Mercies New Every Morning

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[b]
     his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
     great is your faithfulness.
 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,
     'therefore I will hope in him.'"

So pleased to share an update from Granada, Nicaragua. I hope you are abundantly blessed and encouraged in your own adventures! Enjoy=)

Pantanal Ministry

So, you're getting a Pantanal update from me (Jacque) this time because Don has been diligently working endlessly with the teams that are here this summer. I will try to do my best to capture all that God is doing out in the Pantanal community where our church is doing ministry and planning to build a school. We have had several community projects of cleaning up trash on the property where the school will be built. Short-term teams have jumped in on the projects and helped clean up the area that has been used as a mini dump for countless years. The job is getting done! Please pray for solid community involvement as this was a project that they, too, mentioned as something for the community to work on together. Please also pray for Jesse and his family as he moves out there for a short time on his own to begin his job of watching and caring for the property and in being closer to the Pantanal community. Please pray for his family for this time while he is away. He has a wife and two daughters who will be living in a different area. Please pray for a strong community around them and for safety for each member of the family. Please pray for protection of their new marriage in the transition time.

Please pray, as the Scriptures lay out below, for the transformation of individuals as Don, Jesse, Darrell, and Linda share the Word and disciple Believers in the area. There is also a partner children's ministry they are hoping to get going, so please pray for direction and human resources. A steady, faithful group continues to come to Bible study and church, and I believe they are really feeling a part of the El Puente Church community as they have settled in and have become much more respectful. Thank you, Lord!

Prayer Requests:

James 1:2-5- That the leaders may have strength through the times when the ministry is difficult

John 1:1-18- Those who live in the community would really come to know God in the fullness of his Glory

John 3:3-15- That the youth would come into a true life-changing relationship with Jesus.

Ephesians 4:21-24

Short-Term Teams and Interns

Don is busy! His phone rings non-stop for one more detail to coordinate. Between him, Charles and Mario, a smashing job has been done to transition teams and take care of their needs and make sure the dorms are ready and there's a bus at the airport and there are plenty of translators. Not to mention trips to the hospital with sick team members, and rearranged locations for other teams that needed moved to a different ministry location. All has gone well, and the entire summer has actually gone quite well so far. For all the busy-ness and chaos they're feeling, the rest of us are in peace and diligently working in our respective ministries, which I attribute to their diligence and God's mighty grace. Teams have come through and led Bible studies and ministered to grieving community members and helped clean trash and helped an alcoholic enroll in rehab and planned effective Vacation Bible Schools that tie into our Children's Church curriculum for the month. I'm grateful for what God is showing us through their labors, and especially thankful that He is so gracious to work all things together for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

Prayer Requests:

Colossians 1:9-14- That the teams would be soaking themselves in the Word as they prepare to come down here and work for the Lord. The only way they are going to know they are working in a manner worth of the Lord is if they are filled with the knowledge of God's will. Pray that the Scriptures would open up to them and they would have a clear understanding of what God wants from them.

Ephesians- 6:10-19 Pray for the Spiritual protection of the teams as they prepare in advance for the work they are going to do here. Pray that they would seek God and not be distracted by the schemes of the devil.

Romans 12:1-2 That the teams would have a clear mind as they pray, prepare, and come.

Romans 11:33-36 That they would see God's glory in this whole process!

