KNOWLEDGE FAIR

The children from Caring Hearts who are attending the Kino Elementary school are participating in a Knowledge fair this week.  It is a chance to show things they are learning in their English and Spanish classes to their parents and guardians.  Here are some pictures from the 2nd Graders participation.

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR GARY

Ephesians 5:1-2

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in

the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a

fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If you really like someone you tend to, at least in some small way, emulate them; you want to be like them. Down through the decades I can remember the fads and fashions inspired by celebrities and other people in the public eye.

We all have old pictures of ourselves with hair styles and clothing that make us cringe when we see them. Why? Because they have gone out of style and that which once looked cool and contemporary now looks ridiculous. You never have to worry about that if the one you are imitating is Jesus. Of course it’s not a physical similarity that we’re called to have. God doesn’t expect us to grown long hair and a beard and wear a robe and sandals. It is a replication of character, a conforming to a standard no other human has ever displayed. If you are going to reflect Christ you have to “Live a life of Love”, not a life of selfishness, greed, anger or ignorance. Jesus showed the love of God in everything He did and every word He spoke. What greater love could a person have than to offer His life as a sacrifice to God?

When you serve through Caring Hearts, whether you are feeding hungry people in the villages, or caring for children at the orphanage, singing, preaching or building, you offer yourself to God and your deeds of kindness rise up to Him as a sweet fragrance. This month is the Medical Mission trip that brings healing to the soul as well as the body.

Please pray for all those going and serving and for those poor souls in pain waiting for a healing in their life. As you do, imagine God taking a deep breath inhaling the sweet aroma of the offerings being made.

God Bless you All

Pastor Gary

GOAL BALL

The folks from the blind center are learning a sport for the blind called goal ball.  It consisted of bowling a bell filled medicine ball at three players on the other side of a basket ball court.  They must listen and dive to stop the ball.  Here are some pictures from a recent practice.  They are planning a national tournament right here in San Luis next month.  

MEDICAL CLINIC REPORT

October 5-10 we held our annual medical clinic.  We were in two locations each day and provided medical, dental, chiropractic and optical care.  We also preached the gospel to each person who went through the clinic and gave out food and New Testaments.  This year we saw 3,740 patients and gave out 4912 different treatments.  Praise the Lord, we registered 498 salvations.  God moved in many ways and the people of San Luis were blessed.

SEBASTIAN REGISTERED

After 11 years of waiting, Sebastian was finally registered thanks to the work of Ines, Adalberto and the folks at Social Services.  His parents showed no interest in doing this simple procedure, and we had tried different channels till we finally found a way to legitimately make him a Mexican.  So meet Sebastian Montoya Balderas, 11 year old Mexican from San Luis Rio Colorado.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

The Bethel kids who are part of the education initiative started school today.  Here are some pictures

 

2nd Graders Kitzia, Kassandra y Eliza

 4th Graders Magali, Karla and Vanessa with a new friend.

6th Grader Dulce

3rd Graders Alberto and Alex

 

 First Grader Luis

First Day Assembly.

6th Graders Ricardo and Sebastian

Director Altagracia motivates the crowd.

First Day Assembly

OASIS BOYS - CABINET MAKERS!

This summer I threw down the gauntlet for Pedro and the boys...build some cabinets for Marcelo.  They took up the challenge and successfully completed and hung the cabinets.  Here are some pictures of the finished work.

They are now working on a new sink for the group kitchen bathroom.  We thank God that Pedro and the boys have learned carpentry and have added that to their list of skills that will help them in the future.

RED ZONE TESTIMONIES

Here are some testimonies from the third group we hosted this Summer, along with some pictures.

Visiting the Blind Center

 

Movie Night at the Sombra Church

Ministering in the Rehab Center

Praying in the Rehab Center

God is working and moving in mighty ways! What a privilege and an honor to be included in this ministry. This week, I learned more than ever that once you’re a Christian, this life is not about us. It is about being used by God to reach a lost world for Jesus. He has bought us at a price, and what a joy it is to submit to being used by Him to be His hands and feet. If it is His will, I hope to return very soon. Soli Deo Gloria! – Brad 

Kids Ministry during Movie Night.  

