New Photos

Click on the link to the left, "View Ministry Photos", to see our new ministry photos on Flickr.

Do Drop In

In April, Anita and I visited Mexico City and spent one day helping at a drop in center for the homeless.  That day 20 homeless people came to the center for two meals, a shower and to wash their clothes.  On the street, they live in "families" and the 20 were from 3 different families.

There was a time of rest and games.  There was also a time of singing and Bible study.  The discussion was open and lively.

The staff, in top photo, is working to develop relationships that support and

encourage those that come to the center.  After a time of relationship building, the staff challenges the homeless person to work to improve their lives.  If the person rejects help, they will not be able to enter the center just to use it as a handout.

The day we were there, the young lady in the photo visited for the first time and accepted Jesus.

It is a very challenging ministry, but the staff is doing a great job of holistic ministry.  At the end of the day, Anita and I had the opportunity to share words of encouragement to the staff.  It is mostly a thankless job that the staff has.

Water Park Baptisms

When Anita and I visited Mexico City in April, we were privileged to attend a baptism service of people from newly established house churches. 

Since house churches don't have a baptistry, the baptism was held at a water park!  Two bus loads and 7 SUV's of people from 13 house churches went to the water park for the service and a day at the water park.  About half of the people were unchurched.

Since November 18, 2008, our Mexico church group has started over 50 house churches.

Passengers and Immigrants

As I stood in line at the airport ticket counter to leave the Caribbean, a group was ushered to a designated line especially for them. Those of us who had been waiting wondered why they were receiving priority treatment.  At first it was said that they were a tour group.  Then we found out that this group of about 100, mostly younger families, were immigrating to Mexico.  As I moved from line to line, I had to follow them.  As they waited to go thru immigration, they hugged, and then hugged some more loved ones they were leaving behind, maybe never to be seen again.

As I waited at the gate, the emotions went from laughter and congratulations to uncontrolled sobbing.  The pay phones had lines, making one last call.  Families talked about what it would be like on the airplane.  

One man walked sternly across the terminal right up to the gate.  He stood there until we boarded.  Was he ready to go, or, was it his way of dealing with his emotions.

What prompted them to leave their country for another?  An unknown country.  Will the new place bring a better life?  They have a hope in something they have only heard about, not seen.  For the parents, probably not a better life.  For the children, they will have more opportunity, if they take it. 

As I moved with this group and sat among them on the plane, my heart raced and my eyes watered as their emotions went up and down.

We have a hope in something unseen and the promise of a better place.  We can depend on the promise of God for eternal life and as passengers on this earth we anticipate our immigration to heaven.