Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Dear friends, family, and loved ones,

What a thrilling season! Celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was glorious! There is something very special about this year’s Resurrection Sunday celebration. I have never had such a profound time seeking Jesus and His Word.

Dream of the Flower

Normally I never remember my dreams. But one night this month I specifically remember being in Alaska, on some kind of outreach in a town. I don’t remember most of the dream, but I remember the ending. I began taking photos at the end of the day of a beautiful Alaskan sunset for some kind of social media. The views were incredible and I can still remember one of the pictures I took, in the green of spring, with the orangey glow of the sun beaming over the horizon next to a slightly blurred hill and large tree just in view. As the glow was still covering the landscape, someone told me that the flowers here would let water out at night. So I went over to a small flower and saw a little bit of water pooled in the center with the glow of the sunset reflecting off, and the petals slightly wilted, as if the water had come out from them. I began crying as it reminded me of how Christ gave us living water, the Holy Spirit, only after He was crucified.

Right after this I woke up, and immediately I searched online about flowers in Alaska. Although I couldn’t find any that have water come out at night, I did find out about the Alaska state flower, Forget-Me-Nots. They are really beautiful blue little flowers that grow in bunches. There are a lot of stories and lore about how they got their name, but mainly they have become a symbol of eternal love and remembrance. A lesser-known fact I found was that they only give off a scent in the evening and night. During the day they are scentless. What an amazing way to end, and yet never end, this special season of celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection! It is as if Jesus was saying, “Forget-Me-Not!” And although Jesus’ life on earth was amazing- it was His death that gives us salvation through forgiveness. It was for His death that Mary anointed Jesus with precious perfume. Remembering Jesus is not just a time for Christmas and Easter, it is our life, and He invites us everyday to remember His eternal love through His death and resurrection. The flower also reminded me of the thief on the cross, “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:24-43)

Once in a while, Saving Grace goes to our sister church, Hope Central Watts, an inner city church to help run their service for a Sunday in order to refresh the locals. This time I got the opportunity to join and teach the youth group! I was pretty nervous because I was told to teach in Spanish, and it would be the first time. Although I had everything ready for Spanish-even my notes were in Spanish- a few minutes before starting I was told they actually do it in English, and some of the youth don’t even speak Spanish! That made it much easier, and it was a very blessed time teaching, and afterwards playing spoons with them.

The week before Resurrection Sunday, some of the MTS students went to Biola University to share about Calvary School of Missions during their Missions Conference! It was a super blessed time to share with a bunch of young people who are excited for reaching the world for Christ in missions. We’re praying for many to signup at CSOM 2024 and learn more about God’s heart for the unreached and hear the call to “go”!

At Cal State University Fullerton there was a Christian event called the Godly Grind that me and a friend were invited to while we were out evangelizing one day. It was a great event and through the lady who invited us, we met another girl named Katia who she is friends with. We all went out to tea afterwards and talked about our testimonies for a long time. Katia was a non-practicing catholic, but recently started wanting to learn more about God and the Bible. She literally asked us, “how do I learn the Bible?” It felt like one of those people God just plops in our lap, ready to be discipled. She’s been coming for almost 2 months now and is being totally transformed by Jesus’ work in her life! She has been active in the church, and coming to Wednesday evening Spanish Study group.

God has been moving greatly in the Spanish Group at Saving Grace! We have begun doing outreaches by visiting people’s home to bring our community, and most importantly, God’s presence in worship, sharing testimony, and prayer. We are also planning days to go to public centers like the Circle in Fullerton to do worship and ministering in the public, to reach our community with the gospel!

God also answered my prayers for a job! I have been working with a friend from church in his steam cleaning business, cleaning carpets. I have also been doing a bunch of little jobs, helping do electrical, paint, etc. for friends. God has been providing in really unique ways.

At the end of April, as I am writing this, I am on a trip in Mexico to visit my parents who have been staying in Rosarito. I am also helping my friend Marcelo, and my friend Rob Douglass, who runs a ministry called Ends of the Earth Ministries, teaching at Calvary Chapel Rosarito about the unreached. I will be staying for a week, also going to Horizonte Ensenada church and Calvary Bible Institute Mexico with Marcelo as he shares about the unreached and Calvary School of Missions.

