Beginning to be Normal - April Update

In the Beginning…

As April brought in the heat we saw another beginning here at Calvary Guasave. On Wednesday nights we began studying Genesis just in time for the girls’ school to be talking all about the Great Solar Eclipse of North America. Learning that one of the best points on the planet to view it in totality was only a few hours from us, we decided we needed to take advantage of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our kids and us. So, we started the month by going on a one day field trip to Mazatlan.

The rest of the month began bringing in a sense of the new normal as new families showed up and we scheduled a church picnic and celebrated Passover together.

Church Picnic

Pray that these events would continue to be great opportunities of outreach and growing together as the body of Christ.

Passover

Palos Verdes

It's always so good to be reminded that God works and may give opportunities to share his Word when we least expect it.

We've been having a good number of kids and youth show up Friday nights, somewhere around 30 or more. After feeding them hotdogs, pizza, or chimichangas, they take off playing ball and Kevin rounds them up after to dive into the gospel and the book of Romans.

One night this month, we adults were hanging out with the younger kids (Cyrus was a bit clingy from having a cold) when we had several more adults show up. We took time for small talk, for it had been a few weeks since we saw several of them. I was praying quietly and fervently for God to guide us and direct Ryan on what to share. And once Ryan led us in prayer, he directed us to Acts 19, referring back to his Sunday night teachings. He expounded to them the difference of the baptism of repentance mentioned there versus the baptism Jesus mandated us to baptize with. The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance and only the initial step to our salvation. He explained to them the baptism of Christ (being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is not about seeking a better life, but about making that declaration of faith that you have died with Christ and are being raised up a new creation, just like a white t-shirt being immersed in blue dye and completely emerging as a blue t-shirt. As Ryan explained to them the need for this baptism and what it entailed, I prayed and asked the Lord to cause His Word to reach deep in their heart.... through every loud motorcycle and noisy vehicle that drove by and every child that interrupted... Ryan encouraged them that if they have not taken this baptism, to make sure they do. He ended in prayer and made sure to hand out our church card with the location, inviting them to the 3 different services.

Calvary Coffee

Seeing the coffee cart get started has been encouraging as it has been a big part of our vision here in the city center. Pray for Kevin as he spearheads this project. Our desire is to be able to welcome the community throughout the week, and create a hospitable environment where they can encounter the Word of God. Be sure to follow Calvary Coffee on Instagram and Facebook! Lord willing soon you will be able to order your own roasted coffee beans from right here in Guasave.

Coming Up…

We are currently praying about whether to give people a ride into town for our church gatherings. We still have the Suburban that would be well suited for the task, but it would require the cost of gas and one or two people to volunteer for the task.

In Palos Verdes, I (Ryan) am training Kevin to take more of the responsibility so that we can expand our outreach to other villages in the area. We are taking this process quite slowly as the Scripture says not to lay hands on hastily.

One of the Missionaries who visited recently has also asked if I would consider teaching a class for the pastors they are supporting so they will understand how to teach through the Bible verse-by-verse. We look forward to these opportunities, and are praying for how they will be incorporated in daily life.

At the end of June we will need to cross the border. Our visas will expire at the beginning of July, and we are praying to obtain a more permanent visa status on our return. As we come to the U.S. we are praying for God to open doors of opportunities to share what we are doing here in Guasave; if there are any new people or churches who would like to partner in this church plant. Lives change and not everybody can be giving partners forever so we understand the need to keep sharing. God is the one who moves on the hearts of his people, not us! We are so incredibly greatful for the help each of you have been physically and spiritually. We know that God will supply each of your needs as he is supplying each of ours as well. We look forward to meeting each of you. Please let us know if you would like to meet with us while we are in town, or if you would like to host a gathering of sorts to share our vision with friends or your local church. We will be praying for God to orchestrate the details and we look forward to having sweet fellowship with you and the opportunity to encourage one another!

Another prayer request in connection with the “fund-raising” category is that of writing. As some of you know there are some book Ryan has written. He is currently in the process of re-publishing those and translating them into Spanish since there has been a few requests. So far, the communication with the editors has been very encouraging and we interested to see if this is a way God may provide family needs as well. Please pray as the first of these books are just about finished with the editing process.

Lastly, we have been in touch with a dear pastor and his wife from Tur'an, Israel. Last summer we had the opportunity to see them again with our tour group, just a few months before the Hamas' attacks broke out. Pastor Ziad and Randa announced in their email updates last Christmas that they were expecting a baby girl this May (they have an 18 yr old son and 12 yr old daughter). Just a couple months ago, things turned for the worst as Randa had a terrible fall that left her in the hospital with serious injuries (brain hemorraging, broken ribs, damaged liver just to name the big few). The Lord graciously protected the baby, but his wife has been in the hospital most of her days ever since. Pastor Ziad is a full time school teacher besides sheperding the local church there near Nazareth, and this season has been especially tumultous and difficult. We asked what they still needed for the baby as they don't have the availability to go shopping and prepare for their baby's soon arrival with her condition and his full-time work and ministry schedule. If you would like to help welcome this baby for a family whose been laboring for the gospel in the land of Israel, please let us know and we can share what items are still needed.

May the Lord watch over you and keep you, cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace!

-The Van Deusens