Raising Support- again!

I wanted to make you all aware of a change. A good change! I have committed to going full time with Camino Global. I have been classified under “mid-term” and can stay up to three years. After that, I will switch over to long term.

What does that mean? I am going to continue to serve God here in Mexico!

I consider it an amazing privilege to be able to leave the familiar and to go somewhere unknown. Somewhere where I have to learn the language, the culture, create friendships … and most importantly I get to take part in the Great Commission and share the love of God.

I am again stepping out in faith that God is going to provide (I know He will!)

So, I have to raise more support. Both in monthly support and one time gifts. 

How can you help? PRAY for me, for the money to come in! Keep or begin giving (if you can)! And spread the word- if you know of anyone or any church that would be willing to hear what God is doing here, please let me know!

To begin giving (both one time and monthly) http://www.caminoglobal.org/about/barham
If you prefer a paper form, let me know!

A little slow on the update, sorry!

I know, I have been slacking on the blog updates... SORRY!

Heres what has been going on.....

Community Center is up and going for the spring. Lots of new people, some new classes!

We have also been keeping busy raising money for the church land. Garage sales, car washes, making and selling food, and desserts etc etc!

learning.

 Things I have learned or relearned or thought about this week...

* There is something I can learn for everyone.....  and there is alot i can learn from some people. I want to continue to learn and seek advice from people.

* There are many perspectives on every situation, and sometimes they can make your head spin. Usually those perspectives are valid to the person saying then. Listen to them all before forming an opinion.

* Holding grudges take too much energy. FORGIVE ALREADY!

* Everything is precious. Treat it that way.

* Laughter IS the best medicine. I don't want to go a day without it.

* God will work through every situation.... usually in ways I am not expecting.

Fundamentals of Faith

Last week we finished our bible study "A daughters worth" and this week we began a new study called "fundamentals of faith". It was encouraging to see SEVEN girls attend last night, we will see how many show up for the study this morning!

The first week is all about the books of the bible. We have challenged them to memorize the books of the bible in order by the end of the study AND a verse a week. Which Tiffany and I took the challenge too-- we know the books of the bible and probably all the verses but not in spanish!

Please be in prayer for this study- we meet every Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Pray for the girls to come, enjoy it and really have a hunger to learn more about the word of God. 

Great First week!

The first week of the community center went very well! We had lots of new people attending... numbers were HUGE in baking and english classes! Praise God!

I was going to write a quick update on the land and money coming in... but people already did that. So go read Rods blog!

The youth wanted tohelp raising money. So they made some sweets (arroz con leche, flan, etc) and sold it next to Oscars pizza cart last night (picture below!). And this morning they set up a car wash next to the garage sale!

And here we go!

And the busy - ness is back!

This week starts all of our classes in the community center. I love getting the classes up and running! It is exciting to see the new people come in and the people we haven't seen in a month come back!

Please be praying for this block of classes. That we honor and glorify God with english, guitar, basketball, baking, photography, coffee shop etc. And that we create friendships that will eventually lead to sharing the gospel =)

On a different note. Tiffany and I were chatting about the girls bible study about a week ago. How our numbers have been really little and we are missing a few girls who use to come to things and don't anymore. We talked about visiting them and seeing what was up and we chatted about one girl who said her mom won't allow her to come anymore.

Well this week... before we were able to even do anything about those girls... they showed up! Between both studies we had 7 girls. Praise God!

Starting this week!

Please pray for this block of classes!

Pulling Together!

It has been incredible the last few days to watch lots of ladies (and some guys too!) pull together to raise money for our church property!

Today is day four of our garage sale and day two of selling food at night!

I love the aspect of everyone working together for one common goal. It is inspiring. No one person does it all. No one person takes the whole weight on their shoulders. But, instead everyone steps up and does what they can to get to the goal.

Isn't that what we should always do? I am not sure why we always think people aren't willing to help. Why do we think we need to do it our way? In our time? On our own?

Pride? maybe.

I have never been very good at asking for help. One of the things God has taught me since being here... and I am definitely still working on.

Anyways... would you keep praying as we raise money for our land?!?
Thanks =)

Are you interested in missions?

Rod wrote a great blog about bringing your families down here and doing a family missions trip. Read it! It's a great idea, and I can promise you'll have fun with us!

Also, if you know any college kiddos who are interested in going somewhere for the summer. Camino offers a wide range of internships! One being here in Ixtapaluca with us! But check it out...it will be a great life changing summer and you get a taste of the missionary life!

Or come down anytime,we would love to have you! Let me know if you wanna visit!


On another note. Tiffany and I are just started a bible study. It focuses on five things. Read em... wouldn't the world be different if  everyone truly believed these:
1. God is who He says He is
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's word is active and alive in me.

In todays study it says... Through the unfolding of His pleasing will for each of our lives.
* God is glorified.
*The body of Christ is edified
*our souls are satisified
*the world is further evangelized.

Happy Kings Day!

Today is Dia de los Reyes (Kings day, as in three wise men!). Traditionally the children receive gifts from the three wise man. The kiddos write a wish list to them (like santa) and send it up on a balloon the night before! Tiffany and I sent ours up yesterday.... even though we didn't get what we asked for!

Tonight they traditionally eat sweat bread that is made with a tiny baby Jesus baked somewhere inside. If you get the piece with the baby Jesus -- you are the lucky person to invite everyone else for the next party on February 2nd, which i have been told is the end of the Christmas season!

On a completely different note.
We had an awesome worship service today at church. Great way to kick off a new year, I am blessed to be apart of what God is doing here!

Church Property!

Right before Christmas an incredible thing happened. We signed the contract and paid the down payment on our church property. A true answer to prayer!

But we still need your help.

First... prayer! Please be in prayer for this plot of land. It is in a GREAT location. Pray that the building process and everyone who helps will be a great testimony to God. Pray that the building will be a huge blessing to the community, that the funds come in, and that we have willing hands to help build it!

Second.... give! We need to make 6 monthly payments of about $6750.  We have enough money for the down payment (which is already paid) and about 2 more months. Please consider giving to this...
Click here to give, or write me!

Third.... come down! We will need as many people as we can get to come help us build! Let me know if you are interested!

Happy New Years! =)

Christmas, New Years, Travels, Missions.....

Back at the blogging thing, after two weeks of traveling!

I was so blessed to be able to go back to Nebraska for Christmas this year. I wasn't planning on it... but it worked out!

I had a great time with family and friends... I loved having a WHITE Christmas! But, I never had to travel (in a plane) for Christmas before. WOAH--- airports are crazy... people are frantic... and most planes seemed to be late! But, i eventually got everywhere I needed and wanted to go!

After Christmas and some amazing time with peeps in Nebraska I went to a missions conference in St. Louis! Urbana was a amazingly organized conference where 16,000 students from all over the world attended and learned about the need to share the love of God to the ends of the earth.
It was encouraging to see so many young people excited about missions-- and it was a privilege to get to share with them what Camino Global does and how they can be apart of it.

We rang in the new year with all 16,000 students then a little party with our little Camino team in the hotel!

Now back to life here at home! Funny after being in Nebraska and St.Louis it feels warm here =)