It is such a blessing to be involved in a ministry that God is using! It is a joy to see the people of the church begin to reach out and really care for others. Let me give you an example.
A few months ago a family in our city experienced a tragedy that no one should have to experience. Their father and husband (a police chief) was murdered right in front of their eyes by assailants as the family played at a neighborhood park. This man leaves behind his wife and 4 children ages 6 or so up to 14. As you can imagine the children and wife are struggling mightily.
One of the ladies from our church is a hair dresser and one of her clients is the wife I have mentioned. Well our church member reached out to her and invited her to a ladies retreat that was held about a month ago. At this retreat the now widow gave her heart to Christ! She has now started to come to church with her kids and the older 2 kids have also started to come to youth on Saturday! It is such an emotional thing for me to see this family in church on Sundays learning about Christ in the midst of their heartache.
God is so good, he can bring new life out of tragedies! Please pray for this family. They are going to need much love and support and I believe the body of Jesus Christ - the Church - needs to meet these needs. Please pray that our church accepts them, loves them, and shows them Jesus.
God is working!
Have a look at what the Elliott's are up to in Northern Mexico
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
fun surprise
Finally the rains have begun! We are desperate here in Hermosillo for rain! We have been on water rashens since I can't remember when (close to a year maybe). We have city water from about 2pm till 10pm. In the morning there is no water pressure but we do get a dribble from our resevior on the roof which fills with city water when there is city water. They keep saying that once the summer rains come the water situation will improve. Well it has been raining off and on this week. Along with the rains though come problems.
On Tuesday I was informed that we had a waterfall coming from the roof of the church and pouring right into the Sunday School rooms. So I was up on the roof in the rain trying to patch up the holes with duct tape and silicon! Went back today in the rain to check on the patch job and it is holding nicely till it can be fixed permanently!
The biggest surprise of all though was a rat! Yes that is right, a rat, in our shower no less! The drain cover has not been screwed down in sometime as the screws rusted out. We have been covering the drain with a rubbermaid small container because of sewer smell. Sheri was in our room and she thought she heard something in the shower, scratching on plastic. So she peeked in and sure enough there was a rat in the rubbermaid container with was upside down over the drain cover! The container is semi transparent so she could see that it was indeed a rat! Sheri called me and I realized that the rat must have pushed the drain cover out of place and then once it was under the container, the drain cover fell back into place and trapped the rat! So I put my foot on it and after considering the possibilities (broom in hand ready for battle) I slowly moved the container away from the drain (rat underneath the container) and then removed the drain cover and slowly replaced the container over the shower drain. The rat escaped with his life and I didn't have to kill a rat!
Now to find some small screws to fix that cover on!
On Tuesday I was informed that we had a waterfall coming from the roof of the church and pouring right into the Sunday School rooms. So I was up on the roof in the rain trying to patch up the holes with duct tape and silicon! Went back today in the rain to check on the patch job and it is holding nicely till it can be fixed permanently!
The biggest surprise of all though was a rat! Yes that is right, a rat, in our shower no less! The drain cover has not been screwed down in sometime as the screws rusted out. We have been covering the drain with a rubbermaid small container because of sewer smell. Sheri was in our room and she thought she heard something in the shower, scratching on plastic. So she peeked in and sure enough there was a rat in the rubbermaid container with was upside down over the drain cover! The container is semi transparent so she could see that it was indeed a rat! Sheri called me and I realized that the rat must have pushed the drain cover out of place and then once it was under the container, the drain cover fell back into place and trapped the rat! So I put my foot on it and after considering the possibilities (broom in hand ready for battle) I slowly moved the container away from the drain (rat underneath the container) and then removed the drain cover and slowly replaced the container over the shower drain. The rat escaped with his life and I didn't have to kill a rat!
Now to find some small screws to fix that cover on!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Prayer Request
Hello everyone. These days are busy times for the EFCCM missionaires in Hermosillo! We are currently hosting 2 summer youth teams from Western Canada. One team is from Osler Saskatchewan and the other is from 3 Hills Alberta. The kids club that we are doing along with outreach at 2 different orphanages and some outreach into poor neighborhoods here in the city makes for full days!
