October Blessings

The Fox family with Jennifer Hempen

They came to see us this month and were with us for a little over a week.

We were able to go to the park and spend some family time with them.  We were 18 all total, including Alan, Claudia (taking the picture), Ryan, and Abraham (who we watched for a few days while his mother was out of town taking care of her dad).  It was an enjoyable day, even including having to fight the ducks off the pizza

. 

We were grateful for all the special music they brought throughout the week.  It meant alot to the people that they worked to sing in Spanish. 




Even the kids sang a song in Spanish.

Daniel preached a total of 9 times while he was here, and Heidi taught a devotional at our ladies meeting.

The Sunday we took the Foxes to the States we had a combined service and brought Luis Moya, and those from Ojo Caliente came as well.  We had a preaching service and then baptisms with a meal afterwards then we headed out.  Hna. Mari, her daughter Gloria, and her son Juan got baptized.  Her husband Javier came ready but at the last minute didn't follow through. 

Gloria

Juan

When we got to the border, we spent Monday with the Foxes and in the afternoon when we saw them off we went to the Shields.  There waiting was Mom Deatrick!  It was quite a surpise for Naomi.  It was only two days, and we drug her all over the place taking care of all of our business, but it was good to have her around for a couple of days.  Thanks Mom for taking the time to come see us!

We spent a few days in Texas and then headed back.  On the way we stopped at a church that had invited Matt to preach an anniversary service. 

We got up early the next morning, and got home an hour before a special dedication service and party for Natalia. 

Nati' piñata

After biting her cake

This is Nati's family; they need prayer.  Her mother wants to be faithful, and her step-dad comes when he can, but isn't really that interested.







The next day, Sunday the 23rd, we had missionaries Ubaldo and Abigail Lopez visit us.  They are heading to Oaxaca to work with the indigenous people groups there.  In the four days they were here they presented their work in Victoria, Dios es Amor, Berea, and also another church here in the city, Betel.  As with most people that visit, the kids loved them.

On Saturday the 29th, we went to a rancho for our monthly village out-reach.  This month we went to Mesquitillo, which is the home of Hno. Ernesto one of our faithful men.  He got saved while in the States several years ago, and about 3 years ago his wife, who was one of the catholic leaders in town accepted Christ as well.  He has a great burden for his family and rancho.  We were able to spend all day with his family, pass out packets to everyone in town, and have a service in the evening.  Here we are with Hno. Ernesto and his parents. 

There is a brother at another church that studied to be a priest for a few years.  He went with us to give his testimony in the service since it is a very strong catholic town.  He had the opportunity to sit with Blas, Ernesto's dad, and witness to him for about two hours.  Blas reads the Bible, but he and his wife have not yet come to a decision for Christ.  They don't want to give up they're traditions.  Pray that they would see the Truth.

Above the couch you can see a little cabinet.  It's a little alter to Mary and other idols that you can see here.

While we were there the ladies took advantage of the day and helped them make 'gordas'.  They had a huge bowl of 'masa' kind of like corn meal, but finer.  Some of them are filled with cheese, others with beans, and some are just plain.

Even Tirsa made a tray.

After forming them they put them in the outdoor oven, heated by firewood, with a long spatula.

The finished product.  Take them out of the oven, brush off the ones that may have gotten a little ash on them, and enjoy!  Very delicious.

We thought you might enjoy some pictures of the city.  These are taken from the 'Bufa', the outlook over the city.  They are zoomed in quite a bit to focus on some of the main historical markers of Zacatecas.

This is the main Cathedral of the city.  It was built in the mid 1700's.

The old aquaduct that brought water to the city.

Another of the old cathedrals.  This one is made out of red stone.

On the family side:

Judah's walking fairly well now.  Here he is walking with Tia Claudia.

September

 Missions  Conference in Durango

The city of Durango where we went to preach a missions conference.

Matt preaching at Iglesia Bautista Emanuel in Durango.

This is one of the kids class rooms: a bunch of block stacked with a tarp over it.  It wasn't too bad until it started raining.  The kids didn't seem to mind though.

The younger kids class.  Some of these kids were so neglected, (the little boy without shoes has some; he just took them off :-) but thank the Lord for a church that cared about them.  All of them are precious to Him.

 

The pastor's wife and another lady with some of the church kids.

They were all so hospitable and generous.

They took us to a mining museum while in Durango.

The kids seemed to enjoy it...at least using the hats and the vests. 

The Pastor's meeting

 The Pastor's Azteca meeting

The pastors enjoying lunch

Activities for the church men

 The men have a monthly men's meeting.

Here they are painting a lighthouse scene as a project.

The church men have started a soccer team.  Even though they have not won many games, it has been a good learning tool for them in unity.  They have also enjoyed the exercise and fellowship, and it has been a way to get into the community a little bit more.  (The ladies that come to root them on like to tease them about "Brighten the Corner Where You Are")

Rincon de Romos

Preaching the 5th Ann. services for the Iglesia Bautista del Camino.

Family odds and ends

We were making a visit a couple of weeks ago and as we were standing outside talking Enoch was running up and down the street.  He fell and this is what happened.  Of course he's fine by now.  All in the day of a kid!

Judah loves to eat...and it usually shows!

Patiently waiting for the museum tour

We had to make him get down because he kept trying to climb higher.  The balcony was about three to four stories high.  He sure was happy while it lasted though.

All of them like to help with Judah.  This time it worked out to be "A bite for me, a bite for you..."

Ryan

Ryan has been able to add some activities for the church in Luis Moya.  Apart from the normal mid-week and Sunday services we have, he's started prayer meetings, and regular visitation.  Here he is holding Judah during a service.

Pastor's conference, Luis Moya land, and 1st Anniversary in Ojo Caliente

Although it's a little late, we wanted to post some pictures from the past few activities we've had at the three churches.  The first was the Pastor's conference here at Victoria.  We were a little over 100 with pastors, families and a few christian workers.  We had three preaching services, several different work-shops, and some wonderful fellowship. 

Matt's class on "The Pastor and His Titles"

A hair cutting class for the ladies

Jamee Angeles teaching a class on "The Pastor's Wife.

We got to take everyone bowling; some of them had never been before.

Each of the churches prepared a meal; here the men from Victoria are making carnitas for everyone.

All the pastors (including the three assistants)

The pastors and their wives

A couple of days later we went to Luis Moya to have a 'Field Day' at the church property.

Volleyball (the net's tied to a tree and the van)

The tree was a problem, but just a few times.

The kids found ways to have fun too.

Cooking nopalitos (cactus)

Putting corn on the fire

Alan preaching

The next week starting on Wednesday, we had the First Anniversary services in Ojo Caliente.

Just last week (two weeks after this conference) the church voted on Hno. Fernando to be their Pastor; his wife is playing the keyboard behind him.

Hno. Roberto preached the three days.

We had to rent a building across the street because our building wasn't big enough.

The last night we served birria for supper (goat).

Not much to comment on this one!

Hno. Chuy and Hna. Tere made the meal.  They are one of the most faithful couples in Ojo Caliente.

Thank you so much for your prayers for these activities.  Each one was a blessing.