Mexico 2009- Goodbye and Adios

Today, our last day at San Antonio, I looked around at all the faces that I have come to love. I have been working with the women's ministry at this site. We didn't know that we would have a women's ministry here when we came on Monday. But on that first day of VBS, three ladies showed up who had a desire to study God's word.

Each day our group grew. Today we had 27 ladies who wanted to hear more about Jesus and study God's word. Bible study here is not in a comfy room with cushioned chairs, a nursery for the little ones, and fresh hot coffee. In fact there is no room, no chairs, no nursery, and no coffee. We sit on a tarp outside. We did manage a shady spot though. The mothers who have babies and toddlers too young for the VBS have them sitting with us. But this has been one of the greatest times of sharing with other women that I have had.

Sitting behind us, Pastor Larry sits with his new friend, Jose. Carol wrote about him on Monday. Larry has his Bible open and is sharing God's word with Jose. Across the way, I see my girls, Katie and Hannah, loving on the children and hugging their new friends from La Roca, the church that we're working with here. I start to get a little sad that I'm coming home today. I'm going to miss this. I'm going to miss seeing these ladies.

But as I shared with my hermanas (sisters) here, we will one day all live together. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20, "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." There will come a day, when it won't matter if we came from the Estados Unidos, Mexico, or anywhere else. If we belong to Jesus Christ, we will all live with Him in heaven, and language will no longer be a barrier. So yes, it's sad to go, but in Christ there really is no such thing as "Adios!"

-Susan Hoskins

Costa Rica 2009 - VBS Missionaries

Acts 13:47 (New International Version)
47For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
" I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."

It has been a blessing to see God's Glory! VBS average attendance was 60 children and 7 adults. One Adult and 20 students made a profession of faith!


Esther Garza, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 3rd Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: VBS Leader, 5th Grade through 8th Grade Class Teacher



Natalie Garza, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 7th Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: 2nd Grade through 4th Grade Class Teacher.


Bob Garza, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 2nd Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: Van Driver, Recreation.


Melanie Sanderson, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 4th Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: 2nd Grade through 4th Grade Teacher/Helper.


Bob Buske, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 4th Year Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: Van Driver, Photographer


Mary Buske, Member Crossroads Baptist Church: 3rd Year Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: Registration, Refreshments, Crafts, Blogger


Dr. Sonia Nicklin, Member West Conroe Baptist Church: 1st Year Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Duties: English Class Teacher, Floater/Helper


Rosa Perez , Member West Campus Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX: 1st Year Mission Trip to Costa Rica Duties: Ladies Bible Study

Costa Rica 2009 - Thursday VBS in Palmares

Ephesians 2:8-10 (New International Version)
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Our Last Breakfast at Casa Marta in Palmares

Rosa stands in front of the unfinshed church building - Iglesia Bautista de Buenos Aires

The Sactuary with unfinished walls and unfinished class rooms.

Last Day VBS Assembly


Pastor Enoch MC of "I am Christian" Skit

MC Pastor Enoch, "Contestants, What makes you a Christian?"


Natalie, "I go to church everyday and I tithe faithfully!"

Melanie, "I feed the poor, I don't cuss, smoke or drink, and I am a very good person. That is how I know I am a Christian!"

Bob, "I am a member of three church committees, a member of the church choir and I always sing in tune!"

Rosa, " I repented my sins acknowledging that Christ had died on the cross for my sins and I accepted him as my personal lord and savior."

Heavenly Angel (Sonia) gives The "True Christian" (Rosa) a crown of jewels and leads her to Heaven.


Nahomy

Maria, Isabel, Keylin, and Emanuel

Visitors Receive Bibles


Helpers - Isabel, Eugenia, Maria, Joseph, Jonathan, Larissa,and Carmen

CRBC Missionaries Group Photo

Yanery , Emanuel, Esther, and Nahomy

Esther and Isabel

Cinthia with her twins Fabiana and Melany

Katerin, Merlyn, Esther, and Ariana


Sonia Holding Gift Bibles

Rosa in International Baptist Church Kitchen

Mexico 2009- Streets of Ucopi

This week in Irapuato I have had the opportunity to see many smiling faces and the work of God at each site, while working on the media team with Philip Jones. This afternoon, I witnessed the joy of new believers and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit with the street team at Ucopi.

I followed Art (our translator), Bridget Abdo, and Jennifer Martin as they went from house to house to share Christ with the people of Ucopi. We stopped by to say hello to Cira, an older lady who had received Christ the day before, and she was filled with such joy to see the team once again. We asked her if she had any neighbors who we could pray for. She led us to her next-door neighbor’s house where we stayed for the next hour. Once invited inside, Art began to talk to Virginia (Cira’s neighbor) about God.

He explained to her the free gift that is a relationship with Christ. Jennifer also shared things with her about believing and the power of prayer. She literally dropped to her knees as she told Virginia to pray for her community. Virginia prayed to receive Christ today. Afterwards, Art explained to her how to pray and the group encouraged her to pray and study her Bible with her neighbor Cira.

Once we left, we went to tell Cira that her neighbor, Virginia, was also a believer and they should pray together. Art showed Cira how to pray as well and we left, encouraging them to gather as believers and pray for a revolution in their community.

-Alyssa Kawata

Mexico 2009- Unity Through Construction

As the Crossroads construction team opened the doors of La Roca, we started examining the work that needed to be done. The two biggest projects were building the inside of a kitchen and all the electrical work in the church. As we started making many frustrating trips to Home Depot and local hardware stores, we soon discovered our original plans were as good as trash. Thus began our makeshift blueprints.

We proceeded to strip out every wire in this two-story church so we could install better wires, fans, lights, switches, etc. As well, the project of building the inside of an uneven kitchen proceeded. As our blood, sweat, tears and frustration were put in this house of God, our hearts and attitudes began to change.

We soon were joined by 10+ male members of La Roca to help us in our endeavors to construct their place of worship. It grew to be a special opportunity for the men of Crossroads and La Roca to gather and work as one under God. We had the opportunity to ecourage the La Roca men to have a love for their church and help it succeed in reaching the community of Irapuato.

Tremendous fellowship was shared and hearts were impacted as two different cultures clashed to work as one for the glory of God. As seeds are planted in people's hearts, nails, cabinets, wire, lights, and fans were planted so the mission of God could be done. Our great God has used and will use His great church, La Roca, to impact and change the great city of Irapuato.

-Daniel Rocha

Mexico 2009- God of this City

The theme "God of this City" describes Irapuato so well. Everyone I met acted like Jesus with skin on. One thing that I was amazed by were the children.

They're excited by the simplest things. And when I watched them, I thought about all the wonderful blessings that I have taken for granted. I loved working with them and the church members.

I will never forget my mission trip to Irapuato; it was a wonderful blessing.

-Beth Tucker

Mexico 2009- The Little Children

"The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."

Words cannot adequately describe the experiences of this place. It seems easy to get lost in the overwhelming poverty and human suffering. How sweet it must be to our Lord to hear the prayers of the saints filtered through the Holy Spirit for His precious ones, whom He loves at this place. How comforting to review that He holds these dear ones in His hands and He is in control and all is going according to His plan.

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. To such as these belongs the Kingdom of God."

It was a wet and rainy morning, and I wondered what God had planned. Upon arrival the sweet ladies of La Roca church swept the mud from the concrete assembly area of the school. Slowly the children arrived with bright smiles and full of anticipation. How beautiful and pleasing to our Lord that these little ones would soon hear God's Word. Close by, mothers sat on dark blue tarp-- they heard a testimony of redemption and the Romans Road. Glory to God.

-Judy McWilliams