The Nichols Family-Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

Digging deeper into the truth: We want answers!

Karlee Nichols - October 1, 2023

John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In the article below, you will read more information about the discipleship group I am leading this year with a group of about 10 young ladies, ages 15-23 at our center. During the first week, I asked the seven girls in attendance to write down their questions they have that they would like to discuss in this group after discussing the vision for the group. It is intended to be a small group for girls who are interested in going deeper in their faith.

So often, they meet in Bible studies and youth group and learn amazing things that begin to transform their lives. Unfortunately, in a mixed group with boys around, they do not have the time or feel the freedom to ask more personal and vulnerable questions. In Grupo R.E.A.L., they will have just that. To give you an idea of how ready they are to talk, here are the questions that were asked by the group on night one. Please pray with me this year that we are able to get their questions answered so they can fully accept and live in the love of Jesus!  

- Where do I belong concerning religion? There are so many opinions and points of view that make me question everything.

- Friendships: how to identify bad ones and how to be a good friend.

- Family relationships: how to handle problems and arguments and come to agreements; relationships with parents in general

- Family problems that daughters encounter while doing basic activities and determining roles

- How to improve relationships

- What should I look for in a man when I want a relationship?

- How do I follow God when I feel like I need to seek Him, but don’t know how?

- School: I need advice on how to live a Christian life at a public school

- What does the Bible say about the independence of a person/woman?

- What is our value as women with machismo in our culture?

- How do I feel comfortable with my body?

- What is the best way to study and understand the Bible?

- Stereotypes that apply toward women in our society and culture

- What does it mean to be a Christian and what does it entail?

- What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?

- How can I manage/control my emotions in a relationship to have good/healthy friendships? How do I overcome my emotions?

- How do I share the Word/love of God with my friends?

- How do I know I am a Christian?

These are only a few questions from only seven young women who did not grow up in Christian homes! Students have questions and want answers. I would encourage you to get involved in your local church, school, youth group, Sunday school class, or other Christian ministry to get to know the youth of this generation. They are bombarded more than ever by confusing influences that does not point to Christ.

If you would like to support Grupo R.E.A.L. with the purchase of devotional books, journals, food for our meetings, or funding for local outings, please contact me via karleednichols@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +52 443 867 4612.

We are all disciples: Growing deeper roots

Youth Bible Study and Girls’ Discipleship Group at Loma Libre  

Karlee Nichols - October 1, 2023

Acts 2:42, 46 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…”

Over the past few months, God has really put on my heart to focus on discipleship with our students. Last year in our Wednesday night youth Bible Study, we walked through the book of John together to see who Jesus was, who he is, who he says he is, how he is still relevant today, and how he can be a part of our daily lives. This year, we are going to go through the book of Acts. We want to show the students what happened after Jesus walked this earth and the influence he had to impact this world. What is the church? How did it start? Why do we need to be the church? We are calling it The Table: a walk to Emmaus, based on Acts 2:42, 46.

Our first week of Bible study, we were unable to attend due to Harmony’s hospitalization, but our good friends and fellow Loma Libre staff couple Abby and Erick Garcia hosted Chili Night with 15-20 students to introduce the book of Acts, going through 1:1-11 and talking about who Luke was. The following week, the co-founders of NOE and former Executive Director of NOE Brian and Mireya Overcast shared sweet bread and hot chocolate and lead them through 1:12-26, where they shared about why Judas was an important and necessary role in the life of Jesus and why they needed to replace him among the group of disciples.  Mireya also shared about how to read the Bible and why it is an important aspect of growing in your faith.   Next week we look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit

descended upon the believers and start conversation about how the Holy Spirit works and opens the door to conversation about the Holy Spirit.

