New Growth on Tierra Firme

We are proud to announce the beginning of a new small group in Villa Coapa, the area in which we live. We have been asking God to help us begin a new group in Villa Coapa for several months now (a dream we have had for several years). Several people have been interested in studying the Bible over the last couple months, but nothing consistent had yet developed. Finally, it seems that God has swung the doors open!

Tupac Alcauter: On April 21 & 22, the Morelia Mission Team hosted a Singing Workshop in Mexico City. At the workshop we met Tupac Alcauter, brother to one of the new Christians in Morelia. Tupac had been traveling to Morelia (5 hours away) every 2 weeks in order to visit his sister and go to worship with her. After several months of attending the Morelia Church, he became good friends with the missionaries there. Tupac also became very open to the gospel after seeing many ways in which God was working in his own life. Eventually, the missionaries in Morelia found out where Tupac lived and asked why he did not go to worship at one of the churches in Mexico City. The Singing Workshop was the perfect opportunity for the Morelia missionaries to introduce Tupac to other Christians in Mexico City. Little did we know that God was raising up someone for a new small group in Villa Coapa. You see, Tupac lives in Villa Coapa, about a mile from our house.

Since the Singing Workshop Tupac has helped us start a new cell group in Villa Coapa on Thursday nights. He is hungry for the Word and has already expressed the desire to be baptized into Christ. He is also wanting to get his children and other family members involved in the cell group. With that end in mind, Tupac and I have begun playing Squash on Saturday mornings with his son, Inar, and his cousin, Pablo. Tupac is definitely an answer to prayer. We pray that God will continue to raise up workers for the harvest in Villa Coapa.

Luis Enrique & Vicki Rojas: Luis Enrique and Vicki have been instrumental in the beginning of new cell groups in the Miguel Hidalgo Colonia. They have been sharing their faith with others and intentionally visiting non-Christian family members and friends. During May and June, Luis Enrique transitioned into the leadership of a small group in the home of Susanna and Vicki Villeda. Now, the Rojas are leading this cell group without the direct assistance of a missionary. May God continue to use them in the multiplication of new cell group leaders.

We want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers at the recent passing of Sean’s grandfather. Lester "Budd" Iman passed away May 4, 2006 at the age of 85. He was an affectionate man who was know as "Poppa" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We were grateful to be able to be in Phoenix for his memorial service. Poppa had been an A-26 pilot in WWII and was buried with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix. He will be greatly missed by our family, but we are reminded of the blessings of family.

Sarah and Philip have finished the school year well. Sarah finished second grade. Her level of reading in English improved greatly this year. She began the year barely reading at a first grade level and ended reading at a strong second grade level. Philip finished kindergarten. This year he began dominating spoken and written Spanish. He now speaks fluidly with our friends in Mexico and loves to read the signs around town. During June, I will be working at home with Philip on kindergarten material in English. While he has no problem speaking in English, first grade will be easier if he has been introduced to English phonics before starting at the English-based missionary kids school in August.

This past month we have also said a sad goodbye to our teammates Paul and Kristi Miller. Paul and Kristi, along with their daughters Maddi and Olivia, are returning to the U.S. to be involved in state-side work. Recent transitions in the Tierra Firme work caused the Millers to realize that continuing to work here would involve making a longer commitment than the one they originally desired to make. The recent transitions have also allowed them to leave here having finished well at a defined transitional stage in this church plant and return to the U.S. to pursue their long-term work and ministry dreams. Paul and Kristi will be missed by the church planting team as well as the Tierra Firme Church. However, they have also left behind good memories and a great example of a couple who works diligently despite hardships. Thank you, Paul and Kristi!

·         Mondays for Mexico: Please continue to pray for Mexico’s leaders and the coming presidential elections, July 2, 2006.

·         Give thanks! José Luis and Irene Gonzales were baptized into Christ during the month of May. Please pray for their growth in Christ.

·         Pray for Tupac Alcauter and his commitment to Christ as well as his desire to reach his family for Christ. May God continue to raise up workers like Tupac.

Pray for Luis Enrique and Vicki as they begin leading their own small group. May God give them wisdom and a missional vision for future multiplication.