Please pray that God works in the hearts of the youth and their leaders who are here until next Tuesday. I have the privilege of speaking to these groups 4 times and my prayer is that God would use those messages and the practical times of serving outside of their comfort zone while they are here to move them from being Believers into being Disciples. Jesus called us to make Disciples, not Believers, there is a big difference. So pray that they would be challenged and go home different people, and that those differences would last so that they might reach out more effectively back in Canada as well. I feel like we are able to have some influence not only here in Northern Mexico but also in Canada through the teams that come. It is a unique ministry and we are blessed to be part of it!
Thanks for standing with us in prayer!
Lane
Please pray that God works in the hearts of the youth and their leaders who are here until next Tuesday. I have the privilege of speaking to these groups 4 times and my prayer is that God would use those messages and the practical times of serving outside of their comfort zone while they are here to move them from being Believers into being Disciples. Jesus called us to make Disciples, not Believers, there is a big difference. So pray that they would be challenged and go home different people, and that those differences would last so that they might reach out more effectively back in Canada as well. I feel like we are able to have some influence not only here in Northern Mexico but also in Canada through the teams that come. It is a unique ministry and we are blessed to be part of it!
Thanks for standing with us in prayer!
Lane
Monday, June 7, 2010
Analyzing
We recently returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon with our team-mates the Neufelds. The purpose of the trip was 3 fold. 1) Take a bit of a breather 2) Get reacquainted with some good friends from Paraguay (US missionaries who we served with there), 3) purchase some items in order to remodel the current youth room so that it will double as a Youth Drop In Centre.
It was great to get away and just relax for a week or so. Life and ministry here can get quite hectic with the many needs that exist. There are highs higher than we could have imagined - emotionally, spiritually - but then come the lows as well. All in all, we wouldn't trade our life and ministry here for anything. God is using this ministry and those that are involved with it and we are privileged to be a part of it!
One thing that has become part of my life that tends to drive me crazy is analyzing. Anyone who knows me knows that is the case. Sheri generally analyzes enough for both of us! However I have found myself analyzing many ministry decisions that we make. For example take the Youth Room I mentioned above. The vision is to make a nicer room and put some things in it that will hopefully attract the teenagers from the area around the church (the ones who respond tend to be those of the lower economic class) and get our Church Youth motivated to reach out to them, spend time with them and lead them to Christ. This all sounds well and fine but as I was purchasing some of the items we are furnishing the youth room with, I found myself wondering if I had gone off track. This ministry shouldn't be about "things" I told myself. Do we really need "nice stuff" in order to get the unsaved in the church? Can't the Holy Spirit bring them in without the "stuff" I wondered? Of course the answer is a resounding “no he doesn’t need the stuff to do His work”! Yet as long as our hearts are in the right spot concerning the “stuff” isn’t that what is most important? Our focus needs to be on Him, not on the stuff. However what are we saying to the kids who come from a lower economic reality? Might they think that church is for richer people who have nice things? That is a risk I suppose even though our hearts are to bless them and spend time with them in hopes of leading them to the Saviour.
These are the internal battles I have almost on a daily basis.
Then there is another reality that we face weekly if not more frequently. We have gotten to know some families from the same poor area close to the church. It has been exciting to get to know them a bit and plant seeds in their lives and even see some of those seeds begin to grow. We are realizing at the same time that these people live in another sub-culture of their own, one that we know almost nothing about. It is hard enough to understand a culture that isn’t our own (Mexican culture in this case) but then add to it their sub-culture and it can be overwhelming. These people have some resources and can be industrious if they need to be. At the same time they know how to ask and are used to receiving as well.
I have done considerable reading and research on “How to Help Without Hurting” this lower economic class of people and let me tell you, IT IS COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT! Just today I received a call from one family in that area asking me to come to the hospital and if I would pay for medication for one of their daughters who just had a baby. The word was that it was serious and both mom and baby were in danger of dying. I called our friend Marcella and Sheri as well, (since they both have had more contact with the family than I have had) and off they went. Even now they are at the hospital ready to pay for medicine (even though now we find out it isn’t as urgent as first thought – something I suspected from the beginning). Earlier in the day as they were waiting at the hospital with the family, the request was made for lunch. So off Sheri went to buy chicken, the whole time wondering how necessary it was. Yes they hadn’t eaten yet but that is nothing new for them. Often they go without meals because there is little to no money around. In this families case part of the reason is because the money is spent on illegal drugs to feed their habits.
