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July 2006 Newsletter
Summer 2006
Summer is halfway gone. So far we have had five weeks of trips here in Matamoros and Reynosa. In Matamoros we have an average of about 100
participants each week. It has been great having so many there this year.
Reynosa Missions Project
On June 10th, two churches came to Reynosa for a week of ministry. The first church came from Gateway Christian Center from Hendersonville, Tennessee
and other church came from North Shore Baptist Church from Menominee, Michigan. Here is a testimony that was posted on our web site during this
trip by one of the participants.
6/16/2006 By: Stephanie Thompson
North Shore Baptist Church, Michigan
There really is no way for words to express how I've seen God's hand and power at work today! My group was able to do door to door evangelism
today and we were blessed in talking and praying with several people. We met a man named Edwardo and his mother who were both already believers.
They invited us in and we talked about the common ground we have through Christ and I mentioned how I'll see them both in heave some day! Then we
prayed for their family. It was encouraging to be encouraging to our brother and sister in Christ! As we walked further we came across a young
man outside working. Then we started talking to him and his mother was just coming back from the store. We asked if she had a minute to talk
with us. She said yes under the shade of a nearby tree. I was able to lead her to Christ! Mind you, it was not of my own power or
strength, rather it was the power and anointing of God's Holy Spirit speaking through me. Although I don't exactly recall every word that was
said and translated, I do recall how the Holy Spirit slowly worked away at softening this woman's heart. We learned that she came from a Catholic
background and she only believed in certain things and concepts about God, Jesus and the Virgin Mary. She also explained that she didn't
like religions and how she has seen people talk the talk but not walk the walk. Then we asked if she wanted us to pray for her specific needs
in life and while we were praying, she just could not keep from crying. After the prayer, I then asked her if she wanted to accept Jesus into
her heart just like I had once done. Prior to all this, I was blessed to share my testimony with her in order to make things more personal.
She then repeated after me and our translator. Now Jesus is living in her heart! Isn't it totally amazing how the Lord works through ordinary
people like us to achieve extraordinary things? We can only praise God and the power of His Holy Spirit for that!
Jeff from NY with a mother and her daughter
At the orphanage- Casa Mami
At the orphanage- Casa Mami
At the orphanage- Casa Mami
Construction - floor tiles for the Sunday Scgool rooms
Construction - floor tiles for the Sunday Scgool rooms
"The four amigos"
Sun Set in Reynosa 2006
Matamoros Missions Project
On June 3 several churches came to Matamoros for a week of ministry. Our family was able to be a part of this project which was a real blessing to me. On this trip AIM had churches from Georgia, Texas, Arkansas,
Florida and Kansas.
Here are some testimonies that were posted on our web site during this trip.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Crossover Community Church
Lee Dittman & Brandon Langley
Wow! We are seeing God at work this week in so many ways - both through us and in us. We want to share just one story with you. Yesterday,
we shared the gospel with a gentleman who was trimming his tree. After much discussion, we prayed with the man and left. Both of us struggled
last night with a tug in our heart to go back to him. Today, we were able to change some assignments so that we could take a translator and
go back. When we got there, the gate was locked. We hollered from the gate and finally, his wife came to the gate with a tear in her eye. She
invited us in. Her husband came out to the porch and we opened the Word and shared the gospel with him. His wife assured us that she knew the
Lord. The man accepted Christ and his wife began to cry. She told us that she had been praying for her husband to come to know Christ and
last night she prayed specifically that we would come back again. It was God! Her prayers were heard and God pulled our heart strings and
now her husband will spend eternity with her! We exchanged addresses, and they are joining us in church tonight. We left that house with a
feeling that just cannot be described in words. ¡Gloría a Díos!
