Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Michelle Ramirez

A Trip to the Mountains

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by Michelle Ramirez

Often, the view you least expect is the one that ends up impressing you the most. That was the key learning that stayed with me when returning home from a recent youth trip.  

Early in March, I was blessed to be invited to speak at a youth event at my cousin’s church in Raleigh, NC. When I learned about the event, I was excited, but aside from knowing that it involved youth and that I would be speaking, I knew nothing else.  

When I arrived in Raleigh, I learned that the event would actually be taking place in Gatlinburg, TN, and we had to drive there from North Carolina. As someone who grew up going on road trips, this excited me even more because I know the best part about road trips are the views along the way.  

I had met the youth from North Carolina before, and they knew me as well, but this event provided an opportunity to get to know them even better. The event started with a sermon on the importance of placing God as the foundation and how important it is to see God in everything around us.  

The mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

I reminded the youth that just as God created each one of us, He also created the huge mountains, and our foundations need to be secure to grow so tall. The next day was even better, as we had the opportunity to go and explore the Ober mountains in Gatlinburg. The view from the mountains was truly astonishing, compared to flat Florida. I was surprised to see the world wasn’t so flat; although my ears were constantly popping, which wasn’t so pleasant. 

After returning from the mountains, it was time for my second sermon, which focused on being vulnerable with the Lord and being open to doing things God’s way and not the world’s way. I gave an opportunity for all the youth to speak and share what they were feeling and thinking.  

As the youth were speaking, I realized that just like the mountains, each one had a perspective or view I wasn’t expecting. I had known who these young people were, but I was blessed to have the opportunity to get to know them further and to experience the beauty in them that was waiting to be seen. This reminds me that often the prettiest view isn’t always what we see on the outside, but rather seeing the Love of God every one of us has on the inside. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Michelle Ramirez

Michelle Ramirez is the Youth and Community Formation Coordinator for Florida for Mosaic Conference.

The Gift You Don’t Expect

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By Michelle Ramirez 

Besides commemorating the birth of Christ, the holiday season is about giving and receiving gifts. But what if a gift you joyfully receive comes with something you weren’t expecting at all?  

I recently received a gift of a puppy from someone who knew I really wanted one.  You can imagine the joy I felt in receiving this gift. I have always loved dogs and wanted a dog my whole life. Unfortunately, because my family moved around a lot, I was never able to have one. One of our church members recently had a dog who gave birth to a litter of nine puppies. He knew how much I always wanted a dog, so he gifted me a puppy, to my surprise.  

In the days leading up to my puppy’s homecoming, I prepared myself as best I could, knowing puppies are not easy to care for. I read all the information I could find and bought whatever I thought would be necessary, but I still felt unprepared. I received the gift I always wanted, but I didn’t expect all the responsibility that came along with it.

I realized how very similar this is to how we respond in our walk with Christ. We pray fervently for something but find it hard to accept the trials that can come with asking for something. The Lord, in His infinite mercy, may grant us the gift we want, but He also grants us the tools we need to receive it. 

Atlas, Michelle’s new puppy, as he prepares for homecoming. Photo provided by Michelle Ramirez.

Often, we forget that in the asking, we also receive gifts we weren’t expecting. Those extra gifts could be, like me with my puppy, extra responsibilities, momentary struggles, or even our characters being tried by fire. Even though God gives us these unexpected gifts, what is great is that He knows He gave it to us with a purpose (see Jeremiah 29:11). His plans are always to prosper us and not harm us. The gifts we weren’t expecting become the tools we need to actually grow.  

So this holiday season, while we receive gifts from loved ones, let’s remember we are constantly receiving gifts from our heavenly father as well. Those gifts might come with added things we weren’t expecting, but it will always be for our good!

Michelle Ramirez

Michelle Ramirez is the Youth and Community Formation Coordinator for Florida for Mosaic Conference.

Perseverance Through Hard Times

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We will all go through hard times; the Bible says as much. But the great thing about God is that although we will go through hard times, God also says that He will be with us no matter how hard it gets.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (NKJV) This verse reminds me that, at the end of the day, God knows I won’t understand everything I go through and why I go through it, but it’s ok because I was never meant to know. This verse leads into Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” (NKJV) In these two short verses we can see that not only are we not meant to understand everything, but if we put everything we are going through in God’s hands, He will direct our path.

I saw these verses put into practice in my life in early 2017, when my father, Pastor Tomas, was diagnosed with cancer. In the beginning stages of doctor visits, a lot of things were very uncertain, from what treatment options were available to when and how many appointments my father should have. Through it all, I saw how my father maintained his faith, believing that God would provide a solution, no matter how difficult or uncertain the situation seemed.

