May 2015
Analco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Dear friends and family,
It seems like it has been so long since we have seen all of you, but the 8 months we have been here in Mexico have flown by for us. As a family we feel more grounded in our new hometown as we have gotten to know the majority of the 400 residents here. The ministries we are involved in are also growing as we are building more relationships and getting to know more and more people and towns in the area.
Our church in Guelatao
The church we have planted in the nearby town of Guelatao is growing as 3 more families have joined us. Visiting different families and hearing their stories have shown us how important it is to have a church where we can build each other up in Christ and pray together. One of the families that have joined us is a mother with her two adolescent kids. The mom is going through a divorce and is currently unemployed. She just accepted the Lord 2 months ago and says just talking about Jesus and how He loves us gives her hope every day.
We are also visiting another family in the neighboring town of Ixtlan who are interested in having Bible studies in their home. In the next few months we are praying to see if we should plant a church in this town as well, or try to combine the two.
Camping with the church in Analco
As a family we love camping, so in April we talked to the church in Analco and we all went camping together. We had a great time with a campfire worship service and by spending time together. The next day we also had games of tug-of-war and volleyball. Everyone had such a great time that they have put Germen in charge of planning quarterly outings for the church.
Tug-of-War (German’s team won!)
The building on our land is also progressing as we have bought most of the material for the foundation, the first floor, and for German’s workshop. We are working to have the foundation completed before construction stops in the rainy season (from June to August). After the rains stop the first floor and workshop will be built and we will move in as we continue to build the rest.
Building on our land
A big part of living here is learning to live off of the land. People here grow their own food and raise animals for meat. German has taken to the fields planting corn, beans, squash, and fruit trees on our new land. Brenda loves taking care of all the animals we now have. So far we have 27 chickens, 3 turkeys, 3 rabbits, 3 pigs, a cat, and a dog.
One of the ministries we are starting in town is the Bunny Project. Here rabbits are thought of more as food then pets and are relatively free to take care of. Considering this and the fact that they multiply so quickly, we are planning on donating the babies of our rabbits to families in need. They can then raise rabbits for food for their families.
German, German’s uncle and Marley harvesting avacados
Prayer Requests:
· Marley now loves living here and loves going to school. Please pray that he keeps this enthusiasm as he starts 2nd grade in August in the public school
· For Jake to have a smooth transition as he starts Kindergarten in August in the town’s preschool
· For wisdom for German as he preaches and teaches in the churches
· For patience and love as Brenda continues to homeschool Marley and Jake
· For God to move people’s hearts and do great things as we are going to the state of Zacatecas on a mission trip for one week the end of July
· For us to find a place to hold our church services in Guelatao as we need a central place to meet
· For Marley’s best friend here as she has been diagnosed with cancer. She is only 7 years old and is currently in Oaxaca City having chemotherapy
· For God to continue to reveal His vision for our ministries and for the house and missionary base we are building
We want to thank you so much for your continued interest, prayer, and support in our ministry here. If you have any questions please contact Brenda on Facebook or if you would like to support us financially please contact Brenda’s mother, Sandra Siler at 715-684-9949 or 820 Elm St, Baldwin, WI 54002.
Thanks again,
German, Brenda, Marley, Jacob and Grace Luna