1.Both ladies with marital problems say that things are better right now in their marriages.Pray for them to be good testimonies in their homes.
2.Señora Gloria-- the elderly lady that we are taking care of in our cabin is doing much better.We found out the reason for her falls.She took an entire bottle of vitamin C (high sugar content) that was intended for two months time in one day and she also took an entire bottle of cough medicine in one day.She only needed 6 ml per day.Her reasoning was that she wanted to get better quickly.Vanessa has come to stay with her on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 24 hour shifts, and Sarai, another sweet girl in our church, is taking a 10 hour shift on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Our kids are staying with her those nights and other women in the church are ta lking about helping on Saturdays.
Prayer requests:
1.There is a young lady in our church who seems to want to follow the Lord.She has been faithful at church for almost a year.For various reasons, we have recommended that she brake ties with the father of her young children—she is not married to him.She has allowed the children to visit him, but prevented him from coming to where she is living for several months.On Saturday night he somehow got into her home, became violent, hit and raped her.Please pray for wisdom as we deal with her and for her emotional healing.She does not want to go through the ordeal of pressing charges.
2.Men's meeting on Friday night.
3.That all of us as parents will live Christ-like lives in front of our children.
4.Mike had to deal with one man for his abrupt manner of speech to many in the church.He responded very well.Pray for continued changes in his life.
Here are the pictures that we forgot to send last week from the "farewell" of Ceci and Jorge.Everyday our kids tell us how much they miss them.
On the homefront:
1.Mikey is busy applying for scholarships.
2.Cara was an iguana at her gymnastics presentation. (See picture below).
Thank you again for your prayers.We are so thankful for each of you who take the time to read and learn about the ministry here so that you can pray on our behalf.
Praises:
1.Two weeks ago we had a very special service.It was sad and joyful at the same time.We had a full house for our "farewell" service for Jorge and Ceci.Jorge and Ceci have been with us for 3 years.They are from Peru, and Jorge finished his doctorate while he was here.During this short time, they have gone through many trials --including buying a car that had been stolen, unbeknownst to them, and then being accused of stealing it.Jorge was then wrongly imprisioned.The Lord miraculously got him out of jail because he was looking at a 3-7 year sentence.Shortly after, Ceci became pregnant with twins, and then they lost those babies.The Lord was refining them.They stood before our church with many tears because they did not want to leave.They told the congregation that they had done everything possible to stay in Mexico to remain with us as a church, but the Lord had closed every possible job opening.So now they are returning to Peru.Everyone was sad to see them go.This couple has grown so much!It was such a joy to see.Ceci gave testimony that when they arrived in Mexico, she was trying to take the leadership of her marriage.I love how she put it.She said, "There were two heads in our marriage, and two heads make an ugly monster!"She has since learned the happiness of submission and support.
They do feel a burden to begin a Christian college in Peru.They are unsure as how to go about it.They have 4 couples from their former church that are dear friends who may be able to help in this endeavor, yet they want them to have instruction to help them learn "what they have learned".They want these young professional men to come to Mexico and learn in our church.It may be more feasible for us to go to Peru for special meetings during a summer in the future.Please pray for the Lord's perfect will.
2.A new young couple has come for a month now—Isaac and Silvia.They have 2 young children and expressed a desire to "have them trained like many of the little ones that sit in the services."We are teaching them to begin family devotions.They are very eager to learn. It is very improbable that they are believers right now.Their little ones are Ramses and Silvia.
3.Another praise is that another young family has come for three weeks now. We have known the father of the family for 17 years since he was a boy.Pray for Ivan, Claudia, Carolina, Ivan, and Dana.
Several have requested training on rearing children.Mike's last two messages have been on obedience and honoring your parents.
Prayer requests:
1.A little girl in our church, Belen, is having surgery on her nose.
2.A mom at gymnastics, Emma, is getting a divorce.Faith has been able to counsel her.Pray for her salvation.
3.A lady (Gaby) at church is having serious marital problems.Her husband attends church, but may not be saved.
4.Another lady (Bris) at church is also having serious marital problems, but her husband will not attend church.
5.We are planning with another church a ladies’ seminar for April 12th.This will be an all- day affair with brunch, and we are expecting many ladies.Last year we had over 100 and there was no more room.This may even be bigger.Pray for us as we are getting rid of every extra piece of furniture to be able to seat everyone comfortably so that the Bible message may go forth.Many ladies plan to invite unsaved relatives and friends.
6.An elderly lady, Señorita Gloria, who attended our church several years ago called us needing help.Her family has abandoned her and put her in a rest home.(Please do not think US standards.). She was neglected and asked us for help.So for the last few days she has been living in our cabin.Pray for this situation because her health situation (diabetes) requires constant attention.All our kids have been helping so far, but we have a sweet girl at church, Vanessa, that is interested in staying with her while she is in our cabin.It’s been a difficult 3 days.She fell three times today.We need wisdom and grace.
Family news:
1.Mikey, 17, is busy applying for college scholarships while taking another college class.He graduates from high school this fall.Lourdes, a sweet lady in our church, helped us by taking his Senior pictures.
2.Cristi, 16, just retired as a gymnast.For her high school PE class, she is now taking karate.Watch out!(Hi-Ya!)
3.Carissa is always done with school in record time every day.She is also applying her diligence to her basketball team.They are doing super well so far.
4.Matt, Cheri, and Cara are learning the basics of swimming for a few months.They are really loving it.Cara said, "I almost drowned, but I didn't."
Jessica Foster has now been with us for almost 3 weeks and has been a tremendous help with school!We are so happy to have her.She is sweet and willing to help with anything.
