No Fall Season For Guasave

Ryan Van Deusen
Nov 2
7 min read

Hey y'all!

Even though Autumn is not a season we get to experience here in Guasave, it is wonderful that the weather is (finally) not quite so hot and humid, and that temperatures are mostly down to the low 90s and high 80s. Though there are no pumpkin patches, they do sell pumpkins (they look more like giant squashes in very light orange/beige toned) in the market which is nice to see around here!

-Police Outreach-

We want to let you know that are police outreach was quite a hit! We weren't even sure at first where they had their headquarters, but after we called around we figured it out and got permission to just drop by. With the help of different members from our church, we brought homemade jello cups, donuts, brownies, and salty snacks with thank you cards printed and handwritten on the back with personalized Scripture. Worth mentioning is that from Walmart to all the stationary stores we've been to in Guasave, they do not sell cards of any kind; greeting cards (blank, thank you, birthday, Christmas, sympathy, etc.) and so Daniel actually put one together for us and had dozens printed at the print shop. When the police in charge saw it he had dozens of police officers that were stationed outside for a check point come and grab the snacks and cards. It was probably only an hour after we left and one of the gals assisting saw their facebook post, thanking us and letting everyone know what an encouragement our visit with our goodies and words meant to them! They said the kind of visit they got from us is very rare, and we let them know that next time we'd bring coffee! Thank you so much for praying for this outreach! It is clear we should check in with them before too long, hopefully this December to share the Christmas gospel and whatever else the Lord would have for us to give to them. We do appreciate your continued prayers, as our visit brought strong confirmation that they really are worth our time/investment here if we want to see God's grace bring change to this community.

-Women's Discipleship-

We have begun our second session of our women's discipleship Thursday mornings and are now going through the book of Colossians. Last session we did a discipleship series called Navegantes and this time it is exciting to simply study a book of the bible, verse by verse, and encourage the ladies to take time to read the bible on their own. Please keep our women's group in prayer; that these women (besides Isa and myself we currently have 4 attending) that they would grow strong and mature in the Word, and the difference would be noticeable to those around them. We want to see true, organic growth as we invest our time and lives here.

-Calvary Coffee-

Another discipleship/mentorship that is taking place through our ministry is through the coffee shop. This past month Ryan has asked me to take our bottled teas (Jasmine and Jamaica/Hibiscus) to the little mom and pop shops around town to get the word out. While the vision behind having a coffee shop is multi-fold (a way to connect with the community and get them to know who we are, to help cover rent/utility expenses), it is also a great opportunity to disciple and mentor those who help us. Please pray that God would guide Ryan and myself that we'd make the most of each opportunity for the sake of the gospel, and His kingdom. We want to see these young people grow; not just in their faith, but have a solid understanding of doing life, business, and work from a biblical worldview. There are many concepts that come up as we walk/drive around the city, from offering/making products that we are confident about, to the reason we strive for excellence even in the ordinary. We want to be an encouraging example of why it matters to be faithful, even in the little things. We appreciate your prayers!

-Other Sowing Grounds-

We have begun our Calvary Guasave WhatsApp Channel, and I do covet your prayers! While Ryan often posts on Facebook, I started this channel because of the opportunities to share the gospel. I have to admit though, making videos and posts doesn't come easy for me. At least not thus far. And yet the people I run into, their circumstances, past, fears, and needs cause my heart to ache for them. Even at our church about half the people coming regularly do not bring a bible. Printed literature is not big in Guasave. And so there is a great need for God's Word. One of my goals is to do simple, but clear audio recordings from Scripture. Just this past week God allotted a divine conversation. On the way to the kids' school, we walk by the Secretary of Health building. Outside there is a snackshack that people will often hang out by. For weeks one of the ladies has been trying to get Cyrus to talk to her. This week after dealing with a lot of spiritual and emotional heaviness, I felt a breakthrough as a friend sent me some very encouraging texts, and it helped me get "out of my shell" and stop and ask the lady's name and find out more about her. Turns out she went through breast cancer surgery and radiation last year, and even though the (Christian) nurse who was at her side during surgery saw the overwhelming fear in her and gifted her a bible, she said she is still too afraid to read it (she was raised Catholic). I encouraged her to find out what translation it was and give it a go. As I run into her multiple times a week (and the lady who runs the snackshack - and found out she has a bit of healthy knowledge of the bible), I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store. Would you please keep them and what the Lord has for our conversations and new friendship in your prayers? Their names are Eneyda and Jackeline.