This trip marks a declaration I have made to God. I desire to give Him everything. Every moment, Every breath. When we were traveling down here I realized that I was using this trip to run away from the mess that is my life at home. I felt so overwhelmed by all my problems. But this week, God shifted my focus. He used the many amazing experiences to touch my heart and make me realize that it is not about me… it is about Him. Seeing the lives of the people in San Luis and their hardship gave me a better perspective of the miniscule trials that I have in my own life. Through the empowering of Christ that I received here, I am eager to return and see God heal my life as I give it all to Him. – Brittany

Crowd arrives for movie night. 

This was my second trip to Caring Hearts orphanage and once again I have been blessed! The people of San Luis are gracious and loving, even though I came to minister to them they ministered to me. Thank you all for allowing me to come and share life with you this week. Dios le Bendiga! – Rebecca 

Prayer time during street ministry. 

I came down here excited to see everyone for my 5^th trip. I expected to know what we would be doing and have fun doing it. Unfortunately, I ended up with an ear infection making everything much more challenging. Regardless this was my favorite of my 5 trips and I’m blessed to have gotten to serve with such an awesome group of people. – Brittany 

Sharing the word in the street. 

I came on this trip to conquer my fears of opening up what God has placed on my heart. Learning that is the attack of the enemy. I don’t have to worry about anyone judging me. We have al been there at least one time or another. Holding back when I may have something little to say and it could be a blessing somehow in a major way. I had no idea what o expect on this trip but I can tell you that I’ve shared, loved, matured and ultimately have grown close to the Lord. This is what it’s all about building His Kingdom. Losing myself in the Lord and Loving it! – Brandy 

Visiting Shut Ins

This was my second time and I am yet again blown away by the amazing time I have had. God has shown me miraculous things I had been asking to see, salvations staying in the spirit and more. I have disappointed myself with not being fully free of fear in speaking to people but there was victory for me to share with the Rehab center and the women’s jail.  I love the children with all my heart and the have a part of me here in San Luis. God bless the beautiful children of God from San Luis – Joanna 

Painting Oasis. 

Everytime I am here, something new grabs my attention. This year it was shut-in ministry. These people are truly needy and benefit greatly from our visits. I’m not sure if they are gaining all the benefits, though, because I learn something about myself and how God prompts my heart with a leaning for His people. Of all the wonderful things Caring Hearts does in San Luis, the shut-ins is one of my favorite ministries. – Kay

Painting Oasis

I went to the drug rehab center with about 5 other people from our group. At the beginning of a testimony Mario asked to see the hands who were “forced” to come to listen to us speak. About 6-8 people raised their hands. After we all shared we asked those who wanted to accept Christ as their King to raise their hands and almost all of those who were “forced” to come raised their hands, along with about 20 other people. This showed me how awesome and powerful our God is. I saw 30 or more people come up and ask for prayer. It really blessed me and impacted me in a way that is hard to explain. Exodus 15:11 “Who among the gods is like you, o Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” – Victoria 

RHODE ISLAND TESTIMONIES

Whew!!!!  A long busy summer is coming to a close, in one week the kids will be back in school.  I can finally get caught up with reports on this blog.  Today we have some testimonies from our newest group from Victory Assembly of God in Providence, Rhode Island.  Enjoy their pictures and thoughts on their time here.

Ministry on the East Side of Town. 

