Conferences

The youth leaders and pastors were in charge of the teaching times.  In a short 3 days, we fit in 5 conferences on different topics related to Hebrews 11, “faith.”  They were all inspiring and especially directed towards the youth.  What a pleasure to be able to count on a great team of teachers and preachers!

Games

Our youth put together the games and team-building exercises.  It was a joy to see their commitment and their energy as they invited all the youth to participate.  There was lots of running and lots of laughs.

At Camp

Our team got together with 3 other small congregations to offer the youth some time together and time with God.  It was surprising to see how many were able to come.  Many didn’t have the money, but God provided anyway.

"Cuarto de Guerra"

With our Sunday service now switched to the morning, we offer an evening service for those who are unable to attend in the morning.  This week we showed a movie, “War Room,” that motivated us all to dedicate more time to prayer.  It is an inspiring movie if you haven’t seen it, and especially in this culture.

In the Resurrection spirit

One of the activities this week was a “Resurrection” scavenger hunt for the youth.  They went out with cameras to find some of these items in the streets and local stores.  All the items were easily found and they were very creative in their interpretations of the pictures taken.

How did they do?

BREAD

EMPTY

Youthful fun

It’s always fun when the youth get together.  But when one of the youth leads the meeting and prepares the games and etc., we are especially grateful that God is preparing him or her to experience leadership in a group setting.

More on Signs

This week Tracey shared on the second sign of Jesus in John.  The message was both interesting and challenging.  We trust that this also paves the way for new leaders to teach in the home groups and for new “preachers” to share on Sunday mornings.

On Signs

 

We are studying the 7 signs or miracles of Jesus in the gospel of John.  Each home group studies a sign a week just before listening to a sermon on the same subject.  It’s been good to discuss beforehand and then hear someone share a message on the sign.  Aside from the repetition, we all get to handle the passage in a small group.

3 years old

Our congregation celebrated its third anniversary with lots of good preaching, friends, food and laughter.  We had a good group get together to thank God for the three years that he's given us as an extended family.

A foreign adventure

The new people we met moved to our area and are from the Middle East.  They speak very little Spanish, but we invited them to our church’s anniversary.  We’re so glad to have met them and to offer them a home in Jesus’ name.

When we were young

A youth from my first youth group in Mexico came to visit and preach at our church’s third anniversary. He’s a good friend who is now pastoring 4 hours away and has been there for 9 years.  Our conversations were filled with old memories and new experiences in the pastorate and missions.  It was good to see Alejandro once again.

Some great guests

The day was filled with some interesting visits.  Lizzy an Avance short-term missionary came to talk to Tracey and get some rest at our home.  Pablo and his family brought Lizzy to us and also invited us to meet a foreign family.  It was a wonderful day of meeting old friends and making some new ones.

An urgent prayer request

Kiana came back from Christian camp somewhat sick.  It wasn’t until Sunday night when we realized just how sick she was.  She was fighting off a 40 C temperature on Saturday night and on Sunday morning went to a local clinic to be checked.  We thought that the doctor gave her meds to end the fever.  But that night another told us to take her to the hospital to have her checked for “Influenza.”  And yep, that’s what she had.  She’s doing better, but could use your prayers.  Thank you in advance for interceding for her.

New Keys

In order to lighten the load of our keyboard teacher, I will be helping to take her more advanced students off of her hands and teach them to prepare to become part of the worship team.

Coming Back

One of our fellow missionaries returned with his family after home assignment in the States and we welcome him back with joy and anticipation at what God will do through him and his family this year.

Getting Ready

We took a picture of our congregation on our last afternoon service.  

Starting next week we’ll meet in the morning in the same place 

and offer evening studies in our  rented house.

Leaders, meeting

We got together to make our final arrangements for our third anniversary.  It was good to see everyone willing and ready for the wonderful celebration that we’ll have, come Sunday.  Wish you could be here to join us.

Old Times, Old Songs

Mike led us in songs of worship and then directed us to the scriptures to see how God led his people through the wilderness with his presence in a cloud by day and fire by night.  It was inspiring and practical.  How often do I listen when God makes a move?

Retreat: Young People

Not relying only on the youth, the young people also organized a worship time during the retreat.  Kiana decided to help and was part of team of “youth” older than her.  She managed to have opportunities to play a guitar and a specialized smaller guitar.  It was a time to see friends, hear encouraging messages and eat.

Retreat: Youth Outing

On our last night at the retreat, the youth went out for pizza and a dessert.  We accompanied them and I enjoyed watching them interact with each other.  These young ones come from different parts of Mexico and have learned to keep close contact with each other.  So getting together is always a joy and an expectation each year.

Retreat: Youth Impact

During our UWM missionary retreat, Kiana along with most of the youth organized the worship service and did an amazing job.  It is always encouraging to see our youth, our kids, participate in ways that benefit others.

Celebrating Together

At the graduation party for Ricardo, I was able to meet new friends, the parents of some of the other teens who attend our youth group.  What a pleasure to know that there are other believers working together to extend God’s kingdom in the area.

A Rare Sight

I was invited to a graduation party for a friend, one of the youth from another congregation who has taken music classes with us as well attended the youth meetings.  While graduations might seem common to most, to graduate and finish up COMPLETELY is not common.  Ricardo did it!  And we’re proud of him.