May Newsletter

Baja Compassion Doings

Church for the Deaf

Mexican sign language (LSM) is different than American sign language (ASL) - you knew that right? Pastor Carlos has finished teaching Galatians and is starting in Jonah.  He purchased DVD with Jonah in LSM to pass out to his congregation.  When you consider that many have difficulty reading (Spanish is their second language, after all) if they know how to read at all - you can see what a blessing this is!

Carlos with Presidential Candidate 

Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us to 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

    for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

    defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

Pastor Carlos has been following this command for many years now, taking an active interest in rights for the deaf.  Recently he was able to stand up with the Mexican presidential candidate, Kiko Vega, for the deaf community!

Lonnie in Mexico and Honduras

We recently were blessed with a productive trip from a trip to Tijuana, Mexico where we built a staircase and furthered the construction on the Disciples House at Paul Alvarado’s (with Spectrum MInistries) residence. Currently we are planning a trip to Santa Barbara, Honduras in June/July of this year.  Our plan is to help teach the older Orphans construction skills while leading  the visiting work group with their projects.  Please help us pray for the funding for this trip.

Baja Compassion Families

Pastor Carlos’s family ask for prayer about moving from their current home to something smaller, and if it is God’s will that He provide the finances for it.

Gaby has taken on the children’s ministry at the partnering hearing church - a huge responsibility. Nevertheless she continues to be a key interpreter and interprets for worship. services. 

 Also she asks for prayer for her next planned  mission trip to Cuba (January). She needs to raise $1500 dollars..  And she is trusting God to do so.

We, Pfingstons continue our behind the scenes work supporting Pastor Carlos - being facilitators to their service. while watching ways to minister at any opportunity.

The Deaf Women's retreat 2012

So we had all we could accommodate on our women's retreat! Every one in all stages of walk with Jesus.  We even had one lady who up to this time was a Jehovah Witness, another was attending JW meetings even though she knew the Truth.  

It was relaxed, fun and Michelle Bonsell spoke of "Dressing for Success"; first speaking of putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), then talking of clothing yourselves in humility and love (Colosions 3:12) and finally just a good needed talk of modesty . . . :-)

A refreshing time, a renewing time, a BLESSED time.

Thank you all who made it possible with your support, donations and prayers!

Ciudad Juarez and the Deaf

The town was Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico and it just happens to be among the worst affected parts of Mexico’s drug-related violence. 

It also happens to be a place where the Deaf Pastor and Leaders Conference was being held.

After His wife passed away, leaving him with his two small children, Pastor Carlos seemed to be just keeping his head above water.  But in this last year we are seeing him really get his footing.  He is finding a maturity as a Pastor that is encouraging to see.

This conference was the first of it’s kind that he was able to attend in his history of being a Pastor.

You know how many other deaf pastors showed up? 

None.  Zip. Zero.

Just Pastor Carlos and the hosting Deaf Pastor and his church.  Be it for fear or for distance - because really - how many deaf Pastors are there in all of Mexico? NOT ENOUGH!   

But this translated into an intense meeting between God and Carlos, for a time of refreshment and edification

PRAISE GOD!  He needed it!

And he has returned. Safe and sound, and recharged.  It was a blessing! 

And THANK YOU to all those that helped him afford the opportunity! 

Update

Lonnie will be going to Honduras to help build an orphanage in a town called Santa Barbara.

Yes, Baja Compassion Ministries will be helping Footsteps Missions from the beginning of February until the beginning of April.

You can remember mommy (Michelle) at home with the three kids in prayer if you like! :-)



Deaf women's Bible study will be starting up again January 11th.

And - our marvelous helper that we've had since last May, Gaby Suarez, will be going home Jan 18th . . . indefinitely.  She is taking time to see what God wants from her.  Where he wants her to be.

Naturally we'd LOVE her to stay with us - here working with the deaf in Ensenada - but we want her to follow God's leading as well.

SO- pray for God's clear leading to stay here, come back! in her life.

Guest Speakers Urge Deaf to Action

We had guest speaker Eugene Gehm come down for a couple of Sundays to speak to the deaf congregation, encouraging the deaf to be witnesses for Jesus. Eugene and his wife Linda(also deaf) stay in contact with the deaf in Ensenada and are true encouragers!