Costa Rica Trip

I have rough dates for my mission trip to Costa Rica to visit and learn from a children’s safe home there. It is planned for July 29 – August 2.

Please continue in prayer with me as this trip will be a very new and important part of the work we have been praying for, to start a safe home in Peru! Also, I want to invite all of you to pray for my brother in Christ, Andy. He has been praying about being a part of leading this work as well. He has a great heart for children.

Praise Reports:

• For Jesus coming, living, dying, and resurrecting for our salvation!
• For Katia coming to know Jesus personally
• For my new job of steam cleaning

Prayer Requests:

• For God’s provision and will to be done in planning and going to Costa Rica in July
• Jesus would touch hearts in Mexico for the Unreached as we are sharing and He would call them to lay their lives down for Jesus in this work!
• Protection, provision, and guidance for my sister and brother-in-law as they minister in the unstable environment in the Middle East!
• God would use the Spanish group to call more people to their first love!

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

1 KINGS 19:11-12

Have you ever had those moments when you’re just waiting God to show up radically? In the strong wind, in an earthquake, in the fire? But instead, He graciously chooses to show up in a still small voice? Yup, that’s exactly what happened this past month.

The Lord spoke LOUD and clear during my time away, but coming back to my regular routine, to the mundane, He spoke to me when I least expected it. He reminded me that He has me here for a reason. For a purpose. Yes, my heart and desire to be sent out as a full-time missionary continues to grow, but so does my trust and patience in God’s timing. He has a good and perfect plan for me. His promises are what I continue to hold unto.

Spreading the Fire

Coming back to visit my home church, Calvary South OC, was such a blessing. I had an opportunity to share about my trip with the singles ministry, Focus Generation. They have been supporting me since day one and they are truly a gift from above. I’m eternally grateful for y’all!! The words the Lord had placed on my heart was ‘redeem the time’. I shared about my trip- going from different religions, to cultures, to even the weather!

After I spoke- I was even more blessed to know that my testimony was confirmation for some to pray about missions, especially in Japan! I continued to see how the Lord was spreading the fire even in our generation. As a reminder- Calvary School of Missions summer is just a few months away- if you have a heart for missions, fill out an application and learn more about the school by clicking here! Please continue to pray for more laborers, the harvest is plentiful and many are needed!!

Discipleship + Teaching

My favorite part in the school is the teaching class- I enjoy studying the Word of God and then being able to teach it. I have learned so much in this class, as every week we are critiqued by Pastors and leaders in the church. This has allowed me to grow in so many ways, but it has also allowed me to share with other women what God has shown me.

Last year, around September, I started a mini bible study with my cousin Val. By God’s grace, it is slowly growing and my other friend also decided to join! It has been such a joy teaching through the book of John. We have seen God not only transform us through His Word, but also how His Spirit has moved throughout the study. These ladies are hungry for the Word of God and it has been such a blessing seeing them grow in that! My passion for discipling women in the Word of God is truly a gift from above. Please keep us and the study in your prayers! <3

Next Steps

As mentioned above, I know the Lord has me here for a reason. And it is truly by His grace that I am here. That perfect grace is called debt. Thanks to God, we will be starting Financial Peace next week! If you can please be praying with me for wisdom, for accountability, and for me to be able to pay the debt off quickly. I know with God all things are possible! He made that very clear on this past trip. Once that is paid off, my next step will be to return to Japan for 3-5 months, Lord willingly, before making the decision to move somewhere full-time.

However as some of you may know, since day one, my heart has been for the Middle East. You might be asking yourself, then why Japan? I ask myself the same thing everyday. They’re both completely opposite yet with one similarity- they are both UNREACHED. They both desperately need the gospel. As of right now I will continue to be faithful with what God has placed in front of me. The rest- where I go and when I go- I will continue to surrender it all to Him. As Isaiah said, “Here am I! send me” (Isaiah 6:8). This is His heart- for us to be willing. I pray this is your heart as well. If you can please join me in praying for Japan, as well as the Middle East- as we are preparing and planning a trip towards the end of this year! How exciting!!