Messiah Baptist Church, Katie Linderholm, June 6, 2006
This morning I had the privilege to spend some of the morning in a listening prayer. I went off by myself and, for probably one of the first
times ever, I simply listened to the voice of God, reaching into my heart and mind. I felt God was calling me to visit with the people of the
section we were assigned to, and to also invite the children to come join us in Vacation Bible School. After sharing these thoughts with the
group and hearing what the others felt called to do, we decided to walk around the colonials, pray for the people, and invite kids to VBS. We
started our walk, and after a little while we came across a yard with several little girls in it. Julie asked if someone would like to invite
them to VBS, and then proceeded to push me out of my comfort zone and talk to them. After inviting them, Luis, the translator, suggested that we
share the love of Christ with one of the girls there. Julie looked at me, so I began to tell the story of how Christ saved me and how he's
changed my life forever. Julie also gave her testimony, and then Luis asked her if she would like to pray with us to invite Christ into her
life. She said yes, and so we got to pray with her and lead her to the Lord. While we were praying, the girl's mother came along and told
that she was involved in a Catholic church. We invited her to the church were working with, The Love of God Church, and she told us that
she would like to attend soon. We left them with a bible and a promise to follow up soon. The entire experience was totally amazing, and
I could really feel the power of God moving in that place. I am sooooo glad that Julie pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me talk
to this girl and her mother. God does amazing things when you allow Him to work through you! And to all my family and friends, Hola!!!!!
Crossover Community Church, Blue Ridge, GA
Kim Ryder
Today during our door-to-door time, the Lord led us to this woman that cursed us terribly in the same colonia last year. The translator last year
said the woman was demon possessed! By God's grace and the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord allowed me the opportunity to share the Gospel with
this woman and PRAISE BE TO GOD - THE WOMAN ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR! I believe this occurred because of this past year of prayer for the people
of Matamoros, and also because of the prayers that we are lifting up now!
Worship at site 1
Lunch with the Mexican church at site 1
Juan Chapa translating for the message at site 1
During worship at site 2
Gloria sharing her testimony at site 2
Serving dinner for everyone at site 2
During worship at site 2
The World Race - www.theworldrace.org
What is the World Race?
The World Race involves five teams racing around the world for a year, 11 countries in 11 months, ministering the hope of
Jesus Christ as they go. Participants are a select group ranging in age from 22-35.
The Race has three components:
The Race: Teams compete against each other for one or two days at the beginning of each month as they go overland to their next destination.
The Ministry: Once they arrive, teams join local partners, serving them in their ministry. Some work in orphanages, others respond to natural
disasters, still others plant local fellowships that reach out in love to the community. World Race teams are relevant because they work through
pre-existing relationships.
The Training: Initial pre-trip training occurs at AIM’s base in Matamoros, Mexico. Thereafter, at the end of each month, we debrief teams before
going on to the next location.
Posted by The World Race
TUZLA, BOSNIA...
The following statistics are based on the Roma village of about 15,000 people in Tuzla. They are the largest of the 17 minorities in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
* Almost 100% are without a permanent job.
* 90% do not have any health insurance and are outside health services.
* 60% are illiterate.
* 80% are without vocational education.
* 80% of the children do not attend school.
The problems of the Roma in Tuzla are very similar to the Bosnians in general: extensive poverty, unemployment, the lack of education, poor
housing conditions and the lack of identity documents. Many families live without water and electricity. A large number of children and
women make their living begging, which is in fact a criminal act in Bosnia.
The kids here are wild and have no discipline. The times they are is out of anger and physical abuse of the adults. Kim and I were painting
faces for the children last night, and at times...we had about 30 little ones screaming in our ears. It's reassuring to have the opportunity
to show them Christs' love through a gentle spirit. All they are used to is people screaming back and throwing fists. We saw way too many
kids slapping each other, and even an older man came into the room and tried to chase the kids out. He chased one little girl out the door
by kicking her. It's definitely hard for me to watch, but I'm putting all my hope in the Lord's promises to restore each child and parent
in this village.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Kids in Bosnia
Jessica in Mexico
Jessica in Mexico
Jessica in China
Jesicca in Bosnia
Cesar
On the project in June that my family went on, I was able to be there a few days before heading off to the project for the following week.
