Planting in Guasave

When we first arrived in Mexico we came with a plan to train and raise up pastors to be sent throughout Mexico to plant churches. Little did we know he was bringing us into a situation where he would make it obvious that he was actually training us, and raising us up to go out and plant a church. What a Good Shepherd is Jesus, and what a perfect teacher He has left us, His Holy Spirit!

As the wheels touched the ground in Los Mochis in the beginning of September Esther and I were discussing just what we were going to do in the next couple days to find a new place to live. Meanwhile, we communicated with a family to verify the continued meeting times of the Bible Studies in Palos Verdes. We had no idea what the future would hold in some ways, but praise God for the importance and effectiveness of staying faithful. As everything in our personal lives had been changing as far as daily schedules, where we live, and how we'd be handling our finances God has been faithful to keep us faithful. Any one of these changes are enough on their own to throw us off course , but the grace of God enables us to be more than conquerors.

Two days after landing was also the first day of school for the kids. The difference in their schedule for school is night and day, which also means the enjoyment by the girls is night and day. Their Spanish is improving as they now have it included as well. Please continue to pray for those "ice-breaker" moments throughout the next weeks so that they can put their new Spanish vocabulary into practice.

We visited homes in different parts of Guasave, and have finally settled in a great home right in the heart of the city. After about a week and half we finally have everything moved over to Guasave. Now we just need a place to put all the books Ryan has collected over the years!

As we see where God has led us we are now fervently praying for where that meeting place outside of our home will be. The first Wednesday of October we begin Bible studies in our home. This will be our main gathering until the Lord builds our team and we begin meeting on Sunday mornings. We look forward with excitement at the opportunity to plant Calvary Chapel Guasave. Please pray for all that is involved in this process. Pray for our evangelism, the making of flyers, and announcements, and the wisdom necessary for these things. Pray for the team that God would raise up for this work. Satan does not like positive progress.

Meanwhile, we are also continuing the work we have been doing in Palos Verdes and the Ranch nearby. Jasper continues to enjoy riding the horses and the others love playing with all the other animals. This last week at the Ranch we heard great news of Tori reading " How Can a Man Be Born Again" by Chuck Smith, and rereading multiple times not able to get enough. Please pray for Tori's bold acceptance to follow Jesus. In Palos Verdes we have heard that Nacho is encouraged to begin to follow Jesus

after seeing that "it's not all about religion."

Sundays we are joining Calvary Chapel Los Mochis for their general gathering and on Monday nights for their Church Planting class. We see God working through these gatherings in the building of teams.

How easy it is to be distracted by problems, difficulties, and changes. Yet when we lose focus we miss out on what God is doing in our lives. The past few weeks of transition have presented us with many opportunities for distraction, but God's grace gently and effectively pulls us forward to where we need to be and enables us to keep our hand to the plow. We continue to marvel at His wonderful grace that truly has always been faithful to bring along the help that is needed in the moment it is needed so that we are strengthened to stay the course. Many of you have been the vessels God has used to help sustain us, and we are deeply thankful for the comfort you each bring, and the family and partnership we have with you! We are excited to invite you to continue to join us in this new work at Calvary Chapel Guasave, and truly invest in the Eternal Kingdom and his plan to make disciples and plant churches.

P.S. Please pray for an upcoming conference that Ryan and the pastor of CC Los Mochis will be speaking at in CC Merida emphasizing Making Disciples and Planting Churches the end of the month thru the first weekend of November.