Thank you again for taking the time to read this newsletter. I pray you are blessed and encouraged. Thank you for your continual partnership in the gospel from the first day until now- both through prayers and financial support. Any amount you feel led to give will help me in raising monthly support to be sent out one day as a full-time cross-cultural missionary, Lord willingly. I’m eternally blessed as this is also fruit to your account.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

EPHESIANS 3:20-21

-Mayra Alejandra

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…”

Hebrews 12:1-3

“…So You Will Not Grow Weary.”

We are currently in the middle of Cambodia’s hot season until the monsoon rains come in June. Temperatures have risen as high as 104F with usual highs around 100F with high humidity. We are blessed that this year the electricity has been pretty stable, but even the Cambodians are struggling with the heat. In addition to the heat, the spiritual climate is challenging for all the believers here and can lead to a sense of spiritual/emotional/physical weariness.

April has been a challenging month for us in various ways. Benjamin had a severe ear infection and other health problems but has recovered fully/quickly. The bathtub in our rented townhouse broke mainly because it was not designed for American people’s weight. It took three weeks to for the renovation project (jackhammering/drilling/dust) to be completed instead the expected one week because of the Cambodian New Year holidays and a leak from the neighbor’s house. We also had some stresses with our car.

“…Run With Endurance the Race…”

Despite the above stresses and frustrations, God has strengthened us to keep going and in some ways even thrive.

In April, I started volunteering part time to help teach English at True Education School about an hour outside of Phnom Penh. In my career as an English/Apologetics/Christology teacher I have spent 95% of my time teaching university/seminary/Bible school students. I only spent one year teaching K-12 ESL in northern Missouri from 1999-2000. Despite being rusty, I was able to teach them a few things including the “Head and Shoulders…” song. When they have more students, Kayo will also volunteer at the school part time.

Because of the Cambodian New Year holidays, many other ministries were paused for a while, but Kayo and I continue to volunteer at Precious Women Organization’s office in various roles from video production (Darryl), devotions/Bible studies, life skill training, and administration/board (Kayo).

We also continued to work with the international church. I lead the men’s ministry, help with the Chinese ministry, help with visitation, and speak around once a month. Kayo leads the women’s ministry, helps keep everyone organized, and helps with the worship team as needed.

“…Lay Aside Every Weight…”

As of this moment i have lost 82 pounds in the last 6 months (October 21, 2023). God has opened all the doors for me to completely change my health and lifestyle by providing the knowledge, technology, and support that I have been looking for 20 years. This process has greatly improved my spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. It has also really given me the strength and energy to be more active and engaged in ministry and revolutionized our family dynamics and relationships. Others are starting to reach out to me for recommendations and it is a blessing to encourage and equip them.

As I mentioned last month, I continue to be available to help encourage those with mental health challenges (and those who care for them) from my own challenges and victories in this area. I continue to monitor, encourage, and visit (from time to time) a Cambodian man and his family and help them connect with the resources they need in partnership with the international church and Light Association.

In Christ’s Love,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

Soldiers for the People of the Himalayas

We are given the assignment to share the Gospel all over the world by Jesus. There is not anywhere that is excluded. We are to share the Gospel in the easy places and in the hard places, in the Himalayan mountain range and in the flat land, in the closed areas and in the open areas, to Hindu people and to Buddhist people.

We are thankful to God that many years ago people of God came to our country with the same mind set. We have heard the Gospel and we were saved. Now God is building the same mindset in us. There are so many people in our country who haven’t heard the Gospel. One of the places where people live is in the Himalayan mountain range. A lot of people who live there have never heard the Gospel even once. God allowed us to go last month in March to the Himalayan mountains to share the Gospel. This area had hard trekking routes. Because of this, people do not want to go these places and the Gospel has not reached there. As a soldier of Christ we went there, not because we are strong, but because our God of love compels us to do so. Please pray for these Himalayan people to come to know God.