So you begin to ask yourself, “Am I enabling them to continue in their drug habit even though I am simply trying to help them and show Christ’s mercy to them by buying some chicken”? I told Sheri to be generous in so far as meeting the urgent needs. The extras really need to be looked after by the family. They do have some resources and can be industrious if need be but if we just hand over what they are asking for, then we rob them of their ability to be industrious. The question is where is the line between helping them help themselves in healthy ways and maybe just being cheap? I really don’t think we are cheap and I don’t want others to view us that way either so sometimes I might give more than I really should and by extension, do something for someone that they really could have done for themselves inadvertently rob them of dignity.
Do you see what I mean when I say that helping the materially poor can be complex and difficult? Just like many requests are made of us, let us make one plea to you now. PLEASE PRAY FOR US! We need Christ’s wisdom!
At the end of the day we are blessed to be here as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we are blessed to have you on our team! Thanks for praying!
Lane and Sheri
It was great to get away and just relax for a week or so. Life and ministry here can get quite hectic with the many needs that exist. There are highs higher than we could have imagined - emotionally, spiritually - but then come the lows as well. All in all, we wouldn't trade our life and ministry here for anything. God is using this ministry and those that are involved with it and we are privileged to be a part of it!
One thing that has become part of my life that tends to drive me crazy is analyzing. Anyone who knows me knows that is the case. Sheri generally analyzes enough for both of us! However I have found myself analyzing many ministry decisions that we make. For example take the Youth Room I mentioned above. The vision is to make a nicer room and put some things in it that will hopefully attract the teenagers from the area around the church (the ones who respond tend to be those of the lower economic class) and get our Church Youth motivated to reach out to them, spend time with them and lead them to Christ. This all sounds well and fine but as I was purchasing some of the items we are furnishing the youth room with, I found myself wondering if I had gone off track. This ministry shouldn't be about "things" I told myself. Do we really need "nice stuff" in order to get the unsaved in the church? Can't the Holy Spirit bring them in without the "stuff" I wondered? Of course the answer is a resounding “no he doesn’t need the stuff to do His work”! Yet as long as our hearts are in the right spot concerning the “stuff” isn’t that what is most important? Our focus needs to be on Him, not on the stuff. However what are we saying to the kids who come from a lower economic reality? Might they think that church is for richer people who have nice things? That is a risk I suppose even though our hearts are to bless them and spend time with them in hopes of leading them to the Saviour.
These are the internal battles I have almost on a daily basis.
Then there is another reality that we face weekly if not more frequently. We have gotten to know some families from the same poor area close to the church. It has been exciting to get to know them a bit and plant seeds in their lives and even see some of those seeds begin to grow. We are realizing at the same time that these people live in another sub-culture of their own, one that we know almost nothing about. It is hard enough to understand a culture that isn’t our own (Mexican culture in this case) but then add to it their sub-culture and it can be overwhelming. These people have some resources and can be industrious if they need to be. At the same time they know how to ask and are used to receiving as well.
I have done considerable reading and research on “How to Help Without Hurting” this lower economic class of people and let me tell you, IT IS COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT! Just today I received a call from one family in that area asking me to come to the hospital and if I would pay for medication for one of their daughters who just had a baby. The word was that it was serious and both mom and baby were in danger of dying. I called our friend Marcella and Sheri as well, (since they both have had more contact with the family than I have had) and off they went. Even now they are at the hospital ready to pay for medicine (even though now we find out it isn’t as urgent as first thought – something I suspected from the beginning). Earlier in the day as they were waiting at the hospital with the family, the request was made for lunch. So off Sheri went to buy chicken, the whole time wondering how necessary it was. Yes they hadn’t eaten yet but that is nothing new for them. Often they go without meals because there is little to no money around. In this families case part of the reason is because the money is spent on illegal drugs to feed their habits.
So you begin to ask yourself, “Am I enabling them to continue in their drug habit even though I am simply trying to help them and show Christ’s mercy to them by buying some chicken”? I told Sheri to be generous in so far as meeting the urgent needs. The extras really need to be looked after by the family. They do have some resources and can be industrious if need be but if we just hand over what they are asking for, then we rob them of their ability to be industrious. The question is where is the line between helping them help themselves in healthy ways and maybe just being cheap? I really don’t think we are cheap and I don’t want others to view us that way either so sometimes I might give more than I really should and by extension, do something for someone that they really could have done for themselves inadvertently rob them of dignity.
