High above the casual atmosphere of what we’ve learned to call ‘normal life’ here upon the earth, a fresh perspective refreshes the soul. Here, looking down upon the clouds which often help determine daily activities, a fresh awareness arises. One day many of us will be meeting here. Writing to you from 35,000 feet above the surface of the earth I remember, if you wait on the Lord he will cause you to soar; not by a strength of your own, but purely His grace. So, sit back, rest in Him, and let Him write your story. There’s so much to tell.
Most events have carrying on as normal, and so perhaps you are all expecting the same old news coming out of Guasave Sinaloa from the Van Deusens and Calvary Guasave.
With everything we have we are simply doing our best to stay faithful to everything the Lord has placed in front of us without adding unnecessary extras (for lack of ability to manage by manpower) meanwhile embracing the growth that God has seen fit to send our way.
We continue with Palos Verdes every Friday. Pastoral training in Tamazula continues on Thursdays. Wednesday mornings I, Ryan, have been able to take a random class with one of my favorite teachers at the Israel College of the Bible (aka One For Israel) Dr. Golan Broshi. Certainly, during the current war in Israel I count this a particular blessing. Monday is game night and Sunday we continue teaching through the Bible expositionially in the morning, and verse by verse in the evening. Our schedule is full and God has certainly blessed every step of the way.
Virtue continues to grow in faith and understanding of her situation. It’s no accident that the KJV records that whenever Jesus healed people ‘virtue’ went out of him. There is a certain healing power to the words that comes out of the mouth of God when taken up by a fleshly vessel or as Paul would put it, jars of clay.
October always begins the time of celebration in our home as my dad’s birthday is a couple weeks in, and then Jasper’s at the end of the month. Daniel was able to join in on the celebration this year. He had a great visit with his family in Merida as he did the music for a friend’s wedding. While there he surprised his girlfriend during a family photo shoot by asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes. So, there’s yet another wedding we will be planning for soon. Next we will have Cyrus’ birthday, my birthday, and then Jubilee’s bithday all within the next couple weeks.
A new family has joined the church with their three children that have all been a blessing for everyone. For the eldest brother, we were able to celebrate his birthday at our home since his father is out of town for a while on work. He was really blessed by the time and has become nicely connected to everyone at Calvary Guasave. Please, pray for this new family (Yazmin and her children) as they have lost a grandfather this week and look forward to their husband and father to be home, and so do we.
Throughout the month I have been preparing quite a bit for teaching at a conference in Merida, to which we are headed as I type this update from airplane. It’s part two of the conference I did last year when I came out, and during which I asked Daniel to consider joining our team in Guasave. I pray for continuing fruit this year as well.
Finally, I have refreshing news to share, and I pray everyone can help get involved. Honestly, more for the sake of the ministry than anything else. FINALLY, my new book has been published in both English and Spanish. Please pray for the distribution details here in Mexico as it’s not quite as simple in the US.
The book is called Saved from Self: Discovering the Joy of Dependence.
It is available on Amazon in both languages. If you like it, please pass it on. It is our prayer that this and other books on the way can be an encouragement in every way to the body of Christ in every place. We want the body of Christ to be built up as they read and grow thereby. Then by purchasing the book they will be blessing other believers and churches to provide for more materials, discipleship, etc. If there sufficient sales of books we would like to be able to transition our donations to go directly into Calvary Guasave and the planting of more churches. Long story short, we want to leverage all that we have for the glory of God while we yet live on this earth until the day we truly meet each other above the clouds.
God bless each of you. We are truly grateful for the ways you have come together in support of the going forth of the Gospel in our lives. May the Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you!
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