Summer 2009

Summer 2009

What an amazing spring and summer! Amidst a barrage of media reports of border violence, impending swine flu, decay in government and a floundering economy; we have seen first hand that the plans of the Lord cannot be thwarted! Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

Our theme this summer was appropriately named: “Corazon Valiantes” (brave hearts). Thank you to all of you who came and served with Missions Partnership Experience (short-term missions) in spite of the news reports. Thank you to those of you who stayed home and who partnered with us in prayer.

Good News! Mexico has been changed! Here are just a few of the blessings we experienced firsthand:

• Many, many people made first time commitments to Christ and many others recommitted their lives to the Lord.
• We served in 17 different colonies in Ensenada and surrounding communites and had week long programs which includes:18 VBS programs, a youth camp, 12 medical clinics, 4 dental clinics, 14 construction projects, 3 sports camps, 4 women’s programs, 2 youth programs, sewing and men’s prayer meetings and 3 community BBQs.
• We have not seen any violence issues. Many of our guests have commented that what they experienced here in Ensenada did not at all reflect the worrisome media reports.
• We have remained healthy. No Swine flu!
• Agua Viva Ministries is blessed with an awesome full time staff!
• We had an amazing summer staff!
• We have a new well
• We received a $25,000.00 Grant for student scholarships for MTI (our seminary)

Let me list the reasons I believe that this summer has been so successful:
1. God’s Faithfulness!
2. God’s Faithfulness!
3. God’s Faithfulness!
4. God’s Faithfulness!

I have to admit, I personally entered the season a bit (OK…a lot) nervous and discouraged about over 60% cancellation of our guests because of the above issues. As you well know, the other ministries here at AVM are partially dependent on our camper fees; MTI (our seminary), Mexican camping scholarships and the 5 Mexican national missionary families AVM supports, let alone the maintenance of our camp and our full time Mexican staff. But God has been faithful and He Loves Mexico!

We cling to our summer theme verse: Deut. 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Please Pray!
Please continue to pray for AVM as we still have a substantial deficit in our budget. We serve a miraculous God who provides. Pray that we as a staff, board of directors and families will continue to be unified and adjusting as the Lord deems fit.

Please pray for us as a family that we would trust Him for our finances. Hannah and Tim are both in College and our donor giving is decreased substantially due to the economy and we expect even greater cuts in September. Things that we used to consider as necessities are now considered as wants. Again we look to Deut 31:8.

Please pray for Hannah as she leaves for Uganda in September!

Please pray for Tim as he heads to Ecola Bible College in Oregon!

Thank you for being a part of our lives. Thank your for serving, giving, praying and investing in this ministry and our lives!

Please enjoy the following moments from our life here in Mexico:

June 2009 Whew! What a month!

Highlights for June:

• Tim Graduates from High School!
• Hannah is going to Uganda this fall!
• 25th wedding anniversary! A Milestone to remember!
• Busy Summer schedule begins
• Our 2 year anniversary of working in Mexico

First of all I want to say that WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD! Life is busy, exciting and sometimes overwhelming with a myriad of emotions flooding our minds. However, our life here in Mexico is extremely good!

Tim Graduates from High School!
Congrats Tim! We are so proud of you! (more details previous BLOG entry)

Hannah is going to Uganda!

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you have heard and few of you are about to find out, I'm heading to Uganda this fall with Empower A Child. I've always had a heart for missions as well as for working with children, and this seems the perfect combination of the two. Also it will serve as practicum credit for my double major in Bible and Theology and Intercultural studies at Multnomah University.

I've been working with kids all of my life. From working with children on the slopes of Mt. Rose as a ski/ snowboard instructor to the childcare provider position at Kids Kottage, an emergency shelter for youth ranging from 0-18, I've always had a heart and a love for children.

Global awareness spurring into social action came greatly as a result of the work of my youth pastors who also had a heart for the cries of the oppressed. My eyes were opened and I saw past my comfortable middle class American bubble and into the lives of the world around me. My heart ached for the broken, both globally and locally and I had to do something.