Another area of discipleship we are beginning this year is a group called Grupo R.E.A.L. (In Spanish: Relationships. Excellence. Encouragement. Freedom). I will be leading about 10 girls through a discipleship process this year, using the book Lies Young Women Believe as a guide. Most come from a Catholic background, and in Mexico, that means there is a strict contrast between Protestantism, which is often viewed negatively from the Catholic perspective.They are hungry to find out, but don’t know where to start or who to talk to. We will be meeting 2-3 times a month on Mondays and Saturdays. They are excited and rearing to get started! Please pray for me as we talk deeply about what it means to be a woman, God’s value He has in women, our role as believers, confronting the lies we often believe and finding truth in God’s word, and so much more!

Our goal for this year during youth Bible Study, The Table, is to break bread together each week as the disciples did. My goal for The R.E.A.L. Group  is to go deeper into the girls’ individual faith by spending one-on-one time with each of them, as well as in a small group and do outings together so they have a sense of support and confidence in other Christian girls as friends that they won’t find in their schools.  Our budget at our center does not allow for this expense, and it is very rare that we are able to do special things without having to use our own funds. If you would like to donate to our ministry funds for the The Table and/or Grupo R.E.A.L., please contact me at karleednichols@gmail.com or through WhatsApp at +52 443 867 4612. We would love to let them know how others are praying for them and that they want to be a part of their spiritual journey!

2023 Dream Team Visa Update

Reggie Nichols

Each year, Centro NOE, through NOE International based in Portland, Oregon, sends 10-13 students for a 1-month experience of cultural learning and English practice to the United States during the month of July. The students chosen to be a part of this program are the “best of the best”, the “cream of the crop” from NOE. They are ambassadors for what NOE is at its core.

In order to be selected, students must pass their final exam after a four-year English program with a 70% or higher. Then, they must pass an oral exam with an 80% or higher. Next, a selection team comprised of directors and other staff members finalizes the selection process based on character and participation at NOE. Finally, they enter into a year of language and culture training. They work alongside with the short-term mission teams that visit and take lead roles in some of the ministries and services at NOE. It is a tremendous honor to be chosen for this program.

One of my responsibilities at NOE is to help the students get their VISA appointments through online form completion, which takes a lot of coordination to attain all necessary information, and submit it for acceptance. I also assist with their Culture and Conversation class.

Beyond obtaining a Mexican passport, attaining a U.S. VISA is necessary for the students to travel to the U.S. All expenses to complete the VISA process are covered by NOE International, and I assist them in learning about the process and helping them practice sample questions that may be asked of them during the VISA interviews.

During our trainings times, there are a lot of butterflies. For a person to have a successful interview, they must prove that there is no risk of them staying in the United States once they arrive. They do that by strategically answering the questions as well as the way they carry themselves as individuals. The students must be personable. The interviews are conducted in either English or Spanish by American citizens living in Guadalajara so the students must be ready to answer the questions in both languages. During our 1- or 2-night stay in Guadalajara as we prepare, we discuss their lives, their futures, and their roles as unofficial ambassadors of NOE. They are encouraged spiritually, morally, and academically to continue to be their very best.  Of the 10 that were selected, only one was denied their VISA, but we are working on a 2^nd option, potentially in Canada with some connections we have to the “north”. God is so good!

Please pray for them as they travel. Pray for their safety and their spiritual growth. We’d be interested in hearing from you if you would be interested in hosting a NOE student in your home one year!

(Left) Dream Team 2023: Monica, Didier, Regina, Paulina, Daryanka, Yashi, Denisse, Ana Gabriela, Alan, and Jacqueline.
(Right)  Waiting in line to enter the U.S.A. General Consulate for Visa appointments and interviews. Aka: the most non-predictable step in the Dream Team process.

Our Ministry Partner: NOE International

People Educated. Christ Revealed. Lives Transformed. 

People Educated
People come to the NOE Centers because they want to learn. Our name even means New Opportunities in Education. We offer accredited English programs that prepare students for college. We hold art and music classes that aren’t available in the schools. We coach basketball teams that build cooperation skills and discipline. We prepare adults to start their own business with beautician classes. Everything at NOE starts with real-life skills classes offered those in low-income neighborhoods.

