Blog 36 15 Mar 2016

School News

La Noticia de la Escuela

As a result of "Vision Night" (see below) we have already enrolled one new Kindergartener for the fall, with other interested families praying and considering enrolling their children.


Here is a pic of the "face-timing" from our side, complete with something each of my students thought might be interesting to their American counterparts.  In an attempt to embarrass Angel, on whom rumor has it one of the GL girls has a crush, Francisco intended to ask "Who likes Angel?" at the end of his presentation.  Apparantly he needs to practice his pronouns, because instead he proudly announced: "I LIKE ANGEL!" Both classes were roaring with laughter at this blunder.  When he realized what he had said, it was too late.

Update on Caleb

Noticia de Caleb

Caleb, the one-year-old brother of Karla and Esdras, is doing better.  He did have the skin graft surgery and will remain in the hospital while he recovers. I appreciate your prayers for their family.

Church News

La Noticia de la Iglesia

Sunday, March 6, was "Vision Night"  here at Mount Hebron. You may have seen this announced on FB and wondered what "Night Vision" had to do with church, as that is how it translated through Bing and Google.  The leaders of different ministries said a little bit about each one and we had sign up tables across the back of the auditorium.  It was very interesting to see and hear about all that is going on.  Various soulwinning and youth ministries were featured, as well as the Christian School and the Bible Institute.
Of course, I couldn't understand all of what was being said, but I did get a program, a church calendar, and Jenny told me about some of the new ministries.  She is heading up a "Martha Ministry" of delivering food to families who are experiencing hospitalization or similar needs; we will also begin having Ladies' Meetings. Jessica's family is starting a "Mission for Missionarries" ministry, similar to that which we utilize at the Texas border, only larger, and also to help those missionarries who come here for language school.  

Soulwinning

Sembradoras

This Friday, we finished up in the same area we started last week.  One house was smaller than mine and built completely of logs.  The man who lived there accepted a tract and was polite, but did not wish to listen to the plan of salvation.  Another house was quite large, with several steps leading up to it. Here, the little girl was learning English in her school and practiced with us a little bit.  The Mom said that one of the couples in our church had invited them before and talked with them about salvation.  I hope this family will come and visit soon.  The 12 ladies who went "seed-sowing" today saw ten souls saved.

Another of the new ministries announced during Vision Night is the start of  Sunday School classes just for visitors and new converts. The teacher of the visitors' class will teach on salvation and baptism.  The new converts class will be a twelve-week course, rotating through the things like church-membership, communion, soulwinning, etc.  This will be a great help in discipling those who come and get saved, or who are saved through our soulwinning ministries.

Cuisine:

Jenny and I stopped for some pineapple water (agua de pina) after soulwinning last Friday. They were out of pineapple and Jamaica, so I tried the red fruit (fruta de roja) flavor. It was delicious!  NOTHING AT ALL LIKE RED PUNCH! It had many different kinds of red fruit, including apples, strawberries, and cherries(manzanas, fresas, y cerezas).

**REMINDER: Mexico observes Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, April 3.  As the US will turn their clocks forward on March 13, our time will be one more hour behind yours for three weeks.**

Other Interesting News:

The Phone Saga

Otra Noticia Interesante:

La Saga de Telefono

Mrs. Carrie Suhl (my neighbor on the other side), drove me to the TelCel office and interpreted for me that I had paid for service that I was not receiving.  We encountered a very nice customer service representative who kindly explained that under this plan (an international one: sin frontera) I had to dial the country code before the area code.  That was it: problem solved! She even waited while we dialed a number in the states to make sure that was the only problem.  Praise the Lord! I now can call anyone on the North-American mainland for one low price!  I just have to remember to pay the right amount, on the right day, and answer SI to my receipt. 

Note: It was only slightly more than just being able to call other numbers in Mexico; I have always been able to call the states using the MagicJack my Dad bought for me when I  first moved here.