This trip was more diverse than any I’ve been on. We came with open minds and open hearts, we went from place to place and not only was our first mission to bless the people of Mexico, but the people and especially the children of Mexico blessed us. We grew close with all of the kids and learn how to trust each other. I am really glad the trip wasn’t one aspect of missions, but it was diverse and that made it special. –Phil 

Ministry in the Dump

This missions trip to Mexico was the best trip I went on out Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The children became so attached to us and I smiled every second I was with them. One of the best moments on the missions trip was the men’s rehab. When we went these couple of them shared their testimonies. Vicente was one of the men who shared. He wanted to open another rehab center around the area. Another highlight of the trip is when Adalberto shared his testimony with the team. His testimony made me very very thankful of what I have back home and all my parents do for me. –Brenny 

Painting the Kino School

This missions trip was a blessing because it was different from the other missions trip I have been on. The difference was the kids and I really liked that factor because we blessed the children so much with our ministry that they clinged to us as if we were family. But I have come to realize that we all are family and helping our brothers and sisters come to know the Lord and encouraging them to like the Christian life should be done every day and that is why I am thankful for this opportunity to do missions. I loved the smiles and seeing the joy in them. Those actions had told me that we have done God’s will. – Brian

Praying in the Streets

Coming to Bethel was an awesome experience for me. I felt that all the places we were taken made a difference in my life. The opportunity to pray for people and meet them was a blessing. Just to be able to love on the kids and receive love from them gave me more of God’s compassion for those who are hurting. The staff blessed us with their testimonies and gave me a bigger measure of faith to keep on going. – Rosamy 

VBS with the Bethel Kids

I will try to be brief. There is so much to give Glory to God for. I work in full time ministry. I am a licensed minister with the A/G. I work with drug addicts, with families in crisis. I got very comfortable in my routine, and during this time, my vision expanded and my heart melted before God, For He is a consuming fire. Never cried so much in a week, since I have been with Caring Hearts, God has truly blessed me, by giving me much of His heart, compassion and urgency to continue to pour out my life for His Kingdom. I love the people here, Ken, Juana, Isabella, Adalberto, Marcelo, and of course the Niños. I thank God for the encouragement they give to me, just by sharing their lives. I am very excited to bring a team back here from Teen Challenge, praying will be a blessing to this ministry. – Tabatha 

Kids praying in the street.

When we went to the shut-ins I really liked the whole concept of the ministry. It felt good knowing we went out of our way to go to them. One of the woman, she had breast cancer, I specially felt like she really was touched. I was able to pray for her in English, and by the end she was crying and we hadn’t even translated it. To me, that goes to show how God’s power presence is not hindered by any language barrier. – Hanna

Painting the Kino School.

Typically at home I’m very involved in children’s ministry. But I was very blessed to come here and have the opportunity to be involved in so much more. I was particularly blessed at the woman’s rehab center. After performing a skit my team and I prepared, a woman approached one of our team members and with tears in her eyes told us that she had personally done that drama 5 times but now she finally understood what it meant. Being out of my element (at the rehab center doing the drama) was definitely a stretching experience that truly blessed me!! Thanks Caring Hearts – Rebecca

Talking to folks in the street. 

I really would like to thank God for letting me have a first missions experience like I had there with Caring Hearts. God is definitely here and his presence fills this place daily. One experience I really enjoyed was the last Church service we had here at Bethel. God spoke to me by sending a messenger to tell me to continue to do great things because He is expected to do great things in my life. I love the kids, love the atmosphere and love the food! Would like to thank everyone at Caring Hearts and Bethel for a well done first missions trip for me. Never going to forget what a blessing it was waking up and hearing the sounds of the kids laughing and playing. Great memory and I pray God bless you all abundantly. – Brittany

Ministry in the Rehab Center

Where do I begin: The first Church service where one of the children, Danielito climbed up on my lap and fell asleep. He woke my heart. But I guess it would have to be at the Men’s rehab when we gathered in backyard and shared testimonies and scriptures and after sharing a passage of Scripture one of the men gave testimony and said how the Word confirmed what God had been speaking to him. We had a time of prayer and the power of God was so powerful! The next night a few of them came to service at Bethel. The last day we dropped off some package and said how blessed they were to see us and hear the Word of the Lord. It was just a God thing all the way! Awesome Ministry have Caring Hearts- Staff are the best. love the Lord with all their hearts and are humble servants! Thank you for allowing us to come alongside with you! Blessings – Maureen

Bethel VBS

Handing out candy in the street.