During the time I was there a special unplanned ministry happened. There was a woman named Martha that came up to the team from
Georgia and asked if they might be able to help find some dirt so that the floor of her house (dirt floor) could be raised. When it rained,
her house flooded. As the team went to see her house they were appalled. Because of the excess water there were lots of mosquitoes and it
was just not a great location. The group then found out about another house that was available for her. She could afford the rent there
and so they moved her. What a blessing. They also went to a nearby store and bought many items for her house. Praise God for this groups'
sensitivity to her.
Also, my camera was stolen while I was translating for a VBS lesson inside the church. I believe God allowed this because I had made this
camera an idol. I had been placing way too much value on taking nice pictures on these mission trips and placed the "real ministry" of sharing
the Gospel in second or third place. Within the last few trips, when I was taking a picture, I could sense that I was focusing too much on
taking the "right picture", making sure I had enough pictures. The stolen camera was a wake up call and a reminder to me that material things
(camera and pictures) are just tools and I should re-set my priorities. God has since provided the funds to replace this camera. I will
now trust Him to help me hang onto lessons learned.
Jennifer
When I was in Mexico, I was so blessed. Most of the time, I spend my days at the Vacation Bible School Site. I love to be with the kids and see
them each day. It was funny that this time we found out that on the last day many kids had decided to skip school in order to come to Bible
School. I told the Pastor's wife that I didn't know if that was a good thing, and she assured me that it was. Anyway, one day a group needed
a translator and so they asked me to help. It was such a blessing to watch them share with the neighborhood people and to watch the blessings
of prayer. We pray too little!!!!! It is just flat-out amazing to see the reactions of people we asked, "How can I pray for you?" Everyone has
something that needs prayer. Also, the boldness of the students on the project was great. One was so bold that I had to kind of hold her back
a little. Praise God for the youth who are ready to serve! It was a great week.
Since then, I have been getting ready to homeschool both Katie and Hannah. After Hannah saw me working with Katie, she just had to be a part of
the action too! We are going to start the year as any good homeschooler should, on vacation! We will be going to Georgia for staff conference
and support-raising. On this road trip we will study about the states we cross, along with the other subjects from the back of the van. The
girls already have a head start on all of this. They have their multitude of books in their rooms and have worked on science and history.
Also, we had a big need here for a local homeschool group, where students can go on fieldtrips, speak in front of others, do science projects,
play sports, and anything else we can come up with for them. So a group from church, that I am a part of, has been working on creating a group.
It's still in the early stages, but our website is www.harlingenhomeschoolers.com. We also have a brochure, bylaws, and all the other things
that come with starting something like this. It's been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun! We laugh so hard when we get together that I'm
sure it has to be great for our health. Speaking of laughing, for those of you who know me well, you know God must be getting quite a belly
laugh from me. I promised I'd never speak Spanish again (before meeting Cesar) and that I would never, never, homeschool. God has big plans
for us and I'm sure He laughs at what we think are our plans. I laugh with Him sometimes. Heaven is going to be so much fun!!!
Katie
Katie has been busy this summer. The summer started with a Mexico trip. Then, for the month of June she worked as a volunteer at the Public
Library helping with the summer program. She also went to Volleyball camp at the boys and girls club and had fun with her Grandma Joyce
(Cesar's mom) who was here for a week. Now she is at our church's summer camp for a week and is loving it, I'm sure.
Her best friend Lori went with her. Not much compares to a week at camp with your best friend.
Hannah
Hannah is actually gone right now too. She wasn't able to go to camp because of her age, and a friend asked her to come to their house in the
country for four days and have camp with them. How great is that! So far, they have been in the pool many times, have gone shopping, and have
best of all taken horse-back riding lessons. Hannah is loving life. She also went to Mexico the first week and had fun with Grandma. She
loved going to the beach and trying to teach the dogs to surf. It was great.
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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