Outreach in San Rafael

This Saturday we took a busload of people from Templo Cristiano Libertad visited the town of San Rafael, about 30 minutes away from San Pedro, and held an outreach service in the town plaza. There was praise and worship, the band Reflejo played several songs, the tambourinists did a special performance, and the Brilla Jesus drama team performed 5 skits. The drama team has changed hands this year; it is now led by Lili, Marcela's sister and special events coordinator at the church, and is made up of "younger" youth, including Peter. They did an excellent job!

Update

I would like to thank all of you who were praying for Stephen and who sent notes of encouragement. He is doing well, now, although he is still on medication and has to take it easy at times. We are believing God to bring complete healing to Stephen and we ask that this be your prayer as well.

This weekend we were blessed with a visit from John and Oliver from Advancing Native Missions and from Pastor Mike Acosta of Grace Church. We're glad you could come and see for yourselves the work that is going on in San Pedro and thank you for your support and prayers.

Prayer Request

For about 10 days now, Stephen has been suffering with severe migraines and has been off his feet all week. Yesterday he was admitted to hospital in Torreon where he is in for rest and a round of diagnostic tests. He is being treated and we are expecting him to be released tomorrow, but please pray for his complete recovery and that this pain will no longer be a problem for him. Also pray for the family; Marcela has been with Stephen in the hospital since he was admitted, and the kids are taking turns visiting him as well.

Ministry Need: New Truck

An important member of the work here is not a person, but a vehicle. We have a 20 year old Ford pickup that we use for soccer practices and the children's breakfasts, and for general errands around town. However, it's on its last legs and should be retired after a long and helpful life...we are praying for a donation of a new, reliable truck, or the money to buy one, that we can use for these and other ministries.

Update

Hi from San Pedro! Just a quick update on what's been going on in the last couple of weeks:

• Stephen and family attended the Light Your World 2008 missions conference at Destiny Church from Jan. 20-25. We were blessed with great speakers and hosts and were encouraged that this year would be a year of breakthroughs.
• El Calor played their opening game of the season last Saturday and won 5-0 despite being down 2 players.
  
• We have started to work out of the new building with our children's breakfast, although the structure is not yet complete. Please continue to pray for this ministry, that God will provide people, food, materials, and money to complete and expand the work that has begun.
• We held a follow-up leaders meeting on Wednesday to check how we are progressing toward our goals as a church. We are happy to report that we have seen an increased number of young people attending as a result of consistent invitations and visits from church youth. We have also begun a home church in San Rafael, a town about 25 minutes outside of San Pedro, and another in San Antonio de Gurza, about 10 minutes outside of San Pedro.
  

Happy New Year

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Happy New Year! As we begin another year, we pray that you will experience the peace and blessing of God as you continue to serve him and seek his will for your life. Now is the time when many of us resolve to change our lives for the better, to give up old habits and become more like our "ideal self". And, as we all know, these resolutions tend not to last as long as we would like. However, the one thing we can always count on is the love and mercy of God. He promised to love us from the beginning of time, and his promise is renewed not every year, but every day.

This week the ministry team has held meetings to pray for and plan the church's activities and outreaches. We are planning new churches, more direct outreaches, and several new projects. More details will be posted as these things develop, but please be in prayer for us, for endurance, creativity, faithfulness, and above all, an openness to the voice of God.

Merry Christmas!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2:8-14)

Update

A couple of pieces of news from San Pedro:

• We are happy to say that the church is still growing! Last week we baptized 3 new people in the church - one planned, and two who responded to a call that night in the service.

• On a less happy note, El Calor was eliminated in the second round of playoffs, after two nail-biting penalty shoot-outs. Overall, however, the results of this season exceeded anyone's expectations, and the players are hard at work preparing for the new season in January.

Update

Another week, another quick update from San Pedro...

• Stephen left this morning on his last trip of the year, to Nashville, to minister at a church conference. Please pray for his safety as he travels and for God's blessing as he ministers.
• The regular soccer season ended on Saturday with a 6-0 win for El Calor, leaving them with a record of 10-1-1. The team qualified for the playoffs, beginning this coming Saturday, in second place in their group and in 4th place nationally (out of 185 third-division teams). If they win the playoffs, the team will move up to Division 2 and open new opportunities for the players as well as new doors for ministry.
  
• The students of the Id Pues missions school left early today for a week-long desert retreat. They will be spending four days camping, hiking, and deepening their relationship with God, and then will spend 3 days ministering in the nearby city of Monclova. Please pray for their safety and that their time will be blessed.
  

Update

Just a short update on what's been happening here in San Pedro:

• Stephen and Marcela have returned safely after a successful week-long conference in Houston. Stephen is now preparing for a trip to Nashville in mid-November.
  
• Work continues on the new building for our children's breakfasts. The men at our Torreon rehab center are working hard, and the walls are almost done, the floor will be laid sometime next week, and we hope to start distributing from this location within the month. Please pray that there will be no delays and that there will be sufficient funds to complete the work.
  
• The El Calor soccer team continued its winning streak with a 1-0 result on Saturday in the city of Juarez. This Saturday is the final regular season game, and the team is now in training for the playoffs, taking place through November.
  
• We are getting ready to welcome a young man from England who is on his way right now to San Pedro to work and minister with us for several months.
  

Travel Update

Both Stephen and Marcela are in Houston this week teaching and ministering at a conference. Please keep them in your prayers as they share God's word and as they travel.

Update: Traveling

Stephen, David, and Elizabeth arrived safely home last week after spending two weeks in Chile. Their trip was the first step in forging a stronger relationship with the church in Chile, and there are plans in place for a reciprocal visit later in 2008. Thanks to all those who were praying for the trip. Stephen is heading to Houston on Monday for a conference; please keep him in your prayers as he travels and ministers there.

Student Profiles: Jesús, Luis, and Jairo Mejia

Name: Jesús Mejia
Level: Middle School
Age: 13
Jesús’ family can be seen in almost everychurch activity. The children have a single mother who works full time to sustain herfamily. Their father committed suicide a few years ago. Jesús is very active in the church and is a true worshiper. He is always in the front lifting his hands and
dancing before the Lord.

Name: Luis Mejia
Level: Elementary (Public)
Age: 10

Luis likes to play hard and is full of energy. He grew up under his father who was an alcoholic and was old enough toremember when his father died. He needs a lot of love and care as he grows into a teenager.

Name: Jairo Mejia
Level: Elementary (Public)
Age: 7

Jairo can always be seen with a smile on his face. He is in every church service. He loves his family and his church.