Last minute prep

Our VBS placed on us many last minute details to figure out.  We had a great team get together to do all this.  Wow, couldn’t have done it without them!

Prayer

We held a prayer vigil on Tuesday.  We had different worship teams lead music.  And before we knew it, time was up.  Several stayed thinking there was still more to pray for.

Pressing Need

We were ousted from our rented hall by a party for a local school graduation.  That didn’t stop us from gathering all the people in our rented house for a service.  As you can see, for some, standing room ONLY!

Pray for a permanent place for us to meet, please.

Back in the saddle

Just a look at Kiana’s trip to Africa, now that she is back.  

What an adventure!

When it just doesn’t matter

Our parenting class has had a very low attendance these past three weeks.  While those who have attended have learned a lot, I can’t help but wonder if it was the graduations that kept people distracted or just the lack of interest.  Who knows?

At Play

Our youth won’t rest.  This Saturday began practices for our Vacation Bible school.  That means figuring out games to play with the kids, a choreography to learn and volunteering to assist teachers in the program.

When the party’s over

As the festivities die down, our neighborhood will turn into a ghost town.  Many families will head out of the area to be with grandparents for the summer.  Aside from the visit, most families see this as a time to save money for back-to-school.  At the grandparents’ homes the families allow the grandparents to flip the bill for food during the summer.

One of our Own

Sharon graduated from elementary school and will begin middle school in the fall.  Soon she’ll be invited to our youth group to participate in its activities.  Congrats Sharon!

Graduation Week

The last week saw many young people move on from one school to another as they graduated from elementary to middle schools or from middle schools to high schools.  The streets were filled with well-dressed young people for the occasion.

Youth2Youth 2

Our trip to the Tizayuca congregation to see the youth was welcomed with a small meal of very delicious “potzolle,” a hominy soup normally served at “fiestas.”  We were very surprised and enjoyed sharing their goodies.

Youth2Youth

Our youth group organized a trip to our sister congregation about 1 hour away to encourage and participate in their youth activities.  We had a wonderful time of playing, laughing and learning together.

People-watching

Aside from the mining village, my favorite part of our trip to nearby Michoacan was sitting near the kiosk in the center of town watching the locals do their thing.

Uncovering the Past

We managed to take a short trip to a nearby mining town that used to be a major exporter of gold at the turn of the century.  The tour was both informative and insightful, revealing the lifestyle and experiences of those that lived during that time. 

A getaway

 

We spent a few day away from our ministry area to get some rest and refreshment from all the work we’ve been doing lately.  Our trip took us into the lush forested area of Michoacan where the “greens” overwhelmed us.  Our area of service is dominated by cement houses and patches of grass underneath parking spaces.

This was the view outside of the main lobby.

Coca Cola

While in Uganda, Kiana picked up this beverage 

with her name on it, just spelled the Ugandan way.  

Bring it home for me to drink, Kiana!

Work hard, play hard

Our youth are training to be future leaders.  

They’ve taken on the responsibility of leading 

their own meetings and figuring out their games.  

We applaud their preparation and their commitment.

Unexpected visit

We filled up the chairs that were empty 

before the service during our music practice.  

But to our surprise the pastor 

of the founding church, Bet-lehem, 

and his wife attended our service.  

What an encouragement 

to the congregation that was.

Doing music

Our music teacher keeps going strong 

instructing the youth to play keyboard 

and preparing them for service 

on the worship team.

Come on by

 

We had a friend come for the weekend to visit us.  

It was a wonderful time to see her 

and to go out for a delicious meal.  

She is the daughter of missionaries in Costa Rica.

On this 5th of July,

Happy Birthday, Mom

We love you 

and look forward

to seeing you soon.

A Short Break

As Kiana hit her halfway point in ministry, the team set out to tour the Nile River, as a day away from ongoing ministries.  Looking good! We miss you Kiana.

Happy Birthday America!

Summer Job

Keila is seen here with her team of resident assistants during Calvin’s “Entrada” program for incoming freshmen.  We're proud of her and her accomplishments.