1 Peter 4:11 That the teams would do everything to glorify God through Christ Jesus.

Children's Church

He's doing it! He's really doing it!! I had another meeting where 2 people showed up and only 1 was really all there, but God blessed the obedience of showing up and He is SO FAITHFUL to “instruct us and teach us in the way we should go, counseling us with His eye upon us. (Prayer request from last time: Proverbs 32:8!) Praise the Lord for he is GOOD! His love endures forever. I am absolutely enthralled by Him and His ways. So, onto what happened=). I showed up to the meeting and had to inform one of the teachers that her partner in class was no longer going to commit the same time, so she once again was on her own. Poor girl. I'm so proud of her, though. She didn't show any signs of letting up, and I appreciate that from her abundantly. The great part is that I sat down with her and started asking her questions about what she thought of Children's Church and how I was running it so far and how it compared to another leadership group she's a part of, and she gave some great feedback, especially culturally, and I think we may have a new solution to our current “death by meeting” approach. God has been faithful to build up the program and the teachers, so we are going to change our meeting format to 1 time per month for 2 hours with a short meeting mid-month to make sure we're prepared for the 2^nd service of the month. This format also allows a lot more room for the teachers to discuss their lessons together, which I am praying will increase their ability to discuss the actual Scripture and be better prepared to teacher. I am praying that we will become more founded in the Word so that we may be able to build up the children in the church with a proper view and understanding of God in all His Sovereignty, Grace, and Love.

I have also begun devoting two Wednesdays a month (right before Sunday's service) to praying and fasting for the program, the children, and their teachers. I have seen such great fruit from resting in, seeking, and asking of God. He's so faithful!!

Prayer Requests:

1 Peter 5:6-7 – to humble ourselves beneath the hand of a mighty God so that at the proper time he may exalt us, casting ALL our anxieties upon him, because he cares for us. And to KNOW that he cares for us.

Deuteronomy 7:9 – to KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD OUR GOD IS GOD

Joshua 1:6-9 - to be strong and courageous in what God has commanded us to do, to meditate on His Word day and night in order to have sound teaching and deep encouragement,

Ephesians 4:11-16 - to be taught sound doctrine and disciple the children as God has charged teachers and shepherds to do, to mature them so as to not be tossed by the winds of doctrine but as to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Psalms 32:8 & Proverbs 22:6 – for God to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go and counsel us with His eye upon us, and that we would then train up the children in the way they should go, so that they would not turn from it and would lead their country into Godliness.

Character Development

Our first months of Faithfulness were quite a smash, but the program seemed to wane slightly through Kindness, not having as much of a presence. However, as we enter the team season, and as we are all very aware of our need, Patience has begun June with QUITE the impact. We are learning to patiently wait for God as we endure hardship so that when we do his will, we may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36). We discussed Patience at the first Sunday service this month, and learned it through the Children's church leaders showing up late, and Ingrid and Fernanda disobeying, and Pantanal kids getting mad about being asked not to come for one Bible Study because they were throwing rocks at their teachers. And of course through living and working with human beings. Even if they are your spouse. We are working out our salvation with much fear and trembling, and it's actually pretty great!=)

Prayer Requests:

Deuteronomy 7:9 – to KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD OUR GOD IS GOD, THE FAITHFUL GOD WHO KEEPS COVENANT AND STEADFAST LOVE WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDS, TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.

Philippians 2:2 – that we would be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose,

Philippians 2:5, 12-13 – that we as a body would learn to take on the attitude of Christ as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is GOD who works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Psalm 37:7 – that we would learn to be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him, not fretting ourselves over the one who propers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.

Hebrews 6:12 – that we may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

theJicaro Project

I have to say that the verses below are the exact same prayer requests. They are being answered and still need to be answered all at once. I am recognizing the need for endurance so that when I do the will of God I may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36). We are so thankfully producing large amounts of quality work, and the most exciting thing happened at the end of April. Two of our boys moved up from being general employees to being managers!! They are now alternating in the position of exchanging sandpaper and checking the other boys' work. They have been such a blessing, and we see the other boys responding with similar aspirations. Thank you, LORD, for this great reward of faithfulness! We are definitely appreciating His blessing and enjoying the growing process for the boys, seeing the opportunity to further them even more in job preparedness and responsibility. We also had our second job-preparedness presentation at the beginning of June. Eric and Jessica, who are members of the church came and shared about their testimonies of alcohol and drug addiction restoration, about their shoe business, and about what having your own business requires. We were so pleased with their talk, so thankful for the testimony God has supplied to share with our Jicaro boys and women in order to draw them more deeply into the Truth of His Word.

