Tuesday, April 30, 2013

El Callejon Updates


We apologize for how long it's been since our last update.  It's not because things haven't been happening!  The Holy Spirit is working, and we know we are blessed by His call to us in El Callejon.   
The month of March was filled with wonderful teams from the U.S. who brought passion, enthusiasm and love during their time with us.  Each team was different, each team was wonderful, and each week we sensed the Holy Spirit at work.  And… each team was far too short at just one week! 
We are so thankful for those who can stay two weeks in the summer, but are equally blessed by those who make a choice to spend a week of hard-earned vacation, or a college spring break serving alongside us.  We pray many of them will find their way back to El Callejon one day!  In the meantime, we rejoiced and were refreshed by their partnership with us!
April has been a month without teams, but not without plenty to do.  The Panaderia has been slowly coming together, with a small group of women consistently working on honing their skills.  Although we would have liked to have a bit more participation, we trust that the Spirit is guiding this process, and it’s just the right size. 

Luz, who we’ve written about several times, is proving to be a good leader.  And… when she offers you some pan (bread) to buy, well, she doesn’t take ‘No’ for an answer!  She could have had a great career in Sales anywhere!
Our work with the Chiquitas (Little Girls) continues to focus on a Children’s Bible.  This week we watched a DVD of Jesus’ miracles, which we’ve been reading for the past several months.  It was wonderful to hear them recall many of the stories! 

Our two Adolescent groups have been challenged to decide it they truly desire to grow in Christ, or just want to come and hang out and do crafts.  We’ve still got work to do, of course, but it has been wonderful to watch them settling down a bit.  
Our theme verse for them is Psalm 119:9, which says, “How can a young person stay on a path of purity?  By living according to Your word.”  That is our prayer for them, that they would seek the truth of God’s word and in this way live a life of purity and peace.
The Pre-teens are growing up, and like that age group everywhere, seem to have one foot in childhood, one foot in adolescence.  It’s a joy to see them get excited about learning, and hearing them recite their Memory Verses is a highlight.  We pray these words of truth stay with them as they continue to mature.

Our Young Women have been quite inconsistent, which saddens us.  We know they have many things pulling on their time and attention, but as we continue to stress, if God is not our top priority, nothing else can function well.  We appreciate your prayers for these young women, and for us as we seek ways to connect God’s truth to their lives.
The Adult Women are going strong.  It remains our largest group, and it is a joy to watch them come each week.  We are looking forward to a possible ‘paseo’ (field trip) with them soon.  It’s fun for them to get to leave El Callejon and visit another part of their country.  We have a pulga (yard sale) this week to raise funds for transportation.  Please pray our day away will be a good, safe time.

Our Exercise class has been meeting twice a week.  We’re focused on our ‘core’ muscles, and also some stretching and yoga.  It’s a small group, but the women are doing well.  One shared that her back doesn’t hurt as much anymore!
Please pray for us as we continue to work with each of these groups.  Please pray for us as we prepare for summer teams, which begin May 20.  We have a full summer, but we know that God has hand-picked each student who will come, for His perfect purpose and glory. 

We also know He knows and love each person in El Callejon.  Please join us in lifting up this community to our loving Father!  Only in His Holy Spirit’s power can the people there (and everywhere!) meet our Savior, Jesus.

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