Home Again!!!!

We arrived at the church about 5:25 P.M. It is nice to get back to only 100 degree heat! We had a good trip home. It only took about 30 minutes to unload what took weeks to collect. The whole trip we were blessed with no vehicle trouble (van 2 might say something about air conditioning) or health issues. Those have been major events on past trips. It has been a week of answered prayers. We are in the process of compiling those answered prayers to share with the church. There is so much to share about what God accomplished this week. Look for announcements concerning this in the near future.

Dios escucha!

Goodbyes Are Not Forever

Winding up - waiting for dinner Thursday
It takes a lot of water in 105 degree heat!

Home medical visit

Lamb dinner

Lamb dinner at Esperanza's

Erica, Kaitlin, Esperanza,Mack, Bethany

Missy and Ma Luisa

Peggy, Staci Cuccio, Missy, Ryan Phelps


The Ministers - Erma, Zack, Daniel


Dr. Reyna, Erica, Nora, Jose, Rebekkah, Samuel

Thursday evening and Friday morning were times for goodbyes. Goodbyes are not forever. Every year we go through the same process, say goodbye, shed some tears, and reflect on the goodness of God for the people He brings into our lives. This is the seventh year we have been to Guerrero. We are seeing children that were in Daycare when we came move into VBS and the youth group. It is like watching your own family grow. We are family, only separated by miles and culture but united by our faith in Christ. We ministered with old friends and met new ones. It was encouraging to see the growth and development in leadership as the various activities were going on. Things we did for them the first few years they are now doing for themselves. God has enabled us to provide the resources for the church at Guerrero to conduct these activities. Isaac (Pedro's son) led our devotion and expressed his thanks for not letting fear limit our ability to come and minister to them. This morning after the devotional Maria expressed her gratitude for the work we did on her house - a new washing machine, two new vanities, and a new shower door. I the past we have painted their house, replaced the roof, replaced all of the kitchen cabinets, and painted the inside. Pedro was very emphatic Sunday night in his message that we were the only church, as a church, that supported them in this way. Some may ask why we go to the same place every year. When you see firsthand how God has used this family and this church to spread the Gospel and meet the needs of the people of Guerrero you would understand. The last goodbye of the day was in San Antonio. We were able to meet Sherry and her parents for supper. This statement was on the inside cover of our travel booklet:

"This trip is dedicated to the vision and leadership of Mark and Sherry Lindsey, who tirelessly worked to instill a commitment to world missions in the membership of First Baptist Church, Sheridan, Arkansas"

We would like to thank Mark and Sherry for the foundation they set and built on over the last ten years. We have been able to carry on the vision because of their leadership and equipping, much like the church at Guerrero is doing because of our commitment to go where God is calling. That is the way it is supposed to work.

We look forward to sharing more details of the trip in the weeks to come.

Dios escucha! He has done it all week.

Gratitude

VBS

The lot potential for the church

We came to serve and were served. What an unexpected way to conclude the last day in Agualeguas. We had been parking our trailer at the house of an 86 year old lady that had been baptized three weeks ago. This morning Pedro informed us she wanted to feed us supper - lamb, frijoles, and rice. Some were a little anxious about the possibility. As we pulled away from her house after hooking up the trailer we could see them dressing out tonight's meal. When we arrived after the end of the day we drove up to the house and could hear future meals in a pen in the back yard. We set up tables and chairs and the whole family began serving plates with boiled lamb, frijoles, rice, and tortillas. When we were full - some of us - she brought out the delicacy, the "innards" - which had all been wrapped together and boiled. Not many takers there. It was such a pure expression of love and gratitude for our church coming to Agualeguas. Dr. Reyna's wife Nora said this was a very expensive meal for them. It makes all of the hard work worthwhile when you know you are making a difference in someones life.


The day was very rewarding. We had good attendance in all areas of ministry. Peggy had more ladies in the women's ministry than she had crafts prepared for but somehow everyone had something to do. The construction team set a record by not having to do any work on Friday before we leave. Pedro and Maria are excited about the improvements to the bathrooms. we were also able to deliver a new washer to Maria. The most important report is that about 30 people made professions of faith in Christ. That also makes the hard work worth the effort.


