We were blessed with the widows group that we have been working with coming down for training and fellowship this past week. They were able to leave their village and work for a short time and were able to spend the night with us and had a blast. There were a few who had to bring their children with them as they had no one to care for them in the village and we had a great time with them as well. There was a trampoline where we were and Mauri got on with the kids to show them how to do fun things, before we knew it a few of their mothers were on with us as well, we laughed until we almost cried as we all jumped and fell, flipped and rolled everywhere. We then all went to our house church in Mexicapan Saturday evening, we sang praise songs with a guitar, we shared prayer request, we thanked God for things he had done for us, we heard from God's word and then we celebrated October birthdays by eating Pazolli and 3 milk cake. They were amazed at how we all love each other and how little effort it took to be together and have fun. They all want to do something similar in their village as they loved the praise and worship. God is so cool how He opens doors and meet the needs of people. We are so excited that God is moving in this village and can not wait to see how He is honored throughout the areas surrounding La Cumbre because of these women catching a vision from above.
These past two days, though eye opening, have been some of the sweetest times in our ministry as people from La Cumbre came to spend time with us. Thursday the first 10 came down to a hospital for an emergency surgery on one of their family members. You already know how awesome God is, but I am continually amazed at how He allows times of difficulty to honor himself and to further His kingdom. The family members of Moises slept all night on the street, or sidewalk in front of the hospital while they waited on him to have surgery. This overwhelmed me, would I be willing to do the same thing for my family or for that matter anyone? As we stayed with this family and watched all the hoops that they had to go through in order to receive care it made us so thankful for what we have. In hospitals here they do not give you medicines or IV medications unless your family or friends have gone to buy it and brought into the hospital so that they can administer it, you are not given 3 meals a day and if you are lucky you will not be asked to give up your bed, which by the way is a room you share with about 6 other people. The surgery for Moises went well, however he was released hours after his surgery due to a shortage in beds. They were able to stay with us for the night (which I am thankful for as I can not even imagine traveling back up a mountain two hours after surgery on a so called dirt road) and we had a great time. The fellowship and concern shared with this family not only showed them we cared but was a direct hug from Heaven.
The more we go the more we love, these people just keep touching our hearts more and more. As usual we went to La Cumbre Sunday evening for our Bible study in this small village about 2 hours away from Oaxaca. Upon arriving we were met by people in the road waiting for us, we were concerned at first that there was going to be some trouble and then realized quickly that it was our friends not a parada (a stop). They had been waiting on us to get there so that we could be escorted to their house to eat with them. They had organized a dinner for us just to say thank you for all that we have taught them and how we have helped them to help themselves. Their chicken production is up and going strong as well as their trout hatchery and restaurant. The entire family of Alejandro, Israel and Faustino are sharing in the work load and doing a fantastic job, eating with them allowed them to share with us their enthusiasm and pride in their work and their appreciation. Is God good? When we first started helping in this area the villagers had no idea where their meals were going to come from, but now God has shown them how He can provide for their basic needs and how to make a living so that they in turn can share with others in their community and surrounding areas on how to improve their lives as well. Please remember to pray for this sweet family.
One of our dear friends and sister in Christ, Maria has been part of our new church plant in and area called Mexicapan. She has been battling with breast cancer and has been in and out of hospitals receiving her chemo therapy and radiation treatments. She of course has lost all of her hair and has taught us how to use beautiful scarves to cover her baldness, cheaper and cuter than a wig. Two weeks ago she received the awesome news that her cancer is in remission and that her treatments worked, we all prayed and thanked the Lord for this miracle. However, last Saturday as we all gathered she had to tell us that even though God had healed her with breast cancer that it has now moved to another organ and she is starting chemo therapy again. Will you please take a moment to remember her. She has three children and her husband is working far away from here as to help with the finances. We know that God is the great physician and can do anything so we are asking our prayer warriors to take this request to our Leader.
This week we had a pastor named Victor and a leader from his church named Feliciano come to our home in Oaxaca City, from a village in an area called Loxicha. They traveled several hours to learn about incubating chickens, quail and turkey. Plus as an extra bonus, Miguel taught them about testing and purifying water and producing their own chlorine from a saltwater solution, if an "off the shelf" Clorox is not available. They invited us to come and teach this in their village among their people, so we are very excited to have this opportunity. In addition to these topics, Mauri will be able to train them on a few health issues, cooking classes and blanket classes ... we are discovering not only do the women enjoy these classes, but the men are interested as well. Both leaders are young and very enthusiastic about reaching the lost in their village and the surrounding villages. God just keeps answering our prayers by raising up leaders who will be a living example of Christ. Thank you for continuing to pray as that is the only way we are going to see God in the midst of the work here.
Another project that our church, Community of Faith has come along side us to teach is blankets. Now you probably think that this is sweet, however, how is it helping these women know about Christ?
