Leadership Conference February 8-14
What a rewarding experience to be in the right place at the right time doing exactly what God would have! That is how we felt about these past few days. Of course what occurred in a few days, took months of preparation by this team in raising funds and gathering materials for the workshops. In addition we all benefited from the years of experience that Nell Lamury, co-pastor of Word of Life Fellowship, Paterson, LA and her team have with teaching school and being in full time children's ministry back home.
view photo album
The team's week began in the capitol city of Tuxtla with an all day workshop. 9 churches were represented and most had a team of several people from each church. Unlike the Indian areas, these people were already doing some form of ministry to children, but were so happy to have been presented with more ideas and materials for future use. Each team made large and small puppets and were shown how to make learning fun through games. All churches represented returned home with a puppet stage made of PVC pipe, flannel boards, puppets that they made personally, DVD's of songs, balloon pumps and balloons. They also left with hearts renewed to continue reaching out to our dear little ones through means that are effective for their age.
Nell and her team did a marvelous job on Sunday morning in San Fernando where they ministered to over 80 children. Those who had attended the workshop the day before were already putting into practice some of the things they had learned. We thank God for the evidence of immediate fruit for the labor of our American team as the leaders of the children's ministry from San Fernando jumped right in and helped out.
The week continued with a few days in Chenalho at the missions facility. Members from 11 churches of the highlands attended the 2 days of workshops. It is hard for us as Americans to really comprehend how these days of classes were such a ground breaking event. But that is exactly what took place! God sent from the US and from Mexico who He had in mind to birth this area of ministry. Teaching children with special classes and materials on their level is not an idea that is common practice in the mountains of Chiapas. So it was a great privilege to introduce so many of them to this concept of ministry.
For those of you fully committed to serving the Lord, you are very familiar with the spiritual labor pains in birthing new ministry. But we praise God for His continued strength and the wonderful outcome! We also thank Him for the great harvest that is to follow! We all agree that it went extremely well and that God was pleased with the week. Olga, Pastor Alex's sister, will help to continue the flow of materials and effective tools for ministry to the children of the highlands. Please pray for her and continue to pray for the work of the Lord among these people.
Just this month the Voice of the Martyrs magazine printed a cover story of the people of this area and spoke of the persecution that takes place. We praise God for His continued protection over our teams, but we have many pastor friends who have experienced great suffering because of their stand for Christ. Please keep these people in your prayers.
To Nell Lamury, Bonnie, Brandi, Marti, Sandy and Shelly, thank you a million times over for your sacrifice and labor of love! To the congregation of Word of Life in Paterson, thank you for sending the team and helping to raise the necessary funds. To all of you who pray for us regularly and also prayed for the birthing of ministry to children, we can't thank you enough. Your rewards will be many, and they are of course also eternal! It is our belief that a multitude of children in the highlands of Chiapas will have a greater understanding of the love of God and will come to know Him as Lord and Saviour because of your efforts!
view photo album
The team's week began in the capitol city of Tuxtla with an all day workshop. 9 churches were represented and most had a team of several people from each church. Unlike the Indian areas, these people were already doing some form of ministry to children, but were so happy to have been presented with more ideas and materials for future use. Each team made large and small puppets and were shown how to make learning fun through games. All churches represented returned home with a puppet stage made of PVC pipe, flannel boards, puppets that they made personally, DVD's of songs, balloon pumps and balloons. They also left with hearts renewed to continue reaching out to our dear little ones through means that are effective for their age.
Nell and her team did a marvelous job on Sunday morning in San Fernando where they ministered to over 80 children. Those who had attended the workshop the day before were already putting into practice some of the things they had learned. We thank God for the evidence of immediate fruit for the labor of our American team as the leaders of the children's ministry from San Fernando jumped right in and helped out.
The week continued with a few days in Chenalho at the missions facility. Members from 11 churches of the highlands attended the 2 days of workshops. It is hard for us as Americans to really comprehend how these days of classes were such a ground breaking event. But that is exactly what took place! God sent from the US and from Mexico who He had in mind to birth this area of ministry. Teaching children with special classes and materials on their level is not an idea that is common practice in the mountains of Chiapas. So it was a great privilege to introduce so many of them to this concept of ministry.
For those of you fully committed to serving the Lord, you are very familiar with the spiritual labor pains in birthing new ministry. But we praise God for His continued strength and the wonderful outcome! We also thank Him for the great harvest that is to follow! We all agree that it went extremely well and that God was pleased with the week. Olga, Pastor Alex's sister, will help to continue the flow of materials and effective tools for ministry to the children of the highlands. Please pray for her and continue to pray for the work of the Lord among these people.
Just this month the Voice of the Martyrs magazine printed a cover story of the people of this area and spoke of the persecution that takes place. We praise God for His continued protection over our teams, but we have many pastor friends who have experienced great suffering because of their stand for Christ. Please keep these people in your prayers.
To Nell Lamury, Bonnie, Brandi, Marti, Sandy and Shelly, thank you a million times over for your sacrifice and labor of love! To the congregation of Word of Life in Paterson, thank you for sending the team and helping to raise the necessary funds. To all of you who pray for us regularly and also prayed for the birthing of ministry to children, we can't thank you enough. Your rewards will be many, and they are of course also eternal! It is our belief that a multitude of children in the highlands of Chiapas will have a greater understanding of the love of God and will come to know Him as Lord and Saviour because of your efforts!
posted by Russell & Charlotte at 5:01 PM
1 Comments:
I am so excited about the children's ministry in Chenalho! This is fabulous Mrs. Charlotte and Brother Russell! I'm anxious to return to Chenalho one day!!
How have you guys been? Email me when you have the chance! (hrg72@hotmail.com)
hailey goodwin
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