November/December 2008 update

We're finishing up the last few details before we head back to the US for the holidays. Let me share a few of the highlights of the last couple of months...

Over Thanksgiving weekend we worked with a group from Calvary Chapel Mission Viejo. They make it a tradition to arrive on Thursday, begin ministering that afternoon, and have Thanksgiving with the seminary students at Rancho Agua Viva. What a great way for people to show their thankfulness by serving others! They stay here through the sunday of that weekend. The Calvary Chapel group participated in women's, construction/painting, and VBS ministries and cooked a barbecue meal at Iglesia Monte De Olivos. We had a tremendous rainstorm very early on Thursday that subsided just before the group got into Ensenada, the sun came out and actually sort of dried things up a bit. We had woken up Thursday morning to find our office flooded with about 3 inches of muddy water. We cleaned it up just in time to go and meet the group as they arrived at Iglesia Monte De Olivos to begin serving Thursday afternoon.

Our 55 Mexican seminary students have completed the their coursework, and have returned to their homes and ministry sites throughout Mexico. Their graduation ceremony was on Saturday December 6th. They're returning to areas where they may face persecution, banishment from their family, imprisonment, and torture. One of our students, Ismael, a Huichole (an indiginous tribe in Jalisco, Mexico) has a price on his head of one years wages, for anyone who kills him. Others are going back to serving in the more urban areas, and more than a few sense God's calling to go into the mission field, where they will bring light and hope into dark places. It is one the biggest priveleges for Ineke and I here in Mexico to serve alongside these heroes of the faith. Be praying for them as they return to the spiritual battlefront, better prepared, trained, and encouraged. Only about 9% of the pastors and ministry workers here in Mexico have any training, and that's why our seminary exists.

Thanksgiving weekend Hannah came down from Portland to visit with us. It was a busy time, so there wasn't as much time to visit with her as we would have liked. It was great, however, to see Hannah and Tim spend time together. One highlight was having Hannah and Tim play guitar and lead worship together at the campfire when the Calvary Chapel group arrived at Rancho Agua Viva. The other highlight was driving together back across the border to take Hannah to the airport for her flight home... genuine family time. Both Ineke and I are really proud of both Hannah and Tim, and we're excited to see what plans God has for them.

Tim and Ineke spent a week in the US in November looking at potential colleges for Tim. While Tim was visiting Westmont College in Santa Barbara, a wildfire broke out (I'm pretty sure Tim wasn't responsible). They couldn't evacuate the school, so the students, prospective students and parents spent the night in the gym. I don't know if he wants to go there, he says it smells kinda' smoky. He is very much, however, looking forward to returning to Reno to see his friends.

This isn't the car! Hannah and Tim visited La Bufadora (The Blowhole, one of only a few in the world) in the south of Ensenada during Thanksgiving weekend.

Speaking of Hannah, we were able to find a car for her. Our friend Mike Alger went on the hunt through Craigslist for us in Reno, making many phone calls and checking out cars for us. Pastor Tom Tomkins at Reno Christan Fellowship put out the word through the congregation. Dave Campanaro, who plays guitar in the worship band at RCF, owns a used car dealership. He had on the lot a Jeep similar to what Hannah had before the accident, and after doing lots of extra repairs for Hannah, sold the car to her for exactly the amount of the insurance settlement. I'm very humbled and appreciative of the fact that so many people are watching out for our family. Thank you so much. Hannah arrived in Reno for her winter break last Saturday and got her car!

We're heading towards Reno tonight, leaving sometime this evening and crossing the border late when it's not so busy. We'll be driving all night and hopefully arrive sometime Saturday afternoon. If the weather holds, we drive down to the bay area Sunday after church, to visit my famly. We'll return Tuesday to Reno, spending the holidays in Reno. We return to the bay area on January 8th, and drive back to Mexico on Sunday January 11th. We're having an open house in Reno on January 3rd at 3:00 (775-853-6653 for info and RSVP), and one in Newark, CA (510-793-9815 for info and RSVP). If you are interested, we'd love to see you. Our cell phone number while we're in the states is (619)838-3317.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In Christ, Jeff & Ineke Glavor

2008 Summer/Early Fall Update

After a busy summer working with many American short-term mission groups in many locations in and around Ensenada, we are now working alongside the 56 Mexican students of our seminary, called Ministry Training Institute (MTI). After a long gap of time between entries, let us catch you up on some of the highlights of this past summer.

