Blog 59 16 Oct 2017

💙Appreciation 💙

Just a note to thank so many of you who continue to pray for our school, our students, and myself.  I do not usually take the time to view the stats on my blog, but this past week, I did look.  I am both honored and humbled at the number of "views."  I realize that every person may not read every word, but I trust that even those who only look at the pictures pause for a moment of a very busy life and say a prayer for Mount Hebron Christian Academy. Your prayer is much needed and much appreciated.

I also want to thank those who support our school by supporting the ministry or by giving directly to me.  In September I mailed six personal notes to different families or organizations who were a blessing.  Several others donated over the summer or will send something during the holidays.  This is not taken for granted and is very much appreciated.  Only the Lord truly knows what a difference each gift will make in eternity.

SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

Samuel, Age 6

Javier, Age 6

Jonny, Age 10

Ruth, Age 4

Sarah, Age 5

The Ashcrafts were out of town when these pictures were taken, and the three teenagers were busily working and did not have time to pose for pictures 😀

We have enlisted some young people to help us with the Kindergarten.  Bro. Mauricio is a young adult who grew up here at Mount Hebron and comes in on Tuesdays and Thursdays before he goes to work.  Miss Gabriela is a student in our Bible Institute and helps on Wednesdays and Fridays after her morning classes.  Both of these assistants speak English and are helping the Kindergarteners and First Graders learn English words and letter sounds. 
Please continue to pray for a Kindergarten Teacher.

The Great Commission

Stephanie and I have been passing out tracts in the 2 - 3 town squares close to the church here.  We go on Tuesdays in the afternoons just about the times people are getting home from school or shopping in the bodegas for the lunch hour.  One week we handed out about 50 tracts in about 30 minutes. There are not always that many people there, but the weather was nice and there were many people coming and going from the bus stops.  The following week, Stephanie's husband Trent came with us and was able to lead one man to the Lord.  

When they finish Language School, Trent and Stephanie plan to join his parents in thier ministry as missionaries in Zacatecas, Mexico.

Language Update

(or: My Trip to the Beauty Shop)

When I went to get my hair cut recently, my stylist asked if I spoke Spanish and told me her name was Kristen.  I told her a little, and that hers was the same name as one of my close friends who had died two years ago.  She said my Spanish wasn't so bad and asked how my friend had died.  I told her cancer and Kristen replied that she hated cancer.  She then asked why I was here and for how long.  I told her my friend was the Pastor of a Baptist church and I was here helping to teach their children to learn to read in English.  I asked about her family and we talked a little more.  She told me she was Catholic.

After a few minutes of small talk, she remarked that she had been wondering for a long time what the difference was between Baptist and Catholic: didn't I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and the Virgin Mary?  I said that, yes, I did believe in God the Father and God the Son, but I believed that Mary had other children.  (Yes, I said all of that in Spanish tho stutteringly and  perhaps not grammatically correctly).  Kristen replied: "Oh, so you do not pray to Mary?"  I said that no, I didn't; and also that I believed Jesus is the only way to Heaven.  When she was finished cutting my hair, I gave her a tract and showed her a few of the verses, and said this pamphlet explained what I believed about Jesus.

When I went downstairs to pay, Kristen was attentively reading the tract. Kristen was very open and receptive.  I prayed that she would accept Jesus as she finished reading the plan of salvation. Although she did not promise to come to church, she did say she would like to visit and ask more questions. *Kristen has not yet visited.*

Mount Hebron Baptist Church

Pastor Jonathan and his family were traveling for most of October.  He preached a week-long Missions Conference in Michigan and a Sunday Night Service in the Spanish Ministry of 1st Baptist, Hammond.   Foremost on the itenary, at least for the kids, was a visit to Grammy's house!!  They were also able to spend some time at Lewis Ave Baptist Church, Jenny's home church and their sending church.

Here on the homefront, we had several graduates who are pastoring here in Mexico fill the pulpit on Sundays. Our people love to hear their former Pastor, Dr. Tommy Ashcraft who spoke on Wednesday nights. Soulwinning, Bus Routes, and all ministries went on regular schedule.

Bonus Language Update:

My Dad gave me a Rosetta Stone before I moved (2 years ago).  I completed Level 1 at just past my 1.5 year mark, doing and re-doing the lessons until I got above a 90%.  For several months I have been unable to get Level 2 to work, even after starting from scratch with the the application disc.  Some friends in the states allowed me to use their application disc to try again -- and it worked!!! The program stated that Levels 4 & 5 would need updates, but for now, Level 2 is working

and I got a 95% on Lesson 1, first try! Let us pray that it does not take two years to finish Level 2, and that the last two levels will not be as difficult to get to work.

BOOK NOOK

Since school has started, I have finished one missionary biography and started another.  I wholeheartedly reccomend both of them for anyone interested in learning more about missions:

Tom and Me by Mrs Billie Sloan

To Cross the Widest Ocean by Mrs Becky Martin

Also, I have received several inquiries regarding my writings lately, so I am taking this opportunity to provide a reminder that I have several books available through Amazon in paperback, or digitally through Amazon Kindle:  

What I Learned From My Parents -- lessons from my very extraordinary parents

365 Days of Thankfulness -- an excellent devotional

Every Kid Is Different -- what they didn't teach you in college about the classroom

Where's The Next Jenny? -- effectively investing in the next generation

Prayer Corner

Please pray for the ministry: 

1. Mount Hebron Baptist Church

   a) Pastor Jonathan, Jenny, and their children who are traveling in October for Missions Conferences and visists with family and friends in Michigan

   b) Our soulwinning programs, and follow up, especially for Kristen and a couple we met at the Plaza

   c) Our bus routes and SS classes

2. Mount Hebron Christian Academy

    a) Our students

    b) A part-time teacher to help with K &/or 1st Grade.
    c) The student teachers who are filling-in until then

3. Mount Hebron Bible Institute

    a) Our students

    b) Our faculty (I teach English) 

  c) Our graduates, specifically Geno this month who ministers in the border town of Reynosa.

Please pray for me:

1. To learn Spanish

    a) To lead someone to the Lord

    b) To be more effective in helping in SS 
    c) PTL!! With a little help from friends in the states, I               was able to get Rosetta Stone up and going!

2. To have wisdom and patience with the school schedule until we have help.

3.   For finances and financial wisdom.