Sara, Belem, Elsa, Zabdi, Ivonne, Manuel, Agapito & Ignacio (Nancy and Noemí are missing from the photo)
Worship time with Agapito, Elsa, Zabdi & Noemí Osorio
Manuel and the full-time staff from the Chiconautla church (Belem, Nancy, Sara & Ivonne) took a trip to visit the Osorios, our missionaries in San Pablo Anicano, Puebla. Ignacio, pastor of another Baptist church, went along to meet the Osorios. His church is interested in supporting their ministry in Puebla. (Praise God for that! It's been really hard for the Chiconautla church to be the Osorios' exclusive support system, in addition to the Mexican missionaries we support in China and Paraguay.)
During their 2 days in Puebla, the staff visited with the Osorios, encouraged them, and held a worship service with them. The Mixtec region the Osorios are working in is heavily steeped in pagan rituals and superstition, and Agapito and Elsa and their 2 daughters are in their second year of preparing the soil, so to speak, and planting the seeds of the Gospel message. They are very involved in their community and in their daughters' schools, and have built a friendship with the municipal president and other leaders. This has opened doors for them in neighboring towns as well.
Lots of rain in Puebla brings lots of shades of green...and muddy rivers.
One of the burdens on the hearts of the Osorios is the high number of children in their area who are just growing up on their own. Many children have lost one or both parents, either to migration to the US, or death. There may be relatives who look after them to some degree, but they don't have a healthy family life in any sense. So the Osorios bring them all together once a week for a Kids Club, and connect with them throughout the week as well to infuse some love and hope into their lives. Thanks for keeping them all in your prayers!
Throughout June we had back-to-back illnesses which prolonged our school year into July. But once we finished up, we kicked off the summer by having a string of visitors over to our home for food and fellowship. We ended up having 7 families in 7 days:
- a young couple wanting advice about a possible career change
- 2 young families with small children
- a newly married couple expecting their first child
- a family of 6 recently out of seminary wanting advice on starting a new church plant
- the extended pastoral family from Tizayuca (2 families)
It is always a joy to be able to share some of our lives with others as they seek counsel and/or fellowship.
While we are very sad to not have any visiting teams this summer, we are keeping plenty busy! Besides all the ministry activities, we were able to get away for a few days for a family camping trip. And here's a family photo from the wedding of the daughter of one of the couples who helped plant the Chiconautla church:
Vivanco Family, June 2014: Laura, Bethany (4 1/2), Kelly (12), Caleb (15), Emily (18), Nicolas (9) & Manuel
Here are some prayer requests to remember while you enjoy the rest of the summer:
- The 36 new members of the Chiconautla church (so far in 2014)
- Vacation Bible School programs running in Tizayuca, La Guadalupana, Heroes, Texcoco and La Presa
- The Osorio family living and ministering in the Mixtec region of Puebla
- Health and safety for our family
- New monthly supporters to partner with us
- A new van that we'll be allowed to drive every day of the week under the new driving restrictions
