Hearts in Action Mexico

For in Him we live, and move, and have our being...Acts 17:28 One year. Once again. Can you believe it?! As we end one and start another, our prayer is: Jesus, be our all in all; we can do nothing apart from YOU. We were blessed with yet another gift-trip to Ohio for Christmas. I didn't know how it was going to be possible, but God, as He has time and time again, did. Just thankful.  Before traveling State-side, we celebrated at Twist Kids' Club, and Crece church hosted a packed, lovely Christmas dinner. While we're out, several leaders will be teaching.  Explaining Jesus' "Great exchange" - how he took our rubbish and gave us everlasting life 2024 stats from Crece church plant (meaning "Grow"; pronounced Kreh-say): Implemented printing weekly devotionals; this year we worked our way through Romans, Luke, Revelation and now finishing  Acts (handed out each Sunday) Monthly leaders' discipleship (5 people) Delegated Twist Kids' Club Ecatepec ...

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord, God "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  - Revelation 1:8 As we near the year's end, we're expectant on HIM! Prayerful - asking that He continue to do what only HE can do.  Praise God, the Choose Life lessons went well 🙌. The base for the skit this year was Luke 23:32-43 - Jesus between the two criminals. The kids took it to heart and even some of the actors (below, right) were very touched as they portrayed the scene.  "Today you will be with me in paradise..." AND...XAU IS OFFICIALLY 40!  We got to celebrate him in some special ways this month :)  Another highlight! Brayan (below) had the God-given idea to have a basketball contest out on the courts in front of Crece church space.  He was super nervous about how it would go, but it was a GREAT turn out. It was really a very hands-on way to connect with the neighborhood and serve them - providing an outlet for fun and way to be t...

I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance.    - John 10:10 This is our cry! That all people may have LIFE in Him. Please join us in praying specifically today for salvation in His Name.  This evening, and then again on Saturday, we'll be having  "Choose Life" outreach - designed to present the Good News during these dates of Halloween/Day of the Dead.  Pray that people will be receptive, for great attendance, for openness in the Spirit to receive Jesus, for protection against the enemy, and for those presenting the Gospel message to have His  words and  boldness.  Thank you! --- A couple encouraging stories: Jocelyn (left):  When Joce started volunteering at Twist about a year and a half ago, she was pretty timid. She mostly wanted to stick with registering kids’ attendance. When I encouraged her to teach   just   the Bible verse, her response was: “Please don’t have me speak in front!”   Now, she’...

 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.   -Psalm 37:7 September is Mexico's Independence Day month! Viva Mexico! Despite a great crowd that came out to celebrate Crece's two-year anniversary, attendance has been increasingly low. At first it was very discouraging. But once we got over that initial disappointment, God's put a new expectancy in our hearts.  We're prayerful - knowing that HE is the One who who moves people towards Him, and does the work in each of them. And we're taking steps to the real heart of the church plant: families facilitating gatherings around God's Word in their homes.  A few leaders are maturing, despite set-backs, and though the youth group is small, we see God working - often one person at a time. We celebrate the seemingly small victories: they are battles being won in the Spirit.   Here are a few short videos to help us meet and pray for the Body. Below the video I'll write the translation - so you can read w...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17 What a joy. Our Ohio trip to me felt like this over and over: a gift. It was simply a gift from the Father. Getting to see and spend time with my family, as Xau says "in my habitat," was so refreshing. Visiting dear friends and being in the community of believers was just needed.  Celebrating our 12th Anniversary When people here ask me if I miss "my country," really I don't feel like I miss the culture or country itself so much, (although we did get to enjoy some beautiful scenery!) but it's the people. I do miss them.  Thanks to EVERYONE who made this possible and for encouraging us all along the way.  If we didn't get to see you, please know we're still thinking of you and thankful for you - time just flies!  Grace going to get "food" from the garden with Grandpa Making Great-Grandma's ...

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. This month we've been able to get a glimpse of what God is doing - despite the fact that we often turn to each other and wonder, "Is this really worth it?" Baptisms were a celebration - seeing four people testify to the fact that they've said "Yes" to following Jesus.  Twist Kids' Club Ecatepec celebrated its' second year anniversary, and our preparations for traveling to the States created space for others to step in and practice leadership (pray for their unity :))  Above: Valeria told us God had already put it on her heart to be baptized, so when she heard we were doing them on Sunday, she knew it was time!  Below: Left to right: Valeria, Maria, Uriel, Carlos. Maria and her son Uriel had starte...