PHOTOS FROM THE MISSION IN PISAFLORES

Please pray for the health of all people living in the Mexico City area.



http://www.aire.df.gob.mx/default.php?map=Yw==

Sometimes the best way to face uncertainty, the unknown or big decisions is to remember all that God has brought you through and blessed you with and give thanks!
 

Still home with bronchitis, but I ask you to pray with me from 11am -1pm (michigan time.) Daniel and Shara and Edgar and Nayeli Ayala along with children and Antonio, TJ, and Alyssa will be holding the first Kids Club in Tepotzotlan, Mexico! Pray for lots of kids and for good weather and all the details/organization. This is the first step towards a churchplant in Tepotzotlan!

Living in a foreign country since before 9-11-2001, could make it easy to forget or not think about a tragedy that changed the USA forever.   But as we hear about the increasing terrorist acts around the world we are reminded that the only true safe place is in the hands of our heavenly Father.  We are praying that each and every one of you knows His peace that passes all understanding in a special way today before the sun goes down!

We are heading into a busy weekend!  Mexico's Independance Day has created an extra long weekend for the whole country.  For most people the festivities will begin on Friday night as they leave work.  Many will not report back to work or school until next Wednesday.  This holiday celebrates the Independence of Mexico but it's celebration often brings out into the open the dependence of many on alcohol and partying.  Accidents due to DUI triple this time of year.  Don't get me wrong, many families have a wonderful time together.  We also live a few miles from the fireworks-making capital of Mexico.  Lots of unfortunate accidents with explosives this time of year also.  Please pray for safety for everyone.

-Today Antonio and I will be traveling to Interlomas for our weekly visit with Enrique and Martha.  Pray we can be an encouragement to them.  Two weeks ago the rehabilitation center Enrique was in flooded during the night.  It is a scary enough experience in normal circumstances but imagine being a quadraplegic and needing to be evacuated!  He is at another hospital but they have only 1/3 of the physical therapy equipment he needs.   We praise God that some of the staff was transferred with the patients so they can at least have that continuity.

-On Sunday afternoon and evening, there will be a dinner and program at the church in celebration of Mexico's Independence Day (September 15/16.) Everyone has been encouraged to invite unsaved neighbors and friends/family.
-Cuautitlan's Independence Day Fair is being set up on the corner by our house as I write this. This means lots of people in our neighborhood for the next 5 days!  And closed off streets as of Sunday.  Pray for safety.  Pray for people to take note of the coffee shop during this time.  We will be open tommorrow and Saturday normal hours.  On the 15th (Day when the Grito of Viva Mexico is done) we will open around 3PM and stay open until the fireworks and Grito are done. The kids will be running the coffee shop with a couple of friends.  Antonio and I will be in the entryway selling hamburgs and inviting people into the coffee shop.  All proceeds will go into the coffee shop fund.  Our desire is for many people to get to know us and return.  We will also be handing out tracks.

Please check out my facebook for pictures of past, present and future events! 

Seems that my life revolves around coffee lately.  I am loving meeting new people and watching my kids take most of the responsability of the day to day stuff.  Tonight I am going on a date with Antonio.  We are going light a candle in the patio and enjoy a coffee and cake.

A GOOD friend told me that any and all posts on a blog or facebook should always be prefaced by prayer and a godly attitude...SO I prayed and will just say "Please pray for the last details and the shipment of supplies that need to be delivered for opening day!"

WISHING YOU ALL A TOASTY, WARM, CHRISTMAS SURROUNDED BY THOSE YOU LOVE!  MAY YOU SHINE BRIGHTLY FOR ALL TO SEE WITH THE LIGHT OF THE LOVE BROUGHT BY THE BABE BORN IN BETHLEHEM!

1. The love of God is greater far
   Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
   It goes beyond the highest star,
   And reaches to the lowest hell;
   The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
   God gave His Son to win;
   His erring child He reconciled,
   And pardoned from his sin.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
     How measureless and strong!
     It shall forevermore endure—
     The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
   And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
   When men who here refuse to pray,
   On rocks and hills and mountains call,
   God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
   All measureless and strong;
   Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
   The saints’ and angels’ song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
   And were the skies of parchment made,
   Were every stalk on earth a quill,
   And every man a scribe by trade;
   To write the love of God above
   Would drain the ocean dry;
   Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
   Though stretched from sky to sky.

Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.

Did you take the time to see the love notes our Lord sent you today?

Today is one of those days were even the first ray of sunlight coming through the window shouted, "I love you Diana!"  G0d is so good all the time but today I have know in so many ways His presence.

In the last month we have been awed by the answers to prayer our Lord gave!   
The annual Ladies Retreat had a lower than normal attendance but we learned alot about Jehova Nuestro Pastor!
The youth event on July 26-27 was an exciting time of watching the youth of several churches step out and use there gifts and talents to shine for Jesus!
VBS had as many as 94 kids one day!  4 adults asked Jesus to be their Savior and Lord during the closing program and 6 kids during the week.  It was a joy to see adults and youth pouring time and energy into making VBS an unforgettable experience!
We have also been amazed at how God is leading the church through changes in leadership and molding the character and testimony of many brothers and sisters in the church.  
I have been on my knees alot before our Lord asking for wisdom as I counsel women and girls.
 

6 obeyed in the waters of baptism on Resurrection Sunday

Super joyous Resurrection Sunday, 2013!  Six baptisms!  Mateo, Nathalia, Paulina, Araceli, Ernestina, and Ignacio!

