Ok, so I realize that no one probably reads this and it has been almost two months since an update and this update may come to shock for some.
For the last year, I have been struggling with the direction of the ministry and the work of it. I have resigned effective July 31. I will continue in Lynchburg and still try to keep speaking engagments and mentorship but will not be doing this along with the ministry.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
Of the graduate student survey respondents, 93% would have liked more information on financial management topics before they started school and would like financial management education made available to them now.
We made it home Saturday night without too much trouble. We broke down a couple of other times but we made it.
I want to let everyone know that I will be leaving on July 22. It is time for some time off and to figure out the next phase of everything. I thank everyone for their prayers and support and I will keep you updated with what is going.
One thing that is very clear is that God always has a plan, whether or not we see it or not. Several things have happened this week that have shown the team God's true power.
Twice, two different groups on our team had saturated and prayed for the wrong area as they were told that they were told that they were in the area that they were supposed to have been. But in both areas there were some found to come and know Christ as personal Saviour. It was simple mistake as the areas were close to each other and sometimes the maps are no to exact to the real area.
As we came onto the ministry site yesterday, the pastor had said that since we had already worked so hard this week that he wished for us to take it easy and concentrate on just finishing up passing out the Gospels and not as much as talking to those in each house because the whole idea of this project was to put out some seeds.
Some however wanted to continue and ask for those who wanted a Bible study or who wanted someone to come back and talk more with them. As one section of the team entered into a new area, the guard told them that they could only place the packets at the houses. They could not knock on the doors to talk to anyone. Maybe this was not what we wanted to do but God had already know what was going to happen and the preacher had decided what he decided for a reason.
I will edit this post soon and give the overall stats for the week.
Last night we should a video and did some other evangelism in a park. For some time we had been noticing the bus driver was showing more and more interest in what we were doing. At first, he would drop us off at our ministry site and not eat supper with us. However two nights prior to last night he started hanging around more.
Last night he came back early and watched the move we were showing and accepted Christ. There are people on the sidelines, from the outside looking in. Our opportunities for sharing Christ are always there but what will do or what are we doing to show Christ. People are watching and waiting every day.
I do not have very much time to write but one thing that is always great is to see how God is working other people's live. One of the youth in my group for the first time shared Christ with another. Not only was it the first time but it was also done in a foreign country to him and in another language.
God has also blessed me with an eager team who does not let the 116ish weather stop them from passing out Gospels.
Well it is apparent the head is cracked on the van as it is blowing water through the exhaust system and the water is gone.
Also, the team will be here in about 7 hours. Together as we number near 101, we are anxiously awaiting a great time in the Lord.
So before I had stated I did not know what the deal was about this team's bad luck and airlines but I think I have about figured it out. Might I add, just as last year, they encountered trouble on the way home also.
But anyway, I will leave you with this: http://aa.com/rainbow. It sure does explain a lot for me. Our solution is since we have a choice, American Airlines will not be used again.
Please be in prayer for us (the Convention churches & missions, pastors, missionaries, u.s team) as the June 4-11 project approaches. On the nights of the 8th and 9th will be a special conference on discipleship, the need for it, and a call to action for all of the churches and its members. To briefly sum up the call to action, it involves three parts:
1. Each church visit a certain distance around the church. This is not simply going house to house and saying, "hello" but actually trying to get inside and befriend them. It is even more than sharing the plan of salvation. It is letting them know we are a church close to you, we care, and do you have anything we can help you with or pray.
2. Each member will visit their neighbors within a certain distance of their home.
3. Each member will seek to win no less than two people to the Lord and have no less than two disciples. Then this will multiply out.
Like, I said this is basically paraphrased and actually involves a little more detail. This call to action will be given to both the U.S. and Mexican churches. They in turn, if they commit to the call, will pray for each other and will share on a probably quarterly basis what is happening.
We have less than 6,000 members in the convention which has an area of 1.3 million people. 80% of the La Laguna is Catholic according to a local newspaper and only 40% of them attend and support the church. Of the other 20% that they would be talking about would be those who claim no religion, evangelicals, and various sects which teach false doctrine. .46% 1.3 million is 5980. That is the percentage here that is Baptist (approximately). So, for 20% not to be Catholic would bring another question as to what exactly is included in those numbers as Baptists have the largest evangelical presence.
Please remember us in your prayers and that by July of 2008 we are able to have no less than 12,000 new believers and people who have been (are being) discipled.
Last night we had a fairly successful Bible study in English. They decided to do it in English to practice. We had tried this once before but it was not too possible, although, one guy had much trouble understanding. Which is no problem as the material can be made short enough to do it in espanglish. This week has also been culture week in Lerdo, which is just outside of Torreon. After the Bible study we went walked down the road to listen to music and the other things that were happening. One group in particular was quite disturbing and maybe it is because I don't understand nor am I sure what culture they were representing. They sang disturbing noises for some songs and looked like gypsies. So, maybe it was gyspy music, I don't know but different is to say the least. Some people seemed to maybe enjoy it or it was just possible they were in such awe at the weirdness that they were tranced. I don't know and I don't mean to make fun of the music if anyone knows what I am talking about, I simply just do not get it......
BTW, I received word yesterday that Steve, the missisonary, had a second heart attack.
**Edit: They are supposed to be sending him home this afternoon. He does not have any blockage and have figured out the problem and are putting him on medicine to correct it.
