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:
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
