Belonging: Like Fish In Water

Andrea's most consistent comment in the weeks since officially being staff at YWAM Mazatlán Campus Durango (YWAM MCD) has been that she's 'part of it' and 'free to be' herself. In the same way that not every person is a great fit for every job placement, business, or industry, we had both realized last year that neither of us were best suited for our former ministry, and 2023 gave confirmation of that as we each learned what it felt like to be someplace we were suited to be in.

Now ten years removed from my home country and language, remembering idioms is something that occasionally suffers as a consequence. While I remember clearly that 'a fish out of water' is a common phrase, I find myself struggling to remember whether or not its inverse also exists. (It does in Spanish! Como pez en el agua) Nonetheless, I'm sure the sentiment can be clearly understood. We have found environments were we really feel like we belong.

Andrea's people-oriented heart has found the abundance of people it was longing for, as YWAM Mazatlán is now one of the largest bases in Mexico. Though the Durango Campus is much smaller, the solid connection fosters a constant flow of teams, students, and staff between the two campuses. The values of YWAM are more visible and practiced, including championing the youth, servant leadership, being international and interdenominational, and other elements that drew Andrea to YWAM in the first place. She (and the whole Durango campus) recently spent a week in Mazatlán participating in the base's annual Carnival outreach, which included street evangelism, worship, intercession, and other outreach activities during the world's third-largest mardi-gras/carnival celebration.

It has also been special to hear about an ongoing 'divine appointment' that first occurred as a result of Andrea's transition to YWAM MCD. When she first arrived to the base, she learned that one of the young ladies there recently lost her father. Andrea's empathetic nature, together with her numbered experiences of losing loved ones, has given her a unique ability to walk alongside her new friend as she processes the grief of the loss of her father. Although Andrea's grieving process was extremely painful and littered with bad advice, she found new meaning in that season of her life, which she now views as a time that equipped her to help someone else going through similar circumstances, as she is currently doing.

I've had similar feelings in the church, too. My teaching responsibilities quickly increased, and I've already had the privilege of preaching two Sunday sermons and teaching numerous mid-week classes. Yet I've been finding that my friendship with the pastor has become one of my main ministry avenues (though not diminishing my role with the rest of the congregation). In addition to giving weekly feedback on his sermons, I've been able to offer encouragement and perspective as he continues to navigate the many responsibilities of the pastorate, and he has trusted me to give theological and practical input both on church matters as well as some personal ones. We often go out for coffee and he will pick my brain about a variety of topics, and he has shown abundant gratitude for the role I've taken in his life. Although I have had the privilege of sharing and teaching in front of the whole congregation, I've found that the 'backstage/ out-of-sight' role that God has placed me in to support the pastor has been equally important.

It has been a refreshing change for both of us to feel like fish in water, being truly valued by the people around us, and we are both so grateful to God for His guidance that brought us to where we are now beginning to flourish, me in Bethel church and Andrea in YWAM Mazatlán Campus Durango.

Andrea with Carnival team

Kids at the Soup Kitchen

Steve's Sunday Sermon

Playing with kids