Today as we reflect on what the Lord has done in the midst of us at Calvary Puerto Vallarta we all are truly experiencing "fullness of Joy"! We went to the states in June so Pastor Bill could attend the Senior Pastor's conference and to take maybe our last family vacation together as we get ready to send Estie off to Bible College. This in itself is a reason for rejoicing as we see the fruit of raising children on the mission field! We are excited to watch and see what the Lord will do in our kids as they develop their own ministries and lives, solidly established on the Rock. People have asked, "are you okay with Estie leaving?" The Lord gave us a word saying, "Estie isn't leaving, she is only changing addresses." I think our children will always be with us, even in adulthood as our roles will change but the relationship only grows deeper as we come alongside as counselors, friends, and spiritual mentors. God is good all the time!
While we were in the states, the Lord used Jose Luis Molina to teach the flock in the book of Titus. Coming from a brother who is strongly grounded in the Lord, firmly rooted in family values, and a strong leader to men, the message was clear and challenging to our body. We thank the Lord for Jose Luis and his wife Mari for their faithfulness to the Lord in all things. They work full-time in a landscaping business and it is truly incredible to see how the Lord avails them so much grace to serve in our couple's ministry, youth ministry, children's ministry and women's ministry and as leaders in our church. The Lord truly gives grace to the humble....
It is such a blessing to watch the Lord provide servants in our fellowship. With Estie leaving and my nephew Ben and wife Haniel moving back to the states, there was a definite hole in our fellowship as they helped so much in the day to day logistics of serving in the church. But as they move out, we began to see the other youth and brothers and sisters rise up to continue serving in the work of the ministry! We always stand in awe of how the Lord demonstrates that He truly is the Lord of the Harvest! He never allows us to grow to attached or to comfortable with who He has in the church because His ultimate desire is to raise up and send out servants into the harvest. Our job is to disciple and get them ready to serve where ever the Lord may plant them. It is such a privilege and a blessing to watch the Lord move in this incredible way. We look at the ministry at Calvary Chapel PV as a "boot camp" of sorts as there is such an opportunity to learn life-skills and hands on ministry as we watch the Lord bring in new believers into the fold that need mentoring and discipleship.
We got back to PV in the beginning of July, hitting the ground running, anticipating the arrival Calvary Albuquerque's youth team. The "Vertical" team lead by Pastor Ray Toro arrived two days after we did and working together we had our VBS children's camp a few days later! What a blessing as we went out 3 days and slept overnight at CCMS one night with 24 youth from our church and the vertical team, and 64 neighbor kids! Wow! What a blessing as we saw 10 new children make decisions for Christ. All the other children are our bible students from church and the school. It was so much fun to see these children do the work of an evangelist and invite other children from the neighborhood. We didn't have time to hand out invitations to other children in the neighborhood. I am sure if we had we would have been overwhelmed with the amount of children that would have shown up. It was great to see our adolescents who have always been part of the children ministry in the past now old enough to serve as group leaders. What a blast it was!
We were a bit concerned because the Vertical team provided drama material that we weren't quite sure we would be able to teach our Spanish speakers in a short amount of time. Estie and Haniel translated it before hand which was a tremendous help. Funny how even though they are no longer in PV they were still able to contribute! I thank the Lord for their lives! We were so blessed because the Lord faithful showed up and the kids were so blessed because He provided new members of our church to step in and fill those spots! When you watch the Lord work in your life over the years you come to a place of rest knowing that He will show up and provide all we need when we are willing to walk on the water keeping our eyes on Him!
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| Valeria, Maria Fernanda, Bertha, and Emmanuel doing an incredible job at "Adventure Park" VBS! |
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| "The Spirit of the Lord is in this place!" |
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| Our Captain Miss Mari! |
With the combined efforts of a team formed by our friends Tom and Debra Kent, and Dodie Costales, and the Vertical Youth Ministry we were not only able to get VBS accomplished but the whole school got a facelift! New tile was laid finishing the area above the kitchen and the porches upstairs. They painted the school and got it ready for the upcoming school year. It was so beautiful to see the relationships that were formed between the youth, the children, the adults in the church and those visiting! His banner over us truly is love!
We had a baptism the last week of July...two of our kids from the school along with one mom and a new Christian, Serena from Italy were baptized. How beautiful are the feet of Him who brings Good News...We thank the Lord for His marvelous love for men and women and children destined to know Him! It is just so much fun to be part of those who are able to impart that love and bring people to His beautiful feet!
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| "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" |
PRAISE REPORTS!
* The Lord faithfully ministered to His sheep while we were in the U.S. through Jose Luis and Miss Mari Molina!
* The Lord continues to grow the youth ministry, women's ministry at the mission and at the church, and the other discipleship groups.
* There are new believer's added every service to the Body of Christ!
* God is providing for Estie to go to Bible College for this semester. Please pray for the next semester!
* God continues to provide operating costs for the school and the mission.
* We praise Him for the Vertical team and the Canadian youth team that have come to continue to minister in Renee's absence! Many have been touched!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* For the suffering church all over the world.
* For Mexico as a country, our leadership, and for the church. It is growing and the Lord is providing young pastors all over Mexico to continue growing the ministry of Calvary Chapel.
* For a permanent church location. Property is expensive in Mexico but our Lord is the Lord of a cattle on thousand hills and can provide if it is His will!
* For our body's roots to grow down deep and that as they grow in discipleship they will have a desire to disciple others!
* For continued provision for operating costs of the ministry at CCPV and at CCMS. We want to be able to also continue helping the needy with food, shelter, school supplies for the kids, etc.
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| We love these kids! |