Soldiers for the People of the City

“For I have much people in this City”-Acts 18:10.

This verse remind us to do Gospel outreach in the city. We know street preachers are caught and sent to prison, but we preach in our Bible college courtyard. We ask our students as well as church believers to invite their family members, friends, and neighbors who have not received Christ as their Savior. Last week many people showed up in our courtyard to hear the Gospel. Our Bible school students did a skit, dances, and songs. We shared from God’s Word. One of the teenage girls received Christ as her personal Savior. One woman said that she will begin attending church every week. We see the harvest in city and it is ready. We pray that God pours His Spirit on us more and more. We see our students as future soldiers. They are trained for this war and believe that they will be doing the same things in their communities. We believe this verse, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. “-Acts 26:18. Please pray for our city. There are 6 million people here, but only about 200,000 are believers. God may bring revival to this city and country.

Thank you,

Anand and Usha and Family

Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved

(Acts 2:47)

What a wonderful God we serve! It is amazing to see people coming to Christ and surrendering to Him. Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). These instructions specify the church’s responsibility to teach and make disciples, and to welcome and baptize those disciples.

Both of the new believers are from a Catholic background and were very much into idol worship. God opened the opportunity to preach the Gospel to them and to disciple them. Before one of them was saved, he was very addicted to alcohol and was also having difficult family problems. But now, having a relationship with Jesus changed everything. God really worked in his life. Now his whole family comes to church and attends Bible study. 

M* Village (Church plant)

It has been 8 months since our dear brother C* began serving in M* village. God is doing amazing work through him. He started tutoring children and teenagers (from the ages of 5-16 years), showing them the love of God and sharing Gospel with them. It really opened doors to reach out to those villagers. 

In my last newsletter, I briefly explained how God opened doors to minister in that village. I also shared about conducting a Christmas outreach program there which helped reach more people with the Gospel. In that village the teenagers and young adults are addicted to alcohol and drugs. Please pray about that. We have now started a Bible study every Sunday in a home in the village (a house church fellowship). Three families are attending the Bible study.

I want to share a praise report about the ministry in M*. There was an elderly man who always used to disturb us during our Sunday Bible study. He would threaten us and using abusive words. So we all prayed together for the elderly man to come to Christ.  All of a sudden he became sick. He suffered so much with his health problems. So the man invited us to his house and to pray for him. We then got to share with him about the love of God and preached the Gospel to him. We praise God that He made a way to reach this man. Please continue to pray for him and for the his salvation. 

Nameless Village:

Reaching Out to the Unreached

For 30 years people have been living in this village, but they have not named it. They call themselves the stone cutters. Their work is to cut stones from big rocks. They then supply stones for building construction. God has led one of our team members to that place to preach the Gospel. Almost 30 families live there. When we visited the second time, we had many conversations about their lives. This village is in the forest. Snakes and scorpions come inside their houses, and there is no water source available.

God put this village in our hearts to reach out to and share the Gospel in. Nobody knows Jesus in this village. Please pray for us as we minister in this village.  

N* Village (Church Plant) 

We are ministering in a village named N* (which is very Anti-Christian). The elders and villagers wanted there village to remain fully Hindu. There is some religious persecution going on, but the Lord is doing amazing work in that village. We started a house fellowship and two families are attending there. The Lord has also opened doors for us to meet five more families. We can see that He is working in their hearts. Now three people are ready to be baptized. Please pray that these people might grow in their faith and stand as bold witnesses even in difficult circumstances.

Thank you,

Pastor 6* and Family

*Names and faces have been changed or omitted for security reasons.

Dear pastors, leaders, supporters and church family!

We hope you all had a good Good Friday and Resurrection Day.

My dear sisters and brothers, I thank you for your prayers and love. God is doing amazing work here through your prayers. By the grace of God, house churches are now running in many villages. Although there is a lot of persecution here, people are still giving their lives to the Lord.

