Dear Friends:
Our next ministry meeting in Palomas will be August 9! This will be initial meeting for the new school year, and it will include the approximately 40 new students, plus about 130 students already in our program. Our theme for this year will be "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" found in Joshua 24:15. We will be talking with the students and their parents about what that looks like as we meet with them each month through the coming school year.
This last 2 months has been an exciting time in Palomas, as our students completed this last school year in June, and then this month, they all went for a fun time at a local pool and park! We were very impressed by how hard the kids worked in school this year. We had 10 students with perfect grades for the school year, 9 students who had a 9.5 gpa or higher (out of 10), 21 students with a 9.0 or higher, and 21 kids with an 8.5 gpa or higher! This is the highest percentage we have ever had, and we think it is due in part to what they are getting out of the Alas de Amor program.
This coming year, we are hoping to add math and reading tutoring a couple of afternoons a week at our Casa facility to help the students.
Lizbeth Mel éndez, one of our speakers,( L), just obtained her bachelor ’s degree in public accounting, and Arely Villalobos (R) our other graduate speaker , just graduated from the nursing program. While it may cost more for our college kids, the rewards for them and their families will be great! Also, we hope they will “pay it forward ” once they obtain good jobs!
Summer fun at the pool included worship provided by a church band from Cd. Juárez, food that was provided by the different churches in the program, preaching by Raymundo, our incoming President, swimming, fun & games. A great end to the school year!
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!
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