Hello family and friends! There is always so much happening here in Mexico, at church, at our house… but we must always remember to rejoice and pray thanksgiving to God!
“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing,”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
A special thanks to all who regularly pray for us! Mexico frequently feels unstable and dangerous as we continually receive reports of assaults, robberies, thefts and murder. Sometimes, we hesitate to report the danger so as not to frighten or discourage you! Despite these realities, we don’t always hear or see what God is doing in the midst! In this months report, I will show you some of the wonderful things our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is doing along with some of the more challenging events and trouble that is part of life on the mission field!
Rejoicing in Culiacán, Sinaloa
My Pastor and good friend Mike Vincent and I along with some pastors and church planting students spent a weekend in Culiacan to celebrate 9 years of Calvary Culiacan! While the city was on high alert and a cartel turf war was in effect, we were rejoicing and celebrating God’s work in the region! Nine years ago, Calvary Rosarito sent one of our best assistant Pastors to plant Calvary Culiacan Norte. His name is Hugo Limón. While the madness, anxiety and violence have harmed many, God is moving and saving souls!
Rejoicing in Aguaruto, Sinaloa
While we were in Culiacan, all the churches continued with their regular Sunday services. Most people chose to seek worship God despite the tension in the air. In a town right outside of Culiacan there was a great atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving as 18 new people went forward to declare Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior ! In times of trouble, many people seek God. 18 souls made public professions of faith last Sunday (Oct 27). If you are unfamiliar with churches like this, imagine at the end of the service, the pastor invites people to be born again by confessing their need for God, coming to Him in repentance and believing in Jesus Christ alone for salvation! Have you done this publicly? Send me an email with the details, we’d love to hear your testimony!
Preaching and Rejoicing at Calvary Rosarito!
I have the privilege to teach in the pulpit roughly every six months. My mom always watches! This time it was during the Dodger game! I am amazed someone would rather watch a Bible study than the World Series. Thanks mom! And GO DOYERS (Dodgers)! Here is a link with some cool pictures. I start preaching at minute 38:38
Here is a post on FB from one of our friends Sandra Mata. The photos are of three new friends making a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and a decision to follow Christ. What do you think?
Rejoicing and Resting in Cuernavaca, Morelos!
Claudia and I finally took a week off for vacation the week of October 7-13th. Cuernavaca is known as the city of eternal Spring!
We also took time to visit with friends Bryan and Brittany of Calvary Conexiones in Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala. Next to Claudia is Gudelia, my sister-in law Sofia’s mother and her auntie Cuquita!
We also took time to visit with friends Bryan and Brittany of Calvary Conexiones in Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala. Next to Claudia is Gudelia, my sister-in law Sofia’s mother and her auntie Cuquita!
Trouble in Rosarito, BCN!
We often don’t post too many negatives in our blog, but as we all know, LIFE is both a battle and a blessing. God blessed us back in 2006 to purchase three lots in Rosarito and we finally sold one this past week! However, while we were on vacation, our lawyer went to the property to install a for sale sign. A neighbor came out claiming the property was his! The next day we found our sign missing and the wooden stake tossed on the ground…Theft of real estate is a huge problem in Mexico! And while all our paperwork is legitimate and in order, there is a law that allows people to take property if they can convince a judge they bought it, but the owner was “unable” to come in person to sign the sales document. This kind of fraud is very successful as so many people can’t afford a legal battle or they live elsewhere and are unaware of what’s happening. In our case, we immediately put a barbed wire fence around the lots! Thanks to my son Ben and the friends who came Sunday night to put up the fence!
Staying healthy Mexico, BCN!
My favorite way to stay healthy is now mountain biking! I have a great friend, Pastor Wilson Hurtado to accompany me every week. It is a great blessing to have friends who share your passion! If you are interested, follow me on the Strava app and give me a thumbs up!
https://strava.app.link/5OSkEA6scOb
Rejoicing with the DAMAS, MDVP!
Claudia co-leads a large bilingual Bible study that is streamed online through Facebook live.Dama – lady and MDVP stands for Women of Worth and Purpose! If you are interested in watching online. Scan the QR code or send Claudia a friend request!
Prayer requests:
- That our personal devotional time with Jesus would continue to be priority #1
- MDVP bilingual women’s study! For loving, strong and inspired leadership!
- Paul’s Thursday night discipleship group! For Focus and clarity.
- Violence and insecurity in Mexico to cause many to come to Jesus Christ!
- For righteous and moral leadership in all branches of government in Mexico!
- For more church planting financial partners to further the gospel in Mexico and South America and beyond!
- For comfort to the grieving as many family and friends have been laid to rest this year.
- For our children and their continued growth and success in all they are doing! Natalie, Lydia & Geoff, Benjamin, Poiema, and Cristian