A Very Good Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Thank God that He is increasing the number of people in our church and that they are growing deeply in the Word of God day-by-day. Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter services were very blessed for us. People of our church went to many other communities who had never heard of Jesus Christ and shared the message of Good Friday and Easter. They invited many new people from the villages to come to the church. About 100 people came and we celebrated the day of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection together. Breakfast was arranged for everyone. After listening to the Gospel, everyone had breakfast and left for their homes.

Good Fellowship and Hospitality

I thank God that He is taking the people of our church deeper into His Word day-by-day. This month, by the grace of God, a believer of our church’s wedding date has been finalized. He has been coming to our church for about 15 years. He is the only Christian in his entire family. I thank God that he is getting married to a Christian girl who is about 20 years old. They have been talking to each other for about 10 years. By the grace of God, their wedding date is June 11th. It was a great thing to fellowship with them as they planned their marriage.

An Attempt to Establish Conversation with the Village Again

About 25 years ago, my parents accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. At that time, due to the name of Jesus Christ, the people in our village stopped talking to us. They stopped inviting us to any function. They also imposed a fine on anyone who talks to us of ₹ 10000. Because of that, no one has talked to us for all of these years. But God recently opened the hearts of a family that have started coming to our church. They are sending their children to our house to be tutored in school. Through them, gradually other children are also starting to come to our house. My niece, whom I have raised since childhood, teaches free school classes to these children. She also teaches them Christian action songs and Christian songs. I believe that in the coming days more children from the village will come here and learn about Jesus Christ.

Points of Thanksgiving:

• Thank God that He has kept us safe till today.
• I thank God that He is fulfilling our needs.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray that God keeps me and my family safe.
• Please pray that our church remains firm in their faith through crises and becomes knowledgeable of God’s word.
• Please pray. There are many festivals in the coming days in which Hindu people go on processions. Pray that they will not attack any Muslims or Christians.
• Please pray that our church can buy land for a Christian graveyard. This will make it so that the people who are leaving their homes, villages, societies, and relatives to accept the Lord, can be given a respectable funeral after doing so.
• Please pray for my wife, may God keep her safe from every kind of disease.
• Please pray for my mother, her bone density is very low due to which she has to take injections daily. May God heal her and fulfill our financial needs.
• Please pray for my sister’s wedding on May 16th. May God fulfill all of our needs for this, and may there be no hindrance in the marriage.

Thank you for your prayers, supports and Christian love and partnership for the Gospel.

God bless you all!

Pastor & Mrs. 11*

*Names and faces have been changed or omitted for security reasons.

Praise God for another semester! God has added more new students this season as well. It is always a blessing and a lot of fun to spend time with these young men, teaching and learning from the Word of God. The students are from almost all four corners of our country. 

We try to equip our students with everything we can. We teach the students basic English, worship & music, and basic computer along with teaching them God’s Word. It’s our desire to teach them all possible knowledge and skills. It fills us with great joy as we see them growing in the Lord and in other activities.

Sometimes we organize hiking with our students. It is a great time to get refreshed with them. 

Medical Camps in four different Churches

Last month, we had a short term mission group from a church in the U.S. There are many hospitals in our country now, both government hospitals and private ones. The private hospitals are too expensive for ordinary people. People have to go through a long process that takes many days to go to the government hospitals. For this reasons, it is beneficial to have short-term mission trip medical camps, especially for villages.

The government of our country has been issuing new restrictions against Gospel preaching, however, by the means of such camps we can build relationships between local churches and their neighbors and invite them to the churches. Thank God for the kind-hearted doctors and for all of the members of the entire team. All together, over 500 people were benefited by the medical camps. 

Medical Camp at the New Church in a Village Area

Over 200 people were treated. 

Prayer Stations

Along with the medical camps, there were prayer stations. This was to have an opportunity to offer prayer and the Gospel to those who came after they got their medicine which is also our goal.

Medical Camps at a Calvary Chapel in a Village Area

Almost 80 people were treated. At the end of the camp the doctor offered a medical workshop to the local volunteers.

Children’s Outreach after the Camp

We had a good opportunity to share the love of God with students from the school after the camp.

