Blog 53 16 May 2017 Mount Hebron Graduation

GRADUATION CEREMONIES

 

 

KINDERGARTEN

Five students will be moving on to 1st Grade!

Aby, Javier, Jonathan,Tommy, and Samy are very excited.  Their teacher is very excited with their bilingual skills. They are learning English much faster than I am learning Spanish. 

Here is the 5-year-old SS class reciting Psalm 1, Sunday, April 30.Yes, in Spanish!
(Benjamin, Tommy, Jonathan,(?), Javier, Samy, Aby, (?), (?).
Hma Laura is their teacher.

HIGH SCHOOL

Angel has worked so hard the past two years in order to be able to graduate at the end of this school year.  He has completed 172 paces in two years which is no easy feat.

As of now, Angel plans to enroll in Hyles-Anderson College next year.  He believes the Lord would have him serve in Missions and will continue to seek His will as to where.

Brenda Gonzalez, Joel's sister, whose family are missionaries to El Salvador, finished her last semester of High School with us.  She is a tremendous young person with a heart to serve the Lord.

I was also privileged to help Joel finish his last year of High School. He will also be attending Hyles-Anderson.

The Great Commission

Bible Clubs

Our Soulwinners took Bible Clubs to many areas of Monterrey during Spring Break week and saw over 500 people saved!

Ladies' Soulwinning

I continue to go out every Friday afternoon with the group of ladies led by Jenny.  There are several other groups in different areas that go on different days.  We have had more than ten ladies every week for quite some time.  

I went soulwinning Friday with Tammy, Pastor Jonathan's sister. She saw one lady saved and one very Catholic couple promised to think about this decision over the weekend as the re-read the verses on the tract. The lady with whom she was talking had a five-year old son who interrupted them a time or two. Tammy suggested I take out the Wordless Book and go through the colors with him. I know my colors, and how to say what they stand for except for growing. I am sure my grammar was not very good, but the words got through. As he was only five, I did not pressure him to pray with me. I am not sure how much he understood, but God is. His Mom got saved, he had the Gospel story told to Him (albeit roughly), and I went through the Salvation plan for the first time in Spanish (other than with Jessica, who is already saved).

Language Update

I have gone through the basic plan of salvation with a five-year-old. (story above)

While telling the Easter story to the Kindergarteners I did very well until the end.  I said, in Spanish, "Jesus had no sin. Jesus died for our sin."  The students were listening and even moved by Jesus' death ~ until I confused the word for sin with the word for fish.  They all started laughing, and Samy said: "Ha ha - Hma Emily say 'Jesus no have fish; Jesus die for fish." The moment was lost.

I have had some trouble starting Disc 2 of Rosetta Stone. For some reason, my laptop does not want to read it.  I have taken some ribbing for taking over a year to finish the first disc, some of which I am sure I deserve; however, for those unfamiliar with the program, I thought I would share a few details.  Disc 1 was comprised of four core units each containing 32 lessons and a test: that is 128 lessons and four tests.  I had to repeat a majority of the speaking lessons numerous times.  I still struggle with the vowel pronunciations.

Finished Mural:

Easter Fun:

I have enjoyed Jon's sister and her girls being here for a few months.  She let me come and help dye Easter Eggs with the younger cousins.  

And her youngest, Grace was our only 1st Grader this year.

Prayer Corner

Please pray for our 3 graduates who will be attending Hyles-Anderson College.

Please pray for God's leading regarding help in the school for next year.

Please pray for our church ministries and the Ashcraft family.

Blog 52 18 April 2017 Missions Trip

School News:

As I am writing this, we have just finished Spring Break and are returning to class to finish out the school year.  In my next blog I plan to feature graduation pictures of Angel and also our Kindergartners.  I will tell you a little of Angel's plans as he seeks to follow the Lord's will for his life.

Here is a pic of the spelling abilities of our Kindergartners:

As for our teenagers, I am pleased to report that they spent the majority of their Spring Break helping to host a group of young people from Florida on a missions' trip.  The majority of our teeenagers possess a true sevant's heart.

With permission from the leaders of Calvary Baptist Church of Middleburg, FL, I am including a few pics of their visit to Mount Hebron.



Manual Labor:
  While the majority of the group painted the outside of our school and office buildings, Mrs Annette Pledger and a few of the girls created this beautiful mural for our Kindergarten Room:

     The finished project in next blog!

Outings:
  Horsetail Falls
  The Flag

    

The Caves (no flash photography, but we enjoyed a really good lunch with Mexican Hamburgers!)

And Elotes!

Mount Chipinque
(where Pastor Jonathan's grandfather was called to Monterrey)

Soulwinning:
98 total souls were saved as a result of this trip, including one young lady from Calvary Baptist
  Door to Door on Friday Teen Soulwinning
  Street Rallies -- many more people were watching this evangelistic film from their living rooms and roof tops)

The Dorms:
  This group of young people stayed in our campus dormitories.

