Check in again later for updates!

So sorry we have no updates yet. It's been a fairly busy week but we'll try and keep you posted as soon as possible. Continued thanks for your prayers and support. We wouldn't be here doing what we do without you!

The short story is we have an engineer and architect for the Drop-In Centre, we have lots of things in the pipeline, we have had some really interesting and profitable meetings this week and we ate far too much food last Thursday!

Check in later for more details.

So many ideas...

Over the weeks we have mentioned with excitement the social ministry projects that are in the pipeline. We're especially excited when we can get alongside our Mexican brothers as they reach out to their communities in culturally appropriate ways with the gospel and as we hear of people coming to know Christ as a result.

As you can imagine there are more ideas than funds available. Please continue to pray for wisdom as we decide how to spend the money available for God's honour and glory. At the moment we seem to be spending more than what is coming in but we have absolutely no doubt that God can and will provide for the projects that He has in mind. He has proven Himself so faithful and has used so many of you to encourage our hearts and advance His work here.

Evangelism on our doorstep

We didn't mention it at the time but Halloween was interesting for us this year. Trick or treating isn't a new concept for us but the thought that you can open the door and see anything between 5 and 70 people there is rather entertaining.
We had bought sweets in preparation but wanted to make sure that we gave the people who came something that would help them spiritually too. We quickly ran out of all supplies. It seems that the people come in bus loads to our neighbourhood. A lot of people understandably turn out all the lights and don't answer their door but Andrew loved going out and handing out tracts, cards and stickers and telling people of God's love to the vampires, ghosts, pumpkins, skeletons etc. from babies in arms to adults that came to our door.

We don't know if there is any fruit but God's word will not return to Him void so here's hoping at least some of the people read the literature they received.

A big class

Andrew took this morning to try and rest off whatever it is he is suffering from. We girls (Tabitha and I) went to church as usual. Our Sunday School was bigger than ever today. We had the kids from the younger class as their teacher hadn't turned up. We're going through the minor prophets and today we were looking at Jonah. As I expected the kids knew the story so I really rammed some application home. Pray that as the kids come week by week their lives would be changed. Most, if not all, claim to be Christians but we want to see them grow in their faith and become more like Christ with each passing week, not just to gather new information.

An engineer

We have asked over and over again that you pray for a suitable and reliable engineer to draw up plans for the major remodelling work that is needed that can be passed by the government. We didn't manage to get in touch with the engineer we mentioned recently. It seems that he had the wrong number. But we are now delighted to be able to say that one of his associates went to the Drop-In Centre yesterday and is now working on plans. Hopefully during this week he will get back to us with his ideas. He seemed to understand Andrew's thoughts and plans and we look forward to reporting that we are moving ahead soon.

Mex-i-Kids

We were back at the club on Saturday morning. Numbers were small as there is a national holiday this weekend. It sounds like the last couple of weeks they were fairly consistent.

This week we started a new series. We used the Spanish version of the book from Goodseed International 'The Lamb' It comes with a CD narration of the text. We decided to experiment and the kids loved just listening to the CD and watching the pictures.
Thanks to the Carrubbers team who brought us out the books in English and Spanish. Please pray that as we go through the series the kids will understand the message and realise their need of Christ.
There is an idea in December to go around three or four different houses over the Saturdays just like we did at the start. If we do that it will be to share a Christmas message, typical Christmas activities like games, fruit punch and piñatas and make out special invites to the club as it recommences in the New Year. It seems that here you have to be continually reminding people of the event or it is easily forgotten. Pray for continued excitement in the community as we seek to reach out with the gospel.

In sickness and health

Here we are with Andrew's parents. We had a great time together and particularly appreciated getting out of the city to the beach for a few days rest. After almost two weeks we said our goodbyes on Wednesday. Follo the link on the right to Tabitha's blog to see more photos.

On the way home from the airport Andrew called in at the Drop-In Centre while I stayed at home. It seems that everything went ok while we were away. A few ups and downs but nothing that couldn't be resolved. One of the girls who had left the streets disappeared and then returned but is back on the streets again. The two guys who started renting a couple of weeks ago seem to be doing well. We'll have more news next week as we catch up even more.

Tabitha finished her course of anithistamines during the week. The very next day the spots came back with a vengeance so she's back on the medicine for another week. After then we may need to have some tests done to try and figure out what she is allergic to. Thankfully she seems unaffected by it all. The spots don't appear to annoy her and she is her usual chirpy, energetic self.

Andrew has also been gradually coming down with something that seems like a flu. He feels weak and tired. He may need to take a couple more days off this week to recover properly.

We were delighted to be able to go for a scan of the baby with Andrew's parents. The lady who did the scan was a lovely Christian with very good English (and wanted the practice) so we didn't need to translate. It was so exciting to see baby no. 2 who in our opinion looks very like Tabitha. These 3D scans are fantastic and here they cost 1/10th the price they are at home so it's nice to take advantage. We were able to see the baby yawn and make a smile like grimace among other things.

Visitors

The later part of the week, especially for me, was spent preparing for a visit from Andrew's parents. After much anticipation and excitement they finally flew in on Friday evening. Later this week we will go out of the City for a short break together. We are so looking forward to the rest and ask you to pray that we will be fully charged for the months ahead as a result.

Tabitha has enjoyed having her grandparents around and it seems like she already expects them to be around when she comes downstairs in the morning!

As a result we weren't as involved at La Loma this week. The breakfast club went ahead without us having to be there and someone else took our Sunday School class. Today was one of two yearly baptisms at church and 7 people were baptised. It was a long but incredibly joyful service from start to finish.

Speaking of breakfast clubs Andrew met with the pastor from the church down south where he preached a few weeks ago. They have decided to start their club on the 5th January 2008 (a day before epiphany which is when most kids get their presents here) and are planning for 70 kids. We'll be there for the opening and are excited as the church prepare through prayer and look for committed leaders.

As we are away next week there will be no blog posts on Sunday but I'll get onto the job as soon as I can after we get back! Thank you again for you prayers and support.

Family trip to the Drop-In Centre

This week all three of us were able to go down to the Drop-In Centre on Wednesday morning. Tabitha's sleeping pattern has made it impossible for me to go down regularly but now that she is transitioning to one sleep a day we're thinking that I'll be able to go down on Wednesday mornings which is exciting. The kids loved seeing Tabitha and she had a great time exploring and playing with the guys. Here are some of them making Christmas ornaments for selling.
This is one of the pictures made by an ex-street kid. The logo is of one of the popular football (soccer) teams here whose nickname is 'the Eagles'. It's made with metal sheeting which has been molded by hand.
Paty and Juana sit down for a minute to help with some of the manual work as Tabitha runs off with some Christmas decorations (and her shoe in her hand)!
One of the guys mentioned in last weeks blog post has now found a place to stay off the streets and will be moving in with one of the other guys who has been going to the Drop-In Centre for the last couple of months. They found a room for rent at £17/$35 a month and are absolutely over the moon about it. Please continue to pray for them in this period of transition.

Architect in town

We found out this week that architect that OMS have used in the past and who is trustworthy is in town for the week. He was given Andrew's number but still hasn't got in touch. Please pray that they can establish contact. The architect won't be back again until the New Year and it would be good for him to see the Drop-In Centre and begin the planning process for the major work that has to be done.

Tabitha update

As of Monday the spots seem to have disappeared. Tabitha is still on one of her medicines for another week and then we'll see how she goes after that. Thanks for your prayers for her health.