If you’re interested in seeing his messages (in Mexican Sign Language) you can at HERE

 Kelly Lynch, our guest speaker at the women's deaf retreat taught something similar; reflect Jesus and you affect people- God seems to be saying it's their turn, now, to rise up - And they do!

Rita blows me away with her understanding of God's character.  You might remember the last news was them being persecuted by other deaf.  Rita said that through it all she trusted Jesus to defend her and her husband, and He did! Officials fined the accusers for bringing up the unsubstantiated accusations! 

The deaf retreat went GREAT and we had a few wii sport injuries, but mostly just a whole bunch of fun and spiritual growth.

Rosalba garcia has parents who are deaf, so she signs fluidly and just got her professional certification in mexican sign.  She is an advocate for the deaf working with the municipal government and a believer - and very young - pray for this bundle of energy and her future! 

Margarita - the deaf lady that suffered a stroke- is recovering and still suffers from side paralysis. She gets around with help, but holds tight to Jesus.

In spite of me.

As I write this I'm sniffling and sneezing.  My eyes itch, my nose is running, my skin is crawling, my head feels painful and heavy - and I'm running a low grade fever. A bad case of allergies.

I certainly didn't want to go and lead our deaf women's bible study.  I wanted to stay in bed.  But Rita (deaf) and I have been meeting for about 5 or 6 months now and just recently we've been joined by one more deaf woman - Maragrita.  So I prep lightly and head out, praying that God use me- in spite of myself.

Wouldn't you know we had two new ladies show up!

And it was tricky - out of the 4 deaf ladies there only one can read a bit.  Two have had no schooling whatsoever so even their sign language vocabulary is limited.  The third had been taught a type of pidgin american sign language and only knew a limited amount of mexican sign language.

As you can imagine the lesson went slowly - and I had a couple of times where I would go into defining an idea (like - who was moses, what is a Pharisee) and lose my train of thought- COMPLETELY! So again, I just pray that God was able to use me - in spite of myself.

Funny side note: I was sneezing before we started, and as soon as we closed in prayer I started sneezing agin.  But all during the lesson I didn't have to use a kleenex, not once.

I hope the ladies were blessed and went away with something and I pray they did.

It's in God's hand now.  I'm just thankful I didn't give in to what I wanted but went anyway.

How about praying for these ladies that attended today?  Thanks.

From the Pastor

CC Horizonte deaf ministry. The deaf congregation continues to grow with a faithful attendance of about 25 people, and that has been the amazing hand of God! Also, God is working in the hearts of the hearing congregation of CC Horizonte and they to are starting to join with us! I truly believe that God has used Virginia’s passing to capture the attention of our deaf. Before they believed that they had plenty of time, and now we see a change in their attitude, aware now that their life is a gift and they may be called to account for it at any time.

The deaf are learning so much, yet we come into the same difficulty that they get caught up in the difficulty they have to read and understand the bible. My heart really wants to make a Mexican Sign Language (LSM) bible on video. It’s very needed because the deaf culture doesn’t just pick up and use books like the hearing culture does. To pick up and read a bible to study it is a foreign idea. They are much more visual and pictures and videos are an easy means of obtaining information. But I find myself so overwhelmed and my energies spent. Plus, there are some signs in LSM I don’t know, so I don’t feel my vocabulary is up to par. I really need your prayers in this area.

Likewise, the deaf being so visually tuned, I have a great need for a laptop with a portable projector so that I can make my studies on the computer and then project them onto a screen, and make the lessons more accessible and comprehensible to the deaf.

Nevertheless it’s exciting; right now 4 hearing people from the church are learning about deaf culture, learning sign language and little by little are getting involved, hopeful to help with interpretation in the future! These 4 have been faithful to Tuesday night sign class which I teach. I teach this class at no cost, no profit to myself, it is a ministry for such a time as this.

I have a praise God for our group of about 40 people, both hearing and deaf, that went to Rancho Sordo Mudo two weeks ago. 40! That was an awesome show of support and it was a very pleasant time enjoyed by all. We hope that it touched them and inspired them with the need to GO! Praise God.

Family: with Virginia gone I’ve been grappling with the question “Now what.” Where we live the house is too big for me. Yet I don’t want to leave Ensenada, move to another place, no, instead me and my family will continue to live here. Because the deaf are here, and the ministry goes on. So please be praying for us, that God leads us to another house that we can afford and the right size. Meanwhile I am learning how to be a single parent, and what they say is true, it is not easy! With my attentions going towards the children and trying to continue with the ministry here, I’m finding I need to relearn my balance . . . like learning to walk again.

