Having just about recovered from the ordeal of getting Oscar's Mexican papers we are about to throw ourselves into getting his British ones. After quite a few attempts we finally got a decent enough passport photo. It remains to be seen whether the office will accept it - his eyes are open, the background is white, it's not printed on digital paper, it's not too far away...this was the 5th time we've had to get photos taken! Please pray that they won't be rejected!
The lady sorting our visa paperwork also emailed to say that we should have informed immigration of Oscar's birth within 30 days of the date we got his birth certificate and that we should have informed her we were leaving the country soon and can we get copies of our tickets to her... the things we don't know! Anyway I don't think any of this is going to hold us back any. We'll be glad to have the documents in our hands!
We are also still waiting to hear if our car insurance is valid under our British driving licences. It seems like it might be which is good because without the original visa documents (which are still in process) in our hands we can't get another Mexican licence. Without a valid licence we can't drive!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Medical Brigade
An idea that you may hear more about when we are back on deputation is to have a mobile medical clinic. It was suggested by one of our pastors. The clinic could go to the street groups, different churches, the Drop-In Centre etc. and while meeting some basic medical needs there could be an evangelism program running alongside. It would be staffed by people in different medical professions who attend the churches. Members of the churches would also be trained beforehand to be able to give good follow-up to people reached during the special event.
There is a Christian group that is doing something similar so Andrew went to see it in action yesterday. He set off at 5.15am and didn't get home until 9.45pm. The place they went to was 4 hours away and like nothing Andrew had ever seem before. A very small town with very humble houses. The church even had maize sewn out in it's grounds.
There is so much potential for this ministry and we would appreciate your prayers as it is in the planning stage. Pray for Mexican people to be able to help plan it out and be on top of the legal requirements etc. Pray for enthusiasm for the project and ownership of it in our churches and pray for the necessary funding to be able to put the project together. You will hear more about this project soon.
There is a Christian group that is doing something similar so Andrew went to see it in action yesterday. He set off at 5.15am and didn't get home until 9.45pm. The place they went to was 4 hours away and like nothing Andrew had ever seem before. A very small town with very humble houses. The church even had maize sewn out in it's grounds.
There is so much potential for this ministry and we would appreciate your prayers as it is in the planning stage. Pray for Mexican people to be able to help plan it out and be on top of the legal requirements etc. Pray for enthusiasm for the project and ownership of it in our churches and pray for the necessary funding to be able to put the project together. You will hear more about this project soon.
A party...of sorts
Mex-i-Kids training on Sunday mornings continued today with a look at the vision and mission and the why and how of games. The classes are serving the double purpose of training and equipping as well as bringing the team together. As a team they wanted to in some small way recognise the kids birthdays monthly. So the last Saturday of every month we will have something special.
Although we had about 40 kids yesterday in La Loma there was only one little boy who celebrated his birthday in March and it happened to be yesterday! Here he is taking his turn at the Piñata.
Once the Piñata opens and the sweets fall out it's mayhem!
At the end of the month Mexicans celebrate the 'Día del Niño' or 'Day of the Child'. We will have a normal club but invite the kids to a special event in the church on Sunday. Andrew is directing some of the youth from the church in a play and there will be cake, special decorations and gifts etc. Pray that the kids will come along. It's another attempt to see them integrated more into the church.
Please continue to pray that the message of the gospel through the presentation of 'The Lamb' material will impact these kids and bring them to Christ. They are certainly listening very well and able to answer the quiz questions without difficulty.
Although we had about 40 kids yesterday in La Loma there was only one little boy who celebrated his birthday in March and it happened to be yesterday! Here he is taking his turn at the Piñata.
Once the Piñata opens and the sweets fall out it's mayhem!
At the end of the month Mexicans celebrate the 'Día del Niño' or 'Day of the Child'. We will have a normal club but invite the kids to a special event in the church on Sunday. Andrew is directing some of the youth from the church in a play and there will be cake, special decorations and gifts etc. Pray that the kids will come along. It's another attempt to see them integrated more into the church.Please continue to pray that the message of the gospel through the presentation of 'The Lamb' material will impact these kids and bring them to Christ. They are certainly listening very well and able to answer the quiz questions without difficulty.
