Updates & News
Current News
State of the Ministry
From
Dave McCombs
The Good News
Today Leo Pineda is our Director of Mexican Operations. Jesus Aranda is Manager of Transportation and Administration. Bill Orange is our Team Center Director and Controller. Chago Pineda is our Construction Manager. Aburito Flores-Enriquiz is our Captain of the Guard. Jessica Marquez is our Clinic Nurse. Chris Henshaw is our Vice President, Mexico and Gary Fields is our new Director of Operations in Denver. What have these leaders accomplished?
First they have been extremely wise and very diligent in cash flow management. The Team Center has been completely remodeled. A team center building has been converted into a training center with classrooms and daily training activity and a growing inventory of ministry supplies. A second building has been converted into an office and fully equipped electronic communication center. The Youth Center is now operational with morning day care, a food kitchen and an afternoon youth program. The Youth Center is also taking on a second identity as an adult education center and Ministry Training Center for community pastors and Christian leaders.
Jessica opens the Clinic two days a week and our second clinic is open one day a week manned by Dr. Sergio Moreno. We continue to have a number of medical teams visit us. If you are a medical professional or know of one, please consider joining us. The clinic has been remodeled, reorganized and is beautiful. New equipment has been installed and the pharmacy is full with more than enough to share with the second clinic.
Our supported churches have assumed distribution of donations, diapers and formula and are the ones who select the families to receive homes. All pastors have become disciple makers with their lay leaders. Each church has embraced a vision for revival and growth. The churches have increased their attendance substantially. The pastors are praying together and trusting God for even greater growth. A new church is being planted in Kilometer 26. And the work with the Tarahumara has grown now to an informal fellowship reflecting the beginnings of another church.
Our second library is now open and staffed. Over 100 youth daily come to the libraries and youth center where they are tutored, encouraged and learn more and more of the Savior. We sponsored approximately 150 students in school. Two more food kitchens have been added recently with an average of 250 people a day receiving meals through the church food programs.
Plans are in the works for construction of parks with soccer and baseball fields and family picnic facilities in each Kilometer. They will have sports equipment and organization tied to the churches. The second clinic will be expanded soon and the support of the women's shelter continues.
And most important people are coming to Christ through the churches, through the clinic, libraries and through the people of the community. You might ask why such growth. The answer is very simple, because God brought together God's men, at God's time, to do God's work, God's way. And we have become a unified Missions Ministries family. To Him be all the glory.
The Not So Good News
Have we had problems? Yes. The economy and the violence in Juarez has been an issue for us. Please review our security update tab and our financial need tab for more detail. During 2009, we experienced about a 75% reduction in teams. Our cash flow is driven by home construction. During the 3rd quarter of 2009, we put most of our workforce in Mexico on short weeks and we also had to lay off a number of workers. This has been a very difficult period and we are praying for God to bless this ministry and our friends in Juarez. As for 2010, we have a number of trips booked so far and would love to have you join us.
God's Creative Alternative – "Raising the Walls for Juarez"
God has been faithful. Leo and Jesus joined us a couple of times in Denver during the spring and summer of 2009 helping us kick off "Raising the Walls for Juarez". We have built a number of homes in church parking lots and one on a speedway! We have seen people catch the vision for how they can make a difference.
When the home is complete, we break the house into panels and truck them to Juarez. The balance of "Raising the Walls" has to do with building up the Supply Lines to Juarez. This means teams of people who assume responsibility for collecting food, donations, medical supplies, diapers, formula and educational supplies. We have volunteer truckers who want to then "get it on down the line". If you see a role for yourself in helping develop Supply Lines, don't miss out, please contact us.
The last ingredient of "Raising the Walls" is multiplying ministry development and ministry training. An advisory board is forming to take on that task. A while back, a pastor on a team from Oklahoma was conducting training for the Mexican pastors. When the training sessions were complete he asked, "How else can I help you?" The pastors replied, "Come back next week."
What Others Are Saying
Kathy Burr, leader of nationally recognized Cherry Hills Community Church Missions Program said recently, "I'm excited about the changes at MM... and have actually never been so excited about MM... The changes that are being made are exactly what I've thought for years would be positive improvements to the ministry." All teams visiting recently have reported, "We sense a new and positive spirit here at the Team Center. We see an enthusiasm and sense of anticipation in the faces of the whole Juarez Team." As Leo would say, "God is good."
What Jesus Said
Jesus said "go." Jesus said, "make disciples." Jesus said, "feed my sheep." We are going to keep doing our part. He is certain to do His part. Don't miss the adventure, come on along.
Yours for Transformed Lives and Transformed Communities,
Dave McCombs
President, Missions Ministries
