new property significantly closer to becoming a reality, a whole new set of challenges will await us. Right now, what we're waiting for is approval of the annual budget by city hall. "End of March," I was told a couple days ago. We´ll keep you posted!

What a Safe Place Looks Like

2011-03-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

View from the top of the NOÉ Center looking northwest.

NOÉ junior higher Katia (name has been changed), whose parents are divorced, commented to her teacher here last week. "The only place where I'm at peace is NOÉ. I go home and everyone is fighting. I go to where my dad lives with his girlfriend and everyone is always upset. This is where I like to be."

Three Pesos of Honesty

2011-02-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

At left, a classic abarrotes (groceries) or tiendita (small store) located a block down from the Noé Center. They are convenience stores without inconvenient prices.

In Zihuatenejo (of Shawshank Redemption fame) this past weekend visiting Roger and Karen Cornell, I experienced a small act of kindness that may surprise some of you. After a run, I went to a small Abarrotes for water, yogurt and a banana. The stout señora in her late forties charged me 20 pesos. I sat down to rest and enjoy the cool water, sweat dripping off me in that humid coastal air. A few minutes later, the storekeeper approached me. "I´m so sorry, I think I overcharged you, here is your change." Three pesos (around 25 cents). I tried to give it back to her as a tip but she would have none of that.

Tourists hear stories of other tourists getting ripped off. It happens, yes, although probably a lot less than they think. It's normal to feel a little paranoid in a strange place. But my experience in Mexico, especially with people of humble circumstances, is that they are honest, generous and, if you speak their language, kind. That three pesos of honesty seemed to be worth a lot more than a quarter to me.

They Get It!

2011-02-18T06:53:00.001-08:00

Or, if referring to the football in this game of 500, they almost get it!

At our annual Valentine's Day outing last Saturday, 55 Noé students and teachers played, ate carne asada and hung out together. The five guys straining to catch the ovoid in this photo give an idea of the broad impact Noé is having. All are in the English program (two of them in the fourth year and Fidel, far right, will be going to Portland this year as part of the "Dream Team"). Two of them are on my basketball team. One of them tutors in our Homework Help program. All attend youth group regularly.

Average number of years at the Noé Center: 4.7 and counting.

Abraham and Family Still Involved

2011-02-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

It's easy to find Abraham at NOE, look for the thin güero (light-skinned) kid doing cartwheels off the stairs of our sidewalk. It would be a liability suit waiting to happen if there were such a thing in Mexico. Or if Abraham weren´t made out of rubber!

Abraham is the younger brother of Jahaziel, featured in the Feb. 16, 2010 blog (you can check it out in the archives to the right of this entry). The NOE Center has become the highlight of the day for these brothers and a blessing for their needy family.

Adios, Hirepan

2011-02-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

1993 NOE photography class, students from left to right: Betty Gallegos, Juan Carlos Villagómez and Hirepan Mendoza.

Those of us who knew Hirepan Mendoza were stunned yesterday to learn of his passing. An engineer, working in Uruapan, wed just a year and a half ago, Hirepan suffered an aneurism on Sunday afternoon. He was quiet, intelligent, friendly. "He had plans," his mom commented to me after the funeral, "he just visited us on Saturday and was doing fine."

The reason it hit me hard also tells you something about the NOE Center, about it being much more than an English school. Hirepan and others used to come to NOE every Friday at noon to play basketball. We would scrimmage a while and then just sit around and talk. The guys started getting jobs and the teachers started getting more fragile and the Friday noon ballgames came to a halt. I know all those guys and others that knew him would say with me, we´ll miss you, Hirepan.

More Thank Splicing Verbs

2011-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

The NOE Center is about more than splicing verbs. Our basketball program is more than sporting wins. And the beauty class more than repairing splitting hairs.

I was reminded of this yesterday when listening to Norma share how she felt an emptiness in her life and was searching, going to different churches and groups. One day she saw a pamphlet in the market about a haircutting class. "I never imagined that going to that class would have anything to do with filling the spiritual void in my life." The class was at NOE and the difference it has made in Norma's life is evident the minute she starts talking.

Missing Michoacan

2011-01-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

Three elementary age schoolgirls dressed in traditional Purepecha outfits, pose for a snapshot.

In an interview yesterday, Mexico's president Felipe Calderon, a native Morelian, expressed his desire to return here after his term is done: "I miss my home, my tierra, my city, el parque Cuauhtémoc, la calle real. I miss the food, the corundas, uchepos, carnitas..."

I agree with the president, this city and this state have something special, although without peace it is all harder enjoy. Here is to calmer 2011.

Irma's Little House

2010-12-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

Although the focus of the NOE Center is on the kids and families that attend our programs, there is another group of people, close to my heart, who benefit. The teachers. Irma Bedolla and her brother Hugo have faithfully ministered at NOE for more than 15 years. During that time, both have purchased homes through the public housing benefit they are eligible for through their work at NOE.

Irma is shown here with her dogs in front of her little house. How little? Well, it's one story built on a 15' x 50' lot. Yet, it's hers. No monthly payment going into someone else's pocket.

There are few places in Mexico where a Christian with the gift of teaching can serve-NOE is one of those places. For those of you who support us, I hope that thought gives you some extra joy during this Christmas season. Feliz Navidad!

A Safe Place

2010-12-15T09:07:00.002-08:00

Note from a Noé student to her Angel: "I'm doing okay. I love the Noé Center, I learn a lot from my teachers, they are a lot of fun. It's fabulous to come to Noé."

If you Google "Morelia" in News, it doesn't look good. Drug cartels vs. the government, we don´t know the score or what quarter we're in.

How important for kids to have a place like Noé, a place they enjoy, a place where they grow, a safe place.

The Politician

2010-12-06T16:00:00.001-08:00

(Third installment in a series)

Juan Peralta, Hugo Bedolla and I pulled up to the mayor's office, hidden in a residential area precisely because of the constant protests down at City Hall. He received us cordially, asked questions about the NOE Center, some of them fairly penetrating, and at the end of the conversation, called up the head of the budget office and scheduled an appointment for us. Looks like we have a very good shot at getting support for the 3 X 1 program in 2011!!

About an hour after our meeting with the mayor, I got a call from his office inviting me to an event that evening. I thought, "Oh, no, am I going to have to start going to political events?" The meeting place was a sports complex, I greeted the people I knew and then innocently sat down in the middle of the crowd. Years ago, I was supposedly lost in a crowd at a circus with my two young daughters when the clown, spotting my blond head, picked me to "assist" him in his act. "History repeats itself but never is the same," Bruce Cockburn sang.

One of the mayor's assistants came to where I was sitting and asked if I could be in the "presidio", up front, on stage with eight other people, the mayor would sit in the middle. I had a unique perspective on that town hall meeting, it was a good experience, and I have to tell you that I appreciate this man and what he is doing for this city he loves.

