What's going on in:
San Diego
&
Aguascalientes
There is a lot going on and I want to keep you all informed with the highlights of each month. Thank you to all who pray for and support these ministries. We are able to bless so many people and we couldn't do it without you. To God be all the glory. Gracias amigos!
August was a really busy month. I started off the month down in Aguascalientes and helped out with a lot of construction. We were really busy with the big inauguration coming up. And the second half of the month I was back in San Diego and excited to teach the youth at church.
I made and installed all 10 of the windows for the new church building/expansion project. The church that I attended when I was living in Aguascalientes is growing and they need more space. They are almost ready to open the new section.
I also did all of the aluminum work for the bathrooms. I made the divisions for the stalls. I didn't have enough time to finish the doors to the stalls, but I explained how to do it to my friend so he will be able to finish before the big opening.
Women's bathroom
Men's bathroom
My "daughter," Elvira, started her 3rd year of med school. I took her on her first day and we stopped for coffee before school started. I'm so proud of her and I'm constantly praying for God's blessing on her life. She is a very dedicated woman and in just a few more years she's going to be a great doctor!
I got to visit a couple of times with my fellow Horizon missionary, Chevon. She is doing well and was telling me about all that is going on in her life. She has been doing some water therapy sessions with our physical therapist and loves it. She hadn't been swimming in years and enjoys being in the pool for her therapy.
I flew back to San Diego on August 13th. It was a great/productive trip!
We planned a baby shower for Allyson. Allyson helps out in the Jr High every 4th Sunday of each month. She is due in early October and wasn't sure if she'd be helping out next month. It was a surprise shower and she really enjoyed it. She said she felt very loved and blessed. We prayed for Allyson and asked God to bless her, her baby and her family. We also played games. I planned some of my favorites that I've seen at baby showers. One was melting different chocolates into diapers and the kids had to guess which type of chocolate it was. The other game was a milk chugging contest...from a baby bottle. It was a fun day!
As we continue in the gospel of Mark, I taught the kids the words of Jesus which seem completely backwards in today's culture: “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). The culture today is very self centered and it seems strange to hear: "put yourself last." But my faith is in Jesus so I trust Him. I taught the kids an acronym for joy: Jesus, others, yourself. I taught them that by doing things in that order we will find true joy. We also talked about how Jesus humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant. He even washed His disciple's feet at one point (John 13). I joked that the activity for the day was that the kids were gonna wash my feet. Most of them didn't seem too happy about it.
And on August 31st, CFC (Centro de la Familia Cristiana) had the grand opening of their new building. My friend, pastor Isaac Gutierrez, had a ribbon cutting ceremony and prayed for God's blessing on the new section of the church. I wasn't able to attend but I am so glad that I got to help out with this project. I regularly go to Aguascalientes and still feel very connected to the church, the people and all that is going on down there. It was a blessing to be able to stack so many blocks, pour concrete, install the windows and build the bathrooms. I pray that this will be a huge blessing to the people of Aguascalientes. It is all for God's glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. May many souls get saved and many people learn God's Word in this place. Amen!
