Burro on the Go

Oaxaca hearing God and obeying Him

2010-07-13T17:41:00.008-05:00

In a area, tucked high upon a mountain in the state of Oaxcaca there is village called La Cumbre, where people walk several miles every Sunday to hear and learn about

God's word. They have learned that if they repent and ask Jesus into their hearts that they will have eternal life. They have also learned to follow Christ in Baptism as a simple act of obedience. As you can see to the left this man, who is actually from a neighboring village called La Soledad is a little nervous, but willing. He was simply obedient and was allowed the privilege of sharing this with his son and daughter, all three gave their lives to Christ and followed Him in baptism. What better memory can one have than obeying Christ together, I think his smile in the right photo says it all. Pray with us that God continues to multiply His work in these villages.

The importance of your name

2010-07-13T17:22:00.004-05:00

This little boy is like many other little children in the villages surrounding Oaxaca, awaiting a name. You see here in several of the villages parents wait to name their children as they do not know if they are going to live. Several are called Precious, Bella (which means beauty), or just Sweetheart until they actually receive their names. But when they do you can rest assured that they have taken time to choose the very best name they can find for each one has a unique significance. My question is not what there name really means, but is their name written in the lamb's book of life? God knew who they were from the moment He created them. I would love to come into the presence of our maker and have Him call me Bella and allow me to enter (which by the way I know will happen). Help us to make sure children like this little guy and the thousands like him are given the same opportunity to hear their names called out, what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Angels are being made in for money

2010-01-10T00:49:00.003-06:00

How many teachers of Bible School or Sunday School feel like your teaching and no one is listening? Think again, it has been 37 years since I was in VBS and look at your works now!!
Who would have ever imagined that my early years in Bible School could have helped people feed themselves? I learned to make angels with only ribbon, christmas ornaments, and a glue gun when I was a little girl and I happened to be praying one morning for new ideas to introduce to the ladies in the villages, when God reminded me of the little angels. First of all God, "can I remember how to do this as you know I am old as dirt and have slept a little since then?" He gently guided me to find all the material for very cheap prices, helped my old brain to remember every detail on how to make them and then smiled when all the women we showed them too made a profit off of each one they made. Not only were they a big hit, the women in Loxicha were able to sell enough of them to use for food, not only for their own families, but to provide food (despensas) for those who had nothing. I am always amazed at how God works, do you have a craft you can share, come and teach those who want to learn, who think that they are forgotten. If you can not come pray and maybe you can share with me by email, it does not have to be something elaborate just creative and then watch as God does the rest

Christmas came early for us this year

2010-01-10T00:25:00.005-06:00

I have no idea what type of job you have or if you even like it, but in our line of work we not only love our jobs but we are blessed over and over. However, we received the biggest blessing ever this year when the new church plants that we had started about 6 months ago all got together and started talking about a name for their churches. The first gift for us was that they consider themselves a church and not just a Bible study or cell group, secondly that all the 3 areas came together to talk about their name and thirdly that they wanted a name to identify themselves in their communities. For our team this was a blessing straight from Heaven, however, God decided to give us an early Christmas gift as they told us their new name, "Community of Faith of Oaxaca". I am not sure if I was more touched by the name they came up with or with the great pride they had in telling us their new name. We asked them how they came up with it and they simply replied, "that they have seen how and what church really is with our groups and with our team and that they want just be an extension of what God is up too here." I love this gift, as I did not even have to unwrap it or have to worry about getting something for the one who gave it to me, I just got to enjoy it. Merry Christmas and well done COF for your team in Oaxaca and all over the world, keep up the good work.

Feeding the chickens

2009-11-02T23:33:00.015-06:00

How many of you have children in your home? What are they doing right now? Playing Xbox or just maybe watching TV? This little girl does not even know what that is. She has an important role in her family, making sure that the chickens get fed and watered, which in turn makes sure that her family gets to eat as well. We have been observing families who have been given a hand up, not a hand out, how they value what has been given to them, how they appreciate it, how hard they work to tend to it and how it has given them a sense of self worth. I wonder sometimes if we are teaching them or if they are teaching us. The Bible says, "and a little child will lead them". How appropriate.