The Stalker

2010-12-01T06:15:00.000-08:00

In the photo, the mayor of Morelia, Fausto Vallejo, looks on at the inauguration of the basketball court last June.

Continued from yesterday's entry:

The mayor's administrative assistant, telling me that "The mayor is a busy man," said he couldn't schedule an appointment for me with the mayor. "However," he continued, "I appreciate the work NOE is doing and I think the mayor does to." He suggested a way to get the mayor's attention, which to me sounded like some form of stalking. I was to find out when the mayor would make a public appearance and get close enough to talk with him and personally request an appointment. Hugo Bedolla, my assistant at NOE, was encouraging: "Well, mister, you do have one advantage, you're a gringo, for sure he'll at least see you." I'm also short and, unlike Zacchaeus, would not have any trees to climb.

I found out where the mayor would be last night. As instructed, I stood right in his path when he was entering the building, pretty much interrupting the conversation he was having with a man in a nice suit. He greeted me, shook my hand, told one of his aides to make the appointment. The irony is, I ended up in the same office as the day before, with the same administrative assistant, who this time gladly scheduled the meeting.

The Waiter

2010-11-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no photo for this blog. (Note to self: It's 2010, get a cell phone with a camera, dude).

I am sitting outside the office of the mayor's administrative assistant, waiting. I have been here for 97 minutes. (Note to self, next time bring a book.) During that time other people have filed in and out, presumably with more important matters. The secretary with the 4" heels has spent the last hour cutting inch-wide strips out of manilla folders, interrupted only by a brief ordering spree from a clothes catalog another secretary brought by. I would have liked to show her an Office Depot catalog. They sell paper cutters.

Minute 105, my attitude improves greatly as the administrator welcomes me into his office. From there, I can hear the chants of people protesting outside the building, something that has fallen unexpectedly into the mayor's morning agenda. Nice guy, his assistant, sincerely seems to appreciate what the NOE Center is doing, however, "The mayor is a busy man..."

Betty's Business

2010-11-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

An important aspect of the Noé Center is that 25% of our support comes from Mexico. Most of that is the small tuition charge, but the other part comes from parents and alumni during our Kermesse weekend tonight and tomorrow.

One of my responsibilities is to visit businesses to see if they will contribute to the event. When I mention "business", think micro-business (i.e. teeny tiny business). We put together an 8 x 10" ad for them and make a copy for display at Noé. For most, it is the only ad they've ever had.

Señora Betty, pictured here, lives a block from NOE, has four children, takes the hair-styling at Noé and runs a small beauty salon out of a room in her home. At the parent's meeting a couple weeks ago, she filled out a form to donate to the Kermesse. An act of generosity, from someone who has little, is always a big encouragement.

A Still, Small Voice

2010-11-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

I realize this is going to make me sound old, but I wonder sometimes where all the information of our age, the constant texting, twittering and social networking, will take this next generation. This blog is a part of that, I know!

I think the passage in I Kings where God reveals himself to Elijah in a still, small voice is significant. He wasn't in the wind, the earthquake or the fire, all the hubbub, He was in a quiet place.

At a getaway with our new interns in Tolantongo, Hidalgo, it was good for my soul just to sit and contemplate nature in a quiet place, and take a calming photo to remember it by.

No Direction Home

2010-11-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

A white pelican looks a little lost in this mountain landscape. Maybe it's looking for home.

I can't tell you her name, although I can tell you she is 16 years old, is a student at NOE and has been staying in the homes of different friends for the past two months. I can't show you her photo, but you would be surprised by how "normal" she looks. Her dad came to NOE looking for help, for guidance and Hugo has been talking with him and with his daughter, still separately. I don't have any exact numbers, but sadly, this is a fairly common situation. We appreciate your prayers.

Any Volunteers?

2010-10-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

John Safford enjoys a free haircut from Diana Aguilar in the NOE hairstyling class.

Some of our favorite people at NOE are those who have volunteered their time and energy as interns. The past few years, though, we have been in a bit of a dry spell. So it has been fun to have John Safford from Pottsville, PA here this past month. John arrived via the recommendation of Dave Munson, a NOE intern in 1996 who is now "el Presidente" of Saddleback Leather Company (http://www.saddlebackleather.com/). John is helping in maintenance, elementary English and as a willing victim for apprentice hairstylists.

Diana Aguilar, also pictured, was a NOE Dream teamer in 2002. She just finished her college degree in Nutrition and is taking the class at NOE with her aunt while in the job hunting phase.

Timid Sisters Wield Scissors

2010-10-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Angelica styles hair for free during a recent outing in a poor village close to Morelia. The NOE Center hairstyling class goes here once every couple months for practice and community service. Photo by Ricardo Alarcon.

Timid is an understatement. When Leticia's mom brought her to registration last year for the hairstyling class, she walked hunched over, looked at the ground and spoke with a whisper. After a few months with Cheli, our outgoing teacher, and some lively classmates, Leticia started coming out of her shell. Everything about her has changed, from her posture to a very outgoing smile. So cool to see that happen!

This year, Leticia brought her sister Angelica to Bible study. Same story. When she mentioned that her sister would like to be in the hairstyling class but they couldn't afford it, we gave her a scholarship and sent her to Cheli for a complete makeover.

Morelia Heaves Sigh of Relief

2010-10-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Morelia was full of celebrations this month, first the Bicentennial of Indepence and yesterday the 245th anniversary of the birth of Jose Maria Morelos, who the city is named after. The mood was subdued compared to other years given the current concern over possible violence. Fortunately, there were no incidents, you can feel the city heave a sigh of relief.

One of the first activities we do with groups who visit is to have some of our staff and exchange students give them a tour of Morelia. Not only do they come awaay from that time with an appreciation of the city, they see that those who live here really love Morelia.

Camping Out to Get In

2010-09-10T09:09:00.001-07:00

This was the scene at registration last week, parents camping overnight in the NOE gym in order to ensure that their children get into our program. We have looked into other ways to do this, but haven´t come up with anything that would be as transparent as just plain getting in line first. There is a lot of distrust regarding the handling of admissions in Mexican schools, much favoritism and corruption. Our system is simple, we go in order by whoever arrives first without exception.

This will seem almost cruel to some of you and please don´t think we enjoy the process. We do have a lady who sells tamales and hot drinks all night and we hand out the numbers at 6 am so people can go home and get cleaned up before returning to registration (at 6 am this year I handed out numbers to 83 families!). Can anything positive come out of this?

1. This type of parental support gives us complete freedom to share from the Word.

2. Not too many wealthy people are willing to spend the night in a gym, thus we keep hitting out target population.

3. Demand is high because of the quality of the program.

4. Space is limited, we do need a bigger NOE Center!

Confessions of an Illegal Immigrant

2010-09-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

NOE intern Jessica Pingle from Detroit, Michigan paints Roy Duran's hand red for an English class project in 2006. Jessica is now teaching first grade at a bilingual elementary school in Michigan. Roy, now in junior high, is doing well in English at NOE. Neither one of them have anything to do with illegal immigration, but I liked the photo!

