The Dog Days of Summer ...

So school is in full swing, the dog days of summer are fading away (okay maybe not in Monterrey yet), and our summer vacations are a distant memory.

Well, we want to take you back there. Do you have a minute?

Now stick with me for a second, don't start day-dreaming about your vacation. We want to fill you in on how the weeks of vacation bible school and ministry went this summer in Mexico. Whether you realize it or not, these are a part of your summer story too. By partnering with us and praying for this ministry, you too are a part of this story.

We had the privilege of hosting 2 summer interns, Patrice and Aubrey for 5 weeks. Together with Isabel and Debora Soto, Heather, Ian and Tyler, we all saw Jesus working in the lives of the Mexican children in 2 different communities.

One community is of children who come from "Las Calles Escondidas" or the hidden streets. This ministry is exciting because the children know very little or nothing about Jesus. Imagine, although it's hard for some of us, what it was like to first hear about Jesus through songs, stories & dramas. Exciting, strange, new...... but you know this new treasure is arriving at the hearts of children when weeks later you see them in the supermarket and they say, "we want to hear more of what you talked about Debora." Since we needed to move from our old home near these streets, we're looking into the best way to follow up with weekly small groups. We'll keep you posted!

Another place you'll have to visit if you come on a short term team (hint-hint) is a community called Nueva Almaguer. We are focusing most of our efforts here in this marginalized urban community. Life here is tough. Alcohol, drugs, and gangs have a strong hold on the community. What saddens our hearts as well is there is no healthy church responding to the physical and spiritual needs of the community. We have been building relationships in the community since March and with the help of Patrice and Aubrey and the team we held 2 intensive weeks of vacation bible school and English classes. The response was great and around 80 children and youth responded in part by wanting to continue. We are working with a small church and pastor in the area to help equip the church to BE the church and eventually train them in this and other ministry roles like Community Health Evangelism. Please pray for the community of Nueva Almaguer! We see great challenges but excellent opportunities for God to be God. Best of all we see Jesus already working here and we are glad to be a part of it with you.

Thank you for "spending some of your dog days of summer" with your hearts, support and prayers here with us in Monterrey, Mexico!

Keep blessing God!

Steve for the Wilsons