God has blessed us this week. Another prayer answered was the location of a house to rent for church in Agualeguas. Today Pedro showed us a lot for sale to build a church on. one of the city workers stopped by the ministry area and while talking to Pedro told him he had a lot for sale. God is continually working in this town. Daniel and Erma are ready to assume responsibilities. Give God the glory.





Keep praying -





Dios escucha

It Was a Good Day

Roof #2 - Extreme heat
Women's ministry

Dr. Reyna

Some technical difficulties prevented posting last night so yesterday's post was done this evening. Be sure and scroll down yesterday's post and click on the video.

It was a good day today - another day of answered prayer. The weather was hot but tolerable. A breeze blew in Agualeguas and made conditions bearable. The construction crew worked through difficult circumstances - about 114 to 118 degrees on the roof. They will finish the second roof in the morning and finish the second bathroom vanity in Pedro's house. The mobile home also has some electrical issues that will be looked at. Maybe we'll make it without overtime this year.

Pedro and Dr. Reyna made home visits set up by the DIF - a local family service organization. Because it is a government organization, they are not allowed to share the Gospel. In our morning devotional time Dr. Reyna asked for prayer that God could use this experience to plant a seed for further followup with them.

The day at Agualeguas was very busy. About 150 registered in all. Over thirty people were seen at the clinic. The Reyna family along with Sandra, Kaitlin, and Erica were non-stop with patients from about 2:30 to 6:00. Every ministry was full. Peggy had to make adjustments for the women's crafts because of the turnout. Daycare had about 20-25 kids although they were somewhat transient - they would come and go to their mothers but very well behaved. Missy, Beverly, and Bethany had their hands full with 12 - 15 at any one time. Zack and his crew of Mack, Ryan, Stacey, Isaac, Aaron and Sondra had a good group of children for VBS. It was also encouraging to see about 10-12 youth involved. The men ended with a fish fry with the Guerrero men. There were about 35 in attendance. This is exciting because it is only the third year we have done this. the first year there were six or eight men. God is working in this group.

It was just a good day. God blessed us. God listens.

Dio escucha!

GAP

...and God sent rain - the object in the street is a man break dancing - they had not had rain in about a year according to one of the locals

Evangelism continued during the rain

Construction - 118 degrees on the roof!

GAP - God Answers Prayer - Dios escuha! - God listens! God listened to Missy's prayer today. Yesterday was so hot (statement of fact - not whining). Today Missy invoked our theme for the trip and asked God for cooler weather. We ministered in Guerrero, ate lunch, then arrived in Agualeguas about 2:30. After setting up Missy kept saying it looked like rain. Shortly it started sprinkling, then raining, then lightning, then blowing rain and strong wind. We kept holding tents and supplies down and tried to keep them covered. Dr. Reyna kept attending to patients, Daniel kept sharing Christ with individuals, Pedro took the opportunity to share with people waiting for the doctor and we stayed focused on what was important. Some might consider the storm an inconvenience but we considered it a blessing. Our team is now encouraged to continue, believing the weather will be tolerable tomorrow.

Pray for physical endurance for the construction team. The temperature on the roof today was 118 degrees! There was no cooling rain in Guerrero. They will finish Daniel's roof tomorrow and start on Sabino's mother's.

The men will go to a fish fry / fishing tournament with the men from Guerrero tomorrow. The rest will dine on Joel's hamburgers with avacado - a special treat. Joel manages the Los Olivos Hacienda where we are staying. Last year he provided us with a meal. This year we requested the same.

We started the day with another special meal - breakfast served by Maria and Erma. Missy, Beverly, Melanie, and Stacy were in the kitchen at 5:00 this morning making beans, potatoes, salsa, and flour tortillas. It was delicious - a good start for the day. We are requesting our local ladies to duplicate this when we return.

I wish I could adequately explain what a blessing it is to have Dr. Reyna's whole family here this week. His wife, Nora, and daughter Rebekkah joined us along with sons Samuel and Jose. They have such a sweet spirit and genuinely love serving the Lord in this way. They are such an inspiration.

Stay tuned for more blessings.

Keep praying for us because Dios escucha!

Missy called down rain click on the arrow to play.

Do You Believe In Angels?

