San Fernando Church Dedication

For more than 20 years Pastor Jorge and his wife Antonia helped other congregations get into their new buildings and rejoiced with them during each dedication service. Pastor Jorge has assisted with many ribbon cutting ceremonies and prayed many prayers of dedication over other pastors and their people especially in the highlands. They were also caring for their own congregation in San Fernando which had expanded extensively and the growing number of people could not fit into their small mission church of that area. People stood outside the doors and windows for service once the benches inside were taken. In the US most would go home with this dilenma but not here. It caused even greater hunger for the things of God, and yet there was no place to geographically expand. The building was locked in by the surrounding properties filled with preexisting structures, and there was no other choice but to relocate.

God had a beautiful piece of property waiting for this congregation at the entrance of the city. The view of the valley below and the next mountain range can be seen from any spot on the new location. The necessary funds to purchase land, finance the construction and get the job finished was going to take more than we had ever set out to do while working in Mexico through Mexico Outreach. It seemed as though God was in this decision though, so we stepped out with a new level of faith that only He could give all of us in proceeding onward.

January of 2007 was ground breaking, and God began to supply what was needed each step of the way. You responded at each new phase of the work, and we watched in true amazement at the faithfulness and goodness of God. We know that when He begins something good that He is well able to complete the work, but we still were truly blessed to watch His prompting, His provision, and His enabling of strength to accomplish the task at hand. It was sort of like His provision for the children of Israel when He daily supplied for them what was needed. We never had the funds in advance, but the flow of His provision always remained steady and continuous. Now the beautiful facility can presently hold all the people of this congregation, and the Lord continues to be worshiped and glorified in this place.

You helped to make it possible by listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to give and respond to the needs of others and for that we say a great big "Thank You!" Some of you were with us during the beautiful celebration of the dedication of this facility on April 19, 2008. Others of you were with us in spirit. To everyone who contributed in any way through your generous finances, through prayer or your attendance that day, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We know the best days for the work of the Lord in San Fernando are still ahead. To God be all the glory for what He has done!



view photo album

Crossroads Church April 11-20

view photo album

April Medical Campaign

view photo album

GENERAL CONVENTION 2008

Once again 5000 or more believers gathered in the outdoor stadium in Chenalho on April 12 and 13. The photos will express what words can't. It was a glorious time celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ together. It was a little bit of heaven with people from many different tribes and even nations worshipping together.

"Convention Preparation and Feeding of the Multitude!"

view photo album

"Convention Services and Fellowship"

view photo album

"River Baptism"

view photo album

"Cleaning up and saying Thanks"

view photo album

MARCH-APRIL 2008 NEWSLETTER

Matt. 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, '"Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'" Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.'"

Standard of greatness!
Jesus called it humility. That is not exactly what you would hear in any secular classroom today preparing you for the world of success. Human nature often goes contrary to Kingdom principles. Yet, it is childlike faith and a total dependency on our Lord that moves His heart. There is so much we can learn from a child about faith, love, trust, forgiveness, etc.

Jesus called a little child to Him...
He is still calling children today. This past February we held workshops to train leaders in Mexico for children's ministry. In the highlands of Chiapas, consistent ministry to children was almost nonexistent. Of course ministry tools were nonexistent as well. Now, thanks to those in the US who have risen to the challenge of helping us equip the saints for ministry (both spiritually and literally with ministry tools), upon request, any church in the highlands will have its own puppet stage, flannel boards, bible story lessons, etc. Pastor Alejandro's sister, Olga Hernandez of Chenalho', has agreed to head up the ministry for the mountain areas. We are happy to report that we are already seeing good fruit spring forth. Besides ministering in their local church, Olga and a team of helpers will be working along side our US teams on day trips scheduled for church construction. A time of special ministry to the children in these newly evangelized areas has been welcomed by all involved, and the children absolutely love it. Some on the US teams have even said it is their favorite part of their entire week. We are watching seeds of God's Word fall on good soil, and we believe that Jesus is calling children from Chiapas unto Himself.



Praise Report!
It was a delight to host a team of 32 from Fort Bend Baptist Academy of Sugar Land, TX and 25 from The Crossing Place of Franklin, LA. Together we worked among the Tzetals, Chamulas and Tzotzils completing a church in Chacte' and assisting with the construction in Teopisca and Jolitontic 2. The spring has been extremely busy, and the work continues on!

Please pray for these upcoming events:
* Chenalho' convention April 12-13
* April medical campaign
* Team from Crossroads Church, Lafayette, LA
* Dedication of new building San Fernando, April 19

Many thanks to all of you who continue to support the endeavors of Mexico Outreach. A special thanks to all who have contributed towards the April general convention. We are still receiving donations to feed the 5000+ with a grocery list that has now increased to 6 bulls at $1000 each, several tons of tortillas and produce and a mountain of paper products . It will be an incredible time with the indigenous groups of Chiapas as we all join together to lift our hearts and voices to worship our Lord Jesus!

Our prayer for you today!
With our busy, complicated schedules, pressures and deadlines, may we all remember to look to our Lord with simple, childlike faith and humility. May we all find greatness through humbling ourselves before Him as a little child! And may we remember that receiving a little child in His name is receiving Him!

The Crossing Place March 23-29

During Easter break we hosted a team from the youth group of The Crossing Place Church in Franklin, LA. The arrival date in Mexico was set for Easter Sunday, but a delay occurred due to a mix up in scheduling. They were not aware of this until they arrived at the airport with their luggage ready for departure. The time was put to good use while in Houston though since it was a youth emphasis week.


view photo album

Once the team of 25 arrived in Chiapas, they blessed the believers in the village of Jolitontic 2 with a block building. They were met with the adventure of a steep 30 to 45 minute mountain climb once they reached the location to park the vehicles. What is everyday life for the people in the village of Jolitontic was a challenge for any American! All the materials to complete the church had to be brought up the mountains - things such as the generator, paint, lumber to build the benches, electric saws, etc. The group asssited with the installation of the roof, painting the building inside and out, including all windows and doors, made 20 benches and ran electrical wiring in the church.

The team returned to Jolitonic the next day to work with the men of the village and pour the cement floor. The group also distributed shoes and clothing to the needy and brought a lot of toys and games for the children. Upon leaving the village, several from the team left their own shoes for the local villagers.

In the evenings the team had some wonderful times of worship and praise. The group was really touched by God, and many of them felt a call to some type of ministry work. On the last full day in Mexico, the team became familiar with the history in the area of San Juan Chamula. They also shopped and had lunch in San Cristobal.

This was the second year for The Crossing Place youth to come to Chiapas. They always have a positive impact on the people. We want to express a special thank you to Pastor Den and his wife, Bonnie, for their leadership. Also, we thank Jerry and Ann Jett of Harvest International who have made significant contributions towards the ministry in Mexico, including the funds for the church building in Jolitontic 2.