Work in progress

It used to be that you took a certain number of 'spools' on holiday with you, sent them off when you got back and waited a month to see which pictures came out and which didn't. How things have changed! Here's a mid-week report for those who are desperate to see what their loved ones deserted them for the week to do! Welcome to those who are logging into the Agnew blog for the first time...

Day 1
What lies ahead?
Well, this project of course is all about people. This is the couple who have opened their home for a church service to take place.
They have outgrown the space but this land beside their house is great for putting down a cement floor, pillars and a roof to shelter fro the beating sun and rain in the storm season. So the work begins...
Day 2
What would you have us do oh mighty leader?
In this photo you can see the home with the construction being done in he foreground. The church service to this point has been conducted in the area where the blue tarpaulin is. Obviously to small for 25 to 30 people and a growing congregation.
The valley below where another house church has been started.
Watching the Mexicans at work...
The team's turn
Spectators!
All hands on deck
It's not quite the beach but we do have sand!
the machines get to work...
And the floor starts to go down.
Those of you who know Andrew well will appreciate this shot.
A pastor wears many hats! Hopefully this one will be preaching on this new floor later in the week!

A video of the activity. Come back at the weekend for more footage...

Teamwork

We're back in Acapulco! This time it's not really a holiday. Andrew has spent a lot of time recently getting ready for the arrival of a team of 12 from Indiana. They are here to build a structure for a house church that has outgrown the size of the house! It is supervised by the pastor of this church which we attended in the city this morning.

Our prayer is that the team will be able to finish the job and that the church will be able to meet there for the first time this Friday night. The church is high in the mountains. Using loud speaker equipment hey projected the sound of their church out over the valley. Some people there heard the music and decided to go and check it out. They liked what they heard but they couldn't walk straight up the mountain to get to the 'church', they had to take a long route around. So a new house church was started for the people in the valley. Isn't that incredible? What about attaching loud speakers to the roofs of all our churches?! In the church at the top of the mountain where the team are working there are about 25-30 people on average and at times up to 50. The team are working alongside Mexicans from the area and have already been developing relationships with the people. Please pray with us that the work will be completed, that the relationships developed will bear eternal fruit and that the building will be finished this week for God's glory.

I have the job of hostess this week - shopping and cooking for the team. We brought one of the young girls from La Loma to help with the kids. We've never had them away from home and out of routine for a whole week before. We'd appreciate prayers that they would stay healthy and get the rest they need (though it may not be at the usual times!). Hopefully for next week we'll have the before and after pictures of the work being done.

MOPS has begun!

On Thursday we had the first meeting of the second MOPS group in Mexico. Thank you once again for you prayers. It was a slow start on the day but that's fairly normal here and by the time we got going we had 18 mums I think, including the leadership team and a couple of visitors from the other MOPS group. Many of the girls are new to the church or do not attend so we've had a great start. The tone was upbeat and Alicia who spoke was great. She talked about the blessing it is to be a mum and also about the blessing MOPS has been to her over the 3 years she has attended her group. We really hope that those who attended will go out and tell their friends to come along with them.
The kids seemed to have a good time too. This is a new experience for the leader and she's already talking about things she needs to be thinking about. We want the kids to have the best time possible and there will be lots to modify and improve as we get to know the kids and what they enjoy doing. As you can see it's a big challenge with a big age range represented. I'm not sure why the older kids weren't at school... It's likely that they go in the afternoon as some of the schools here have a morning shift and an afternoon shift.
Not altogether surprisingly a few of the team had had a tough week this week and a few tears were shed as we met together before the mums arrived. It was good to take some time to pray together and to focus on the reason we were together and to encourage one another. It is a privilege for me to be a part of this team and each of these girls is excited and committed to the role they have on the team. They have gone above and beyond what I expected and I am excited to see how God will bless the effort and prayers they are putting in. Please keep praying with us as we reach out to needy mums.

MOPS

This is the week! On Thursday morning we have our first MOPS meeting. We are praying for lots of interest and mums coming along. We so want to reach this needy group with the gospel and impact the community. Here is the team filling boxes with a few craft items. We hope to have a box for each family and then there will be a prize for the mum and child(ren) who produce the best creation at the second meeting.
Helena from England is visiting us as part of her gap year between school and university and will be helping with the kids' program during MOPS. My kids will be glad about that and I'm sure many others will be too. Here she is with the leaders kids last week.