In today's Morelia, Mexico newspaper Carlos Daniel Lopez from Honduras, caught as an illegal in Mexico on his way to the USA, confessed the following. "I decided to go to the USA because my dream is to have my own little store to help my aunt whom I love so much. I dropped out of elementary school because there was no money and I had to work. If a person doesn´t have schooling in Honduras there aren´t any opportunities, that's why I decided to immigrate."

This is why places like NOE that offer educational programs in low income neighborhoods truly are helping prevent illegal immigration.

They Keep Coming Back

2010-08-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Miguel Angel, a 2009 Dream Teamer, leads his team during the boat race at the recent NOE youth retreat.

At some point, we´ll probably have to put an age limit on our annual retreat. For now, though, it's just good to stay in contact with these "old-timers" like Miguel, put them in charge of a team and you feel like they're on staff. Good to still have an impact on their lives.

Relationship, that's what I love about the NOE Center.

Sharing the Wonder

2010-08-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

After a trip to Portland filled with activity, a fun NOE event and encouraging talks with supporters, I had more than enough material for this space. Nothing more exciting for me as a dad, though, than to get home and see this photo taken by Keila on the computer screen. We've had the privilege this past month to observe out our kitchen window the process from nesting to one of the baby hummingbirds flying the coop. He's still dependent on mom for meals, though!

Nice to see my daughter sharing in the wonder.

Graduation

2010-07-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Memo" at graduation with his teacher Mireya Overcast.

At NOE's annual graduation ceremony on June 26th there were a lot of special moments. One of the most significant ones was when Guillermo Flores, who never let his handicap get in the way of attending the NOE Center for the past seven years, was hoisted up on stage by two classmates to receive his English diploma. Way to go, Memo!

For more on Guillermo see the June 1, 2009 blog.

Death of a Dream: Not Everyone Gets Picked for Portland

2010-06-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

All of Mexico huddled around TV's last Sunday hoping to see a historic victory only to be disillusioned once again as Argentina eliminated them from the World Cup.

"Dare to Dream" is the theme of this summer's NOE event on July 29th in Portland starring the 2010 exchange team. What many people do not realize is the death of dreams also happening this time of year at NOE as we whittle down the number of candidates for the 2011 Dream Team from 28 to the final nine.

The Exchange program is a big deal worth working toward. That's why the disappointment is significant for those who are close to making it. We try to mitigate their frustration through a transparent selection process with clearly defined guidelines and through communicating directly with the students and their families, but yesterday as I visited the homes of those who were almost picked I could tell a dream had died.

Mayor Inaugurates Court

2010-06-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Brian Overcast speaks at the inauguration ceremony as Morelia Mayor Fausto Vallejo looks on. In the background, from left to right, Hugo Bedolla and Juan Peralta from NOE and Morelia pastor John Spyker. In between Brian and the mayor is Hugo's youngest daughter Paulina being bored to tears.

Saturday around noon I was working at NOE when an unexpected call came from City Hall, "the mayor will inaugurate the court Monday evening at 7 pm." Wow, talk about short notice! We postponed final exams in our English classes until Tuesday and started calling families. The group from Trinity Fellowship cleaned up the area, moving dirt, spreading gravel over the muddy path from the street to the court. Good thing, as it started raining around 6 pm and continued through the event. That didn´t deter 300 NOE supporters and neighborhood families from attending.

The mayor came, listened attentively to what NOE has accomplished in 19 years in Morelia, and at the end of the meeting directed one of his administrators to follow up on our request to be included in the 3 X 1 matching program. In a process that is comprised primarily of baby steps, Monday night was a big one!

Shipwrecked

2010-06-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Victoria, Victory. The passage was Acts 27, the teaching was there can be victory after life's shipwrecks.

There is a lady whose husband suffered a stroke three months ago and is learning how to walk again, still cannot talk, so hard on the family, so unexpected. This lady came up to me afterwards with tears in her eyes, "This is exactly what I needed to hear, thank you so much."

Here They Come!

2010-06-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

NOE's 2010 exchange group was a happy bunch after being approved for their visas.

The US embassy can say "no." Once I realized that, during a two day crisis just before the NOE girl's basketball team was to fly to Portland in November of 2007, the trips to get visas for our exchange program became a lot more tense. What I now go through is closer to what most Mexicans feel when go to the embassy, the vast majority of who only want to visit family or vacation in the US of A.

Even our perfect track record of no immigration problems didn´t prevent a visa being denied to Saibet last year. Her family lives right across from NOE and was very involved in all that we do until that day last year when she was rejected because her father had left the family two years before to find work in the United States. Illegally. Yes, the family understood why, but it changed things because Saibet, like each of the exchange students, worked hard, made the cut and had dreams, all that came crashing down last May in the embassy.

It's a big deal, the exchange program. NOE would be a different place without it.

Getting Greener

2010-06-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

Fisherman´s boat near the dry western shore of Lake Cuitzeo, Michoacan.

As we approach World Environment Day, June 5th, the question arises: How green is NOE? I realize some would ask me why even take time to ask the question, with so many other needs in our world. I would point you toward the book _Gardening Eden_ by Michael Abbaté, which shows how creation care "will change your faith, your life, and our world."

Mexico has some incredible natural treasures, but I fear for them. Will they survive the next 50 years? We are beginning to do our part at the NOE Center to educate our students about the need to be good caretakers of creation. We use no gas, no real need for hot water at our school. We recycle paper. We use energy saving light bulbs. We can do a better job raising awareness, though.

Fighting Behind the Facade

2010-05-26T09:06:00.001-07:00

View from the 5th floor of Standard Insurance, 1988.

While job hunting in Portland in 1986, I worked for six weeks at Plaid Pantry convenience stores, at the end of which I was fairly convinced of Calvin's first point, total depravity of man. So, when I started at Standard Insurance, everyone seemed allright. These people had it together compared to where I just came from! Once I got to know them I realized otherwise, we´re all struggling with something.

Which is why relationship is so vital to NOE. Some of these kids are smiling and seem to be doing just fine, until, through relationship, they feel confident enough to share, like one of our students just a couple days ago, that their home is a battleground.

Christ Across Cultures

2010-05-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

Janice Chan snaps a photo with Anayeli Rangel at the farewell for the Vancouver group during the NOE youth group. If everyone's eyes look a little red and teary, well, there was a lot of emotion goin' on.

Anayeli Rangel was having a good year, doing well in college where she studies architecture, playing basketball as a point guard and preparing with eight other NOE students to become Dream Team 14. Then, on March 10th, her dad suffered a stroke. He has lost movement on his right side and is still unable to talk. Anayeli, her sister and her mom share the responsibility of taking care of him in their home.

Last Friday, Anayeli arrived at NOE early, 3:45 am to be exact, hopped in the NOE van for a 4 hour trip to the US Consulate in Guadalajara for the exchange group visa appointment. All were approved! Yet, after that exhausting day, here she was in youth group, wanting to say goodbye to the Vancouver group who, in just two short weeks, made a significant impact in the lives of many NOE students.

