Our five students and one couple going through a restoration process have completed their third semester. Our five students only have one semester left and then they head out to the ends of the earth!
We have finished the third semester. Our students received classes such as teamwork, culture, animism, New Testament church planting, Worldview, Self-Discipline (in relation to completing goals), etc. The two classes I taught this semester were: Self-Discipline & My Responsibilities as a Member of the Body of Christ. I spent every free moment studying for my classes in Spanish! The students had great attitudes & were very interactive with each class taught.
Every class that we teach has a focus on their current lives, also their future ministry in a tribal setting, and our values as New Tribes Mission. Our goal is to help prepare & train these dear people to the best of our ability & resources so that they are capable & able to reach an unreached people group with the gospel & plant a New Testament church among them. We want to see these young people reaching out to others!
For two weeks in November, our students participated in a literacy course taught by one of our fellow missionaries. They learned the theory behind why we educate an illiterate people group to learn to read their own language, the process of how to do that, and numerous ideas & tips to help them with their tribal literacy program.
Saying goodbye
After two years Hector (Amy’s husband) finally received his green card! Hector, Amy & their two boys left Mexico shortly thereafter to head to the States for a furlough/raising support time & also for Hector to attend the Missionary Training in Missouri. I had to say goodbye to my good friend Amy, but in a few years, they’ll be back down here with me!
Discipleship
The last year & a half I’ve been spending time with Lluvia getting to know her, working with her and seeing her heart for others. She is a young lady from the state of Mexico and has expressed interest in heading to South Asia. We are currently working with other missionaries there to get more information. There is a probability that next summer after graduation she’ll take an exploratory trip to see how the missionaries are working, ways she can join those over there, and see what life is really like. Please be praying for her as she prepares for the next step in her life. She has lots of decisions to make.
Siloe family
Many students are away from home for the first time, so we make every opportunity to celebrate birthdays (Maria is pictured below, left side) and holding babies helps so the mamas can focus on classes (me with Misael, below, right side). Plus he’s really cute & likes me holding him.
Bottom left: showing the girls how to sand my new table & chairs with Alcides posing for the photo!
Bottom right: a recent weekend trip to an Indian village with the Bible School students & staff.
Prayer Requests:
:: safety for our students traveling to their homes during our 3 week Christmas break
:: this will be the last semester for our students & graduation is in May 2016
:: the Grangers (former staff members at the Ranch) are returning to the Ranch after a 2+ years medical furlough – pray for their adjustment back to our team & for Dorr’s health
:: for the new students coming in August 2016
:: for continued spiritual growth & change
:: for my plans this summer to head to Oregon for a 2-month summer furlough (June-July 2016)
Praises:
:: for all the ways God provides for me each & every day
:: everyone finished well this semester
:: my sister is spending over 2 weeks with me in Chihuahua during Christmas break! (I’m not going to Oregon this year.)
Thank you for continuing to support and praying for me.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Blessings from Mexico,
Crystal Pierce
P.S. Please contact me if you would like a PDF copy of this newsletter.