La Raza

Praise God for the kids who went along to La Raza. Thursday and Friday the MEFI team have different activities including planning for the church that is going to be there. It had been decided that the street kids would only attend Monday to Wednesday but in light of what has been happening and the response of the kids it seems better to have more contact with them. Thursday there will probably be some sort of a church event which the kids will be able to attend and in a few weeks the team feel like they should open the Centre for a bit on Fridays as well.

It is interesting that kids who have had contact with the Centre or with the MEFI team will turn up when they are in trouble or things aren't going too well. This week Gerardo showed up with various family problems. He was couselled and will be attending the Drop-In Centre. Please pray that he will follow the advice given and will really commit to living the life God wants him to live. We are glad that these kids know where to turn when they are in trouble and pray that they will seek after God in the better times also.

Party update

We had a fun time with our neighbours. Three families showed up. There is nothing earth shattering to report but Andrew did a great job of intertwining the gospel with the story of St. Patrick and there was some interested discussion afterwards.

It was another little seed sown and we hope it will encourage many conversations in the future. Thank you for you prayers.

La Raza update

Thank you for your prayers this week. It has been encouraging so far. Six kids turned up the first day. They have turned out to be quite a good group of kids, a little older than usual. On Tuesday two new kids came along. Yesterday 19 kids showed up! 4 left during the day leaving 15 which is the maximum number that can be adequately be taken care of by the team. A few more also turned up after the doors were closed but had to be turned away. With this number we will need to divide the kids into groups to do different activities simultaneously. It's highly possible that not all these kids will keep going along. Our prayer is that the ones who do have the determination to stay and leadership qualities to reach their groups will keep coming along until the less determined do leave.

Here are some of the kids enjoying something to eat.
The program is quite relaxed this week while the team build up trust with the kids. Thanks to a gift from England we were able to buy this very sturdy (kid proof!) table football game. It was an incentive for the kids to return on Tuesday and was a real hit. The little girl is Alex and Paty's granddaughter.

We need a miracle!

This is a very urgent prayer request.

Please pray for the son of two of our church members. The day before his 16th birthday he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was mistakenly arrested and has now been in prison for 2 weeks. His conditions are terrible and today a ruling was made that means he will be kept in prison for at least another 6 weeks. Although there are many inaccuracies in the accusation made against him he is up against corruption.

We know of no higher authority than our God and so we want to make an earnest plea that you would remember this kid and his family. Please pray for his safety and for a quick release contrary to normal procedure. From our experience with street kids in similar situations this could take a very long time. He is a great kid and so we need to pray for a miracle for God's glory. Please stop now to pray and then ask your friends and prayer groups to pray.

All in Green

This Saturday we are inviting our neighbours in with the excuse of it being close to St. Patrick's Day. We have had increasing contact with our neighbours recently and another party is always welcome! Please pray as we hope to take time to have give a little cultural presentation and incorporate the gospel as well. We'd appreciate prayer for openess and good conversation.

MOPS publicity

This week we have our last MOPS planning meeting as it starts the following week (19th March). There is a lot to get ready so we have a longer than usual meeting planned.

I gave an announcement in church this morning and we have had some offers of help which is encouraging. The publicity should go out this week so please be praying that many will respond and that this needy group will be reached with the gospel.

A New Chapter

This is a big week. The invitations have gone out. Some kids came back to the Centre this week to check it out and tomorrow morning (Monday) the doors are wide open once again for the kids. We are not sure who will turn up. Perhaps no one will and then the team will go out and find kids and bring them back. It's not that they won't want to go necessarily but they may be afraid to trust us. In some ways it's a little like the story of the great banquet. The personal invitations went out first and when they were rejected the servant was asked to go into the highways and lanes with an open invitation!

Well, we're hoping that the personal invitations will be accepted and that tomorrow morning will be an exciting day and a new start for many of these amazing kids. Please continue to pray firstly that the kids will turn up and then that they will quickly trust the team and that as relationships develop so will the most important - that with Christ. Perhaps I'll be able to post agai mid-week to let you know how it is going and post photos.

Interviews

Please pray this week for the MEFI team as they continue interviewing kids on the streets. As well as assessing the needs as the kids see them they are hoping to identify key contacts for inviting to the centre in La Raza in the mornings. This work has been in progress and this is possibly the final week of interviews.

