Thanks to the internet, I have been blessed to keep up with many of the people we met on our trip around the world. As many of you have been partners in praying for the different ministries, I thought I would share some of the updates I’ve received.
Mexico
Juan Carlos was our translator and life-saver during the Red Team’s problem-ridden drive through Mexico. His father is pastor of a church in a remote area of Veracruz, and helped him to plant a daughter church in the neighboring village. While we were there in Mirador, we evangelized door to door and helped lead nightly church services at the church plant. Though conditions were basic, we will always remember the incredible joy and devotion of the Mexican families!
Since then, the new church has celebrated their one year anniversary, members of the congregation have experienced healing, and Juan Carlos has gotten engaged! He will be married the 20th of Jan.
Please pray for the church and for Juan Carlos’ transition to married life!
Guatemala
Our 2nd church plant was in a tiny village on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan in Guatemala! We were blessed to live and work alongside Pastor Antonio and his family, and our lives will never be the same! When the church first began, it consisted of only 2 families.
Since then, God has blessed them richly and they have seen many people come to Christ! God has also provided them the resources to buy a plot of land, and they are preparing to build a permanent building to meet in.
Please pray that God would provide Bibles in their native language, Tzutujil. The Tzutujil New Testament was translated and printed 30 years ago, but at this time it is impossible to acquire a new copy. There is a huge need for the Tzutujil people to have the scriptures in their own language. (If you have any resources in this area, please contact me at [email protected])
China
God is moving in China, and as such we get frequent reports from our missionary contact there. We are especially delighted to hear that he and his wife are expecting adorable baby #2!
Please pray for their ministry and their family in this exciting time. One way to support the ministry is to shop from http://www.plateauproducts.com/index.html – they produce and sell leather baby shoes, which gives them a legitimate visa to stay in China.
Egypt
In August, we spent 2 weeks in a Coptic Orthodox community in Egypt. We were blessed to live in the Bishop’s home, and learned much through our conversations with him. Bishop Thomas is a very godly man with a great heart for the Lord.
Unfortunately, we’ve received word that he was recently in a serious car accident. Several of his friends were killed, and he was badly injured.
Please pray that God would heal him completely, and provide comfort as he grieves the loss of his friends.
Kenya
Over 1 million people reside in the slum of Kibera, and many don’t yet know the hope of Jesus Christ. Pastor Mike has just begun a brand new church plant, and was excited to report that 13 people attended the first service!
Pastor Jackson Maleya has also been pastoring a young church in Kibera, and during our time in Kenya we saw them move into their own church building. God provided an amazing location: the top of a hill, overlooking the slum area. We were thrilled to know that the sound of God’s people singing in worship would float to the people below. A few short months later, they have already outgrown their space, and are praying for a bigger, sturdier building! Pastor Jackson is also preparing to start a Nursery School, a vital need where many don’t have the income to send their children to public school.
Please pray that God would bless both of these churches to be lights in a community of great need. They are also praying that God would provide the resources for needs such as building, books, and musical instruments.
It’s hard to believe these are only a few of the places we’ve encountered this year… God has done so much, and it’s thrilling to see that the seeds we’ve planted are growing and producing great fruit! I hope you have been encouraged by the updates; if you would like to know more about anything or anyone specific, please e-mail me.
God Bless,
Katherine Weston, WR ’06
