Every season brings many blessings and opportunities to participate in what God is doing in Mexico, inspiring many to share in the work. In June our team was invited to share at the School of Ministry in Costa Mesa. It was a well received presentation, encouraging future ministers to be missions minded, seeing how their serving abroad can impact their communities at home.
CC El Monte is certainly a missions minded church, their missions team recently returning from Cambodia. We were invited to present the ministry of Sojourners Mission at their Missions night. It was a wonderful evening of sharing from their recent trips, as well as many came forward wanting to go to Mexico. Often people are hesitant to go to Mexico because of safety concerns, but we know that where the Lord guides He also provides and protects. Psalm 121:8 “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore.”
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation..whom shall I be afraid?” An exhortation to move in the confidence of Him who sends those.
July 14-17 ~ We welcomed CC El Monte, a mixed group of youth and adults. We have been previously blessed by El Monte with construction on our bathrooms. Thank you brothers! It was great to see many youth come forward willing to serve.
Our first day with the group was spent visiting casa hogar “City of Angles.” Many children have families that they can spend time with during the summer months and there are those that are left behind. Typically the numbers are fewer because of this but the need for visitation even more important for those children left behind.
Our time there was well spent, playing with them, face painting, crafts, singing and feeding them spiritually and physically. As groups serve this allows the directors “free time” to spend in teaching and fellowship knowing that the children are being cared for.
The next day off to casa hogar “El Faro” Tijuana for a similar day spent with teaching, testimonies, dramas, food, and fellowship. It was evident that the children found their way into the hearts of this group by the love that they shared. John 13:35 ~ “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Saturday was outreach day in the community of La Gloria. Groups that come essentially are a mobile church. Often people do not have transportation or the money to be able to regularly attend church and even today many have not heard the gospel or they have religion but not a relationship with the Lord and the Word of God as instruction.
At the outreach we ran carnival games, children and adult teaching, time of worship and testimonies and the Gospel, as well as extending basic needs as the Lord provides. Our home church, La Semilla, was the local support for those that received the Lord that day, ministering through prayer and follow up support. The youth presented a powerful drama that made the gospel crystal clear. New believers came forward to give their lives to Christ and many came to rededicate and receive prayer to strengthen them. Such an example to see the body of Christ working together. Romans 10:15 ~ “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good news!”
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July 29 – August 4 ~ We were blessed by Calvary Chapel Cornerstone, Nappa Valley. A busy fruitful week as the the groups started off with an outreach. Youth leader Ryan gave small devotional and brother Obed lead worship.
One man gave his life to the Lord that day. John 6:40 “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which see the Son, and believe on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day”. The Lord is Faithful to draw men to him one by one.
The following days were busy preparing for Sojourners first VBS program for the local kids. The Lord provided us with 70 kids each day to hear His word, and for us to share how Jesus loves them. Each day they learned through bible study, crafts and games and were provided lunch and prizes.
Cornerstone also participated with visitation to 2 different casa hogars. Often children come and go from these places when their families come forward to care for them again. Nothing is quite as haunting as the face of a new child who has recently been placed there. This week there were 2 new boys, 1 year old and 4 years old. Sometimes newer children absorb what ever attention they can get, obvious that they miss their mom. Other times it takes time for them to warm up. More often it is a divine appointment of a special person they gravitate towards, a gift of God for both the child and the visitor. The connections with these children and this group were obvious and beautiful to see.
Detaching at times can be hard, leaving you feeling bewildered as to how a mother can walk away from a child, while you suffer the anguish of doing the very same thing. So many return, to be the difference in these kids lives. It is powerful to see immediate love and trust and the sheer need of these little ones.
He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me” ~ Matthew 25:24
It was such a joy to serve alongside the Cornerstones Nappa group sharing the Love of Christ together in Rosarito. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity together!” Psalm 132:1
Between groups, there is life as usual in Rosarito. It is our hope to be a witness in our own community affecting the lives around us. Recently one of our neighbours came forward for help. He had been enslaved to addiction. Many times he had been offered help and prayed for daily as we watched his body wither away day by day.
“Gloria a Dios”, for answered prayer as we were able to take him to a discipleship centre to get the help he needs. We ask for you to partner in prayer for him and his recovery and salvation in Christ Jesus.
August 8-12 ~ We had our friends C.C. Pomona Valley over. This group has made a special connection with the youth girls orphanage “Rancho El Faro” in Valle de Guadalupe, and much of their visit was spent ministering to them. They had made special plans to take the girls to the pools to swim. This is such a treat as often these kinds of activities are hard for the orphanages to provide due to transportation and costs.
Nothing like a hearty tug of war to illustrate a spiritual battle, but in this case it was just for fun, however the girls won both times.lol. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Phillippians 4:13
During one of the visits there, the DIF (Mexican Social Services) brought a new girl who was immediately ministered to with the Love of Christ.
Worship was precious, sung with such praise. Pastor Jeff Stewart gave a wonderful devotion, with these girls listening so closely to God’s word. The Holy spirit was moving through the group and in the responses of the girls. The new girl was quietly crying. We pray that this will be a beginning for her, and we look forward to seeing His hand continue to work in this place as we return for our visits to follow up when the groups are gone.
Fellowship within the family of Christ is always important and special. We have been enjoying our summer too, especially the day at Rancho Los Pancho Pools. With extra blessings coming into the base we were able to share with other families, that otherwise would not be able to go. God is so good to us! We had fun swimming and playing dominos, the day ended sweetly with a time of worship and devotion, praising Jesus for a blessed time with the family of Christ.