INEKE

Ineke spent much of her time helping to organize projects, ministry sites and training for each American group coming to serve here through Agua Viva Ministries. She coordinated with local pastors and church leaders, setting up sites for VBS, sports, mens and womens, youth and construction ministries. During the summer, Ineke organized 12 one day medical clinics, 8 dental clinics, and 4 health education classes. These were offered free of charge in various colonies around the area, using local and American doctors, nurses, students and volunteers serving on short term mission trips through Agua Viva Ministries. Due to lack of reliable phone service here in camp, Ineke could often be seen parked on the side of the road to Ensenada using her cell phone to talk with American group leaders or Mexican pastors. It was the closest area near camp that her cell phone would work! When the internet wasn’t working in camp, she would have to go into town and find a place with internet service.

Once the groups arrived, she encouraged the staff at Agua Viva who would be leading the American groups while here in Ensenada. She would help provide resources; making purchases of materials, leading groups to first time ministry sites, and in general helping to answer questions and filling in gaps as needed. She did all this while preparing for and communicating with groups for the upcoming weeks as well.

JEFF

I spent most of my summer working with groups, either coordinating an entire group or with construction projects, either in camp or Ensenada. When I coordinated groups, it meant being involved with all aspects of the ministries in which they participated. The most complicated week for me was working with a church group from Pleasant Hill, California. This was a large, well organized, very experienced group with many sites and activities. In one week, they presented different VBS programs at different sites, helped construct a house for a local pastor and his wife, and aided in the construction of our new seminary (MTI) building. They also presented daily men’s, women’s, teens, sewing and sports ministries at one of the church sites. I was amazed to see so many ministry opportunities successfully accomplished. I did my best to help in any way I could, providing whatever resources and direction when needed.

One of the highlights for that week was seeing friends from my days of serving in Young Life, Steve and Sandy Woods. Steve is the Area Director of Young Life in Walnut Creek, and he and his family came on the trip as part of this large group. It was great spending time with Steve and Sandy again, and getting to know their two sons. I want to do a better job of staying in touch with them.

It reminded me of the fact that there is never enough time to spend with the many dear friends that we have come to know and love over the years. Some of those have chosen to faithfully support our ministry here in Mexico, and Ineke I are very grateful. You are ministering here in Mexico through us. Ineke and I will try to keep you informed of what’s happening in Ensenada, how you can be praying for us and the people of Mexico, as well as the American and Canadian groups that come here to serve.As I get older, I look forward more and more to being reunited with those who are in Christ, where for eternity we’ll be together praising the name of Jesus. Then we’ll have all the time there is to spend together. In the meantime, come and visit us in sunny Mexico, you are always welcome!

Each group I have worked with and gotten to know has been a privilege to serve alongside. More than anything I love to see the changes in perspective and opinion of how big God is and how he wants to use any and everyone to share his saving love. He just wants us to be available; anywhere and anytime. It is that revelation that changed my life, and it warms my heart to see it in others.

I saw that happen with the group from Winnipeg, Manitoba. This was their first visit to Mexico and Agua Viva. Their involvement in VBS, construction, and sports ministries made a great difference in the lives of the people here in Ensenada, including the local pastors and their families. By just being available and willing to be used by God, we’ll be amazed at what He can do in and through us.

Here’s an excerpt of an email I sent to Youth Pastor Kent Rygiel, who led the group from Winnipeg…

I wanted to give you an update on Iglesia Agua Viva in Morelos II. If you remember, besides VBS, your group helped build a temporary shelter behind the pastor’s house. The temporary shelter was for his brother in law, Horacio, and mother in law, Victoria, who were coming in to visit from Chiapas. Horacio was very ill, and traveled to Ensenada to get some medical tests done. The results were not good, and the money did not exist to effectively diagnose or treat the root cause of the problem. It was a life threatening situation.