Moms Like to Play, Too!

2010-05-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

NOE families attempt to catch water balloons in a towel during Family Day.

NOE does most everything a church does except the Sunday morning service, but there was even that this past weekend. Adults, young people and the little ones each had their own Sunday school, something very different for most in attendance. Straight talk from the Word, a meal together and then it was time to play!

Canada vs Mexico

2010-05-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

Kevin Souza and Mike Hewitt from Canada square off against Marco Ruiz and Juan Peralta at the famous Huandacareo pool, you probably already saw it on ESPN.

When I grew up, we had photos of missionaries on our fridge and prayed for them faithfully. But, if the truth be told, the relationship never went beyond name recognition. Most people who avidly support NOE have either met one of our exchange students or have been to NOE (I should add, blessed are those who haven´t seen and still support us!).

A year ago, a group from the Richmond Chinese Free Evangelical Church of Vancouver, Canada had to cancel their mission trip to the NOE Center because of the swine flu. They persevered, though, and are here in Morelia and connecting with NOE. They accompanied our staff on the annual retreat to a water park, they are conversing with this year's exchange group, and in the coming week they will be testifying about what God has done in their lives. They have become, in a matter of days, a part of us.

From NOE Intern to CEO of Saddleback

2010-05-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

Dave Munson with NOE students in a 1997 photograph. He's the tall one.

If you ever wanted a tip on how to do something, Dave Munson always had an answer. So, when I needed advice on how to set up a NOE page on Facebook, who else would I turn to?

Dave is the President and CEO of Saddleback Leather, his website is one of the most creative I´ve ever seen, well worth checking out: http://www.saddlebackleather.com/

The other day, I was looking at the blog of one of my favorite photographers, David duChemin (see http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/) and I came across a list of his favorite things, lo and behold #8 on the list was a bag from Saddleback Leather! I wrote Dave Munson, thinking he would be all excited. His response was: "Eighth!? Only Eighth!? What were the other seven things that beat us out? " You gotta love this guy.

To see NOE on Facebook, click the icon on the right and tell us you like us!

Red, White and Blue

2010-04-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

Neighbors at the new property pitched in today to help us paint over the graffiti on the wall.

A young lady and former NOE student who recently started coming to Bible study attempted suicide last weekend, we are working with her and her parents and seeking professional help.

A group of seven from Vancouver, Canada arrive this Saturday.

The exchange tickets are purchased and they have their visa appointment on May 14th.

Thank you for you prayer support for each of NOE's programs, there's always something going on!

A Calling

2010-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

The famed "voladores" of Papantla, Veracruz perform their colorful ritual near the city's church.

To be a missionary in the conservative church in which I grew up, one had to be called. Many, many good people have experienced such a calling, only to feel like a fish out of water in their new country and, as a result, end up being called back to mother country a few years down the road.

My call to Mexico came in the form of falling in love with Mireya who is my wife of 22 years. The country, though, never ceases to fascinate me (don´t get me wrong, there are times of frustration mixed in!). Whether or not this qualifies as a calling, I don´t know. Sure feels like one.

Pozole, the Prof and the Pros

2010-04-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Seydel, Sharon Overcast, Valeria, Omar and Ana Bertha (front).

Pozole (po-SO-lay) is a spicy, Mexican soup with hominy and pork. Ana Bertha's mom is an expert at making it and kindly invited us over to eat some a couple weeks ago. To be exact, a day before the Prof, Sharon Overcast (a.k.a. mom), was to return to Billings, Montana after a three month stint as a volunteer at the NOE Center. We appreciate her contribution to NOE!

And the Pros? In Mexico, someone who finishes a college degree is known as a "profesionista." We are finding that most of the NOE students who participate in the exchange program (known as the Dream Team) go on to become "pros."

The friends Ana invited over to share pozole with mom and I were all part of the 2003 Dream Team. Seydel is in her second year as an elementary school teacher. Valeria is working on her thesis on orchids to finish her college degree in biology. Ana is finishing up coursework in medicine and starts her year of hospital service next year. Omar graduated in computer engineering and is working on his masters.

I asked Omar why he decided to continue on to the master's program. "They´re paying me to do it!" he answered. He was awarded a full scholarship by the state university here in Morelia!

Rolling Hills Group Connects with NOE

2010-04-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Jack Tillotson shows two NOE students some photos of his hometown, Portland, Oregon, during his visit to Morelia. Why are these people on the sidewalk instead of in a classroom? Because it's seventy-five degrees out and there are no classrooms available!

A group from Rolling Hills Community Church tumbled into Morelia last week. The primary purpose of their trip was to interract with NOE students and staff. They came equipped with photos and an outgoing attitude that connected with our kids, and gave them some real world English language practice. Joe Tillotson, who visited with his two teenage sons (he can be seen in the background of the photo wearing a light blue shirt) had this to say about his visit:

I think if I had to choose one thing that impressed me the most, and impacted myself and my boys the most during our week at NOE, it would be the community that I witnessed amongst the youth (and adults). I was truly amazed day after day as I observed how the youth interacted: the young men spending quality time interacting with the younger boys and girls, the young women doing the same, kids with adults, adults with kids. I saw no cliques, no closed groups. I saw young people respecting and appreciating older folks (like me), and the adults caring for and appreciating the youth. There were many other great experiences I could describe, and lots of fun stories I could share, but the community atmosphere shared amongst the youth and staff at NOE was my favorite one.

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

I was in the little town of Tzintzuntzan on Good Friday, camera in hand. The overexposed image at left seemed like a mistake at first, then a metaphor. This is how so many Mexicans view salvation, as something that needs to be suffered for, suffering that leads to Light.

There was a lot of suffering going on in Tzintzuntzan. These ankles bled after hours of abuse. Pilgrims crawled on their knees to the temple from who knows how far away. The passion play vividly depicted the suffering of Jesus. By the end of the day, I was ready for resurrection.

Border Crossing, the Van (part 3 of 3)

2010-03-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

NOE students pose beside the new van with reflections of our neighborhood in the windows.

The van is here, finally. It is being gawked at. One student commented, "It's not a van, it's a bus!" Our players from the new NOE clapped the first time I arrived to pick them up in it. Our faithful Suburban of 11 years, soon to be sold, is noticeably jealous. All this has made the border crossing nightmare fade like one of those frantic dreams that come just before waking up.

Months ago, NOE supporters in Montana found this 1998 Ford Econoline 15 passenger van/bus and decided to donate it to NOE: Wayne and Judy Brownson, directors of the best camp in the universe, Clydehurst Christian Ranch. Sharon Overcast, a.k.a. "mom", who is currently volunteering as an English teacher at the NOE Center. She's a trooper! And my uncle Robert Bishop, who replaced all the fluids, put on four brand new tires, put in a new battery and alternator, and gave his seal of approval. To all of you, gracias! Your donation is making a big impression.