Christ Revealed
NOE staff loves Jesus, and they love our students. Jesus is revealed in these long-term, intentional relationships; the students see Him in the love they receive. In addition to academic classes, NOE offers Explorers, a Bible club for grade-school children. We also invite youth to a weekly night of games and a Gospel message, as well as a weekly Bible study. Adults hear the Good News of salvation in our parenting classes, which are taught from a biblical perspective. We know that the hope found in Jesus is a true and lasting hope, able to rescue students and their families from their situations and prepare them for something much greater.

Lives Transformed
The reports are in: education and hope are incredibly transformative for NOE students. They are serving their community by giving food and clothing to families at the local children’s hospital. They are graduating: students who study English at NOE three years or more graduate high school at a rate of 86%, compared to the state average of 27%. We are seeing NOE alumni get full-ride scholarships to college. They are working in jobs that provide for their families. And two of our three center directors are NOE alumni. Most importantly, our students and alumni are living lives of light in a dark place. They are sharing the Good News of abundant life they heard about at NOE.

Karlee Teaching at NOE - The English Programs

Side By Side: Over the course of the last year, I have been actively preparing to assume the role of Side by Side English program coordinator at Centro NOE, which focuses on middle school, high school, and adult English language learning. This process involved asking roughly 17,812 questions, writing pages of notes, creating many Google Docs, researching cultural approaches, sending seemingly thousands of text and audio messages, and dozens of meetings to better understand the history, current structure, and future vision of the Centro NOE English Side by Side program. One of the best ways to understand this program is to teach it! This past year I also taught two level 3 (or Green Book) in-person classes, one trimester of level 4 (Orange Book, the last level) online, and an in-person conversation class.

Together with Abby García, the elementary school English program coordinator, we led our 2022-2023 English-teaching staff through teacher trainings at the beginning of September. As nervous as I was, God allowed the experience He gave me and hard work put in with our directors and fellow staff members to get us through to initiate another exciting year of English language learning and teacher growth in Morelia.

This year, 2022-2023, I will be teaching four grammar classes, one Level 4 and two level 3, in the English program at Centro NOE Loma Libre, with a total of 29 students. We hope someday to introduce you face-to-face, but until then, please enjoy this glimpse of God’s blessings on us with this incredible team God has allowed us to serve with on a daily basis. 

Next Move: More that "Hi! What's your name?"!

NEXT MOVE ELEMENTARY ENGLISH TEAM Making the “Next Move” More than “Hi. What’s your name?” 

For three years, before entering the more grammar-based English program, elementary students can take introductory English classes that build an important foundation to more advanced grammatical language learning. Students are introduced to English staples, such as numbers, the alphabet, and pronunciation, but also foundational vocabulary, conversational questions and responses, along with sentence structure building with subjects, verbs, adjectives, nouns, and inflection.

This year, we have three NOE English Program Side by Side graduates leading our NOE Loma Libre elementary English program. Our level one teacher, Quetzali, participated in the 2022 exchange team. Diana, our level 2 Next Move (elementary) and Side by Side teacher, participated in the 2021 exchange program. Kenya, our level three Next Move teacher, participated in the 2019 exchange program. They have all returned to teach with NOE to give back to this impactful program that has positively influenced their lives!

Centro NOE Loma Libre Staff Highlight: Myriam Jiménez - "Our God amazes us, over and over again!”

Myriam Jiménez, wife of Centro NOE Loma Libre director Hugo Bedolla, has been working full-time at Loma Libre since 2013 when the 2nd NOE center opened its doors, but Myriam’s journey with NOE started long before 2013. Hugo is currently NOE’s longest-standing employee, having served with NOE for 28 years, before he and Myriam were married, meaning Myriam has been with NOE the entirety of their marriage. When their three children were all able to participate in NOE activities at 9 years old, Myriam began volunteering at NOE in various roles, such as leading crafting, painting, and embroidery classes, but also helping with youth groups of all ages and administration roles. She is currently the full-time receptionist at Loma Libre and the first beautiful and kind face everyone sees when they reach the office.

