The first week of August we made another trip to Chiapas.  This trip was special for several reasons.  First, we brought our friend, Isabel, from Soto La Marina with us to teach praise tambourine/dance classes to the Christian women in Nachig.  They were eager to learn and asked me if I knew someone who taught classes; I immediately thought of Isabel.  Her and her family have been friends of ours for about 3 1/2 years and she has a tremendous heart to serve and a passion for worship.  While the indigenous women are extremely strong, they were not used to the type of physical activity required for praise dance; for example moving their wrists or stretching their muscles.  The first few lessons were tough but their desire to learn overcame their physical limitations.  By the end of the week they had started to gel together as a group.  It was wonderful to be able to resource them with such a great teacher and I pray that they will use this knowledge in a way that will glorify the Lord.

     Second, we had the privilege to be present at the wedding ceremony of Juan and Josefa.  They have been together for many years but felt convicted to be married legally.  They planned the ceremony so that we could be there.  It was such a joy to be a part of the celebration.  Daniel, Irene, and kids (also friends from Soto La Marina) were present as well.  They caravaned down to Chiapas with us to take a vacation and while there they also got to meet our Chiapas friends.  Below are some pictures from the ceremony.

      Third, I (Jessica) spent three days in San Juan Chamula helping a group from Mexico City with a VBS.  They asked me to help at the last minute and we quickly made some adjustments to our schedule so that I could go.  Some of the kids really needed to know Jesus.  On a side note; one day I had a little girl in my class, about 9 years old, who gave me a pair of earrings as a gift.  Later that night around 11:00 we were in San  Cristobal about to leave after eating a late supper when I heard a little girl yell "Jessi, Jessi".  I turned around to find that same little girl with her brothers and sisters loaded down with handmade goods selling them on the street.  I asked her where her mother was and she said she was somewhere else selling too.  It hit me then that this little girl was about the same age as my daughter and instead of being at home about to go to bed she was out in the cold night, until who knows what hour, having to work and beg people to buy her stuff.  I didn't see that little girl in class the next day but she really made an impact on me.

     Lastly,  Gabe was able to drill a well with the help of "los flojos" (which means "lazy" in Spanish)  That's the nickname Gabe has for the Sanchez boys because they are anything BUT lazy.  They are some of the hardest workers we know.  This well is right along side the main highway, which is very visible and easily accessible.  We gave away evangelistic tracks to people as they walked by.  Right now Nachig gets water in their outside faucets every 8 days but soon it will be the dry season and then only every 13 days.  Every water well we drill is helping this community to live healthier and see a demonstration of God's love.   Thank you for working together with us to touch lives. 

                       

     We, like many of you that have school age children, have had a busy summer full of activities with our kids.  Being in a foreign country and traveling as much as we do, doesn't leave a lot of time for our kids to just hang out and pursue their individual interests.  With our truck being broke down (for about 3 months now - that's another story), we weren't able to drill wells so we made the most of the opportunity to focus on our kids. 

     In the beginning of June, Audrey and I (Jessica) went to Lindale, Texas so she could attend a week long camp  with Arts With a Mission.  We were able to stay with our good friends, Greg and Melanie Wallace.  After the second day of her camp, Audrey broke three of her fingers when she fell off a scooter.  She was a trooper though and didn't let it stop her from participating.  When they had their performances at the end of the week, you could always spot her because she was the only one with a big white cast on her hand.  Audrey has always wanted to go to a camp...it's one of those American things she felt she'd missed out on.  The time spent was well worth it; she made new friends, learned new dances, and "met a lot of people who really love Jesus" (to put it in her own words).  We also visited family and a few friends which is always a special treat.

     The rest of our summer has been dedicated to Alfa.  As most of you probably know, "Alfa" is the name of the Christian band our son, Payden, is a part of.  He plays the drums.  They started this summer recording their first album.  The decision to do this was made after people started asking if they had a cd.  It has been a huge opportunity for the boys and we are excited to see what God will do.  Hopefully by the end of the year we will have the cd's ready.  They do sing in Spanish, for those of you who are wondering.  They are very talented musically, especially for their age.  Gabe has been helping them musically and I was having a Bible study with them.  They consider this a ministry to young people, so it's very important that they play to the best of their ability as well as have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. 