Border Crossing, Violence (part 2 of 3)

2010-03-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

The photo at left of two boys racing to school, meant to balance today's blog entry, was taken a day after our border crossing, far from border, back to the Mexico I love.

Now that we had all the van papers in order, the next step was to find a mechanic. Once again, it was a taxi driver who assisted us. "I´ll call my friend 'Negro', he's a good mechanic." He told us in that common mexican vernacular of nicknames. " 'Negro' is busy, let me see if 'Fish' can help us out."

We changed course to pick up "Fish", he looked over the van and said it would be best to replace the drive belt in his shop since by now it was getting dark. Two other mechanics were there, big men, rough men. Seeing them genuinely frightened when the shots rang out rattled Mireya and I. Six to eight blocks away, machine gun fire, grenade blasts, people hurrying to get off the street and these mechanics urging us to get inside. Later they would show us bullet holes on the outside of a house next door, results of the narco wars just a few days before.

With that van fixed, we wanted to just get out of Reynosa, but were strongly advised not to drive at night. What a day.

Sometimes you have to be confronted with sin at its ugliest and experience the kindest of people surviving in its midst to be reminded of the the cosmic battle our world is embroiled in.

Border Crossing, Vulnerable (Part 1 of 3)

2010-03-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

After the meeting with Max Lucado, Mireya and I headed to McAllen, Texas to pick a donated van to take back to Morelia. Everything went as expected until we got to the border.

In the photo, Mireya is standing with our suitcases on a sidewalk on the border. The van was being inspected 300 yards down the road as an import so could have nothing in it. Not even us. We were relieved to see the 23 year old assistant of the Christian brother Marco who was helping us with the paperwork drive up in the van a half an hour later, although I noticed some wires or something hanging down from the engine. Turned out to be a piece of the drive belt--we would have to look for a mechanic in Reynosa on the Mexican side of the border.

We loaded our stuff up and drove through the border check point. Turns out we were supposed to meet the assistant on the other side. I didn´t follow his poorly given instructions or my wife's insistence. Big mistake. I finally found a place to pull over, a convenience store a half a mile from the border. Called on my cell phone, no service. Bought a phone card for the pay phone, didn´t work. What to do? Any policeman at that point could pull us over for driving without license plates. Lost in Reynosa.

We drove another mile to a large store with underground parking. Knowing we needed a permit to go all the way to Morelia without license plates, we caught a taxi. This was the most unnerving part of the day for us. Leaving the store parking lot, we both saw the taxi driver signal to someone and a brand new SUV with polarized windows driven by what looked to be a young gangster roared up behind us. Are we about to get assaulted? We sure thought so. What was going on there? I still couldn´t tell you. I just know we felt totally vulnerable at that point.

In the end, he dropped us off at a police station. Turned out to be the wrong one so we walked a couple blocks to catch another taxi. Got to the right station and found out we were missing a document. At this point, we knew we had to somehow get into contact with Marco. The taxi driver who was taking us back to the van offered his cell phone. Lord, please bless his kindness.

We told Marco where we were, his assistant delivered the missing document, we returned to the police station and got the permit. Now, to find a mechanic.

Max Lucado and NOE

2010-03-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Mireya and I in front of Oak Hills Church following our meeting with Max Lucado.

Max Lucado might be the best known Christian in our world. Yet, last September, he took time to meet with four NOE graduates during a book tour in Mexico City. And, here we were, Mireya and I, waiting outside his office in San Antonio last Tuesday.

He arrived a little late (actually a little early by Mexican time), apologized as he ushered us into his office, listened as we talked about NOE, asked questions, shared about his own experiences as a missionary in Brazil years ago.

The Max Lucado that comes through in his books is the same one we talked to. Sincere, humble, compassionate. And generous.

Fatima Comes to Faith

2010-03-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

Lou and Sharon Overcast pose with their student, Hector Aviles (far right) in 2004. Fatima is holding the family's pet chihuahua.

This is a sad story with a happy ending, or at least some light at the end of the tunnel. The Aviles family has been involved in the NOE Center since the early 90's. They ran a printing press a block away from where Brett and Margaret Hespen first lived.

Around six years ago, their father lost his sight due to diabetes. Despite his disability, he continued to be upbeat. Hector, the oldest son, left school to take over the printing press. Three years ago, the father passed away. Soon after, realtive on the father's side decided to sell the house that the Aviles family had been renting. They lost their dad and were forced out of their home in a matter of months.

Throughout this time, NOE staff has been in contact with the family. One day after homework help class a couple of months ago, Fatima poured her heart out to a NOE staff person and trusted Christ with her life.

NOE Helps Flood Victims

2010-02-22T18:01:00.000-08:00

Top: Workers hand out aid. Bottom: Rocks and mud from the landslide four feet deep inside a Catholic church in Angangueo. Photographs by Hugo Bedolla.

Unseasonal rains a couple weeks ago had us shivering here in Morelia. But the results near the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary three hours from here were devastating as mudslides crashed through small towns. The sister of a good friend lost her home. Seventeen people lost their lives.

This past week the NOE Center together with several area churches collected food and clothing to send up to the victims. Hugo Bedolla from NOE joined Terry Hill from Portland, Jake Miller (NOE intern in 1996 who now is a missionary in a Morelia orphanage) and Isaias Juarez (local pastor and former NOE employee) to deliver the goods, to make sure every can of corn got to its intended destination.

For more on the flood damage, see: http://gomexico.about.com/b/2010/02/10/monarch-butterfly-territory-flooded.htm

Then Upon Jahaziel...II Chronicles 20:14

2010-02-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

I had seen Jahaziel running around the ark the day before and invited him to be on the basketball team. Thin, short for his age, but fast. When he came back the next day with his mom, I noticed his shoes didn´t match. “His dad is looking for work in another city, his older brother was coming to homework help in NOE but we didn´t enroll him this trimester. There’s no money, only what little I make.” she explained. I knew from looking at her that she was telling the truth. Times were hard. “Don´t worry,” I answered, “You and your boys, you’re the reason NOE is here!”

Jahaziel’s mom went to the office and worked out a scholarship agreement with Hugo. When she popped back into the ark to watch her son in basketball practice, she was beaming.

House Calls

2010-02-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

NOE teacher Juan Peralta tests Jorge Esteban's cast to see if it's hard enough.

NOE is a community center and sometimes kids stop coming. We want to know why. In Jorge Esteban's case, he had been hit by a pick-up and his leg was broken in two places. His mom, who has a small frame and home decor shop four blocks from NOE, sure appreciated the visit to check in on her son. He missed three weeks of English but is back and doing well.

Many times I´ve gone to visit a NOE family and used to hesitate before knocking when I would see the sticker that many have on their front door: "This is a Catholic home. We do not accept Protestant propoganda..." I stopped being concerned because the reception I got was always the same, "Hello, teacher, how are you, come in, have a seat, can I get you anything to drink?" Enthusiasm. Because of relationship.