Construction of trusses for Daniel's house

Playing tag in 110 degree heat

Sherry on Skype

Our day today started out with a special experience - a skype conversation / telecast with Sherry and then she was able to join our devotional led by Pedro. Seemed like old times. Sherry closed us in prayer, lifting up the border crossing of the materials.

We went to get our permits and everything went well until it came time to get the vehicle permits. No one in that office spoke English. There was another lady that came in to get a permit that spoke English, I asked her to help translate and she spent a good bit of time getting us through the process. I asked her if she could help with translating for declaring our supplies. We went to another office and she acted as our representative before the officials. They looked hard at our list of supplies and searched some boxes. The man was very nice and said everything was in order. He called ahead to the next checkpoint and notified them everything was OK. He said the lists were very important (thank you Sherry for being so diligent in this). They checked the list very carefully at the next checkpoint and let us through. Praise God for another demonstration of His provision. It was no circumstance the lady (our angel) was there to help.

Pedro wanted to start the medical clinic early so we could see more people so we arrived in Agualeguas about 3:00 P.M. It had to be 107-110 degrees. It was HOT!!! By the time we got everything unloaded and set up we were worn out. We had VBS, day care, women's ministry, medical clinic, and the construction team installed one new vanity in Pedro's bath and started on Daniel's roof. It was very tiring, getting back from Agualeguas about 8:00 P.M. It was also very rewarding seeing peoples needs met. They are very appreciative of what we are doing. Please continue to pray for our well being in handling the heat. Maria is cooking a special breakfast for us tomorrow. Missy volunteered to help until she said she would start at 5:00 A.M. We look forward to what God has planned for tomorrow.

Dios escucha!

What a Blessing!!!!

Daniel and Erma

Youth singing


Laying on hands

We have arrived! We had a smooth trip and arrived in Guerrero at 4:00 P.M. Our day started out with a devotional concerning consecrating ourselves to the work this week. Many times before God called someone to service they were told to consecrate themselves, purify their hearts, and be obedient to God's leading. We shared in communion and remembered the work Christ did on the cross to bring salvation to us. That is our focus this week, to bring people into the Kingdom of God. Our concern today was crossing the border. That concerned seemed insignificant in relation to what we experienced in worship this evening with Pedro and the church in Guerrero. The new outreach in Agualeguas has been very blessed with 20-30 people involved in home Bible studies. Daniel, one of the church leaders, has felt called to lead that group. Tonight the church commissioned Daniel and his wife Erma as missionaries to Agualeguas. The men of our church were priveleged to be called up to join in the laying on of hands to bless Daniel's ministry. It was a moving experience. Daniel then gave a testimony about his desire to serve the Lord. He felt God was calling him but kept denying the call. He had previously been a Mormon missionary but felt no joy. He was looking for confirmation and saw the verse from Jeremiah 1:5 on a candy wrapper about being consecrated to be a prophet to the nations. This confirmed his call. He shared his thankfulness to the church for their patience and support.

Maria then shared about their calling to Guerrero and how we should never let fear keep us from serving God. Had they let fear control them they would never have received the blessings that have come to them.

A bright spot in the church this year is the growth in the youth. Isaac and two youth from Oklahoma have been developing a group this summer. This has always been a void area in the ministry here. They sang a few songs and then Isaac and another youth sang a few reggae/rap songs. It was quite impressive. I'm trying to upload it but not sure if it will work. If I can't get them tonight I'll put it on tomorrow.

The border crossing. Pedro always handles dealing with the authorities at the boder. He said it would be better if Ken did the negotiating / explaining / pleading. Just tell them what we have and trust God to handle it. They will want to know the value of what we are bringing and possibly charge a fee for declaring it. This is virtually impossible since most of it was donated. We will go to the border to get our permits at 8:00 A.M. Please pray for God's provision for this. We were able to get the tools and some food across. Cook Beverly had sandwiches for supper and Jerel brought coffee for breakfast. We had a good time visiting with old friends Charles May,his wife Beth, and Bonnie Brabham. We also met our new friends Ryan Phelps and Staci Cuccio from Owasso, Oklahoma. They are here working with youth for the summer and will be a great asset to us. Dr Reyna and his sons will be here in the morning. All in all - a great day.

Dios escucha!

t in the