Baptisms are such a meaningful part of our Christian journey as we publicly profess our faith in Jesus Christ who died and was resurrected. Recently Pan de Vida held a Baptism in the church. In the past, the event took place at a local waterpark or swimming pool off site. This year it was more intimate as not only 3 children(Daniel, Bertha and Vanessa) of the Orphanage were baptized but also 4 adult members of the ministry and church congregation.
Also, while we were in Nova Scotia, we attended a Baptism that took place in the ocean. This was special for us as it brought back memories of our Baptism which was held in the same location. Ira was honored to speak to the 3 women being Baptized in encouraging them as they were being obedient in believing and being Baptized that this was their outward expression to an inward change that they were burying the old ways and accepting eternal life with the presence of the Holy Spirit that comes through our Saviour Jesus Christ. He also shared on how now they have the responsibility to testify to fulfill the Great Commission.
We pray that our new brothers and sisters will become true disciples of Christ and they witness to those around them. What a glorious celebration!!
Matthew 29:18b-20 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Recently Children of Hope sold bracelets in a campaign to raise money for shoes and interior clothes for the children of Pan de Vida and Dulce Refugio Orphanages. Both facilities receive many donations of used clothing but interior clothes and shoes, are not typically recycled in the same manner. With so many kids, in order to be able to buy new, it is a very large expense that the budget usually can't cover. Thankfully with the proceeds from the bracelets, and some donations from individuals, the children have now been able to receive some new shoes, underwear, socks and the girls were even able to have new bras. It is a true blessing as we do strive to teach the children about hygiene and practical personal appearance.
You have often heard that it is a small world. Well, let me tell you how small it was for us this past weekend!
This past spring, Ira and I started attending the Rose of Sharon English Church service in Mexico on Sunday mornings. We became quick friends with a couple from Cambridge, Ontario Canada that were stationed in Queretaro for business purposes. Shortly after meeting them, we learned they were being transferred back to Canada to the town of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia which is only 2 hours from Cape Sable Island where Ira and I lived when in Canada. We were very sad to lose their fellowship in Mexico but as we planned to be in Canada, they made a point to come to the Island to visit for the weekend.
While here, we took them sightseeing of the local sights, family homesteads, fish plants, wharfs etc. Along the journey, Judy wanted to get a picture of the lighthouse, and on the way, Ira took a detour to The Hawk Wharf. Let me emphasize that the Hawk is the most southern tip of Nova Scotia and often referred to as the end of the earth. As we pulled up, we saw another car park and a couple get out. I noticed the woman had a hoodie jacket on that looked much like mine and then when we got closer, I started pointing and my mind was going so fast that my lips couldn't keep up. No comment y'all!! Anyway, I stumbled on what I was trying to say as I was pointing and sputtering "a, look, it, stop..." I think I was actually in a half crawl across the van and in Ira's lap trying to yell out the window.
It was Bob and Karen all the way from Manitoba! We have never known them this side of the border because we also met them in Mexico. They have been a part of a team and often led teams to come to Pan de Vida for the last 9 years. They knew about Pan de Vida long before we did and have been instrumental in much of the construction from the ground up over the years.
We had so much fun reuniting on the wharf and learned that we fly out the same day from Halifax so we are hoping to connect for a supper the night before departures. Ira and I both reeled in the amazement of how God worked the timing so perfectly for us to connect. I am telling you, where we bumped into to them is literally off the beaten path that very few tourist venture to. They had no clue we were in Canada and we had no idea they were in Nova Scotia. Later it crossed my mind that if these by chance meetings are so fun, what we have to look forward to in Heaven is way beyond my imagination. So there you have another example of how small the world truly is.
George and Judy
Us with Bob and Karen
this is where God reunited us
We often hear people talk of missions and many people immediately think that it spreading the gospel in a foreign land and remote areas. It is true that we should go to all nations to preach and minister but we have so many missions in our own backyard. Literally that is just what has happened here and we have been the blessed recipients of the project.
Ira and I are currently in Nova Scotia for 3 weeks. We have come to do presentations for the Children of Hope child sponsorship program and meet with people about our ministry at Pan de Vida. In our plans to come home we decided we would paint our house as well. When we moved to Mexico, we attempted to sell it, but this area has many people moving to Western Canada for work opportunities so our house joined a long list of many others on a very slow market. So we made the decision to rent it instead which has been going well for us but the responsibility of home ownership remains. We know God calls us to be good stewards of our belongings and the maintenance on the house has been overdue with us living in Mexico. So while we are here, we wanted to do as much as possible.
As soon as we arrived, with beautiful weather greeting us, we jumped right into prepping the house by scraping, washing with javex and applying primer. As many heard of our project, they came to help. So what could have been an overwhelming task as we faced the arrival of hurricane Earl and being here for a certain time frame, turned into fun filled days of fellowship and painting. In 4 days, the group project was completed and now Ira has a few other tasks to finish but they can be done in any weather.
And like all mission projects and outreaches, this was about much more than the house getting painted. It was about caring for your neighbor and loving one another. God has encouraged us through the love and generosity of our family and friends, yet again! Great is Thy Faithfulness!
