Riding the Rapids

During service today I had this thought, listening to a sermon in a language that is not your own is like white-water rafting. It's a fast and furious ride to hang on to every word, to every sentence so that you can ride the wave of understanding. Inevitably, a twist in the course, an unexpected wind or wave tosses you up and over to the river bank. Now all you can see and hear are the rapids passing swiftly by. Here's the dilemma, do I jump back in again or do I play the spectator.

It takes a lot of concentration to ride the river rapids. Your mind is focused, your body is tense, but the distractions can be numerous. So it is with listening and understanding a foreign language. It's surprising how worn-out you can be after a Sunday service. But week after week and day after day we choose to jump back in the river. It's a wild ride but we are getting stronger each day. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we are making progress, but then you have those moments of comprehension and it makes the ride worthwhile.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Help Me If You Can, I'm Feeling Down . . .

Actually, we're OK, but a local church is feeling a bit run down and in need of repair so Stuart headed out this week to help out.

Stuart joined fellow missionaries Randy and Linda Lindsey to renovate a new church plant in Mexico City. Rev. Joel Martínez Pulido* is the district treasurer of the Assemblies of God in Mexico City and pastor of this new church plant.

Stuart with missionary Linda Lindsey. 

Linda and her husband Randy are missionaries to the deaf in Mexico City. 

You can't see Randy because he is taking the picture :)

The vandalized church needs quite a bit of restoration work. 

Stuart helped remove carpeting in the sanctuary and is now painting the women's bathroom.

Looks like fun, right! 

Actually, nothing pleases Stuart more than to help local churches and pastors in any capacity that he can. 

We can use your help too. 

If you would like to help us continue our mission in Mexico City please consider a one-time offering or a monthly commitment. 

Just click on the appropriate link under HELP in the column to the right. 

And just like the song says, we do appreciate you being round :)

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28



* Today at district council, pastor Joel was voted in as the district superintendent of Mexico City. Felicidades!

Día de Las Madres

Today is Mother's Day in Mexico. However we honored women and moms this past Saturday at our church, Asamblea Cristiana with a special celebration.

Our tables were adorned with little mementos like this . . . 

and delicious treats like these.

Our pastor's wife Alma did a great job organizing and emceeing the event.

My daughters Sophia and Olivia and area director Cheryl Greco enjoyed front row status :)

I had the wonderful opportunity to preach for the first time in Mexico (and all in Spanish por supuesto)!

We got to know each other a little better through a series of fun questions . . . 

and by playing a silly game. 

The appointed queen sits on her throne asking her subjects for a variety of items, whichever team reaches her first with the appropriate item wins the round.

Afterwards the ladies got a little out of hand while cleaning up. Everyone was anointed with frosting before the night was through.

Here I am with my kids on Sunday -- Olivia, Wesley and Sophia -- they make a mommy proud!

Our church gave to each mom a few special gifts as well.

I am thankful for my mom and all the special women in my life who have influenced and encouraged me over the years. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

I am reminded of you sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. ~2 Timothy 1:5

A Fresh Touch From God

Recently we enjoyed a five day retreat in the beautiful state of Jalisco, Mexico along with the rest of the Mexico Missionary Fellowship. A Fresh Touch From God, was the theme for the week . . .

and what could be more refreshing than a view like this!

If you liked to fish, boats like these were for hire. We didn't go on one though, I just like pictures of boats.

Great times of worship refreshed our souls . . . 

as well as equally great speakers like Cynthia Nicholson . . . 

and of course, times of prayer for one another.

Our family enjoyed the sights and sounds on the boardwalk . . . 

where we were greeted by some amazing sand sculptures.

A closer look at Jesus and the disciples.

More boats. I like boats.

Our area directors, Dave and Cheryl Greco invited the newest missionary on the field, Daren Walker to pray for two couples (Lloyd and Rozella Marsh & David and Doris Godwin) who have 100 years of missionary experience between them!

More prayer for each of us through the prayer tunnel.

Olivia, Wesley, and Sophia among some of the beautiful architecture in Jalisco.

Can't believe these missionary kids actually sat still long enough to take this pic!

It makes me pause and wonder where they will be in 10 or 20 years.

One more boat at sundown.

We are so thankful for God's beautiful creation that he gave us to enjoy as well as times of refreshing with wonderful missionary colleagues. 

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. Philemon 1:7