Medical Camp at the Leper Colony

A camp was held at the Lepers’ hospital. The hospital opens twice a week. However, according to the people there, the medicine from medical camps works much better than the medicine usually offered. So people are attracted to come to the camp. 

Gospel preaching and Hygiene Kit Distribution 

After the medical camp, the Gospel was preached, and hygiene kits were distributed.

Nepali & Chinese Food Cooking Exchange 

At the end of the mission trip, there was a cooking exchange between the Nepalese and Chinese teams. It was a fun, quality time to interact with each other. The students were especially happy.

Blessings!

Prakash & Muna

There are times in life when everything goes smoothly and other times when it feels like the Holy Spirit has just dragged you onto the scariest rollercoaster ride of your life.  For me, February and March was one of those rollercoaster rides here in Culiacán.  Here are some of the highs and lows.

Valentine’s Day Marriage Event

On February 3, we held our first couples’ event of the year.  We were blessed to have Pastor Hugo visiting us as the “guest” speaker and took advantage of the date to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or “The Day of Love and Friendship” as it’s called here in Mexico.  The theme was, “A Holy Covenant.”  At the end, there were very few dry eyes in the room as 40 couples renewed their vows and two couples professed faith in Christ for the first time.

The Death of a Saint

The Bible tells us that the death of the saints is something beautiful to God.  It marks the beginning of that person’s eternal life with him.  However, it often marks a very painful ending for those left behind.  On February 5, one of my best friends lost her mother.  It was a loss felt by many in our congregation, and we pulled together to love on Patty and help her through her grieving process.

Experiencia IDÓNEA #7

Just 5 days later, we held our first women’s conference of the year.  This was a huge leap of faith for us, because after Pastor Hugo and Brenda’s departure, we had completely restructured the women’s ministry, and this was our first event.  The theme was “New Beginnings: Women of Faith and Determination.”  Three days before the event, we had less than 20 women registered, but by faith, we printed material for 60.  Thank goodness for that step of faith, because nearly 60 women came, many of them first-time visitors to our church!  Several made professions of faith, several others have now become regular attendees of our church, and all were ministered to.  I was most touched watching Patty help host the event with a genuine smile on her face.  What an example of Faith and Determination!

Reaching Valle del Agua

One week later, we held our first outreach in a very poor community known as Valle del Agua.  When building the homes in this community, there was a problem with the water services, causing all construction to cease.  Almost immediately, squatters moved into the area and took up residence in the abandoned construction projects and unclaimed lots.  Now, as a result of the ministry we plan to start there, these people will be given new hope for a bright future.  Please pray for all the children who attended, and that God will move the hearts of their parents to attend as well.

Beach Bungles and Microphone Troubles

We finished February on a high note with the annual church-planting conference in Mazatlán.  On the 3-hour drive to Mazatlán, home to Calvary Chapel Maranatha and its 4 church plants, we stopped at the beach for an hour to relax, enjoy, and take some pictures.  The picture below was taken just moments before a huge wave surprised us from behind, soaking my shoes and leaving me barefoot or in borrowed shoes for the rest of the weekend. LOL!  (Thanks, Jenn!) 

The conference was amazing! I had the privilege of translating for two of our Culiacán pastors and several workshops.  In addition to the amazing worship, food, and fellowship, pastors and teachers from nearly 20 churches taught us about the necessity of church planting and its Biblical base, how to strategically reach large cities and unreached peoples, how to reach adults through children’s ministry, and the importance of faith, perseverance, discipleship, prayer, integrity, and above all, intimacy with Jesus in order to make all those things happen.   

In the midst of all my translating, however, I was reminded of my limitations.  Apparently, holding a microphone was too strenuous for my injured neck and shoulder, causing me a lot of extra pain and loss of mobility for several weeks.  Thankfully, renewed and intensified physical therapy has made a huge difference in the last two months, bringing me almost back to normal.  PRAISE THE LORD!!!

“The Best Camp Ever!”

