Women’s Valentine’s Day Conference

Women, both from our congregation and guests, were pampered with a women’s night of food, fellowship, worship, and study of the Word this Valentine’s Day.

 

With the theme “A Women Who Fears the Lord”- I shared the Bible message on what a fear of the Lord looks like in a woman’s life, and the urgency of

putting the Lord first every day. 

 

The Holy Spirit was present and spoke through His Word: a few of the women gave testimony of what they learned, including a couple of the unchurched guests.  May the Lord continue to call each of these women to not only salvation but also sanctification in their everyday lives!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher Training in El Progreso Village

One of the churches participating in Operation Christmas Child this year is located in a small, isolated village in the hills of Puebla.  Though their children’s director attended our teacher training sessions in the fall, the rest of the children’s teachers from their church could not make the trip into the city.  Instead, the church invited us to come train their teachers for children’s discipleship there in the village. 

 

20 teachers from two nearby churches gathered- eager for training to minister to the many children who were attending their churches.  One church (in this small village) had over 60 children!

 

To show their appreciation, the

brothers at the church received us with large meals for both breakfast and lunch, and sent us off with gifts from their local harvests: roasted pumpkin seeds, candied fruits, apples in cream, and more.  We thank the Lord for His servants proclaiming His truth in this village!

 

 

 

 

 

Packed House! First Children’s Discipleship Class

What a turnout!  After our shoebox evangelism event in the Misiones Community, 60 children and 12 mothers attended our first “Greatest Journey” discipleship class at our Tuesday kids’ club.  Our tiny rented church space (12 ft x 12 ft) in Misiones had never been so full! 

 

The mothers crammed together at the

door listening while the 60 children sat shoulder to shoulder inside- all attentive to the message of God’s magnificent power and loving care for his creation.

 

We pray that the Lord would continue to reveal Himself to each of these children, women, and their families.

 

 

 

"Operation Christmas Child" at Church Plant in Misiones Community

We held an “Operation Christmas Child” event again this year at the church we are initiating in the Misiones community- for 156 children and family members!

 

With balloons, music, and an inflatable bounce house on the basketball court directly beside our church room, many families were attracted to the fun.  After games and songs, we presented the Gospel message of our sin, Jesus’ life, sacrifice on the cross, resurrection and salvation for those who repent and believe in Him.  Every child present raised their hand to express their desire for Jesus to be their savior. 

 

As a physical example of God’s love for each child, and Jesus’ free gift of salvation offered to each one, we gave out the “Operation Christmas Child” shoeboxes.  The children, and even parents, were so excited! 

 

Mario, 8 years old, said that his

favorite gift was the Gospel booklet he received, because “it tells about Jesus” (as he excitedly informed us).  He even told his mother: “Look, Mom, this book tells us about Jesus!”

 

Ivan, 10 years old, received a pair of shoes in his shoebox.  His mother, with tears in her eyes, approached Paco to thank him, and ask who had sent these beautiful gifts.  Paco explained how believers in the United States, with much love and prayer, sent each box so that children here could know Jesus’ love. 

 

Ivana, 6 years old, exclaimed: “Jesus sent me what I needed!”, while holding a pair of flip-flops from her shoebox.  Her mother explained that just the night before she had thrown away Ivana’s old, broken flip-flops.

 

We continue to pray that the Lord would raise up His church in Misiones! And that many of these children and their families will continue to seek the Lord through our weekly discipleship. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Operation Christmas Child" in a village without a church

On one of his exploratory trips around the state, Paco found a humble, elderly family of believers in a small village without a church.  They were very interested in sharing the Gospel with the children of their area, but needed the support of a church body.   Our team connected them with a church in a nearby city, and an “Operation Christmas Child” evangelistic event was planned right in their patio!-even among the cows,

calves and dogs that usually inhabit their yard J.

 

Over 130 children attended!- all from very humble means, dressed in old clothing and many with dirty faces.   All the children and many parents listened attentively to the Gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ. And the kids were thrilled with their

shoebox gifts!

 

The family of believers were so thankful to be part of spreading the Gospel, even in their very limited situation (in finances, education, and experience).  They even prepared tortillas and salsa, and hot punch over an open fire, to serve to all the guests.

 

“Operation Christmas Child” unites the universal Church, not only connecting a nearby church body to serve alongside this isolated family of believers, but churches in the United States to serve alongside churches in Mexico through the shoebox gifts! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Dinner at Misiones Church Plant

Our church in Misiones dedicated our Christmas service to include families that have visited us throughout the year, but not yet submitted their lives to Christ: to show again them His love and reemphasize His Gospel of salvation to these families that need Him.

 

Each member of our still-tiny

congregation in Misiones prepared part of the Christmas dinner to share with these families, and Paco shared the message of Christmas as presented in the Bible.  We continue to pray for each of these families- that as Jesus was born at Christmas, Jesus would give new birth to each of them this new year.