Input from Mitch & Alicia:
Today we started our day with devotions and preparing for our day before heading to the La Roca Ranch, the name meaning "the rock". We focused on testimonies in our life where we experienced God's grace and where we saw the Holy Spirit at work. After spending time alone praying, reflecting and writing we gathered back together and closed our morning session with encouragement for the day.
After an hour drive we arrived at the Ranch. La Roca Ranch is a recovery home for men who struggle with alcohol and drug addictions. We started with general safety rules but then, without a minute to waste, jumped right into a time of sharing testimonies. A couple of our team members shared and then we heard from the men at the Ranch how they have experienced the grace of God and got a second chance at life. Our team then got up and did a drama for the guys that we had prepared before hand and then the men got up and sang a song of praise with dancing and music.
After a time of testimonials, a bunch of us gathered around the volleyball court and setup for some games. We first started out with our students playing together on one team against a team of the Mexican men. After the first round we broke up into mixed teams and played together for 3 more hours. It was neat to play alongside the men as one unit.
Lunch was served at the lunch hall that our LH Mexico team painted in 2017. We shared stories around the table while we ate quesadillas which a couple team members helped prepare while volleyball was being played.
After lunch we spent some time hanging out with the men at the ranch and then said our goodbyes and left to return back to the base.
Our evening was filled with plenty more volley ball, building friendships and personal bible study time.
We ended the night around the fire pit hanging out and eating Pizza and Mexican snacks. As the students went to their rooms, the leaders spent some time in prayer for our students.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to be here and see God's spirit at work and appreciate all your prayers dearly.
All glory be to God!
*thanks Alicia & Mitch.
Prayer requests:
1. As our unity of teams continues to develop, would you pray for all kinds of relationships, and that the Spirit of grace and compassion would reign!
2. Our team is up early for meal service at Padre Chava - a meal center that serves upwards of 1500 people in a morning. We're growing weary from long days, early mornings and late nights, pray for strength.
A few pictures from the day:
*thanks Alicia & Mitch.
Prayer requests:
1. As our unity of teams continues to develop, would you pray for all kinds of relationships, and that the Spirit of grace and compassion would reign!
2. Our team is up early for meal service at Padre Chava - a meal center that serves upwards of 1500 people in a morning. We're growing weary from long days, early mornings and late nights, pray for strength.
A few pictures from the day:
^ our team doing their new skit “casa se quema” (the house is on fire!). They did great with it!!
^ the men at the ranch then performed a song for us.
^ we played volleyball for 3 hours, rotating teams, on their court that we helped repair 4 years ago.
^ the whole gang.
Its a beautiful day here in Abbotsford. Mt Baker is beaming down on us. We often stop throughout these days, and our minds wander down to Mexico and all that God is doing through the Mission Team and in the hearts of the team members. We are so thankful for the updates, and the pictures. Imagine not having a home and then even having a fridge! All of you have blessed that family long after you have come home. The picture of the wall really touched my heart. God's plan for mankind is to love one another.....really tough trying to do that through walls, those made of cement or other things. We'll keep praying for all of you that each of you may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ our Saviour We also pray for safety and fun and new friendships.......you get the drift.
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of you and keep you close to Himself.
Love from Camryn's Oma