Happy 1st Anniversary!

2010-02-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

A young man reads an evangelistic pamphlet after a NOE activity.

Hope and a future. That's what the NOE Center is all about today, and has been about during the past 18 years. There have been many changed lives, but those stories haven´t always made it back to our supporters in the United States. That's why this first anniversary of the blog is significant--we're finally getting the word out...so you can rejoice with us in what God is doing!

Tough Guys

2010-01-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

A tattooed father at the annual spring parade takes a photo of his daughter.

Someone sent me a Youtube video the other day about a skateboard church. They ask the youth leader how he talks about Christ to skateboarders. I liked his response: "Most people aren´t as hard as we think they are."

One of the reasons we started the basketball program at NOE was to reach a different type of young person. I´d been involved in the program as a coach, but primarily for teams my daughter Kristina played on. A couple months ago I got back into coaching, taking on NOE's older guys (9th and 10th graders). This past weekend, the NOE coaching staff took three teams to the Michoacan state tournament in a small, dusty town four hours from Morelia. I hadn´t ever coached high school guys in this type of competition. They all like to come across as tough. Guess what I'm learning? They're not nearly as hard as we think they are.

In Her Own Words

2010-01-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

Laura Cazares with Olivia Stuart during the 2009 exchange program. On Thursday, Jan. 28th, Laura will travel to Mexico City for her interview for the Walton scholarship. In the following excerpt from an essay she wrote during the application process you see the importance of the relational ministry of the NOE Center.

I started to learn English when I was in 7th grade at NOE Center. I studied for 5 years until I went to the US with the exchange group. It was the best experience of my life, I met a bunch of great people and I made fabulous friendships and I learned a lot of things for my life and I know God is going to use that experience to bless my life and my family’s life.

NOE Center has been like my second home, I started to go to NOE when I was in 4th grade, I started with painting classes but I ‘m not that good, I met a lot people I met my best friends of my all life during that time, and now ,8 years after, they still are my best friends. All the people at NOE Center are like part of my family all the teachers, students etc. They helped me when I needed it. With them I shared my sadness, anger, disappointment, but also more joys and happiness. I can say that NOE changed my life.

Now I’m going to tell you something about my family. As I said before my parents are separated, it was 3 years ago. It was so difficult for me, for my mom and siblings. NOE was very supportive for me when it happened, and I learned one of the best lessons of my life: For everything that happens God has a purpose that will be a blessing to my life.

For more on NOE's Walton scholars, see: http://www.noecenter.org/Walton.html

Writing on the Wall

2010-01-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Good news, the wall is being built! Good news, there's graffiti on it!

I was in Portland briefly this week and excited about showing photos of the wall that is going up around the new NOE property. However, the first person I showed it to was immediately taken back by all the graffiti.

What does the graffiti really tell us, though? I think it reveals that we are going to the right type of neighborhood, one that is in dire need of the NOE Center program. And…that we need a wall! We need to seal the court off with wall and fence so any rising graffiti artist can’t just walk on and start painting.

Don Pipo and His Grandchildren

2010-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

"Don Pipo" ("Don" is the Spanish term for "Mr." for an older man, "Pipo" is his nickname) glances quickly at the camera during his work on the water cistern at the NOE Center property.

If I were a journalist, I would know more about Don Pipo. I´m sure as the years go by we will get to know each other. What I know is that he is around 70 years old, stands 5'3" and hoists 110 lb. bags of cement onto his back like nothing. He is a hard worker. He lives right across the street from the new property, by storing materials in his home we have been able to save the cost of a nightwatchman. He is a blessing to NOE.

Don Pipo was robbed the Sunday after Christmas. At 4 am he was walking to the corn mill a few blocks from his home to buy dough for his daughters tortilla business and four drug addicts beat him up and stole the $20 he had on him. The property is in a much tougher neighborhood than where we are now. But not any tougher than Don Pipo.

His grandkids are itching for the new NOE to open, we can see them running around in Explorers Bible club. Can you imagine one if his grandchildren on a Dream Team? I can and it brings tears to my eyes. Keeps me going.

Even Nature is Busy

2009-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

It’s a busy time of year, waking up at first light, out and about all day, literally unsure where the next meal for the kids will come from…at least, I´m assuming that’s what is going though the mind of the mother hummingbird who nested right outside our kitchen window. She looks nervous, and I don´t think it’s from too much expresso! It’s a blessing to have a little reminder of God’s incredible creation here in the middle of the concrete jungle.

And right in the middle of a season where we balance business with beholding Emmanuel. Blessings from all of us at the NOE Center!

Sports and Staying in School

2009-12-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

NOE Center basketball players in an April 2007 photograph. From left to right, Sandi got her English dipoloma from NOE and is finishing up high school, Cinthya is on a basketball scholarship at LaSalle University here in Morelia, Monserrat is in her last year of English at NOE and studying high school, Amanda is a junior in high school.

I was up taking video of the new basketball court the city of Morelia built for NOE. I wanted to show the need for a fence, so had a couple kids throw a ball off the court to film it rolling down the hill for three blocks. On the first try, a group of neighbors, fearing I was about to lose a basketball, stopped it from going down the hill.

"What are you doing?" they asked. I told them about the NOE Center project and then added, "Soon we'll be training teams on that court, do any of you like to play?" A girl seated behind the group raised her hand, "I do." A couple of the ladies laughed and one of them quipped, "She already has her own ball!" I looked closer. The girl, age 15, was pregnant.

I couldn´t help but think, what if the NOE Center had already been here a couple years back?

On Fire for God

2009-12-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Emmanuel Valencia has been at the NOE Center for most of his childhood. In our first DVD, he appears as an elementary age student (top half of the photo at left) who explains how NOE has helped him learn English and learn about God.

He kept learning English--this summer Emmanuel will be going to Portland with the exchange group.

And he kept learning about God. Following a difficult separation between his parents, Emmanuel got involved in an area church that has a thriving youth group. He brought them to the NOE Center last week to do skits, praise and evangelism with our students. It was an incredible evening that gave many of our students a completely different view of what church can be like.

NOE Alumnus Featured in Business Publication

2009-12-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ramon Ulises in a recent article of a Guadalajara, Mexico business publication.

In my July 7, 2009 blog you were introduced to Señora Enriqueta ("Painting Her Way Through Pain"). She stopped by my office the other day with a business magazine and newspaper article featuring her son Ramon (2001 Dream Team).

In the telephone conversation that ensued, Ramon talked enthusiastically about his job as an accountant and financial consultant and reiterated his gratefulness for all he had learned at the NOE Center. Sounds like he's found his stride!

This Kid's No Space Cadet

2009-11-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

Fidel, on right with glasses, during a NOE basketball game.

Yesterday Fidel, a NOE English student who also helps us tutor Homework Help classes, arrived all excited because Mexico's first astronaut, Jose Hernandez Moreno, had spoken at his school. "His parents were farmers, and look what he has become!" Fidel exclaimed.

