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july 2005 newsletter
First Summer Project
Well, we're back from our first project in Mexico and it went great! We had 130 Jr. Highers
with their staff from Georgia, Texas, and Nebraska. We had a few reservations about how
the students would do, being so young, but they were amazing. They really stepped up and
worked hard. Here is how some of the ministries went:
Detention center
(visiting with youth that have been incarcerated) This was amazingly
effective. At least 10 of these youth accepted Christ. Our youth played soccer with them
and shared Jesus it was great.
Door-to-door
Jr. Highers going door-to-door have a hard time starting conversations, but
as time went on they got better.
Ask the Lord
(We simply pray and ask God to show us how to minister) These times were
amazing as God led us to so many people who needed Him. I don't know exactly how many
people were saved through this ministry, but many times several people were saved in a
3-hour period in each group that went out.
Vacation Bible School
This is where I spent most of my week and loved it. The first day
after the entire lesson we had several kids show up late because they had just found out
about it. As we started the craft, a little boy, Roberto, was coloring a story about Jesus
turning the water into wine. I asked him to point to Jesus and he just turned to me and
said, "Who is Jesus?" It just broke my heart. Sometimes I just forget that there are
people who don't even know His name! Well, I shared with him who Jesus is and Roberto
accepted Jesus! On the second day after the Bible story I asked him who Jesus is, he
said, "He isGod and he wants to take good care of us." Okay, I just about started to cry.
Roberto was already growing in his faith. During the rest of the week, I saw Roberto's
heart. He truly has a heart for spiritual things. You can just see it in his eyes.
Pray for him, God must have big plans for him. Well, many other kids received Christ too.
It is so great to be there, praying with them. Praise God for the preparation by all of
these American groups, for the churches that hosted them, and mostly for all the new
little members of heaven. (The little boy that I am holding in this picture is Roberto.)
Living Water Ministry
Here we just hand out water to people on the street. It's about
100 degrees here, so it's a great way to meet and bless people. I heard the groups that
did this just loved it.
Rehabilitation Center
We work at a center that helps kids with cerebral palsy. We sing,
play, paint, and help them stretch their muscles. It's a great way to reach out to them
and their families.
Construction
Ok construction was a little nutty with Jr. Highers who swing a hammer
first and ask questions second. We had to redo a few areas, but in the end the houses
were beautifully finished and families were blessed. Being able to physically bless a
family is great.
In the end, at least 96 people were saved! Isn't that amazing! This group of Jr. Highers
were really used by God to reach out. Their youth leaders told us that the amount of
spiritual growth in them was great to see. They grew a lot in such a short about of time.
Tidbits
On one door-to-door, Katie was with a group who visited with a lady. They began
asking her questions through a translator, "Do you have kids? Are you married?"
She answered no to everything, so they were confused when her husband and son walked
into the house. They then found out that she spoke another language entirely. They
all had a good laugh.
Family News
Katie One fun thing about this project, was that our daughter Katie announced at the
beginning that she wanted to be a participant, and not just hang out with us. She slept
in the dorm with all of the other girls. She went to the worship times and Bible Studies,
and just stepped out. The teaching focused a lot on listening to God and seeking Him.
On the second day she turned to me on the bus and said that the day before she had seen
three horses grazing in the field. She said it reminded her of the Trinity, and how God
is three, but yet ONE. As a mom, I just melted. Later that day as I put my arm around
her, she said she heard God say, "You are My child." It's moments like this that just
make it all so worth it. Praise God that He speaks to her and that she listens!
Hannah On this project there were some staff that brought their kids and they are
Hannah's age. This was so great for her as it gave her something to do during the times
when we were in meetings or preparing for the next day. It was also great because it
connected us to staff who live far away. During this week her cat had four kittens. The
kids and I were able to come home for a couple of hours to see our new additions to the
family. Since our family from California is coming here this summer, the kids chose to
have kittens and puppies. Our dog, Molly, just had four puppies. Life is already extra
fun around here.
Cesar and Jennifer
This was by far one of our most challenging projects. It was the
first project at Matamorros for the summer. We had a new summer staff, new translator
coordinators in training, and staff projects leaders in training trying to learn from
Cesar how to run these projects. Most nights he didn't get to sleep until 1:00 or
later. But, it all turned out great. Praise God for using His people for His purpose.
Prayer Requests
Pray that many people would be saved this summer.
Please pray for continued stamina for the summer. It's really busy.
Pray that we would hear God's voice and obey.
Pray for safety. In one city nearby in Mexico (Nuevo Loredo) the police chief was killed on his first day of work. Several others in that city had been previously killed. Because of this AIM has asked Cesar to move that trip to Reynosa. We need to be cautious about safety. Pray for wisdom.
May God Bless you for praying for us and for reading this long note. Thank you for your support! Let us know how we can pray for you!!!
Cesar, Jennifer, Katie, and Hannah Gonzalez
Jennifer with a boy that now believes in Jesus as his saviour.
One of the two small houses that we built on this project.
One of the teams from Nebraska at house #2.
At the park at site 2.
A girl at the park at site 2.
Cesar at VBS at site 2.
AIM translators.
At VBS.
At the park.
At VBS.
At VBS.
Heath Buttler - our worship leader and speaker.
Thank You for All Your Prayers and Support!!!
Cesar, Jennifer, Katie and Hannah
1049 E. Matz Ave.
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956) 357-3430 work cell
(956) 425-6440 home
cesargonzalez@adventures.org
jennifergonzalez@adventures.org
www.adventures.org
www.aimcesar.com
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