It’s official! I just received my welcome to TEAM Mexico!!!!!
In my last letter, I told you about how God surprised me with the possibility of serving with TEAM in Mexico. 30 years ago I was originally headed to Baja California Sur, Mexico, so after 26 years in Venezuela and 4 years in Peru, I’m thrilled to finally make it to BCS!
The summary is that I praise God for the faithful prayer and financial team of supporters backing me! I need prayer to obtain a visa to Mexico and for the remaining financial need. If those are in place quickly, I could be leaving for La Paz, BCS, Mexico in July! In the meantime, I’m available to share more in churches, groups or individually (within a day’s drive from Paris) – you just need to contact me. For more information, read on!
I went on the Vision Trip April 27-May 11 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I stayed with our Field Leader and his wife, Martin and Susie Gonzalez and also met the co-pastor of the church and his wife.
Rafael & Betty, Susie & Martin
Martin and Susie started the church 7 years ago. The church’s name is El Faro (The Lighthouse) and they recently hired Rafael in a part-time capacity, so Martin and Rafael are co-pastors. This is the church I will be working with. They are currently in a building project, so here are some photos of the church under construction.
The top left is the view from above. The sanctuary will be built on that level land extending out over the current construction (the white roofs). Beside that photo are two classrooms that are beside what’s being used for the sanctuary (the two photos below). With a canvas roof and two open walls, it was really cool (from the breeze) when I was there for a ladies’ Bible study, the church Bible study and the Sunday service. The bottom photos show the extremes. One end has the classrooms, bathrooms and storage area and the other extreme will be a small enclosed auditorium.
But what really makes the church is the people. Here are some photos from the Sunday service.
I had the opportunity to share my testimony at two ladies’ Bible studies and heard from them and others of the need to work with the youth, so I am hoping to form a team to develop a youth ministry. If El Faro decides to take on the work in Los Barriles, I will probably be involved with that project as well. I was in Los Barriles for three days watching some of the MKs while the parents held a retreat and for a Ministry Area Day of Prayer. I stayed alone in the little green house, but spent the day at the beach house, on the beach or in the water, and the prayer meeting was held at the Los Barriles church.
I do have some prayer requests!
– Visa. Please pray for a smooth process and the approval of my visa.
– Medical. I need two shots and would also like to set up doctor, optometrist and dentist appointments for before I leave.
– Finances. Praise the Lord for all my faithful financial supporters! What I really need now are one-time gifts for my relocation/set-up costs and for a vehicle. I have about half of what I need. If the Lord puts it in your heart to contribute, contact me (brenda@teamven.org or 226-387-2418 or 519-442-2896) and I’ll give you TEAM’s contact info.
– Prayer. Praise the Lord for all my faithful prayer supporters! Please continue to pray for the Lord to guide in each step and in every decision.
If you would like me to give an update at a church or other group or individually if you live within a day’s driving distance from Paris, Ontario, I’d be very happy to do that. I should be available from May 24 through June. Depending on the visa and finances, I may be here in July or longer, but it would be fantastic if I could leave for La Paz, Mexico in July.
I also enjoyed the birds, which were more plentiful than I expected. I photographed 43 species, of which 24 were first-sightings for me – including the Greater Roadrunner, the Pyrrhuloxia, and the Phainopepla.
Here are some of the first-sighting “water” birds.
And here are some more first-sighting birds.
I am excited about how God is working and extremely grateful to you for your part in all that is happening!
May God’s richest blessings be upon you!
Brenda
