Update

Is it here already?!

In just one week, Art and I will be changing Church congregations, and becoming a part of a Church plant here in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

This is what we want to do. This is what we feel God has called us to do. This is what we feel we need to do.

And we are about to stick both feet in. We are about to experience something that neither of us has ever had the opportunity to take part in. And we couldn't be any more excited.

We will begin the our Sunday services on Sunday, January 15th at 11 am. If you remember, please say a prayer for us as we begin this ministry. We, along with the other families, are looking forward to the opportunities God has for us, and the blessings that are to come.

Latest Update

September 10th, 2011.

Art and I made it across town to meet with our fellow brothers and sisters who we are working with to get the Church plant going.

• Someone donated Bibles to us. We have 50 Children's Illustrated Bibles, 50 Teen Bibles, and 50 "Easy to Read" Bibles that we looked through on Sat. night. We plan on using these as a start in our curriculum plans for Bible Classes. Seeing as most of the our visitors will be ones who don't have a clue about the Bible or its content, we're working hard at remembering to start at the beginning (and slowly) to give them the Living Word.
• We discussed potential preachers, Bible class teachers, and what our typical "visitor" will look like.
• We are expecting TONS of kids. YAY! Because I love kids! Rachel has signed up to work with the kindergarten age kids, and Art is working with the middle school. We are very excited.
• We are looking for Church congregations who could help us by donating new or used communion materials (bread, juice, and offering plates). If you, or anyone else you may know, can do that. Please contact us.
• We also talked a lot about understanding how "out of the box" this project is. We, in no such way, desire to disobey the Word of the Lord, so please pray that we seek God's will in regards to this project.

Back Home.

During our date night dinner on Wednesday, Arturo got a call from Josue that there was a group of people meeting at his house to talk and discuss the plans for the church plant near the CAIMAS center. We headed over there after dinner and found a group of about 13 brothers of the Church who are eager and ready to begin evangelizing in the neighborhood where CAIMAS, the center for the handicapped and disabled, is located. Throughout the entire meeting I just kept feeling the Holy Spirit tell me that this project, or better said, this Kingdom work, was exactly the work that Arturo and I should be doing.

I have been discouraged somewhat by the lack of financial support we have received. Don't get me wrong, I have been in awe that we have received what we have received, but every now and then I am reminded that times are tough, and that I am impatiently waiting on God to turn water into wine, or 5 loaves of bread into 12 baskets of leftovers.... metaphorically speaking. However, the Holy Spirit calms me down and reminds me that life is about learning to trust in God for our needs, and, with a "moving mountains" faith, the Lord will provide for Arturo and I. Whether it be from other congregations or family friends, or with new job opportunities for Arturo -- we, or maybe just I, need to be patient and wait for the Lord's timing on this one.

So as all of this has been processing on my mind and in my heart for the past few days, I am asking for some resources or maybe just some advice/guidance from other brothers/sisters who have been involved in church planting. If you or anyone you know may be of some help in this area, please send me their email via Facebook or email (losvargas2@gmail.com).

We are looking forward to this ministry and the harvest that this work will produce. Not a selfish anticipation, but, rather, an eternal one as we seek to bring others to know and love Christ just as we do.

Arturo & Rachel

May I direct you?

www.notaboutmexico.blogspot.com


I've been back from Mexico for a month now. CAIMAS has taken it's summer break until August 12th, so I will update THIS Mexico blog once I arrive in Mexico in Aug.


Be Strong in the Lord,
Rachel

Thoughts

I realized today that I have 2 more months as a HIM worker. This journey I began almost 2 years ago is coming to a close, and a new chapter in my life will open up, giving me more opportunities and new adventures to write about. As I've mentioned before, I desire to continue my stay down here in Mexico. My desire to move all of my attention and ministry into the CAIMAS center and the services it offers to the handicapped and disabled. For the past few months I have been making that transition -- and it's been a really hard one. I love working with the youth and young adult group. I love making home visits on Monday nights. I love spending an hour with the ladies of the church in our Bible class. I have loved every ministry that I have ever been a part of down here. But as I close my time up as a HIM worker and get ready for my time as a full-time volunteer worker, accepting change and the blessing that comes with it has got to be on my mind.

Quick Post...

I haven't had one of these TGIF moments in a long time, but last night I went to bed saying it. "Thank God It's Friday" (Well, I guess technically it was still Thursday when I said it, but you catch my drift...)

It's been one crazy week. I think I crossed the border an average of 2-3 times per day (running errands for our annual youth rally and picking up furniture that was donated to the CAIMAS center), and I also spent my time out at the CAIMAS site in preparation for next week's grand opening (more information on this will be posted in my newsletter). Not to mention my personal exercise plan I put into effect last week. Doesn't sound like a lot when written down, so I'll say it again..... THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

Happy Weekend to you all!

Rachel Almanza

Facebook msg

So this morning as I'm checking my Facebook I notice I had a very sweet comment left to me by one of the sisters of the Church down here. When I first moved down here, I was asked to help this woman who was sick with her two small girls. I ran errands, played with her daughters, and took them to school. I was still so new that my Spanish was horrible, and she helped me so much with my Spanish. I really look back to those days and thank this woman for what she did for me even while she was sick. So, I wanted to share it with you since it's something to be shared.

RACHEL HAS SIDO UNA GRAN BENDICION PARA TODOS LOS QUE TE CONOCEMOS, BENDENDITO DIOS QUE TE TRAJO A NUESTRA CIUDAD. NO DEJARE DE AGRADECERTE NUNCA EL APOYO QUE ME BRINDASTE CON LO DE MI ENFEREDAD. TE QUIERO MUCHO HERMANITA.

I'm sure that you guys didn't understand one word of that, so I'll translate it the best I can:

Rachel, you have been one great blessing to all of us that have met you. Thank God that he brought you to our city. I will never stop thanking you for the bright and cheerful support that you gave me while I was sick. I love you so much little sister.


I mean.... wow. When you hear words of encouragement like that you can't help but know that they are words that the Lord wanted you to hear. I've had a lot of free time lately, and when that happens I usually start asking myself, "What am I doing here? Am I even making a difference?" To have received this message during a time when I needed it -- all I can say is, "Thanks, God."

Be Strong in the Lord,
Rachel