Traveling to New Areas

Last week Pastors Carlos, Alejandro and Marcelino joined us as we traveled 7 hours through the mountains to the city of Petalcingo, Chiapas to assist a local church called Templo Emanuel. It is pastored by Marcelino and it is his desire to build Sunday School classes on the existing building. Due to the fact that there is no extra property next to the church, we made a decision that the existing metal roof would have to be taken off and concrete would be poured in its place. This will enable the construction of a second floor for classrooms. Assistance was given to start this project. More will be written about Pastor Marcelino in the March-April Newsletter.

We continued to drive that evening and arrived in the city of Tila, Chiapas where we were joking about a 5 star hotel. We found out there was only one in town, and it was a few stars in the negative. But it was a place to lay our head and get a (cold) shower. All three rooms cost a total of $37 (in US dollars). That evening we walked to a local restaurant for dinner and met the owners. The following morning we returned for breakfast, and we were blessed by the owners, the Trujillo Family. Our breakfast was given to us without charge. It really touched our heart, and we were able to have a word of prayer with them for God to bless their business and their family.

We had an additional request to view two different location in Tenosique, Tabasco. There we met Pastors Domingo and Jose. Pastor Domingo has been with his local church for the past 5 years and was requesting assistance in adding classrooms to the church for the children. Later we had a wonderful meal that his family had prepared especially for us. After our meal we drove to Pastor Jose's home where he started his church under a tarpoline in his front yard. Presently his congregation is renting a house where they are meeting weekly. The property is for sell. We are praying with them for God's direction concerning what should be done with the work - to invest in the existing property or find a new location.

While traveling to these new areas, we enjoyed meeting new pastors and some members from their congregations. It also gave us much quality time with Pastors Carlos, Alejandro and Marcelino.

February News

Destiny Foundation



Scott George is the founder of Destiny Foundation of Orlando, FL. It is a ministry to working families that for various reason need extra assistance. With an outreach to the poor in the Orlando area with food, clothing, etc., it was a natural setting for this group to so generously give of themselves and of the many provisions they brought with them from FL to bless those here in Chiapas.

The group of 16 was comprised of various father and son teams with the boys 12 and up. The George family had Grandfather Jim, sons Scott and Chris and grandsons, Austin, Aaron and Nick. That was incredibly special to us since it is our deep desire to impart a missions vision to our own family as well! We admire their heart and deep bond to work together in the service of the Lord!

Airline delays resulted in the groups arrival without their luggage, but they were able to adapt until it arrive sometime later in the trip. It touched our hearts that it wasn't their personal items that they were worried about; it was the many items to give away to others that concerned them. Everything finally arrived and those intended recipients were truly blessed.

Saturday the group erected and screwed down the tin for the roof of the church in Chimtic and poured the cement floor. Thank you guys for your hard work and for the donation of the finances to build yet another block church for the indigious people of Chiapas. As always the local members of the church turned out in full force, and the job was done is record time.

Our young guys were geared up for a basketball game in the city plaza of Chenalho Saturday evening, but this week is Carnival here in this area and Chenalho is running over with those celebrating the occasion. Guess the guys will just have to return for that match up game next year!

Sunday we returned to Chimtic for service. It is always a unique cultural experience as well as a moving one spiritually. Everyone's heart was touched by the simplicity and purity of these people. Our group was able to pray with the congregation and ask God to heal their bodies and meet various needs. Some of our youngest members, Nick, Bryan, Peter and Aaron shared a testimony and their favorite Scripture. What a wonderful job these guys did! The American team sang several special songs and sounded awesome!

It was with great grief and sadness that a plaque was given to the church in Chimtic in honor of the memory of Brittany, Brent's 15 year old daughter who died last month in a car accident. Our hearts and prayers go out to this family and appreciate Brent being here with us helping others in a time in his own life when he has much to deal with.

After service the group did what comes very natural to them- they blessed the congregation with bags of beans, rice, salt, sugar, shoes, clothing Polaroid photos and lots of balloons to celebrate. It was better than any Christmas these people have ever seen. Thank you team!

Monday concluded our work week, since all the young guy have to return to school on Wednesday. They painted the church in Chichumtantic for a group of Chamula believers and then drove on to Tuxtla to fly home on Tuesday.

To the George Family, Brent, Randy, Mark F. and Mark L. with sons Tyler and Bryan, Austin Scott's school friends Gus and Reed, Chris' friend Jerry and his son Peter - we appreciate all what you did in a few short days! We thank "Bishop" Jim for his years of vision and support of the work here in Chiapas. You walk in great wisdom, and it has been a pleasure to get to know you! Thank you Scott for your leadership, and we look forward to your return.

What a blessing!

A very special thank you goes out to Ed Shimp and his wife, daughter and mother for taking on the task of printing, folding, addressing and mailing the Mexico Outreach Newsletter. We will write the letter and send it to them. They have volunteered to take on the rest of the responsibility. We can't thank them enough. There is no way that we can be in Mexico and still get a timely newsletter into your hands through the mail, so we are rejoicing and thanking God and the Shimp Family for this very generous offer in assisting the missionary work of Mexico.

Church Dedication

Upon returning to Chiapas was one of the most enjoyable parts of missionary work - church dedications! Russell had the honor of the ribbon cutting in X-octon. Thanks Thibodaux Family Church for your financial contribution and labor to help with this project!