VBS "Out Of This World"!

Our Vacation Bible School this summer was “out of this world!”- with an outer space theme as we studied the life of Abraham (who was called “out of his world” by God to travel from Ur to Canaan, who had to live different than the world/Sodom and Gomorrah around him, who did “out of this world” feats of faith, like combating 4 kings and offering his son as a sacrifice!)

 

Each day, we “blasted off” into the depths of the Bible to discover the wonders God has for those who seek Him- through a daily Bible lesson, a daily memory verse, worship songs and dances, a kitchen station, a craft station, and a game station.

 

The results were truly “out of this world!” – each year, the Lord

continues to amaze me with His faithfulness and work in each child and volunteer during VBS. 

Testimonies this year:

-55 kids attended the camp!

-The children memorized 5 full Bible verses- one each day.  Even 5-year-old Ivana could recite the verses by the end of the week!

-The Lord provided a full volunteer staff!  Only 2 months ago, when we started preparing for VBS, barely 5 people from our church could commit to serving, but God opened their schedules and hearts the week of the event, and we had many volunteer hands to love and serve the children.

-Energy and health for me at 36 weeks pregnant was definitely the work of the Lord!- a couple days I came home

from the camp waddling and drooping from exhaustion, but was renewed each day the following morning.

-A full crowd of parents and family members attended the closing VBS ceremony on Sunday, where each heard the Gospel message and stayed for fellowship meal afterwards.

-At the closing ceremony, 3 families expressed an interest in studying the

Bible with us to know Christ more!

 

We trust that God’s Word will not return empty, and that each verse, song, lesson and truth planted in these 55 children will give fruit to salvation in Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

 

Summer Youth Retreat!

-Each year, we pray about a location for our annual youth retreat- something financially accessible for the low-income families of our youth group.  As always, the Lord provided in abundance!   A pastor in Atlixco, Puebla opened his house and church facilities without cost for our entire event, and even offered to prepare all of our meals!  Every youth at our church, and many guests, were able to attend the retreat!

 

-Of the 17 that attended the retreat, 7 were new to the youth group.  The retreat was a fabulous opportunity for these seven youth to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and connect with our group!  After forming friendships with these new youth at the retreat, we can now continue inviting them to participate in our weekly Bible studies.

 

-The forecast predicted storms all weekend in Atlixco- and we had made plans to swim at the pool! We had been praying for perfect weather all week, but when the weekend dawned overcast and gray, I was sure our plans would be ruined.  However, our God is greater!  Against all odds, the weather in Atlixco was hot and sunny all weekend long- without even a sprinkle of rain!

 

-Moving 17 youth an hour and a half away is a struggle with only our minivan.  However, the Lord provided transportation for our event!  One mom (new to our church!) volunteered to drive youth out in her car, and then, on the return trip, the pastor in Atlixco offered to take youth back in his vehicle.  Such abundant provision for our transportation need!

The Lord used the retreat to renew the excitement and commitment of our youth to our group and the study of His Word!  We look forward to the opportunity to teach and grow along with the new youth that joined us this special weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children's Discipleship Graduation in Misiones

After 12 weeks of Bible lessons on Tuesday afternoons, the children of our kids’ Bible club in Misiones graduated from “The Greatest Journey” (an awesome discipleship program through Samaritan’s Purse).

 

At our Sunday graduation ceremony, 10 children attended (of the 25 who had participated in the course)-complete with their mortarboard graduation caps!  They presented songs we had learned, recited Bible verses they had memorized, and illustrated that Jesus is the only way to heaven with a paper airplane demonstration. Each seemed very pleased to receive their diploma and New Testament in recognition of their

work!

 

We were equally excited not only with the children’s attendance but with the family members that joined them.  13 newcomers attended the ceremony, and heard the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, which Paco presented at the end of the event. 

 

Children and guests alike stayed to enjoy our potluck meal afterwards- courtesy of our small, but faithful group of church members already forming in Misiones.  The fellowship time allowed us to talk more to our guests, and even pray for some of their needs. 

 

We are very excited by the obvious

work of the Lord in both the children and adults of the Misiones community.  At this graduation event we continued to witness first-hand that…

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved.” Acts 2:47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day Church Gathering

Our church has lots of mothers: new mothers, single mothers, working mothers, one mother of 16 children! (with more grandchildren than she can even remember!), even a great-great-grandmother!  And, of course, mothers-to-be (including myself as we await the arrival of our first child this summer J).  Obviously, we have many reasons to celebrate and give thanks to God for the mothers in our congregation.

 

The women gathered for a time of food, games and fellowship- which included many, many laughs.  The event was very uniting for the women of the church- offering the opportunity to fellowship with a couple new women who have just started attending this month.   We also prayed together to ask the Lord for strength and wisdom to continue on in our

daily ministries as mothers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Training In Veracruz for Children's Discipleship

Representatives of 8 states in Mexico (including Paco and myself from the state of Tlaxcala) gathered in the gorgeous, coastal city of Veracruz to receive training for our children´s discipleship ministry through the Samaritan´s Purse organization. 

 

We were challenged: to train and encourage more believers around our

state as teachers to disciple children!  Not only do we serve as mediators to distribute Samaritan´s Purse resources to the local churches, but also, our greater task, is to train them to evangelize and teach the Bible to children effectively.  Paco and I both returned with a renewed vision and plan for the next Operation Christmas Child season.

 

Such a blessing!  Besides our training and conferences, we had the opportunity to fellowship with believers from other states, as well as enjoy our gorgeous location in Veracruz. Our hotel was located directly on the beach, with a pool- perfect for the hot summer weather.   Our “business” trip felt more like a vacation! 

 

Graduation "The Greatest Journey": Children's Discipleship Program

Our church had a big reason to celebrate last weekend- actually, 25 big reasons to celebrate!  25 children completed the discipleship program “The Greatest Journey”, distributed through Samaritan´s Purse. 

 

During twelve lessons, these children learned the basics of faith in Christ: their Creator, loving God, their sin,

their punishment, Christ´s sacrifice and salvation, how to live as children of God, and the importance of sharing their faith with others. 

 

         Our graduation ceremony included the participation of each graduating child: the recitation of a Bible verse by memory, the presentation of a worship song, or

Bible lesson skit.  Each child proudly received their diploma and New Testament gift recognizing their accomplishment, and then was celebrated with a potluck lunch afterwards.

 

         The children´s families also attended the event- even parents and family members who never attend

church!  We pray that the children´s testimonies of learning to follow Christ, as well as the Biblical message, touched their lives to know Jesus Christ themselves.