Dear Praying friends,
WE SURVIVED!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for praying for us while the 27 member Spanish Mission Team was with us in our home last week! We had an absolutely wonderful time with them.
Last Monday and Tuesday the team passed out hundreds of invitations for evangelistic services. The evangelistic services were Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. We rented chairs and took out a dividing wall to accommodate everyone. We praise the Lord that we had about 15 visitors! Roberto, Silvia's 35 year old son, came to all of the services. This was especially thrilling for our people as we have prayed for Roberto for more than a year as a church. Roberto did not become a Christian, but says that he now knows that he cannot make a deal with God. He knows what true salvation is. Please pray for him as he needs to be saved and freed from his drug addiction. The team ministered to our people with much beautiful singing---and they also brought a harp that was such a joy to many.
Pray for Elena, Beatrice, Gabriella, Pedro, Umberto, Ortencia, numerous children, and another entire family as we follow up on them. Elena liked the color of our invitation and picked it up out of someone else's door. (She lived farther away from the church----and we did not put an invitation in her door.) Both Elena and Beatrice said that they want to come regularly to our church. Pray that this is so.
During the week, Mike took the team to the Basillica where they were exposed to unadulterated Roman Catholicism and Mary worship. They came back very somber and many related that seeing the Basillica changed their lives. Pray for the team members as many are seeking the Lord's will regarding their lives.
Saturday was the youth group meeting---however, many thought themselves to be very young and half of the church showed up at our house. Everyone first went horse back riding down the mountain and then returned for a giant cookout. Mike grilled the best chicken I have ever had and then we had tons of food on top of that. It was a good thing that we planned big because including the team members, we almost had 80 people in our home. The team organized games, did skits, and then one young man preached. It was a wonderful day.
Sunday was the big finale. The team practically held a concert and then Dr. Casillas preached. His message ended his series on submitting yourself to Christ's authority. The preaching was excellent and all our church members related the blessings that they received. If normally we are squashed ---then we were living pancakes. We again had many visitors. Sadly, three of our regular families did not come, but I am not sure where we would have put them. We would have made room for them. Please pray for Alejandro as he has decided to not come back to church and is trying to not allow Guille to attend. Alejandro had been faithful for 5 ½ years, but is not saved. He only allowed Guille to attend the Tuesday night service because she made the evening meal for church.
On a happier note, the church people really stepped up to help in the special meetings. They invited people, provided the evening meal after the evangelistic services, and provided a huge Sunday afternoon meal in honor of the team. On top of that, they took up a special offering in appreciation for the team---which was about $185 USD. Seeing that most only make $15 USD per day, this was a huge sacrifice.
Several of our people were crying when they said goodbye. It was sad to see the team leave. Three of our young people have now expressed the desire to go to a Christian college. The BJ team left a wonderful impression and gave hope to many who feel like living a godly Christian life (with the all sin in this city) is impossible. We personally were happy with their ministry to our own children and for all of the work that they did. Their great attitudes were incredible.
We KNOW that you were praying for us----and we thank you so much! The week would not have been possible without your prayers. There was only one catastrophe. On Friday, while the team was sightseeing downtown, the water hose behind the washing machine became detached and water was pouring everywhere. We found out about it because it poured down the hole where the fire poll is----all over the living room and the entire downstairs. (The washing machine is on the second floor.) It also went into our carpeted bedroom! It took 3 hours to clean up ---and the team returned to a very clean house.
Getting back to your prayers: thank you for praying for my (Faith's) back. It was amazing. I hurt badly the first day and a little in the morning of the second day. Then from Wednesday on I was pain free. All of the extra work must have loosened the muscles, or it was just your prayers. I am so thankful. So far there is no pain in my back. If it comes back, I guess we will need to invite the team back again so you can pray!
We are now preparing Mikey and Cristi to go to camp.
Thank you again for being our prayer partners. You mean so much to us.
Faith for the family
p.s. I forgot to tell you---during the week a past intern of ours, Jason Boyle, arrived. We stuck Matthew under his bed and called it a tent---and Jason got Matthew's bed. Matthew loved that. Jason is now helping Mike this week. He is planning to return to Mexico City as a missionary.
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