I visited with Pastor Santos the other day. Victoria and Horacio are still staying with them (I’m glad we took the time to make it as sturdy as we could!). Anyway, since the in laws arrival and visit to Pastor Santos and his family, Victoria has come to Christ, and now the doctors can no longer find any problem with Horacio. He looks strong and healthy. Pastor Santos and his family are rejoicing because God has healed him. In talking to Ineke, there is no logical explanation, other than the fact that our God can and does heal. Please pray for him that now that his body has been healed, that he would allow God to heal his heart from sin as well.

We need and appreciate your prayers and support down here, but I wanted to remind you and your group that even the simplest things you were involved with down here have an eternal impact. You were and are a blessing.

Pastor Santos Morales of Iglesia Agua Viva in Colony Morelos II, his wife Nellie, his mother in law (and new Christian) Victoria in the temporary shelter. Santos' brother in law, Horacio wasn't available for a photo. He's feeling so strong, he's out working!

God’s use of these people from Winnipeg changed the lives of two Mexican people, Victoria and Horacio, their family, friends and community. The group’s work allowed them to have a place to stay, and God did His work. From what I heard from the group, their lives were changed as well. It is amazing how complete and thorough God is in His work, no one goes away from an encounter with Him unchanged.

TIM

Tim spent his summer working (and playing) in Reno. He worked doing landscaping, starting work very early and ending around noon. He attended church at Reno Christian Fellowship (RCF), and was very involved with the youth group. He attended two camps during the summer, one as part of the recreation staff, and one leadership camp at Hume Lake. Thanks to all the families and friends that allowed him to stay with them. He had a great time visiting with you.

He returned to Mexico in August and is being homeschooled here with us. He plans to graduate high school in June, and is looking at colleges for next fall.

HANNAH

Hannah spent most of her summer in Portland, Oregon. She is still attending Multnomah Bible College. In early August Hannah was involved in a car accident in Oregon. She is OK but her car was totaled. We’re in the process of looking for a replacement car. If anyone knows of a low mileage, mid 90’s Jeep Cherokee for sale, please let us know. Hannah plans to return to Reno and teach snowboarding at Mt. Rose during her winter break. It would be great if she had a reliable 4 wheel drive vehicle to use by then.

FAMILY TIME

In late July, Ineke, Tim & I went to Oregon and met up with Hannah for a few days of family time. Ineke and I flew to the bay area for a couple of days to visit my mom and my niece, and then flew from Oakland to Portland. Tim flew to Portland from Reno, where he was spending his summer. We stayed in a small cabin at Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was beautiful, and it was great to go for walks on the beach. Ineke’s brother Ed, and his wife Joan, stayed nearby, and later we traveled up to Seattle to visit and stay with Ineke’s sister Trudy, and her husband John. It was very busy seven days, but we really enjoyed visiting family and especially spending time together.

Now that you’re kind of caught up with what’s going on, I hope you understand that like anyone, our lives are busy and sometimes frustrating and challenging, but there is a lot of joy and satisfaction knowing that we’re where we are supposed to be. We are grateful for your friendship, prayers and support. I am going to try to do monthly updates, so keep checking in for current news. Also, Ineke and I would love to hear from you. Please email us at jiglavor@aguaviva.com.


Love,
Jeff, Ineke, Hannah & Tim

Where is Tim staying this summer?

June 2008
Where is Tim staying this summer?

It's been almost a year in Mexico and the Glavors are still afloat.

It is hard to believe that it is already a year! Life has been a blur! Let’s see…… Many, many adjustments! We jumped into a new language, culture, diet, we changed careers; we are working together, we changed homes, we uprooted our family from a safe, predictable environment, both our fathers passed away, we have experienced substantial financial adjustments, we sent our daughter away to college and we dealt with a resentful son. Whew!!!! What a year!!! Amidst all this, we continue to have peace that Mexico is exactly where we should be.

We are currently gearing up for the busy summer season, planning short term mission trips. We have many new groups, even from Canada! We have groups coming to help with construction, children’s VBS, women’s and men’s classes, sports clinics, medical and dental clinics and health classes. We have had a few cancellations from groups in response to media press regarding to border violence. We fortunately have not experienced this personally in Ensenada.

I think that our favorite part of our job is getting to know all the pastors in the villages. They are amazing people. They really know the needs of their communities. They are full time pastors, counselors, social workers and most work full time jobs to support their families.

