The Good Life

So many great things have gone on lately that I want to tell you all about!! First of all (yes, first of all!!) we went to a bible study at Christie's Java Loft two Mondays ago. It was led by a senior in high school named Daniel Cepeda. His sister was there named Sara and a few other high schoolers. It was more an open discussion bible study so Chris, Kirby, and I threw in our two cents every once in awhile. It was such a blessing and a joy to me to see high schoolers breaking open the word together and meditating on it! Daniel's father is the preacher at FBC Los Fresnos so we attended the church the following Sunday. We met Daniel's parents, Robert and Diana, and talked with them a bit. We attended the bible study again this past Monday night and it ended up being just me and Chris, Daniel and Sara. We had such sweet fellowship! Later we received an email from Robert Cepeda saying how Daniel and Sara came home with huge smiles on their faces and said that they had fellowship like they have been craving for and hadn't had in a long time and that it was nice to be fed for once (all glory to God). Please pray for Daniel and Sara. There aren't many believers at Los Fresnos High School and they are pouring themselves out daily into the lives of the other students at school and the youth at the church and even the children and aren't being fed much. We are excited about this opportunity to be used by God in this community and in the lives of Daniel and Sara. Daniel wants to go to medical school in the long run and Sara, a sophomore in high school, wants to go to ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY!! They actually know Kevin Kirkland with Katalyst ministries and Ornan's Floor!! I am trying to get Daniel to go to ASU as well. You can be praying for God to show him where he needs to go.

Another event I desire to tell you about is our recent day trip to Las Igarias (Not sure of the spelling on that one!!). There were two churches in this fish town in the Mezquital region and two pastors. One pastor recently passed away (September), brother Fausto, and we wanted to go and find the people of his congregation or his family members to strengthen and encourage them. We saw the building in which they meet and we found his house but were unable to talk to anyone who was a believer there. We did find out from a local that the deceased pastor's family had moved to another city. So we set out to find the pastor of the other church in town, brother Hacinto. Keep in mind this town is on the gulf coast with one paved road that runs from the main towns in Mexico all the way through and just stops at the water. It is destitute for about an hour until you reach this gulf town which is small and the houses are made of plywood and whatnot. Well, we came upon the other church building and there was a small playground out front. Quickly the kids gathered in the play yard. I practiced what spanish I know with the kids and got a soccer game of keep away going. Mexicans vs. Americans is how it played out! It was so much fun!! Meanwhile, David Sitton with our translator Irion talked with one of the members of the church. He told our team that the pastor was in Matamoros at this time. I am not completely sure as to how the conversation unfolded because I was too busy playing soccer with the kiddos!! So precious!! So, please pray for the believers in Las Igarias. Pray that they would be strengthened and that they would grow up in their salvation and take the gospel to the rest of the Laguna Madre, just south of Brownsville.

To my supporters: I want you to know that you are a precious partner with me in the gospel. I am so humbled to think that I could not be here without the support I have received from my family and friends and I realize how you all are my partners in getting the gospel to the nations. Thank you for honoring God with what He has blessed you with and sharing it with me that I can go and do these things of which I get great joy!! I hope to keep you informed of the things God does so that you too may have joy and give glory to God!! And most of all I desire that you partner with me in prayer. Oh that we would invade the throne room of God for the saving of the nations TOGETHER! SIDE BY SIDE let us strive in sharing the gospel!! I pray for you often and I pray that you too would live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel! I love you all and I thank you all for your prayers and support!!

Destination: CPCP!!

Well friends and family...I made it to the CPCP and I can't tell you how amazing it is. I didn't know it was possible for every desire of your heart to be fulfilled in one place at one time. God never ceases to amaze me!! Well, the first week has been filled with learning systematic theology, english bible study methods, how to go about raising prayer and financial support in a God honoring and Christ centered way, and various other things such as filling out burial forms!! David Sitton has spoken various times this week on missions and prayer and fasting and we look forward to the lesson on spiritual warfare from one who has "been there and done that!"

Kirby and I set out to find a coffee shop/cafe in Los Fresnos and God led us to a place called Christie's Java Loft just several blocks away from the apartments. We went in to check it out and she said there was going to be a show that night starting at 8. Kirby and I decided we would come back then. We weren't sure what to expect but knew it would be GMT either way. GMT stands for "Good missionary training." To our great joy we found out that Christie is a believer. She just opened this shop two weeks ago and and has until the end of the month to make $4,000 to stay open. I plan on drinking a lot of coffee and eating a lot of sandwiches from her shop!! The bands that played that night were clearly not believers and I asked Christie if she knew anything more about them concerning being believers. She said No but that is why I opened this shop! Her vision for that shop is to reach out to the LOST!! How great!! That night there were so many lost people there and we were able to meet several of the band members and their friends. Kirby, Chris, and I found ourselves praying fervently that night for what God would do in that place. Also, Christie meets in a missionaries home for church on sunday and we plan on joining her next week in that. I am so excited about what God is doing here in Los Fresnos!

For all those who have supported me financially and in prayer I want to say THANK YOU! God is very much at work here and your gifts and prayers are so much a part of advancing God's kingdom of light into the dark world. I thank God for people like you who support me first of all in prayer because without it we have no power in advancing God's kingdom and secondly financially as well because plane tickets do cost money! Thank you so much! I look forward to informing you all on exciting stories of what God is doing!! I love you all!!

PS Mom you have to come back and visit because Christie makes MUDSLIDES!! Kirby and I had one and it was mm, mm, good!! Lick your LIPS good!! :)