You pray, stuff happens.  Many of you ask us for specific prayer requests so that you can “pray intelligently.”  I appreciate that, though I’ve been known to “pray stupidly” at times too (“Bless the Chargers, bless these donuts,” etc.).   Recently we asked our brilliant prayer partners to pray about the following concerns.    

 “From the Ruins to Restoration”

No, it’s not a wrinkle cream; it was the theme of our recent Call Retreat.  35 people gathered around the idea that God calls each of us in spite of, and sometimes through, the bad stuff that happens to us.  Whether our pain is self-inflicted or perpetrated by others, God can restore us and call us.  Fatigued pastors came and found new energy.   Women beaten down by a “machista” culture were reminded that God had called them to all kinds of ministries, including pastoral ministry.  We worshipped, we ate, we slept a little, and God did good stuff.  On behalf of people like Maria, Scarlet, Jorge, and Rut, thanks for the prayers.  Alberto, Pastor of the Aserri Church, called us after the event to say he was planning a similar retreat for his congregation.  You can pray for that event coming in May.    

 The Alajuelita Church building. 

Many of you have been praying for this construction project and more than a few of you have shoveled concrete or painted to help with it.  So, here’s the latest; the sanctuary has lights!  Not just lights, but outlets, switches, and circuit breakers!  Special thanks go to the recent group from Fairbury, IL.  If you don’t know where Fairbury is, it’s close to Pontiac (and they’re coming in October).  This group brought electrical expertise and a great attitude.  They worked hard, shared testimonies, played Yahtzee bilingually, and learned to love rice and beans.  And the project continues.  Church members are preparing to paint the building and hope to pour a floor sometime this year now that the wiring is in. 

 On a more personal note,  many of you prayed for our recent trip to California.  We went to remember Mylinda’s grandmother “Nana” who died at the age of 88.  The service was a celebration of her life; a life lived loving God and others.  A year and a half ago Nana came to an event at Judson Baptist in San Bernardino where Mylinda and I were presenting.  Nana listened attentively, and then took a moment to share with the small group how proud she was of her granddaughter Mylinda.  Needless to say there were some tears.  This past Saturday we cried again, participated in the memorial service, and said goodbye to one of Mylinda’s role models.   We thank God for Nana, and for your prayers.

 Now for a very specific prayer request and opportunity.  From today through May 31 if you aren’t already, you can join in supporting our ministry. 

 As you can see from our monthly support committed, we are at 57% of full funding. We need people willing to commit to $1/day for a year to enable our work to continue.  If you commit $1/day, or $30/month or $360/year, your commitment will be matched at 50% from a special fund to support International Ministries' missionaries.

There is a catch (or two):

You have to make the financial commitment at the International Ministries website, so go to our page at http://www.internationalministries.org You can read missionary journals about our work, and you can make a gift or indicate your commitment for the year.

If you have given at a monthly basis to our work already, we deeply appreciate your support, but you're commitment will not be matched.  The matching grant is for new regularly committed donors.  If you have given a single gift to our support, then a commitment of $30/month or more for a year will bring the matching support.  Of course, you can give more than $30/month or $360/year.  That's just the number for the matching gift. 

 Thanks for your prayers and for your giving.

Gracias, 

Gary