Rain


We are currently in rainy season but have yet to experience much of it.  It has been a blessing in some ways as the rain that we have had revealed to us that the roof to the volunteer apartment project leaks.  Learning this, immediate action has been taken to get a company in to fix the roof and add the necessary trim to finish it. 

Also, a learn as you go, the design of the apartments did not take into consideration the auditorium roof which meant the middle unit would only get outside lighting on the one end which also has an overhang.  Learning this, decisions were made to install skylights in the kitchen of that apartment before they repoured a new roof.  It makes a tremendous difference.

We have 3 teams coming in August so Ira has been very busy getting things to a point so they can work efficiently while here.  There will be an electrician on the team.  He and  another member will stay a few days longer that the rest of the team to get as much, if not all of the wiring finished.  This is very instrumental to proceed with the rest of the work that needs to be done since we can only work on them as finances allow so when teams come, it helps to really make progress in these projects.

The flooding that we do get from the rain is also an ongoing issue.  When they built the new road, it changed the entrance which changed the direction of the previous preventatives.  So more ditches have been dug and more pipes for drainage installed.  As the saying goes...you gotta go withe the flow and things are always changing.

The Levi Youth group and leaders continue to work very hard in their preparations for Summer Bible Camp which starts next week.  We continue to be blessed when we see what God is doing in and through the lives of those involved in the Ministry here.  Please pray that many will be reached with the message from the Bible Camp as the local communities have been invited to attend.
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going to prepare a place for you.


Calvary Chapel Horizon Church Conference

July 9-11 2009, Pan de Vida hosted the 12th annual Calvary Chapel Horizon Church Conference.  Each year, the Pastors and church planters and their families come together to pray, worship, praise and sit under the word to be revived in their ministry.

There were about 220 people in attendance this year.  Pan de Vida arranged for the older kids of the Orphanage to attend a Christian camp while the younger kids all stayed at the hacienda.  The students that are taking the ILMES college course at Pan de Vida were the ones to work and serve the visitors. Even the children of the families in attendance were taken to the Christian Camp so the parents could focus on the ministry of the conference. Pan de Vida filled all the dorms with as many people as possible and the overflow stayed at local hotels or rented houses within the city.

The month leading into the conference took much work from everyone, but with the teamwork, it wasn't hard.  Much of the result of a successful event is found in the details.  The auditorium and kitchen were given a facelift. A power point system was installed for overhead presentations and worship. There was alot of work done in making signs, banners and bookmarks.  I can't even tell you how much work goes on behind the scenes to work out all of the logistics.  Juan Domingo, the director of the Calvary Chapel Alliance, commented how it was the most organized conference he had ever attended.  

The message this year was preached from 1 Corinthians~Making a Healthy Church.  Over the 3 day period, different Pastor's preached the chapters.  It was great to hear the perspective from each.  There were also many who shared testimonies on what God has been doing in their ministries. 

It was a real blessing to meet new brothers and sisters.  Many were locals from within Mexico and others were from abroad.  It was a packed schedule but the fellowship was wonderful as many spoke English.  What I loved the most was how everyone from the worship team, the kitchen staff to those assisting in parking, they worked together and enjoyed hosting the event.

God has saved us by grace and we should live out that grace to the fullest through faithfulness.  Whether our ministry is preaching, teaching, cleaning, cooking, driving people to doctors appointments, if we do it with a service to God, we are living by the grace He has so freely given.  

We had t-shirts for the event that had a scripture on the back :
1Corinthians 13:7-8  Love....It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails...


         



    

Appreciation

This past weekend, Pan de Vida hosted an appreciation supper for the local Mexican businesses that make donations to the ministry here.  Some donate chicken, milk and food weekly while others have donated vehicles to truck in the water or hired construction companies to provide us a road. 

The directors want Pan de Vida to not be about receiving but also about giving back. These events also teach the children etiquette in social settings. Several of the youth worked to paint welcome signs and clean up the facilities.  The youngest children were dressed up as greeters to the guest.  There was a slide show that educated them on the growth of the facilities and number of children.  Three of the older and long term youth gave testimonies of their life before and how God has provided them opportunities through the ministry of Pan de Vida.  Then they worked together to serve the donors a meal.  Many helped all day in the kitchen making tamales and atole (a hot flavoured corn meal drink), which is a traditional meal here and used on special occasions.  The others were the waiter/waitresses.  We were also entertained with music by a couple of girls that are in the Church worship team.

Some of the younger girls sat at the table with me and Ira.  We had a few visitors sitting beside us and we really feel God used this time to minister to them.  They were asking questions about the kids and the biggest impact was for them to personally witness how polite and interactive the children were.  We pray that each one took more knowledge of  Pan de Vida ministry with them and how it is the work of God that really makes the heart beat within the walls.  

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ' It is more blessed to give than to receive.'


          

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