Thank you so much for your continued partnership with us. Together, during the first 6 months of 2009 we have served many in the name of Jesus- whether it was with a Christmas gift or rice and beans in Jesus name, some Biblical teaching and fellowship- (Iron sharpening Iron) or North Americans experiencing Missions- there have been hundreds touched though your partnership with us! Your ministry expands beyond the borders of Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba or California and we are grateful to represent the Love of Christ that is in you, here in Tijuana Mexico!!
We've had a few good weeks here since I last wrote a big update and report!
So here are some updates on prayer requests and people- and after I'll let you know a bit of what's been happening lately...
- Health Shar is doing much better. She had a flu, but slept it off for a few days and took some antibiotics and now she is back about 100% Praise God! The kids and I got it slightly as well, but it was pretty mild and we've all almost completely recovered.
- Lamberto- Has not been doing well lately. Because none of us are doctors, we cannot adequately figure out why or why not. The doctor he went to for surgery is not being particularly helpful when it comes to follow up and recovery. He is still confined to a wheelchair and is in some discomfort. Please pray for wisdom to know what to do in his situation.
- Our neighbour lady who was being threatened by cartel guys has been doing well. Her husband comes back and spends many nights of the week with her and commutes to his job in San Diego. They have not been contacted since. We wonder if it was a case of mistaken identity.
- Leadership Training- I am done with out new missionary training for the summer. We had 7 people taking the class over the course of the school year. It seemed to be well received! My Bible College class ended in May. I taught James to 10 students at Calvary Chapel Bible College- Mexico in Ensenada- about 1 hour south of where we live. I loved this once/ week class and learned as much or more than the students did! The Pastoral Training that I do twice a week is going strong in Tijuana's poor Eastern Colonias. We have 10 students and they are faithful and love participating in the class. It is a stretching time as we challenge our perceptions and search the Scriptures together for Gods perspective. It continues to be a blessing to be involved in the lives of these servants of Jesus!
Food! We have been blessed by a contact with Club Dust ministries and Strong Tower ministries to provide food for two of the churches we work with in the poorest areas of Tijuana. Pastor Ramiro and Pastor Manuel cross over to the US once or twice a week to collect 1000lbs of food at a time to bring back to their areas to bless folks with some of the desperate needs that there are in that area. I went out with Pastor Ramiro the other day as he took bags of food out to 56 families along the railroad tracks. I was taken aback to see the multitudes come for food. The economic crisis has hit here with such force it is hard to put into words. Many 1 income families who used to make $200- $400 / month are now either out of work or the hours have been cut back so much that buying food is difficult, if not impossible. We are so thankful for the timing of this blessing, but also aware of the pressing need for an economic recovery here in Mexico. Please pray for the children and families in need here- and pray that they will not only seek out bread but also Jesus- the Bread of Life.
Homeschool The boys have been doing well in their studies. We did a wholesale change this year because it seemed as if the curriculum we were using was not being as effective as we would like. So it has added A LOT of work to Shar's preparation and delivery of the material, but the amount of learning that is going on is incredible! Our boys were struggling in the basics of math- so this year we tried a new math curriculum from scratch and where as Elijah was using his fingers and hands to add, subtract and multiply last year (which made all other math difficult, time consuming and, usually, wrong!) this year he has it all down pat and is flying through division this summer and will likely be up to his normal grade 7 level by around Christmas. Also- Caleb has continuously struggled with reading. With some concerted effort- and lots of help from mom, he is excelling in his reading and writing and will very likely be a very proficient- possibly above average reader some day soon! Jacob has just gotten started in his school career and so is excelling in his studies too! We are very thankful for God's grace and enabling! He has been good to us, indeed!
Other Stuff -- one of our dogs had 10 puppies this spring- we kept one and so now have 4 dogs again! We also found a cat (Elijah has been praying for a cat for months) that was pregnant and kicked out of her house. With Shar's approval, we brought her in, named her "Bengal" and she had 4 kittens last week. We've found that kittens are, so far, A LOT less work than dogs! With the puppies, we needed to construct a pen for them- and with kittens- a box with a towel is just fine! We will also be getting a turtle in the summer as a missionary kid will be moving back to Canada to go to College this fall. The farm just keeps growing!
Future Stuff This fall I will be continuing teaching the Pastors Training. We have about 6 months left on it- maybe 8- depending on the rain and other cancellations that sometimes happen. I also plan on teaching again at Calvary Chapel Bible College- Mexico. This fall semester I'll be teaching on Minor prophets- which was one of my favourite classes at Nipawin Bible College. I have also been asked to teach a class on Cross-Cultural Ministry here in our area, which I'll be doing a couple days a week for about a month. And I am looking at a possibility of teaching a class on Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation for anyone who wants it in the area, but that will depend on interest!
Prayer Requests. --
- Summer opportunities We are praying about what to do this summer. It is my slowest time of the year. Last year I was involved in an internship training program that is not happening this year- as well as speaking some of our outreaches. But this summer it will be different. I have been presented with an opportunity to speak at a camp in Canada for a week or two, but would need more opportunities to justify the trip! So please pray about this with us!
- Finances- Our monthly giving amounts have been down this year. Praise God we have had enough when we needed it- He has been faithful to provide for our needs. Please pray that that would continue to happen the last 6 months of the year as well! Our expenses have increased substantially with having to cross the border 1-3 times a week for food donations and then go to classes in Ensenada (100 mile round trip) So please pray that God will work out those details!
- Personal Spiritual Lives Please pray for our personal spiritual growth- that we as a family and individuals would be attentive to the Voice of God and be willing to walk in obedience and love for His glory! As with most Christian workers- it becomes easy to let the ministry supersede our own walk with God!
- Safety As in most developing world countries, safety is a constant issue with us. We have complete trust in God, that He is our ever present help! We covet your prayers on our behalf for safety. Specific, regular times to pray for this are:
- Each Monday from 6pm-10:30pm-
- Friday from 10am-2:00pm and
- Saturday from 4:00pm-10:30pm.
God bless you and keep you!
Mike, Sharlene, Elijah, Caleb and Jacob
--
Michael McDonald
Missionary to Mexico
YUGO Canada
1-(619)400-3326 (North America)
661-100-3396 (Mexico)
msmcdonald@yugomail.org
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