Weather Update:

Noticia de Clima:

The end of winter came with the end of February! The temperature here has been mostly in the 80's for the month of March and even a few days in February.  I LOVE IT!! Even though I know this means some of the summer it will stay in the 100's, I do not mind.  I am thankful that I have not had to shovel my driveway once since moving to Arkansas in 1999!  
Mexico is just farther away from the snow!

Pics of the boys just because they are so handsome!

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and Mrs. Jenny
      ~ Caleb, baby with severe burns

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy
      ~ Students and Teachers

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

      ~ for me to be able to lead

         someone to the Lord this year

It is an encouragement to me to know that you are praying for me!

Blog 35 08 Mar 2016

School News

La Noticia de la Escuela

We are adjusting to our new schedule which includes my time with the Kindergarten as well as face-timing with the Spanish class in the states.  We have had much illness, and even cancelled school one day because too many people were sick.

 

The one-year-old baby brother of two of my students, Karla and Esdras, was badly burned in February.  He reached toward a cup of boiling water (for instant coffee, I think) and it somehow spilled on him.  He is still in the hospital waiting to see if his skin can be grafted.  His mother is staying there with him; his father is there as well when he is not working. Karla and Esdras are staying with family in a nearby city. They have missed two weeks of school.  Please pray especially for Caleb's healing, as well as the family in this difficult time.

Church News

La Noticia de la Iglesia

Music Ministry

Ministerio de musica

Our orchestra featuring Jenny and my neighbor Jessica

Our Song Leader, Hno. Javi

Soulwinning

Sembradoras

This week we went soulwinning to the South (the opposite direction of downtown Monterrey).  We were in small neighborhoods with homes of both rich and poor.  A large ranch house might be right next door to a small cottage or shack.  Thirteen ladies went out sowing seeds and the six in our van saw five souls reaped.

**REMINDER: Mexico observes Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, April 3.  As the US will turn their clocks forward on March 13, our time will be one more hour behind yours for three weeks.** 

(For GLCS Zooming: When it is 12:30 for you, it will be 11:30 for us, until April 3)

Other Interesting News:

Otra Noticia Interesante:

Recently, I "unlocked" my iPhone from AT&T which was quite a process in itself.  Jenny took me to TelCel here and interpreted for me to obtain a Mexican phone number.  They told me I had to "re-charge" the number monthly, or I would lose the privileges.  This seemed rather simple, and for a while it worked; I was pleasantly surprised.  Each time I put money on my account, I received a text message.  I assumed this was a receipt, as it always included the amount.  Well this past week, my phone would not call or text out.  I took it to my neighbor, Jessica, and asked her if she could help me figure out why.  She scrolled up to my latest "receipt text" and told me I had failed to answer it. Que?! {What?!} Answer the receipt?   She explained that it was asking if I wanted the pesos applied to my "plan."  (Do people give them money for other reasons??) If I failed to answer, they would just give me pre-paid minutes.  If I failed to put at least $100p toward it, I would lose it. (Of course, I had put less.) Mmmm ... lesson learned.  Emily's problems with phone companies are international and bilingual.  Though working for a while after Jessica called customer service for me, {I am certain all of you will be shocked at this news:}
my "plan" is still not properly activated ... this may turn into a saga.
Interestingly the Spanish word for "saga" is "la saga."

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and Mrs. Jenny
      ~ Caleb, baby with severe burns

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy
      ~ Students and Teachers
      ~ Many who have been ill

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

      ~ for me to be able to lead

         someone to the Lord this year

Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement.

Blog 34 01 Mar 2016

School News

La Noticia de la Escuela

My current students learning English as a second language have been "Zooming" (an app for Face-Timing) with some of my former students learning Spanish as a second language.  When the Spanish teacher asked my current students if her class was learning Spanish faster than I was, they declined to answer because I was sitting with them.  I guess that was their answer.