Locally I've worked as a mentor for abused and neglected children. More recently I've spent hours on the streets of downtown Portland engaging with the homeless; sharing food, laughter, tears and friendship. The time has come for me to go global with my heart of compassion. I've done volunteer work and public demonstrations with Invisible Children, an organization that seeks to change apathy into activism by means of films and movements focused on the oppression in Uganda. I've also done mission work in various parts of Mexico, as have my parents who, as you may have heard, are career missionaries in Ensendada, Mexico. But I have never done missions on such a large scale, culturally and over such a long period of time. I plan on being in Uganda from Early September (Sept 5) through the end of November; hopefully arriving back to the states before Thanksgiving. Specific dates are pending. More concrete details will be disclosed down the road (as I can afford plane tickets).

Because of the compassion specifically for Ugandan children spurred on by the work with Invisible children and also my work with children over the years, I have a huge heart for the work Empower a Child does.

Their mission statement is:
Empower A Child seeks to bring confidence and self-sustainability to orphaned and vulnerable children of Uganda by teaching modern skills, giving the opportunity of education, and enlightening through the word of God.

I’ll be working with various orphanages and youth centers, staying in villages and interacting with and loving the local kids. To learn more about the organization I'm going with, check out their website at: http://www.empower-a-child.org/

I know that this is what God wants me to be doing and where he wants me to be doing it. I ask for your prayer and support as I embark on this adventure. Pray for confidence, courage, and a level head in God's work that He's calling me to do and the preparations to get there. Financially, I need about 5,000 for airfare, travel expenses, travel insurance, immunizations, room and board and administrative fees by August 1st. I am confident that God will accomplish the work he has called me to do, no matter what the financial situation is in the world. Thank you for your time. Please pray for this trip, pray for the children in Uganda, and God bless.

~Hannah Glavor

address: MSC# 480
8435 NE Glisan St.
Portland, OR 97220
skype name: hglavor
email: bananaflavor@gmail.com
web blog: http://bananaflavor.wordpress.com/



All donations will be received through Agua Viva Ministries which is an international, tax-exempt 501(c )(3) nonprofit Christian organization. All gifts are fully deductible to the donor under the extent of applicable law.

checks to:
Agua Viva Ministries
In the note area please designate that
this is for: Glavor Family/Uganda
Mailing Address:
Agua Viva Ministries
PO Box 1488
Lemon Grove, CA 91946

donations via PayPal
Follow the link and write “Glavor Family/Uganda”
under the “Please specify donation fund” area
http://www.aguaviva.com/getting-involved/financial-support

Thank you helping send Hannah to Uganda!


June 23rd was our 25th wedding anniversary! WooHOO!

Psalm 34:3 “Glorify the Lord with me; and let us exalt His name together.”

This was our wedding verse. Typical for the Glavor family non-traditional ways…we spent the day working! Jeff was helping build a church and I was out visiting communities in preparation for upcoming projects, programs and clinics. We capped off the evening with a surprise celebration of cake and a reenactment of the marriage ceremony from our staff and the visiting group from Princess Bride (Mawage... twuu wuuv…) It was a great day!

The Lord has blessed us beyond measure! He has given us 25 tremendous years together and 2 amazing children. He has allowed us to have fulfilling careers and now, a second career in missions; serving the Lord together side by side here in Mexico. We are still madly in love and can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us for the next 25 years!

Summer is Here!

Last week was the first busy week of the summer onslaught of groups. It was spectacular! Our theme this summer is: “corazones valientes” (brave hearts). Amidst the fear of narco-border violence, economic woes of the United States and the swine flu; groups are still coming and serving. FYI: Agua Viva Ministries staff and guests have not seen or experienced any problems what so ever.

Our theme verse this year is Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
This last week was called: the Paraiso Project Power Week and it was incredible! We had a Church from Elk Grove, CA come build a church from the ground up in 4 days.




Paraiso (Paradise) is a small agricultural community nestled in the foot hills south of Ensenada. Most of the homes lack running water, the children are barefoot and electricity only reaches a quarter of the homes. This community swells in numbers with people from indigenous tribes throughout Mexico during the harvest season. Many people in this community have never heard the Gospel. The dirt road where this church is located is slated to become a major thoroughfare in the near future to connect three adjacent, rural, agricultural communities. A perfect location for the church!