Leilani and Jerimias? Leilani continues at school, and now Jerimias has joined her. I have explained to both of them that their mother has gone to heaven. Still, they both will come to me to ask question about their mother. Leilani understand her mom is in heaven, although she misses her greatly. And she will go through highs and lows. But Jerimias will come to me again and again asking where mom is. So again and again I explain that she went to heaven, and then he comes back with the question “mom went to heaven” . . . ah yes, he is 3 and will be 4 in August, so the understanding will come, it’s just taking some time.

I can not thank you enough for the generous support you have shown towards me and my family. It has been a struggle and your generous giving has been lifesaving. Please continue to pray for this support to continue, I am tempted to get a job, but I just don’t know how I would be able to fit it in. I would appreciate, if you feel that God is sharing something with you to share with me, please feel free to tell me. And again thank you all, and do not stop praying now! We have only just begun.

So . . . what is going on?

We are so excited to have our first group come down!

They are expected this last week in June.

With them we are busy planning a surprise baby shower for Rita (deaf) who is due with her third baby in August and her husband (also deaf) is out of work.

Also we are going to have a deaf BBQ social open to all the deaf around . . . I'm really hoping that we see some new faces then!
It is just so exciting -


Oh, and one more thing before we go - I just relayed a call for Rita's husband to inquire about a job and they said that he should come down, fill out an application and they have interpreters there standing by !!!!


So he is on his way now.


Go ahead, cover him in prayer. He needs the job.


*UPDATE*
I am so excited about this; Mario (Rita's husband) just got back, and he said that he got the job! And those other interpreters? A hard of hearing young man who is a close friend of ours! How cool is that?!
God be praised.

when God fills in the gaps

Often - and I do mean often - I feel like I am barely getting by.
You know, that you are doing so many things that you are doing little well.
Well, every since my friend Virginia passed away, my efforts towards the deaf women's retreat have been half hearted.
She was my co-conspirator - ya know?

Enough people wanted the women's deaf retreat to happen that I quite literally trudged on. This time planning with a co-missionary interpreter, Yesenia. She also is a mother to three young boys. So between that mother and this one, I'd say our planning and organization could best be described as "winged".

But you know, God filled in every gap where we missed it . . . . the speaker, Yamile Grey, was a deaf, on-fire, spirited Colombian who really really had a heart for these ladies.
We had 7 women come - so including us (Yamile, Yesenia and myself) we were 11. That is Grrreat, really!

The place right on the ocean was beautiful, and God really anointed the classes.
It was thrown together, but came out beautifully.

One special note, back when Virginia and I were first planning this we had said that if we could get a church to sponsor it we'd like to surprise all the ladies to a fancy dinner since our theme was "Come dine with Me."

After she passed away I was able to get that sponsoring so then my next task was to find a restaurant to take them to. I was blessed to be able to work a deal with what in downtown Ensenada is considered one of the more fancy-er places to eat "El Rey Sol". French/Mexican cuisine and french decor - The women LOVED IT! They said they felt like queens!

They kept taking pictures of the entrees as they came in.

I took a moment and pointed out that this is exactly what Virginia had hoped for them. And although we wish she where here with us, we knew she was at a banquet much finer than this . . .

Yesenia said "Thanks for making us cry, Michelle"

It was a blessed time.

Now for pictures!

There is one picture thrown in here of a close up of me - very non-flattering - it is a shot of an allergic reaction I had to who-knows-what that made my eyes swell up. The picture is actually of me doing better, but you can still see the puffiness . . .
And the baby is mine. The only guy allowed on this trip because he's still nursing.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The deaf church of Ensenada

Good news!
Last Sunday there were 28! people in attendance.
Doesn't sound like much, I know, but we have had about 10 people come on average before . . . so the numbers have more than doubled.
And almost all of them need Jesus, or training in the Christian walk!
Isn't it wonderful . . . .
It is wonderful to hear see their many questions, its even more delightful when you see them amazed at who Jesus is, or what he has done for them.

So, here are some pictures of some faces we are beginning to see in regular attendance . .

