Dear Praying Friends,
At the beginning of our time here in Mexico, we were super anxious to see God's work being done in a very quick manner. In our eagerness, we probably pushed where we should have waited. Now, years later, it seems at times that we cannot handle all of the opportunities. These blessings come at some of the busiest times in our lives, and I am sure that is because there is no way that we can receive the glory. The Lord is doing wonderful things down here in Mexico City. It is truly exciting, but it really seems that we are just the spectators. Some of these blessings come after seeds have been planted years ago.
It has been stated to us by a few of our people that many come on teams, but none come back to help. We always said --"Just wait for the Lord's timing". Now, they cannot say that anymore. Jon and Andrea Crocker continue to be a big blessing and help in the ministry here. They came on a BJU team about 5 years ago. Gabriel and Liliana Olivares, a couple in our church with three boys, have begun a Bible Study in their home and Jon has been preaching on Sunday evenings there. Please pray for the Lord's direction for this study as to whether they can become incorporated into the church here or if it would be the beginning of another church there. Jon and Andrea were a huge help in VBS, and they have just been a joy to be around period.
Jason Boyle, who has been here several times throughout the years, first came to us as a BJU intern seven years ago. He now came back this week with Danielle DenHollander. The Lord has brought them together and their future plans are to come serve Him here in Mexico City as well. Just this past Saturday night on top of the Latin American Tower which overlooks the city (very romantic), Jason asked her to marry him and she accepted. Pray for them as their plans are to return, Lord willing, in January to begin further language training. Please also pray for us as we help them get established here in Mexico City.
Morgan has been asked to help in the ministry of another missionary couple, the Garwoods, in Uruguay. Mrs. Garwood will be going to the States for the birth of a grandaughter, so Morgan will be needed in helping with teaching, preaching and visiting. We trust that it will be a growing time for Morgan in many ways. Please pray for the Lord to work and bless him while he is there. He will be in Uruguay from September 24 through part of November.
We have had some visitors who have returned after not attending in years. Janet has come the last two Sundays with her younger sister and her little daughter. Pray that she will continue. Mauricio and Susana have attended a different church, but have come off and on the last two years. They have had some bad experiences in other churches and Mauricio especially is not gung ho on getting into another church. Pray that the Lord would add them to the work here in His perfect will.
Last week, Jon and I had a great opportunity to give the gospel to Sra. Leticia's husband (Pedro) and son (Cesar) for about 1 1/2 hours. They listened and asked some questions. Pray for the Lord to open their eyes.
During the first part of August, Faith was able to go visit her mom and dad in Pennsylvania for about 9 days. It was nice that she could go and spend some time with them, but we really missed her here. I was able to guide the children in working hard and getting projects done around the house to surprise her. We stopped leaks, painted the bedroom, totally cleaned out the garage, and tarred places where the roof has leaked. Now it's only leaking in one area. They were messy but fun jobs with the kids, and Faith was very happy when she saw the results of all of the hard work.
Speaking of hard work, school has started today for a new year. We are blessed to have Bekah Buccio with us this semester helping teach. Praise the Lord for her willing spirit and cheerful attitude. Jon and Andrea are helping in the mornings with Math. This is an enormous task. Could you please pray for the spiritual development of our children? On Monday, the Lord allowed for about a weeks worth of work in one day with everybody helping to get ready for another year.
It is amazing to us---how when you become tired and weary, the Lord in his sweet love, brings help and encouragement. The Lord has brought loved ones into our lives again just this past week, and it has been a sweet blessing.
The Lord is growing his church! We need more chairs--again! But this growth is not only numerical. We praise the Lord that people have been communicating and several problems have been nipped quickly and that is a blessing. May our communities here know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ by our love one to another. John 13:34 and 35 are our verses for this year--both in school and in our church.
I wish you could be here. We have many people here and the children are loving it. Somehow everything is getting done, and it is how we dreamed the house would be.......organized to help others come to the mission field and a help to the ministry continually while being functional for our daily needs. We are also mainly praying that He would raise up nationals to do the work.
The Lord has and is doing all of this. We praise His name!
Love In Christ,
Mike, Faith, Mikey, Cristi, Carissa, Matthew, Cherith, and Caralyn Goldfuss (with Jon and Andrea Crocker, Jason Boyle and Danielle DenHollander, Rebecca Buccio, and Reme Hernandez-------and Shadow.)