Retreat
On Tuesday we set off for the retreat. Alex and Paty came with us and the 3 hour journey went well. Praise God for Dramamine and a portable DVD player! Thanks for your prayers.
It was incredibly hard work for us. Away from home neither kid slept particularly well and a lot of what we had to do was try and control an over-tired Tabitha. Oscar also had some trouble with a tummy full of wind in the evenings. We have decided to take him off one of the medications he is taking to see if it helps. We'll see what the doctor says on Friday when he gets his next set of jabs.
Apart from that it was nice to spend a little more time with our co-workers. It's so hard to find time to spend with them all. We work alongside some great people. Praise God for a chance to come together and be energised in the work we are doing together.
View of active volcano Popocatepetl from where we stayed (taken far too early in the morning by a fellow missionary!)
It was incredibly hard work for us. Away from home neither kid slept particularly well and a lot of what we had to do was try and control an over-tired Tabitha. Oscar also had some trouble with a tummy full of wind in the evenings. We have decided to take him off one of the medications he is taking to see if it helps. We'll see what the doctor says on Friday when he gets his next set of jabs.
Apart from that it was nice to spend a little more time with our co-workers. It's so hard to find time to spend with them all. We work alongside some great people. Praise God for a chance to come together and be energised in the work we are doing together.
View of active volcano Popocatepetl from where we stayed (taken far too early in the morning by a fellow missionary!)
Meeting
On Monday Andrew had his meeting with the lady from the governmental department that works with street kids. A couple of street outreach workers that we know were there as well. It was a very productive meeting and they were even able to talk about some of the kids that both groups know.
The group were very helpful and will be going to visit the Drop-In Centre on Wednesday. The Proyecto MEFI team want to use the newly constructed oven/barbeque to prepare barbacoa, a lamb dish cooked in the ground. It will be interesting to see how that is done (and what cuts of meat are used!).
The atmosphere was one of mutual support and the government team are happy to help when difficult child protection issues are encountered. Pray for the meeting on Wednesday and for continued good relationships with these people.
It's interesting that Andrew keeps getting called 'Father' :-) They did say that is was great that the Proyecto MEFI team is teaching the kids about God. If we have good relationships and the respect of the team we may find them sending kids to the Drop-In Centre in the future.
The group were very helpful and will be going to visit the Drop-In Centre on Wednesday. The Proyecto MEFI team want to use the newly constructed oven/barbeque to prepare barbacoa, a lamb dish cooked in the ground. It will be interesting to see how that is done (and what cuts of meat are used!).
The atmosphere was one of mutual support and the government team are happy to help when difficult child protection issues are encountered. Pray for the meeting on Wednesday and for continued good relationships with these people.
It's interesting that Andrew keeps getting called 'Father' :-) They did say that is was great that the Proyecto MEFI team is teaching the kids about God. If we have good relationships and the respect of the team we may find them sending kids to the Drop-In Centre in the future.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
This week
On Tuesday we are off for a 3 day retreat with the UNIFAM pastors and ECC team workers (church planters). This is a great opportunity to spend time getting to know our national co-workers better and we would appreciate your prayers for deepening relationships and deep bonds of unity. Please pray too for a safe journey. We have bought some travel sickness medication for Tabitha who will hopefully be fine for the journey. She's only been sick in the car twice but we'd rather be safe than... covered in puke!
Praise God!
Thank you for your prayers. We were able to pick up Oscar's Mexican passport last week. Not without a final obstacle. The form we had re-done at the clinic wasn't accepted because the doctor had changed his signature so that the one on the form and the one on his credentials didn't match! Margaret and I had to go back to the clinic for yet another form, take it to the clinic were the doctor works on Mondays to get it signed by him and then take it to the passport office where it was a great relief that they accepted the papers at last!We got our original visas back too late to be able to get our them into immigration so those will begin to be processed this week. Please pray they will be complete by the time we leave for home.
Tuesday's meeting?
After traveling to the office for the meeting with the lady we mentioned last week Andrew got a call to say she couldn't make it. It has been rescheduled for tomorrow... we'll keep you posted.
