Hearts in Action Mexico

Across the city and through the streets... Carlos (backpack) immediately asked if I was American and spoke English. He then proceeded to introduce himself as Charlie.   From that moment until we walked them to their doorstep, he and sister Yanet (purple) asked me to translate all the words  they could think of  into English. I'd forgotten the curiosity foreigner-me causes in certain parts of the city. Meeting them was definitely a highlight of my month. Honored to gift shoes to these little ones in a shanty-town where a Twist group meets.  Visiting was super sweet - especially with tag-along Gracie.  Other news from the month... A training seminar for children's workers Website launch!  A small start, tutorial site Tenacity.Studio is available to the public:    Tenacity Page Link Still awaiting copyright registry for the Twist Volume 1 Manual as we continue to fundraise the publishing cost. Praying and saving for... - A new vehicle for our fa...

Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.  That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:4-5 Thank you all for your prayers this month (and always!).  We're grateful that each one of the Twist Club sites organized successful Choose Life outreach lessons during the Day of the Dead season.     Choose Life  kick-off And we are so thrilled that one of the clubs officially re-opened at a new site!  Praying for them as they get off the ground, form their team and prepare the new space.  Here they are! Twist Aragon (north of the city) starting up again. Current Twist Club locations Judith in front of her home - one of our super stars.  Leader of the Twist cell groups in Valle de Chalco, she has an unrelenting heart for the young generations.   Please keep these faithful workers in prayer - for covering, provision, encouragement, and above all, to guard their personal time with the Father....

"I have come into the world as a light, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness."  -  John 12:46 October always seems to creep up on us! It's the time of year for the Choose Life outreaches! (Day of the Dead / Halloween alternative campaign). So we've been working diligently this month on getting the lesson ready.   Here are the basic stages... 1. Write the lesson (schedule event times and dates)  This Includes: brainstorming, theme, sequence, story-writing, choreography, practical application, central Bible verse, message, activities, etc.  Here's one of the video sections Xau filmed for the verse. (Kids from Twist Chalco) 2. Calculate materials needed and purchase them One of Xau's shopping trips downtown 3. Prepare the materials, visuals and multimedia Just a few of the cardboard, poster-board cut outs for the story 4. Design and print publicity and coloring page 5. Rehearse and distribute materials  (coordinate with Twist C...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Praising God for a wonderful, busy visit to Ohio. As with any trip, there were moments of stress, stretching and adjusting;  but it was such a gift.  We celebrated with family, saw dear friends, shared about our work, ministered, enjoyed God's creation, played, and got  perspective.  Here are a few shots from the month, but I'll slowly be posting more on social media :)  Thank you, Father, for this season of making memories together!  Thank you, Father for each person you've placed in our lives! Bless them indeed! Speaking at Heritage Christian Church about what's been happening over these 10 years of ministry! We also had a chance to share about the spiritual climate in Mexico. So many live in a syncretistic, fearful, confused state. Pray for furtherance of the Gospel and revelation of God's true heart! Time of sharing and prayer with the Heritage staff.  So ...

 The Lord is a REFUGE to the oppressed, a REFUGE in times of trouble.  -Psalm 9:9 Isai.  He was one of the teachers at Twist, Chalco. During the pandemic, he and his wife Aris Bell hosted a small kids' cell group in their home every week.  Now, he is with the Father.  His family contracted COVID this month, passing it to him, and after a bout in the hospital he passed away. We're forever grateful for his life and we praise God for the seed he sowed into many children's lives.  Even though some days are rough - like when we get news of death and tragedy - or when we're simply fed up with frustration (or the testing of parenting), there's a trend at work. It's a trend of God's faithfulness. When I fall into complaint and exasperation, the warning light is blinking to stop and re-focus. HE is our REFUGE and strength, our hope and our good FATHER!    FINALLY went through all 141 pages of the Twist Manual and noted final editing changes! Aside from Bib...

 Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven,  Your faithfulness to the clouds.  Psalm 36:5 Even though Xau and I just tested positive for COVID, we are trying to see the bright side of things. On Wednesday, after I lost my sense of taste and smell we went to get tested. Praise God, we are doing alright and hunkering down at home.  Please pray  for quick recovery and lots of grace for each other as we wait out this quarantine :) .  Of course, this changes our travel plans, so our Ohio visit will have to wait until September! But, thankfully we were able to make the flight changes very economically.  I'll post a few shots from this very busy month! We have an intern! Jesús, a young man from Oaxaca, is staying with us (in the apartment renovation from last year!) and helping with all sorts of projects and accompanying Xaume to all different ministry events. He's been here all of July and will now stay all of August. Thank you! Liam "graduated" from Kinder...

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.  Hebrews 12:2 That is the verse I wrote to Pastora Paty in a letter the nurses read to her in the hospital along with these words: "Keep your eyes on Jesus as I'm sure you are doing.  Just as he passed the hour of shame and was raised to the Father's side, we believe this season of pain will soon pass and your life will be redeemed."  She is now in His presence.  I had no idea those would literally be the last days of her earthly life. I still cannot believe she's gone. Every day her son-in-law would send the audio update about her progression. It seemed she was going to pull through. But then, so suddenly, the bacteria returned and she passed.  We will ever honor and remember Pastora Paty and her heart for children, especially. She was fundamental in starting Twist. She...