Thursday night the new church was packed! Over 300 people from the community came out to the BBQ and the grand opening of the church. We hooked up the generator, the sound system and everything worked! The worship was amazing!! 8 adults made first time commitments to Christ! WooHOO! What a party! At VBS countless children prayed to receive Christ. There is now a church building with a strong leadership base of 20 families to help grow, disciple and meet the physical and spiritual needs of this community.


Many times I have struggled with the relevance of short-term missions. However, this week was a reminder to me that there definitely is a place and eternal results because of short-term partnerships. This is why we are here! We have the privilege to see this first hand. Studying scripture, I see that Paul was more a short-term missionary and Timothy was more like a long term guy. The Lord used both. It really puts my whiny complaints into perspective. We are so blessed to be here!
For more info on the Paraiso Project, follow this link:
http://www.aguaviva.com/milestones/lets-build-this-church

Glavor family prayer requests:

• Brent Searway (our director) fell at the work site last week and broke his arm. Pray for rapid healing.
• Pray for Agua Viva Ministries. The economy in both the US and Mexico has had an affect on all aspects of the ministry financially.
• Pray for continued unity of our staff as the days are warmer and longer.
• Jeff for stamina. He will be out doing construction most of the summer and also is coordinating groups
• Hannah is going to Uganda in September and needs to raise her support
• Tim is in Reno. Pray that he will make wise choices, continues to work and above all: Grow in his relationship with God.
• Glavor family finances
• Ineke for mental clarity and proper perspective in scheduling all the ministries and groups (Remembering who really is in control)

Big News!!

Tim graduated from high school! WooHOO!



We made a brief, weekend trip to Reno to celebrate with Tim at RCF in his cap and gown. He was deservedly decorated extremely well: Valedictorian, class president, most likely to succeed, most handsome and class clown. We are so very proud of Tim! It was great to have the whole family together!




Tim is spending the summer in Reno working, spending time with friends, eating American food and speaking English.


We miss him already! The house is painfully quiet. We miss hearing him playing some amazing songs on the guitar, the Tim laugh and his timely, witty, dry sense of humor. We even miss the dirty dishes left on the counter … well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.


He will be attending Ecola Bible College in Cannon Beach, Oregon in the fall and plans to attend
a 4 year college thereafter.
Check out this great school:
http://www.ecola.org/program_purpose.asp?main=program&id=-1
We can’t wait to see what great things the Lord has in store for Tim!
We are so very proud of the man he is becoming!

April 2009

Hot topics this Spring:

“Spring Break a la Mexico!”

Whew! We made it! “Spring break” was crazy-busy, but exciting to see the Lord’s hand orchestrate all the activities and change lives in the process.

Week One: 200 Westmont College students stayed at Agua Viva Ministries and served throughout Ensenada through medical clinics, VBS, sports clinics and many houses were built. It was fun to see the soccer field peppered with tents and hearing the stories in the evenings of what the Lord had done in the different ministry sites. Jeff had the opportunity to preach in the evening community church service to over 350 persons including the Westmont students and local pastors and churches.

Week Two: Hannah came to visit!! WooHoo! Hannah spent her spring break with us. It was absolutely wonderful to have the whole family together! We also had Sally, Whitney and Adam Jan come visit Mexico for the first time! We had 3 students from Portland camp out in our living room and help out at camp and help us move into our new home.


Week Three: A group from Santa Ana, California came and helped with recreation for our youth camp for Mexican youth. We had over 300 in camp! Many commitments were made and lives were changed!



A special treat was a visit from Ineke’s brother, Ed! Ineke dragged him all over Ensenada and the surrounding areas; visiting communities, assessing needs, networking with local pastors and of course…eating lots of fish tacos.


Week Four: We had 2 American groups serve in 4 medical clinics, 2 VBS programs, 2 women’s programs and 2 construction projects. Reno Christian Fellowship (our home church) came and it was wonderful to spend time with friends and serve together.


Jeff’s new truck that was donated by a home fellowship from Reno Christian Fellowship arrived!! It is kind of embarrassing to have such a fancy truck here in Mexico! Us missionary types are used to driving old dusty vehicles with cracked taillights and tailpipes suspended with rope. Thank you again Reno!

Safety issues in Mexico and fear cause groups to cancel. We saw the avalanche coming last summer. It is now upon us. We are waiting for the thaw!

