Another extremely busy week—as I am sure yours was.
NOEMI had a very trying week as a warrant went out for her arrest. Remember you are guilty when accused until proven otherwise. (Not innocent until proven guilty.) Her situation looked hopeless, but the Lord intervened and her lawyers were able to put a stop on the arrest warrant until her trial in three months. Originally, it looked like she would just be thrown in jail until her trial. Because of all of the running around to get her legal paperwork completed, Noemi's 11 year old son, Alexis, stayed with us from Thursday until today. Mikey and Alexis just loved being together and it seemed to help Alexis get his mind off of his mother's serious problem. Noemi is relying on the Lord.
ERASMO and MATILDE came to prayer meeting on Wednesday looking very distraught. That day, the social security doctors refused to do the last surgery on his fingers. (You may remember that he had parts of his fingers cut off in a work related accident.) Because of a lack of exercise, the fingers were becoming unmovable. The doctor stated that his surgery was not really important, but that if he wanted to go to his office, it would cost Erasmo $1,500 US Dollars! They were very upset at the way the doctor treated them and at the cost. Erasmo has been out of work since the accident, so we all prayed. Miraculously, when Erasmo went back the next day to see if there was any other doctor who would help him, a doctor scheduled him for that very day and he was in and out in just two hours! Praise the Lord! He is now recovering.
Last night (Saturday), we were able to have a pizza party with all of the teens. We had an excellent turnout (over 20). Since most people make about $12 per day. Dominos pizza (at $12 per pizza) is a rare opportunity for them. So they hardly ever get to have pizza—let alone make their own. They were absolutely thrilled. We played fast UNO and it got very crazy. Then Mike started a series on "What to look for in a Mate." That got their attention. We had discussion and it was wonderful to see them thinking more about someone who would please the Lord than just someone who would please themselves. We ended with more UNO wars—and more pizzas!
Today, we had two sets of parents thank us very profusely. Because of being in the city, the teens really have no idea what clean fun is. I am not kidding when I say that everything that they know that is supposed to be "fun" is sin. We especially noticed a huge change in Miguel (Nico's son) and Jonathan (Francisco's son). Miguel happily participated in Sunday School (where he is normally scowling). He asked if he could pray and he thanked God for the Sunday school, the church, and the young people's group. His prayer brought tears to my eyes as I never have heard him say more than three words at a time in three years. We have been praying for a breakthrough in his rebellion. These kids just need love. Some parents do not know how to show love because they were badly abused and unloved as children.
MORGAN had alot to do with the success of last night's youth group. We were able to talk with Morgan on Thursday night about the youth group. He did not want to go because he is 27 and said that he really didn't have anything in common with any of the teens. We shared with him that he could go to serve the Lord by befriending the teens and making a difference in their lives. The Lord changed Morgan's attitude and he went out of his way to make everyone feel at home and helped bring the younger ones out of their shells. He was singing in Italian while making his pizza.
Praise the Lord we were squashed today in the services. We REALLY need a new building. The whole church went around the corner to look at a piece of property to rent. Please pray for wisdom.
Amara is leaving on Wednesday. We praise the Lord for all of her help—especially her help with Cristi's school. We all will really really miss her—especially Aunt Faith. Please pray for traveling safety.
Pray for the Lord to lead us to someone who can help us with Cristi's dyslexia therapies.
June 25th, we will be having 26 people come on the BJU Mexico Mission team. Pray for all of our preparations and for Faith as she will be cooking—and since someone asked, for her back problems.
I kind of want to apologize to those of you who do not like long letters, but we just had to share the praises of what the Lord is doing. It truly is a joy and a privilege serving Him. Here is a picture of Morgan at the pizza party.
Thank you so much for praying!
In Christ,
Mike, Faith, Mikey, Cristi, Carissa, Matthew, Cherith and Caralyn Goldfuss
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