CROSSFIRE TESTIMONIES

Here are some testimonies from our last group, Crossfire Youth from Monroeville Assembly

Before I came on this trip I was more selfish than I ever could have been. This trip, the ministries, the orphans, and God's presence has taken a toll on me and humbled me since day one. Ever since the day I came last year this city and their people have had a special place in my heart and I will truly never be the same. - Sarah

One time Maria fell asleep on me. As I was holding her, I was thinking about how she does not have a mother to hold her like I was holding her. I realized how much I love my mom. I was asking God how it was fair that this beautiful little girl does not have a mommy when I have one who loves me so much. I decided to pray for her. As I was praying for her, I realized that God has a plan for her life and He loves her so much. There is a reason why she is here and not with her parents. God will always be there to wrap her in His arms. He loves her even more than any mommy could. - Karil

This trip was amazing. I really enjoyed being around the kids again. It is so amazing to see how much love they can give to you after going through what might be the hardest part of their lives. All the kids are so sweet and always have smiles on their faces that will just brighten up your day. I would love to come back and I had a lot of fun. - Lettie

Being in Mexico blew my mind. I am amazed how these people have so little but are so happy and so thankful for everything we did. It made me have a new outlook on things. - Amy

This was an amazing trip. God was present the whole time. He worked through us and we lead so many people to Christ. He is so amazing and so powerful, anything is possible with Him. He loves everything about these people no matter what. Miracles happened this week and it felt so good to help. - Kaitlyn

This is the third year I have been here and it has been an amazing experience. The dump ministry was amazing. Seeing those people and making them feel loved and encouraged. We gave our shoes and sunglasses away. You could feel the presence of God everywhere we went. I am so happy to be a tool of God. I will most likely be coming back next year and I encourage anyone reading this to do the same. Thank you for everything - Jack

My trip at San Luis was incredible. As soon as we arrived and got out of the vans, the kids were there smiling at us. They are all so full of love. They don't have a whole lot, but were constantly giving me pictures and bracelets we made with them. When they wanted me, the would call out "Amiga!" Also, we did a lot of ministries in the villages. It is so awesome to see people walk away smiling with their beans and rice. We give them hope that there is a God who has everything under control. Also, we went to the woman's rehab center and prayed with the women. Something that really opened up my eyes were the shut-ins. At first I was nervous but God gave me boldness because those people need us. Our prayers were powerful and they were happy to see us. I will never forget their faces. Then we went to the dump. It smelled bad and there were flies. But God loves them and he helped me see the the way he does. I gave a woman the shoes off my feet. Overall, this trip has placed a new compassion in my heart for the needy and a desire to pursue missions and tell others about God. - Natalie

This trip was not what I expected it to be. I didn't think God could use me in such small things, like handing out beans and rice or just by saying Hi to someone. God really touched me on this trip and I feel like God helped me show His love to others. This was my first year coming and it was absolutely an amazing experience and I can't wait to come back. - Veronica

On this trip I learned how much more I could be expanded. I gave an altar call and everything else. God used me as a vessel for the lost. I am glad I came and want to come again. - Joshua

This trip was a real eye opener. It was out of my comfort zone. I know the Lord was weighing upon my heart to come. I needed to see the Lord's work. This was a wonderful experience. Going to the villages and doing the ministries was awesome. I still have a lot to learn. I have lived in a bubble most of my life. I know that the Lord provides. I am living proof of that. I am so glad I came to Mexico. I was scared, but I overcame that. Going to the dump was the best. I was glad to give up what I had. I know I have more where that came from. the Lord is wonderful. He always provides and I would have been going against Him if I would have missed this. - Natalie

This was my second year coming to San Luis, and like last year, I did not know what to expect. About a day after we arrived. One little girl I had become attached to last year went home with her parents, so I was very discouraged and sad. After that, I found a verse in my Bible about the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus and how Jesus saved him when he looked down at the waves and lost trust in Jesus. I felt like that verse was for me, and that I needed to just renew the faith I had in my Jesus, that he would get me through the week after the sadness I experienced. God never fails! Throughout this week God reassured me that I am always in his hands and that his love never fails. He also really showed himself to me at the garbage dump when our group blessed the people there by giving them their shoes. It was awesome to see our whole group standing in our socks in the middle of the garbage dump. I aways have amazing experiences in San Luis and I hope I can come back next year - Katie

TECATE TRIP

We are ready for our 6th trip to the Rotary Plastic Surgery clinics in Tecate. This time Adalberto will be taking 6 patients. Most are through with their major surgeries and are now having details and cleft pallates taken care of. Pray for little Grecia, she is a sweet heart, and this will be her 6th time, and she still has a major issue to deal with. Pray that the doctors have the wisdom and equipment to fix her upper jaw and gums. Here are pictures of all of the patients.