The greatest and most pressing issue with Missions Partnership Experience (MPE) this year is the drastic decrease in numbers of American groups. We believe that the incessant media press on border violence coupled with the over-all economic issues in the United States was the main responsible factors.

Follow this link to our Mexico Safety Update:
http://www.aguaviva.com/short-term-mission-trips/mexico-travel-security


Even though I know that the Lord can do great things with few people; it still does grieve my heart that in my feeble, human perception, fewer Mexican’s are served and fewer Americans are broadening their world view and experiencing the work of the Lord through MPE.



John Piper sums up the subject of fear and risk in his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life” (page 81): "Risk is woven into the fabric of our finite lives. We cannot avoid risk even if we want to. Ignorance and uncertainty about tomorrow is our native air. All of our plans for tomorrow's activities can be shattered by a thousand unknowns whether we stay at home under the covers or ride the freeways. One of my aims is to explode the myth of safety and to somehow deliver you from the enchantment of security. Because it's a mirage. It doesn't exist. Every direction you turn there are unknowns and things beyond your control. The tragic hypocrisy is that the enchantment of security lets us take risks every day for ourselves but paralyzes us from taking risks for others on the Calvary road of love. We are deluded and think that it may jeopardize a security that in fact does not even exist."

Community needs: AVM for many years has been known for facilitating and partnering American churches with community needs. Due to the decreased number of American guests and the economic status of the US, the work force and construction budget has decreased.

Due to the economic trickle down effect from the US, the needs in the community have increased substantially. Albeit unhealthy, these needs keep me awake at night. Hearing the heart-wrenching stories and meeting these individuals face to face can be extremely difficult. Here is just one of the stories on the Agua Viva website:
http://www.aguaviva.com/short-term-mission-trips/community-opportunities/norberta-holguin-carrillo


I am more and more convinced that the Lord uses turbulent times, such as these, to bring us to our knees and rely more on Him. We continue to see the Lord’s amazing provisions and have seen His unfailing heart for Mexico. His heart hasn’t changed for AVM and He is not nervous! We have seen the Lord unite a ragamuffin staff together amidst financial strain, political unrest, personal struggles and border narco-violence.

Thanks to all of you who read our BLOG!

Prayer requests:

• Hannah and Tim would “finish strong” in school
• Hannah and Tim’s summer work plans
• College finances next year (yes, we now have 2 in college!)
• Agua Viva creative financing
• Programming American groups
• Continued endurance and health in these busy days

**Note From Tim**

Jobs?

Heyoh! I’m Graduating from high school! Imagine that!

I’m coming back to Reno for summer and I am going to need a job! I know the economy is down, and a lot of people are going to be looking for work. It is hard to apply for jobs while living in Mexico.

If you can, please let me know if you have heard of any job openings. I’m open to any suggestions for jobs. Last summer I worked landscaping. I am a fast learner, I work hard, I’m strong, a fast typist, I’ve got a good attitude, I am dependable and I don’t have the swine flu. I may have bird flu… if that’s an issue…just kidding.

For interviews, I’ll be available May 11^th through the 13^th. If it’s not possible to do an interview within this time period, please e-mail me a good time for a phone interview.

I am also looking for a room to rent for the summer. Please keep your eyes open!

Please e-mail me with any leads: timmyfries@gmail.com

Thanks for your consideration!

Timothy Wallace Glavor

January 2009: review of 2008 Christmas Furlough

Wow! What a whirlwind 2008 Christmas Furlough!

It was fun! It was wonderful to see family and Friends! It was weird listening to everyone speak English! It was crazy squeezing in so many people in our schedule in a short amount of time and it was absolutely gluttonous, eating meals with so many of you! The Lord has blessed us with so many dear friends and family. We miss you already!

As we waddled back to Mexico, we reminisced about all that occurred on our 3 week adventure. Here are a few highlights:

• We spent glorious, refreshing family time with Hannah and Tim at the Ziese’s home for 4 days while they were on vacation. (Thank you Glenn and Nancy for sharing your home!

