Teaser

It has been an incredibly busy week as we have worked towards the big event today. We know there are some who desperately want to know how the grand opening went so here are some photos. It was an excellent service. An emotional day for the team and in particular Fidel, who has anticipated this day for many years. Here is Fidel praying with the congregation of about 120 people. Some have supported Fidel for up to 20 years!
Andrew gives thanks to the many foreign churches and individuals who have been involved and have supported the work. Maybe we'll be able to get a clip of this part for the blog...
Cutting the ribbon. Fidel and Juana, Alex and Paty, Gloria (visiting us from NI who has supported Fidel and now MEFI for many years through the work of the charity shop and represents the faithful team there), Miguel (the president of UNIFAM, our pastor and the supervisory pastor of the MEFI team), Mark and Alisa (have been here several times and been involved in the ministry for several years) and José who has led many teams here to work on the remodelling.
A meal afterwards cooked by the team and enjoyed by all.
One of the highlights was to see a few of the kids who have been impacted by the ministry and are now doing well and living off the streets. Our prayer as ever is that there would soon be many more stories of lives transformed by the power of God and for His glory. I'll write a little more at the weekend. Thank you for your prayers.

The financial Crisis

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19+20

We hear so frequently of the financial difficulties people are facing back at home. We know that many mission agencies and individual missionaries are struggling as a result. We hate to think of money and ministry together but every so often it becomes an issue.

We are so grateful to God and to you for your continuing support. Thank you especially if you are finding yourself having to 'pull in the reins' a little. Thankfully our support account is still in the black and so we are able to continue to minister and bless the church here through gifts that you make possible.

We assure you that we do all we can to ensure that your support is being administered as wisely as possible and pray that as you continue to 'lay up treasures in heaven' you will know God's richest blessing spiritually and financially.

It's the season

That's what we keep hearing when anyone gets sick. The cold mornings and nights and warm days seem to be a recipe for sickness. Thankfully it is now heating up a little so we should be able to shake these things off.

Oscar continues to have a fragile stomach so we are keeping him on the medicine for a while. He has eaten quite well today which is encouraging. Tabitha had a few sniffles this week but her spirits are high. She enjoyed a sleep over with the MacKinnon kids this week (see our family blog for more details) and is still talking about it.

I wasn't so well this week. I had a fever with a 'funny' tummy and sore throat. Not sure what it was but mummies can't get sick so I got some medicine which seems to be clearing it up. Andrew also has a 'funny' tummy at the moment. More annoying than anything else. It sounds gloomy but really we are ok. We are constantly aware of the need for God's protection and care and especially when we are physically week.

The great news is that my mum and dad arrive tomorrow for 2 weeks. They will be here for the Drop-In Centre opening of course and then next week we hope to be able to take a few days off together. It seems we are in need of a little rest!

They are also here for Tabitha and Oscar's birthday party which is on Saturday. It is another link with our neighbours for which we would appreciate prayer.

This is the week!

We are so excited! We first heard about Mexico through Helen Cosslett (nee Wintle) back in 2000. Even at that time she and Fidel were planning for a Drop-In Centre for the street kids. It has been many years (to a young person like me!) and there have been changes in the planning, personnel and support but looking back we can see how God was moving.

Even finding the building itself was a miracle. We walked many miles through the city around various metro/underground stations looking for rental or sale signs. In April 2005 we finally came on what is now known as UNIFAM La Raza. Standing in the dingy building we had no idea of the work it would take to make it what it is today.

We have been through many highs and lows as we have persisted with Mexican timing and beaurocracy, met many fantastic people who have come on teams to help freely, seen results from our work with the kids even in the unfinished building, been frustrated as they make unwise decisions etc. etc.

BUT this week is monumental. We have a work team here to finish off some electrical work, painting and staining the concrete floor. On Friday afternoon we have the official opening of the Drop-In Centre/UNIFAM La Raza. There are about 150 invited people including Mexicans and foreigners. It will be a time of thanksgiving for all that is past and looking to God for the salvation of many souls in the future.

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street. Lamentations 2:19

We can't wait to post next week so you can see and hopefully hear how the service goes.

Oscar is one!

We celebrated Oscar's first birthday with him today. It is so hard to believe that is has been a year already. I took him to the clinic on Friday for routine vaccinations. He was born on a Friday but it seemed like it had just been a few short months earlier!

Oscar is such a happy little chap. He rarely cries unless he is hungry, sore or way too tired. He has a ready smile and loves a cuddle. We are so blessed to have this wonderful little boy in our family.

