We are back now from the desert. It is odd that a place only 2 1/2 hours away can be so different from where we live. In Mexicali it is flat- really flat- table flat- flatter than flat, flat-- in most parts. It is surrounded on a couple sides by distant mountain ranges- and there are a few sand-hills around as well. But for the most part it is a fertile, flat desert. It used to be a part of the Colorado River flood plain before all the damming took place on that river. And so the desert ground is very fertile, if it has water. So they built canals all through the desert on both sides of the border and that water brings abundant life to the Mexicali and Imperial valleys.
In Mexicali, most of the days it was 30-35C mid day. Midway through the 2nd week, though, we got a sand storm. I have never seen anything like this as 80km/h winds picked up and blew sand everywhere. While driving back through the sand hills from one of the ministry sites, it was like an Ontario blizzard- complete with sand drifts on the roads! The second day of the sand blizzard was worse and most of the tents that the ministry teams sleep in were blown down. Some of the older type with aluminum poles were bent out of shape! One of the teams had one fo those picnic awning type sun covers. It was destroyed in the wind and it almost took out their tent trailer too! It made for interesting ministry as most outdoor ministry had to be brought inside because the sand being blown around was as painful as it was annoying. It gets in your mouth, sticks to your teeth- blinds you when it gets in your eyes... and with only cold showers back at camp- there were alot of dirty people around for the week!
The ministry went well despite the weather challenges and the sleeping arrangement challenges. We had around 100 people respond to the invitation to receive Jesus at 2 churches! Please pray for these churches, that they will be able to do the follow up that is needed to disciple these new beleivers. One of the main issues with ministry here in Mexico is a lack of trained leaders to do the work. Please pray that God would send out folks to encourage, strengthen and train the churches leaders!!!
It was another great week of work. I got to translate again as a group did not have enough translators. It was a good time for me to improve my Spanish and remember how far I have come in 8 months here. Last time I was on an outreach communication was almost impossible. This time I was able to facilitate communication between the team and the ones in the kids ministry. I'm thankful for the progress God has allowed me to have, and I pray for more!!
Shar was quite tired after the two weeks out there. With her being in pain so much with her hip, it takes a huge toll on her and she gets exhausted after so much time standing and walking. We're thankful that her surgery date is coming up soon (July 6th in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).
The boys loved it out there because there is a family on the campus who are American youth pastor missionaries to the Mexicali valley. They have 3 kids close to our kids ages and it was great for them to be able to play together. We'd often see them all out and about in the fields exploring or pretending or tossing balls around. They can't wait till we go back!
Thank you for praying for our desert trek- while it was challenging at times, God was working in it all and through it all and we saw many people decide to follow Jesus!
Thanks for partnering with us on this field. We couldn't do it without you! This is all of our work!
God bless and keep you all,
until next time,
mike for the family
