February Stories

Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
{Psalm 2:8}

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This month I'm trying something new.  Stories.   
I´ll post pictures from the month at the end, but here are some short testimonies of what God's been doing. 

Anahí teaching at Twist Chalco

1. Anahí and Karen are sisters.  They've been volunteering as teachers at Twist Kids' Club* Chalco since it's start, almost a year ago. The two donated some plates and toys to club this month since they had a little extra money.  "Even though we don't have a lot," they assured us, they wanted to plant into the lives of these young ones. 

Anahí (18) has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks due to a traumatizing situation a while back.  Hence, she has had to step away from a lot of activities she'd been passionate about - specifically physical training and sports.  She shared with us that her prayer has been that God strip away everything but Club.  She loves coming. It's the highlight of her week. They're "her" kids. 

PRAY FOR: 

• God to continue to raise up these young women (and men) to discover their gifts and fulfill their callings. 
• Spiritual maturity and dedicated mentors for each of the teachers and volunteers.  

2. Ciro. Ciro is a neighbor of ours who lives around the block.  He's also our go-to construction man for just about everything in our home that needs done.  About a year ago, in a conversation with Xaume he admitted that he started attending Jehovah's Witness meetings. We were so disappointed.  How was it possible that we hadn't shared the truth of the gospel with him first?! 

This last month, on one of Ciro's visits to the house, he told Xaume he was done with the Jehovah's Witnesses. He had questions they couldn't/wouldn't answer.  He found it fake.

Then he proceeded to ask if he could come once a week and study the Bible with Xaume.  Ever since, at 7pm sharp on Wednesday nights, Ciro knocks at the door and the two of them delve into Matthew's gospel verse-by-verse. 

PRAY FOR:

• Ciro and his family to know Jesus more every day. 
• Xaume and I to continue reaching out to our neighbors. 

Sharon with some of the Twist girls  (yes, this was at Christmas time)

3. Damaris, Twist Ixtapaluca´s director is expecting in a few weeks! During her pregnancy absences, she asked her sister, Sharon, to fill in for her.  It's been a good challenge for Sharon to step up.  She's been very proactive about inviting the neighborhood kids, and attendance has been higher than usual.  Of course, there have been bumps along the way and those whose feelings have been hurt since they didn't show the kind of tact and leadership Sharon does. But, it's been a huge burden off of Damaris' shoulders and a way for Sharon to stretch herself as never before. 

PRAY FOR: 

• Unity among all the team members.
• Spiritually healthy pastors and church leaders.

Lumbreras prayer time

4. "Lumbreras" in Spanish means luminaries.  That's the name our friends and collaborators Ale & Lalo chose for a project they kicked off in November. 

Since Ecatepec (the region of the city where they live) is known especially for its' violence and murders, they decided it was time to do something to change the environment. 

Every Monday they choose a spot in the "county" to pray and worship- a bus stop, a specific corner, etc.  It's not a sight people are used to, and passer-byes often come up and ask what they're doing. It creates a wonderful moment to share the gospel. 

One woman asked for the group to accompany her to her home and pray since she felt the atmosphere was a heavy.  After they had worshipped and prayed over the home, her husband who had never been interested before, received Jesus!  Now the couple is attending a local church of one of the pastors who was present at the prayer time. 

PRAY FOR:

• Supernatural covering for each of those stepping up to confront the spiritual darkness.
• Unity among pastors and boldness to pray in public places. 

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Twist Kids´ Club Obrera official opening (close to down-town Mexico City)

Pray for: willing spirits to invest in these children´s lives;

openness to let children attend

Finally re-did our "set" for Youtube Videoblog and actually did some recording! Xau posted a new topic (it's in Spanish:  Click here to view)

Pray for: Wisdom in our presentation of topics

Training session for the start up of Twist Kids´ Club "El Retoño" (in Mexico City Ixtapalapa district, will meet once a month)

Also had an outreach with a small but more-than-expected turn out. 

Pray for: Openness in families to encourage and allow kids to attend.

Judith got married!  Director of Twist Chalco, we were thrilled to see this day come :) We also doubled as her photo and videographers!  

Pray for: She and Ciro (a different Ciro) to be supernaturally united as a new couple and for continued provision for all their needs.

After the volunteers´ visits to the city to see how Twist operates, Twist Huautla (mountain town in Oaxaca) had it´s official opening. (Will meet every two weeks).

Pray for: locals to rise up in leadership

First outreach as we look to opening Twist Jaltenco in April (small town outside of Mexico City)

Pray for: wisdom for young couple Gerardo and Sharon as they raise this mission 

[*Twist Kids' Club is an outreach and discipleship program designed to connect local churches with their communities and sow into the lives of this young generation!]

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Personal prayer requests: 

• To listen and obey the HOLY SPIRIT
• For Xau and I to take quality time together
• For us to take time as a family to worship together at home
• For Liam and Malakai's health (Liam - has some allergies and testing to see what´s causi; Malakai - continuing physical therapy - he's doing well, pray for me to have stamina in taking him every week!)

That's it for now :)  Thanks for reading / praying / thinking of us!  We'd love to hear from you! 

In Him,

The Buenos 

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Tax-deductible giving 

Checks to: Hearts in Action

Memo: Mexico Mission

Send to: 7104 Africa Road
Galena, OH 43021