Fidel is the type of kid it is fun to help. He started in English at NOE, played basketball, attends youth group, helps eagerly and man does he love science. He comes from humble beginnings, but he's dreaming about flying high.

NOE Carnival a Success

2009-11-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

Remarried! One of the most popular activities at our annual carnival are "weddings." However, the participants are usually teenagers. This year, the son of this couple wanted to remarry them personally (he was the judge, not pictured), perhaps to remind them to stay the course.

This past weekend, we had our Amigo Night for alumni on Friday and then the annual Kermesse carnival on Saturday. Both were very well attended, enthusiasm is growing as people see the construction project start to come together. Although a very busy time for staff, it is rewarding to see everyone--literally everyone--pitch in by cooking, selling, buying, playing, karaokeing (is that a word?).

The event reflects our philosophy to have the center here parallel what is being done in the States--if NOE International has a fundrasing event in Portland, we will do the same down here. It may not raise the same amount, but not for lack of effort! We always require something from the people we help and in so doing ownership and responsibility are developed.

"Estamos en la gloria" (We're in paradise)

2009-11-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hugo Bedolla, Brett Hespen, Brian Overcast and Tim Richards in La Gloria, Hidalgo.

If the fountain of youth can be a place that makes one feel younger, not necessarily be younger, I think I can put a name to it: Tolantongo. This past weekend, before heading back to the States, Brett and the boys convinced Hugo and I to accompany them to this place. It was good for both of us to quit being in charge of NOE for a couple days and to just play. It helped that most of the water that oozed out of this mountain valley was hot, the surroundings were beautiful and the people who shared it with us were true friends.

Brett and Tim have been involved in NOE from the beginning. Fun to see their love for NOE and Mexico become contagious. Brett's son Danny and youth staff person Brent Hernandez are catching the bug. I think that bodes well for future interns and other support.

The Boys Are Back in Town!

2009-11-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

Brett, Tim, Brent and Danny enjoy some tacos within minutes of arriving in Morelia.

"God is God. You're not." Brett Hespen, quoting Chris Stuart, after learning that the process of bringing the van in as a donation would work better since it didn´t cross the border and would save NOE at least $1,000. (see previous blog entry for details) We are in an accelerated learning process on getting this van to Morelia, wading through misinformation and just leaving it in God's hands.

Always good to see Brett and Tim, who were involved with starting the NOE Center. Brett's oldest son Danny will probably be tired of hearing people comment on his height, "Wow, you're taller than your dad, I know you when you were only this tall..." And Brent Hernandez, at the taco stand I asked him if he wanted to go home and rest after having been on the road pretty much straight for 72 hours, he replied, "I'm in Mexico, I'm counting the hours already, let's go do something!"

Energy, and a love for Mexico, makes these guys fun to have around!

Donated Van Stuck on Border

2009-11-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

Man carrying rooster, taken during my first long-term stay in Mexico in 1986.

In 1986, I crossed the Mexican border for the first time in my own car, a 1979 Ford Fiesta. I carried with me three rolled up one dollar bills in my front pocket and a rolled up ten in my back pocket. The rolled up ones were layed next to the manual typewriter the immigration officer and his short, fat fingers used to pound out my tourist visa. The ten was given via handshake to the officer who gave me my car permit. Off I went, glad to have been given such good advice by my missionary friends!

Aah, the border. You know that saying, you can never step into the same river twice? Well, you can never cross the Mexican border the same way twice. That's what Brett Hespen and the boys found out when they were denied permission to cross into Mexico in NOE's donated 1998 Ford Econoline van that they had volunteered to transport from Denver to Morelia. A red flag showed up on the computer on another border crossing six years ago, a paper not turned in, something any of us who crossed the border in the good old days is guilty of...I'm wondering what they got on me!

What It Means to Have an Angel

2009-10-27T07:54:00.001-07:00

A NOE student concentrates on the content of a letter to her angel.

It's nice to know you have an angel. It's also easier to share certain things with that person, things very few people may know. Here are some excerpts from some recent letters that NOE students wrote their angels:

"I would like to let you know of some things that I feel kind of afraid to talk about, even the simplest fact of talking to a guy and not knowing what to say, makes me scared. "

"I'm a little concerned about a job I applied for, I´m studying haircutting at NOE and I want to get a job in that even though I´m still in school, I want to help my family with some expenses. I really hope you can pray for me."

"I'm terrified about certain animals. The animal that scares me the most is the shark."

"Even though I haven't met you yet, I thank you for taking the time to offer your support to me."

To learn more about the NOE Center Angel program, go to : http://www.noecenter.org/Angel.html

Raising Children

2009-10-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here I am in 1988 in my cubicle at Standard Insurance Company in Portland, working as a group underwriter but dreaming of Mexico.

True story, June, 1991. I had just given my two week notice at Standard Insurance and announced that I would be moving with my wife and 8 month old daughter to Morelia, Mexico to work on a project with the Brindar Foundation. I was on the escalator going down. A female executive was on her way up. She asked, accusingly, “You’re going to raise your kids in Mexico?!” I didn´t even have time to respond.

After having spent years working with young people, after hearing from fellow parents in the United States, after talking to a dad at the NOE Center parent-teacher night last Friday, and still in the midst of raising my own two daughters, here’s what I´ve found out since that day in June 1991: It’s tough to raise kids anywhere!

Do Chickens Have Lips?

2009-10-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

Wayne Brownson enjoys a free haircut at the NOE Center hair styling class in November of 2008.

Some of you may know that Clydehurst Christian Camp Director Wayne Brownson severely injured his back last week when he was on a ladder that broke. He drove himself home, told his wife Judy his back really hurt, laid down on the floor to rest and couldn´t get back up. Turns out he had several fractured vertebrae. Surgery was done a week ago today, two 10 inch titanium rods placed on each side of his lower back and bolted into vertebrae. He is in a lot of pain. Recovery will be long. Please pray for Wayne and Judy.

My first memory of Wayne was as a third grader at camp. I got in trouble and was sent to the Director. That was 38 years ago and he is still going strong at Clydehurst.

Just a few years after that, as a junior higher in Billings, Mark Shoman had Wayne for his choir teacher. Mark would later marry Kelly Rohart and both play an important part alongside Laurie Henkle in establishing Brindar Design and the Brindar Foundation which founded the NOE Center.

As leaders of a prominent Christian camp, Wayne and Judy surely get deluged with requests to support different ministries, yet they have generously supported our ministry as angels, and recently helped purchase a used van that will be a huge blessing at NOE.

Will Wayne recover from this? If you'd ask him, I can already imagine his response: "Do chicken have lips?"

Poptarts and Thoughts, PDX Airport

2009-10-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Pastor Chris Stuart and Roger Cornell of Portland work with the Trinity Fellowship youth group on the new NOE Center property in the summer of 2008.