Asbury
It has been such a joy to spend time with the Asbury team this week. They also blessed us by babysitting for a night. Here you see the team on a visit to the streets. Paty is speaking with the group.
While one half of the team was on the streets the other half were working at the Drop-In Centre and then they swapped. Well they can make it look like they were working!
On Friday Andrew and Gary drove the team down south to participate in a church service and then they went on to a famous processional. The trial and crucifixion of Christ were acted out with someone actually being nailed to a cross! Seemingly it was an incredible experience. As the team waited there were people milling about selling ice lollies and other refreshments. Many were there just to see the spectacle, perhaps as it may have been way back then. May we never lose the sense of awe, wonder and appreciation of what actually happened on Good Friday.
The team leader, Melissa, was an MK here so it was lovely to see her again. Pray for the team as they return tomorrow and process all they have experienced.
While one half of the team was on the streets the other half were working at the Drop-In Centre and then they swapped. Well they can make it look like they were working!
On Friday Andrew and Gary drove the team down south to participate in a church service and then they went on to a famous processional. The trial and crucifixion of Christ were acted out with someone actually being nailed to a cross! Seemingly it was an incredible experience. As the team waited there were people milling about selling ice lollies and other refreshments. Many were there just to see the spectacle, perhaps as it may have been way back then. May we never lose the sense of awe, wonder and appreciation of what actually happened on Good Friday.The team leader, Melissa, was an MK here so it was lovely to see her again. Pray for the team as they return tomorrow and process all they have experienced.
Happy Easter!
What a wonderful day we have had today. We hope you have too. We left the house at 6.30am to be at church for a 7am service. Most of the ladies were dressed in white which is becoming a bit of a tradition in our church. 
The singing was upbeat and the service was wonderfully victorious. Lots of spontaneous hallelujahs during the preaching and shouts of 'He is risen' and 'He lives' The kids acted out the Easter story and the youth sang.
Ten people were baptised, most of whom arrived to the church within the last few months. One couple came to a prayer meeting about 3 months ago, made an appointment with the Pastor and started by saying, "We want to accept Christ into our hearts" Another husband and wife and their son were also baptised together. When praying for the people who were baptised the whole church participated by holding their hands out towards them. Afterwards we all had tamales and atole, traditional Mexican breakfast food.
We came home for a rest and then had a great afternoon with our missionary family and the team that is here. What an exciting day and such an encouragement in ministry. We serve a RISEN Saviour!
The singing was upbeat and the service was wonderfully victorious. Lots of spontaneous hallelujahs during the preaching and shouts of 'He is risen' and 'He lives' The kids acted out the Easter story and the youth sang.
Ten people were baptised, most of whom arrived to the church within the last few months. One couple came to a prayer meeting about 3 months ago, made an appointment with the Pastor and started by saying, "We want to accept Christ into our hearts" Another husband and wife and their son were also baptised together. When praying for the people who were baptised the whole church participated by holding their hands out towards them. Afterwards we all had tamales and atole, traditional Mexican breakfast food.
We came home for a rest and then had a great afternoon with our missionary family and the team that is here. What an exciting day and such an encouragement in ministry. We serve a RISEN Saviour!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Work continues at the Drop-in Centre
The end of the work is in sight...we think. Please pray for Fidel who is now overseeing the work that remains. He organises the ordering of materials and who does the work and when.
There are now 2 ex street kids working with the Proyecto MEFI team. One has been on the team for a while and is doing really well and the other (who we've called José in the past (the new dad)) is newer. While the construction is going on he really is on trial to see if he can be depended upon and obviously there are still major changes that need to happen in his life. But that's God's work and we are dependent on Him.
There are now 2 ex street kids working with the Proyecto MEFI team. One has been on the team for a while and is doing really well and the other (who we've called José in the past (the new dad)) is newer. While the construction is going on he really is on trial to see if he can be depended upon and obviously there are still major changes that need to happen in his life. But that's God's work and we are dependent on Him.
Encounter with 'The System'
This week we have been trying to get Oscar's Mexican passport. The first set of passport photos we took were too overexposed, the second set wasn't accepted as his eyes were closed and they were printed on digital paper, the third set was taken at a studio but they weren't accepted as they were also on digital paper (to save on costs!) and too far away!
