We're off to Canada for a couple months starting this afternoon.
This morning we're going to do all of our last-minute stuff- pay bills, finish packing- buy dogfood etc. and then head down to las pasaditas for our last tacos for two months.
From there we cross to the US- do some grocery shopping for trip food and then begin the trek through the Mojave desert. The original plan was to leave bright and early- and get to the California-Nevada state line- but that meant we'd be there at 1 or 2 in the aft- in 108F heat! I really don't know how long someone can be in 108F heat before getting heatstroke- but I'll bet you it's not long! So instead of going for a short swim and languishing in the room all day (want to avoid driving in 108F heat too) we've decided to leave this aft and arrive in the desert as the heat dissipates- thus pulling in at 9:00pm or so in Las Vegas- where it'll only be 95F instead. We'll go for a nice night swim and get rested for day two!
We'd appreciate your prayers-- it'll be a long drive! As well- I've been taking some antibiotics and they seem to have affected my normal flora and fauna and it's causing me to need to be close to a washroom. I'm hoping that it is passing this morning and we can do this voyage without the inconvenience of hourly emergency stops!
The kids are REALLY excited to go back- they will be spending a week at Silver Birch Bible Camp in Loon Lake-- it will be Jacobs first year in a cabin! Even before we knew we'd be coming back- he was talking about how it would have been his first year and how much he'd like to go. The other two as well were talking about Silver Birch lots. Last year was the first year we've not been at a camp- for at least 1 week- in almost all of their lives!
God bless and thanks for praying!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
not so mini update...
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.
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.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
June Prayer letter
Hey folks,
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...
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. --
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
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
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
come, pig.
Hey folks,
Just a short note to give you some perspective on the swine flu- straight from the belly of the beast.
We are not terribly worried.
The vast majority of cases are happening in Mexico City and surrounding area. There are about 28milliion people living in that area. That is the equivalent of all the population of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and all the Maritimes. And these folks all live in one metropolitan area.
Within this conglomerate, there are 1300 cases of swine flu-- about .004% of the population of this petrie dish of a city. Of those, sadly, about 100 of those have died as a result.
One more thing to keep in mind is the health system in Mexico. Often there is a cost involved to go to a Doctor. When people do not have enough money for food (espescially in these tough economic times) hospital visits for a flu don't happen until it is absolutely necessary. So while we have found out that Tamiflu and Relezen (antiviral meds) work to combat this-- they will not work when it is too late.
Also remember the culture of Mexico-- while this is killing primarily young men, these are the ones who would be least likely to go to a hospital under any circumstances.
So while yes, this is a virulent strain of the flu that more easily leads to pneumonia than our "regular flu", so far it is not out of control (despite media reports) and it is not killing healthy people in developed countries.
We do not feel a tremendous amount of fear, but we will be dilligent over the next few weeks until we see how this pans out.
Please pray for our health and safety as we continue to go about our ministry here in Mexico, but please be in extra prayer for the poor in Mexico- those who have limited access to health care. That God would protect His people!!
The worst part from our point of view are the thousands of desperatly poor Mexicans in our border region who live in filthy squalor who will not be getting a house built this year, or who will not be getting a new roof on the old dirt floor shack, or who will not be receiving the needed food our groups bring because people are fearful.
Groups are cancelling trips to Mexico because of the violence-- (which is down 80% from last year!!) and it is the poor who will suffer most. Please pray that those who cancel will offer to donate the amount that they would have spent on a mission trip to go towards the incredible needs we are finding here!
While the Economic downturn is difficult in North America, here it is devastating! We are seeing more and more children suffering from malnutrition and starvation.
We also receive thousands of people who come to help the Mexican church reach their people in Evangelism ministries. Please pray that the Good News of Jesus love and salvation will continue to be spread in this time of Great harvest here in Northern Mexico!
Please pray that God will be glorified and His name will be lifted up in Mexico!
Thanks for praying!
Just a short note to give you some perspective on the swine flu- straight from the belly of the beast.
We are not terribly worried.
The vast majority of cases are happening in Mexico City and surrounding area. There are about 28milliion people living in that area. That is the equivalent of all the population of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and all the Maritimes. And these folks all live in one metropolitan area.
Within this conglomerate, there are 1300 cases of swine flu-- about .004% of the population of this petrie dish of a city. Of those, sadly, about 100 of those have died as a result.
One more thing to keep in mind is the health system in Mexico. Often there is a cost involved to go to a Doctor. When people do not have enough money for food (espescially in these tough economic times) hospital visits for a flu don't happen until it is absolutely necessary. So while we have found out that Tamiflu and Relezen (antiviral meds) work to combat this-- they will not work when it is too late.
