Just one week after VBS in Compuertas, we led the same “Hidden Treasures” vacation Bible school camp in the village of Boca del Rio, where another 85 children participated and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

The Lord’s blessing and work was obvious- we saw changes in some of the most rebellious children, and had two different parents comment with surprise that their children insisted on praying at home after attending camp.  Wow! 

Though tiring, we joyfully thank God for the opportunity to serve these children with His love and His salvation!

What an awesome, blessed week!

     We led vacation Bible school for children of the Compuertas community, with the theme “Hidden Treasures”, teaching parables of Jesus.  80 children participated in total and heard the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, as well 26 parents who attended the closing ceremony. 

     The entire church congregation in Compuertas participated in some way- either in setup, snacks, group leaders, water jugs, teachers, cleaning, and more.  It was awesome to have the whole body of Christ, from the youngest to the oldest, working together so that the message of salvation in Jesus Christ could go forth. 

     The Lord blessed us with perfect weather for the camp (very hot, which is to be expected in Sinaloa summers, but no rain!!), and everything we needed for each of the many activities- including Bible lessons, crafts, kitchen activities, games, and music/choreographies.   May the Lord continue to set apart and teach these children for His kingdom!!

The church in Boca del Rio held a 2-day conference for women from churches in the surrounding areas.  What a blessing!  The theme was “Waiting for Jesus”, with conferences on waiting for Jesus as “Husband”, “Lord”, and “King of Glory”. 

The Lord moved in all of our hearts during these special two days! The ladies rejoiced with the worship music, enjoyed a craft time with the Boca del Rio beach shells, and had fellowship among the some 50 women that attended.

It was an honor for me to teach one of the conferences, along with two other ladies from Boca del Rio, Luz Irenia and Yessica, and devotionals by Griselda and Corrie.  The worship times were amazing, led by Annette from California.

The Lord provided mightily for this event- multiplying each meal for all the women, providing ideas  for the child care, opening up housing for the visitors, providing financially for all expenses.  Praise God for His call and love shown over all these women!! 

The “Day of the Marine” is a national festival recognizing and celebrating the Mexican Navy.  However, it is also a day to recognize all those who work in the sea, even the fishermen.  In the fishing village of Boca del Rio, it is a huge festival!  The streets are decorated, a parade passes through town, and a a presentation of folkloric dancers, poems, singers and local bands is held.  Paco and I decided it was our most cultural experience in Sinaloa! 

These are pictures of some of the church activities (both in Boca del Río and Compuertas): weekly discipleships, children´s classes, sermons, women´s gatherings, church fellowship meals, and more.  I love our family here!

Easter week is spring break all over Mexico, and national tourists flock by the thousands to the beaches of Boca del Rio for vacation.  It is the perfect opportunity to evangelize!

The church staff and ministry students reenacted the crucifixion of Christ along the waterfront, and Pastor Sergio preached the message of salvation through faith in Jesus to the interested crowd of onlookers.  Then, in the afternoons, we set up a table on the beach offering prayer and evangelistic tracts, and initiated conversations about Jesus Christ with the people.

We witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit as many people prayed to receive Christ (adults, youth, and children!) and hundreds heard the truth of the Gospel and received tracts and Bibles.  Wow!  It was an amazing experience!  

We were blessed with the participation of a visiting missions´ team from Rancho Santa Margarita, and the church body from our Compuertas mission.  Together, we all grew in our experience in evangelism and our wonder at the work of salvation! 

           The School of Ministry students had the opportunity to visit a fishing boat out on the ocean and get a first-hand look at the work of the fishermen in our small fishing village.  The fishermen were pleased at the interest and chance to explain their work routine and equipment.  It was a fun and educational “field trip” that gives us a renewed appreciation for and connection with the villagers.  Paco marveled (as a welder) to see all of that metal floating on the water, and, just like a little boy, loved sitting at the helm imagining himself as captain of the boat. 

           The mission church in Compuertas has been gathering together for exactly a year!  Yeah!  That is definitely a reason to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord!  God has done so much in the church this last year: purchased a plot of land, built a fence, donated a tent for meeting, increased the congregation by half, and created an irresistible atmosphere of love and friendship.

For the anniversary event, the different brothers gave testimony of the work of the Lord in their lives this last year, worshipped joyfully together (led by musical group “Two or More” from California), and were encouraged by Bible messages from Pastor Tom and Sergio.  Afterwards, we ate traditional Sinaloa barbeque, prepared by some of the sisters in the congregation.  Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to your people in Compuertas! 

                 The mission church in Compuertas does not have a building- itis just an empty plot of land.  However,all that is changing!  A fellow believerin Tijuana heard of our Compuertas church and blessed us by donating twoex-military tents to be used as church building.  Not only did he donate them, but also paid toship them out to us!  To our great joy, theyarrived and the men assembled them this month! They are perfect to block the cold wind- which used to limit the accessibilityof our church services on cold days. Now, the only problem seems to be that God is blessing the church withso many new members that the tent is a tight fit- though promotes closefellowship among the brothers J. 

           Calvary Chapel Boca del Rio hosts an annual 2-day youth conference for the churches in the surrounding area.  Almost 200 people attended!- including about 170 members of churches in the region and members of the Boca del Rio congregation.    The theme was: “He Has Chosen You”, and Bible conferences were delivered by Pastors Tom and John from CCRSM in California, Pastor Sergio (our local pastor), and even Corrie, one of the students from our school of ministry!  Plus, the musical group “Two or More” joined us from California to lead worship for the event and give musical workshops to the interested youth. 

The Lord richly blessed the event!  He multiplied space for housing (dividing the youth between the homes of brothers in Boca del Rio, in tents and empty rooms around the church) and food for many hungry stomachs!  His Spirit was enjoyed in awesome times of worship, early-morning prayer on the beach, and fellowship among the different churches.    We pray that many were renewed in their commitment to follow Christ!!