We tried to get it sorted on Friday but we didn't have everything we needed. Also payment had to be made in advance at a bank, not at the offices. We are so grateful to Margaret and Robin who did that for us on Saturday (their day off) while we were at the breakfast club. The first bank they went to was closed, the second couldn't do the transaction (which they found out after waiting in line for ages!) and they were finally successful at the third! Our visas are also due for renewal and the lady who sorts that for us wants them urgently. The passport offices are closed for new requests next week so the only time we could go was this morning...but on Sundays they only deal with 80 requests so we went an hour before opening (8am) and there was already a queue!
When the guy came to check that we had everything we needed we found that we needed photocopies of the first few pages of our visas and our passports and that they had to be in black and white, not colour as we had. We also needed new passport photos. The form we had from the doctor wasn't suitable as Oscar had his eyes closed in the signed photo...oh, and we need a reduced photocopy of the birth certificate. Practically everything we had was inadequate or wrong!
Thankfully there was a place nearby where we could get new photos (which took two more takes!) and where we could get photocopies. They also had a couple of toys for getting kids attention which entertained a despairing Tabitha for a while.
Three hours later we were finally leaving the offices. Too late for our Sunday School class! On our way back from church we stopped into the clinic to get another signed form from the doctor which Andrew has to leave in to the office at 8am tomorrow. Hopefully we will get the passport by Thursday. Unfortunately though they held on to our visas and we don't get them until we get the passport which is bad news as we were due to hand them over for renewal tomorrow.
The process of renewal is taking about 6 weeks at the moment which is running dangerously close to the time we leave to go home. It wouldn't be a disaster not to have them but it would be a lot handier for getting back into the country. What is more disastrous is that we can't get a Mexican driving license without our visas and our current licenses expire on April 2nd! A month before we leave.
So it was one of those frustrating weeks. Please pray that this will all be sorted out. That the passport will arrive, our visas will be renewed and we will be able to drive.
I spoke with the doctor about Oscar's reflux and he will be checked over on Friday. There are times when Oscar is fine and other times when he seems troubled with gas and brings up quite a bit of milk. Apart from that he is doing really well and Tabitha is adjusting too. Of course we are tired but we are blessed with two great kids!
We tried to get it sorted on Friday but we didn't have everything we needed. Also payment had to be made in advance at a bank, not at the offices. We are so grateful to Margaret and Robin who did that for us on Saturday (their day off) while we were at the breakfast club. The first bank they went to was closed, the second couldn't do the transaction (which they found out after waiting in line for ages!) and they were finally successful at the third! Our visas are also due for renewal and the lady who sorts that for us wants them urgently. The passport offices are closed for new requests next week so the only time we could go was this morning...but on Sundays they only deal with 80 requests so we went an hour before opening (8am) and there was already a queue!
When the guy came to check that we had everything we needed we found that we needed photocopies of the first few pages of our visas and our passports and that they had to be in black and white, not colour as we had. We also needed new passport photos. The form we had from the doctor wasn't suitable as Oscar had his eyes closed in the signed photo...oh, and we need a reduced photocopy of the birth certificate. Practically everything we had was inadequate or wrong!
Thankfully there was a place nearby where we could get new photos (which took two more takes!) and where we could get photocopies. They also had a couple of toys for getting kids attention which entertained a despairing Tabitha for a while.
Three hours later we were finally leaving the offices. Too late for our Sunday School class! On our way back from church we stopped into the clinic to get another signed form from the doctor which Andrew has to leave in to the office at 8am tomorrow. Hopefully we will get the passport by Thursday. Unfortunately though they held on to our visas and we don't get them until we get the passport which is bad news as we were due to hand them over for renewal tomorrow.
The process of renewal is taking about 6 weeks at the moment which is running dangerously close to the time we leave to go home. It wouldn't be a disaster not to have them but it would be a lot handier for getting back into the country. What is more disastrous is that we can't get a Mexican driving license without our visas and our current licenses expire on April 2nd! A month before we leave.