Also remember the culture of Mexico-- while this is killing primarily young men, these are the ones who would be least likely to go to a hospital under any circumstances.
So while yes, this is a virulent strain of the flu that more easily leads to pneumonia than our "regular flu", so far it is not out of control (despite media reports) and it is not killing healthy people in developed countries.
We do not feel a tremendous amount of fear, but we will be dilligent over the next few weeks until we see how this pans out.
Please pray for our health and safety as we continue to go about our ministry here in Mexico, but please be in extra prayer for the poor in Mexico- those who have limited access to health care. That God would protect His people!!
The worst part from our point of view are the thousands of desperatly poor Mexicans in our border region who live in filthy squalor who will not be getting a house built this year, or who will not be getting a new roof on the old dirt floor shack, or who will not be receiving the needed food our groups bring because people are fearful.
Groups are cancelling trips to Mexico because of the violence-- (which is down 80% from last year!!) and it is the poor who will suffer most. Please pray that those who cancel will offer to donate the amount that they would have spent on a mission trip to go towards the incredible needs we are finding here!
While the Economic downturn is difficult in North America, here it is devastating! We are seeing more and more children suffering from malnutrition and starvation.
We also receive thousands of people who come to help the Mexican church reach their people in Evangelism ministries. Please pray that the Good News of Jesus love and salvation will continue to be spread in this time of Great harvest here in Northern Mexico!
Please pray that God will be glorified and His name will be lifted up in Mexico!
Thanks for praying!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Prayer request
Hey folks!
Things have been going well this Spring. We had several groups and families coming down from Canada to spend a week or two with us in Ministry. It's been a blessing to watch God work in them and through them! The busy-ness, though, has brought with it quite a few extra expenses. That, coupled with lower than normal monthly support for the last 4 months, has depleted our "reserve account" which we use for ministry expenses and to fill in when monthly support is low.
So we need to ask you for prayer for our financial needs this spring!
Spring typically brings us some extra costs. We need to purchase our homeschool material for next fall (it's usually discounted in Spring!!) as well as renew our Mexican visas (We need to do this every year-- about US$400). This year we also need to renew our passports!
Would you please pray with us for these needs?
Thank you and God bless!!
Things have been going well this Spring. We had several groups and families coming down from Canada to spend a week or two with us in Ministry. It's been a blessing to watch God work in them and through them! The busy-ness, though, has brought with it quite a few extra expenses. That, coupled with lower than normal monthly support for the last 4 months, has depleted our "reserve account" which we use for ministry expenses and to fill in when monthly support is low.
So we need to ask you for prayer for our financial needs this spring!
Spring typically brings us some extra costs. We need to purchase our homeschool material for next fall (it's usually discounted in Spring!!) as well as renew our Mexican visas (We need to do this every year-- about US$400). This year we also need to renew our passports!
Would you please pray with us for these needs?
Thank you and God bless!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Updates...
Hey folks-- just 2 updates and 1 non-update...
First the non-update...
Many of you have asked how juanita is doing with the mafia blackmailing thing and the truth is we don't know. We did speak to her last week and she only said that her husband is staying in Mexico more often and commuting to the States to work. She feels better, but we did not find out if she is stil getting phone calls. Please keep praying for her and we'll get you fresh information when we have it!
Lamberto has not been doing well lately and is in need of some miraculous intervention. He began to feel some intense pain about amonth ago- and that set his progress back alot. When I last spoke with him he had started to feel the pain in his legs and arms again as well as the feeling of his legs being on fire. This is how he felt a few months before getting really bad last fall. He is also very discouraged and is in need of a spiritual breakthrough as well as a physical one.
Our Spring trip to Ontario for deputation and reporting has been cancelled. We were just not able to set things up to make it happen, so we are going to try again maybe next year. With that we are not going to be going to Acuna for the outreach there ( west of San Antonio Texas) as they already have enough help and it is a 2 day drive from here. It would have worked for on our way back from Canada, but not now.
Thanks for your prayers and partnership with us!
God bless,
Mike
First the non-update...
Many of you have asked how juanita is doing with the mafia blackmailing thing and the truth is we don't know. We did speak to her last week and she only said that her husband is staying in Mexico more often and commuting to the States to work. She feels better, but we did not find out if she is stil getting phone calls. Please keep praying for her and we'll get you fresh information when we have it!
