January 18

Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. 

1 Peter 3:8-9

As perhaps for many of you, it's been a hit-the-ground-running kind of a start of the year.  In the midst of all the stressors that come along, God's reminder to keep a sympathetic and compassionate heart, to bless and not to curse, and to stay HUMBLE (yikes!), makes all the rest take on perspective. 

Monthly highlights: 
At this yearly pastors' meeting, Xaume and Jesus gave training seminars to motivate and equip them in children's ministry.  One of the elders was moved by the teaching and said he was going to spend more time with the children at his church. 

(Below) This church is our next ground to break for Twist Kids' Club!  A friend of ours, Judith is in charge of kids and youth ministry for the church and presented the idea to her pastor and church leaders.  As you can see, it's a "bit" traditional, so issues like the women teachers not wearing skirts were some of the matters in question.  But, thankfully, they have approved Twist.  In February we start training in order to open club in March.  

Pray for breakthrough in the Spirit and that people in this huge, hungry community where they're located (called Valle de Chalco) will be set free by the power of Jesus! 

Kids' Club Twist site number one (Ixtapaluca) started back up this month.  Little-by-little we've been working on improving the space, and finally we have an enclosed bathroom.  No running water, yet, but it now has a sink and it's own light fixture!  Praise God for some donations that were made - including carpet squares! 

It's not easy to keep up teachers' commitment and enthusiasm, but we're working with them and praying that God touch their hearts towards serving Him in this way.  

End-of-the-month Twist Fiesta: minute-to-win-it games contests 

For the littler ones, game stations including frisbee toss, bowling and jump rope

Since maestro (teacher) Sergio is a dentist, we asked him to put together a workshop on dental hygiene for each group of kids.   They each got a tooth brush to take home. 

We each had an opportunity to share the Word this month, one of our favorite privileges.  Above Xau's preaching at the church of a pastor friend of ours.  His key passage: 1 Cor. 15:58.  I taught a devotional at Rhema's Bible Institute this month on Matthew 7:17-23.

Ministry bit: 
One aspect that I don't often write about is precisely that: writing. The curriculum for Twist (which includes lessons for Saturday and Sunday), manuals for ministry, and teaching outlines are a few of the main written projects that take up quite a bit of time.  This month we spent many hours writing a training manual for the children's ministry at church. We'll be teaching a series of seminars starting next month.  

Family news: 
Despite, some attacks on health this month, (colds/coughs with the chilly weather and Xau's mom in the hospital for 10 days with a kidney infection)  we believe in God's healing power and goodness.   
Liam is growing into a fine young boy : ) And if you haven't heard, we're expecting baby #2!  Hooray! Due sometime in July. Doctor thinks it's a boy! 


Thanks for reading! We praise God for each of you and your kindness in loving and praying for us.  Please drop us a line too. We'd love to hear from you.

In Him, 
The Buenos 

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