As Myriam organizes registrations, tracks payments, communicates with families, and works behind the scenes for each employee at NOE Loma Libre, she also has many opportunities to share God’s love and the hope we have in Him to others, which is her favorite role while working at NOE. She is often the first person to hear about the needs of families, even those who don’t appear to be hurting. She prays with people, shares the gospel of hope and Christ’s love, and encourages people to keep moving forward, despite the difficulty and pain this life can press on us.

Over the many years serving with NOE, Myriam has witnessed and experienced on many occasions that they have been tired and discouraged, but God gives them the energy and encouragement to continue on. Sometimes when they didn’t know how to respond to a need, God surprised them by putting the necessary words in their hearts to help and love families, children, and youth.

Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

(Translated) “I saw God moving in me when my health was blessed…He enables my husband and I to continue on with the mission he has called us to. Our efforts are renewed; He lifts our spirits…we never got sick during the COVID pandemic and were always able to continue with the work at NOE, helping whoever needed help.

“I see God working in the students when many come scared and discouraged, and then we see happiness because they are at NOE because they like spending time in the different programs we have here. For so many, it is a refuge, a place where they are accepted and loved.

“I see God working in the families when I can lift up women that feel completely defeated, devalued, and without a will to live, but now they have found hope in God.

“I see that God works in families when for whatever reason they haven’t been to NOE in a while, but upon visiting us again, their eyes fill with tears with all the good memories.

“I see God working when parents tell us that they drop their kids off at NOE, knowing that it is a healthy and safe place for their children in a society that has so much insecurity."

Juan Peralta Assigned Centro NOE Executive Director: One chapter ends, another begins

Reggie Nichols

“The only constant in life is change”. Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher

“When you are finished changing, you are finished”. Benjamin Franklin

Over the years, God has blessed me with tremendous guy friendships. Right now, in the middle of Central Mexico, if I had a flat and had no other choice, I am certain that I could call 1 of about 8 men in my life from the states that would drop everything, drive 2,000 miles and be here for me within 24 hours. Just like David and Jonathan’s relationship, I have loved and been loved by these men who have held me accountable, stuck with me closer than a brother, and have been used by God to help develop me and set examples for me to be the man I am today.

When the Nichols Family first landed in Morelia, Mexico on September 13, 2022, I learned very quickly that Juan is a reader. Harry Truman is famous for saying that, “…all leaders are readers”. When Elon Musk was asked how he learned to build rockets, he stated, “I read books.” Juan is well-read with a degree in economics and seminary training. He loves to read, and each time I go into his office, he has a book lying on his desk.

He introduced me to the book The Spider and the Starfish: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations. In summary, the basic premise of the book is to compare the strategies of leadership of the indigenous people who were conquered in Mexico by Spain with the indigenous people of the United States. The difference was that leadership within the indigenous tribes found within the U.S. had leadership at local levels. Power was not top down, but instead spread throughout the kingdom. So, when one leader went down, another always rose to take his place.

Juan believes in good leadership. He believes in the people with whom he serves. He trusts his team and desires to equip his teams for success through great training, accountability, with concern for the staff personally, spiritually, and professionally. His favorite quote, “We are all just spiritual beings having an earthly moment,” reveals the lens through which he sees life and leadership.

In a world of arrogant leaders that dictate a transactional approach where everyone simply does what a leader says, Juan is a humble dynamic leader whose goal is to share vision, guarantee great communication to ensure everyone is heading the same direction, and develop those around him to make them better than himself.

A few months ago, Juan and I were able to spend the day together in Guadalajara as we were awaiting the arrival of a visiting group from Portland, Oregon. During that time, I was able to hear his heart, understand his motivation, see his passion for Jesus to be made known, and for about 20 minutes sniff some great-smelling candles with him as he was doing research for his wife, Meli (a profound bonding moment, if I do say so myself). During that 18-hour timeframe, I saw very quickly that Juan is the type of man I referred to in my first paragraph. He loves. He sacrifices. He deeply desires Jesus to be in control of all he does within his family, his personal relationships, and the organization where he is now the overseer – Noe International/Centro NOE.

