Pictures from Honduras

Lonnie will add commentary to these pictures as soon as I can pin him down . . . 

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! 

HE IS BACK~

After to Haiti - Lonnie tells me - Honduras is the poorest country in the world.

Lonnie has returned from Honduras!  Lonnie is well and happy to be home, but quite moved by his experience there.

He tells me that of the groups that came down while there, he knew the most spanish, so his spanish being as it may - he was the interpreter . . . .

His high school spanish teacher would be proud.

He did a lot of traveling in taxicabs as he was often sent out to find this part or other to build the orphanage - and Lonnie used that captive audience to share Jesus. 

He says that the people's hearts are open to hearing.  He doesn't know if anyone accepted Jesus as their savior, but as he was building a home for kids - he was also planting seeds for the Kingdom!

Look what Lonnie's doing!

Here is a link to see the project Lonnie is working on in Honduras!

Bueno es alabar(LSM) ; Michelle Pfingston

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.