This weekend Pan de Vida celebrated the 15th year birthdays of Carmen and Bertha. In Mexico, when girls turn 15 it is as big an event as most women's weddings in other cultures. It is important for the kids to know the traditions of their heritage and at the same time ministering to them the importance of becoming a young woman.
The service started with praise and worship to God through music and then Justo delivered a message on how each should walk with God and live according to the word of the Bible. The girl each received gifts of a ring to symbolize their commitment to God, a Bible to live by and a photo album to document their journey.
This is our 3rd Quinceñera to attend and what I love the most is how each of the girls embrace dressing up like the princesses they are. They get full of excitement as they get their nails, hair and make-up done. They are definitely princesses as they are children of the King!
Our internet provider isn't allowing me to upload many photos so here is a link to an album I was able to create on a different page.
Enjoy~
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his ways pure? By living according to your word.
It was recently announced that Rocio and Lucy received scholarships to attend Universidad del Valle de Mexico (University of the Valley of Mexico) which is right here in Querétaro. Both are currently in the bachelor of education program of pedagogy in the ILMES program, which is a University course offered here at Pan de Vida. In addition to their studies, they teach morning classes to some of the younger children.
These girls, along with others, have excelled in their studies and expressed interest in learning more in specific areas. Lucy has always desired to study medicine. Rocio is an avid reader and loves music and now wants to continue education in communication sciences. A lady who is a local supporter made it her mission to research opportunities and obtained scholarships for these areas of study. In addition to that, she has opened her home for the girls to stay in during their time in the University.
We know God has great plans for their lives and Pan de Vida has been a vessel used to provide them opportunities of growth in education and spirit. The children were young when they came and now as they get older, it is time for them to think about what they want to do in their lives and service. Pan de Vida has raised them to know the Lord and now we will trust Him in caring for them as they move on in their journey.
Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Saturday was a day filled with renewal in many different ways. First, Ira and I moved back to Pan de Vida into one of the apartments recently constructed above the kitchen. It will allow us to be more available in different areas of ministry since what we do isn't a 9-5 work schedule. We are looking forward to growing more in the ministry and relationships with the children and other volunteers.
Also on Saturday morning, Pan de Vida hosted a women's breakfast and Evangelical Bible Study. This ministry was prompted when many women showed interest from the Summer Bible School in wanting to fellowship more around the Word of God. Elia organized this breakfast and even though some from Summer Bible School did not come, it was a time that the on-site volunteers could fellowship with other women from area communities that do attend the church at Pan de Vida.. It is a blessing to have a time to spend together in prayer and encouragement to one another. This week the message was on how God views us. Many of us become self critical on how we look and sometimes feel that what we do as women, Mom's or wives may not be of value or importance. Elia talked about how the God who created the universe in all its detail is the one that also created us. Then the time was opened up to sharing and prayer requests. It was then that a woman shared how she was overcome with depression and God provided opportunity for her to be prayed over. These meeting will continue to be held every other Sat mornings at 10am at Pan de Vida.
Then to round the day off, The Levi Youth Group reunited after a 6 week break. With Justo and Elia no longer being involved because of their commitment in other ministries of the church and school, Paco, Elena and Kike wanted to take time to pray and refocus the direction they felt God wanted the youth group to go. The new theme for this term is "Being Light to the World". The leaders presented activities that demonstrate how God uses us to be a light to those in darkness. The youth divided into groups of 2 with 1 being blindfolded and then led vocally by the other. The task took them the length of the road, which is a lengthy distance blindfolded. They then continued a 40 min hike along paths around Pan de Vida with only a flashlight to guide them. A message was presented from God's Word connecting these activities. The message was followed by worship in songs and fellowship all by candlelight.
We continue to pray for growth among the children, youth and volunteers of Pan de Vida. We pray all these ministries will glorify God and the work he has called us each to do according to his purpose for our lives.
Psalm 18:28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
The new septic system is finally being installed! Pan de Vida has grown so much over the years and the original spetic was not able to withstand the use. The old system ruptured and for many months the septic was going into a hole and then that was filling up and spreading. The Waterloo team and their church donated funds to pay for a new system. The directors also felt that it would be a good idea to address the need of an irrigation system for the football field and future garden plots, so they wanted to have a filtered system that would recycle the water to a state that could be used for this purpose. After working out the logistics and getting more funding for this expense, the work has finally begun. The crew ran into some set backs as they dug down and hit a huge rock. It was too deep to blast, so they have spent days chiseling away at it with jack hammers. Once completely installed, we will be free from the contaminated ground and have a great system in place that will recycle the water for irrigation to the football field.
this is the hole of sewage...I gagged getting this picture
the filters
trench along football field being prepped for new irrigation system
