The Most Important Meal of the Day

Hi everyone! Those of you who have been following the blog since it started may remember the breakfast ministry that we were involved in for many years in Torreon. Every Friday we would go to the food bank and bring back and prepare food for anywhere between 80-120 breakfasts. We took them to the poorest part of Torreon, Cartolandia (Cardboard Land) and would have a short service before handing out the packages. We had to stop for some time because of dangerous and violent conditions throughout the region, but we have started the ministry back up again, this time working with a church group in Torreon. Here are some pictures from a couple of weeks ago, as well as a video we made to briefly highlight this important work!

Baptisms

The last couple of weeks have been filled with baptisms here in San Pedro, with 7 people deciding to take the plunge...here are pictures from the latest baptism, of a young man named Marco, which took place yesterday after the morning service.

Praying for Marco

Our assistant pastor, Jacob, and youth pastor Paco

Baptized!

Flooding

         Throughout the months of July and August, we have had an unusual amount of rain, which is good, but it means that the dams that control the Río Nazas were in danger of overflowing. This happens every few years, and so the dams were opened and the water began to make its way from Durango to Coahuila. Since the original riverbed has been built on and isn't available to receive the water, it has to be diverted. This causes a lot of problems for the small villages and towns that find themselves in the way of the oncoming water which, even though it's coming from several hundred kilometers away, arrives strongly and rises quickly. Since last last week the towns around San Pedro have been working constantly to dig out new riverbeds, fill sandbags and build barriers in order to keep the water away from homes and other buildings. On Sunday we cut short the morning church service in order to go and take food to the workers, who had been working through the night. We ended up staying for almost 6 hours, distributing food and helping fill and place sandbags along the riverbanks. Smaller groups from TCL went back on Monday and Tuesday to do more of the same. The amount of water being released has been reduced, so the immediate danger is lessened, but we are still on alert. Here are some pictures from Sunday.

Arriving at one of several work sites.

The river arriving on the other side of the barrier.

We distributed food and water to workers who had been there all night.

Filling sandbags.

The river crossing under the highway that goes to Saltillo.

Water coming from the other side of the barrier to the highway.

The river on the other side of the highway.

Taking a break after running out of bags to fill...

The river running quickly along the highway.

Red Cross workers from San Pedro helping with the work.

Youth Camp 2016 Pasión Sin Límites

Last week July 19-22 we held our annual youth camp, which we normally have during Easter vacation. We had about 60 young people attend and as always we finished the week exhausted but touched by God's Word and the teachings we received. Here are some pictures!

Photo rally - Team Blue Ghosts in the plaza

Minute to Win It challenges Day 2 - build an apple tower (close but no!)

Minute to Win It challenges - move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth (this one got stuck!)

Day 1 - writing a team song and cheer, Team Red Bulls

Team Minions coming up with song ideas

 

Team Avocado doing team-building activities

Ahh, lunchtime!

 

Photo rally - a picture of the entire team in the air

Kitchen staff in a rare quiet moment!

A bit dark, inside the church in another workshop

More teambuilding...I don't know how they did this without dropping anyone....

Day 1 rally - walking two planks forward 20 feet is harder than it seems!

Day 2 photo rally

Day 2 photo rally - fraternizing with the enemy!

Day 1 water games (there's soap on the tarps, careful!)

More water games...campers were very committed to not losing the tire to their opponents

More water games, passing a sponge back and squeezing it out into the jug without looking (everyone cheated here...)

Photo rally - team picture with dogs!

Update from Paty, TCL's missionary to the Philippines

Our missionary to the Philippines, Paty, has sent another update. I'm including it as JPEG files for those of you who would like to download it in Spanish. Here is a translated summary of what she shares with us:

During the first half of the month of March, I (Paty) was still working in the city of Cagayán de Oro, together with members of the local church, Jesus for All, in a neighborhood called Puerto. Here we held Bible studies with children and youth, and I was surprised to see how God is moving and changing the hearts of these young people. Some of them have now started attending church regularly.

I've moved to the city of Malaybalay, where I was supposed to have been working since the start of my time here. I'm living with four other missionaries although we are packed like sardines in our tiny apartment, we have become friends, especially two of them who are the same age as me. In this city I am helping two pastors: Pastor Rodney, who on Wednesdays and Thursdays has a youth discipleship and leadership teaching group; and Pastor Richard, who works with former gang members to reach those who are still in the gangs. They have a farm they work to sustain themselves and to provide food for street children. I will be helping teach and disciple the children and young people who are with both pastors.

On March 21 we began a trip to various remote tribal communities. The first day it took 5 hours in a bus and another 40 minutes by motorcycle to reach the village where we would stay for 2 days, and then we traveled another hour by bus to the next community. In each place we met with the leaders and elders of the tribes, ate together and explored the area to understand the living conditions. We also shared a little about the Gospel and the importance of living in peace according to the Bible.

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Paty will be back in Mexico in May, but she is eager for her next trip. Please pray for her as she continues to work in the Philippines and as she seeks guidance for her next missionary trip.