Dear Friends:
Our next ministry meeting in Palomas will be May 17. We are meeting on the 3d weekend of May in order to have a Family Fiesta Day, honoring the family. In Mexico, Mother’s Day is always on the 10th day of May, and there are a lot of public events honoring mothers on that week-end. We did not want to conflict with that.
On our family day, we will have a talent show competition by family, in addition to all of the traditional Fiesta fun with worship, preaching, games, food, and social time. We will also have contests for cool prizes, like blenders, microwaves, and other appliances.
I thought it would be a good idea to introduce you to our college students that Alas is sponsoring. Some college students have personal sponsors, and some are sponsored through our general fundraising. But with all of them, we are working to develop relationships with our sponsors to keep up with them, encourage them, pray for them, and teach them.
We have had 3 college students graduate from college this Spring, and they are all starting their careers!
Andrea Santellanes has now received 3 certifications in Baking, and she is now busy pursuing her career.
Arely Villalobos received her diploma so that she can start working in a hospital as a nursing assistant.
Lizbeth Meléndez received her degree in Public Accounting. We celebrate their achievements, and look forward to seeing all that God does with them!
We have 9 students who are still in college:
Andrea Melendez Valerio attends Tecnologico de Nuevo Casas Grandes. She is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, and plans to graduate in 2029.
Zabdi Gabriela Hassey Jimenez attends Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez. She is pursuing a degree in nursing, and plans to graduate in 2028.
Pablo Cesar Ortiz Avendaño attends Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez in Nuevo Casas Grandes, and plans to obtain his degree in Psychology in 2027.
Jacqueline Sepulveda Garcia is attending Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez, and plans To obtain her degree in Industrial and System Engineering in 2028.
Jimmy Emmanuel Maldonado Valerio is attending Universidad Tecnologica de Paquime. He plans to obtain his degree in Sustainable and Protected Agriculture as a Technician Engineer in 2027
Gonzalo Rosales Gonzalez is attending Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez and plans to obtain his degree in Marketing in 2026.
Osvaldo Garza Cardona is attending Universidad Autónoma de Cd. Juarez. He plans to obtain his degree in Biotechnology in 2027.
Mireya Adilene Sillas Vazquez is attending Universidad Tecnologica de Paquime and plans to obtain her degree in Sustainable and Protected Agriculture at a Technician in 2027, and as an Engineer in 2029.
Maria Guadalupe Erives Corona is attending Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua and plans to obtain her degree in Law in 2028. Lupita is one of our girls from Casa, and we are very proud of her for overcoming so much to get to this point!
All of these young people are pursuing dreams that would have never been possible without the support they receive from their families and from our Alas program. They are achievers! We are very proud of them! But there are still many things that can get in the way as they seek to pursue their dreams, and we and they would greatly appreciate your prayers that they will be able to successfully complete their course of studies and enter into the careers they are working so hard to obtain.
Ps 1:1-3 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 2 But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. NLT
All of you sponsors also deserve a big pat on the back! Through your support, this past school year we have been sponsoring more than 130 students in school, and making a big difference in their lives! But, the challenge just grew! We have 170 applicants for our program for the coming school year! That means we will need about 40 additional sponsors! Please pray with us that the sponsors will be found! God has been faithful in stirring the hearts of so many of you, often for many years now, and so please pray with us that He will stir the hearts of at least 40 new sponsors! If you are a current sponsor, please let Pat know if you will continue your support in the coming year! Together, we are changing a town, one student at a time!
We currently have 2 girls left in the orphanage, and they will likely be with us through October. If we do not get a missionary house mom or house couple, we will have to close the orphanage at that time. We will continue the Alas program and we will be praying for God’s answer regarding ways the building may help the community.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
Jim & Pat