Whats new?!?

Well, I gave up this blog for lent, but lent is over... so how about an update!

At the community center, we just finished this block of classes. It was a very different block of classes than normal. It started off strong, and attendance dropped. There are probably several factors (some we know and probably some we don't). But, we had a good time sharing the story of easter, playing games, acknowledging attendance and eating cookies!
At the same time we also celebrated the end of the Kids Bible Club!

The church in Jesus Maria celebrated its 6th anniversary!

At the orphanage...

Every week we go to help out with homework and teaching the little kiddos how to read. We just finished the plumbing class taught by Brenda. Also several visitors got to help out with a variety of things  (painting walls, teaching first aid, playing games, and crafts)

Several visits to the Shelter the last few weeks... sharing the Easter story, hanging out, coloring pages, and serving lunch. 

We had a soccer tournament... around 75 participants and lots of volunteers! =0)

Spent a week with some crazy cool Missionary Kids at the annual MK camp!

Took a trip to Nebraska to represent Camino Global at Grace University. I also was able to see some of my favorite people! =)

Did some exploration at a place that I have been to before, but never really spent a lot of time there. I will be visiting again!

Had a whole bunch of random fun....

It was a great lent, here in Ixtapaluca! =0) It was also fun to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior bright and early this morning (followed by tamales of course!)

Now on to getting ready for summer! 

Plumbing and Homework

I just wanted to update you all on what is happening this spring at the Orphanage.

- Teaching plumbing to the boys. I hope it helps with future job opportunities for them AND help them along in construction at the home.

-Helping with homework and working on reading skills. There are several who can not read and several that are way behind where they should be in school. 

- Saturdays with the youth group of Jesus Maria. Playing games, work projects, devos, and just loving on some kiddos!

Please pray for the orphanage, these kids and the people who run it! 

Puppy Dogs and Coffee.. These are a few of my favorite things!

I love the way you can make friends. Like dogs and coffee!

 I have wrote about my dog being a tool to get to know people before.... but people love her. I think people love her more than me.  Almost everyday when walking the Maggie, someone stops me to pet her and ask about her. Sometimes kids come to the door to ask if she is home. =0) Having a doggie makes it easy and natural for me to go outside several times a day, walk around the neighborhood, see people all the time and get to know people.
Not to mention, I would get super lonely if i didn't have my pup baby.

Coffee! I love coffee, I have people over a couple times a week to have coffee (sometimes after they knock on the door to pet the dog)!
Anyways, yesterday i went to Italian Coffee at the mall. I never go there because... well...  I can make better coffee at home. But, I had to go to the bookstore and just stopped by the coffee shop. I ordered and the girl taking my coffee started talking to me about her story. She grew up in the states and her whole family was deported. She speaks Spanish but doesn't write it so had to drop out of school, etc, etc. We talked for a while, I gave her my phone number and left. I never expected she would contact me. But, as soon as she got off work, she texted me. Who knows where this could lead. Hopefully to me being able to share Jesus with her. Prayers for this is appreciated!

I should call my life doggie and coffee ministry ;)

Tiempo de Vivir - Jesus Maria

Now that (most) of our (missionary) focus is on the church plant in Palmas, the community center in Jesus Maria is left to the church there.

We are finally able to pay Mexicans to teach classes there. Not a ton, but every bit helps when you have to feed your kids!

Today, we have two people from Unchartered Waters sports ministry here teaching a handful of youth from the two churches to do sports ministry using their format. Jon, a lot of you know him or have at least heard from him, is going to be one the lead guys here. The non-profit and Unchartered waters will be able to PAY him to teach kids to play soccer and coordinate our leagues. This could possibly open up a whole new ministry for the churches!

Some people in the church are also offering classes now in the community center... math, physics, english etc.

Please pray for these activities as they start, specifically in Jesus Maria! It is great to see the church take on this responsibility.. plus its great that the non-profit can help them and their families!

Classes, kids club and getting back into it all!

The last few weeks have been about getting back in the swing of things. Community center classes have started up, kids club and adult bible study has begun, and then back to normal involvement in other ministries too!

Tiempo de Vivir Classes:

Kids Club:

At the orphanage: A lady from the church is teaching plumbing. Doing homework help too!

And while half of the US is being hammered with snow. We have an active volcano!

Spring 2016 - Community Center Activities!

Tomorrow begins the next block of community center classes.

The community center approach to ministry allows us to get to know a person/ family/ group of people in a non-threatening way, in order to gain friendships AND share the Gospel! It is fun, it helps people, it opens doors and allows us to know people we would never be able to meet!

Please be praying for this block of classes, the outreaches that are scheduled for this spring, the kids club, and the bible study!

2015 Year in Review

In January, I moved into a new neighborhood, where we hope to plant the next church. Opened the community center in the bottom floor of my house. I also bought a car!

                                     

January through March was full of classes in Las Palmas and Jesus Maria. The kids club started in Palmas three and also wheel chairs were given out. The Jesus Maria church turned five years old! We had soccer tournaments, a team, 

In April, I finished up a big study with the youth group on the book of Revelation

We also had the yearly easter egg hunt, with over 200 people hearing the Gospel!

May through July was FULL of teams, interns and activities! The church got water, paint, and a tile floor. Several community service projects were completed. Wheelchair events, soccer tournaments, etc. We also began the work of helping the Alburgue (home for abused and abandoned older people).  We had a week long sports camp and multiple different classes at the community center. It was a full summer and we were blessed by everyone that took part!

August, was a month to get ready for the fall. But, also came across a new ministry opportunity... helping at an orphanage!

September through the first part of December was really busy as classes started back up... along with the other ministries (orphanage and alburgue continued!). Also one of my best friends got married in November!

December ended the community center classes and was full of christmas parties! I am very thankful for a university in Mexico City and a Church in Puebla for donating so many things to both the shelter and orphanage. It was a Merry Christmas for them to get some items that will keep them warm, games for them to play, and items to call their own. 

Of course there were some challenges in 2015, but all in all it was a great year. Yet again, I am blessed to be serving God in Mexico. I am grateful He has chosen me to be a part of what He is doing here! I look forward to what 2016 has in store. =0)