March 10th
In an effort to utilize well my remaining time here in Mexico, I set a few goals this past week for the three months that are left in my term. I have about six good contacts who I spend time with regularly. A little excerpt is written about four of them below. My desire is to continue faithfully developing these relationships until I leave: encouraging, sharing Christ, helping and teaching, so that ultimately God may receive the glory.
Another objective is to continue to help with “little projects” that come up for brothers in the church, like maintenance projects, youth group outings, wiring jobs and any other need that may arise that can be used as ministry.
Manuel
We’re still plugging away at the Engish homework. He comes frequently to my home and always asks in the politest way, “Um, Jon… I don’t know if you will have time, but could you please help me with my homework?” Sure! Bring it over…
Jaiber
Jaiber is a university student who lives in Los Heroes, a very upbeat, positive and intelligent individual. Over a month ago he called me to ask if I could help him improve his English. When I began meeting with him, one of my goals was to use the Bible to work on reading and pronunciation. I planned to meet with him a few times before introducing the Bible, but amazingly, the first time we met, he asked about practicing reading, and he suggested using the Bible before I even had a chance. That was something that came directly from the Lord! We’ve met a number of times now, and are averaging about two “classes” a week. Every time he comes over we read in the Bible, and I get to ask him questions about what he just read. If he doesn’t understand, I get to explain it to him. Pretty good deal, eh? He has heard the message of salvation a number of times from me, but does not yet see the need to accept Christ as his savior. He continues to have great questions and little by little he is understanding what a relationship with God and faith in Christ is all about. I realize that only God can change his heart… I’m fully incapable of doing that. Please pray that I would do my part in being His tool as a “seed sower,” and eventually a “harvester” if it’s the Lord’s will.
Victor
I mentioned Victor in the last update I posted. Up until this week I have been out to visit him about once every two days, sometimes to help with his homework, other times to just say hi and see how he was doing and sometimes to find out he wasn’t home. This past week a few of his neighbors reported to the authorities that he and his brothers had been living home alone for nearly 3 months, abandoned by their father. Although their father is rarely home, 3 months was an exaggeration because the longest time had been away from his children without stopping in to visit was about a week. Nevertheless, two government social workers came and took Victor and his two brothers away to an orphanage and we are not sure what is next.
Hector and Paola
On Sunday afternoons I have been meeting with two university students, Hector and Paola. They have been faithful in their attendance and a great encouragement and help to my Spanish. I give a 20 minute “lesson / message” each time, and we have prayer requests and talk. They are both believers.
Enoch
He’s my next door neighbor. I’ve developed a good relationship with him through playing soccer and helping him with computer problems. He’s a really nice kid, I think about 17 years old. I’ve shared the gospel with him and desire to be faithful in walking through the open doors that God gives to me to continue sharing my faith with him.
Work at the church
In my spare time I’ve kept myself busy with some construction details that have been left undone at Cristo Victorioso. One of those projects was to replace the electrical service panel, and connect two new circuits, lights, switches and receptacles in a newer part of the building. Although it was an extensive project, (and at times head-scratchingly frustrating) I really enjoyed doing it. In Mexico, most wiring is run through plastic tubing called conduit. The conduit is usually inside a poured concrete beam or column, thus making it quite difficult if a tube gets smashed or pinched inside the wall. I had a few opportunities to be creative with my wiring, but in the end, everything turned out just fine. Flip the switch… lights turn on. Plug something in… it works.
Once the word gets out, the opportunities keep coming in. This Saturday I will go with a brother in Christ over to the home of an elderly lady and turn a fire-hazard of an electrical job into something safe and reliable and hopefully encourage and bless their family.
Prayer:
Could you please join us in prayer on Sunday as we set aside the day at Cristo Victorioso to pray specifically about the possibility of a team coming to work? We have encountered a number of obstacles and doors closing regarding the projected work that we have been planning over the past months. At this point we really need God to reveal his will in a very clear way. This may mean bringing a team to work on something that we were not planning on, or possibly not bringing a team down this year and planning on returning next year.
Please pray for Manuel, Jaiber, Victor and Enoch, who do not yet know Christ as their personal savior.
Thank you, once again, for all your prayers and encouraging emails. The prayer support and encouragement of a home church is so critical to missionaries. May God’s blessing be upon you all.
In Christ,
Jon