Smiles

2009-11-02T22:48:00.008-06:00

These precious people are from and area called Loxicha. Victor the tall one by Kerry, is the pastor and the other man pictured is Feliziano. They have recently started an incubation production in their new incubator and are excited and praying for all of the eggs to hatch. Please join us in praying for this it means they will get to have protein in their diets and be able to share with the orphans and widows in their village and surrounding communities. This also gives them and excuse to share God's word with them. How cool is the God we serve to use agriculture as a way not only to fill their stomachs, but to feed their souls.

Day of the dead

2009-11-02T11:22:00.001-06:00

Day of the dead is a celebration here in Oaxaca and all over Mexico that is very real and celebrated by almost everyone. The people do this from fear of the dead rather than respect for their relatives who have passed. They believe that not doing this would anger the spirits and cause them bad luck. Business owners all close for this 4 day weekend and spend time with their families as they all build their alters in attempt to reach their dead family members, even to the point of sleeping at the grave yards throughout the night. They place breads, candies, mole, nuts and skulls of sugar on the alter with hopes that the dead will pass by and eat what they have prepared for them in remembrance. Fireworks explode all over as this is supposed to guide the spirits of the dead back home. We share this with you not to cause you to think how odd, but that you would pray that satan is bound during this time of darkness and lies and that Jesus, Lord of all would be the light during this time of evilness and deception. He is and will forever will be the Ruler of all.

People feeling alone

2009-11-02T10:59:00.001-06:00

We minister to a lot of different people here in Oaxaca, Zapotec, Mixe, Mixteco, men, women, children, youth, etc... however the one thing that we are finding to be a common thread among all of the peoples we work with is not only their need to know Jesus but there sense of feeling alone. The women and elderly seem to be more willing to talk about this with us and when they do we continue to remind them that they are never alone that God is always with them, however last night as I was with a group of ladies for a study one of the older women, named Maria Luisa shared with our group that she is a leader of a cell group in her neighborhood and that it is a real problem for the ladies in her group. A feeling of abandonment and feeling left out not only by their families but their friends. I am praying that God will give us wisdom on how to effectively help these people not feel alone, to keep their focus on God and know that He is always with them, they will never be abandoned or forgotten, He will include them in everything, but it is like she said the security has to come from with in so pray with us as we try to help this sense of loneliness among people here.

God said to care for the widows

2009-10-29T22:37:00.002-05:00

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.

Eye opening experience

2009-10-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

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.

Prayer, Prayer and more prayer

2009-10-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

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.

For the love of teaching

2009-10-16T00:07:00.000-05:00

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.

Women finding friends

2009-10-15T23:18:00.001-05:00

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?

Becky who is pictured with these sweet women of La Cumbre taught them not only how to make a blanket, but how to come together as women. Sharing with each other as we were all around the blanket, laughing, talking girl talk, and most important how we can take time from our busy day to come together to support each other and pray for one another.

In these small villages they are so busy finding food and caring for their children, their homes and trying to keep their husbands happy, in hope not to be abused, they have either never learned how to come together or just do not take the time for it. In this photo you can see that we not only taught them how to make a blanket that they can sell or use, we have taught them that having a friend means that you are never alone and that there is always time to have fun.

Sincere but simple

2009-10-12T12:22:00.000-05:00

Our home church Community of Faith came to the small village of Cieneguilla to help us with a community wide project of chickens, quail, turkeys and ecological stoves. There were one hundred or more who signed up for help through family projects. COF showed the people of this village a living example of Christ with unconditional love and acceptance. Some of the team played with the children and youth while the national team shared with the adults in the conference. After the conference was finished, we were invited to eat with the villagers and we stayed the night in their homes. Some of the COF team learned what it was like to sleep on a dirt floor, in a room with no doors and a home with an outdoor bathroom and shower.

We feel their most important role was teaching the villagers to help themselves and that they are important.

Our team found out how meaningful their trip was the morning they were leaving when the little girl "Flor" who is pictured with Aaron, cried uncontrollably as they were leaving, she wanted to go with us.

Do you think you could make a difference in someone's life? Our team from COF can tell you that it's not hard ... you just have to give hugs, time, and lots of love.

Thanks COF for sending a team with such great hearts and servant spirits.