Happy Last Day of Spring!
On this last day of spring in Playa de Rosarito, Mexico, our grass is dead, it hasn't rained for 3 months and the daily weather is a steady 22C and "June Gloom" means we have overcast mornings almost every day here at the coast. But just as each spring turns into summer, God has continued to be faithful in our lives.
In May-June we were having some financial issues coming up- with getting our visas and some other things that were out of the ordinary costly. Thank you for Praying- all of our needs have been met!!!
Since last fall we were planning on going to Ontario to visit relatives and speak in some churches to raise support. Through God-ordained circumstances- we were not able to go this spring. It was somewhat saddening because my dad hasn't been in great health and our other parents are getting older and we realize that each time we get to see them- may be the last. It has been 3 years since we were back in Ontario- and we haven't all seen Shar's family since then. I've been back on deputation- and my dad's medical emergency- a few times, but they and the kids and Shar have not been reacquainted for too long.
A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend of mine in Saskatchewan and he asked if we could come speak at his camp for 2 weeks- kinda half-jokingly. I said we'd pray about it and see what happened. Well within a week or 2, I had 4 weeks of camp speaking engagements- some times to share in churches and a full July Schedule! You may remember my prayer request in our last letter for some wisdom on summer ministry opportunities- since they dried right up here till the end of August! So we became convinced that God was giving us the go ahead to go back to SK and MB for camp ministries this summer.
We are also planning on going back to Ontario before we head back to Mexico. It's not really a lot closer from MB to Ontario then from Mexico, but we asked for wisdom and believe it'd be the best, wisest thing to do while we have the opportunity and time this summer. All that to say that we will be in Ontario for 2 weeks in August. From Aug. 5th -12th in Wasaga Beach area and from Aug. 12-19 in Hamilton area. We have yet to secure any speaking engagements during that time- so if you are there and would like to have us come to your church , cell group, youth group or just over for supper to hear how things are going- we'd be more than willing to try to make it work in our schedule! After that it is a 4 day drive back to Mexico.
When we get back, we'll be jumping right back into ministry with some missionary training in September and my regular pastoral training and Bible College teaching in Ensenada.
Thank you again for your partnership with us in prayer-- a couple of prayer and praise items:
LAMBERTO: ( Neck Surgery this winter) just received a $1000 gift for his medical needs. They still owe the doctor this amount because one person who said he was going to pay this amount for his care- never did ( he owed them this money for a property the sold to him). However, the doctor has all but abandoned Lamberto in his "recovery"- so we are praying for wisdom as to what to do with this money- pay off the doctor or seek additional medical care to assist in Lamberto's recovery. His pastor, Ramiro- will be making this decision this summer.
Daniel and Dolores: Have started on their taco cart business this week- thanks to the gifts of friends from Canada! They are also praying about starting a feeding program in their impoverished neighbourhood that is in desperate need. There are at least 70 kids in need of daily food, if they had the finances to do so! Please pray for this need!
Severa Barboza (Student in pastors-leaders training) leaves June 28 for Nayarit, Mexico for 1 month. Seve is older than 60 and is married to Jose ( who is also in my class) She is going to this area in southern Mexico where some people travel up to 4 hours to find an Evangelical church to worship in. It is a desperately needy area for the gospel- many towns and villages have no Christian witness. Seve goes down- stays with the people and disciples the believers and shares the Good News with the others. It has been a fruitful ministry- but it is tough on her. She has few means and relies on the hospitality of the people to live there. Please pray for Seve's health and for her ministry there in the month of July- that the God of all the universe would be glorified!!
Our finances God has been generous to us supplying our needs for new visas and other spring needs that came up. We have received some other gifts and promises that will help pay for our way to Canada! PRAISE GOD! Please pray that all of our needs would be met in our voyage to Sask, Manitoba and Ontario and Back- and that our monthly support would be where Jesus wants it to be for the fall and winter!
Thanks again for your partnership in this ministry. We honestly feel as if we are an extension of your ministry and are humbled and honored that we can work together with you! 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10.
It is exciting to partner with you to do those works here in Mexico!
May God bless you!
McDonald family.
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