We are giving him medicine at the moment for diarrhoea that he has had for a while. This is something that we lived through for months with Tabitha but hopefully for Oscar it will not last as long. We would so appreciate your prayers for him as his little stomach copes with all he sends it's way!

Here he is on his first birthday enjoying one of his new toys.

Counselling

Some time ago we mentioned a couple that had come to us asking for marital counsel. Since our visit they have gone through a particularly difficult time. They have now come back to ask afresh for help. Please pray for this influential couple as we meet with them each week. Pray for supernatural healing for their marriage and that we will be able to guide them practically to see their marriage turned around for God's glory.

Drop-In Centre/La Raza opening

Plans are now made and invitations going out to people for the official opening of La Raza. The special service will take place on the afternoon of the 20th February. There are so many people who have been involved in this project and it is exciting to have reached this point. Praise God for His provision and faithfulness throughout. There will be plenty of photos and video of the event and all will be done with translation so we may be able to post some of it.

The team continue to make contact with street groups. Sometimes there is no-one around when they visit and other times they have a great time visiting with the kids. Continue to pray that God will make it obvious who it would be good to invite to the Centre in the mornings.

A new Church

Once a month Andrew goes down south to help Cesar and Irma. This week he took Dario, a great guy from La Loma who plays guitar. The church was meeting in a new building. It's not the most glamorous place in the world but it is has been donated free of charge. The sign reads, 'Christian Church UNIFAM - Paradise' Cool name for a church don't you think?
Here is the very first congregation - about 25 people were there in total. Please pray that this number will grow as people are contacted through evangelism programs and that this little church will see God do amazing things.

Spot the non-mexican!

A busy week

We made it through the week. Thank you for your prayers for all the meetings we had. The organisation of the kids' program for MOPS was a highlight for me. Two girls came along and through out lots of fantastic ideas. Both have worked with kids of that age before. This is God's provision in answer to your prayers.

Andrew had some good chat with Carlos and we look forward to continuing friendship with that little family.

The teenager I met with on Tuesday wasn't incredibly open. She did share a little of her heart but I feel there is a lot she didn't share. We found that we have a common interest in crafts and so the idea is that she will come over to do 'crafty' things. My prayer is that with more frequent contact she will be more open as there is a lot she needs to get off her chest. She is a great girl with lots of potential.

Paty

Paty also has diabetes. She should be able to control it by watching her diet. Thank you for your continued prayers for her.

Pablo

This is a picture of the guy we mentioned last week who backed out of rehab and returned to the streets. Pablo isn't his real name but just helps us to give you updates to call him something. When we first met Pablo in 2001 he was a young kid like any other; strong, cocky, fun... He did a video interview for us about life on the streets which we showed in a few churches.

Here is a very short video of him now. It shows the terrible devastation caused by a few short years of drug use and life on the streets. It reminds me of Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Even in this state Pablo prefers to live on the streets. This is and always will be an incredibly difficult and emotionally draining ministry. Lamentations 2:19 says: Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street. Our point in posting this video is not to upset you. We want you to see the reality of the ministry and encourage you to keep praying earnestly for these dear kids. Pablo is not the only one and there are so many headed in the same direction as Pablo if the enemy has his way. Pray for the MEFI team who love these kids with God's love.

The team were back on the streets this week and already there are some kids who seem to be ideal for inviting to the Centre in the mornings. One kid when asked what he would like to do with his life said, "I'd like to do what you do and rescue kids from the streets." Later that day he asked to be taken to rehab but when asked if he would sign a contract (indicating the importance of the decision and his commitment to it) he backed out.

Sandra also came back to the Centre this week. She has left Beto who was physically abusing her and has her kids with her. She is asking for help but if you were following the story from before then you will agree that she needs to earn the trust of the team. She will receive help but not on a plate (e.g. she will wash her clothes by hand for a bit, as is normal here, rather than in the washing machine). We are delighted she has come back of course and she still has heaps of potential to reach other street kids. Please continue to pray for Sandra.

Go get some tissues...

Having teams here is such a blessing and with all the work that has been done in La Raza (the Drop-In Centre) we have had more than our fair share of good times. I think we counted about 50 people who have come from abroad to help with the remodelling work. Each one has worked sacrificially and blessed not only us but also the work here.

It is always lovely to hear from these new friends even though they aren't here in person. Rick sent us this phenomenal video this week and we were so blessed we want to share it with you too. Please take 5 mins to watch this video. It will stay with you for a long time to come. What would you put on your card?

http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/