Q: How Do You Know Where to Give?
A: Romans 15:27 says Give to Those Who Have Ministered to You.
"Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings."
First, this shows a church, or a group of churches giving money to another work which is far away. Others are needed to help. This is a good pattern for helping others outside our neighborhood.
Second, it shows financial duty to those who minister to us. We have a duty to consider how we might bring financial blessing to those who minister to us. If we have received benefit, we ought to help them. Give materially to those who have been a blessing to you spiritually.
So here is our question: Has the work of the Lord through us been a blessing to you, your family or your church. If the answer is yes, please consider helping us advance the work of His Kingdom.
Here are some ways you can help:
1. Give a generous one time gift to help us with the July Mexico Mission Trip. This will help cover costs we incur for VBS materials, travel, food, and donations to the mission sites in Mexico.
2. Put us in your personal monthly budget or church “Home Missions” budget. Your monthly support allows us to continue ministry and fund future mission trips.
May the Lord bless you as you seek His wisdom and guidance.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Mexico March 2009
Thursday was a prep day for Mexico. We are thankful for Hermano Benito and Hermana Rosa for sharing their casa with us. We left for Mexico Friday morning around 4:00 and arrived at the first border crossing around noon. This crossing took the longest, as they would not permit the trailer we were pulling. We stopped and unloaded most everything that was in the trailer into the already packed van with us. The Fronteria border crossing was not a problem as we basically sailed past.
We got into Ciudad Mante around 9:00 pm and were looking forward to resting in the hotel. There are very few stop lights in Mexico and traffic seems to be semi-controlled with speed bumps, lots of speed bumps. Lots! However, we went to a family's casa for an excellent dinner. Excellente! The children played ball you would never know that there was a language barrier. By the time we got to the hotel, everyone was ready for sleep!
Up Saturday morning bright and early on our way to El Limonal. It was about a 3 hour drive over some of the most scenic mountain ranges and valleys we had seen. Again, the roads were bumpy! We visited a few missions along the way and were blessed by the people and the Spirit of God was evident. Services were held Saturday evening under the trees and afterwards we had a dinner of tamales and pan dulce (sweet breads) at Hermana Ava's. They insisted that we stay with them instead of going to a hotel. These people take hospitality seriously as we found out later that some slept in their car so that we could have their room. Talk about humbling!
Sunday morning was another delicious meal and a few of us took a walk around town. Sunday was service at El Limonal from about 10 am to 3pm then back to Hermana Ava's for lunch of chicken mole. YUM! After visiting for awhile, we headed back to Mante. We went back to Hermano Goyo's, services at Monte Horeb, then back to Hermano Goyo's before going to the hotel. The Mexican children were always so excited to see us, running up to the van as soon as they saw it bouncing down the dusty road. Monday morning saw us departing Mante for home, and no problems with any border crossings.
The border crossings really surprised me. We were never asked to get out of the van, they did not search any suitcases, they did not even open the doors. The Lord opened the doors as we walked through. We shopped some at the market in Progresso, but it was expensive. Hermana Rosa bought Lily a precious tea set and Hermano Udiel bought each of the girls a beautiful bracelet. Up in the mornings around 6am, to bed somewhere past 11pm, and we loved it! We were exhausted when we got home, but excited about the work in Mexico and ready to go again at a moment's notice! Some of us cried upon leaving El Limonal, as they definately made an impact on our lives. Even looking at the pictures makes some of us tear up still.
Is God calling you to join us in support, prayer and/or financially for our next trip in July?
We got into Ciudad Mante around 9:00 pm and were looking forward to resting in the hotel. There are very few stop lights in Mexico and traffic seems to be semi-controlled with speed bumps, lots of speed bumps. Lots! However, we went to a family's casa for an excellent dinner. Excellente! The children played ball you would never know that there was a language barrier. By the time we got to the hotel, everyone was ready for sleep!
Up Saturday morning bright and early on our way to El Limonal. It was about a 3 hour drive over some of the most scenic mountain ranges and valleys we had seen. Again, the roads were bumpy! We visited a few missions along the way and were blessed by the people and the Spirit of God was evident. Services were held Saturday evening under the trees and afterwards we had a dinner of tamales and pan dulce (sweet breads) at Hermana Ava's. They insisted that we stay with them instead of going to a hotel. These people take hospitality seriously as we found out later that some slept in their car so that we could have their room. Talk about humbling!
Sunday morning was another delicious meal and a few of us took a walk around town. Sunday was service at El Limonal from about 10 am to 3pm then back to Hermana Ava's for lunch of chicken mole. YUM! After visiting for awhile, we headed back to Mante. We went back to Hermano Goyo's, services at Monte Horeb, then back to Hermano Goyo's before going to the hotel. The Mexican children were always so excited to see us, running up to the van as soon as they saw it bouncing down the dusty road. Monday morning saw us departing Mante for home, and no problems with any border crossings.
The border crossings really surprised me. We were never asked to get out of the van, they did not search any suitcases, they did not even open the doors. The Lord opened the doors as we walked through. We shopped some at the market in Progresso, but it was expensive. Hermana Rosa bought Lily a precious tea set and Hermano Udiel bought each of the girls a beautiful bracelet. Up in the mornings around 6am, to bed somewhere past 11pm, and we loved it! We were exhausted when we got home, but excited about the work in Mexico and ready to go again at a moment's notice! Some of us cried upon leaving El Limonal, as they definately made an impact on our lives. Even looking at the pictures makes some of us tear up still.
Is God calling you to join us in support, prayer and/or financially for our next trip in July?
PSALM 96
O SING to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth. Say among the nations that the Lord reigns; the world also is established, so that it cannot be moved; He shall judge and rule the people righteously and with justice. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all the things which fill it; Let the field be exultant, and all that is in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness and truth.
#1 - Sing to the Lord a new song, daily praising Him for His salvation!
#2 - Give to the Lord all that He is giving you!
#3 - Tell others, declare it among everyone, the Lord reigns!
SING! GIVE! TELL!
#1 - Sing to the Lord a new song, daily praising Him for His salvation!
#2 - Give to the Lord all that He is giving you!
#3 - Tell others, declare it among everyone, the Lord reigns!
SING! GIVE! TELL!
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