Prayer Requests:

Philippians 2:1-11 – that I would have the attitude of Christ, that we managers would be like-minded, that we would have the same love, that we would be humble in our obedience, that I would trust God to accomplish his will – HIS PERFECT WILL – so that I will be obedient as Christ was obedient.

Hebrews 11:8 – that I would be faithful like Abraham, to obey God even when I don't know where I'm going

James 1:19 – that I would be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry – throughout ANYTHING that happens, to have patience to endure and lead with grace.

Philippians 4:6-7 – that I would not be anxious but would present my requests, my prayers and petitions with thanksgiving, to God so that the peace of God will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:14-17 – to know God's Word well in order to be thoroughly equipped for every good work

Every Day Life.....

We had a MAGNIFICENT trip to the States in May. May blessings be poured out on all those who blessed us abundantly with places to stay and food to eat and even gas to drive all over God's beautiful creation. We were SO BLESSED by the fellowship that we enjoyed with family and friends and all of the church families who shared in our praises to God for all that He is doing here. Thank you, ALL! We just loved it. If it weren't for the joy of serving God here as He's called us to in this season, I don't know if I would have been able to leave. Good thing God made round-trip tickets=) Once we returned, God, as usual continued to bless us with the abundance of His Word, and has been guiding us through this busy season of short-term teams and community living and personal growth. We are enjoying the challenges of building a strong marriage through conversations and experiences ranging anywhere from budgeting to sanctification to laughing over the tiniest things. God is gracious and is abundantly Awesome. We love Him.

We as a staff would appreciate your prayers as we are all busy with personal projects and short-term teams, and as we have not had the same time devoted to just hanging out and fellowshipping. Please pray for us in that, knowing, as Paul exhorted, that we need to be given over to brotherly love and hospitality and patience and respect and love for one another. We love our team and refuse to let the enemy try to break it up. Thanks for fighting with us!

We have been enjoying all of the interns that God sent us this summer. What fun times we have had! Thank you for your prayers! As much as it is difficult to stay close during busy seasons, God definitely sent us a lively bunch to keep spirits up. We have so enjoyed the interns at El Puente, as well as those who have passed through our home. We hope they come back!!

As I shared with many of you while we were in the States, we have been spending a lot of time with our neighbor Ingrid, and now a lot more time with her little sister Anahi as she has been much more interested in going to church for the Children's program. Ingrid is still learning through rebellion and giving in her flesh, but God has been teaching me abundantly how to approach her with love and grace, and that has been incredible. He blessed me with the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, and it has brought the Word very much to light in teaching me about my own heart's well-spring, and how to correct and direct it and Ingrid's as well. It is incredible to see what happens when we approach others in the same way God approaches us as children. Praise Him for his higher ways!

Prayer Requests:

Philippians 2:1-4 – that we, our roommates, and staff would be like-minded, that in humility we would consider others better than ourselves and that we would look not to our own interests but to the interests of others.

Colossians 1:10-12 – Please pray without ceasing that God would fill us with the knowledge of His will...that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God....that we might have great endurance and patience, with great thanksgiving.

Romans 12:9-12 – Let our love be sincere, that we would be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honoring one another above ourselves, not lacking in Spiritual fervor, serving the Lord together, joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 103 – for Ingrid, for God to completely transform and heal her, for us to deal with her out of love and to train her up in the way she should go, that her soul would cry “Bless the LORD.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – our wedding verses—that we would be a cord of three strands, lifting one another up in prayer as we slip and fall, so that we may have a good return for our work

Ephesians 5:22-33 – That Don would be raised up in the Word as the Head of our household and that I would be quick to respond with respect and joyful submission to him as I submit to God. Please pray for us especially as we continue to learn what it means for Don to be the leader of our family through all the aspects of growing up and stewarding all that God calls us to.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 – that Don would always Enjoy Life with His Wife=)