The Suarez family stopped by yesterday. Not an unusual occurrence, they wanted to know if they’d received any mail? Did we get them the milk they needed?, and just to visit . . .

Oh, yes, and tomorrow morning Carlos will need an interpreter for a meeting. Did we still plan on meeting for worship song practice this Friday and when did Lonnie want help for some of his projects?

Also lets talk about starting a bible study on Saturdays for the ladies, Carlos is going down for a deaf rights march in town, are we going to be there? and there are so many deaf couples and people to continue praying for . . . . .

· Newly saved Manuel and his wife are struggling—
· Jose and his wife are getting divorced - How painful for them and their 4 kids
· Jorge and Dana we haven’t seen or heard from them in a while . . .

But Praise God! We’ve had two more come to receive Christ last Wednesday! And that the camera Carlos needed along with a computer for editing has come through so he can start working on his vision of creating Christian deaf DVD’s . . . So exciting!

All this plus the blessed addition to our family—Alexander Paul was born by cesarean September 17th. Again, Michelle’s recovery was quick and relatively painless (thanks for the prayers!) so that meeting mentioned earlier? With 2 week old Alex in a sling, Michelle was able to interpret for Carlos. And this Sunday she’s back in the signing worship mode . . .

An answer to prayer!

Hello everyone . .

Anyone?

With Lonnie going crazy on different projects and me trying to get ready for a new baby I've been letting some thing slide, like this blog . . . My apologies!

Anyway, I am EXCITED to let you know that, if you recall the prayer posted here about Pastor Carlos getting a camera and computer to make Mexican Sign Language DVD's . . . . IT'S HAPPENING!

I just got done translating for him on the use of the camera! It's easy too . . .we are so thrilled, and soon he will be getting a computer for editing that will be kept at the church . . .

We Praise God!

So, now, pray that Pastor Carlos gets hopping - cause it is a needed thing!!!!

LSM at Rancho Sordo Mudo

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This is the children at Rancho Sordo Mudo during their graduation. They signed a song in (mostly) Mexican Sign Language.

Although they are taught a sort of American Sign Language (ASL) with a Spanish twist, they are now beginning to start to teach them Mexican Sign Language (LSM). But the trouble is that the volunteers at the school are mostly American. The school resources and signing resources are mostly for ASL so it is difficult to find volunteers capable to teach them sign in LSM.

But it is changing, slowly, but surely. Because the signs are different - with similarity's sure, but different nonetheless.

Still, we (and they) are grateful to learn ANY type of sign to communicate and then learn the 3 R's and finally but most importantly . . . about Jesus. That sign is the same in LSM or ASL.

You've all been praying, haven't you!

I am thrilled, thrilled to tell you what happened on Sunday.

A miracle before my eyes.

Our deaf pastor, Carlos, asked me on Sunday to be his interpreter with a meeting he wanted to have with the Calvary Chapel of Ensenada Pastor Juan Domingo .

In the meeting with Juan he explained about his video making vision, to make videos in Mexican Sign Language of the Bible, some devotional DVDs and preachings. Barely had Carlos gotten the words out "I want to make DVD videos for the deaf in sign" when Juan Domingo jumped up and brought in another man . . . Paul, and another from Calvary Chapel of Chino Hills.

These two were MORE THAN WILLING TO PROVIDE CARLOS WITH ALL AND EVERYTHING HE MIGHT NEED TO DO THIS!

It sounds like Carlos will be getting a video camera, DVD burner and a computer capable to handle the work! Praise God!

And Carlos just went in there to ask for Pastor Juan's prayer about this vision that God had put on Carlos's heart!

God timing, God's grouping and God's work . . .

I stand amazed at the way God opens doors!

Now if we can just keep in prayer that what was promised doesn't get put on a back burner but instead it's results are seen in a timely manner.

From the Pastor

Our deaf congregation continues studying in the four gospels. I do believe that the deaf are starting to really understand.

And Praise God we had a deaf man, Manuel, come to accept Jesus as his savior, where previously he had been with the Jehovah Witnesses. A true victory in Jesus to be sure! He understands the Good News and is beginning to really grow spiritually, although still a ‘baby’ in Christ.

I mentioned to our hearing congregation pastor of Calvary Chapel of Ensenada, Juan Domingo, about the two who were recently saved (including Antonia from the deaf woman’s retreat). And we spoke of their desire to be baptized. I asked if Juan would be willing to baptize them and he thought I should do it!

