September 18

You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result - the survival of many people.   
Genesis 50:20

On September 24th, Malakai had a brief loss of consciousness.  We didn't know it at the time, but later found out that it was a type of convulsive crisis.  Not until another episode on the 26th did the doctors discover that this was due to a rare case of the chickenpox virus that caused brain swelling (encephalitis).  On the 28th he started a 14-day intravenous antiviral  treatment which required him to stay at the hospital.  I, Anna, stayed with him during the days to nurse and left bottles for the night feedings.   His MRI shows no negative effects on his brain, praise God. He was finally discharged yesterday, October 12th! He is alert and happier than ever.

At the hospital everyone was calling Malakai by his middle name, Joseph.  (Malakai was apparently too tricky.) At the beginning of our stay, God reminded me of Joseph's words in the verse above as a promise for Malakai's life.  What the enemy intended as evil, God uses for good.  In the version I originally read, it said "for the salvation of many lives." I believe God will use Malakai's life to bring many people to know Him - starting with some we encountered at the hospital.   

The past couple weeks were intense - definitely an eye-opening experience and a wake up call to remember and pray for those who are sick and their loved ones.  

But, getting back to things beforehand...

In early September, Hector, a friend from Honduras came to be a part of the work we do for a week.  He's in a  time of transition in ministry and wanted to see how he might partner with us.  Here he and Xau were visiting homes inviting kids to Twist Kids' Club (which continues to meet each Saturday)! 

Xau teaching at one of the kids' services at church (Conquering Frontiers)

Another big part of September involved lesson planning and teaching at Conquering Frontiers church. Since Xaume and I write lessons for Twist Kids' Club, and few teachers at Conquering Frontiers do formal lesson planning, we are fusing the two.  So, the lessons for this year that we write for church, will be our lessons for the Twist clubs. 

One of the lesson plans

Xau is currently the coordinator for the six-year-old room which means he's teaching and coordinating the teachers for each of the services (three on Sunday and one on Thursday). 

Then, precisely the week that things started happening with Malakai, we were prepping two activities for the weekend.  Our team - Jesus Cruz and Ale Rendon (and her husband Lalo) traveled to Cuernavaca to facilitate a kids' lesson and parent workshop for a church's annual retreat.  

While they were out of town, Xaume was facilitating and teaching at a leadership summit here in the city.  An organization and editorial called E6-25 (standing for 6-25 year-old specialties) hosted the generational leadership event. They now focus on five ministry areas: pastoral, children's, pre-teens, teens and university students. 

It was an honor for him to be a part of this event and to share God's heart for children with leaders from around the city.  

Xau taught three of the children's track workshops!

I don't think it was a coincidence that Malakai was in the hospital exactly the week that Xaume was to share at the conference. I sensed that it was a direct attack against God's desire to raise a voice for children and youth in this nation and beyond.  

Please keep praying for breakthrough in the lives of children, families and churches who desperately need the fullness of His Truth. 

We praise Him for His faithfulness and everlasting love - which we especially get to see in the lives of our two boys. 

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