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Mega Service and More Meetings

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Mega Service 2017 Panorama
Music at the Mega ServiceThanks so much to everyone who prayed for the “Mega Service” this past Sunday at Ecoparque San Pedro. I think the service went fairly well. In the picture above you can see the group in the beautiful outdoor location.

Rod did a great job leading an eclectic collection of music, and I spoke on “The Word of God” from 2 Peter 1:16-21. The picture on the right shows Rod and gang.

After the service we hung out at the park, where there was horse back riding, an outdoor labyrinth, and places to play soccer and other things.

After one day at home I headed to Puebla to meet with the Camino Global team leaders. The altitude changes are usually a health disaster for me, and yesterday was no exception, so it was admittedly a day of pretty severe pain. However, it was a good time with a few of the other missionaries I don’t see often, talking about various issues.

We’ve been trying to get our van verified, which we need to do every 6 months. This time it didn’t pass (due apparently to a sensor issue), and this led to four days at the mechanic’s. We’re hoping that we can get it verified in the next few days. Verification is what allows us to drive without restrictions of certain days.

Just a little news for you! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Prayer Request: “Mega Service” – Tomorrow!

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As far as we can tell, tomorrow is the 4th annual “Mega Service” for our associated churches in the Mexico City area. We’re heading out to an ecopark in the pass between our local volcanoes for an outdoor service (under a tent or tarp). It’s one of the few places that can hold 400+ people for a price the churches can afford! I’m thinking about 10 churches will be represented, but that’s just a guess.

(And yes, for us it will be a little chilly. Around 13℃, probably. Don’t laugh, Canadian friends.)

Mega Service 2017Anyway, this is a particular prayer requests because our team is especially involved in the service. Yes, this year a lot of missionaries are involved – our friend Chuck will be leading the service, and Rod will be leading the music, with a music group made up of talented people from various churches, I believe. There will also be a communion service, led by a pastor friend of ours (Paco) from Mexico City. And of course a host of other people are involved in setup, take-down, organization, watching kids….

And – I’m the speaker! So I would appreciate your prayers for everyone involved, including me, that God’s Word would touch hearts. And that the fellowship would be an encouragement to many.

We’ll be heading up about 9am, and the service is supposed to start at 11am, with time before and after to hang out with people, eat lunch after the service, etc.

Thanks for your prayers!

Tomorrow: First Anniversary of Sendero de Vida Las Palmas!

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Yes, tomorrow will be the big celebration – one year since the first service of the Path of Life Bible Church of Las Palmas! I’m hoping to get some video clips of the service for you, or at least some pictures. It’s going to be fun!

It’s great to see what God has done in so many lives – including our lives – over the past year!

First service at Sendero de Vida las Palmas
A few of the people who attended the very first service – November 2016

Mexico Earthquakes: Tarps and Tomatillos

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Mexico continues with recovery efforts after the three earthquakes in September (or two and a major aftershock, depending on how you count them. But of course there have been many aftershocks – which continue even today). It’s about time for another quick update.

What’s Been Happening?

We personally have not been able to go out to do specific earthquake relief again. We hope to go again, but for the time being will be focusing more on support and administration for those who are going.

Since I last wrote, we’ve been able to get earthquake related tracts out to several churches, to help with their local ministry and relief efforts further afield. I was also able to meet with Camino Global missionaries last week to discuss next steps, and longer term help.

Many of the immediate needs have been met, at least in Mexico City and other parts of central Mexico. I’m not sure what people are going to do with the mountains of clothes they’ve received! But in harder to reach areas, and in southern Mexico, there seem to be many urgent needs.

shovelling earthquake relief mexico
Some of “Rod’s Group” out serving last week
Rod had been hoping to get to Oaxaca last week, but reports of significant violence on the way down led to a change of plans. They went closer to home again, delivering blankets and tarps to those who are struggling with a lack of proper shelter. (See more here)

One of our coworkers was able to get to Oaxaca to help there. A typical story he told was of a woman and her four children. She lost her husband to cancer a few years ago, and makes memelas (a kind of baked tortilla) for a living. The family house was seriously damaged, and the oven destroyed.

As you might imagine, it is very difficult for a family like that to recover.

What Next?

Another trip is being planned from the 9th-15th of this month.

Many churches in Mexico City are hoping to go out again in the weeks ahead.

So, Lord willing, various types of ministry will be going on over the next couple of months:

  • Ministry at home: Not only does normal ministry need to continue, there are many who are struggling with fear after the quakes. Also, many are growing in their faith as they reach out in new ways.
  • Continuing to meet immediate needs: Making sure that there is proper shelter, medical supplies, and food in affected areas. Sharing the gospel of hope with those who are angry, confused, and discouraged.
  • Longer-term needs: Supporting churches, rebuilding homes and businesses.

tomatillo plant
Tomatillo plant
We continue to be thankful for those of you who have prayed and donated to the effort. At Camino Global Canada, the director’s wife Ruth Ann was inspired to make salsa verde – 40 pint-sized jars, made from her fresh garden harvest of tomatillos! She was able to share about the need in Mexico and sell the salsa, resulting in a generous donation for the work. Thanks, Ruth Ann!

Please continue to pray that people would find their hope in the Lord, and that needs would be met in His Name. Many, many people have a long road to travel before they can have a normal home and normal work day again.

Missionary Family: Quick Prayer Requests

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Mexico flag on brick wallWe’re meeting with the Camino Global missionaries this week, and so I have some related prayer requests to share.

We have a new missionary family who had a rough night last night. They have three young kids who were quite sick last night, and so they had to go home to Puebla today. So we would appreciate your prayers for them.

Last night was . . . well, LOUD. There was a major thunderstorm here. And the house of another missionary family was flooded. It looks like there will be some loss, and a whole lot of mess. So you could pray for them as they assess the damage, try to get the water out of the house, and start cleaning up. Various others are taking turns going out to the house to help them out today.

Keep praying for our team member who is recovering from cancer treatment and surgery (earlier this month). She and her husband are missing the conference as well.

Although conversations have already been going on, we hope to meet more formally tomorrow with quite a few other missionaries to discuss next steps in earthquake/hurricane relief here in Mexico. Between the missionaries and our networks of churches, we have some interesting contacts. So together, we should be able to make better and wiser decisions.

We’re thankful to see how God has already been working through this situation. But do pray that God would give us wisdom as we meet.

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