The most outstanding quality of this group of young people was their love of missions.  When Pastor Jonathan first sent the schedule, their youth leader requested that he replace some of the sightseeing with more soulwinning times.  They brought with them  a projector and an evangelistic outreach film with a Gospel presentation.  All the young people had great attitudes and a sincere desire to serve the Lord.  I am glad they came during our Spring Break so that I could be as much a part as I was.  Thank you, Clavary Baptist Church!

I am including a link below for anyone who thinks they might like to come and visit for a true missionarry experience (and a little sightseeing):

www.ibmh.mx/missions-trip

Prayer Corner:

Thank you for your continued and faithful prayers for me, 
Mount Hebron Christian Acadamy, and the ministries of 
Mount Hebron Baptist Church, as well as 
Pastor Ashcraft and his family.

This week, April 18-21, we our having neighborhood 
Bible Clubs in many different areas of Monterrey.  These are patterned after the S.M.I.T.E. model.

Blog 51 21 Mar 2017

Christian School News:  

It is difficult to describe how quiet the classroom is while all the students are working on their paces.  The high schoolers are all working diligently toward finishing the year out strong!

This pic is from the first day of spring, which also happens to be Francisco's birthday.
Feliz Cumpleaños, Fran!

It is equally difficult to describe how loud the Kindergarten classroom is with most of the students repeating most of the directions while attempting to learn all the new English words.

In this pic, (also 21 March) we are learning the long sound for my favorite letter, "E!"

The Great Commission:

We continue to have a large group of ladies at our group each Friday.  We are still taking two vehicles, and still seeing many saved each week.  Of note since my last blog is the fact that my friend Lydia won her first soul to the Lord! Also, Stephanie and her husband Trent, who are here at Mount Hebron attending Language School, each won thier first souls in Spanish.  Praise the Lord! 

Stephanie, with kids from the Bus Route

Lydia, on the right

The Local Church

The Conference is over, but our fervor and commitment for service is still strong.  During March we have had a Vision Service highlighting various opportunities for ministry at Mount Hebron, and a Missions Emphasis service.

I am still helping in the 3-Year-Olds I am teaching (learning) the 23rd Psalm (in Spanish).

Interesting & Exciting Happenings:

I appreciate the blessing that Heritage Baptist Church has been to me since my moving to Mexico.  Most recently, the Lord has used them to make it possible for me to buy much needed new glasses.  

Adapting to my Changing Life:

I have finally finished Disc 1 of Rosetta Stone!!
I definitely feel as though another dimension is being added to my life as I absorb more and more of the culture and language of a foreign country.

Prayer Corner:

Please pray for:  

Mt Hebron Baptist Church

        Pastor Jonathan and Jenny Ashcraft and Family

        Mrs Brenda (Jon's mom) who is seeing a health specialist in the states

         New and existing outreach ministries

  Mt Hebron Christian Academy

         Students

         Teachers (help for next year)

  Miss Emily A Knight (yes, me :) )

         As I learn Spanish

        Wisdom regarding finances

== March Adventures ==

The weather has been incredibly beautiful here, much more like Spring than winter.  On one of these beautiful days, we had a great time kite-flying in the big field.  It was well past dark when we stopped.  

On a different evening, one of the college students came to ask me if they could borrow my softball equipment.  I said yes, but asked if girls were playing, too.  He said yes and some of the kids that live on the property. So, of course, I went and joined them -- sorry no pics.  :)
{FYI: The 1st video starts with Lucas running, but has the best view of all the kids.  The 3rd one is me :) }

Blog 50 01 Mar 2017

2017 Pastors' Conference

Mount Hebron Baptist Church hosted over 1,000 delegates to this year's conference.  Here are some thoughts, highlights, and pictures of our week:

 

And what a conference it was! There were so many churches and ministries represented. Over a thousand people were here. 

Soulwinning:

On Wednesday, all delegates and church members who were not watching a nursery went soulwinning. In the service that night, Pastor Jonathan took the count of souls saved like we do every Sunday night; over 300 people had trusted Christ that afternoon, and twelve were baptized at the close of the service. Praise the Lord!

 These pics are of the ladies in my group.  In the pink sweater is my friend Lydia who sits with me in church and who also speaks a little English.  Her partner, Paula is in blue, and my partner, Luisa in gold and black.  Luisa led two people to the Lord and had another lady promise to be in church on Sunday.




One of the twelve people saved and baptized on Wednesday was a homeless man, Ceasar, who on Thursday surrendered his life to do God's will.  The teens of Mount Hebron took up an offering to cover his first month's rent while he looks for a job in a place near enough to church he can walk to services.