SUMMER LEARNING

Here are some pictures of our girls during their Beauty Workshop, which will be given by a local stylist the next two weeks. She is helping our junior high and high school girls learn different techniques used in the beauty shop. Our elementary aged children from Bethel and Oasis are attending Summer School at our children's pastor Eleazar's school. They are involved in a program of Spanish, Math, Sport and Computers. The older boys of Oasis have a number of workshops going, they just finished the soup kitchen tile, and are working on setting up a woodworking factory which is being sponsored by a local Rotary Club. They have also been doing some metal working projects. A busy Summer for our kids, preparing them for their future.

CROSSFIRE GROUP

Hey Everybody,

We hope you had a good July 4th weekend. I was sick for a while but back in the groove now. Here is a report from our last group of June, Crossfire Youth Group from Monroeville Assembly of God. Pastor Tony, Wendy and their team had a great time of ministry as they painted Bethel, did VBS for the Bethel Kids and ministered throughout San Luis. Both American and Mexican lives were changed. One new thing this group did was go to the Santa Clara Gulf, a small fishing town an hour and a half away San Luis. We ministered in a park in front of the local cathedral and then spent some time at the beach. The ministry was well received by people hungry for the word. Many commented that they need more ministry as drug addiction and alcoholism are a big problem in the town. Enjoy the photos, tomorrow we will have testimonies.

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR GARY

On Wednesday night June 17th the sound of the heavy rain on the Sanctuary roof was so loud I moved my Bible Study to the foyer. As soon as I was set up the power went off, but it came back on so I continued. As I spoke our Youth Pastor came in with his laptop and showed me a tornado warning for our town. Somehow we got through the Bible Study and no tornadoes touched down. Everybody stood around talking and having coffee waiting for the rain to let up, but it never did. Our area recorded 4-5 inches of rain in a 3 hour period. Roads were washed out and people had to be rescued from their cars. All of our folks got home safe except for our Children’s Pastor and his 5 year old daughter. They slept in his office. Renee’ and I drove through some pretty deep water, something you should never do, but we made it and our house on top of a hill was dry as a bone. But hundreds of homes and businesses weren’t as fortunate. Six days later they are still cleaning up. I’ve been frustrated and angry being detoured all over the place just to go a few miles.

But I started thinking about the people in San Luis. I remember one trip where we saw city workers dig a deep trench for a water line. At the end of the day they packed up and left the open hole with no signs or lights to warn drivers. We are blessed to have so much and although we’re inconvienced from time to time by natural disasters, we still have clean water, power and the necessities we need. In Mexico and many other places around the world, these things are luxuries. Thank you for supporting Caring Hearts and remember, You are Blessed. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

God Bless you all.
Pastor Gary

NEWS AND NOTES

Summer has begun in San Luis and it is HOT!!! Right now we are hosting a group from Monroeville Assembly of God, who are painting at Bethel, doing VBS and ministries around San Luis. The kids are out of school and all will be going on to the next grade. Pray for us as we organize and prepare for the next school year while at the same time keeping the children active during the Summer Vacation.

INTERN TESTIMONY

Here is a testimony from our intern this summer. Staci spent 6 weeks teaching English and praise dances to the children and did an excellent job.

I came to Mexico last summer for 1 week and fell in love with it. When I left, I prayed that I would be given the opportunity to come back and see the children that I had come to adore. In January, I got the okay to come back not for one week, but for six weeks! I was so excited! As time came closer, the scare with the drug voilence and swine flu made my parents, and myself, question if this was something I should really be doing. In the end, God made it obvious that it was.
I thought six weeks was so much time. I would come down and teach english classes, play with the kids, and then come home and start my job and move on with my life. But for anyone that has been to San Luis, you understand that its impossible to just "move on" after being there. The kids absolutely changed my life. Classes were difficult and I had moments where I was so frustrated, but at the end of the day, the kids won my heart. God taught me a lot about what it means to be a teacher in school but also about teaching others about His love. Loving those kids made me see just how much God loves us and how big our God truly is.

MORE GRADUATIONS

A number of Caring Hearts children graduated different levels this week. Some of our 6th graders finished elementary school from Eden, and we also had some preschoolers graduate from Kindergarten. Laura finished her time of Elementary school as well, with a perfect A+ report card. Enjoy the pictures.

KENDI'S GRADUATION

Kendi Blose graduated from Preschool with a great ceremony. Enjoy it all with this video:

ROSITA'S GRADUATION

Rosita, a long time resident of Bethel, graduated Junior High School this year. Here is a video of her receiving her diploma. We thank God that He is working in her life.
Papa Harold was able to attend and proudly observe his "daughter" make this next step in her life.