Happy Birthday Project Mexico!

It was such a privilege for us to have Gloria Parke here in our home and visiting the work. Gloria has been supporting Fidel and the work of the street kids since long before we ever knew him. In her hometown of Bushmills, N. Ireland she started selling unused items along with a couple of friends and sending the money to support Fidel and his ministry.
Back in 2006 Gloria and a team of people from Coleraine opened a little shop in the town. The response was amazing as people delivered things they were no longer using and they were sold. The profits were sent to support the work of the Drop-In Centre.

Sadly the shop had to be closed as the building was demolished but God is faithful and another team was established a few months later in a new location. We found this photo and it is a year since the new shop was opened to the public. God knows what we need and while this is a faith ministry the profits have increased and are now supporting not only the street kids' ministry but also the training and equipping of national workers.
Happy Birthday Project Mexico! While Gloria was here she was always quick to point out that she was just the face of a faithful and dedicated team of workers. We want to thank each person who sacrifices time and energy working in the shop, those who donate furniture, clothes, ornaments etc. and those who (knowingly or not) have made purchases which have supported the ministry here.

Acapulco

Our time away was a welcome break. Unfortunately Tabitha took sick and eventually we decided it would be wise to call a doctor. She had some sort of a throat infection/tonsillitis which was producing a high fever, a little vomiting and she slept practically all day Wednesday. We got her some medicine and thankfully she was quickly feeling a lot better. Going into the pool is Tabitha's most favourite thing in the world and there was not much chance of stopping her going in when the medicine began to take effect!
There are many reasons we like to go to Acapulco - it's fairly close and not too expensive, we know the road and where to stop for the kids' sake, we know our way around, it's guaranteed good weather... We also love to meet up with people we know in the churches there. This time we had an extra special reason to go - the Mex-i-Kids Club has opened in Colosso, the 2nd largest housing estate in Latin America supposedly.

This is the pastor and his son with Andrew. the sign reads 'Welcome to the Club'

My primary school back in N. Ireland (where our nieces now attend) had collected money together and we felt we should offer it to Colosso to help with set-up costs. Here is what the team were able to buy with the money they received. It was our privilege to be there to deliver the gift in person and to see the joy on the faces of the team. This equipment will be well used. We pray that many kids in the huge and needy area will find in this church a place where they are welcome and where they will meet the One who loves them more than anyone else.Yesterday Andrew took Dad to the Mex-i-Kids Club in La Loma. Kids in the church in Coleraine had written letters to the kids here in Mexico. They were eager to have their short notes translated. The kids in N. Ireland have collected thousands of pounds over the years to help with the weekly running of the breakfast clubs. Their faithful weekly giving which allows the breakfast club to continue may result in a child and/or their family coming to know Christ as Saviour. They may never personally meet the kids here in Mexico but perhaps one day they will meet up in heaven where language won't be a barrier.

Here are the kids with their notes. They were also delighted to receive Dairy Milk bars which we would gladly have kept for ourselves but passed on dutifully as instructed!

A busy time

Apologies for the meager blog offering last week. The busy week didn't finish with the opening of La Raza - the next day we had a birthday party for Tabitha and Oscar, on Sunday we went to church where Dad preached and I translated and then we went to the pyramids and on Monday we headed out of the city for a few days after taking Gloria to the airport.


Though busy the last couple of weeks have been such an incredible blessing. There was some tension at La Raza almost until the moment the service started. The floor stain wasn't dry enough on Thursday to put down the top was layer so it had to be done on Friday, the day of the opening. The amazing team were on the job at 6am and had it ready in time. Andrew was overwhelmed when he went down at the normal time on Friday morning and saw what a beautiful job had been done. Once again a huge thank you to the H2O churches in Ardmore and Aida who have put in so much time and effort and have been such an encouragement to us here in the work. As people came from near and far we were once again reminded of the part we play in a large team. Many people have used their God-given gifts and experience in La Raza and we are so grateful it would be impossible to express it in words.

