Hearts in Action Mexico

  This month, like usual, had its many moments of stress. But, as we look back, we celebrate God's goodness and as Xau would say: focus on the positive!  The photo above is what the space is looking like now (Twist Kids' Club Ecatepec and the first Crece church plant). Below, you can see how it was registered on Google maps in May: We know, it's just a physical place and that the PEOPLE are most important. However, we have done our best to make it as clean and welcoming a space as possible. And, as a friend reminded me, "focus on raising an altar of praise, and the rest will come."  With Crece , we're excited to ones come to Christ for the first time, and we pray for and encourage the majority who just starting their walk with Jesus. They come with lots of questions and hungry to learn more. Many are facing tough situations with their families, health, etc. Pray with us for each one to encounter Jesus more every day and to draw strength from Him!  Twist Kids...

It has not been an easy month. But even with all the challenges, we see God’s faithfulness and power every week.   Choose life lesson at Twist Kids’ Club - celebrating life in Jesus in these dark days Publicizing the opening of the church plant has been met with opposition: Dedicated team member Brayan was handing out flyers for Crece {pronounced: Kreh-seh} the name of the church- meaning “grow”) on a different side of town and two men told him he shouldn’t be having that out there because there they follow “Saint death” (a growing idol-based cult).   He replied  that there was no problem if they didn’t want the flyer that was fine. They said he should go. So he turned and headed back.   The next morning when we arrived to set up for Twist the brand new banner he’d hung on the wall had been ripped off and was gone.   Since the banner was taken, Brayan painted the wall instead  Further pushback the week after as when we arrived there was a horrible stench. ...

 Happy September 16th! Mexico's Independence Day It wasn't exactly the quiet month I was hoping for, but it has been rewarding.  As the newest Twist Kids' Club (that we're spearheading) continues, we finally made the jump this month to invite parents & adults from the community to Sunday morning meetings: the start of our first church plant.  Currently, our Sundays start with an oral Bible story dynamic and then, after singing a couple songs, Xau teaches on that same passage. The uncertainty of it all has been tough: not knowing if anyone will show up, wondering if it's worth it, sensing the oppression of strongholds we're up against, etc.  BUT, we've persevered through the first month and are expectant. We're overjoyed to have had the privilege of seeing two people accept Jesus into their lives!  And, despite the challenges, getting to pour into this small group week-to-week has been meaningful. Jose, (brings his daughter to Twist) is very hungry an...

After two months of the new Twist club, we're glad to see kids come week after week.  It's not a big group, and who comes varies, but there are several faithful attendees.   And we're excited that there are also a few adults who have shown interest in spiritual things and are eager to learn more.  So, finally this month of September we'll be having our first Sunday morning gatherings. Pray with us for the hungry to come and see, that we can worship in Spirit and in Truth, and for His covering over us all.  We just want to be a channel for people to meet and grow with Jesus! P ray that we may grow and raise leaders through this process - to genuinely love on and serve the kiddos as well as their families.   Hearts in Action team members Brayan and Pris (not related) leading choreographies!  Pris helps us with Twist, and works three-days a week for us with our kids and home. Brayan just joined us as we've started the new Twist - he's been a KEY element a...

K eeping 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} This month was FULL.  Too busy, yes. And though it  involved quite sufficient stress and moments of tension, the goal of "jumping into" the new site work was worth it. (As always, we just have to keep working on the balance ...)  After all the hard work and nerves of how things would go, we've seen God's hand at work, and that brings us SUCH GREAT JOY.   Here's a quick recap:  - First month of activities at the new Twist site in Ecatepec! (An outreach, the Inauguration, two lessons from the manual and special guests from HCC!) - Continued renovation of the Twist space (cement flooring in the courtyard, painting, clearing out) - Kai & Liam finished their school year with a concert and awards ceremony! - Preparation for and hosting of the first miss...