• Jeff’s truck broke down in Truckee, CA and we were towed and repaired in Reno (CV joint)

• The entire family was able to spend a few days with Grandma Phyllis (Jeff’s mom), Carol (Jeff’s sister) and Sarah (our niece) in California

• We all were able to celebrate Oma Ina’s Birthday (Ineke’s mom) and Ineke was able to see Mama every day while in Reno.

• The amazing Alger family let us invade their home for 2 weeks! (That is the ultimate test of friendship and sacrifice!! THANK YOU Mike, Anita, Mikaela and CJ!)

• We had a white Christmas!

• Hannah worked during her Christmas break as a snow board instructor (5th season) at Mt. Rose

• Tim visited with a million friends (if not more) in Reno

• Jeff’s heater stopped working in his truck….Bbbrrrrrrrr……

• We reconnected with many friends at the 2 open houses and reception in Reno and California. Over 140 persons in total attended! (thank you Nancy and Greg Latimer, Frank and Jeanette Meitz and Hugh and Carol Carter for hosting these events)

• Did I mention that we ate WAY too much?

• We were able to connect with many of our financial donors and friends individually in Nevada and California, pastors and the RCF mission board and we were able to share first-hand about the exciting things the Lord is doing in Mexico through Agua Viva Ministries. (Saying thank you is not enough to express our gratitude for your financial, moral/emotional and prayer support. Unfortunately the list is too long to mention all of your names here)

• We had the privilege to share at our sending Church; RCF (Reno Christian Fellowship) and also at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church. We also reconnected with friends from Hope Community and Newark (CA) Community Churches. We shared with 200 AWANA kids at RCF.

• We visited with former co-workers at Washoe County and St. Mary’s.

As you know, one of our goals during our furlough was to build up a team of people who could support us in non-monetary ways; especially in the area of communication and prayer support.

The Lord provided in areas we didn’t even ask….go figure! ☺
Romans 8:26-27 (The Message)

26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our present condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

So here is the list of wonderful people who signed up:

Nancy Ziese - Web design
Tony Riley - BLOG editing
Cheryl Pierce (RCF) - Distribute mass e-mails
Tom Giles - Edit video clips for web-site
Justin Lee - Coordinate quarterly prayer days

There were also many unexpected bonuses:

• Donated 2000 Toyota Tundra Truck (Thank you RCF Saddlehorn Home fellowship and Donna and Dave Davies!) WOOHOOO!

• Donated extremely large TV monitor for AVM seminary classroom (Thank you Frank and Jeanette Meitz)

• Medical Supplies for AVM (Thank you Heidi Flores)

• Above and beyond our regular donors; we received several extra unexpected monetary donations (Thank you Arzinos, Lewis’, Chinese Alliance Church, Latimers, Floras, Furmans, Hauperts, Leonards, Carters and Lewis’)

• Donated camera with video capabilities (thank you Tom Giles!)

Prayer needs:

• We are still are hoping to beef-up our prayer team. Please contact us if you would like to join the official prayer team! (You will love the secret Mexican hand shake!) jiglavor@aguaviva.com

• Pray for leads for information on Tax and self- employment laws

• Pray for smooth sailing as we negotiate with the Mexican government for our FM3 (Mexican resident visa)

• Pray for continued language skills

• Pray for clarity of mind as we plan for the busy season

• Pray for the entire Agua Viva Ministry (AVM) team and board of directors that we always stay focused on REACHING MEXICO FOR CHRIST

• Pray for the Churches, communities and the pastors in Mexico that we would serve them well

• Pray for the American (and Canadian) Churches as they are preparing to come down to Mexico to serve

• Pray for more alone time with God

• Pray for Tim and Hannah for college goals and finances

• Pray for Hannah and Tim that they would finish this school year strong

• Medical insurance

• Pray for health and fitness (body, soul and spirit)

The Glavor Family Contact info:

Jeff and Ineke: jiglavor@aguaviva.com
Hannah: bananaflavor@gmail.com
Tim: homestarmy@juno.com

Jeff, Ineke and Tim:
Mailing address:
Agua Viva Ministries
PO Box 1488
Lemon Grove, CA 91946

Shipping address:
Agua Viva Ministries
7107 Broadway PMB 229
Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Hannah:
Multnomah University
MSC #480
8435 NE Glisan St.
Portland, OR 97220

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