HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MINISTRY

Location: Matamoros, Mexico
(on the eastern side, just across the border from Brownsville, Texas)

Dates: June 6-14
Departing at 6:30am June 6 and returning at 1:00pm June 14

Organization:
Adventures in Missions

Accomodations:
The "Gateway" in Matamoros, Mexico

Total number of people:
17 students and 5 adults
(Eric Miracle, Glenn Best, Joel MacDonald, Sandie Parazine, Sheila Stitt)

Service:
construction, feeding the poor, prayerwalks, VBS, church services, youth detention center, sports camp, orphanage work

 

Our Daily Blog

On the Road - Friday, June 6

We left at 7:00am this morning and we're currently in Lafayette, Louisiana, heading toward Victoria Texas. We're all doing well and God is protecting us on our journey. We're looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us tomorrow!

~ Eric

Buenos Dias! - Sunday, June 8

We had a relaxing time last night as we toured the area. Our students have already devoured the local drink Joyas at Nena's. Nena's is a small store where they can buy food, drinks, and various snacks. We enjoyed Chicken Fettuccini for dinner. After dinner we spent time in worship and went over the rules for the week.

Today we will eat breakfast and then spend most of the morning in training. At noon we will head to the market place to find souvenirs. After the market place we will meet up with the local pastor who will work with us throughout the week. This evening will be filled with community outreach, church service, and feeding the locals.

Please keep us in your prayers. We desire our students to draw close to God and each other. The students have already begun seeing the simplicity of the lifestyle here in Matamoros, MX. God has already begun tearing away at things which do not glorify Him.

~ Eric

Reaching the Community - Monday, June 9

Sunday we spent the morning in training for sports camp, cultural do's and don'ts, vbs, construction, and prayerwalking. In the afternoon we took some time out to visit the market place. Everyone wanted to sell us something.  Several of the students learned pretty quick how to bargain with the people. Everyone enjoyed a chance to get out and see the area.  That evening we headed to the Dios es Amor (our Church for the week). We walked around with the translators to invite the people to the service. We had three students sing songs.  Two people had planned on giving a testimony, but like most services here this one went extremely long. I had the luck of giving an unexpected message. God blessed me with a message while we walked and greeted everyone. Several people came to the altar for forgiveness and prayer. Our students mingled with the people as we fed the community afterwards. It was a wonderful time.

Today we will focus on sports, construction, prayerwalking, and VBS. We are currently headed toward our Concert of Prayer. Please pray that God would continue to open the doors and hearts of the people here. Our students are doing a great job!

~ Eric

Excited about Being Used by God - Wednedsday, June 11

Sorry for missing a day. Our connection would not work. God has really been moving among the ministry here. We have had two people saved over the past two days and one very close to excepting Christ. Our students are very excited about being used by God. These numbers are just from our group alone. VBS went extremely well yesterday. Children loved the illusion tricks, candy, and crafts. They were very engaged with the story. We have already picked out which children we want to bring back home. They are all adorable. All of our students have really stretched since we've been here. It is wonderful to see those who are shy come out of their shell. You should be very proud of your student. So far everyone is doing well. We are getting use to the bathrooms and mosquitos. Food here has been good.

Please keep us in your prayers. Midweek begins to wear us down and we pray that our emotions and spirit are kept high. Pray that God would make Satan powerless during this time. We miss all of you, but know that God has allowed us for such a time as this to proclaim His word.

~ Eric

God Is at Work Despite Malfunctions - Wednedsday Evening, June 11

Around 5:30pm today I found out that there were some malfunctions with the emails for our blogging. I have sent an email to Olive everyday, minus Tuesday. For some reason on Tuesday I could not connect online. When we have been online our sent and received emails have gone through. In addition to this unknown situation our satellite phone has not worked at all here. Needless to say we have sent these blogs to various people in order to confirm they have been sent. Please, please remember on the information sheet there were two blogging websites. AIM has a website they update even if ours is not functioning properly.  You should hear a story or two and even pictures.

Matthew 6:25, 27 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.”

Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid.”

Maybe God is trying to teach us all something by the unknown malfunctions. Please know that your students are doing great. We are all tired, but amazed at God’s beauty and power!!

Today we joined with AIM and reached out to the people around the “Gateway”. This was the first time in fifteen years. Pretty weird how God allows us to see things that have always been right there in our faces.  We had another person except Christ today.  A 16 year old named Leo found “living water” that never ends. Our students have prayed, worked in construction, and enjoyed soccer and softball with the little children.

We have one more day of ministry. Pray that our spirits would be high, our energy strong and our love for the people of Matamoros overwhelming. God has been good during this time.

~ Eric

 

Heading Back - Saturday, June 14

Thursday we sensed God asking us to provide groceries for 3 families. Within those families one lady had accepted Christ because you and your student were found faithful in allowing them to come on the trip. We raised over $300 dollars from our group to split the cost. We also shared Christ with other people and encouraged them to begin attending the local churches. Our students were fabulous this week. We have some really funny stories I'm sure everyone will hear about later. Your student certainly made Olive and your family proud for their hard work and devotion to furthering the gospel.

While traveling yesterday we ran into several accidents that caused us to arrive late at the hotel last night. We had a long drive. Everyone was thankful that we could sleep in a soft bed and flush toilet paper in the toilet. Some students enjoyed swimming in the pool and others relaxed in their rooms. The hotel also had internet problems last night once we arrived and today is the first time it has been working. Our students are ready to get back home. We hope to arrive around 1:00pm today. We will allow your student to call as we get closer. Thank you for your prayers.

~ Eric