The view from Michelle’s father’s hospital room on the 10th floor of the Advent Health Hospital, cancer building. Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

Before deciding on any treatment, my father would make sure to pray and put God first. On those long hospital nights, when it was uncertain when he would come back home, he and my mother, who was in the room with him, would always put on worship music to drown out the beeping monitors. Even after all his hair fell off from the chemotherapy, he would still have a smile of his face and thank God for another day.

Through the ups and downs of cancer, my father always put God first, just as Proverbs 3:5-6 says. This reminded me that although hard times are going to happen, it is guaranteed that our God will help us every step of the way. All we have to do is put God first and simply have faith and trust He will see us through. Although our individual struggles can seem difficult and never ending, God’s promise to us is that we will never be alone.

Pastor Tomas Ramirez (left) and his daughter, Michelle Ramirez. Photo provided by Michelle Ramirez.

Opening My Eyes: Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip 2021

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The Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip (July 16-24) was an eye-opening experience. I co-led this group, sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network, and we visited landmarks of the US Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-60s to learn why our faith calls us to stand against injustice and with the oppressed.

Four youth from Mosaic Conference and I had the opportunity to go on this trip and it was truly remarkable. On this trip we visited different civil rights locations, from museums to national landmarks. On some of our stops we spoke to people who experienced civil injustice firsthand during the 1950-60s, providing us a firsthand view on how African-Americans were treated.

Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…” Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

This opportunity allowed me to see and learn about things and people in a whole new way. The most impactful day for me was when we visited the Lynching Memorial at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. At the memorial were pillars filled with the names of lynching victims from almost every county in the US. As I read the names, I was so impacted, thinking about what they must have gone through in those moments. There were even stories of how some people were lynched for reasons that today would be considered ridiculous. It was truly eye-opening to learn about all the struggles people went through in the past simply for looking different. I thought I knew about civil rights until I saw and read some of the stories.

Another museum we visited was the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This is the famous motel where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on the balcony in 1968. As we made our way through the museum, we were able to see things King did, but also what other civil rights activists did in the 60s. It was a truly educational experience.

The Vouth Venture Group, outside of a house they painted as part of service in the community.

The trip challenged my way of thinking and made me see things from a perspective I thought I understood. I learned more about the injustice that African-Americans went through during this time. As a result of this trip, I am challenged to remember that I have a voice to speak up and defend those who cannot, just like the Bible instructs us to do.

This trip was not only impactful to me but also for the youth who joined me. The value of knowing and understanding history allows us to work to make a difference in today’s society, even if we still have struggles today. Working alongside Mennonite Mission Network for this trip was great, and I hope to partner up and do something like this again in the future. A big thank you to everyone who made this trip happen!

From July 16-24, four Mosaic youth participated in a Youth Venture Civil Rights Learning Tour. Here are some of their reflections from the trip.
“On the trip, I saw this quote, “The human family might be of many colors, but they’re still human, and they possess the personality, the image, the likeness of God, in many ways. So, it is my hope that we can live together and work together… and try to accomplish something in the period of time we’ve got.”
Amzie Moore
“The youth venture trip exceeded my expectations immensely. This trip expanded my view of America’s history with slavery and oppression but also enhanced my view from a Christian stand point. Racial tension has always been a problem in America but the spiritual aspect of the struggle as an American of color hasn’t really been explored all too much, so being able to experience that is really eye opening. It invited challenging conversations with my inner dialogue and with the people who went on the trip with me.

The guest speakers and tour guides introduced us to a whole other experience. Some of the tour guides/speakers actually went through the civil rights movement and gave us a firsthand account of the movement. We were able to see the struggle through their eyes and hands but also the progress through their expression and behavior.

This trip challenged my way of thinking, mentally and spiritually, and invited me to act out against injustice in a way that hasn’t been shown to me before.”
Joshua DeLaRosa
Age 15, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
This trip was meaningful to me in every way. Although I’m a minority, I’m not Black. These aren’t just stories; they’re history and we shouldn’t bury it. I see that a lot, and it disappoints me because no one is willing to deal with the prejudice and injustice that we still see today. I hope everyone can educate themselves & treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Jennifer Colon
Age 18, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“During the Civil Rights Youth Venture trip, I learned what it truly meant to be a person of color during the Civil Rights era in the US. Being a part of this trip allowed me to really see outside of my own “box” and understand what it means to make an attempt to change civil rights today.

I feel like God used this trip to help me understand the spiritual weight behind everything that went on and still goes on to this day. All in all, the youth venture trip was a blessing for my life and I am glad I was able to learn from and experience this trip.”
Isaac Ramirez
Age 20, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“This trip helped me to be open mind and see how other people live. It showed that not everything in life is easy and to be grateful for what I have in my life.

There was this sign in a museum that said, “No negro, No Puerto Rican, No Mexican.” This sign really struck me because I am Puerto Rican and Mexican, but I also get mistaken for Black. I could only imagine how I would have been treated if that sign were present for me in the 1950s.
I would rate the trip a 5/5.