Do you see what I mean when I say that helping the materially poor can be complex and difficult? Just like many requests are made of us, let us make one plea to you now. PLEASE PRAY FOR US! We need Christ’s wisdom!
At the end of the day we are blessed to be here as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we are blessed to have you on our team! Thanks for praying!
Lane and Sheri
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Old Has Gone the New Has Come!
I have started a Bible Study for new believers in our church. Each Tuesday night we go through a workbook that leads through the basic foundations of the Christian faith. It is a blessing from God that we are able to offer this study as we indeed have new believers in our church! Thank you Lord!
Yesterday was the 2nd time we have done the study. At one point I looked around the table and realized who was sitting there studying the Bible with me. On my right, a young man of 26 or so who gave his life to the Lord about a month ago. He was the leader of a small gang who were involved in petty crime as well as much drinking and drug abuse. In fact he is right now struggling to overcome his addictions and "dry out". Next to him a friend of a year and a half who also has come out of a life of drug abuse and even living on the streets. He is maturing in his faith and beginning to lead others in the ways of the Lord!
Next to him sat a new friend of a few months. He is close to 50 and he as well has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He gave his life to God about 2 months ago and is truly becoming a new creation in Christ! He is eager to read his Bible and recently told me, "I have read the Bible before but I never remembered what I read and it didn't really make sense to me. Now I am begining to understand it and I never I thought I would enjoy going to church but I really do enjoy it now!"
Then between he and I sat another new friend. He made a commitment to Christ a year ago or so but I have only got to know him in the last 3 weeks. He is still a babe in Christ as we would say, having very little to no knowledge of the Bible. He too has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He is currently waiting for a kidney transplant as his kidneys have shut down completely even though he is only 25 years old! Please pray for a donor! It is wonderful to see the light go on in him when I explain spiritual truths to him!
All but one of these men have spent much time in prison. They know who they were, and now they are begining to see who they are becoming and who they really are in Jesus. We read a page full of "who you are in Christ" descriptions with bible verses listed. It was such a blessing to hear them each pick out one or two of the descriptions of who they are in Jesus and explain why it was important to them.
Jesus is truly transforming these men! All glory be to Him! And I get to be a part of it! What a blessing!
Please pray for these 4 men. They still have their struggles and temptations are around every corner here. They need your prayers! Thank you for partnering with us!
Lane
Yesterday was the 2nd time we have done the study. At one point I looked around the table and realized who was sitting there studying the Bible with me. On my right, a young man of 26 or so who gave his life to the Lord about a month ago. He was the leader of a small gang who were involved in petty crime as well as much drinking and drug abuse. In fact he is right now struggling to overcome his addictions and "dry out". Next to him a friend of a year and a half who also has come out of a life of drug abuse and even living on the streets. He is maturing in his faith and beginning to lead others in the ways of the Lord!
Next to him sat a new friend of a few months. He is close to 50 and he as well has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He gave his life to God about 2 months ago and is truly becoming a new creation in Christ! He is eager to read his Bible and recently told me, "I have read the Bible before but I never remembered what I read and it didn't really make sense to me. Now I am begining to understand it and I never I thought I would enjoy going to church but I really do enjoy it now!"
Then between he and I sat another new friend. He made a commitment to Christ a year ago or so but I have only got to know him in the last 3 weeks. He is still a babe in Christ as we would say, having very little to no knowledge of the Bible. He too has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He is currently waiting for a kidney transplant as his kidneys have shut down completely even though he is only 25 years old! Please pray for a donor! It is wonderful to see the light go on in him when I explain spiritual truths to him!
All but one of these men have spent much time in prison. They know who they were, and now they are begining to see who they are becoming and who they really are in Jesus. We read a page full of "who you are in Christ" descriptions with bible verses listed. It was such a blessing to hear them each pick out one or two of the descriptions of who they are in Jesus and explain why it was important to them.
Jesus is truly transforming these men! All glory be to Him! And I get to be a part of it! What a blessing!
Please pray for these 4 men. They still have their struggles and temptations are around every corner here. They need your prayers! Thank you for partnering with us!
Lane
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