Psalm 146:2 "I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Saturday Prayer Requests

Hi Everyone,

I am heading out to a youth training event that a few of my team members have a passion for teaching---for seeing youth leaders develop a healthy youth ministry and reach their friends and others with the gospel. This will be from 10:00 am to 6:00 p.m today. I am going right now to pick up some of the kids in my youth group and take them to my team mates' home. Pray for all of us today---as youth group leaders from several churches are getting together for the event-----that we would hear from the Lord and learn together.

Thank you also for your prayers on Sunday afternoons as another group of youth  (those that are interested in attending the mission trip this Summer to the Purepecha's  will be training together and preparing)

Please pray for Conchita. She is having some medical tests done later this coming week. Things aren't right and they are trying to find the source of the problems. Pray for peace for her husband especially. I talked to him last night a tiny bit and he is obviously extremely emotionally and physically exhausted and concerned for her as well. Pray for emotional strength for me as well in this.

Blessings to you all! Have a blessed day!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

This Afternoon's Update

Hi Everyone,
     This afternoon I got to go with a group of people at my church here to visit what we would call a correctional facility for minors. It was a very eye-opening and in some ways sad experience seeing young girls that had at such young ages made decisions and lived lifestyles that had led then to that place. I got to talk to a few of them a tiny bit, so I definitely have specific names and faces to pray for. We had a baby shower for one of the girls that is fifteen and expecting. Please join me in praying for these young ones---that the cycle of sin would be broken in their lives and that Christ's love would penetrate their hearts and lives --so that they would not return to their former ways of life and that their families would be impacted as well.  Pray for various churches that are involved in ministry to them, and that they would have wisdom as well.

Praise God that His love and truth can penetrate even the hardest hearts.  Nothing is impossible for Him.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Mission Trip to the Purepecha Ethnic Group

Hi Everyone,

It looks like I might be going on a mission trip to the ethnic group of the Purepechas July 8th-17th. This would be in the state of Michoacan. Members from youth groups f about three or four different churches are planning to go, including a few of the youth from  my church. My Sunday afternoons after church until we leave will be booked with preparation and planning meetings starting next Sunday.

The next prayer day that I am in charge of organizing will be on June 13th (Half day of prayer from 9-1) I will begin working on that next week most likely.

Things are going well-I've had some disappointments lately, but I guess that is to be expected in life and ministry. God has continued to be faithful!

I will be heading off to church shortly here. Have a blessed Sunday rejoicing in the Lord! 


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Update on the Prayer Day I organzed

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for praying for the prayer day that I organized! I think it went really well in general. I hadn't slept much the night before but the Lord kept me very alert and awake (I am sure the strong cup of coffee that I don't din very often helped too.) It was fun to pray for the world and for countries that really need our prayers. I had a smaller group present at the day (17 of us) so I enjoyed the smaller group--small groups and one on one is my string area.

Things have slowed down a little for a few of us now that our candidate orientation is done. Do be praying that our three ladies would be able to get to their countries of service in God's perfect and hopefully semi-quick timing.

The next prayer day that I lead for the team is in June- I won't start working on that for a week and half or so.




Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Day of Prayer Tomorrow

Hi Everyone,

I am leading a full day of prayer tomorrow for my team---The theme I chose is "Around the World in prayer." Some of the day might be a little bit of spontaneous prayer. I had started planning the day a little back a month and a half ago, but then it was taken out of my hands because something else was planned for the day. However, a week ago it was again put "back into my hands" to plan and organize. Prat that God leads us through the day tomorrow.

Otherwise things are going well. The acceptance of our three new workers was so special on Friday! God is good-will catch up with you again on Wednesday or Thursday. Blessings to you all.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

A Week of Celebrations!