Evening Preaching:

Pastor Louis Ramos of San Louis, Mexico.  
He was my Division Leader in college.  It was a great honor to hear of the faithful service he and his wife Mrs. Karen have devoted to God's call on their lives.  They have a large church as well as a Bible Institute to train young men and women as Christian leaders. 

Pastor Kevin Wynne, Missionarry to Mexico City.
Pastor Andres Gomez, FBC Hammond, Spanish Church
and of course,
Pastor (emitrius) Tommy and Pastor Jonathan Ashcraft.

Ladies' Sessions:

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Widow of Dr Tom Sloan

Missionarry to South Mexico

Sister of Pastor Tommy Ashcraft

Mother of 8 children, all serving the Lord today.

I have ordered her autobiography and am looking forward to being encouraged by it. If you would be interested in reading it, pm me for details.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan Martinez
Daughter of Mrs. Billie
Missionarry to Israel

Mrs. Carrie Kaeghan
Pastor's Wife, Connecticut

Mrs Jessica Gonzalez
 Missionarry Helps Ministry

It was also great to hear Mrs. Billie's youngest daughter, Elizabeth; Mrs. Carrie, back for the conference with her husband; Mrs. Jessica was featured this year; and also Mrs. Brenda with her daughter,  Tammy who serves in El Salvador.

Mrs Jenny
I am listening to Jenny teach the Ladies' Session in Spanish. I have no idea what she is saying, but so many ladies are listening intently as she shares her heart.  She occassionally stumbles through a longer, unusual Spanish word in the Bible verses. The ladies seem to hear her love and her desire to serve more than the words.  I cannot help the swell of pride I feel as I remember the many times of teaching and learning we have shared together over the past 20+ years.  I am so grateful the Lord has woven our lives together and allowed me to see some of the fruit from seeds sown so many years ago.

Language Update:

I was encouraged that I could understand a lot more of what was being preached this year. Pastor Jonathan preached one sermon in which he repeated "Don't Change" numerous times -- "Don't Change" your message, "Don't Change" your convictions, "Don't Change" your standards, and "Don't Change" a few other things I didn't catch.

Other Excitement:

 I spent Tuesday and Thursday nights helping in the nursery. The ladies who work with the children are amazing.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and Mrs. Jenny, their boys,
               and the baby on the way!

      ~ New ministries of the church

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ New Students
      ~ Francisco as he learns English
3. Pray for Mt Hebron Bible Institute

Blog 49 7 Feb 2017

Christian School News:

This week Bro Jon took the school kids (as well as Jenny & me) to "The Flag." It is an enormous Mexican flag at the top of a very high mountain from which you can see the entire city of Monterrey. It is the spot where my picture was taken for my post cards. Afterwards, we went to a park

           and enjoyed a picnic lunch.
 

Francisco took the placement test for finishing high school in English through ACE. It would take him 3 years (conservatively) for which his family would have to pay not only tuition, but the price of the paces as well; as opposed to finishing next May (2018) with free resources and one year of tuition. I believe he will just increase his English studies, but go ahead and start in the Bible Institute in Fall 2018. I am glad I was able to share with you where his heart is in relation to the Service of the King.  I am so proud of the attitudes of all the students God has given me here.

The Great Commission!

At soul winning yesterday 13 ladies showed up for our group. We believe every week since the new year, we have had to take two vehicles out to our soulwinning area. My partner Louisa led two souls to the Lord. One man with whom she prayed said he rode the bus to Mt Hebron a few times as a boy with Jon's grandfather, "Popsy" Ashcraft.

Jessica's husband Leo led a Jewish man, Abram, to the Lord a few months ago who has been baptized and faithful to church services since the new year.  This has been an encouragement to Bro. Paco, our missionary to the Jewish community of Monterrey.  
(For more about his ministry and burden for the Jewish people, see Blog #37 from March, 2016.)

The Local Church:

I continue to help in the 3 year old SS class.  Mrs. Lily (our original K4-K5 school teacher) is currently teaching the class since the young lady who was teaching it now teaches in the high school department with her fiancee.

Also, we are all still preparing for our annual Pastor's Conference at the end of February.  The men are building a new restroom facility of which we are in great need.

Interesting & Exciting Happenings:

A special personal blessing this past month was the gift of an upgrade to my phone.  I brought my iPhone 4 (which I bought for $1.99 when the 5S came out) with me to Mexico two summers ago.  With birthday money from my Dad and another family who has always treated me like family I was able to get a much newer model.  Jenny did all the "leg-work" for me, searching Amazon, EBay, and other sites to get the best deal and Bro. Jon did the technical set up of anything that required more than importing from the cloud.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and Mrs. Jenny, their boys,
               and the baby on the way!

      ~ New ministries of the church

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ New Students
      ~ Francisco as he learns English
3. Pray for Mt Hebron Bible Institute
4. Pray for our Pastor's Conference