in avoidance of the perfunctory

Saturday, 13 June 2015

Third Soccer Tournament!

18 teams, 86 players, team of 20 from PA, an intern and some observers....!

We had a great morning with the THIRD ever soccer tournament in Las Palmas!

Praise God for the nice weather, the group that helped, the short testimony that was shared and the fun that was had!

Friday, 5 June 2015

Reaching the Lost

We are called, as Christians to reach the lost.

Every person, every place, every circumstance is different. What it looks like to reach the lost is different in the United States than it does in Spain or in China or in Mexico. What it looks like in one city, one neighborhood looks different than another. What it looks like will be different based on who you are and the gifts God has given you.

We, as a team here in Ixtapaluca, don't like to live in a box. We tend to do things that are outside the norm. Really, just look at our personalities =) God, has given us the opportunity to reach the lost here in Mexico in very creative ways. Every thing we do is to meet a need of the people, get to know them, show them the Love of God and eventually (hopefully) lead them to the Lord.

Some of what we have done:

- English Classes

- Baking, dancing, music, sports and craft classes

- Community Centers

- Going to a gym to create friendships

- bible studies

- easter egg hunts

- giving out wheelchairs

- coffee shop

- lots of community improvement projects

(painting speedbumps, cleaning up trash, putting in benches

and swing sets, painting hand ball courts etc)

- helping at existing projects

- Youth Rally

- Kids Club

-etc etc etc

Sometimes helping (reaching) others means reaching out to people that you wouldn't normally hang out with and doing things that you wouldn't normally do. Loving the unloveable, that is what Jesus taught us, right? Sometimes reaching others means babysitting, sometimes it means just having coffee and listening, sometimes it is helping after a surgery, or bringing food to someone.

Whatever we do, we like to have fun doing it!

We want to be Christians that are motivated by love for God and our neighbors. We want to serve God by caring for peoples needs, whatever that looks like. Doing that can change a persons life, it can change a families life, it can change a neighborhood.... maybe even more!

Thursday, 4 June 2015

Summer 2015 is Quickly Approaching!

The first Camino Global intern arrives in Ixtapaluca in one week and the first group arrives in one week and one day! =0)

I love the summer... it gives us the opportunity to do more, with more hands and more personalities!

We plan to be busy, and ask that you pray for us, the interns, the groups, the people we will be in contact with!

Here are some dates to keep in mind for the summer!

June 13- Soccer Tournament

June 17- Wheel Chair giveaway (10 chairs)

June 20 and July 15- Street kid ministry

June 22-July 10- Three weeks of community center classes
June 29, July 2,6, 17- Serving and sharing the Gospel at a home for older people without families
July 1 and 16- Helping, serving, and caring at a christian drug rehab center
July 7-10- Sports Camps (two per day)
July 18- Soccer Tournament
Random baking classes, craft, english conversation classes and other events!
Random service projects and construction projects

The photo is a flyer we are going to pass out next week in Palmas... doesn't include things in other neighborhoods!

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Finishing up the Revelation Study

I have had the privilege to teach the younger youth kiddos over the last three months. Today was the last study. I can definetly say that I have learned just as much as the youth, if not more. It was also fun to watch their reaction, listen to their questions and figure out the answers together.

Next week they are going to show off the verses they have memorized or are memorizing for the study. Don't worry, there will be a surprise for every verse they know. =0) I added them below (in English)... could you memorize them?

Revelation is a fun book to study, if you have never!

... next up we are studying the Prophets!

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:7-8)

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13b)

But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. (Revelation 19:20)

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. (Revelation 20:11)

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:3-4)

Saturday, 18 April 2015

Summer 2015

The theme for this summer is...

What do we have going on this summer?

June 11-July 20- Emerge Internship with Camino Global
June 12-20- A group from Pennsylvania.
- Construction Projects in Jesus Maria Church
- English Classes in Jesus Maria, Acozac and Las Palmas
- Baking Classes
June 13- Soccer Tournament in Las Palmas
June 22-July 13- MissionXchange internship in Ixtapaluca
June 30 and July 15- Help at a Street Kid Ministry in Mexico City
July 6-17- Classes in Las Palmas Community Center
July 7-10- Unchartered Waters Team doing Four day sports Camps
July 12-19- Team from New Jersey
- Mini VBS in Las Palmas
July 18- Soccer Tournament in Las Palmas
July 27-31- VBS in Jesus Maria

Always subject to change and for sure more things will be added!

We would appreciate your prayers as we plan and get ready for the summer.

Please also pray for all the people that we have coming down!

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Pray, come, and give.

Some times we get questions on how you can help us here in good 'ol Ixtapaluca. Well, there is plenty you can do! =0)

1. Pray!

We can always use that! There are two churches and the beginning work for (Lord willing) a third. Pray for spiritual growth in the churches, for new connections in the new area. Pray for wisdom as we pursue avenues for getting to know people and share the word of God.

2. COME!

We love having groups come down and take a part of what we do here. The possibilities are ENDLESS! If you like teaching english, play soccer, knit, etc... we will use your skills.

Come as a family, as friends, as a church group, youth group, all by yourself.... no group too small and groups us to 12-15 at a time.

We would even love if your church would team with us and come down once a year!

We believe that visitors enables us not only to do more here, but furthers our church planting efforts. Plus its pretty unforgettable for the people coming and an encouragement to the missionaries! =)

If you are interested, e-mail me!

3. Give!

Of course, everything we do costs money. God has been incredibly faithful in providing the money-- in so many different ways--- for everything we have done. If you would like to give, please do! It will allow us to do things like buy more wheelchairs, buy bibles, supplies for classes, soccer balls for tournaments, or allow us to help someone with a unique need.
You can even host a fundraiser in your church, small group etc and then send the money in!

Tiempo de Vivir Community Center- Give here!

You can help us raise money to buy a 15 passenger van (or something similar) to make it easier to have groups! - Give here (put specific project #063586)

Questions, send me an e-mail!