Any excuse for a party…

Jerry’s dad is a foreigner as is Jerry.  They came from Nicaragua and have settled in Mexico.  Jerry graduated from elementary school this summer and his dad wanted to put together a party for him.  The congregation pitched in and we had a wonderful time together eating, laughing and celebrating (really all the graduates.) 

Jerry is hearing impaired and unfortunately his teachers did very little to help him.  He is hard to understand, but has a wonderful disposition.  This summer we are sending him to local summer classes so that he can get personal attention to prepare him for middle school.  While the extra work will help him to get ready, “we’re looking at a time frame from now through December to really get any major work done,” commented Susana, a psychologist now attending our congregation.  Would you like to help?  Jerry has classes twice a week for language and writing skills at $30 per week.

Making money…

The youth went out as a group to begin cutting grass in the area to raise funds for our short-term Veracruz mission trip.  It was a hot day, but they did well learning to trim and use the weed whacker.  The trip will be from August 5-9 working on a construction team, doing VBS and visiting local ministry sites to help out workers in the area.   

Would you be interested in supporting a young person to go on this mission trip?  Let us know.  It will cost each youth about $1000 pesos or $85 US.  We have a group of about 12 interested in going.  It will be the first time for most of them to leave home and serve God.

Prayer walking

On Wednesday, we put together 6 teams of 2 and 3 people to pray, walking through the area where we will invite people to attend our summer Vacation Bible School program near our rented hall.  We had a great group show up to do so and new contacts were made in the process.  Soon we’ll go out again to hand out invitations and put up posters for the event.  Pray for safety and lots of new contacts.

A serious face…

You may wonder what the kids do during our Tuesday night prayer meeting.  Well, we move them into the “kitchen” area of a one-bedroom house about 2 feet from where the adults and youth are praying.  How do we keep them quiet?  Good question.  By God’s grace.  Here’s a pic of one of the smaller groups doing a craft with Kiana.

School’s Out!

We had a group of kids that graduated from elementary school and now are headed off to middle school.  I tried as hard as I could to get to each assembly.  Here are some pics of the happy faces.  Some of the younger ones went because they were given special academic awards for their achievements during the year.  

 I also managed to take a photo of one of the dads taking video at one of the events.

“Soundings”

We’re too busy sometimes to take photos, so here’s a little update on how we’re doing with our music classes.  While each class is smaller than usual due to end of the year school activities, it was a time to review what they’ve learned and encourage them to move ahead.  As you can see, Jasmin teaches keyboard, Kiana advanced guitar and I get the little ones with beginning guitar.  Many if not most of those pictured have played at one time or another during our worship services.  We’ve got a great crop of musicians ready for service in the congregation.

“Un-stressing…”

With graduations this week, our youth took some time out on Saturday to play and to just laugh.  This was Kiana’s first meeting back after her arrival in Mexico, with them.

A breath-taking shot

Who couldn’t be in awe of this place, “Machu Pichu” near Cusco, Peru!  Kiana and her team after ministry in Lima got to do this on their day off.  Wow!  As you can see, Tracey was there to enjoy the sights too!

The calm before…

Here Tracey is consulting with one of the leaders just before an event at a local cultural exposition in Lima.  It is truly amazing the lives that these young people touched and those who gave their life to Christ in such a short time.

A view from above

Just got a look at the pictures taken by Kiana and Tracey on their trip to Lima.  And just couldn’t keep my eyes off of this one of our local volcano in Mexico on their way out.

All Mine!

Every week we spend time playing outdoor games with the youth.  And each week we struggle finding a place (court) to play on.  Locals usually are busy playing soccer on the different courts.  So this week we left the area where we normally play searching for an isolated court.  And guess what?  We found an empty obscure court.  I’m not sure we’ll go here every week, considering it is a 30 minute walk from where we meet, but at least when we need it – there it is.

Relief ahead!

On Sunday, I was treated to one of the most longed for gifts that God could have given me.  One of the men in the church who has been with us for over a year preached in the worship service.  I had invited him to prepare a short message on Acts 6.  He did a great job in motivating, explaining and keeping within the time frame.  Great job, Gerardo!  God will soon raise up him and others to teach and preach in the congregation.

Drumming in Africa

Keila told me the other day that one of the personal joys that she’s experienced while being in Uganda has been playing her newly purchased “drum” for the team during their early morning worship times.  I asked her, “Does anyone accompany you?”  She said that another girl plays a guitar.  Glad to see that Keila hasn’t lost her touch with the guitar.

Park Duty

During our Tuesday prayer meeting, with our children’s teachers unavailable, I decide to take the kids to the park.  My mistake!  How was I to know that the park around our hall would be saturated with children getting out of classes in the evening?  The temptation was too great! 

I began teaching about the components of the New Testament: Gospels, Pauline letter and etc.  We started with a craft describing the different parts of the New Testament.  They ran through the craft with a desire to swing, slide and run through the park.  We managed to finish the craft, but I lost most to the temptation of playing.  The adults, after prayer meeting, judged the craft to see who did the best.  The kicker?  All the kids won!  Now I need to bring a prize for ALL the kids on Tuesday for their winning entries.  A lesson learned: don’t take kids to the local park if you want to teach them something.

A No-Show!

As men in the congregation, we meet regularly on Thursday to discuss and study the Bible to benefit us at work, in the home and even in the community.  Our desire is to make his word a priority in our lives daily, but some of the men have been unable to meet because Mondays are their only day off during the week. 

So we did an experiment to see how serious these men were in getting together.  Some of our Thursday night men gathered on Monday to study a different topic hoping to draw in those who can’t usually make it to the regular meetings.  To our surprise none of those we invited came.  So those of us who are regulars watched a movie intended for the others.  The movie reiterated our need to keep a watchful eye on our kids and the young people in the church.  Have you ever seen it? “To Save A Life?”

Our Team TO the OTHER teams

The youth video taped themselves greeting Keila and Kiana in their respective countries telling them how proud they are of them and wishing them safety and success.  This summer has got lots in store for each of our teams. 

We’re praying that God brings a team next summer to encourage our teams and the work that we’re doing in Mexico.  Would you be interested in coming?   We could sure use your help!

Our “Team” IN Kampala, Uganda

I got to SKYPE with Keila on the weekend.  She sounded very excited and at the same time tired.  “I love working in the Pharmacy giving out the specialty medicines,” she commented.  Keila works on a medical brigade that visits needy Ugandans on the outskirts of the city.  She’s been able to take the vital signs of the people that come for medical attention as well.  One of her highlights is being able to play an African drum each morning to help lead her team in worship.

Our Team IN Lima, Peru

I’ve heard back from Tracey and Kiana, and they are having an incredible time working with Global Expeditions.  Tracey helps the young people and Kiana participates in their program.  Tracey mentioned, “The people are so open to listening about Jesus.”  She mentions how she would love to take a team of Mexicans to help the local church reach the community.  During the few breaks that they get, someone took a picture of Kiana enjoying the rest time with her friends.

Our Team FOR La Guadalupana

The youth have been practicing a skit that they will perform on the last Saturday of July.  Our sister church will have a concert in the park, or at least near the park.  They hope to make new contacts and share Jesus especially to the young people in the area.  Our youth are also learning a new choreography to present at the VBS this summer.

Our Team IN Los Héroes

For the past few weeks, the women have been gathering every Friday in the park to plan for our upcoming Vacation Bible School (VBS.)  Tracey gave instructions to Maria and left her in charge of the preparations.  The women are practicing each week on how to teach each lesson.  Then they take time to work on the crafts and other details related to the activity that will begin near the end of July.  They’re doing a great job!