     Besides recording, they have also had multiple opportunities to perform in Victoria, La Pesca and Soto La Marina.  We have really enjoyed being their "road managers" during these last two months.  Since the birth of this ministry it has always been our desire to be a resource; hence the name "Missions Resource International".  We look at this time, effort, and money that we are investing in these young men as our way of resourcing them to fulfill the plan and purpose that God has for them.  Which ultimately leads to expanding the Kingdom of God.

     We are leaving this Saturday to go to Chiapas.  We should have our truck fixed by the end of the week and  are preparing to get back to our drilling ministry full force.  We have multiple projects planned for the rest of the year, so please pray for safe travels, healthy bodies, and the Spirit of the Lord to go with us.

     Thank you for sharing in this journey with us.  Your prayers and support are invaluable.  Your fellow servants in Christ; Gabe, Jessica, Payden and Audrey 
 
   
                             

We would like to introduce you to the newest additions of our ministry team. You have probably read about the Sanchez family multiple times in our other newsletters. Well, now they are working together with us drilling water wells and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With more and more opportunities opening up for us in Chiapas it was just a natural next step to find someone to help us continue the work when we cannot physically be there. Who better than the people we were able to bring the gospel to and also disciple them? << MORE >>

     Two years ago we went to a remote community in the Chiapas mountains named Chimix.  To get there we had to drive an hour and a half down a washed out curvy road, then up a trail (literally 4 wheel drive territory) and lastly a 20 minute walk down a trail to find this poor Indian community.

     Our first encounter (in 2006) with them was a memorable one to say the least.  Their water source was nothing more than a seep hole that was dirty and infected by all the animals that would get in the water.  They would use this water ...<< MORE >>

Persecution is not something we, as Americans, normally have to deal with; but for the Tzotzil Indians of San Juan Chamula it is an everyday concern. The area of San Juan Chamula has been a hotbed of turmoil for about 15 years now between the Christians and the traditionalists with their mix of Catholic and ancient Indian beliefs. << MORE >>

Here is a map of Chiapas and where it is located in relation to the country of Mexico. Sometimes when we talk about Chiapas we sound like it is a separate country. To us it really does feel that way. We wanted to paint a visual picture of where we are working, for those of you who would like to know more. << MORE >>

     God has been opening new doors of opportunity for us in Chiapas by putting us in contact with many new people.  One new contact was with a group of Baptist churches in Cintalapa, Chiapas.  They have a camp that is used for retreats (of all groups) by the 45 local churches in the area.  They regularly have large meetings there and were struggling with water.  Their hand dug well would run dry regularly and they need the water for cooking, cleaning and restrooms.

     Gabe drilled the water well with help from some of the local pastors and Christians.  It was a tough drill due ...<< MORE >>

     To say this trip to Veracruz was tough would be an understatement.  It's taken us a couple of weeks just to recover enough so we could write this newsletter.

     We started off the week with Audrey being very sick; vomiting, diarrhea, etc.  So when we got to Alamo, Veracruz we took her that night to the health clinic.  We found out she had parasites and amoebas.  Probably she picked that up on our last trip to Chiapas.  We started her on a round of medicine and she was feeling better the second day or so. 

     The drilling started ...<< MORE >>

     Even though most of our water well drilling is done in other states of Mexico, we continue to base out of Soto La Marina, Tamaulipas.  Some people might think...why there?  That is a good question; one we have asked ourselves before.  The answer is really found in the blessings and opportunities God has given us.  I especially want to share about our children.  Payden, who is 14, has taken to living here like a duck to water.  He quickly picked up the language and enjoys the slow paced life that we have found here in this small Mexico town.  He ...<< MORE >>

     We went back to Chiapas this month for 2 weeks.  We got delayed on the two day drive down because the leaf springs in our trailer broke.  But thank God we noticed it when we stopped in a fairly large town and were able to get it patched up.  All in all we were set back a few days but thankfully we didn't have any accidents.  

     Our first stop was in a small community south of Tuxtla Gutierrez called Benito Juarez.  Through a series of contacts we found out that there was a clinic being built there by some Christians and they needed water.  Some of you might remember last year ...<< MORE >>