Centenario (Report from February/March Team)

After returning from our trip to Centenario, there are many things that I would like to report. There was a team of 6 who participated. A total of 5 different congregations were represented. Though our focus was the village of Centenario, however we did enjoy spending time with our missionaries Steve and Robin Henry in La Poza, as well as fellowshipping with Iglesia “El Buen Pastor” in San Juan, Mexico.

During our most recent trip we were able to bring a much anticipated Giant Print Bible to Carmen. This is the lady who made a profession of faith during our November trip. We were able to sit down with her and ask her to explain again what she believed happened during that time. She recounted that since that point she has continued to renounce her trust in the things of the world, and specifically the “saint of death” necklace that she took off and gave to us to destroy. She spoke of her faith in Jesus Christ in front of the former director of the school. This really was a great time. She is looking forward to an adult Bible study this summer.

Rockport had also collected money, along with the community, to purchase a much-needed air conditioning unit for the school. John, a member of a congregation in Tennessee, went with me, along with the school teacher and a young man from the village to purchase this item. During the trip John and I shared with the school teacher why we are so committed to the education of the children in the village. We desire that they might be able to be educated so that they may have jobs and provide for their families. We also discussed the greater need and that is that children and adults need to be educated so that they might be able to read and to think through what the Lord has said in His Word! On Sunday, before we left, the teacher came to me and mentioned that the community officials would like to “fix up” a house for us so that we might have a place to shower, and place some of our belongings. This house used to belong to a retired school teacher, who has since moved.

On Sunday I also spoke to the Pastor of a church in San Juan, Mexico. I told him of our desire to be a blessing to the Pastors and church leaders in the area. He was very excited about this and requested more information.

It was a great blessing to have Charlie, John, Michael, Rick, and Irian involved in this trip. Each of them made special connections with the people there! Thank you to all who participated as well as thank you to the congregations and families that made this possible!

There will be more information to come, and I hope that there will soon be posts from the perspective of the other missionaries along on this trip.

We are in Texas!!!

We are back in the United States! Thank you all for praying and for checking in on us while we were in Mexico. Our time was well spent and I hope that others on the trip can post testimonies here soon about things that they learned and from their perspective what all happened.

We were able to spend the usual time having coffee with Juana and visiting with the town folks. We were able to deliver the giant print Bible to Carmen, and visit with others that we have not seen in a while. This afternoon, after church, we had a great discussion with two of the young men from the village of Centenario. We discussed some of the depravity of man, and our desire that they would consider if God exists, and if He does, what does that mean. Please continue to pray for Rudy and Ivar. I told them that we would be!

The Lord has really blessed us with John and Charlie. The Lord brought together a great time of laughter, serious discussion, and great fellowship with one another. Hopefully they will be participating with us in future endeavors to Mexico!

There are so many things that I would like to say, but for now I will just ask that you continue to pray for the ongoing work in Mexico, and for our safe return to our families tomorrow. Soon I will be posting more information about our Summer conference for Pastor's and Leaders. We desire to have this in Mexico on June 19-20, 2008.

Aaron

Things are going well

Aaron tells me that things are going well! Above, you can see a few pics from two different villages. They were able to visit La Posa yesterday which is where we were stationed our first year. It was a great time, and many of the people remembered Aaron, Rick, & Michael from four years ago. Robby, if you are reading this...Jesus was asking about you!

Last night, they were back in Centenario, where they were able to visit Carmen. This is the woman that professed faith in Christ back in November. They delivered a new large print Bible for her. Her eyesight is horrible, so hopefully this extra large print will be easier for her to read. I was able to talk to her on the phone....well, attempt to anyway....and she sounded so happy!

Today, they drove into the city to purchase the air conditioner. The town had raised part of the money, and the rest was provided by our team. They were able to purchase one unit that would supply air to two rooms. Not sure how that works, but I'm sure Aaron will expound when he comes home.

Tonight, there was a circus in town. However, rather than going, the young men in the town asked if they could just "hang" & talk. What a great opportunity! Praise the Lord!

As you pray, please remember a few specific names. Rudy, Ivar, & Daniel. There are many more, but those are the names for today. Salvation...that's what we're praying for!

Tomorrow evening, the guys will be packing up camp and heading back across the border into Texas. Pray for open hearts, that even in their last moments there, the Lord would make himself known! Also, for safe travel. And for ease at the border. Normally there are no problems, but it is always a possibility.

The Lord is so good!