Camping, swimming, volleyball, soccer, food, worship, teaching, devotions, teams, games, relays and rallies, the reenacted Bible stories, talent show, bonfires, bonding…  Our annual Family Camp the last week of March did not disappoint!  As a matter of fact, it was declared by many to be “the best camp ever!”  More than 300 people from 14 different churches in 4 different cities loaded up their tents and ventured out to Hacienda Lago Encantado campground to spend 4 days playing and praying, eating and competing, working and worshipping together.  Many people made professions of faith or were baptized, and many marriages and families began the process of restoration with Christ as their center.  But since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll leave you with these…

More Twists and Turns

We also attended or participated in women’s conferences in Calvary Culiacán East and Calvary Santa Fe, one of our newest church plants, went to a homeschooling conference at Calvary Maranatha Mazatlán, had a baptismal service in Calvary Culiacán North, started a new discipleship class for new believers, and watched a total solar eclipse!

And as always, God has been extremely faithful to me and my family. After a very rough first job experience, Ruby has a new job. She now has good pay and benefits as well as a healthy work environment. Sammy had his debut as an official children’s ministry TEACHER and celebrated his 11^th birthday.  And, after a whirlwind house-hunting experience, God provided a new home for us that meets and exceeds all of our needs!  We made the move in 4 days’ time with the help of many friends from church, and now, one month later, we are ALMOST settled in. 

In addition, I joined a Friday morning prayer group called “Mexico and Beyond.”  Spanish-speakers from all over Mexico and the U.S. pray together for all of the Calvary churches here in Mexico, all of the unreached peoples in the world, and all of the laborers that God is raising up to reach them.  We also take time to pray for each other and the needs of our particular churches.  It has been a huge blessing to me!

Coming Soon…

The rest of April and May promises to be just as busy as ever!  You can pray with us for the following events: 

• April 24 and May 15 – I will be preaching at our Wednesday night women’s ministry
• April 27 – children’s outreach with Calvary Aguaruto
• April 28 – Children’s Day service in Calvary Culiacán North
• May 2-6 – our next trip to work with the Kuáre in Nayarit
• May 11 – our next EXPERIENCIA IDONEA women’s conference (I am coordinating)
• May 11 – Mother’s Day event in Calvary Culiacán West (I will be preaching)

Final Prayer Requests

Here are some other things you can be praying for in the coming weeks:

• I lead the Wednesday night worship team, and we recently lost several guitar players and worship leaders. Pray that God raises up new people to continue this ministry.
• Pray for our Culiacán pastors and their families. Many are struggling with illness and family- and ministry-related problems.  Let’s cover them in prayer!
• Please continue praying for my neck and shoulder – that I will finally recover full mobility and be pain-free soon.
• Pray for Sammy’s school and upcoming national testing, that he will be able to stay on top of all of his work in the midst of all this month’s activities.
• Pray for Ruby’s continued success in her new job and that she would remain faithful in church-planting school and the other ministries she is involved in.
• Pray for our finances – that God would raise up new monthly supporters and help us to be good stewards of what he has given us.

And as always, if you are interested in receiving my monthly email updates and prayer requests through SGWM, click this link!

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“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. …”

Matthew 28:6

Dear Friends and Family,

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

This time of year is always a great reminder of why we believe what we believe. It is the reason for counting the cost and giving all we are to sharing the Gospel with the world. There are many religions in the world but it is Christianity alone that has a risen, an alive, Savior. The resurrection of Jesus is our proof and our hope in everything God has promised us through his Word, both for this life and the kingdom to come.

As this is the foundation of our faith, we took time to celebrate each part of the resurrection story with our family at Arise Christian Fellowship.  We began with the Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday. In Uganda, it really starts on Saturday as the street hawkers begin selling palm branches and people begin decorating with palm leaves.  Even the public transport decorate themselves for Palm Sunday. 

Keeping with tradition, at church we also handed out palm branches. It was so amazing as we celebrated Jesus’ Triumphal Entry through song and teaching  to see the church participating with the waving of the palm branches. It made me feel as if I was in the story. The choir had special music as well as singing the very familiar “Hosanna in the Highest” songs. Brian gave a message on Jesus, the Passover Lamb.  He talked about being aware of Jesus’ coming and cleansing our temples, us being the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He walked the church through the week that would lead up to the Last Supper and the first communion.  As a church we were planning to have a Good Friday supper together and he encouraged us to pray and really check our hearts as we prepared for taking communion as taught in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27.