So it was one of those frustrating weeks. Please pray that this will all be sorted out. That the passport will arrive, our visas will be renewed and we will be able to drive.
I spoke with the doctor about Oscar's reflux and he will be checked over on Friday. There are times when Oscar is fine and other times when he seems troubled with gas and brings up quite a bit of milk. Apart from that he is doing really well and Tabitha is adjusting too. Of course we are tired but we are blessed with two great kids!
The Lamb
We have started the new series at La Loma. Please pray that kids eyes will be opened and that they will respond to the gospel as a result of this study.
We had a few less kids yesterday but the holidays have started. It was a lot of fun and there were kids there who have been contacted through the English classes. Next week there will be no club and the following week we have announced a piñata to celebrate the March birthdays. hopefully it will draw kids in again.The La Loma team
Another person has come forward to be on the Proyecto MEFI team at La Loma. He will meet with Andrew on Tuesday evening this week. Please pray for this meeting. It is likely that this guy will lead the La Loma team. He has wanted to be involved in the ministry for some time but has asked Andrew to be sure to train him really well.
A team
This week the Mexico field is hosting a team of students from a Christian college in the US. Tomorrow (Monday) they will be visiting the street work and perhaps doing some work at the Drop-In Centre. During the week they will see several of the ministries here.
Pray for their safety tomorrow and that God will touch their hearts for missions. Pray for Andrew and Gary as they lead the team.
On Friday Andrew and Gary will take the team to the church down south where the Mex-i-Kids club happens. They will take part in a Good Friday service and then see some of the big processions that happen here that day.
Pray for their safety tomorrow and that God will touch their hearts for missions. Pray for Andrew and Gary as they lead the team.
On Friday Andrew and Gary will take the team to the church down south where the Mex-i-Kids club happens. They will take part in a Good Friday service and then see some of the big processions that happen here that day.
A meeting at last!
Please pray for a meeting Andrew has this week with a lady from the governmental department that works with street kids here. He has been trying to set this meeting up since last May but could never get through to the lady or she wouldn't get back to him.
The meeting is on Tuesday morning. We hope that establishing contact with this lady will be beneficial for the ministry. Andrew also wants to ask about child protection issues and to get a necessary letter which will allow us to proceed in our application for tax deductible status for the ministry.
Pray that he will be able to get everything that he wants covered and that it will be a profitable meeting.
The meeting is on Tuesday morning. We hope that establishing contact with this lady will be beneficial for the ministry. Andrew also wants to ask about child protection issues and to get a necessary letter which will allow us to proceed in our application for tax deductible status for the ministry.
Pray that he will be able to get everything that he wants covered and that it will be a profitable meeting.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Responsive hearts
We praise God for soft hearts at La Loma. Every week there is an altar call and every week there is a response. Special cushions were made to go around the altar so that people wouldn't have to kneel on the tiles for so long. Besides the people you see here at the front there were others in the congregation standing today as they admitted that they had questioned God over their circumstances but wanted to surrender to His will for their lives. 
God is moving in La Loma and doing amazing things. Please pray for Miguel and Guille (gee-yay with a hard 'g'), the pastor and his wife. They work incredibly hard and are being used by God. They are much loved by the congregation.
Praise God too for a good start to the Proyecto MEFI meetings at La Loma. There are 3 interested people which is a good start. They are now praying about what they can commit to as the need for long term commitment was stressed.
God is moving in La Loma and doing amazing things. Please pray for Miguel and Guille (gee-yay with a hard 'g'), the pastor and his wife. They work incredibly hard and are being used by God. They are much loved by the congregation.Praise God too for a good start to the Proyecto MEFI meetings at La Loma. There are 3 interested people which is a good start. They are now praying about what they can commit to as the need for long term commitment was stressed.
English Classes finish
Yesterday the six week English course finished. The kids were all invited to church today to receive certificates and celebrate with a cake. We wondered how many would turn up but as you can see it was a great turn out. The Sunday School classes were a lot larger than usual. The kids at La Loma have their own kids service on a Sunday now. They don't go to the adult service and have their own songs etc. downstairs before they split into classes.
Can you see Tabitha? She loves the songs and was especially excited to have her friends, the MacKinnons, at church today.
