The Tech

Today we woke up ready to talk to people about God at the world famous "Tech."

"We have to go where and do what!?!"

This year our approach was a little different than last year. Last time we sort of went ahead with the shotgun approach. We talked to as many people as we could about their faith, the church, etc. and hoped that some would stick. This year we had the hope of really connecting with one or two students who would be solid contacts for the church. Also, we had the students help us with a survey (pictured above) about why so many people of Monterrey don't attend church. About 98% of the population is Catholic (at least they claim to be) but VERY few actually practice.

In the past I've had people help me with a "survey" which was really just a conversation starter. I've always felt a little disingenuous about tricking people into talking with me with a fake survey but this research will be vital to the new church here. If they understand why most people don't go to church, they can try to remove those barriers to attract more people.

The school is truly international. Students come from all over the world to study at this private university. Even though the name is "tech," it is far from a 2 year tech school. It costs about $6,000 (American) per semester and the students need to speak both english and spanish in order to attend. Also, they have to own a laptop just to be admitted.

They also have random animals that just wander around the campus. Get em Cori!

Random enough for you?

This is a tower with some classes and not so nice security people... but I wouldn't know anything about that. heh... moving on.

This is the cafeteria which is sort of a mad house. It's amazing to see how communal the students are. Every table is filled with students studying, talking, laughing, and just carrying on. In the US I'd bet about 3/4ths of these tables would be college students studying and eating on their own. This is the same reason why people here will just sit and talk with you for an hour between class. Being independent and autonomous isn't so important.

This painting has something to do with the history of Mexico. I think it is one of those smart people things that I keep hearing about.

This is Ramone and Enna who were introduced to the church from the last mission trip. It's cool to think that we are helping to connect with students who the last team began ministering to. Hopefully the next group will hook up with the people we talked to today.

So we walked past the international building and Eric was showing how they list all the international students by name on this glass board. The list was old... from last year and he got a kick out of pointing out a friend who no longer goes to school here but is still listed...

And that would be her! I guess that's funny if you've been kooked up in Mexico for 9 months. Poor guy.

The campus is right in the middle of the city and you can still see all the mountains in every direction. I heard someone say today that the city is surrounded by 7 large mountains. Very cool.

The mascot of the school is a Ram. They keep bragging about how good their college (American) football team is. Which is ironic because no one cares about football. We went to eat at Chilli's which was playing an NFL preseason game on the TV screens. No one in the place even glanced at the TV until some soccer high lights flashed on the screen.

Where did Jim go? If it was up to him, the church would be made solely of baristas!

All in all we had a pretty sweet time. I didn't get an exact count but I know of at least 6 people who prayed to receive Christ for the first time today. It's tough to say if all of these people were being genuine because sometimes people will say whatever you want to hear so they don't offend you.

I met a young guy named Julio today who was really interested in everything we had to say. I told him about how I grew up going to church but really started to follow God when I was 14. I realized that God was real and everything in the Bible was true. That God loved me so much he sent his son to die for me. That he had a plan for my life and would never leave me.

I told him about the church and everything but what really caught his attention was the english/spanish bible. He had to run for class so I started wheeling and dealing like a used car salesman. I told him he could have the Bible if he promised to come to our goodbye party this Friday and meet everyone from the church. He quickly said, "Good deal!" And grabbed it.

After the Tech we went up to this mountain at the center of town where you can look down on the whole city.

Here is their famous Saddle Mountain again.

The team. Why is Tim seemingly angry in every picture? Because when you are 6'4" and drive a massive hunk of steel everyday for a living you can do whatever the heck you want.

This was when we stopped by the Titanic II auditions. Callbacks anyone?

Why is Jim laughing so hard in this picture?

Because this isn't his and the owners (who have guns.... no joke) are only 30 feet away. Ahh... to be the Federaliis for the day...

Random Taco Bell dog anyone?

Some things are different in Monterrey... and yet others are exactly the same.

It was a long day and some of us were crying for our mommies afterward. Don't feel bad Jim... it's okay to be tired. Most wussies are. : )

Night all! Tomorrow we evangelize at the Uni! Adios!

Luke