Ir al contenido principal

Break-In & Baptisms

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
Ephesians 2:4-5

(This was the passage we taught on the day of baptisms :) ) 
Just before we were to have our first baptisms, the site got broken into.  Somebody jumped the fence, cut the chain on the door and stole our propane tank.  Thankfully no major damage was done - just some articles thrown around as in intimidation... classic opposition before breakthrough.

But, thankfully we had another propane tank at home so we took that on Sunday so we could have our cookout as planned in celebration of the four "baptizees."  Although there are more new believers, not all of them felt ready to take this step, which we totally understand. 

Praying for Mari, Jesus, Benito and Agustina after being baptized.

It was an exciting day for sure. And we learned (somewhat clumsily) how to baptize. We praise God for the work He's doing and ask for more! More of His presence and truth moving each one who is beginning (and continuing) his or her journey with Jesus. 

Afterwards, we let the kids go swimming...I wasn't sure if that was too sacrilegios, but determined that if we would have had baptisms in a pool or lake and the kids wanted to swim after that would have been fine so why not?

The cookout

And...this month a pastor friend of our sent us three young people to serve as interns! The two young men, Benito and Jonathan (L to R) were here for the month and Hanna was here for two weeks. They helped teach and do choreographies at Twist Kids' club, worked at the site, (put in barbed wire and more security) painted, cooked, had designated reading times, etc. 

It's made for some extra coordinating, etc. but has been a help, too. Jonathan is gifted in music and leading worship and is planning to stay longer. Benito was baptized while he was here!

Benito and Jonathan have been staying at my in-law's apartment (Hanna was with us)

Loving on the kiddos at Twist

Dancing at Kids' club!
For the last two weeks we've had a special visitor: Tia Elena! (Tia is the word for Aunt - which we use in Hearts in Action for the teachers and volunteers).  Costa Rica native, Elena has been a faithful missionary with Hearts in Action for over 20 years. She currently serves as the base leader in Colombia. 

Elena teaching at Crece church service. She also taught one of the lessons at Twist!

To sum up, it's been a lot going on - fun moments, stressful moments, tension and arguments, opposition, celebration... that's how life goes right? 
In it all, we're thankful that He is with us.  And the more we cling to Him and press into Him, the better. 

Love to you and all of yours. We'd love to hear back from you! Thank you for your loving prayers and support.


------

Tax-deductible giving: 

CHECKS TO: HEARTS IN ACTION INTL, INC.

Memo: Mexico Mission
Send to: 7104 Africa Road Galena, OH 43021

Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

Time

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—  making the most of the time, because the days are evil.    -Ephesians 5:15-16 God gave me a word for each month this year and February's word was TIME.  The goal: listening AND OBEYING His direction for how to spend time. He knows best - so yielding to His Word has been a challenge since I often think I know what needs to be done and when. But it's so refreshing when we do obey and get to experience His perfect wisdom!   Pray for these ones to continue to grow in their knowledge and walk with God! This past month... Crece Church Plant News:  Two women (mother and daughter) were baptized - expressing their desire to follow Christ completely.  Despite all her nerves and wanting to back out, Imara taught her first time on a Sunday morning! She was baptized last February. (Brayan also preached this month - we continue to encourage ones to let themselves be stretched and u...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Persevere!

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer .   -Romans 12:12 This word hit me hard at the women's retreat we attended at the beginning of the month. After my "I-don't-want-to-suffer" breakdown, God sweetly reminded me of His heart: Rejoice in the love of my salvation! It's not the suffering we're called to, but the perseverance through it to produce in us the joy and privilege of getting to walk WITH Him... And along the way we get to accompany others - praying  that they encounter Him!  Moments like this - even when just a few take look at God's Word - are glimpses of hope. Pray with us for these ones to hunger for more, seeking after Him with all their hearts! Many are facing family difficulties, pursuing false gods (namely, "la muerte"/ saint death), struggling with addictions, violence, apathy, etc. This month we had a couple good times with some of the Twist and Crece church leaders.  Special praise for Karla as she h...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Pressed

“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ It’s been a tough month. Good things but also some heavy pushback, spiritually. I’ve been prayerfully aware of the weight of this area we’ve targeted to minister in: Ecatepec. The name literally means “hill of the god of the air.” We know there’s quite a stronghold of the enemy in the region. And though it often feels like we’re working a pickax, we’re thankful  that His praise is the constant. And for the promise that we WILL NOT BE CRUSHED.  Highlights:  Worship night at Karina’s  home  (just two blocks from Crece church)  this Saturday night!  It was a great  time for the young people to come together, have some good hang out time and then mov...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más