May 2007

Dear friends and family,

We hope this letter finds you all we healthy and blessed. Things here are busy as usual!

Guadalupe Victoria:
The first week end in May Jim spoke to a group of leaders at Guadalupe Victoria to announce a series of leadership trainings we are going to be having there this summer. There will be trainings two Saturdays a month in June, July and August. The trainings are for Pastors of areas churches at other ranchos as well as potential leaders in those churches. The trainings will be facilitated by us as well as other members of our G.V. team. The concept of doing ministry as a team is really a new concept for them but one they are guardedly open to and one we feel would help them sustain healthier churches. Please be praying for this.

Forteleza de Amor: (the church at G.V.)
The church is still growing and actually had a guest speaker two weeks ago from Dallas Texas. The people were affixed to every word as Pastor Terri talked to them about the Holy Spirit. Following his preaching there was a time of ministry and the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way. People were set free and the joy of the Lord filled the room.Jim also preached at Sunday service this month as well and gave his testimony. It was a powerful time of testimony of the saving grace of the Lord. Many were very moved to tears at hearing his story and came down front for prayer and healing afterwards. God is good and so faithful.

Bodega:
There is a small room in one of the buildings at G.V. that has been used to store clothing and other donated items. The room was not organized or efficient for distributing things. This month Jim and two other men hung shelves (donated by Don Hall) in the room and moved things around in such a way that we are now able to distribute the items in an efficient way. Seven women and youth helped us separate the clothes and in return they got to “shop”. We are setting up an economic system where things they receive are earned. They actually started this system on their own by trading us tortillas and nopales (eatable cactus) for shoes, clothes etc. We use this food as a suppliment for shut-ins in the community who can't get out for food due to health reasons.

Economic Picture:
Also this month we had a “State of the Rancho” meeting with the adults in G.V... We have been going to the rancho for 18 months now so we felt it was time to see (from their perspective) where we are with regard to water problems, food, economics etc. We got some very valuable information from them that will help us direct our efforts in a more effective manner. We have also elicited the help of two of the most faithful youth to conduct a new census so that we can know precisely how many reside in the community and which houses they live in.

Bible Study:
Lisa’s Bible study is going well .For the most part, the women in the group are spiritually very young. They are from a number of different church backgrounds. It has been a joy to teach the basic fundamentals of the gospel to these precious women who are so eager to learn. With school getting out we will be taking a break for the summer but will convene when school starts the end of August.

Praise Report!
As some of you know Pacoito the six year old grandson of Patrick’s tutor was put in the hospital last week for renal (kidney) failure. When he was admitted his kidney were functioning at only 40% or less and withing 12 hours they totally stopped and he began to swell. It was a shock to his family and all of us who love him. The prognosis was bleak and the financial implications of the situation a huge concern to the family. But …God intervened and after only four days in the hospital Paco woke up and had energy to play and the doctors were astonished. So much that they ran more tests and were completely baffled when the results came back that his kidney were functioning perfectly! The doctors were so sure the test was wrong they did another set of tests and found the same result! God healed him! The entire situation was a testimony to the power of God and all who knew the circumstances were amazed. Then when they left the hospital bill came rather than the $5000 they had expected it was only $250.00. An old friend that heard about the problem came and took care of the bill! It was a miracle all the way around! Thank you for all your prayers.

Thank you again to all of you who have partnered with us in this ministry. Our work in Mexico would be possible without your prayers and financial support. If you are interested in partnering with us you can go to our web site at http://www.servantslove.org/ and find out how you can help with a tax deductable donation.