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/

MEFI update

MEFI is back on the streets again. We are armed with a lot of enthusiasm and the groups that we have visited are glad to see us again. One boy from a group that we visited many years ago wanted to leave the streets and when the team went the next day he came back to the centre, showered and ate and Alex took him to a new rehab place that we are experimenting with. Everything was looking so good for him. We were excited that so soon on the streets again we were already helping to make a difference. Then came the moment that he had to sign his contract to say that he would abide by their rules. That's when it all came undone. He backed out...all because he would have to get up at 7am everyday and not any time he felt like it. We know, something so trivial. It took almost a whole day for us to get him, help him clean up, eat and go for his interview...and no result in the end. It will certainly make us more careful before we go and help others. We'll get them to weigh the cost before we run around after them all day.

Paty Update

This week Paty was still in considerable pain (and off work of course). She had some more tests done and got the results but doesn't understand them. Tomorrow she will go to a clinic where they will be explained for her. We will post again when we hear more. When we spoke with her this evening it seemed as though she was feeling much better and had slept better the last couple of nights which has helped also. Please continue to pray for both Paty and Alex as they pass through this trial together.

Fields that are ripe

I think I have mentioned that we have recently had much more contact with our neighbours. This past week I was approached twice (on the same day) by teenage girls on our street who want help with their English. Please pray that I will be able to help with more than their English. One of the girls has already mentioned an interest in coming to our church.

In a few weeks we will be celebrating Tabitha and Oscar's birthdays with neighbours and others. Then in March we are planning a St. Patrick's Day party (at our neighbours' request!). We are hoping to take the opportunity to share our faith more formally at the second and would really appreciate prayers for prepared and open hearts. People are watching and we hope that what they see attracts them to Christ.

This week is filling up with appointments. Please pray for a meeting I will have on Tuesday with a teenage girl from La Loma. We have been building a relationship with her but she is going through a difficult spell. Pray that she will find it easy to open up, that I will have good understanding of what she is saying (it is difficult to understand people when they are crying and yet awkward to ask them to repeat what they are saying in those circumstances!) and that the Holy Spirit will guide me as to what to say.

We also have a meeting with the new leader of the La Loma Mex-i-Kids on Tuesday to talk about direction and planning for the future.

On Wednesday I will be meeting with the leader of the kids program at MOPS (MOPPETS) which is exciting as it is the last piece of the jigsaw in the planning of that ministry. We still have plenty to finalize befire we start but I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the girls and by their testimonies to how it is already impacting their lives.

We would also ask for prayer for a guy in church called Carlos. He came to both of us separately today to ask for help. Over this past year he has been drifting from God until a couple of weeks ago he told his wife he wanted nothing to do with church any more. That very day he fell down two flights of stairs outside his appartment and was lying unconscious at the bottom for quite a while. When he came around he couldn't open his eyes and with no one to help he thought he was going to die there. He called out to God for help. Now he is serious about getting back on track but has no idea where to start. Andrew hopes to meet him on Wednesday and then we want to spend some time with the family on Saturday. Carlos and his wife are incredible people with many talents. We warmed to them the first time we met them but have been concerned about their lack in consistency at church. Please pray that this little family (they have a little boy and a girl on the way) will be firmly established and that Carlos will be the spiritual leader and example he needs to be.

Andrew has been helping out with the youth group on Saturdays and we will meet on Thursday with the youth leader and his wife (who is on the MOPS leadership group). This is another incredibly talented couple and it will be fun to hang out as well as plan together with them.

So there is still a little bit of space this week... then on Sunday we are both involved in a very special service at La Loma. The church is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Some of you may have supported the ministry that long. We were at a leadership meeting on Saturday and there is a real sense of excitement and optimism for the future. The church is growing weekly it seems and it is exciting for us to be a part of a dynamic and growing ministry. Please pray that through everything we say and do this week God would be glorified. It is busy and we will be tired but we want to keep our priorities of our own devotional life, our family and our minstries in the right order.

Planning

Andrew has a regular weekly meeting in La Raza with Cesar, the pastor of the church in Escuadron. Recently they have been talking about the organisation of the church and about direction and vision for the future. Escuadron is the mother church of the church in Chalco where the breakfast club was held. This week it was lovely to have the whole family in our home.
As the children played upstairs we adults got to talking over the plans Cesar and his wife have been praying through. These people aren't thinking small. In 5 years they are looking at having their own property, seeing an increase in their congregation from 50 to 300, planting 50 house churches, having 3 daughter churches and a church in 5 states of Mexico!
Does this seem impossible? It seems fairly impossible to me...but that's why I'm not in charge! God is, and with Him nothing is impossible! Please pray for this amazing family. They are so incredibly humble and passionate. These are not plans that we gave them but ones they came up with themselves (through prayer). We are once again challenged to think big. The plans are small compared with the need here. Pray that Cesar will have committed and faithful workers to help him, pray that the congregation will be passionate about the plan and pray that God will be glorified in the conversion of many souls as this little church moves forward in faith.

