Today were scheduled to go the UNAM, the University of Mexico City. UNAM is the largest and most prestigious college in Latin America and is described as the Harvard of Latin America. It is the institution for 300,000 students who are mostly atheist, agnostic or catholic. We are supposed to meet up with the Cali6, a group of six missionary guys who are all here for a couple years from California. We got up and ready for them to come by at 10 oclock to pick us up to talk to college students.
When the Cali6 showed up at 12 to pick us up(appointments aren´t very important here in Mexico) we took the long metro ride to UNAM. On the way I spoke a lot to Justin. He was telling me that they´re primary function is to meet christians at UNAM and encourage them to get plugged in and start bible studies. They also spend hours on campus evangelising to students.
When we got to there we split into groups to go and talk to people. I actually got into a group where we were playing pick-up basketball with a bunch of students. I now know how smokers feel. This was the first time I had done strenouos exercise while here and considering we´re 7,000 ft. above sea level my chest was killing me. And being the active and somewhat athletic guy that I am I hated my new handicap. But in between games we had plenty of oppurtunties to talk to the students and I was amzed at how many spoke farely impressive english.
I spoke to one guy who is going there to be an archetect and he told me all about what school is like and his home life. He shared with me how he is searching now and agreed to come to our bible study at 4. We also spoke to a girl who was catholic but pretty much believed that if you were good you were going to heaven. But after playing about 2 and half hours of basketball and having 1 3/4 heart attacks we sat down for the bible study.
Even though the bible study was good half way through his voice drowned out and i started watching all the people walking by. I started wondering about their story, there pains and struggles. I wondered what got them where they were right at that very moment. I had this sudden urge to start going up to people and asking them their story. Because after all our story is what makes us who we are, and if you know someones story then you know them.
After the bible study we got a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel. Today wasn´t quite as powerful and dramatic as yesterday but nonetheless it opened my eyes to their culture. Most of the students opened up to us and invited us to play with them. I want to say they were hungry for the truth but honestly I just think the mexican culture is more focused on relationships then we are. But anyway tomorrow is our first day helping with Passion. Grace and Peace.
