Ministry News  Dear Friends,
Summer is now over. It was a very busy summer, but it was also a very good summer. In July, we held 4 weeks of “summer school,” as it’s called here. We had a week of soccer, a week of basketball, a week of VBS, and a week of English classes. We had two college students from the U.S. here to help us for some of these weeks during the summer, and we also had two Mexican young people helping us with the VBS. A local pastor’s son helped us with the basketball camp. We had no idea of how many kids were going to come. We ended up having about 90 kids each week. Each day, we shared a biblical principle and during VBS, 9 kids trusted in Christ. This summer ministry was successful in that we were able to make many new contacts. There were many who came who didn’t know that we even had a ministry. Several also signed up for a Bible study that we started this past week. To see pictures of our ministry activities including our summer activities, you can see them here. In the end of June, we started a weekly youth group meeting. The attendance has been mixed. There are so many things for unsaved kids to do that going to youth group isn’t high on their list. We’ve had as many as 11. This past week only 3 came. One girl has come to know Christ through this, however, and she is reading the Bible at home as well. Hugo and Silvia, a couple from the church we are attending, have been helping us with the youth group. They are a great couple, and they believe that God is calling them to be missionaries to Indonesia! They are just beginning to look into different ministries and opportunities to serve. This past Sunday, we had our first Sunday Bible study. We had no idea how many people to expect. We had 3 men, 5 women, and 3 children. Bryan taught the adults, and Susan taught a children’s class. A few of those who came are already Christians, but others are not. They did hear the gospel clearly at the study, and we believe that at least one person trusted in Christ. I didn’t ask for a show of hands, but I will be following up with them individually to find out who made a decision. There are several others who we expect to start coming as well. As this group grows and as they become more committed to Christ, we plan on turning this study into a weekly service. Attendance is down to our other regular weekly activities, but it should pick up again now that summer vacation is over and everyone gets back into their normal routines. We will be continuing on with the Bible studies and hope to develop more relationships in the community to reach them with the gospel. Family News The kids are doing well. They have started school. Josh is now in 8th grade, Caleb in 5th, Abby in 2nd, and Aaron is in pre-k. Nathan is 16 months, but he’s big. The doctor says he weighs as much as a 2 1/2 year old. He’s also tall meaning he can reach everything. We always have to keep at least one eye on him. He especially likes to “do” school with the other kids, which mostly means taking all their things off their desks! Susan is extremely busy as always. Between 5 kids, the house, and ministry, it is hard for her to find the time to get everything done. We are praying that God will provide help with the ministry, so she can focus on her other responsibilities. A printable version can be downloaded here |