Here Robin explains to the adults what happened over the last six weeks and the kids demonstrate some of what they learned.
Kids with their mouths hanging open for the gorgeous cake
And plenty left over for the adults.
The purpose of the English course was to generate interest in the community for the club once more. Numbers have been steady at around 45-50 kids. Please pray that these kids would come back and be as excited about coming when there aren't English classes. We will go back to the regular program this week and look forward to going through 'The Lamb', a great resource for kids from Goodseed International. We desperately want to see kids and their families won for Christ and would ask you to pray with us for much fruit. The potential in the area is huge and we are only scratching the surface at present.
Can you see Tabitha? She loves the songs and was especially excited to have her friends, the MacKinnons, at church today.
Here Robin explains to the adults what happened over the last six weeks and the kids demonstrate some of what they learned.
Kids with their mouths hanging open for the gorgeous cake
And plenty left over for the adults.
The purpose of the English course was to generate interest in the community for the club once more. Numbers have been steady at around 45-50 kids. Please pray that these kids would come back and be as excited about coming when there aren't English classes. We will go back to the regular program this week and look forward to going through 'The Lamb', a great resource for kids from Goodseed International. We desperately want to see kids and their families won for Christ and would ask you to pray with us for much fruit. The potential in the area is huge and we are only scratching the surface at present.
Doctor
Oscar and I had Doctor's appointments again this week. I have now been signed off and everything looks good. Oscar has put on weight and is on the 50th centile. What we have noticed though is that as if overnight he has developed reflux just like his big sister had. Thankfully the doctor noticed it and we got medication on Friday to try and keep it under control. He doesn't seem to have it as bad as Tabitha did yet and the medication seems to be starting to work. We remember all too well how hard it was with Tabitha but this time we know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully he doesn't seem to be in pain and the spit up is for the most part manageable (Tabitha was horrendous!). We're just thankful that the doctor was able to diagnose it so early and he tells us we should notice a big difference in a couple of days.
Andrew was back down at the club in the south yesterday. Keep praying for this group. The encouraging news is that 15 kids are now going to the church on Sundays as a result of the club. Here is the group on Saturday. They have just finished going through 'The Lamb' by Goodseed International. This week we will start it in La Loma.
This is the team of helpers. On the discouraging side the pastor and his wife shared that the enthusiasm seems to be waning a bit. Please pray that as they see the fruit of their work they would be re-excited and energised for the task.
Today we had our first class in La Loma with the leaders of Mex-i-Kids. The course will go for another 4 weeks at the same time as Sunday School. Today it was theoretical, looking at why kids work is important, needs of kids and how we are or are not meeting those needs at Mex-i-Kids. Most of the rest of the course will be practical as we give the team instruction on why we do what we do and how they can do it effectively too. We're hoping that through the course the team will feel equipped and able to do what needs to be done. As we get nearer to our time of deputation when they will have to run the club themselves we are committed to giving the team the best possible equipping. We feel that that will be the make or break time for this club.
We would appreciate your prayers for more male leaders and that this course will give the team the tools to be able to run a great club which would attract many kids. Obviously too we would appreciate your prayers for fruit for their labour, that kids would come to know Christ and that along with their families they would be integrated into the church.
This is the team of helpers. On the discouraging side the pastor and his wife shared that the enthusiasm seems to be waning a bit. Please pray that as they see the fruit of their work they would be re-excited and energised for the task.
Today we had our first class in La Loma with the leaders of Mex-i-Kids. The course will go for another 4 weeks at the same time as Sunday School. Today it was theoretical, looking at why kids work is important, needs of kids and how we are or are not meeting those needs at Mex-i-Kids. Most of the rest of the course will be practical as we give the team instruction on why we do what we do and how they can do it effectively too. We're hoping that through the course the team will feel equipped and able to do what needs to be done. As we get nearer to our time of deputation when they will have to run the club themselves we are committed to giving the team the best possible equipping. We feel that that will be the make or break time for this club.
We would appreciate your prayers for more male leaders and that this course will give the team the tools to be able to run a great club which would attract many kids. Obviously too we would appreciate your prayers for fruit for their labour, that kids would come to know Christ and that along with their families they would be integrated into the church.
