Monday, June 25, 2012

25 June 2012 Update!

Romans 15:30 (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

Thank you to all who pray regularly for the work here in southern Mexico. We are grateful for the investment you make in what God is doing here.

God is definitely up to something here in the Oaxaca area. Since our arrival over 6 months ago, we have had contact with over 25 churches/conventions/ministries who are praying about beginning work among the unreached of southern Mexico. That's A LOT! We are somewhat overwhelmed at times but we know God is in control and will show us how we're supposed to do the work. Fortunately, there are a number of Mexican believers and churches that we are getting to know. Obviously, Mexican believers have the responsibility to share the Gospel with the unreached of their area. We are seeking the mind of Christ on how best to partner Mexican churches/believers and USA churches/believers. Please join us in praying about that.

We have asked you to pray for our summer missionaries. We have two summer M's who are college students from the USA and we have one Mexican student as well. These three are tasked with researching the world view of an unreached people group. They are living in a village in a small house and doing a wonderful job of loving on these people and determining the best approach to share the Gospel with them. Early indications are that the efforts of other evangelical and cult groups to forcefully share the message of Christ has done much to close the hearts of many of these people. Please join us in praying for open hearts and for opportunities to make disciples among these people over the next few years.

Another of our USA church partners has discovered a segment of an unreached people group from Oaxaca living very close to the campus of their church. They are seeking to plant a church among these people in the USA and in their villages here in Oaxaca. Please pray that more of our USA churches will reach out to those from other cultures living within the shadows of their churches. Pray that disciples will be made among them on USA soil who will return to their people in their own countries and bring the Light of the Gospel to them.

While we're talking about sharing the Gospel, exactly what does that mean? I like this definition of the Gospel:
THE JUST AND LOVING CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE HAS LOOKED UPON HOPELESSLY SINFUL PEOPLE AND SENT HIS SON, GOD IN THE FLESH, TO BEAR HIS WRATH AGAINST SIN ON THE CROSS AND TO SHOW HIS POWER OVER SIN IN THE RESURRECTION SO THAT ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM WILL BE RECONCILED TO GOD FOREVER. (David Platt)
That is the message we want to proclaim to the people of southern Mexico.

Please continue to pray. Your prayers are a powerful weapon here.

Thank you to all who give to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your financial support is so important to the work of over 4600 Southern Baptist missionaries serving around the world.

Blessings!

Jackson, Haylee, Jeff, and Liesa

Jeff's mom learning how to spin wool in to yarn in Oaxaca, Mexico.

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