MOPS

We had our first meeting of the year on Thursday. I was really encouraged as the girls had worked really hard and produced some great stuff. We have another meeting this week as we keep moving forward.

It is looking like we will start on the 5th March. We appreciate your prayers that we will be well prepared and that there will be good interest (there seems to be already) for prepared hearts.

Change

There are quite a lot of things happening in the Mex-i-Kids clubs.

The club in Acapulco has finally opened. They started last week with about 40 kids. The club there is in a huge housing development (19,181 apartments according to an internet source.)
Here is a picture of the area. Please pray that the interest generated would continue and grow and that Mex-i-Kids would serve to introduce and integrate many needy families into the church.

We have a meeting with Cesar and Irma tomorrow night to discuss the possibilities of a change in direction for them. The Chalco club is strong in terms of kids but very weak in terms of leadership. Recently there have been problems with the owners of the property they use for the club there. The most likely scenario is that the Chalco club will not re-start but instead a new club will open in the mother church at Escuadron. Our prayer is that more people from the church will be able to help shoulder the responsibility. Chalco is quite a distance from Escuadron when you have to take a bus and it's a big commitment to ask of people in terms of time and finance before even thinking of the ministry itself. We have visited the church in Escuadron several times (Andrew goes once a month) and there is need there too of course. It's a case of limited finances and limited personel. It's a difficult decision to make of course and we continue to hope and pray that the seed planted will go on to bear fruit and that perhaps one day we will be able to re-open in Chalco.

In La Loma the numbers seem to be settled around 20-30 kids weekly. That's after 2 years. What do you do when you're not reaching targets (we hoped for 300 kids there)? You start to ask questions - what are we doing that we shouldn't be doing? What are we not doing that we could be doing? what is keeping the kids coming that do attend? what is putting other kids off? The leadership has just changed again. The lady I handed over too has found herself overcomitted. She will still help, just not direct. Please pray for Lety, the new leader. We are now trialing a shorter club time with a hour of home visitation afterwards.

Now that we are into the New Year (where did the first half of the month go?) we will hopefully get into regular leadership meetings as we move forward with the Mex-i-Kids manual.

Paty Diagnosis

Thank you once again for your prayers... and your patience! Paty was put off at the hospital again yesterday and told to return today. She has been diagnosed with a severe case of gastritis. She is now home resting. The implications are a radical change in diet and medication. We are rejoicing with them that the diagnosis has been made and that she can now begin taking steps towards health and normality again. Please continue to pray that she will soon begin to feel like her normal self again. Praise God with us once again for His goodness.

Paty Update

We just heard that Paty's test has been put off until tomorrow. She went to the hospital today and was told to return tomorrow morning. It's frustrating but God is always in control. We know some may be praying at midweek services and so we'll post again as soon as we have news. Thank you again for your support in this.

Functional at last!

It was tight (of course) but the necessary details were just about completed when Andrew left work on Friday and the team arrived. Just a few shower curtains to hang which Fidel was hoping to finish. It was a limp to the line with Alex and Paty not being there but thankfully Fidel was back at work on Thursday and feeling fine. Thankyou once again for all your prayers. Here's a view of the new stove in the kitchen. We will get a few more pictures and perhaps a little bit of video in the next couple of weeks.
Please pray for the YWAM team from the US as they work with street kids and prostitutes in the city. Pray for their safety, for their Spanish and most importantly for vital contacts and salvation of precious souls.

A Quick Update...

Hi there and thank-you so much those of you who have been praying and asking for Paty. Today she went to the hospital and waited for the major part of the day to be seen. She now has an appointment for an endoscopy on Tuesday. She is still in pain but if it gets any worse then she can go into the hospital at any time of course. How it makes us wonder why at times we have to wait in the storm but we trust God that He will work out His purposes in everything. When we hear anything more we will be sure to post the news, but for the meantime please keep praying that whatever it is that is causing the pain will be treatable and resolved soon. God bless.