On Good Friday we gathered as a church to remember what Christ did for us by going to the cross and dying for our sins so that we might receive salvation and eternal life if we believe. All the children stayed in the sanctuary to hear the message of the cross. As a church, we took communion and shared a meal together.  It was a beautiful time of fellowship.

On Resurrection Sunday we celebrated Jesus rising from the grave.  The children and some of the church members had special songs prepared and Brian shared about the gift we have been given as believers because of the resurrection.  The worship and message all left me in tears as I reflected both in thankfulness and repentance, knowing that Jesus loved me so much that He died for me and now through His resurrection I also have the promise of eternal life. May we remember these truths all year long. May we always share this precious gift with those we come in contact with so they can have the hope we have.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the people who have heard the gospel throughout this season. Pray that their hearts will be soft and that the Word is deeply planted.
• Pray for all of the  Christmas/Easter Christians who came to service this past month. Pray that they were stirred up to live everyday for Christ.
• Pray for health and safety as there has been much sickness going around as well as terrorism threats.
• Pray for Jill and the children as they continue homeschooling. Pray for patience for Jill and a desire to learn for the children.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20

Last fall, a prominent member of our community was brought to our church, Calvary Chapel Gulu, by his son, who is a faithful member of the congregation. The man, Walter, had recently had a land dispute with his neighbor and suspected that his neighbor had put some sort of curse on him because of mysterious noises which he claimed were following him and which he had not been able to identify or expel. He came to the church as a last resort to rid himself of whatever spirit may be disturbing him. Matt was able to preach the gospel to him and prayed that if the noises were a result of something spiritual, he would look to Jesus, but if not, they would go away, and the glory would belong to Jesus. That day, a monitor lizard fell from his roof into his living quarters and was chased out. The sounds stopped. The man returned to the church looking for Matt a few weeks later, only to find he was not around. Instead, our senior pastor, Fred, met with him. Walter claimed that birds were beginning to follow him. He thought that Matt had some secret spiritual power to chase away these spirits. Pastor Fred explained that it was not Matt’s own power but that real power is found in Jesus Christ. He prayed with him, and the birds left. Walter came to church for Sunday service that week and got saved. He invited the pastors to go and preach to his household. They also turned to the Lord. Glory to God!

We are happy to report that Walter is now a faithful member of the church and is walking with the Lord. He even hosts a fellowship every month in his home. We have even seen God bring significant improvement to the health of one of Walter’s children, who is epileptic. We are continually blessed to see God pour out His Spirit on the willing, and fill the homes where the doors are opened to Him. Please pray for Walter as he leads his family in the Word so that he will remain humble, sit in God’s presence, and grow in Christ. Pray for Walter’s family, that they would continue in the grace of the Lord, that they would be rooted in the truth of His Word, and that the Spirit would use them to reach their extended family and the community.

In other news, in March, we were able to travel to Kampala for adoption purposes. We are still in the official fostering period. Still, we were required to sit before the National Alternative Care Panel, which reviewed our case and interviewed our family, as well as Cynthia’s biological parents. There was stress involved in the travel and the waiting period before our turn to sit before the panel, but otherwise, it was a peaceful event. Understandably, there is often pressure and tension between the adoptive family and the biological family, if present. But we have been blessed to remove a vulnerable child from a dangerous situation, to assist in raising a child whose parents had given up hope on living, and to turn a very broken situation into a hopeful one. Over the last few years, we have been able to witness to both of her parents, and as of November last year, both have repented and turned to the Lord. We can now walk in agreement regarding the future of their daughter, our daughter, Cynthia. When we went to Kampala with them, there was no fear, tension, or feelings of belittlement on either side. We pray that as their shame is covered by the love of Christ, they can stand up and lead the rest of their family in righteousness.

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

REVELATION 21:5A

In Christ,

Matt, Noelle, Apiyo, Emma, Madeline, Noah & Charlotte