It would be an honor.

Our deaf congregation is motivated; they pay rapt attention and are asking questions . . . but once they leave the church and go home it is so hard for them to study the bible on their own. The words are big and difficult; the semantics of grammar are sometimes incomprehensible. A few have an easy version of the bible that they are able to understand, but most do not. It is a different culture they are trying to figure out and it is a challenge.

One woman whose soul is hungry for Jesus asked my wife if she could borrow her bible devotions that were done in ASL. But there is nothing for those that only know Mexican Sign Language. Now this woman knows a bit of ASL, but even then she doesn’t understand ‘full’ ASL and so the bible devotional helped, but was still difficult to follow.

It is on my heart, my hope and prayer to make some bible devotions in Mexican Sign Language. It is a request that I’ve set before the Lord and a much needed thing.

To make this happen I would need a video recorder, someone who is skilled at doing these types of things and, personally, to study more Mexican Sign Language so that I am careful not to make any mistakes in ‘translation’. I know it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit and on him I will depend.

I could do this on my own (with God’s help), but if I could get the assistance of someone better skilled at video recordings, then I know it would be quicker and faster that we could make and spread this resource. Please continue praying for this video ministry that God has put on my heart.

Interpritation vs. the giggles

This Sunday while I was interpreting worship we came to a song called "Christo Vive".

It's fast, and repetitive.

Christ lives, Christ lives, Christ lives,
my savior is not dead,
He is not in a tomb
my savior is not dead,
He is resurrected!
Christ lives, Christ lives, Christ lives!

A fun song . . . but like I said, fast and as I saw the deaf congregation keep up with the pace of the song I suddenly had the mental image of the action song "head, shoulder, knees and toes" and almost busted into a pile of giggles right there!

I managed keep it to a wide smile and we all had fun celebrating that Christ indeed is alive!

Sad news.

This deaf couple and their little boy are being torn apart at the seams. Soon their divorce will be finalized.

*sigh*

The mother is not walking in the ways of God, and when anyone approches the father he just says "leave me be".

And we know it is their little boy that will hurt most of all, who is now staying with his grandmother.

Our hearts ache for them and families like them . . .

The deaf womens retreat

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The angels rejoice because the last lady pictured (Antonia) accepted the free gift of Salvation while at the retreat!!!

And that alone would have made this time all worth the while! But the blessings of it did not stop there . .

We studied Psalms 23.

It was in a small beach house with scented candles, chocolates and little goodies all around . . .

We had good fellowship, relaxed, joked and generally, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Also we made a bracelet that followed the 23 Psalm:

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - One white bead for "sheep"
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, - a green bead for "green pastures"

he leads me beside quiet waters, - a blue bead for "quiet waters"
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. - a clear bead for "righteousness"
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; - a black bead for "valley of the shadow of death"

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - brown bead for "rod and staff"
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. - another brown bead for "a table"

You anoint my head with oil; - a yellow/orange bead for oil
my cup overflows. - a purple bead
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, - a pink bead

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. - a gold bead for "the house of the Lord"

I don't know about you, but this bracelet helped me to memorize all the this Psalm . . pretty cool if you ask me.

Febuary Update

The place is reserved, a guest speaker arranged, the flyers posted, the brochures handed out, and the announcement made in church. It is becoming one of the biggest outreaches the deaf women’s ministry (all three of us !) have done yet.

Imagine our delight as we prepare for our first ever deaf women’s retreat! We have invited all and any deaf women from Ensenada and even as far as Tijuana. It will take place March 9-11 so we are at the point where we are awaiting responses from the women. Also our guest speaker is Linda Gehm. She is deaf, a missionary from Oregon with her husband, Eugene, also deaf, and have worked with the deaf in Mexico for over 17 years.

The awesome part of this is that it has been a long time prayer of ours that Carlos Suarez (our deaf pastor) would find a peer, a mentor to get some encouragement and spiritual refreshment from. And the Gehms plan to stay with the Suarez for a week over this time of the retreat, and we anticipate that Carlos will be greatly blessed by the visit.

Do, do, do pray:
· that the women come,
· that they understand the messages
· that those who don’t yet, come to know Jesus,
· those that do, pray they find a deep walk with him!
· And that Carlos be blessed by the Gehm visit and get some answers too.