In foreground, Gospel Light Spanish Class
Barely visible on TV screen, Mt Hebron Christian Academy, ESL, Secondary

 Church News

La Noticia de la Iglesia

Pastor Tommy Ashcraft (Jon's Dad) announced on a recent Sunday night that he will be shifting his ministry to more of that as an evangelist and will no longer serve as Pastor of Mount Hebron.  He announced this eloquently and you can read the English translation on the church FB page.  Pastor Ashcraft stongly encouraged the church membership to consider voting for Bro. Jon as his repacement, as he had been much in prayer over the decision.  He encouraged them to do so, not because Jon is his son, but because of his faithful service here for many years as the assistant pastor, and he believes him to be the right man for the job.  On the following Wednesday, every single member of the church voted to instate Jon as the new head Pastor.  Both that Sunday night and that Wednesday night were very moving services; I feel blessed to have been in attendance.

This was the first official week for Pastor Jonathan Ashcraft.

Soulwinning

Sembradoras

  

On Friday, February 12, we went soulwinning in the "downtown area" {plaza} of Santiago which is our little town south of Monterrey.  Several streets converge in the center at a small park area.  Many ladys were helping at the work-day for the conference, but the eight of us who went out saw nine saved.  Jenny led a lady who had a little boy the same age as her twins while they were seated on a park bench. 

This past Friday, the 26th, we visited on a little street with a few side streets.  We met some nice people, but the four people in our van only had one conversion this week.  A total of eleven ladies went out.  We were down in attendance mostly due to illness.  A virus went  around for a bit, touching Jenny's and Jessica's families, and others also I am sure.

Other Interesting News:

Otra Noticia Interesante:

I would also like to mention what a blessing it was to have Jon's sister Tammy Gonzalez and her family here for the conference.  Tammy and I went to Hyles-Anderson together many moons ago, and now she and her husband Henry are missionarries to El Salvador.  It was nice to "catch-up" and spend some fun times together. Their oldest is attending Hyles Anderson this year; they have two other teenagers and a six-year old. Tammy went out soulwinning with us while they were in town, and of course, Bro. Henry with the men. 

Side Note: Bro. Daniel Parker uploaded more pictures of Monterrey and the conference on Sunday (including at least one of me eating).  If you want to see them, you can find his FB page through my friends list.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and his new responsibilities
      ~ Mrs. Jenny and her new                            responsibilities.

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ for Hna. Lily and baby
      ~ for the Kindergartners
3. For those who are ill; and for me to stay       ~ healthy :) (slefishly)

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

      ~ for me to be able to lead

         someone to the Lord this year

It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!

Blog 33 23 Feb 2016 Conference Hilights

Conference Highlights

Puntos destacados de la conferencia

{literally: "points outstanding from the conference" ~ "highlights" translated to "lights above"}

A few pictures of the conference.

First, just the enormity of the conference.  The first night there were easily 1,500 in the auditorium, including nearly 75 on the stage with the choir and musicians. 
The total attendance was well over 2,000.

4-6 Year Old Morning Class

The children had their own sessions.  There were also sessions designed for the  youth, including afternoon "workshops" just for PK's (Preacher's Kids).

Hna. Laura y Hna. Jenny

Hna. Jenny

The room for the ladies' sessions was beautifully decorated and furnished with snacks by Hna. Laura and her helpers.  We had many wonderful speakers.  

Mrs. Debra Wynn

Mrs Barbara Davis
intrerpreted by Hna. Jessica

Mrs. Brenda Ashcraft

Mrs. Debra spoke from Daniel 1:8 and encouraged all those who work with children to train them to choose the good while they are still young.

Mrs. Barbara Davis (interpreted by Hna. Jessica) gave ten ways to pro-actively discourage disouragement from overwhelming us.

Mrs. Charlotte Lowe

Mrs. Brenda had different ladies represent ladies in the Bible with lessons we could learn from each.

