Exciting Elbow Grease

The process of getting the church ready has begun! God has wonderfully provided the volunteers needed! Painting, fixing the electrical needs, putting in the a/c units, making shelves, washing windows and the floors is where we're at! We even have a coffee cart in progress, for the ease of mobility to serve coffee and connect with the community during the week!

It’s exciting to see the inception of a new church, and realize that it really is God’s Spirit that gives life to it! We are but the co-laborers in this field, trusting that if God commanded us to go and make disciples, that He will ripen the hearts of people to come, listen, and be born again. And with that trust, we continue onward with the physical aspects of the church.

As we were holding bible studies in our home, we transitioned them into the church. It was a blessing that on our first night, we actually had a man off the streets come in and listen. And pray earnestly for God to help him, as he confessed his struggle with drugs. We are currently having bible studies on Sundays and Wednesdays at 7:30 in the evenings, planning to officially begin holding services Sunday evenings on February 18th. (Currently, we still fellowship at CC Los Mochis on Sunday mornings and Daniel actually helps them with worship and the sound booth.) We are praying about when to initiate Sunday morning services, and look forward to being ready to start them soon!

From solidifying a worship team to children’s ministry, to creating flyers and handing them out, there is still work to do! Ryan is planning on offering certain classes during the week, and we are considering whether offering an English class or making the Sunday morning service bilingual would be more effective. Though English is not spoken much in this area, it is highly sought, especially in schools and among the youth. Thus, we want to find the best ways to connect with those in this community, that we may effectively disciple those who come.

We continue to go to Palos Verdes on Friday nights and spend time with the kids and neighbors there. It’s exciting to see how staying faithful to go is bringing in more kids and youth. This past Friday most of the adults were out of town or sick, but we had 15 kids/teens come around and listen as Daniel and Eymi (a young friend that we’ve known from Boca who lives in Guasave and has been volunteering with the church needs) began to share the gospel with them. We had them each write their name, with the promise to bring them back a print out of their name and meaning. A dear friend and supporter of our ministry who went home to be with the Lord not long ago would often ask people for their names and email to send them their name’s meaning filled with biblical scripture. We wish to do something similar for these kids, as they need to know their purpose in life, and the value they have through the blood that was shed on the cross by none other than Jesus Christ. While it takes time to build relationships, we see it as somewhat of an ice breaker, a small but sure way to connect with them, and a powerful way to give them God’s word that they can identify with as we lace it with their name and meaning of their name. Please lift up this work in prayer as well, that eternal fruit would come of it.

The classes our girls have started in the community are a blessing! They really love their time to sketch and paint, and they enjoy singing in the kids' choir! We are thankful for another venue to be able to make connections and invite the locals to our church. We are praying and waiting for God to guide us with Cyrus as far as classes or activities available, but he definitely has enjoyed the opportunity to help paint the walls and clean the floors at church!

We want to thank you SO much for the prayers and financial support, as even though we are excited, we feel the vulnerability at times. Some days we feel the temptation to give into our flesh over time constraints, change of plans, or important decisions that feel weighty, and yet, we are well aware that as bright and warm as the weather may be outside (it feels like summer has come back already!) there is a principality of the air that is at war against the kingdom of heaven, and we need to stay alert and grounded in the work before us, at all times. We know that you too, have battles and challenges that require resilience and persistence that have need for prayer and encouragement. And thus, we lift you in our prayers. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob fulfill His word to you as He did to them! May He grant you the assurance that your labor is not in vain, and keep you from temptation, whatever that may be! May He cause His beauty to be upon you and establish the work of your hands! May He continue to woo your heart with His wonderful, satisfying love and cause you to hear His voice as you spend time in His word and prayer! Cheering you on, for the love of Christ! And thank you, for cheering us on through your giving and prayers!!

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From Daniel

Praise Reports

Day 20 in Sinaloa: The Lord is doing His work! Small beginnings are full of wonders as we see the Lord at work in the city of Guasave. The Lord fills us with confidence as He provides for us in the big needs and also in the small details: we have a facility in the perfect location, in the heart of the city. Now... to sweep, paint, and leave everything ready to receive those whom God calls.

Words of Reflection

For me, this has been the lesson: how simple life can be when covered in God's love. I don't know about you, but the truth is that my mind can become cluttered with my own thoughts, plans, and anxieties. How much better it is to trust in His love, to enjoy His guidance and provision, His voice and companionship, every moment of every day. We have it all already! It is his unconditional love. Let us enter into the simple life.

I encourage you to read Luke 10:41-42, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:32 and 38, and 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

Prayer Requests

For the family of Ryan Van Deusen, and the family of Joaquin Aguilar. May the Lord keep their faith intact, fill them with His wisdom and love. May the work of the Lord that has begun by the Spirit, not end in our own strength. May the gospel of grace be what attracts many to salvation. Remember in prayer the people in Guasave, Palos Verdes (small community), and Los Mochis (Calvary church that sends us).