Shari’s Mexico Misson Trip
The first week of August, I had the privilege of traveling with a team of about twenty young folks and adults to Ensenada, Mexico to work with Yugo Ministries building a small, very simple house for a young family there. This is the second time I have gone with them, but this trip was longer so we had more time to build relationships with the family, our team, and the Yugo staff. I always love visiting and serving in Spanish-speaking countries since that was my second language as a missionary kid in Colombia, S.A. We stayed at the beautiful Yugo campus near the ocean along with three other teams from Canada, Virginia, and California who were also building houses for Mexican families. The family we built a house for was a young couple, Christian and Amelia along with their young son, Damien. It was such a joy to get to know them and have them work alongside us to build their house while we built a relationship with them and showed them the love of Christ. It was also an encouragement to be able to take my backpacker guitar on this trip and sing some worship songs in Spanish with our team as we sat around on the floor of the new little house with the family. During that special time, it was so impactful to hear our Yugo foreman, Sammy share with us how a team had built a house for him and his mom when he was just a young boy, and how God used it to call him to Himself and to a ministry with Yugo, building houses for other families. “Ripple effects of obedience to Christ” was a recurring theme in my heart during this mission trip as we heard other Yugo staff and Mexican brothers and sisters share how their lives had been impacted by the love of Christ shown to them, and now they are spreading that love and the good news of the gospel to countless others. It was so exciting to hear how God is building His kingdom in Mexico and to be able to have a small part in what He is doing there. Here is a short video showing the fourth day when we and the other three teams presented the house keys to each family along with blessings and words of encouragement. (Ours is the first family you will see) https://vimeo.com/1108262372?share=copy
Simbari Church Hosting Local Conference
This past year the Simbari church has been preparing to host a conference by planting a garden with vegetables which they have been harvesting and selling at the local market so they can save funds and provide food for all who will be coming. One of our missionary friends from a neighboring language group will be traveling with his wife to join them for the conference and be their main speaker. We are so thankful that the Simbari church will be able to host everyone in their new church building which has a lot more space for events like this. Please pray that the weather would not be too rainy while the guests make the long trek over the mountains during the last week of August, and that everyone will have a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement from God’s Word.
Opportunity to Share with Students
Recently we were invited to a Christian school in our city to share with several hundred kindergarten through high school students about our ministry among the Simbari people in Papua New Guinea. What a delight it was to be with the students and staff and to see their excitement about what God is doing in other parts of the world. We were so impressed by the great teaching these kids receive, and it was a privilege to worship the Lord with them during their chapel periods. We pray that they will continue growing in their love for the Lord and desire to be lights for Him wherever He leads them.
PNG Fuel Tank Update
While we were still in PNG we posted about the need for a bulk fuel tank for our aviation program in Papua New Guinea to continue operating regardless of fuel shortages. Thanks to those who prayed and gave, the project was fully funded and the tank just recently arrived in Papua New Guinea. “Now all that our team has left is to hook up the electricity, test it and order a fuel tanker to fill it. Praise the Lord with us for this great news.” Read more details about the challenges of operating a mission flight program in PNG: https://ethnos360.org/projects/aviation-bulk-fuel-tank