In this newsletter/BLOG we will highlight one of our favorite couple.
Pastor Samuel and Ernestina Garcia:

Pastor Samuel and Ernestina Garcia have been faithfully serving in Iglesia Vida Abundante (Abundant Life Church), in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Colony Ochenta Nueve for 11 years. Previously they served in Le Paz.

As a teen, Pastor Samuel dreamed of studying medicine, but the Lord had other plans for his life. On May 5th they celebrated 50 years of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has 3 children who have become medical doctors and are serving the Lord in indigenous tribes in Mexico. His children occasionally assist with our medical clinics with Agua Viva Ministries.

Pastor Samuel has Parkinson’s disease; he speaks in hushed tones, he has a tremor and shuffles as he walks with the assistance of his amazing wife, Ernestina. Despite his disease, he still has a twinkle in his eye and speaks the truth of the Gospel with authority. He still has a thriving ministry and isn’t planning on retiring anytime soon. He is surrounded by a faithful congregation who also has a passion of reaching their colony for Christ.

Yearly, Pastor Samuel sends Agua Viva Ministries formal requests for building projects. American groups have built several houses for people in need in his colony. He has never asked for anything for himself or his Church.
The last time we visited his Church, we noticed that all the electrical wire was stripped from the Sunday school rooms and the bathrooms. He said that a gang stole all the copper wire to sell for drugs. He just laughed and said that the Gospel still can be shared without electricity.
We stopped by his home and were amazed at what we saw: 35 extremely steep steps built on a cliff-like bank which led to a very small, meager home. This is the only access to their home and it is extremely challenging for him to maneuver, even with assistance up and down the stairs. Recently he fell and fractured his orbital bone which impinged the optic nerve which causes him to see double. He is wearing an eye patch while he is awaiting surgery in the next few months.

We are asking our US Churches to pray about the possibility of helping us build a new home for the Garcia family on a ground level lot which has already been purchased near his Church. We are hoping that several US Churches this year will share this burden either financially and/or with the actual construction.







We continue to be amazed that we have the privilege to serve with AVM. We also are very thankful for the patience and encouragement from the staff. We are excited what the Lord has in store for us here. Keep praying that we stay afloat! A big THANK YOU to the faithful support of family and friends in the US!!

Prayer requests:
Summer plans for Tim. We still aren’t clear where he will be staying or working this summer in Reno.
Hannah’s work schedule and new home in Portland that she would find true community and family there.
Endurance and health during the hot, busy season.
Mental clarity while programming the short term mission trips.
Perspective and balance. We still are struggling at times to find a balance with work, family and play. Since we are surrounded by so many hard working, passionate people, we feel like we need to keep in step.
Finances: monthly pledges are erratic
The phone and internet system at RAV
Continued prayer for language skills

Please check out our web-site for our upcoming adventure in prayer for Agua Viva Ministries:
http://www.aguaviva.com/updates/an-adventure-in-prayer

Diving Deep!

The Glavor Family is diving into deep water!









Spring is an exciting time here at Agua Viva Ministries (AVM). We are finishing four weeks of “SPRING BREAK”.

Missions Partnership Experience (short-term mission trips) is diving deep into the colonies and villages near Ensenada, BC Mexico. Listed are our some of our “SPRING BREAK” activities:
*10 American Church teams are coming to serve
*10 separate 4 day VBS (Children’s programs)
*3 women’s Bible study programs
*4 soccer programs
*Assisting in a “Power Week”
(a construction week at the new seminary site)
*Building a chain link fence
*Painting a mural
*Roofing
*Landscaping
*Sewing curtains
*Erosion control
*Painting
*Cleaning up garbage
*Making benches
*Installing cabinets
*BBQ and outreach in agricultural community




Simultaneous with the MPE program, this “SPRING BREAK”
Agua Viva Ministries is also diving into the follow events:
*Hosting and programming a youth camp for 250 Mexican teenagers at Rancho Agua Viva
*Hosting 300 college students from Westmont College serving Medical/Dental Clinics, construction and Children’s programs
*Weekend Mexican camping groups
*We are expecting 800 guests at Rancho Agua Viva in the next 4 weeks! (that’s a lot of tacos!)