In a week
This is the great team that was here working in the Drop-In Centre this week. It's the third time a team has come down from Ardmore. This time the purpose was to lay a new concrete floor.
There was a lot to do in preparation. The concrete was ordered for Wednesday. Here the sand and metal supports are going down.
There were several set backs during the week. The contact with the concrete guy fell through in a really strange turn of events. The police showed up the day the concrete was going in looking for a permit which we hadn't realised was needed. It all worked out in the end...
It's hard to tell from a photo just how dirty and hard the work was. Check out the video below and you'll see some of the ex-street kids really earning their pay!
Starting to come together...
All hands on deck...
It's a man's job requiring big toys!
Our lovely new floor
Thanks again to the Ardmore team for all your hard work.
There was a lot to do in preparation. The concrete was ordered for Wednesday. Here the sand and metal supports are going down.
There were several set backs during the week. The contact with the concrete guy fell through in a really strange turn of events. The police showed up the day the concrete was going in looking for a permit which we hadn't realised was needed. It all worked out in the end...
It's hard to tell from a photo just how dirty and hard the work was. Check out the video below and you'll see some of the ex-street kids really earning their pay!
Starting to come together...
All hands on deck...
It's a man's job requiring big toys!
Our lovely new floor
Thanks again to the Ardmore team for all your hard work.Sunday, March 02, 2008
Persecution
One of our fellow missionaries here recently sent us an email describing how 3 families of evangelical Christians were expelled from their homes and the town they were living in in one of the other states of Mexico. They were told that if they tried to return they would be burned!
On Tuesday Andrew had a meeting with one of the national pastors. He had also invited a couple of people who are working in one of his churches daughter churches. Andrew was amazed as he heard about the work there. The church is about 5 hours away from the city. The area is quite closed but the workers have to be careful about where they go. There are many with traditional beliefs who would be extremely opposed to the gospel message as we evangelicals preach it and could make things very dangerous for them.
The people speak one of the native languages. In the church they have to use a specific word for God to identify Him from the many gods they have in their religion. There is no word for holy so they have to say 'really good' and so on.
The church now has 4 walls and they are hoping to by a tarpaulin for a roof to keep the sun and rain (yes it does come eventually) out.
Andrew hopes to go with the pastor to visit the church to encourage them there and take up some necessary supplies at some point before we go home for deputation. It'll be exciting to see the work. Pray for those who live and work there. Pray for their safety. Pray that many will come to know the Lord and that He will be glorified there.
On Tuesday Andrew had a meeting with one of the national pastors. He had also invited a couple of people who are working in one of his churches daughter churches. Andrew was amazed as he heard about the work there. The church is about 5 hours away from the city. The area is quite closed but the workers have to be careful about where they go. There are many with traditional beliefs who would be extremely opposed to the gospel message as we evangelicals preach it and could make things very dangerous for them.
The people speak one of the native languages. In the church they have to use a specific word for God to identify Him from the many gods they have in their religion. There is no word for holy so they have to say 'really good' and so on.
The church now has 4 walls and they are hoping to by a tarpaulin for a roof to keep the sun and rain (yes it does come eventually) out.
Andrew hopes to go with the pastor to visit the church to encourage them there and take up some necessary supplies at some point before we go home for deputation. It'll be exciting to see the work. Pray for those who live and work there. Pray for their safety. Pray that many will come to know the Lord and that He will be glorified there.
A new Proyecto MEFI team
When we first came here back in October 2004 one of our first assignments, along with Helen Cosslett (then Wintle), was to start a prayer team at the Santa Monica church for the work among street kids. Alex and Paty were members of the church and attended the prayer meeting from day 1.
We are now ready to start a group in the La Loma church and it was announced this morning. On Saturdays at 4pm there will be a meeting for those interested in praying for the work with a view to getting involved in a voluntary capacity later. We desperately need more people to help out in the work. The full time team is spread so thin. Each one is necessary at the Drop-In Centre when kids are around which means they have less time to dedicate to street work. Then they are working evenings to disciple and help kids who are coming off the streets.