Tuesday we had a picnic day at one of the quintas out of town, which is a place that has a swimming pool and recreation area. There were about six baptised in the swimming pool. It was a rather enjoyable day that I was told would end at 1 p.m. and I did not get home until after 6:30 with just enough time to take a shower and go to a concert and drama that the young people were doing in one of the parks in Torreon.
Also please be in prayer for Steve, a missionary in Zacatecas, as he has had a heart attack.
Tonight was our second and final session of True Love Waits (Amar Es Esperar). Last night we had 34 but we gained four tonight (two did not show up). Of the 36 present, 31 made commitments to remain pure until marriage. Next Sunday morning we will follow up with their commitment in a ceremony before the church where they will be presented a ring that says "pureza" (purity).
Please also be in prayer for plans to have a second TLW weekend in July. Please pray for the cooperation and realisation of the seriousness of this program among the convention churches.
Well the last time I left you was with sickness in Tuscon Arizona. I finally left Tuscon and arrived in Hermosillo, Mexico on the 17th, still sick. I was not too much help during the project and actually only worked half a day. After recuperating somewhat, we had a meeting on Saturday to help plan for International World Changers this summer which will be in Hermosillo. (Last known amount of participants for that project was 115ish...yikes).
We then left for Mazatlan, Mexico that Saturday to prepare for a couple of projects that will be there in September. At some point, Stephen and I took a bath in chlorine. We were actually using the wurl pool (which is big enough by itself to be a swimming pool almost) by the pool and did not know that they were shocking it. Of course after the guard came by and told us it was too late. It was nice to smell like bleach for a while. I actually had some more interesting things to write about but I cannot remember what they were.
This weekend will also be the first True Love Waits weekend here. Please pray for those attending and teaching. I'm am excited at the help and the way they have taken it and done pretty much everything themselves.
I would like for you to remember to pray for a few of the things that are coming up real soon. Firstly, this week I hope to start a Bible study/ English class that will meet on Fridays. There are several friends that expressed a wanting to learn English over the last year and this will be a great opportunity to mix in some Bible study and discipleship. Also, it will be interesting studying the Bible in spanish and then afterwards doing English.
On April 6 & 7, there will be a True Love Waits weekend. This will be the first one and will involve a couple of churches to start out. It is my hope that the convention will set aside funds and be burdened to continue this as an annual convention-wide event.
On June 8 & 9, there will be a discipleship conference for the La Laguna convention churches. This will coincide with a week that a team from For Thee One Ministries is here to work. The first night will be a night of worship and teaching and the second night will be a night of challenge for the convention to begin a strong focus into discipleship. A program/challenge will be presented to all the churches represented, both United States and Mexico. I have not worked out all of the details but ask you to remember this in your prayers.
I am also glad to say that there will be two more teams coming to work through For Thee One Ministries, on in July and the other in September. Please pray for these three trips. Also, know that there is still time for you to be plugged in somewhere this year.
Moreover, if you are reading this and plan to leave the United States by air or boat, you better act very fast on getting your passport. Wait times have been increased due to the high amount of passport applications. Don't let waiting until the last minute mess you up.
I made it home safely last night. My travels were interesting, even the night that I stepped in dog dung on the way to eat. The thing I was reminded of most was that it is all God's, time and money. We live in an inconstant world with little absolute. Many things happened on my journey but the one that got the most of my attention was the fact that Mexicana Airlines does not allow the same amount of luggage as the USA and other countries so mine was over by 11 kilos and cost around $150.00 U.S. Dollars. To say that I was not angry, it would definitely be the least. So, on my plane home last night I was reminded that it was God's money in the first. Is His bank account on low? Obviously, no.
Anyway, it is good to be home. I do not have my visa but I am registered so I am not an illegal alien (jaja). It will come in after February 10.
So, today I ran into a problem (actually yesterday) which was to stay or not to stay for a while longer. Well, my decision was to go back until an important package still had not come. The other thing was that when I got back I was going to have to make a 12 hour, one way trip to Mexico (City). I consulted with a good friend and he said it sounds like based upon the need of the package I should stay.
I called the airline to check on changing the ticket that I was going to have to change again because I am unsure of what date I have to be in Mexico. Somehow, my non-refundable ticket became refundable and is enough to fly me to Mexico, pay for a night of hotel in Mexico, and fly me back to Torreon. So did it not only do these great things but saved me 24 hours of bus riding in Mexico. God still works if we open our hearts and have faith. Won't you trust in Him today?
****Edit****
I will not be flying out until I have an appointment in Mexico and will fly directly to Mexico and then Torreon. This will be before the 31st of the same.
I am currently in Houston and will leave tomorrow for Chicago. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.
I made it home without any trouble and enjoyed visiting the pueblos and missionaries Sheny and Stephanie who will be leaving the field and headed to their homes in December. Please remember those whom they have worked and ministered along as it is hard for them to leave these relationships. Pray that God would also give them peace and guidance into what he would have them to do in their future.
Also, on Monday I am scheduled to depart here and arrive in Chicago Illinois and return home 6 January 2007. I will spend the first week with my dad and brother and his family and then head to the south for sharing with churches and meeting with others. Also, it will be a great time of compiling year end reports.
I will be out of town Monday and Tuesday. I am not sure that I will have internet access.