Yes, we are hoping to leave here Dec 5th . We
have been in contact with our contingency team and have been asking our Guarijio
friends (those in the city with internet) what they have heard. So far it seem
that things are calm in our area. But there is still information to be gathered
and we'd selfishly like to know before we leave if it's safe or not! We don't
really want to drive across the country if our way will be blocked again. But we
will do what we can on this end to gather the intel we need.
The girls have adjusted completely to Maryland.
The youngest, Jenna, seems the most excited about returning to Mexico. The
other three seem very content here. So we'd appreciate your prayers for
adjustment back, for friends once they get there, and a sense of personal
purpose for being in Chiltepin.
Vicente and his wife had a little baby boy in
October. Here is little Misael.
They still have plans to finish the missionary training and return to
Chiltepin as missionaries in the fall of 2016.
They are doing well at the
training center.
The long term plan New Tribes has for Chiltepin
is that Vicente has full time partners. We had hoped the local church would be
their 'support' team. But after talking to leadership we realize they just
aren't spiritually mature enough to be the support Vicente would need and
everything would fall to Vicente's shoulders. So New Tribes is open to finding
another set of partners for Vicente. But, in the meantime, until someone comes
along, it is our goal to commit to 4 or 5 months every winter to being co
workers to Vicente and his wife.
Pray for us as we return - to truly know how to
love the Indians in a way that communicates to them. They like us and the
favors we bring - medicine, photo copies, a cup of coffee... but we want to be
more than that - we want to show Christ's love. It can be a challenge with such
a different culture. We've learned that if we gift someone something - sewing
needles or a piece of cloth or a few eggs- and their neighbor finds out and we
don't have the same thing for them they get really jealous towards the first person
and it actually causes problems. So we feel like our hands are tied even to
help someone in a small way. Please pray for wisdom.
Please pray for me against the spirit of fear.
Some times I get overwhelmed with anxiety that I will struggle like last time -
alone without partners. But I know I have truth in my heart now, and am more
healed- but the enemy likes to attack with fear. Some days I'm fine - and other
times I'm overwhelmed. I think the fear is worse that reality itself - so
please pray.
Thanks so much! Machelle for all