Paty - urgent

Alex and Paty are an amazing couple with an incredible testimony of God's grace in difficult circumstances. Recently Paty started to pass blood and have stomach problems. She went to the hospital and was taken in for a night. She was prescribed some medication and told that she needed tests but that they couldn't be done for a month.

This morning she phoned and said she was still in considerable pain, the palms of her hands were turning yellow and she was still passing blood. We decided to take her to a private hospital. She was told that she needs to have an endoscopy done urgently as there is a risk of internal bleeding. She was also told that the medication she had been prescribed was far too strong and could have been doing more harm than good. To have the test done and stay a night in that hospital would have cost in the region of £1400 ($2000).

We are blessed to have a friend who is the sub-director of a large hospital. Andrew phoned him and he recommended a good hospital close to La Raza (where the Drop-In Centre is) where she should be treated well and without cost. Alex and Paty are going there now.

Please pray that the medical team will be able to get to the root of the problem and that together with divine intervention Paty will soon be feeling much better. We will update as we hear more.

Fidel also went home early from work today due to sickness. He had a headache and felt generally unwell. Please pray that with some rest he will feel better. The team have been finishing details this week. Some people will be staying at the Centre next week and so it must be finished. It feels like we are under some spiritual attack but we know that our God is able and we appreciate your prayers as you continue to stand with us.

Back in the saddle

As we consider the many ways we have been blessed over the last year we instantly think of so many faithful friends and supporters who are right behind us in the ministry here. We have been so encouraged by your cards, emails and comments which serve as reminders that we are part of a team with the common desire to see people transformed by the gospel message. 2008 was in many ways a foundational year as the Drop-In Centre remodelling took so much time and effort. We are eager now in 2009 to see a harvest of souls as the team focus on the people aspect of the ministry.

This week the team get back into position. There is still some planning to be done in order to be fully prepared and we appreciate your prayers for that. Please continue to pray that we will feel clearly led to the right groups to approach. Pray too that God will be preparing the way and the kids to receive the message.

We heard some amazing testimonies in church this morning of how God has been at work. One family testified to His restoring and healing power in the life of their teenage son. This time last year he attempted suicide through a tequilla overdose. Not only was his life miraculously spared and his health restored but he is now attending church and as far as we can gather he shares the faith of his parents. Some have passed through (and continue to pass through) difficult trials but the recurring message was that God is good and faithful.

We really trust that as you look back over 2008 you can testify to God's faithfulness and grace in your life. What comfort there is in knowing that nothing will happen in 2009 that He doesn't already know! Our desire is that 2009 be a year of fruit not only in the ministry but in our own lives but if that is to happen then we need to be intentional about how it will happen. If that is your desire then there are some excellent resources to help you get started. Maybe you'd like to check this one out.

Happy New Year!

It's Christmas...nearly

We're almost there and we have no doubt that you are too busy to be reading lengthy blog posts so we'll be really brief.

What a joy this week to get together with all the missionaries, church planters, pastors and their families. Andrew and I led the carol singing and games and we had a blast. There is a great spirit of unity and we are trusting God for great things as new house churches open all over the place and these workers tirelessly work to see His kingdom extended here in Mexico.
Spot the confident missionary kids! Tabitha and Ethan MacKinnon were happy to enjoy the view from the platform in front of everyone. It won't be long before they are looking for the mics!
The MOPS girls all have a list of things that need to be done in each area before we have our next meeting in January. There has been a lot of planning and we need to see some fruit as we move towards the start date. We won't start until we are ready so please pray that the girls will find time and energy to get to work.

There has been a little set-back at the drop-in centre. We found out today that one of the pipes in the boys bathroom is too high and will need to be re-positioned. It's not a major job but every day is precious as we keep moving into the next phase. Alex and Paty's sister-in-law passed away this week (Alex's brother's wife) leaving her husband (who is blind) and two teenage kids. We're sure they would appreciate prayer as they grieve with their family.

Praise God with us for a new 'family' member. A man responded to the gospel message at the special event down in Chalco tonight. We're also praising God for the 50 people who attended. Thanks as always for your prayers!

