‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked’.
‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me’. Jesus of Nazareth
What a transformative year 2009 has been so far. As we started out, it appeared we would continue riding the wave of momentum & growth we had been experiencing for the past couple of years.
Yet as the state of our world changed, so would begin a re-shaping of ministry in Ensenada.
The first sign came as the global economy began to slow; not only did this have an affect on the teams coming to partner with us in Mexico, but it also was having an affect on the people & economy of Mexico.
Did you realize that on average, the 10 million immigrants in the United States send 10% of their salary to family in their home country. And this “remittance” makes up 50-80% of the income for the recipients. This amounted to $26 billion for 2007-2008.
How has the downturn in the US affected these families?
Then the reports of violence escalated in the media. No one will discount that there has been an increase of violence in Mexico over the past couple of years, which is fueled by the US appetite for illegal drugs. This demand for drugs in the US is the source of billions of dollars per year equipping the drug cartels. Additionally, 90% of weapons seized in Mexico have been traced to the US (gun sales are prohibited in Mexico).
How are we impacting the families of Mexico?
Then the Swine Flu! Crippling the local tourism industry in Baja California. All cruise ships were diverted (for a couple of months) from Ensenada to San Diego, which didn’t make much sense since there were a number of Swine Flu cases in San Diego but none in Ensenada!
What message are we sending to the families of Mexico?
The result of these events; 1,000 fewer people are coming to the EOC to minister to families in Enesenada. 37 families who were scheduled to receive a home in 2009 will not. Countless opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus to a hungry, helpless & hopeless world are missed.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up!
You will be made rich in every way SO THAT you can be generous on every occasion
No one has ever seen God; BUT IF we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, AND for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
By now we are most of the way through our summer season. What an incredible season it has been. The fruit has been plentiful.
Those who have come have really known why. They have stepped out in faith, trusting God, and He has shown up! He has been seen in the communities of Ensenada.
Villages have witnessed the the love and person of Jesus as His body has come together to become his hand’s & feet.
The joy realized by those who have come has been profound. Transformative even.
But probably the most significant transformation we have witnessed this year is the growth & maturing of the local church in Mexico.
Pray with us for a continued softening of our heart’s & opening of our eye’s, as well as wisdom. We continue to seek first His Kingdom, and believe that as we are faithful, transformation will flourish in Mexico. We believe that along with the proclamation of Jesus’ gift of salvation, He brings compassion & justice.
But the race is not finished yet. Will you persevere with us? Will you consider offering part of yourself for this mission?
What are you willing to give for the sake of Jesus and His message, in Mexico?
