¡Bienvenidos a . . . Missionary Monday!

 It's Missionary Monday - time to give you some highlights of the past week.

Pastor David Eales invited Stuart to Rock Solid Ministries in Richmond, IN. Stuart spent the better part of an hour answering all kinds of wonderful questions about Mexico and our ministry.

Afterwards the youth group gave our family a gift box covered with encouraging notes from everyone. 

Thank you, Rock Solid Ministries, for partnering with us in ministry!

Yesterday we had a great time at New Life Community Church in Marion, IN. 

Pastor David and Shami Grieve invited five missionary families to be a part of A Taste of Missions to highlight our ministries and help his congregation to go Beyond, so all can hear the gospel!

Here I am serving up everyone's favorite - tacquitos with salsa verde.

We had a lot of inquiries concerning the recipe for taquitos. 

They are super easy to make.

Just roll up some shredded chicken in a corn tortilla and fry in a pan. 

*Or you can go the super-duper easy route and buy the Goya brand taquitos from your favorite international grocery :) 

Don't forget to serve with some salsa verde - La Costeña is our favorite brand.

Worship in the Park // Adoración en el Parque

Last Sunday we enjoyed worship at Bosque de Tlapan with our church family.



Hoy te rindo mi ser y mi corazón
yo vivo para ti
en cada respirar
cuando estoy atento a ti
Dios haz tu obra en mi



We also enjoyed good food and a little fun.

Can you hear Stuart laughing at the end?



Then the grown men had their turn with the potato sacks - or maybe they were rice sacks :)

Día Feliz

Worship today at Asamblea Cristiana, Mexico City.

Oh día feliz, día feliz 

Lavaste mi maldad 

Oh día feliz, día feliz 

Jamás seré igual 

Por siempre me cambio 

Mexico Ministry Highlights

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I Will Rest in You . . .

Last week I preached at our home church in Mexico City on Resting in God's Rest. You would think resting would be easy, but as I've learned these last few years, it's not as easy as it sounds. For instance, whenever I face a challenge I like to think it through, make a plan, and then to the best of my ability make it happen. But sometimes, no matter what I try to do, nothing works. Or it gets worse.

Much worse.

BARK If You Love Jesus

A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk. ~O.A. Battista

Our Schnauzer Jack convinces Stuart to go for a walk at least twice a day. Usually though, it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with people as Jack has a tendency to greet and sniff every person, dog, tree, and rock in the park.

The other day, Jack ran over to two guys sitting on a bench. They struck up a conversation with Stuart and talked about a myriad of topics including, "What do you think of the world ending in 2012?" Taking the bait, Stuart (armed with all his hard-earned Spanish) delved into his testimony and the hope he found in Christ years ago.

Hmmm, dog-inspired evangelism. Maybe we're on to something.

http://groupwrok.wikispaces.com/Cartoon+Writing

Pray with . . . Pray for . . . Mexico

Let's Do Something

Let's pray for Mexico.

Today is election day in Mexico. We appreciate your prayers for God's guidance and peace in the land.

A Father's Love

Brianna's engaging smile belied the fact that she trusted no-one, especially adults. A quiet, teen-aged girl her physical scars told a story she never spoke of and her emotional scars hindered her from embracing close friendships. Regardless, Stuart and I cared deeply for Brianna and sought to buff away the hardness that encased her young life . . . Read the rest of the story on Tortilla Press.

Ministry in the City

I just realized I had some ministry photos hiding in my phone! 

So here's to Ministry in the City over the last few months.

La Palabra de Dios

Stuart preached last week at our church, Asamblea Cristiana in Mexico City. In fact, our pastor asked us to take turns preaching every month. We really appreciate this opportunity, the pastor's faith in our ability, and the kindness of the patient saints in our church  :)

Exceptional Help

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ~Acts 17:27

My Pentateuch class at Anna Sanders Bible Institute in Mexico City, just started studying Exodus and I am intrigued by the exceptional part that women played in the history of Israel.

As we remember from Sunday School, there is a new Pharoah in town; one that does not know Joseph nor how he blessed the nation of Egypt. Intimidated by the numerous Israelites, this Pharaoh initiates a three-fold plan to thwart their growth. First he oppresses them with forced labor, then he recruits midwives to kill the newborn Hebrew boys, next he orders the Hebrew boys to be thrown into the Nile.