We will be submerged until Mid-April. We hope to come up for air then!! Just in time to prepare for the summer! Don't expect a lot of mail!




MPE Programming team












An exciting aspect our jobs in the programming of Missions Partnership Experience (MPE) is getting to know the community and the pastors in and around Ensenada who have a pulse on the needs of their colonies and villages. Their vision, enthusiasm and faith is humbling, as our passion many times doesn’t go any further than our own 4 walls (let alone past our own noses!).

These pastors assess needs much deeper than poverty and social beautification. They walk the Christian talk at great personal expense while also working full-time jobs to financially support their families. We count it a privilege to help coordinate American groups to partner with such visionaries to reach Mexico for Christ.

Let us introduce you to just a few of our heroes:

Pastor Daniel and Blanca
Iglesia Puerta de Cielo
They are building a drug and alcohol rehab center. They have a vision to build 7 Christian centers in Mexico.









Pastor Marcos and Leticia (Letty)
Iglesia El Gran Rey. Their Church is surrounded by drugs, poverty and neglected children. They dream of building a day-care center for street kids. They have already claimed the property across from the Church.








Pastor Mariallena de Alba
Iglesia Betel
She is clearing the land near her Church to build a recovery house for women exiting prison. She has been ministering to the women in the local prison for the last 12 years.












Pastor Lalo and Feliz
Iglesia Nuevo Cancion
2 years ago his Church burned down. It is already rebuilt (thanks to American groups). He now is focusing on building a second story on the Church which will be used for a free tutoring center for the community.

Glavor Highlights for 2007

Highlights for Jeff in 2007:
*Mexico is our home!

*Finally beginning to understand the language more.

*Seeing Tim begin to settle in to life in Mexico.

*Seeing the care and support of family and friends in US.
















Highlights for Ineke in 2007:
*The opportunity to meet and work alongside creative, fun and passionate people here in Mexico who don’t put God in a box.
*Learning my new job. The transition has been easier than I thought!
*Electricity!!!! WooHoo!! We now have solar energy to the staff housing 24/7!!!
*Getting to spend time with family and friends in Reno at Christmas.
*Reuniting with my brother and sisters in Holland at my father's funeral.















Highlights for Tim in 2007:
· I went to Disneyland for my 16th B-day
· Summer/Christmas break with friends
· Patches (my new dog)
· Starbucks in Ensenada!
· Playing drums at Church on Thursday nights

Hannah update: Well, after a greatly successful and immensely fun first semester at Multnomah, I headed back to Reno for my Christmas break. I spent the majority of my time working at our local ski resort as snow board instructor and in my down time got to spend a relaxing break with my family and friends. School started up for me on the 16th of Jan so I embarked on the perilous journey from Reno to Portland. The semester started off a bit rocky, with minimal injuries and resilient (or rather stubborn) persistence. But I have no reason to complain. I'm loving my classes, this semester especially, I have a great group of friends and I'm getting opportunities to play music outside of my curricular music ministry. Again, I'll ask for prayer in procrastination. My motivation levels seem to be on a rollercoaster and can change at any given moment. I want to learn, don't get me wrong, but I'm getting lazy about the follow through for various reasons, which isn't good.


Please pray for direction in what my next step in life should be. I hate this transition age, everything seems to teeter upon the tiniest decisions. I don't know what to do for the summer; story of my life. I could stay here, get settled in and jump into a local ministry. I could live in Reno, get a job and nuzzle into the community I already know and love. I could do some kind of missions work, whether as an intern w/ my parents in Mexico or perhaps overseas (suggestions? connections? I'm up for anything at this point). Or maybe I could move to Colorado and work at my first bible school for a few months. So yeah. Prayer for direction would be fantastic.

Glavor Prayer Requests:

1. Endurance and health during these very busy days.
2. Continued unity with the staff.
3. Finances (Our donor giving is down 22%)
4. Continued assimilation
5. Balance: family, work, spiritual, emotional and health
6. Hannah and Tim would finish the school year strong
7. Summer plans for the kids

Please write!!! e-mail: jiglavor@aguaviva.com
snail mail: Agua Viva Ministries PO Box 1488 Lemon Grove, CA 91946

AVM is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) #33-0107806 missions organization
donations to Agua Viva Ministries account# 313124/Glavor