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september 2004 newsletter
Cesar
Thank you so much for your prayers. God did some great things this summer.
Over the course of the summer, I was able to set up 8 weeks of projects
(short term mission trips) in the city of Reynosa, Mexico. We had over 350
participants visit Reynosa from all over the USA. We had youth from all of
these states: GA, IL, TN, NY, VT, MD, OH, MI, AR, PA, TX, WA MN and VA.
The week of July 24 I had the privilege to lead a small group of youth from two
different states (WA and MI). Jennifer, Katie and Hannah were with me the entire
trip. During this week we worked with pastor Leobardo Reyes (see picture). His
church is out growing their current church building. They have a plan to
enlarge the building by making it double the size it is now. They have started
to build a new block/cement building around the current wood building (see picture).
This is the way churches in Mexico are usually enlarged - a little at a time.
During this project we visited the church's Sunday service, we had four days of
Vacation Bible School, we played soccer at a nearby soccer court and we did
evangelism. It was particularly difficult to share the Gospel in this colonia
because many people closed their houses as they saw us coming down the street.
Joan, one of our staff and translators, spent most of the first morning praying
with the evangelism team. The prayer was focused on the hearts of the people in
this colonia. By the end of the week, the youth were able to talk with some
families and see some positive results.
Eleven kids accepted Jesus during the four days of Vacation Bible School. Several
walls were raised on the new church building. One night we fed the church and
visitors a warm meal. The men / boys were able to visit the local prison. The
youth also visited a local youth detention center.
Here is an update of the trip from Tracey Riley, one of the youth leaders from
Trenton First Presbyterian Church in Michigan. (July 28, 2004)
"We have been working at the orphanage, painting and playing lots of soccer. We
are all so moved by the experiences we are having here. Our numbers at VBS have
increased from 20 children on Monday to 50 today. Six children accepted Christ
today during VBS. Praise the Lord! Construction is continuing to go well.
During the prayer walk yesterday, one group stopped at a house to talk to the
people that lived there. The people at first were very closed to talking to us.
One of the students notices there was a soccer ball at the house and asked the
people if they would like to play soccer with us. They played soccer with us
for 2 ½ hours. After the game they bought us Joyas (typical soda drink in
Mexico) to drink. We are planning to go back tomorrow night with some drinks
and a soccer ball for this family. Please pray for opening for us to share with
this family.
The guys have been to the youth detention center where they shared testimonies
and the men went to the prison yesterday. They have been so moved by this
experience. Sergio, our bus driver, is a former inmate at that prison. He was
able to show the group where his old cell was and to share with them how God
got a hold of his life.
God is moving in Reynosa and we all feel so privileged to be a part of it. As
the week continues, we are beginning to get a little tired. We are learning that
we do not need to rely on our strength, but on God's strength this week."
Thank you so much for all your prayers during the summer.
Jennifer
These days I have been working every day of the week at a third grace classroom
substituting for a teacher at a local public school. The main teacher just had a
baby and will be out for six weeks. Cesar and I have been praying to God for more
work (as a substitute teacher). God has answered in a great way!!!
Katie
I had a great time in Reynosa. One of the nights, several of the youth were eating
crickets. They would first rip the legs off and then bite down on the little
Mexican crickets. I asked Mom and Dad if I could eat one and they said NO WAY!!!
Hannah
I am now in 3rd grade. I am in gymnastics in a high level. I got my hair cut the other
day just like Carly Patterson - the winner of the women's all around Goal medal.
These are the kids that played soccer with us.
This is Tracey - the youth director of Trenton First Presbyterian Church.
Some of the kids that accepted Jesus during VBS.
During construction of the new cement church.
Erin is the youth director of Mt. View Community Church in Washington state.
Cement work for the church columns.
Jennifer and Jennifer during VBS.
Daddy with Hannah in a wheel barrel.
Starting to dig a hole for the new bathroom.
Hannah with a new friend.
Jennifer with a new friend.
Notice the new cement walls around the blue church building.
Jennifer teaching a new Bible verse at VBS.
Drama.
Cesar with pastor Leobardo and his family.
Feeding the church members and visitors.
Sample of the what we fed the church members and visitors.
Prayer in the chapel.
Playing with Yinga blocks during VBS.
This group of youth helped build a better roof for a family in the colonia.
Building a roof for a family in the colonia.
Kids that attended VBS.
Cesar and one of the kids from VBS.
Kids that attended VBS.
Construction of one of the walls.
Two kids inside the hole we dug for the new church bathroom.
Notice the current church building (blue) and the new walls going up.
Hannah helping at the construction site.
Hola!
Hola!
Sergio - our bus driver.
At VBS.
Look at all the mud on the jeep.
Katie turned 11 years old while we were down in Reynosa.
Happy Birthday Katie!
Katie singing a (special) birthday song in Reynosa.
Hannah's next birthday is next year.
Cesar and Jennifer celebrated their 16 years of marriage on July 29, 2004.
The group from Mt. View Community.
The group from First Presbyterian Church.
All of us.
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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