Mrs. Charlotte Lowe, who served for many years as missionary to the Jews of Spain, gave us principles from the life of Esther which should be emulated.  Bro. & Mrs. Lowe now work to help other missionaries to Jewish communities of Spanish speaking countries.

Mrs. Carrie Suhl gave her testimony.  Shortly after they arrived in Mexico as missionarries, her husband Truitt died in a car accident.  Her decision to stay on the field with their infant son speaks volumes.

Mrs. Carrie Suhl

The evening services were also encouraging, mostly preached by the husbands of those ladies pictured above.  It was harder for me to recap those as the men spoke much faster than the ladies.  After the reading of the verses, I was pretty lost. However, just the fact that this great number of Christian leaders were gathered for the purpose of strengthening and renewing their committments to the furtherance of the Gospel was more than encouraging.  

Pastor Daniel Parker,
Heritage Baptist Church, HS, AR

It was nice to see my "home" pastor, Bro. Daniel, from Hot Springs.  He took tons of pictures, so if you would like to see more, check out his FB page from my friends' list.  
Side note: My Pastor won five young men to the Lord during men's soulwinning on Friday night! :)

Soulwinning

Sembradoras

On one day of the conference everyone in attendance loaded up on vans and busses and went soulwinning!

This was definitely an exciting sight to see!  

Weather Update:

It was bright and sunny for the majority of the conference with the temperature mostly hanging around 85* for the week.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ for Hna. Lily and baby
      ~ for the Kindergartners

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

      ~ for me to be able to lead

         someone to the Lord this year
                                            

It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!

Blog 32 09 Feb 2016

School News

La Noticia de la Escuela

 

Our Pre-School teacher, Hna. Lily is expecting a new baby! She has been put on bedrest for the remainder of the semester.  So, we will all be pitching in some extra time with the Pre-Schoolers during the week.  Hna. Jenny, Hna. Haydee (Samy's Mom), and I will be teaching them, while Hno. Jon and Hno. Ivan will work extra with the Elementary and High School students.  I am excited to be spending some of my time teaching the pre-schoolers to read!!

The Hope of The Future!

Preschool is called prescolar in Spanish.
Kindergarten is called kinder.

Elementary is called primaria.
Junior High is called segundaria.

High School is called prepa or prepatoria.

(Embarazada is the spanish word for "pregnant.")

Church News

La Noticia de la Iglesia

There will be many delegates here next week! 

Things will be very busy around here!  For this reason, I will be waiting an extra week to post to my next blog.  Look for some pics of our guests and of the services on February 23.

Soulwinning

Ganando Almas

Our group went to visit Ana, who recently had surgery. Ana attends sembradoras every Friday and keeps the nursery on Sunday night.  While we were  there, one lady asked her how many years she had served in the nursery -- 35! This dear lady told Jenny that she had kept Jon in the nursery when he was a baby.  Mount Hebron is full of faithful men and women like this.  Many of them were led to the Lord and discipled by Jon's dad, Pastor Tommy Ashcraft. 

After a nice time of visiting and prayer, we went soulwinning on her street.  My neighbor, Jessica led a lady to the Lord who had two small children.  Yobana promised to come and visit our church.  I have included a request for this in my prayer corner as it isn't often we come across someone whose family is not so steeped in Catholocism that they agree to come to church so readily.  Pray with me that Christ, not Satan, will prevail in the lives of this young family.

It was nice to have Jon's sister Tammy join us, also.  She and her husband are missionarries to El Salvador and came early for the conference.

Fourteen of us went door-to-door this week; the seven ladies in our van won seven.

Language

El Idioma

While still progressing through Rosetta Stone, I am also memorizing the verses in the Romans Road.  We have made it a mutual goal for me to win someone to the Lord in Spanish in the year 2016.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Pastor's Conference Feb 15-18

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ for Hna. Lily and baby
      ~ for the Kindergartners

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

      ~ for me to be able to lead

         someone to the Lord this year
4. Pray Yobana and her family come to church
                                            

It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!