Pray for this new group at La Loma. Pray for dedicated people with a burden for street kids. We have such an amazing team at the moment who are in the ministry for the long haul and have a supernatural love for the kids. Perhaps there are more like them in La Loma. Initially the group will just meet for prayer and training and then after a few weeks they will start to go to the Drop-In Centre or visit groups.
We are now ready to start a group in the La Loma church and it was announced this morning. On Saturdays at 4pm there will be a meeting for those interested in praying for the work with a view to getting involved in a voluntary capacity later. We desperately need more people to help out in the work. The full time team is spread so thin. Each one is necessary at the Drop-In Centre when kids are around which means they have less time to dedicate to street work. Then they are working evenings to disciple and help kids who are coming off the streets.
Pray for this new group at La Loma. Pray for dedicated people with a burden for street kids. We have such an amazing team at the moment who are in the ministry for the long haul and have a supernatural love for the kids. Perhaps there are more like them in La Loma. Initially the group will just meet for prayer and training and then after a few weeks they will start to go to the Drop-In Centre or visit groups.
Ardmore is back!
It's becoming a wonderfully regular event! José comes on a Friday and stays over with us and the next day a work team arrives. This is the 3rd time a team has come from Ardmore and of the 6 guys on this team, 3 have come to work on the Drop-In Centre before. It's just lovely to have continuity with people and to see them come back as God places the burden of the ministry on their hearts.
This team have come specifically to lay the new concrete floor. That is planned for Wednesday but they have quite a few things to do on Monday and Tuesday in order to prepare for that. Please pray that they can get all of those things done and that they will accomplish what God has planned for them this week.
Andrew had an excellent meeting with the guy from the concrete place last week. He is giving us the materials at cost price and the use of the necessary machinery for free! Praise God for His provision!
Steve had planned to come on this team too. We asked prayer for him last week. We praise God that he is back home from hospital and though some of the other clots have dissolved the ones in his lungs are still there. Please continue to pray with us for his complete healing.
This team have come specifically to lay the new concrete floor. That is planned for Wednesday but they have quite a few things to do on Monday and Tuesday in order to prepare for that. Please pray that they can get all of those things done and that they will accomplish what God has planned for them this week.
Andrew had an excellent meeting with the guy from the concrete place last week. He is giving us the materials at cost price and the use of the necessary machinery for free! Praise God for His provision!
Steve had planned to come on this team too. We asked prayer for him last week. We praise God that he is back home from hospital and though some of the other clots have dissolved the ones in his lungs are still there. Please continue to pray with us for his complete healing.
Newest Breakfast Club
Thanks for your prayers. The newest breakfast club started in Tultitlan yesterday. From the little that we have heard it seemed to go really well. The team arrived early as did some of the kids, the program was well organised, there were about 50 kids there but most exciting and important of all a mother who had taken her child trusted Christ for salvation!
Keep praying that kids will invite their friends and that this club will grow for God's glory.
Because Oscar and I had colds and Tabitha was recovering from one yesterday Andrew didn't go all the way to the club in the south. He did go to La Loma. We still really need commitment from adults at La Loma. Next week Andrew and I are starting a new Sunday School class for people who are involved or want to be involved in Mex-i-Kids. We would appreciate your prayers as we put together a training program. We feel that perhaps people feel out of their comfort zone when asked to organise something. The course will cover why we do kids work, how to organise and do the various things that happen at the club and anything else God places on our hearts. Pray that people will come and that this will help them. Pray particularly for an obvious leader to take over the organisation of the club.
Keep praying that kids will invite their friends and that this club will grow for God's glory.
Because Oscar and I had colds and Tabitha was recovering from one yesterday Andrew didn't go all the way to the club in the south. He did go to La Loma. We still really need commitment from adults at La Loma. Next week Andrew and I are starting a new Sunday School class for people who are involved or want to be involved in Mex-i-Kids. We would appreciate your prayers as we put together a training program. We feel that perhaps people feel out of their comfort zone when asked to organise something. The course will cover why we do kids work, how to organise and do the various things that happen at the club and anything else God places on our hearts. Pray that people will come and that this will help them. Pray particularly for an obvious leader to take over the organisation of the club.
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