Last weekend (Sun-Tues) Sheena and I had a chance to get away and take a breather. We went south to the states of Morelos, Guerrero, and Mexico. Sheena got to see the towns of Cuernavaca (a more colonial Spanish city of about 2 million), Taxco (a small town built in the side of a mountain, very spanish and colonial stye), Tlalyacalpan (another small town famous for an old catholic convent and museum and pottery), Alpuyeca (a small town outside of Cuernavaca where the Damian family is from), and Xochicalco (a small town where there is an archeological site of several pyramids from the Xochicalcan civilazation 700-800 BC). We scaled mountains, pyramids, and she was able to buy some souvenirs at the various places. We got back late Tuesday night.
Wednesday we had a productive day, as it was our last day of the summer English/Bible course in Los Olivos. We had 22 students and nearly all had been all 4 weeks. For those who were there all 4 weeks, Sheena gave each family a Kid's Bible and storybook. We had a special ceremony and cake and juice to celebrate their finishing the course. Most want to come back next week to the VBS program the group from Grove City will put on. One mother wants to continue studying and was VERY receptive to the Bible lessons and the sharing of the gospel during this last class. Please pray for Mari, Alma, and Omar. Mari is a single mom studying to finish her high school degree. Her kids Omar and Alma are ages 5 and 7. They are adorable and so well behaved. Pray they make decisions to trust in Christ this next week during VBS.
We had a final planning session with Pastor Carlos, Monica, Pastor Leo and Damaris, and Pastor Eleazar and Suzi, yesterday morning as well. All is shaping up and falling into place for the team. We have youth and women coming to make all the meals and many have just asked to come and participate and get to know and fellowship with the group. I cannot wait! This trip is really a milestone and very important thing for our church and even in my own life. Five years ago exactly, my church sent me to Mexico as a short-term missionary. I came home and was able to report that God had worked mightily in my life and heart and called me back to this country. Now, five years later, the same church has sent me here, sustained me here, and is now coming themselves to see and participate in God's work here. I cannot wait and I know that God has amazing things in store for the next two weeks.
Please pray for the team as they will be traveling here Saturday. Pray for safe travels, no flight cancelations, all luggage to arrive, and for good health and safety upon arrival!
By name, remember to pray for:
Pastor Doug and Heidi Stewart
-Doug will be preaching the sermon at Los Olivos on Sunday!
-Heidi will be teaching Sunday School.
-Both will be teaching classes in the VBS program Monday-Wednesday
-Doug hurt his foot bad at soccer camp two weeks ago, pray for continued healing
The Roberts family: Alan, Donna, Tim (24), and Chris (20)
-All will be teaching and helping in various ways with the VBS program
-The guys are pretty skilled in construction and will be helping with the roof project as well
-Chris may be preaching at some point as he is preparing in seminary to be a pastor!
The Dean family: Dan, Julie, and Ben (28) (my own!!!!)
-They'll be helping with VBS and teaching and my dad will get to put his spanish into use!
-Ben will arrive on Friday, Aug 1 and help us in the Guacamaya ministry next Saturday
Tim Waxenfelter (21)
-Will be teaching/helping with the VBS and doing lots of work on the roof project as he works in construction and as an electrician
Kelly Garthwaite (21)
-Will be teaching Sunday School in Los Olivos and VBS!
Winston Openheimer (26)
-Will be teaching VBS and helping with the roof project as well
I am really excited about the group God has put together! Pray for Sheena and I as we work now and during the week to pull this off (with God's great help and guidance!) Pray for our Mexican team as well:
-Pastor Carlos and Monica Huerta
-Will be our chofeurs and helpers in ALL!!!! MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS!
-Monica is helping head up the women who are cooking our meals
-Pastor Leo and Damaris Perez Morales
-Will be helping organize the youth of our church to help
-Damaris is helping Monica in the food area
-Pastor Eleazar and Suzi Tello Harbich
-Organizing the program at Los Olivos and hosting us for many meals!
Our group's VERY PROFESSIONAL :) Translators:
-Enrique Damian
-Aidee Damian
-Victor Morales
-Natalia Morales
-Monica Felix
-Claudia de Velasco
-Ivan Velasco
-Susi Harbich (Pastor Eleazar's wife)
-Bethany Dean :)
PRAY FOR GREAT THINGS THIS WEEK!!!!!
Our theme verse at church for this week to come is:
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. Hebrews 6:10
2 comments:
Hey Bethany,
I wish I could be there. I miss you all. Please give everyone in Los Olivos a BIG BIG HUG and Hello from me. Hey I heard from Joanne and she is leaving in three weeks and would like her books. I will give her your email.
love ya and miss ya... I don't know if you know how much.
I assume everyone arrived. Praying that everything is going well.
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