Dear Friends:
Our next ministry meeting in Palomas will be Sept. 13! Last week, as the students came into our meeting, they found a brand new backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year. We encouraged our families concerning the school year, challenging them with our theme Scripture for this year: “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. We had a fun time of worship, followed by having the parents come up and pray over their kids. Then, prizes were awarded for the winners of various competitions during our July fun & field day. Once we completed the meeting, they went out to get measurements for school uniforms, choose school shoes and athletic shoes, and get fitted for athletic uniforms. Anita, our local Director, will be paying the students’ tuition during this month.
We had 170 students, 40 more than we have ever had! And, we are still in need of sponsors! We need 19 more sponsors for Jr. High and High school students. The cost of $45 per month for Jr. High and $55 per month for high school students. Please help us get the word out! Maybe you know someone who would be interested in helping these students stay in school! Please give them Pat’s phone number, (505)670-5659) or Ceci’s phone number, (505) 930-0117.
One of the neatest things that we did this month was to have J J Gonzales share with the kids. He is a young man who just completed a mission trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, where he went out with a team and evangelized. They saw many healings, and he shared how a woman who was nearly blind was prayed for and her sight was restored. Another woman had a broken leg, and God miraculously healed it, and she got up leaping and dancing for joy! God was moving in their midst! Through this, the students didn’t react a whole lot, and J J was prompted to ask them how old they thought he was. Guesses ranged anywhere from 25 to 50. They were amazed when he told them that he is 19 years old! And then he said, if I can do it, you young people can do it too!
We are praying for our young people to become passionate for the Lord during this coming school year! We are also planning on developing a tutoring program for students who need help in reading, writing, math, or in preparing for college exams.
We met in 3 groups this month, to help make it easier to get the kids all outfitted for their new clothing. It was a long day, but so much fun!
At supper time, we had a special treat, as we celebrated Wendy’s 21st birthday! Wendy came to our orphanage when she was a couple of months old, severely malnourished and addicted through her mother to Crack. Manuelita, our housemother at the time, took her in and started the long process of helping her revitalize! She and her husband, David, ended up caring for her during all the years she was growing up! Manuelita passed away last year, but David is still at Casa as our maintenance person , and Wemdy often works with him at the orphanage.
We want to give a special “shout out” to Dean & Denise, who volunteered with us for the first time this month, and they really helped a lot! Now, all of you out there, come and meet your students! We would love to have you!
Here are some prayer points that we hope you will pray for our families and the ministry in Palomas!
1. That the power of the cartels will be broken.
2. That the Believers in Christ will be able to stand up against corruption.
3. That the Pastors and church leaders will have the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit manifested in their lives to lead their congregations into God’s Holiness.
4. That the congregations of Palomas will both grow and grow stronger in the Lord!
5. That the parents will raise their children in love and obedience to the Lord.
6. That the children will be able to resist the deceptions of the devil that are all around them!
7. That the teachers in the schools will have a passion for teaching the children well!
Jim & Pat