I loved it and would love to go on another one in the future.”
Jose DeLaRosa
Age 19, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
  • Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…”
  • “This picture was while we were in Tennessee & I liked it because it really explained part of today’s struggles.” Photo and caption by Jennifer Colon.
  • The group poses outside of a museum in Mississippi. Photo by Jose DeLaRosa.
  • “Seeing this depiction of slaves (at the National Civil Rights Museum) being transported on a boat really opened my eyes to see how bad slavery really was. I felt a combination of anger, disgust, confusion, and just an overall desire to push for a change in today’s civil rights.” – Isaac Ramirez
  • “It’s my favorite picture because we were able to help and do stuff in the community and showed me how being active in a community can help.” – Joshua DeLaRosa

The Importance of Relying on God

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Many times, when we are going through challenging waters, we feel alone. We feel isolated and feel as though no one understands the situation we are in. But the truth is, we are not alone. Nothing we go through, whether good or bad, we go through alone. God is with us every step of the way.

It is important to rely on God and to remember that He is always with us. God provides help when we need it and in the ways we need it most. Sometimes He even provides help in ways we didn’t even know we needed. This doesn’t mean your boat won’t shake; it just means it won’t sink because Jesus is in there with you no matter how bad the storm may end up being.

The best example is Matthew 8:23-27, when Jesus got into the boat, and his disciples followed him. A strong storm came, raging the waves over the boat, and Jesus was sound asleep. His disciples went to wake him up, yelling that they were going to drown. Jesus responded, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” When Jesus got up, he rebuked the winds and waves, and everything was calm.

In the same way that Jesus calmed the storm, Jesus calms all the storms in your life. No matter the situation, we can rely on Him to get us through it and help us overcome anything. Countless examples in the Bible show how relying on God helps people get through all kinds of situations.

My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV). Since I was little, I have been able to apply that verse to any situation I might be going through. I say it to myself as a reminder that I can depend on God’s guiding hand to help me through anything.

God knows everything, and He will sustain you through all your troubles. He knows the plans of your future, He knows the desires of your heart, and He knows when the tide is going to get high. Like the storm He calmed with His disciples, He will calm all the storms in your life. 

Remember, don’t tell God how big your problems are, instead, tell your problems how big your God is.

Working with Youth to Expand the Kingdom of God

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“I’ve always had a passion to work with youth in the church,” shares Michelle Ramírez, Youth Coordinator for churches in the Florida region for Mosaic Conference. “They are the next generation of leaders and I love to help them see that there is no better reward than to work for God by serving in your church.” 

Eight congregations in Florida joined Mosaic Conference during the November 2020 assembly. Ramírez recently began working in youth leadership cultivation with these congregations in this new, part-time role for the conference. 

Ramírez works with the conference’s youth formation team and oversees the Forming Youth Leaders program for the Florida congregations. This program focuses on reaching and mentoring the youth in these congregations to inspire and train them in how to be effective leaders in their congregations. “The program has just officially started so I am currently building a team of representatives in each congregation so that I can become better acquainted with the youth ministries already in place,” says Ramírez. 

The goal of the program that Ramírez oversees is to have youth active in leadership, in whatever ministry they choose to work in. “I’m most looking forward to working with youth from different congregations,” Ramírez reflects. “I love to hear each person’s unique story and work together to expand the Kingdom of God.”

Ramírez is a pastor’s kid and was raised in a church environment. As a youth she served in the translation ministry and the worship ministry. As a young adult, she became a leader of the youth in her congregation, a role in which she still serves. She is a member of Luz y Vida congregation in Orlando, FL which joined Mosaic Conference in November and where her father is the lead pastor.

Michelle Ramírez (back row, 2nd from left, with blue bandana) with youth from her church summer camp. (Photo provided by Michelle Ramírez)

“I know what it’s like to serve God because your parents make you, and what it’s like to serve God because you want to with your whole heart,” Ramírez shares about her childhood. She hopes to cultivate a sense of personal connection and motivation for the youth in owning and leading with their faith. “I hope to help them see that if we work for God with all our hearts, God is with us every step of the way, no matter how hard things may seem!”

Ramírez graduated with a degree in computer engineering with a specialization in cyber security. Her primary work is as a certified autism teacher in a private school for children on the autism spectrum. 

Ramírez loves to learn languages. She currently knows five languages well enough to communicate clearly (English, Spanish, Portuguese, sign language, and Japanese), and in several, she is fluent. She is in the process of adding a sixth language, as she is learning Korean. “I find different languages to be so interesting,” Ramírez shares. “I like that communication between humans isn’t limited to just one language or culture.” 

In her free time, Ramírez likes to read fiction books and play video games with her mother. “My mom doesn’t know how to play, but she likes to watch me play and tells me what to do or where to go, even if I already know,” Ramírez says with a laugh.