July and August 2007 in Juarez
Construction
- 6 homes were built for 6 families! A one-room addition for Mercedes' family of 10, soon to be 11 was also constructed. There was a first time Catholic team from Our Lady of the Pines in Black Forest Colorado. Please see our website for detailed information on all the families at www.missionsministries.org
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New Land, New Opportunities, God is moving over the land!
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As you may have read in Casey's letter, Missions Ministries (MM) had land donated from the government of Mexico to build a clinic in Kilometer 30, another library/computer lab in Kilometer 30, the only kindergarten classrooms in Kilometer 30. All there projects have certified documents already. Our hope is to have the clinic and classrooms built and operational by the end of October this year, and the new library built and open by February of 2008. A petition for a large sports field and park, in Kilometer 28, close to Pastor Jesus' church and youth center was also accepted. In addition, the government has verbally agreed to a 5,000 square meter piece of land in Kilometer 30 so that MM can give land to families that can't afford the land, similar to the land given away next to the library.
1st Police Station EVER
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Our area has never had a police station or even reasonable police protection. There is a new President of Juarez and a new President of Mexico, and a new city of Juarez is scheduled to be built (estimated 5 million people) by 2011. The time has come for a police station and police protection for the people. The police station opened August 18, 2007 in Kilometer 30. Maria Louisa, the government appointed leader in Kilometer 30, is pictured at the dedication of the new station and jail. The people in Kilometer 30 were required to build the jail (new house for banditos) by the 18th. Maria, the person helping MM with all the new land, has the keys in her hand and the scissors to cut the ribbon.
Women's Shelter.
- The Our Lady of the Pines team decided at dinner in El Paso to do their outreach at the women's shelter and to take a large food offering for the women. When the group arrived at the shelter with the food and activities, the shelter was completely out of food. The leader was away with her sick father and had called that morning stating they would have to stretch the food, as she would be a little longer before she returned. They were overjoyed with the food and the love when the team walked in. There were 28 women and their children that day.
- The plumbing to their water tank on the 30' roof of the shelter was also repaired. Women had been climbing a ladder to the roof with a 5 gallon bucket of water for pressure in the kitchen.
- Patricia Perez (born in Mexico), a friend of Jeff and Jennys from El Paso, has started monthly visits to the shelter. She is initially teaching women to give manicures, but wants to get them started on herb gardens and healthy cooking habits. Donations for manicure supplies may help some women get out of the shelter sooner. Patricia is afraid to drive into Mexico alone and Jeff and Jenny meet her at the border, but hopefully her confidence will grow with her faith.
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Medical and Dental
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There were two medical teams and dental teams, one each in July and August. Menlo Park's medical team brought so many prescription medications, that they were back with two large duffel bags packed full for their next medical mission trip to Peru in September. It's the first time the clinic supply was more than adequate on quite a number of prescription medications. MM now has high and low speed drills in the dental office. We have recently been closing the clinic for a short period, so the medical teams can share in the joy of the dedication of the homes.
A daughter's love
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Usually during every dental mission, some patients always run when they hear the news that teeth have to be removed. The team members are always warned not to block the exits as they may get hurt! This is very common worldwide. Victor and his fluent Spanish speaking, compassionate daughter Leslie were our dental team in August. Leslie translated her father's words so gently and confidently that no one ran out of the office, and calmed all the patients and parents as procedures were performed.
Donations
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We now have a new bigger bus! The seating capacity was 72, but four seats were removed to transport donations and building materials. The team of 42 from Cherry Hills tested its capacity in July, and besides a lot of individual donations, one family brought a overloaded truck and trailer full of donations the team had collected. Bill had already loaded his truck with construction supplies. One garage in Denver was full of donations, but the entire load was managed. In the future, please let Deb know if your team is bringing a lot of donations so we Jeff and Jenny can plan on their side. Food, formula, hundreds of new polo shirts (Patty and Don), clothes, shoes and 16' church pews from Front Range Christian School were also received. What a blessing for our pastors and their congregations! PS-The cold climate is coming soon!
Education, School supplies and Scholarships
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Many children this year were helped with school supplies and scholarships. The major supporters were: Kelly and Marissa Barnes and The Bandimere family and their race fans. A special thank you to Kammy Ryckman for making a last minute delivery of the Bandimere family supplies to meet up with Jenny in Las Vegas. The Cherry Hills construction/dental/medical team donated almost 33% of the $7,600 scholarships, as a team and through personal donations.