In all the busyness of this Christmas Season...May CHRIST start, be the center of and end your Christmas Celebrations!

It's all in the perspective...

Today I received  a very uplifting email from a prayer warrior named Tara.  BUT it started out with "If you don't mind me sharing a little bit... I used to be very much apposed to coffee ministries and I questioned their effectiveness."


........................................WOW pick me up off the floor!  NEVER even entered my mind that anyone would not instantly grab the vision for this ministy and love it!  I imagined everyone praying, and wishing they could come help and enjoy coffee and share the Gospel!  (My friends say it is a good thing I am a dreamer cuz reality would scare me! :)  After I closed my email.  I was washing dishes and pondering...."How many more people did not/do not /will not understand the coffee shop ministry?"  That led to all kinds of thoughts like:  "Is that why it going so slow?"  or "Maybe that is why I haven't heard even a peep from so and so!"  or "Should I do an email and explain it better?" or "But coffee is universal and how can it not be a great way to reach people and give people jobs?" 

I have not changed my mind!  I just got a perspective check and after praying and thinking for a day am more convinced in my heart that the coffee shop ministry is definitely a vision/dream given by God and will be an incredible tool.  

The email ended like this, "Somehow God has changed my perspective and my heart. Now, my dream is to open an international coffee shop ministry.  For my honeymoon, last month, my husband, Jason, and I stayed on a coffee plantation in Costa Rica and toured it. I also learned a lot about coffee on a plantation in Guatamala.  What an experience!!! Anyway, currently I am a manager at a large catering company here in Michigan while going to school for Ministry Leadership in hopes I can use my experience and education in full-time ministry like church planting and coffee ministries. :-) Jason is a photographer and graphic designer which he hopes to use to help missionaries or our minisry in the future. We are passionate about using our talents, abilities, and passionate about evangelism"

Pray with me for Tara and her husband Jason and how God will use them to further His Kingdom.
Praise God with me for the dreams, visions, plans, talents, and gifts, that He has planted and given each of us!

I Look to You - Selah - (with lyrics)

                                                  


Lord help me always to guide each person who crosses my path to LOOK TO YOU!

so here I sit wondering how to express the pain I feel at being deceived and betrayed.  Our patio was invaded by thieves this weekend.  They took "things" and a bit of my peace and trust.  That is hard enough but to discover they are neighbors is soooo frightening and a huge disillusion.  
Human side wants justice...daughter of God side quietly whispers "show mercy and let me shine through a forgiving spirit."  
Human side screams "AT LEAST LET ME EXPRESS HOW MUCH YOU HURT ME!"...ambassador of Christ side advises "Preach Christ alone and count others better than yourself."  
Mother and wife side bares her claws and through gritted teeth seethes "how dare you violate my home and refuge of my family"...Bride of Christ praises her Groom for His protection and awaits His second coming with much desire.  

Please pray with me for the words, actions and testimony that will leave these thieves/boys/men with no option but to fall to their knees before our Holy, Just, Loving God and through the power of His shed blood become my brothers in Christ!

Choose by Christy Nockels

I have been avoiding talking about turning 50...
Not because it bothered me but rather because I could think of nothing wise or profound that a 50 year old woman should say.
So...here we are a little more than a month after my "Jubilee" birthday and I am still not waxing profound or wise...
So I will just break down and write about what has happened in my heart in the last month.
Due to a bad/good(depends on how you look at it)case of bronchitis, I have spent the last 2 weeks and one half fighting a cough and to breath.  To be honest I was a bit(alot)irritated with everyone, Mexico, the doctor, and even God over the fact that my time was not my own and my plans were on hold or cancelled.  And then I woke up last Wednesday morning and could hardly breath.  Suddenly the only thing that mattered was the next breath/few seconds!  We made a trip to the hospital (this strikes terror in my heart on a good day, so it was truely an emergency!) After a chest xray, and examination, it was decided I did not yet have pnuemonia and could be treated outpatient.  Nebulizer treatments and injections and cough syrup and complete bedrest were the doctor's orders.   
So one week later I am getting better and resting and pacing back and forth in front of the window to my patio are the extent of my activity! I have read three entire books!  I have been reading through Psalms too!  This is where the heart part comes in...I have NOT been grateful enough to my God for His grace, mercy, love and blessings!  I have rather had an attitude of "I am entitled to or deserve this and/or more" most of my life.  Not an "obnoxious in everyone's face/demand my rights" kind of attitude but rather an "under the surface/always justified" kind of attitude.   HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Boy did this one take me by surprise.  THEN... came the shame of how could a 50 year old daughter of the one and only God, who has been a missionary for 26 years, have a gratitude/pride problem.  God is loving and patient and has a sense of humor.  In the midst of a nebulizer treatment my cell phone rings and the leader of Women's Ministries at church calls to see how I am.  AND says "how is the talk you are going to give on Attitude of Gratitude, coming along?"  Yup, monthes ago, I agreed to give a talk on Gratitude at the August ladies meeting!  I even bought a book about being thankful during our trip to Texas in the Spring!  I put it on my bookshelf and promptly forgot about it.  I read it yesterday.  I am greatly saddened for being ungrateful for a big part of my first 50 years!
So......if you look in the margin of my blog you will see my list of 3 things I am grateful for each day.  Yes, for the first year of my second 5o years, I will post each day 3 things I am grateful for.