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(Updated : August 12, 2010)
A lot! Many things are happening with Manos de Dios and in Mexico,
some good and some not so good.
Manos de Dios and Dennis and Lucy have gone through many changes
in both our personal goals and the mission of Manos de Dios.
Both Lucy and Dennis are reading and studying scripture more as
we know it leads us to a better understanding of Jesus and how He
wants us to live our lives as His servants. Lucy continues to work
on speaking and understanding Spanish.
Lucy serves as an intercessor, praying for all she comes in contact
with!: Pastors, women, children, prisoners, leaders, neighbors….
She delights in worshipping in Spanish and loves all the time they
spend in Mexico! Dennis has adjusted to doing less physical labor
(building and repairing homes and churches) because of the drastic
decrease in the number of work teams coming from the United States.
He has increased his study of scripture and is writing study material
on what it is to be a Christ follower. Dennis has been invited (and
accepted) to give a message to the men and women at the Esperanza
Rehabilitation Centers on Thursday mornings. It is a blessing to
me to be able to study God’s word and share it with others.
Words: that currently describe our mission
(mostly in Puerto Peñasco) and what is in store for us in
the future are; change - polarization – needs – safety
and prayers.
Change: there has been much! In Puerto
Peñasco unemployment is extremely high due to the halt in
most construction and not as many tourists coming into town. It
has had a domino effect; people are not visiting, buying or spending
money, in turn restaurant and shop owners have very few customers
and many have to shut down. Many of the people that came to Peñasco
to work became unemployed and have now gone back to their own city.
This has helped the City of Peñasco and the Churches/Missionaries
as they try to serve those in need. There is not as much clothing
and personal items needed as before but there is an increase in
the need of food and shelter (homes built).
Then there is the violence. The drug cartels have moved into Peñasco
and Sonoyta (border town at Lukeville, AZ) and thus there has been
an increase in violence. It is still on a small scale and only those
associated with the illegal drugs have been affected so far. This
also has had an effect on the economy of the city and with the Churches
and Missionaries that depend on the financial blessings and the
physical work of volunteers. There has been a decrease on groups
coming down to help minister to the people and build homes and a
decrease in financial donations to Manos de Dios (and I am sure
to others as well).
Polarization: Some of the problem lies
with the polarization between the people of Mexico due to their
current problems. Also, there is growing anger and distrust between
citizens of the United States and the Mexican people because of
the violence, drugs and immigration concerns.
As Christ followers we need to separate the legal issues from the
religious issues. We can, and should, be concerned about our respective
countries. We should also work within the law to settle the arguments
and the issues at hand. As Christ followers we must not let our
civic/cultural views affect how we serve the Lord. That is a separate
issue.
Manos de Dios will, and pray you will to, continue to serve those
in need in Mexico. We will see them as children of God that need
assistance.
Needs: Currently, Manos de Dios will continue
to; build and repair homes and churches; assist local pastors minister
to their people; give the message of Jesus through words and outreach
programs; attempt to locate vehicles for pastors and ministry leaders
in need of transportation; feed the hungry; and visit those in prison.
And most importantly, we will pray for and with them as they struggle
through these most difficult and violent times. The most important
thing we can share with the poor is their identity in Christ!
Safety: is also a major concern. Lucy and
Dennis are called to work in Mexico, therefore, even though we know
of the dangers we rely on the calling of Jesus to continue to serve
and trust that He will protect us. As for our volunteers, we will
keep you informed of what is happening (violence) in the areas we
ask you to assist us in. With that knowledge you must pray about
your decision to either serve with us in Mexico or decline. You
and the Lord will have to make that decision; we can’t tell
you what you should do. If you decide not to serve in Mexico we
encourage you to help in other ways; pray, offer physical donations,
and assist Manos de Dios when we are in Arizona or make financial
donations to Manos de Dios so we can continue to serve in Mexico.
Prayers: More than ever the people of Mexico
need our prayers. They are near a turning point and if they make
the wrong turn the country will slide into chaos, deeper violence,
political unrest, increased poverty and oppression and the schemes
of the evil one will increase as he does all he can to turn God’s
children away from Him.
Please continue to pray for Mexico, the missionaries in Mexico,
its people, the violence and for the people to repent and change
their ways. God is our only hope!
We have faith and will trust in Jesus to provide all that is needed
in our lives.
... Dennis Smith
Dennis@ManosdeDios.org
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