NOE Founders Brian and Mireya Overcast to Retire in June: 31 years of vision, service, dedication, and love

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - Ephesians 4:16

In 1991, Brian and Mireya (mee-RAY-yah) Overcast, along with another American couple, Brett and Margaret Hespen, and the ringleader, Laurie Connolly (Henkle, set out to create an organization that will bring hope and change to Mexico. From this movement, Nuevas Oportunidades Educativas (New Opportunities in Education, NOE) was born.

As a supplementary educational organization, NOE set out to offer educational programs that are usually only available to the wealthy in Mexico. In 2017, the state of Michoacán was the 6th poorest state in Mexico with 54.4% of its people living under the national poverty rate. Having had a similar ranking throughout generations, Morelia, the capital city of Mexico, was an ideal location to help urban families through new educational options.

In January of 1992, NOE opened in a small building with 34 students. Today, we have three facilities throughout the city. The longest-standing location, NOE Primero, opened in 1992, and hosts over 400 students each week. NOE Loma Libre, where Reggie and I spend the majority of our time, has been operating for more than nine years and has over 300 students. NOE Vida West opened in 2018 and has over 150 students. Our online program, created as a result of the pandemic, still has over 200 students, totaling over 1,050+ current students from ages 3rd grade through adult.

From the beginning, NOE’s English program was their most foundational program and continues to be today. We currently offer three levels of elementary school English, along with an accredited four-year English program for middle school, high school, and adult students. In August, I will be officially assuming the position of English program coordinator, where I will be training teachers, coordinating curriculum and instruction, supervising and observing teachers, and many other facets of the English program as a whole. With the incredible reputation of our program, please be praying for me as I prepare for this transition and that I can uphold its reputation!

Mireya, originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is an incredible artist, specializing in painting. Having won various awards for her artwork, she emphasized the importance of the arts at NOE. In addition to art classes, NOE offers music classes for voice, piano, and guitar.

Brian, having always been a big basketball fan and former player, brought a basketball program to NOE and Morelia. The NOE Cougars have developed a great reputation throughout the basketball communities throughout the city. NOE has former players that went on to get basketball scholarships and havereturned as coaches or now send their children to the basketball program.

Finally, last but certainly not least, our youth group program called Un Espacio Para Ti (a place for you) and weekly Bible studies are opportunities to share the gospel and give hope in Jesus Christ through fun games, community, crazy outings, worship, small groups, learning about God’s word, and living life together on a weekly basis.

In March, Reggie and I began directing the Loma Libre Un Espacio Para Ti group with a team of teachers from NOE. We love to see how God is moving in the hearts of the students academically, but my heart swells to see them growing spiritually as we discuss the Bible and what it means to live by faith.

Brian and Mireya have always emphasized the importance of being a team throughout this process. One of the aspects of NOE that drew me to them so deeply is the obvious longevity that is evident in their staff. Hugo Bedolla, along with his wife Myriam, have been with NOE for 28 years, the entire span of their marriage. He started out working with the youth in various capacities and is now the director at NOE Loma Libre. Myriam is his lovely secretarial assistant. Juan Peralta, graduate of NOE, current director of NOE Primero, and soon-to-be lead director of NOE, has been involved with NOE for 24+ years. Erick Garcia, director at NOE Vida West, is also a NOE graduate whose family has been involved with NOE for over 18 years. It is common for former students to return as teachers, coaches, or supports of NOE in a variety of forms. Ale Moreno, future director of NOE Primero, met the Lord on the step of NOE and now brings this love of Jesus to others through her teaching and leadership. This is the organization they sought to create.

God has blessed this organization through the vision and dedication of Brian and Mireya. Thousands of people have been touched and changed by NOE as a result of their love for God and their love for His people. Thank you for support us as we journey with NOE as it continues to grow. This is the legacy Brian and Mireya have left behind but will never be forgotten.