Eleven twelfths! : November

If God gives such attention 

to the appearance of wildflowers 

- most of which are never even seen - 

don't you think he'll attend to you, 

take pride in you, do his best for you? 

What I'm trying to do here 

is to get you to relax, 

to not be so preoccupied with getting, 

so you can respond to God's giving...

Matthew 6:30-31 (MSG)

Not worrying is hard for me.  I tend to always be thinking about what needs to be done or how to finish my to-do list.  This passage challenges me to keep cultivating a life-style of trust.  To TRUST HIM and take on His perspective, to wait on Him and let the Holy Spirit order my priorities - that is the best way to live. 

At the beginning of the month, Xaume and the TWIST team went to a different area near Twist to do a Choose Life outreach lesson (instead of focusing on Day of the Dead, we share about life in Jesus).   Then the next day, they had a great turnout at TWIST to celebrate life as well! 

Kids' outreach, Loma Venta, Oaxaca

After getting back to Mexico,  Xaume, Liam and I traveled together to Oaxaca (southern state).   A pastor friend had invited us down to share at his church, accompany his kids' team on a couple outreaches, and then to teach at a missions institute the following week.  

It was a tiring trip, but good.  Visiting these small towns and remote villages reminded us of the reality of so many. It was good for us to get out of our city-bubble.   And, we were glad to help out a bit as our pastor friend had just been in a bad car accident and was recovering.  It was a miracle of God he is alive and well - no broken bones or anything!

One evening, Xaume preached at a church in a Zapoteco community.  Zapoteco is a language spoken in certain pockets of the country where this people group reside. Most of them are bilingual now, but it was beautiful to hear them chat amongst each other and to see the women's tradicional garb.  

For part of the children's ministry class we taught, (at the Assemblies of God missions school) we practiced a lesson with the students and then had them do it at a preschool in town.   

Here below are our students.  Some sense very specific calls to other countries (Sierra Leon, Cambodia, United Kingdom), and others are preparing for wherever God sends.  Pray for them to continue to be equipped and filled with Him!

Back to the city!  At Twist this month, the team hosted the first women's breakfast. It was a great way to share with moms in the community and to connect with them. Pray that these families will be transformed by the power of God's Word and His incomparable love.  

The TWIST team faithfully ministering to the kid's each week! Pray for them to be refreshed and encouraged too!

While Xaume has been away teaching and serving at the To the Great Commission Training in Guatemala, I went out one day to the State of Mexico (neighbouring state).  A pastor friend of ours there organized a soccer tournament of four teams - ages 9-15.  They trained for two months with coaches who are believers, and then, after their tournament, I of all people, had the privilege of sharing the message of Jesus with them. 

Don't be fooled, though it looks like they're not listening, they were.  Many of the players and parents asked Jesus into their lives that day.  I asked those who had done so for the first time to raise their hand after we prayed.  Please pray for these young men to seek and know Him, and so fulfil the longing of their hearts. 

Here's Xaume in action!  He's been busy this week teaching, helping and preparing sessions for this intensive missions training in Guatemala.  Pray for the students (from Colombia, Ecuador, USA, Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala) to take hold of God's heart and to follow His voice for their role in the Kingdom.   We sent Jesus and Gustavo, the two men who have been part of our team this year. Please pray specifically for them to know next steps towards following His plan for them. 

Thank you so much for reading!  It's been so wonderful to be back here with Xaume in Mexico (and I'm eagerly waiting for him to get back from Guatemala).  We even got to go on a couple dates before he took off : )  

Pray that we can continue to rest in the Father and to be faithful with what He has given us.  

Our love, 
The Buenos 

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