This past Sunday a family we've been getting to know opened up a corner grocery store by our house. It's been interesting to follow the process. On Sunday as we drove home from church we noticed the extended family in the shop with a priest blessing the site. After we unloaded the car, they graciously invited us to join them for their celebration meal. We were privileged to enjoy our first "tostadas de pata", that is, boiled (we think) pig's feet. If you want to know, it tastes kind of like chicken. Ha, ha. No such luck. Try really tough, rubbery, white, tasteless jello cooked with onions, with cream over the top. In sports, that's known as "taking one for the team"! But the point of the story isn't that we ate pig's feet. It's that we hope to be able to build on a good initial relationship with the family--particularly Barbara-Lee with the mom, who has come to the cooking class/Bible study. Their teenage son is one of our regulars at youth group on Monday night. They will be open 6 AM-9 PM, probably 7 days a week, with the mom and dad operating the store. So Barbara-Lee will be trying to do some sort of visiting with the mom in the store. But, of course, we couldn't let eating pig's feet go unmentioned!
Speaking of pig's feet (haven't you always wanted to open a paragraph that way?), we did NOT eat them for our Noche Mexicana in September! We did have very good food, a good program, and almost 70 people. Christian (one of our pastors) shared the gospel effectively, and we established contact with many visitors. Thank you for your prayers. You can look at photos of the event on our website, here. The youth group is going well. We have gone youth rock-climbing--a mom came along, and asked about baptism for her youngest son, played soccer at the local soccer field--and met some new kids, and last night there were almost 20 kids (including five U.S. visitors). The encouraging thing about last night was that Leandro, one of the young men, entirely led the lesson time. There are more things going on than would be worth listing here: discipleships, ladies Bible study, a meeting with younger women, young couples, at Madero University. We are thankful for victories the Lord gives (visitors who come, strides forward in people's lives, new relationships), and always wanting to see Him do more.
One area that we hope to see more in is an opportunity at a local university campus. Two young ladies in our church teach there and we would love to see the Lord open the doors for ministry opportunities. Our friends report having students with every material advantage but who lack any spiritual or moral foundations in their lives (sound familiar). We met with another Christian group a few weeks ago to discuss partnering with them in reaching students and are currently working through some ideas to provide a needed service at the school. We are excited at the opportunities there and the need is certainly great. So we are praying and waiting on the Lord to open the doors.
PRAISE
1. The success of the Noche Mexicana.
2. The Hudsons have returned. It is good to be working with our experienced co-workers!
3. Drew's Spanish speaking skills!
PRAYER
1. For the university opportunity. Please pray for the Lord's leading.
2. For friendships and opportunities at Drew's school. We've been able to meet some parents.
3. For the "Dia de Campo" (Picnic Day) on October 30. Pray that many visitors will come and get to know our group.
4. For the couples' group. There is great need for young couples to build a biblical foundation to their marriage. They don't always see that need, though. Pray that God will move in hearts and bring young couples to know Him.
Finally, we're really seeing how important patience is. We want to meet people and start studying the Bible with them right away. But we're seeing that it really takes a long time, and even sometimes just the right circumstances for people to respond to those sorts of invitations. Patience isn't just for when your stuck at a traffic light (it's pretty important then, too!). Patience is also being faithful in our work and waiting for the Lord to work in people's hearts. After all, HE is the One who changes people, not Tim & Barbara-Lee Glessner.
Mark 4:26-29. Follow the link or look it up!
Thank you for YOUR patience with all the pig's feet talk!
In Christ,
Tim, Barbara-Lee, and Drew
Drew's Vocab Quiz
Previous1. abajo= under 2. se cayó= (something) fell down 3. espada= sword 4. refresco= pop (soda for some of you)
New Words1. ¿vas con nosotros? 2. ¿quieres mi paleta? 3. ¡Soy un monstruo! 4. brooma
mexico@theglessners.org
http://www.theglessners.org
Mailing address:
APDO 1072
Puebla, Pue. MEXICO
C.P. 72000
Phone: 011 (522) 222-48-50-07
Speaking of pig's feet (haven't you always wanted to open a paragraph that way?), we did NOT eat them for our Noche Mexicana in September! We did have very good food, a good program, and almost 70 people. Christian (one of our pastors) shared the gospel effectively, and we established contact with many visitors. Thank you for your prayers. You can look at photos of the event on our website, here. The youth group is going well. We have gone youth rock-climbing--a mom came along, and asked about baptism for her youngest son, played soccer at the local soccer field--and met some new kids, and last night there were almost 20 kids (including five U.S. visitors). The encouraging thing about last night was that Leandro, one of the young men, entirely led the lesson time. There are more things going on than would be worth listing here: discipleships, ladies Bible study, a meeting with younger women, young couples, at Madero University. We are thankful for victories the Lord gives (visitors who come, strides forward in people's lives, new relationships), and always wanting to see Him do more.