Lamberto has not been doing well lately and is in need of some miraculous intervention. He began to feel some intense pain about amonth ago- and that set his progress back alot. When I last spoke with him he had started to feel the pain in his legs and arms again as well as the feeling of his legs being on fire. This is how he felt a few months before getting really bad last fall. He is also very discouraged and is in need of a spiritual breakthrough as well as a physical one.
Our Spring trip to Ontario for deputation and reporting has been cancelled. We were just not able to set things up to make it happen, so we are going to try again maybe next year. With that we are not going to be going to Acuna for the outreach there ( west of San Antonio Texas) as they already have enough help and it is a 2 day drive from here. It would have worked for on our way back from Canada, but not now.
Thanks for your prayers and partnership with us!
God bless,
Mike
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
April Prayer letter
So here is our April Prayer Email-- I'm adding a little bit extra to those of you on the blogosphere...This is Ivan and Sergio- two of our translators/ assistants when we had some families down from Alberta last week-- and a team of Youth down from Langley BC in March
This is a quincenera cake- to celebrate the 15th birthday of a girl in Mexico-- This one was for one of my students (Dolores) kids- Joana.
Here is Joana in her Quincenera dress. Here in Mexico, at least among some folks of modest income, they will share the costs of fiestas-- some pay for the dress, others for the cake, others for the hall, others for the plates etc.
Here is the Taco cart that we bought for Daniel and Dolores.
This is us on a brief vacation in Phoenix!
We had 2 families here last week working with our pastors and churches we serve in the Colonias (poor neighbourhoods). We were at one mission church on the side of the railroad tracks painting some walls. It almost seemed like a exercises in futility- painting the rotten old, used wood that had made up this shanty-shack of a church. But Daniel and Dolores (churches leaders) were tremendously blessed by our service to them. Daniel gave us a bit on the churches history and his testimony. The Canadian families were blessed by the story of Gods work in the former addicts life! Daniel had mentioned that they had an additional $150 to pay off the church property- and were praying to God that He would provide. And God spoke to one of the families... After taking a night to pray about and discuss how they could help- we decided to help them in a different way. Daniel works as a security guard and makes about $200/ month- barely enough to buy food to eat for his family of four. His dream was to buy a taco stand and cook tacos for a living- which has a much greater possibility of succeeding! I remembered another church leadership family (Severa) that had a taco cart (that needed a bit of work) that they wanted to sell- so we hooked the families up- and for $150 we bought a taco cart for Daniel and his family. With some more donations we were able to purchase all of the things needed to get started too ( pots, pans etc...)!! Dolores and Daniel were overwhelmed. They shared testimony that life had been incredibly difficult these past few months (probably more like years- but particularly hard recently). But just that morning God had impressed on Dolores' heart that they had been faithful during these difficult times and that He was going to bless them in a way that would amaze them! This was that blessing! They called it a "fountain of work"- they would never run out of work now and it could grow itself as they invest back into the work! It was an emotional moment for sure! But the blessings weren't done yet!! Severa- the lady who sold us the cart- is 65+ years old and is in my Bible Institute class with her husband. They serve a church in Tijuana well- Teaching the Teens and in the church generally. She has had a burden for an area in southern Mexico- Nayarit- that is very needy for the Gospel. She was down there last year to encourage a believer she knew that had turned back to the world. What she found when she got down there were 5 villages in close proximity with very few believers spread amongst the villages. Some had come to know Jesus through her ministry- and when she left- there were 8 believers in these 5 villages! She had been praying for $150.00 so she could take another mission trip down to Nayarit! She is hoping to take some time to disciple a leader in the area so they can start a church! The Canadian families were amazed that their small donations of $150 and $70 could be a fountain of work (and therefore- freedom to minister well too!) for one family and a mission trip to some unreached areas for another! Praise God for bringing this all together!!
Prayer Requests:
1. For Dolores and Daniel- that they would be diligent and God would double their efforts to provide for them and their mission church.
2. For Severa as she goes to southern Mexico- that God would open hearts and convince them of their need for a saviour. And that God would use Seve to strengthen the believers!
3. For us as we train leaders and pastors- that I would speak only truth from the Scriptures- that the students would be challenged to devote themselves fully to Jesus and His service.
4. For Shar as she homeschools. It has gotten a bit better lately with Elijahs attitude towards school- pray that that will continue- and that Caleb would succeed well in his studies- he is having particular difficulty with mathematics.
5. For all of our health- that we would continue to be healthy enough to serve well! Thanks for your partnership with us!!
God bless!!
Mike
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