Well, if you have kids around you no doubt this is a very exciting and busy time. We certainly have a very excited little girl! We hope to spend Christmas morning opening presents and joining with our families (in N. Ireland, England and Canada) through Skype. In the afternoon we will get together with our missionary family for food and fun D.V. Not only is there Christmas Day to look forward to but we are also hoping to get out of the city for a few days break. Everything goes quiet here over Christmas time unlike at home. We're so grateful for the chance for a rest, some sun (sorry if it's freezing where you are!) and time to be together. We want to wish you a wonderful holiday and times of happy memories. Let us leave you with this amazing video as a reminder of what it's all about.


Moppets

We think that prayer might have been answered. We have been needing someone to take the responsibility of the kids while the MOPS meetings are in progress but no one seemed to be obvious for the task. I didn't want someone who wasn't called and dedicated to the task to take it on. I also really wanted someone young who could come to the house for further planning as it is a big responsibility.

There is a girl who seems to be available and keen to help. She is a great girl but she is also very busy. Please continue to pray that God will make it clear to her if this is something He wants her to do. I will need to speak with her soon to get a final answer and if she says yes then we will get to work on planning and will hopefully be on target to start in the New Year as planned.

This is God's ministry and we are excited to move forward in His time and with the people He has called to the job.

Family

Here they are looking like they are up to something... and that's probably not wrong! We are so blessed to have such great kids. They certainly keep us on our toes. Tabitha loves to chat with us about anything really. She certainly feels very grown up and frequently struggles when what she wants to do is not what mummy and daddy want her to do. She could probably watch TV all day if we let her but she also loves to be kept busy, loves reading and singing.

On Wednesday this week she seemed off form. A high temperature gave some explanation. The temperature finally came down yesterday when we were at the point of phoning the doctor. We're not sure what caused it but apart from getting tired more easily and being a little grumpy at times she seemed fine and wanted to be flying around as usual. At the moment she is trying to decide if she wants to go and see Santa at a nearby mall. She swithers between wanting to see him and being too scared. Whatever happens she'll be hoping that he makes it down our chimney in a couple of week time!

Oscar is an explorer. There can't be many nooks that he hasn't investigated. And wherever he finds something small enough it goes into his mouth for further exploration! He seems to have lost some of his drive to get walking now that he can speed about on his knees. He loves his big sister to bits but doesn't always get a warm reception to his attempts at affection. When he does get a positive response he makes the most of it! Like his big sister at this stage he will go to anyone. He is learning the meaning of the word 'no' but at the moment he seems to like to push the boundaries and usually gives his biggest, cutest smile when he is being told not to do something. He loves books, the remote control, leads and the telephone and music always gets his attention and has him rocking back and forward or bouncing up and down. We're thankful that he has enjoyed good health this winter.

Thank you for your prayers and interest in our little family. We so appreciate you standing with us and realise that without you it would not be possible for us to be here serving as we do. We especially appreciate your prayers as we seek to guide our kids in a God honouring way and we desperately want them to make their own decisions to love and follow Him early in their lives.

Marriage counselling

Thank you for your prayers for the couple we mentioned recently. We had a good time together. It was very introductory and really trying to figure out where the two individuals were with regard to the marriage. We agreed to meet weekly for as long as was necessary.

This couple really need our prayers. We phoned on Wednesday night and he told us they weren't coming as she has had enough of the marriage. Please pray for her and ask God to give her the strength to fight. Pray that this marriage will be saved and for their two children who must be aware that something is going on.

Christmas presents

We were asked if we could help to give Christmas presents to the kids who attend the church down in Chalco. This is an incredibly poor area where the kids will receive very little this year. It is such a joy to be able to help. It is an extra special joy to be able to use gifts that have been brought out by teams or sent to us. Perhaps you may see something that you donated...
Here are the gifts ready to go. Please pray that the kids will get some enjoyment out of these presents. Pray that above all they will know they are loved by the church team and by God as well and that they will grow in their love of Him. We probably won't be able to get a photo of the kids receiving their gifts as we won't be at the service and no one there has a camera.
Last week it was a joy to go down to the mother church of the Chalco congregation and to help with music there. In some ways it reminded us of home with the warmth of the people and the tone of the service. It is a long way to get to the church (and Margaret once again looked after the kids to allow us both to go) but it is always an enjoyable experience when we get there.

Andrew hopes to go back to Chalco next Sunday evening to help with a special evangelistic service in connection with Mex-i-Kids. He will do a mime and teach some new songs. Please pray that new people will have the courage and openness to attend and that God will speak through all that is said and done.