However, his plan is consistantly thwarted by the women in the story: The life affirming midwives refuse to kill the newborns, loving mom Jochebed hides her son, wise sister Miriam offers timely advice for the newfound infant, and finally the merciful Pharoah's daughter receives Moses as her own. Where would the nation of Israel be without the integrity, creativeness, wisdom and compassion of the women in this story!

When God created Eve he endowed her with a worthy title: helper. Lest we think that this moniker somehow means weaker or less capable let's remember that Israel called upon the Lord by the same name: But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper . . . ~Psalm 146:5.

An appropriate helper is not inferior to the one they help but rather one who is capable and suitable for the task at hand. The Exodus story highlights many helpers who are responsible for advancing God's divine plan of redemption.

Our lives here in Mexico are filled with numerous helpers as well; fellow missionaries, neighbors, and friends who day by day help us acclimate to the culture, learn the language, and partner with us in ministry.

Of course, Stuart and I enjoy helping too. In the last year, we have helped a local church get a new start, taught Bible at our kids' school, preached at church, and taught at the Anna Sanders Bible Institute. And this year we look forward to helping even more.

We appreciate your valuable help as well. You have prayed for us, supported us financially, sent encouraging letters, and remembered us on our birthdays. We can't do this without you.

Thanks for your help. 

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. ~Romans 12:13

Esto y Eso

A few snippets of this and that today. 

Stuart had another opportunity to preach recently at our home church, Asamblea Cristiana in Mexico City. He received many compliments on his Spanish, which is always nice. We just started tutoring once a week so we could improve our conversational skills and be more effective in our ministry.

Isn't this a beautiful invitation? The pastor's family invited us to their daughter's quinceañera next month. As you probably know this is a very elaborate fiesta celebrating a young girl's coming of age. As a part of the quinceañera court, Wesley has been diligently learning how to dance and practicing with the court 3-4 times a week.

And lastly, for those who enjoyed our adventure into the center of the city here is Sophia practicing on her new Takamíne acoustic guitar that we found there.

Close The Door When You Leave

I don't know who wrote this poem. I found it on a friend's blog. So no copy right infringement is intended. If you or a loved one is dealing with cancer, this is dedicated to you. May you find strength and healing in the one who is all-compassionate.

I never asked you to visit

 At least I don't believe I did

 Maybe I don't know

 It's so confusing

 At any rate, you're a rude guest

 You take my energy,

 rob my sleep, and with a stick

 You swirl and distort my dreams

 All right, You are here for now

 But understand

 There are two places

 That are forever off limits

 You may not tread on my spirit

 You may not occupy my soul

 I have heard of your visits to others

 I know the damage you leave in your path

 The wanton disregard for innocence, value,

 and what some would call fairness

 Also, I hear that laughter confuses you;

 That good food makes you feel bad, and

 That nothing causes you more distress

 Than an autumn sunset,

 The forever blue of a summer sky

 Or the unconditional radiance of a child's smile

 Listen and understand

 You might pilfer my closets,

 Empty all the drawers,

 And trash my house,

 But there are two places

 Forever off limits

 You may not tread on my spirit

 You may not occupy my soul

 Do not mistake my nausea, weakness,

 And pain as signs of your victory

 They are simply small dents

 In the armor I wear to fight you

 Instead, look deeply into my eyes

 That there are two places

 Forever off limits

 You must not

 May not

 Will not tread on my spirit

 You must not

 May not

 Will not occupy my soul

Ministry in Turrialba

Olivia and all of CINCEL's summer-intensive students traveled beyond San Jose this week to minister and share their testimonies in Spanish to a church in Turrialba.

Stuart had the opportunity to preach for the first time in Spanish as well during the first service.

Many people responded to the altar call.

Don Cartledge ministers to the church in Turrialba.

Fellow student, Natasha sings "Cuan Grande es El" (How Great Thou Art).

Following the service we enjoyed lunch amidst beautiful surroundings.

The first course was great . . . 

and the company was interesting as well . . .

the rest of the group agrees.

Butterflies were in abundance . . . 

and the view was spectacular.

In just a few short weeks we will wrap up our time here in Costa Rica. Please pray for us during this time of transition as we travel to the States and then onto Mexico.