Hi Everyone,

Easter Sunday was neat at church-it marked a year that I have been attending my Mexican church here. We had a sunrise service at 7:30 in the morning, and afterwards had a meal together where we all brought things to share. I got to sit with my pastor, his wife, and family which was really what I wanted, because I am not sure if I will have that opportunity next year. I brought my typical fruit salad like last year----only to discover that someone else had brought a bunch of fruit as well. Last year I had been the only one to provide that----but thankfully people still ate the fruit salad anyways. The pastor's wife brought my Mexican breakfast favorite---chilaquiles. :)

The other big celebration this week is that tomorrow our three ladies in candidate orientation will have officially finished their course that took place over these last three months, and will be accepted to serve sent out by our sending base to their countries of service. It will be another day of celebration for all of us and for them. It is a blessing to see God sending workers to the harvest fields. It is neat to have a tiny part in it.

For me personally, pray for God's wisdom and for the ability to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying in my life and what God's will is about some certain areas of my life. Thanks for being a part of life and ministry here through your prayers!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

A SurpriseTaste Of Iowa in My Refrigerator

Hi Everyone,

Two weeks ago or so, I took the three candidates out for ice cream--and saw the hugest surprise of my life---chocolate chip mint ice cream---a flavor that almost doesn't exist here. I had told Solangce, Olga's daughter, that if I ever found any, I would invite her out-since it also not only happened to be my childhood favorite, but hers as well. So the next day I invited her and Olga out.

I've been doing the eat out thing this past week, been at people's houses, inviting people out etc--partly for the fellowship to keep myself sane. So I honestly hadn't opened my refrigerator for a few days.

Well, I had to go to the store to buy some fruit to make a fruit salad to take to church tomorrow for our Resurrection Sunday breakfast, and came home to the hugest surprise in my fridge.
Sweet corn!!!!!!

I guess somewhere along the way I had told Solangce or Olga or both that what I missed here was sweet corn--we have white corn here and yellow in the frozen, but it doesn't taste like the fresh that I grew up with!

How sweet of them! Just what I needed today!
The finished product looks much better, doesn't it?
It doesn't taste exactly like Iowa's but it is still really delicious!

Friday, April 6, 2012

I Will Rise

Hi Everyone,

I've been listening to this one the last few days also. Is this not what we all want---that day. Praise the Lord that for those of us that have trusted in Christ, He has won the victory---and we will rise.


"I Will Rise"

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher, Louie Giglio

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Back From Taxco

Hi Everyone,

I am back from my "attempt to get away" that turned into one night instead of the two nights that I was hoping for, because I think every hotel was booked to the gills in Taxco due to the Easter week processions there today and tomorrow, and I couldn't find a room for tonight. I might still try to take off in May or maybe June like I had originally planned. I guess I need to pray about it and see what happens.

Even though it was only one night away, it was good. I didn't get as far as I wanted to in my processing, but did get some done which was not necessarily enjoyable, but it was good and needed.

So I am back home now to my nice clean room that I cleaned before I left. :)

God is good-----all the time.

Blessings to you all!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Appreciating This Song

Hi Everyone,

This is a song that I heard the first time when I was back in Candidate Orientation in 2006. I've really been appreciating it these last few days. See you all on Friday or Saturday when I get back from Taxco. Thank you so much for your continued prayers-many things going on in my life lately.

He Knows My Name (I Have A Maker) By Paul Baloche

I have a Maker
He formed my heart,
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

I have a Father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call

Monday, April 2, 2012

The Lord Gave.....And Took Away---Blessed Be His Name

Job 1:20b " The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

The Lord has given some incredible things this week---and taken away others. But HE is good and worthy to be praised! :) It is so exciting that Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner! I must say that the fact that Jesus rose from the dead has meant so much more to me this past week on a personal level. The reality of Christ's resurrection and heaven is so much more real to me.

I am going to try to take off to Taxco (I have Thursday and Friday off from the office) like I did in February--but this time I am planning two nights instead of one. I need to do some processing of some things and just get away to be refreshed again. I am also hoping to have several opportunities to share the gospel with people. Many people will be there for the "traditional holy week activities."

Praise that I finally got to take my friend Myra out for coffee yesterday after several months of trying to plan and have it fall through. I got to share some of my testimony with her and she responded well and wants to get together again. Pray that the love of Jesus would grab her heart and that she would come to the place of trusting in Him.

Tonight I am going to hang out with Conchita for awhile. I haven't seen her for a week.

Thank you so very much for your prayers and for all of your encouragement! I certainly have felt your prayers this week!