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Scott Kline and Joni Cropper and their foundation are continuing full secondary school scholarships for 10 local children and now continuing with college support. Miriam graduated secondary school last year with their scholarship and she is their first college student, studying Business Administration in Juarez starting this semester. Scott has been the driving force behind the new library/computer lab in Kilometer 30, and their team will do the construction early next year. MM will need help from many others to furnish and operate the new library/computer lab.
Truck Needed!
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We are in need of a good construction/work truck as our current one is on its last legs with 238,000 miles on it! If you have such a truck in good condition that you'd like to donate, please call our office at 303-771-3789.
Casey
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Homeschooling has started at the Bishop household with our four, a niece and two others. I'm especially excited about the flexibility this will give our family when I'm not in Juarez. As for MM, we've been blessed with land as well as teams, and our calendar for 2008 has room for just five more. This is a great problem to have but a challenge at the same time. Please pray for the Lord's guidance regarding MM's growth.
Jeff and Jenny
Chris
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This summer has proven to be both hot and busy. During July, I led three fun teams and had the pleasure of building in 100+ degrees on all three! The Our Lady of the Pines team made a first time visit and Southeast Christian and Foothills Bible Church returned with their youth groups. Working with the kids and playing a part in exposing them to service like this is rewarding to say the least. All were great groups and great kids-thank you! Personally, the summer has been more like a whirlwind. We started with moving, which after traveling and visiting family, is finally coming to an end. The whole family traveled to Mexico City so that the kids could attend summer school and Rosina could teach in a school that family is associated with. While they attended the summer course, I traveled back and forth between Denver and Juarez unpacking and leading teams. So, as we end the summer, unpack the last box and round up the family in one location, we give thanks to the Lord for safe travels, a place to call home and great teams!
Marilynn & Deb
Bill and his family
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Bill took his family on their first family vacation to the Bay of California to see the ocean inside the Baja peninsula. His daughter, Val was stung by a jellyfish the first day and doesn't want to swim in the ocean again! Bill used an old wives tale for relief, pure ammonia on the sting (don't try this yourself), and relief came swiftly!
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Jesus and his family
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One small miracle here. Jesus the bus driver drove his 91 Suburban 200,000 miles young, about 15 hours each way to Mazatlan! His wife, Alma promised their children if they all improved in school, they would see the ocean this summer. They left with $650 cash from Juarez and had enough for food and gas for 11 people!
Menlo Park Home Dedication music on youtube
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Ross has a musical scholarship to college for his soprano saxophone. He played at both dedications, the afternoon outreach and at the church service. The testimony shared and the music were so powerful at the dedication that Pastor Jesus requested the music and the same testimony be the church service in the evening. The link below runs two minutes. It's really worth your time.
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9149745565360825323&pr=goog-sl
Juarez, brief overview 2007 YTD
- 54 new homes have been built. One room addition
- 1165 American team members have blessed and been blessed in our missions outreach center.
- 16 medical/dental teams have come, prayed for and healed the sick in our clinic.
Juarez Local News
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A local propane truck was refueling an outlying station and neglected to turn off the engine of the fueling semi truck. There was a massive explosion, and the truck's tank and the storage tank ignited. The truck cylinder landed in a nearby house. It took place about 9:00 PM at night. By sunrise the next morning, all signs of fire and the explosion had been removed and it appeared like nothing had ever happened. The local people are requesting a review of the law that propane refueling stations need only be 40' from houses. Jenny and Jeff have a large refueling propane tank about 20' from their house. It's nice that we serve a really big God!
Juarez International Airport - There was a accident landing an airliner last month and a massive explosion. The airport and access streets were closed and the accident was cleaned up and removed. There was minimal news coverage, and only the massive black cloud suggested the severity of the accident.
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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
All of us at Missions Ministries can only serve our friends here with your prayers, financial support, donations, people stepping out of the comfort zone and coming to serve with us, encouragement and love from so many. Please consider praying for us regularly, if you don't now. Please consider supporting us, if you don't now.
Blessings,
All of us at Missions Ministries
.Jeff, Jenny, Casey, Bill, Chris, Rosa, Ed, Carol, Deb & Marilynn
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