A man in uniform should instill protection or pride...

Lately about all those uniformed men are instilling is fear and frustration. The approach of a police officer feels more like being thrown into the lions den! Please pray for our travels and our car. Today, not only did Antonio get stopped but they hauled him to the police station. They tried to scare him by hasseling him.

The final result? It was probably a mistake. Their advice was he should go to the USA embassy and get advice about his USA vehicle.

Explain to us what the USA embassy has to do with Mexican traffic laws and we will all be in the know.

We have decided to simply accept that God wanted someone there to hear Antonio testify to being a Christian and a Pastor. To see him NOT get physical or riled up like all the other people brought into that office.

Thank for your prayers always. Praise our almighty God for His constant protection.

Ya gotta love Calvin...

I wish I could download or upload half the book of Calvin and Hobbes that I am reading. I have been laughing for days! At what age exactly do we lose that childhood innocence and curiosity? I think I have felt every emotion in the above cartoon in the last couple of monthes!

Yesterday was an incredible day of ministry with the two ladies Bible studies. We have been studying what the Bible says about impatience/patience and anger/self-control. Amazing how a little verse or two can turn your world upside-down. Several of the ladies have been very convicted and it is so wonderful to see how God is changing them.
One of the ladies in particular has been showing in her facial expressions that things are happening. Her name is Isabel. She is not saved. She and her extended family are the devout catholics of the neighborhood. She has had perfect attendance since she began coming over a month ago. To be honest I thought she was coming for the scrapbook part of the meeting. She rarely says much but it is obvious that she is listening and thinking about all she hears. Yesterday toward the end of the study she burst into tears and shared that she is so happy about all she is learning and that she is finding answers to questions and problems. She asked us to pray that God would let her live to understand all we are talking about. Let her live? She shared that she is not well. She has several ovarian cysts. She has had surgery for this before. It was not a good thing. She was in a coma for 15 days as a result of complications. I shared a testimony of healing and later shared the gospel with her. She did not pray to receive Christ but I will see for coffee the beginning of next week. Please pray for salvation, peace, and for physical healing.

Couldn't resist this picture...

This picture says what a thousand words about my life since my last post could never say! On Tuesday we ate shrimp cocktails. By Wednesday noon we were all sick with ....well you can guess! Alyssa was on an antibiotic so she did not get too sick. TJ seems to be okay. I am just tired and eating bland things. Antonio is still having the stomach problems.

Tomorrow we have baptisms at the church so pray for Antonio to be lots better.

His name will be heard in every corner of the world...

Our Lord truly is worthy of praise in all the earth.

On the other side of the world from me in the Philippines, Carmen's pathology report says no more Cancer!

Isolated in her room, with the door shut, Alyssa is not itching "like 500,000 bugs are eating me" anymore!

Across town, down the street from the church, Lucia is recuperating from her mastectomy. I have not heard yet what the pathology reports said. She had her appointment today.

In a hospital in Cuautitlan, Mexico, I spent this morning in the hospital with a sister in Christ from the church named Lupita. First diagnosis was appendicitis but a wise, thorough, and considerate doctor (believe me, those seem to be rare around here!) said "let's do a complete set of blood tests before we rush her into surgery." Result? Very bad urinary tract infection!!!!!!!!!! I know, why would that deserve ten exclamation points? Well if you had seen where they were rolling hospital beds with surgical patients....sorry just let it suffice to say a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection was like winning an oscar!

In Michigan, like 2000 plus miles from me, my uncle is home! Taking medicine for a staph infection and when infection free will have the surgery he still needs.

Near the church, Guadalupe is trying to patiently wait for the results of her mammagram. It's hard to be patient in those times, especially when the other two ladies mentioned in this blog entry are her friends!

In Atizapan Mexico, Nelson and Rebeca Morales are being used by our Lord to begin another Bible-believing, God-serving, Christ-preaching church. They are both past what you and I would call "retirement age" and they are very far from their home country of Chile.

In Nicaragua, a team of ABWE missionaries have begun a church planting center. I think around 40 Nicaraguan men are being trained to plant churches!

