Thank you for your kind words and prayers for me and for Eva’s family – they have been greatly appreciated. Last week, another faithful supporter was promoted to glory.
This month, I have been doing a lot of cleaning. Apart from clearing things out of my apartment to prepare for returning it at the end of April, we had a day of cleaning and reorganizing at El Faro. Bending over to clean chairs would have resulted in a lot of back pain, but nothing stopped me from climbing a ladder to scrub marks from walls and columns. With several families and singles participating, the work was an enjoyable experience and made a noticeable difference.
El Faro is currently raising funds to improve the classrooms for the kids. With the temperatures rising, we hope to reduce the heat in their rooms so they can be more comfortable learning about our wonderful Lord and Saviour. We’re still working on the property title transfer, so please continue to pray for that to go through. Once that happens, we can focus on securing the property. We have cameras and an alarm system operating, but the next property project would probably be further protection to help prevent break-ins. Please pray for the provision of funds for these improvements, as well as for the successful completion of the property title transfer.
There is also a new ministry outreach underway. I’m excited that Level 1 is being taught again, as several new people have joined the church. Just started, the youth have launched an Alpha course – one at the church, another in one of their homes, and this week, they plan to start a third group at the university. Please pray that many young people will be reached with the Gospel and that our church youth will continue to grow in maturity.
I don’t have any photos from the weekly meetings, but the ladies sent me several from last Saturday’s Ladies’ event to add to mine. I have served in the Ladies’ ministry as a leader, behind the scenes, and as a Bible teacher since I arrived. Susie Gonzalez had already started the ministry as a weekly gathering before my arrival, and we continued meeting every Tuesday morning for years after she left the field. During the pandemic, I moved it to Zoom to ensure we could still meet. When Isela took over leadership, she changed it to weekly evening meetings and, more recently, to monthly gatherings, which she asked me to organize. Saturday was bittersweet for me, knowing this was the last Ladies’ meeting that I would be coordinating. After the summer break, Isela plans to return to weekly meetings.
I took advantage of the opportunity to use items I had stored from previous outreaches. It worked out perfectly to have the ladies assemble the last of the bear kits as an opening activity while the group gathered. Two ladies from my small group who had already made them helped guide that part of the evening. It was also fun to distribute the leftover cutting boards from a cake decorating outreach years ago, along with items from other evangelistic events.
I also led the meeting and spoke about the process of suffering as the Lord transforms us. Now you know why there are butterflies everywhere! Two of the ladies created the butterfly decorations to highlight the theme of God transforming difficult and painful experiences into blessings.
I shared from the book of Job and had one of the ladies help by reading the first two chapters while I interjected and invited participation through small groups and discussion questions.
Then, I told the Teacup Story, though I modified it to a coffee mug to be more culturally relevant. Perhaps the friend who created the original visuals decades ago will recognize his artwork! These images have been used multiple times – first in Venezuela, then Peru, and now Mexico. The story beautifully illustrates how the Lord uses adversity to transform us into the servants He wants us to be. I also used an unfired clay figure from here to demonstrate the story’s message – it had cracks and easily broke apart, highlighting the importance of being shaped and strengthened through life’s trials. (And it’s now one less thing to pack from my apartment!)
At the end, the ladies helped themselves to the giveaway items I had set out, and, of course, a couple of ladies had prepared refreshments. I was greatly encouraged by the feedback I received that night and on Sunday – even one husband commented on how much the lesson had impacted his wife. Praise the Lord! Please pray for these ladies as they continue their transformation in Christ.
Isela was thrilled when I gave her the images. Praise the Lord – all the large and most valuable items that I wanted to sell have been sold. Yesterday afternoon, I gathered a group of church friends who had made large purchases, but they didn’t know what I had planned. I made a game out of allowing them to select the remaining items as gifts out of gratitude for their support. We enjoyed the rest of the party, and some people have expressed interest in the last items that I would like to sell. (I even sold a few pieces while preparing this report!) Please pray for me as I organize the retrieval of my household items once I finish using them in April, as I pack for my Retirement Home Assignment, and as I finish up my time here well. After leaving my apartment, I’ll stay with friends until I depart from Mexico on May 14. I arrive in Ontario the next day and will only have two weeks before my first trip on June 1.
Of the seven flights scheduled on that trip, six have now had schedule changes. I’ll return to Ontario on July 1 and leave again on July 7, returning August 4. Then, just four days later, I’ll embark on my third trip, returning two weeks later. Praise the Lord – I only have the Ontario trips and visits left to plan, but I’d appreciate your prayers as I work on that. In my remaining time in La Paz, please pray that I stay on top of all the details required to wrap things up here – especially regarding my apartment – with enough time to take care of everything. Additionally, please pray for fruitful ministry and good visits before I leave. Also in April, the youth will have their Easter camp, and we are planning a special service for Resurrection Sunday, which I am really looking forward to.
Grateful for your prayers!!!
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Brenda
