Hide it under a bushel? No!

Family and Friends, we are so blessed and encouraged by all of you who are part of our Newsletter and partnering with us in prayer during this School of Missions. We have entered into the fourth week here in Rosarito and have continuously been blessed by the missionaries (from Mexico, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa) who have come out to share their wisdom with us. We’re encouraged by their stories of how the Lord Jesus has used them and grown them in their contexts.

We were blessed this week to visit a rehabilitation center in Tijuana and lead their “hora de Dios,” or “hour of God.” Students from our group shared testimonies, a small Bible study, and a snack with all of the men and women who are going through the rehab process. Afterwards, the men split up into small groups and asked specific questions about the teaching that was shared. Many of the gentlemen there had great questions for us about the Bible and Christianity. The women took time to chat with each other while the ladies from our team painted their nails and helped them make beaded jewelry.

A few of them expressed to Racquell that not many people come to serve them, although they get a teaching of some sort everyday. They were blessed to be able to get their nails done and do something creative as well. One of the men also shared with Shilo and the other guys that it was “like a breath of fresh air” having us come. Wow. They’re exposed to the Gospel all the time. Many of them are believers and joined with us in singing during the time of worship. But what impacted them most was the time we took afterwards to sit, talk, and share life with them.

Our team also had the opportunity to go to an indigenous community of Spanish speaking Kumeyaay Native Americans this past weekend to do a church service with them. The pastor, named Angel Jesús, is a Mexican man who married an indigenous woman. He invited people from the community to come to the church on Saturday to visit with our group.

After a time of playing outside with kids from the area and meeting with parents and other adults who had come, our group got to share a drama (mini-skit that shared a story from the Bible), play a few songs of worship in Spanish, open the Bible for a brief teaching, and share a couple testimonies with the people who came. After we shared a meal with them, Shilo got to talk to Pastor Angel a little more. He was very thankful that we came to visit. From where we are staying in Rosarito, it was about an hour and a half drive to get there. The reservation is secluded. The church itself is not typical, in terms of attendance. Because it’s such a rural area, very few people come consistently. From what Pastor Angel said, people come when they are in need. And our going and visiting with them this past Saturday encouraged Pastor Angel, his wife, and the other helpers to simply stay the course.

Regardless of attendance or reception from the community, Pastor Angel knows God has placed him there for a reason. Like Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15). Pastor Angel and his wife know that their church is a place of refuge in the reservation. The large group of us who went to them and loved on his people was a huge source of encouragement Angel and the other workers. It stirred them up. We are thankful God used us in that way. We know that the gas, wear on the tires it took to get there, and the food and resources we brought were worth it. Not because we have anything of value to bring, in and of ourselves, but because of the love of Christ we got to share with the church, its Pastor and the community there.

Thank you all for praying for the health and well-being of our team here. Overall, everyone has been in pretty good health. Racquell is almost 25 weeks pregnant, and has been feeling a lot of movement from our growing baby girl.

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for our trip to Mazatlán and Culiacán…this weekend!

You can also pray for a Conference that Calvary Chapel Rosarito is hosting this weekend. Before we jump on a plane, we’re helping serve there. Pray that church planters would be encouraged and that future church planters would be stirred up!

As for our needs, we have 40% of our combined tuition paid off. If you would like to partner with our family in furtherance of the gospel please consider donating through the button below.

By the grace of Jesus and for His glory, The Stratton Family