In New York, after three years ofGod appointed pre-field, teammates Joe and Heidi have reached 100% in their support needs! They will leave for language school in Costa Rica before April ends!

In all the world 1,400 ABWE missionaries are planting churches and training leaders in more than 80 countries! Many of them are living and serving among people groups that are hostile and closed to the Gospel.

Right here in my heart, Each night for the past few weeks I have been compelled to be on my knees interceding for most of the people I love most. I have tried so hard to even thank Him for the trials each was going through. Somehow the above mentioned praises are much easier to thank Him for. Thus the verse and picture to remind me to praise Him in ALL THINGS. I am so awed at how our Lord works all things to His glory. I think a time of praise is in order. If you have the time, actually even if you don't! Take some time tonight before you go to sleep to simply thank and praise our God for EVERYTHING He does/has done in your life and mine!

My mom sent this picture today...

Pretty much sums up how we feel about the chicken pox!

Thanks sooooo much for your prayers...

Lucia is home and will know the results of the pathology reports next Tuesday. I have been able to visit her a couple of times.

I heard from Carmen. Her biopsy results showed the mass was malignant and she had surgery. She will know the results of her pathology next Monday. I wish I could go visit her and ...well I just keep putting her in God's hands.

Alyssa (my daughter) woke up with red spots. In other words we did not escape the chicken pox going around.

Psalm 103
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

One of those "Pray for me days..."

Seems like everywhere I turn for the last three days there is need, illness, spiritual warfare and death.

I really do not have words to describe the spiritual oppression I have sensed. So maybe just a list of people and situations to pray for:

Lucia-breast cancer She had surgery on Monday. Have not heard the outcome yet. She is not saved. Antonio and TJ are travelling across the city by bus as I write this to see her and to donate blood.

Julio Cesar- husband of Lucia. Came to the church with her the day before surgery. He has always been closed to hearing about Christ. He asked me to pray with him and Lucia before they left for the hospital. Pray Antonio and TJ can share with him today at the hospital.

Evelia and her son Carlos-going through some very difficult situations including abuse. She seems strong in her faith yet has alot to overcome. He is only 12 and has been through more than anyone much less a child should have to suffer. We praise God they both are saved and seeking God's face and wisdom for healing.

Carmen S. our co-worker is on furlough but was having surgery this past week. We have not heard anything and can only continue to put her in God´s hands.

Four families from the church- are dealing with rebellious teens.

My teens have been reaching out to teens in the area around the church and share almost daily of the temptations and problems these teens confront each day! TJ and Alyssa have been doing a super and wise job of counselling but also share they feel sooooo burdened at times. They both have said "Praise God, for Christian parents and for being saved at a young age." Pray for protection for them and for continued wisdom and strong faith as they walk among unsaved teens.

A family down the street from the church had a "late in life" baby about 5 monthes ago. This past week the husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Pray for his wife (Ana Maria) and their three daughters.

Several of our extended family members (on both sides of the family)- Back problems, loss of job, illness, martial problems, and financial difficulties.

Several of our supporting churches- Resignation of a Pastor, financial problems, apathy among the members of the church, church leaders falling into sin, and lack of committment to the Great Commission.

Mexico-just a general attitude of rejection and apathy toward the Gospel.

My family(Antonio, TJ, Alyssa and myself)-At times the task seems impossible. We are all okay but sure do get tired of so much oppression and so many things to do! Most of the time we wish there were more hours in the day. Or we could each divide into 4 people and go 16 different directions at the same time!

Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Gracias for your faithful prayers and encouragement

Allow me to obsess for a minute or two...

This weekend a friend took us to an Argentinian restaurant. They put this grill in the middle of the table with more real beef than I have seen in two years! It was truly a treat and a wonderful afternoon of fellowship. I don't remember laughing so much in a long time. The desserts were unbelievable. They had this mousse made from a fruit called maracuya.
I wanted to download pictures from the restaurant's webpage but it won't let me.

The ladies meeting on Saturday evening went super! Lupita and Josefina did a super job of leading and teaching. For our craft we made bracelets for Dia del Nino.