“Too much to carry, too much to let go.” --Bruce Cockburn

Such is the state of many Americans, desiring the simpler life but unwilling to sacrifice to make it happen. Some think this simpler life is available in Mexico, as if Mexicans had the secret. My observation has been that Mexicans who don’t have money live the simple life and those with money start spending it!

There is a group of Americans, though, who seem to be a little more content with life and finance. I have come to know them well. They are the people that make NOE possible. From the very beginning of our organization, they chose to invest in people—in this case the children that attend the NOE Center—instead of getting the fancier car or the bigger house. Like many choices advocated in scripture, this one goes against our nature yet results in contentment. Strange how that happens, it’s as if God wanted us to be happy.

I am in Portland after a five day visit, after the NOE Cup golf event, sitting in the airport, munching on strawberry poptarts, one last cup of strong coffee and I am just plain thankful for every person who supports us.

NOE's Biggest Smile

2009-09-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

Edgar got a kick out of this small t-shirt at a recent NOE youth activity--he thought it made him look like the Hulk!

He's almost always smiling, and it's always a big one.

Edgar Valdovinos grew up the youngest of three boys, raised by a single mom. He was about to drop out of school when his mom got him into NOE. Today, he is studying for his degree in computer systems and helping as a tutor in our homework help program. He went to Portland as part of the 2007 Dream Team (see http://www.noecenter.org/Alumni.html to check up on other exchange students). When you ask Edgar how NOE has impacted his life, he'll give you a big smile and few words.

On the other hand, his mom, in Bible study recently, shared how the NOE Center had turned it around for Edgar. So much so that she was convinced to attend Bible study where she has been a regular.

Stung by a Scorpion

2009-09-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Isabel Ceballos at a NOE Samaritan's purse activity in 2008. Her mom, Yolanda, a single mom, coaches basketball at NOE. Both Isabel and her mom were on the NOE staff retreat this past weekend. We are blessed with a wonderful group of teachers at NOE; dedicated, unified and a lot of fun!

I am 48 hours beyond having been bitten by a scorpion, and as I type this, each time my fingers touch the keyboard, they tingle, a strong tingle like that of a foot gone to sleep that is just waking up. This sensation, not pain and vomiting (as one might expect), is the primary characteristic of the dreaded scorpion sting.

Monday morning just before noon at the NOE staff retreat I was hanging up a wet towel and felt a sharp pain on the tip of my right pinky. I dropped everything and that's when I saw the instigator. I was driven to a nearby village where they gave me an antivenom within the hour.

By that time, my throat was already feeling sore and tight. The doctor said I would be fine, which I understood later meant I wouldn't die. He didn't tell me everything else I would experience within the next few days: slurred speech, roving eyes and the ever present tingling sensation. On the bus trip home, while slightly delirious, I heard some great stories from other NOE staff who had been bitten.

I understand now why those little critters have such a bad reputation.

The Long Run

2009-09-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

1997 NOE Exchange program, where are they now? Guys, left to right, Israel (see story), Victor is a computer programmer, Rafael is working on his doctorate in electrical engineering and recently married. Girls, left to right, Liliana is an accountant, Xochitl is back from China and working in business, Lidia is an English teacher and mom, Mireya is a doctor and mom.

The long run. The NOE Center is in it for the long run. That is our modus operandi for ministry. That is our desire as an organization, to be doing the same things in 30 years as we are now. I have always wanted to do a long run, a marathon, and am planning to try one on December 6, 2009 in Mazatlan, Mexico. Anyone like to join me?

Here’s why NOE wants to be in the long run. I was at a store last week registering for a 10k when up walks Israel Martinez who was part of the 1997 Dream Team. He was a bit rebellious as a teenager. Antagonistic towards the gospel. Yet, a very likeable kid. We have been in contact throughout the years as he married and became a father.

The latest on Israel is he has become a Christian, is reading the Bible, is helping with web page and technical stuff at church and at another non-profit! NOE had a part of what God is doing in his life, but we never would have known about it if there hadn´t been a relationship there. That’s why we’re in it for the long run! That's why we need a permanent home for the NOE program! Anyone like to join me?

Rookie Host Families Survive Exchange Month

2009-09-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Karen Garcia poses next to Umbrella Man in Pioneer Square during the 2009 NOE Exchange program.

2009 was a unique year for the exchange program as eight of the nine host families were newbies, rookies, oh, and first-timers. And wonderful host families, I might add! After our feedback meeting with the students this past week my cheeks hurt from laughing at all the stories.

This year's students were especially involved at NOE and it looks like that will continue. Cuco will be helping with computer classes and as our special event technician. Four of the others came up to me after the meeting and asked if they could volunteer in our homework help program. Their lives have been impacted and now they want to start impacting others!

City of Morelia Begins Construction of Basketball Court

2009-08-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

City workers build a retaining wall which will run along the front of the NOE property.

The news in the local papers has been negative recently, budget cuts in governments programs as the financail crisis takes its toll on Mexico. So, we were excited to see that the outdoor basketball court the city had promised the NOE Center didn´t get axed. The machines are rolling in and soon the balls will be bouncing!

On a personal note, my wife Mireya was the victim of a hit and run yesterday evening. She was in a left turn lane and a car coming down the expressway lost control and hit her back right side and again on the front right side and then drove off. Mireya is okay, she has back pain and will have to wear a neck brace for the next two weeks.

A NOE supporter who visited last fall commented that he didn´t understand why, given the crazy driving in Mexico, there weren't dead bodies just lying all over the place! We got a kick out of that comment and are thankful that in our 18 years this is the first accident we´ve been involved in.

The Saga of Becoming a Public School Elementary Teacher in Mexico

2009-08-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Former NOE Center student (and teacher ) Seydel Gil with her second graders in the village of Irimba, two twisty hours east of Morelia.

The most difficult part of living in a developing country is not to judge. The sterotypical American visitor to Mexico asks repeatedly, "Why do you do it like that? That makes no sense! In my country..." The "why" of many realities in the Mexican public school system is beyond me. Better stick to what I know, which is the story of Seydel.

Many of you are familiar with her, a long time NOE student and then teacher. It was at NOE she developed a love for teaching and the confidence that she could be a good teacher. She was accepted into the Teacher's College here in Morelia, an institution that is very difficult to get into since it is the only way to become an elementary public school teacher in this state and most of Mexico. She graduated in June of 2008.

I thought she might want to work more hours at NOE for a couple years after graduating and then pursue teaching. "I´d love to," she said, "but if I do that it will be almost impossible for me to get a job in the public school system."

Graduates from a Teacher's College are guaranteed a position the year after graduation, usually in a rural area of the state. They don´t apply to teach there, they are assigned. That position then becomes their bargaining tool for, someday down the line, getting a job in the city of Morelia. That's their bottom rung on the ladder. If they don´t accept it, that ladder is really difficult to get on!

If they do accept it, they are in. And, the position is theirs. They have part ownership, including a say in what teacher takes the position if they find another one. The real owner of the position is the union, more on that in the next post.