-Centro Cultural/Daniel and Isa Update-

Daniel is continuing to teach English and guitar classes 3x a week at Calvary. Isa and Daniel have shared the joyfilled news that they are expecting a baby this May! Please keep Isa's pregnancy and baby in your prayers. They have started a donut business but it doesn't come close to fulfilling their growing financial needs. They are trusting the Lord for provision, and they are such a blessing to us, our children, and the church. We are all excited for their growing family!

-Church Announcements-

As the volunteer help has been a challenge for childcare on Sunday nights (along with finding someone who can regularly lead worship) we have cut back on holding Sunday night services until we have more available help. We continue holding Sunday morning services at 11am and Wednesday evening services at 7pm. This month we once again will host a Thanksgiving Potluck. Our girls are excited and want to invite their classmates as Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Mexico. We appreciate your prayers; that the Lord would bless and direct us on the details of how to celebrate Thanksgiving in the most productive fashion for His kingdom's sake here in Guasave.

-Family Events and Health-

This past month we were blessed to celebrate Jasper turning 12! Within three weeks of each other, we actually celebrate four birthdays. Ryan and Cyrus both have birthdays on the 7th of November and Jubilee turns ten on the 13th! It is a joyous time to remember God's goodness of their lives in our family. Another great source of blessing is that Virtue continues gaining confidence in her independence. I must admit that even for myself, I still wake up at 5am and listen carefully if all is quiet or the worship music is still softly playing in the kids' room. With almost a year of dealing with seizures, and now about 2 months of having none, the habit of not being "all ears" during early morning hours is hard to break. But the personal gain in understanding God with health and illness is what He's wanted to teach us. Unless the Lord allots a doctor appointment, hospitalization, or medication to bring about healing, or at least bring relief from the symptoms of an illness, all attempts are futile. He truly maintains our allotment in life, from every success in work, career, ministry, and finances, to our health and wellbeing. And when we go through the valleys, He is with us!

This month I felt like my health was on a teeter-tooter and wondered why with all the natural supplements my energy was often low and my stomach weak. Turns out the drinking water that we were paying to get delivered wasn't clean! As soon as we switched to a water supply that promotes hygiene and washing out the bottles, my stomach and body starting feelng much better (even the kids would complain at times for having stomach aches). It's live and learn, as what we take for granted of people knowing better in the US is sometimes surprising to find out it's not so here. As I write, we are in need of a plumber to fix our water heater/boiler as it has been very finicky. And as the weather is now cooler in the mornings and night (when we usually wash up and take showers) it's not as comfortable to take cold showers. Ryan has tried finding a solution but so far it seems like a plumber is truly needed. We are waiting on the landlord to send one (sometimes it's a bit of a challenge as he wants us to pay for things that to us seem clear that should be included in our rent). And yet, in every circumstance, we want to be wise and not utterly mess up on being the example God asks us to be as a witness and evidence that we are born of His Spirit.

-Remote Job Search Update-

So far, neither Ryan or myself have had success in finding remote work. So we continue doing what we can. He continues sending in voice clips for voice-over audtions and I am continuing to make designs for on-demand merchandise. I will post photos with links of the latest I have below. These designs continue to be a passion of mine, as I love to incorporte nuggets of eternal truth into practical items that people wear and use everyday to inspire, encourage, and share Christ whenever and however possible! I currenly have a few limited options on Amazon and several through Etsy listings. If you find any merchandise appealing for yourself or to give as gifts, please consider supporting us this way! It means a lot to us and helps us get a higher visibility on the websites listed.

From our home to yours, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving this month!! Thank you for your love and support, we are SO grateful for you helping us make a difference in Sinaloa!! God bless you and your loved ones as you gather 'round the table in honor of Him,

Ryan and Esther Van Deusen