Marriage counselling

We were approached after church this Sunday by a couple who are in need of help. They feel that their marriage is in a very bad place and want us to come alongside them. Please pray for us. We will be wanting to meet up regularly with them over the next while starting this Wednesday. At this point we would ask that you pray for this young couple with two small kids who work very long hours. They are Christians and need to see their situation through God's eyes of course. Pray for wisdom for us too that we will be true to God's Word and that He might use us to restore and heal.

MEFI team meetings

Andrew has had a fantastic time of meetings with the MEFI team. There has been some restructuring of the church teams and so every team in a church that is involved in church planting has a supervising pastor and each team member is responsible to the pastor now rather than a director or team leader. The implications of this on the MEFI team is that Andrew is no longer the director, but the one who gives in the reports to the supervising pastor on behalf of the team. This means that Fidel, Alex, Juanita and Paty are more involved in leading the ministry.
The team has had to redo the ministry plan for the year and they handed it into the supervising pastor in their meeting on Friday and he was really pleased. Praise the Lord for the unity of purpose and vision that the team has. They will be discussing the time frame of the years goals and defining roles this week for the team. Then going to the streets with a questionnaire to get a good idea of what has been happening and trying to get a better idea of who and how many to invite at one time to the 'Drop in Centre' which they now call 'UNIFAM La Raza'.
We'll get a fresh view of the building for you for next week.

MOPS meeting 2...

Neither the MOPS nor the Mex-i-Kids meetings took place this week. The MOPS meeting was re-scheduled for this Thursday during our normal meeting time. A couple of the girls from Campanario will give some specific guidance on the different areas. A few of the Mex-i-Kids leaders weren’t able to make it on Saturday so I will be communicating with each leader individually so we can make some progress there.

The Chalco team are planning a break over Christmas. They will have a special family service next Sunday in the mother church and are keen to have us go to help with music. Hopefully we will be able to. Then there is a Christmas service in Chalco on 21st December. Andrew is doing a sketch with the masks.

Mex-i-Kids and MOPS

It is looking like we will have a leadership meeting this Saturday. We will be talking through the draft manual material that has been written so far among other things. Please pray for unity of vision and direction and that God will be glorified as changes and additions are made.

On Thursday we hope to have a meeting of the leadership teams from MOPS in Campanario and La Loma. The La Loma ladies will observe a typical planning meeting as the Campanario girls run through their usual format. Then the ladies will get together with their counterpart leader on the other team to talk through ideas, methods, successes and failures etc. As I look at the calendar it seems that there isn't too much time until we will be in full swing with the ministry. Please pray that we will be fully prepared and especially that at La Loma we will find someone capable to lead the kids work as the ministry to the mums is in progress.

A flying visit

It was incredible this weekend to have my sister come to visit. It was just a couple of days as she had been in America for a work conference and took the opportunity to fly down but it was refreshing and fun for us to have her here. The kids loved playing with Aunty Emma and checking her out! Being an anthropologist and only having time for one visit we decided on the pyramids just outside the city. We have heard that these pyramids are the largest stepped pyramids in the world. You can read more information here.


It is so incredibly special to have family come to visit. Being so far from friends and family at home is by far the biggest sacrifice of missionary life as far as we are concerned. Watching Tabitha interact with Emma was amazing - it's like she knows that is a special relationship. Tomorrow will be a rest and recovery day for the kids and a 'normal' sleep routine!

Did we get it finished?

Well a lot of work went on at the drop-in centre this week. The stuff on the floor of the main open space was cleared away and painting was finished. There are a few little details that still need attended to but for the most part the building is ready!

This week the team have Monday and Tuesday off and the rest of the week will be spent finishing the bits and pieces of work and the planning for the next stage of the ministry. Please pray that the team will return to work refreshed and energised and that God will be glorified through the plans made.

Mex-i-Kids Tultitlan

We don't often mention the breakfast club at Tultitlan. They have a very capable team there and therefore we have less input into what goes on. Yesterday though, Andrew was able to go up and visit. Monday is a holiday here so numbers were down as families the the opportunity to go away. It was good to see the program there and to encourage the team.

Work on the Mex-i-Kids manual continues and we will hopefully be able to have a leadership meeting very soon.