Justiano

On the outer part of Autlan, there's a migrant worker camp. About 200 Indian workers live there. Each family gets one small room, and inside, there's hardly anything. The women cook in barrels outside their room, there's only one mens and one womens bathroom that everyone has to share. You have to go and get your own water, garbage is everywhere, kids runaround dirty, with no shoes, and unsupervised as their fathers work in the fields, and their mothers cook.

Going to the migrant worker camp is an eye opening experience, but also a heart breaking one. There's many ways to serve there, but its rough.

Since we moved to Autlan we've gone out there with groups to play with the little kids, give them candy, and try our best to share the love of Christ with them in the process.

The first year or so that I went out there, all the kids looked the same. They would tell me their names, but I couldn't ever remember them, and I'd be lucky if I recognized them from the week before. Not because I didn't care about them, or want to show them that I love them, but because I didn't really know them personally, and I hadn't spent the time to get to know each one of them personally.

About 7 months ago, my mom and Barbara started a womens Bible study on Tuesday afternoons. After we would play with the kids, and through that I began to be able to remember some of the kids names, and begin to get to know some of their personalities on a more personal note. I really enjoyed and was happy that they knew who I was, and looked forward to when I came.

Then, the California group came. One of the main ministries they did intheir time here was they held a VBS for the children at the camp. Beau, Chloe and I were leaders for the 7-9 year olds. We had a group of about 13 kids each day, and I had the greatest time getting to know that group of kids. In no time at all we knew who our two or three trouble makers were, and we knew which ones really were there to listen and wanted to behave. One of those kids, who I could tell was different then the rest from the very beginning was Justiano.

Justiano (left), Salvador (right)

Justiano is 8(?) years old, and has the cutest smile of all time. He's just lost his two front teeth.

He's the oldest in his family, and has two younger brothers. His littlest brother is just 1 year old, and Justiano takes care of him a lot.

At VBS each day we would learn a verse, and Justiano loved it. If we didn't give him his own copy of the verse, so he could read it by himself, he said he couldn't learn it. Once he had his paper he would go off to the side and read it over and over, trying to memorize it. If he couldn't get a part, he would get frustrated with himself, but once he got it down, and recited it to me so he could receive his prize, the pride, joy and contentment that splashed all over his face was indescribably amazing. Each day he would come back and tell us that he had been practicing hisverse all evening in his house, and I knew he really had. He was always the first to say 'thank you', and the most intent listener in story time. He would finish the questions for the teacher if she couldn't get the words out fast enough, and knew the answers to every single one.

Each day, Beau, Chloe and I would fall in love with this amazing little boy more and more.

However the last day of VBS came, and he didn't show up. Beau and Chloe were heart broken they couldn't say goodbye.

Three days after the group left, Barbara was at my house. Her and my mom were talking about the camp, they were talking about a lady that lives at the camp that is a Christian, and that was going to join the study. My mom looked over at me and said "did you know that lady is Justiano's mom?" It took a moment to process it all. Justiano's mom is a Christian. I got the chills. It all made so much sense! I knew he was different from all the other kids, I should have known, how could I have been so blind to the love and joy of Jesus shining so vividly through him?!

Upon hearing that news, I couldn't wait for two things. One, to tell Beau and Chloe. Two, to go back to the camp and see my little brother in Christ, Justiano.

I went to the camp the following day, Tuesday, and when I saw Justiano, my heart filled with happiness. I had missed him a lot. I went over and start ed talking with him, and told him how sad Beau and Chloe were that they couldn't say goodbye. I had made a picture that said "Beau and Chloe are cool! We miss you a lot, come back soon!" I asked him if he would sign his name on the picture, and if I could take his photo with it to send to them. The kids around himwere listening, and they all looked at him like he was the luckiest boy in the world. He started giggling with joy, and buried his face in his picture he was coloring. I asked him if that was okay, and he nodded his head. I could tell he was overjoyed.

Today, I went back to the camp and was super, super excited to see Justiano again. I had missed him even more this week! All the boys were out on the soccer field shooting goals and playing keep away. I immediately started searching for him when I got out there. It didn't take me long to find him, and of course, when I saw him, he was smiling. I called out his name to say hello, and he glanced over at me and kind of smiled but continued to play. I got a little sad thinking he must not have missed me as much as I missed him.

About a minute later, a ball comes rolling towards me with an energetic Justiano running behind it. He had kicked it towards me on purpose, and was coming over to play with me. That sadness went away in an instant, and before I knew it, the two of us were playing against two other boys. He was adorable to watch run after the soccer ball and try his hardest to kick it back to me, and not let the other boys get it. After a while we had to stop playing because it was time for story. As we began to walk back towards the houses, I gave him a high-five and told him we definitely won. I told him he was great at soccer, and he looked at me with a huge smile and said, "really?!" I said, "yes, of course, you're awesome" and he never looked more happy.

We made our way back to the cement court and sat down for story time. He ran over to the area where the women wash their clothes, and came back with his little brother in his hands. He sat down holding him, and listened intently to the story. Even though his little brother is just one year old though, he's like half as big as Justiano. I could tell he was kind of uncomfortable holding him, so I walked over and told Justiano I would hold his brother for him, so he could listen to the story. His baby brother had fallen asleep in Justiano's arms, so I gently picked him up.

I stayed standing in Justianos sight for a long while, but my arms eventually got tired. I went about 10 feet away and sat down. About two minutes after I sat down, Justiano stood up and started looking for me. He was checking to make sure his baby brother was close and that Iwas still taking care of him. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen.

Holding Justiano's little brother, I couldn't stop staring at him. He looks a lot like his brother, and was just so cute, and peaceful sleeping in my arms. I prayed for him, and enjoyed every second I was holding him.

After a while, Justiano's mom came over and took the precious baby back to their room to sleep. I was sad that she took him. I could have held him for hours.

I didn't want to bother Justiano, but I couldn't stay away from him. I wanted to talk with him, and get to know him more every moment I was there. I went and sat next to him as he colored his picture. As soon as I sat down and started talking with him, I could tell he liked that I was with him.

I told him about Beau and how much he had told me that he misses him. The same smile that he had the week before when I asked him to take a picture, came back on his face immediately. I told him all about what Beau had told me about him, and he felt like he was a king. He felt loved, and that's what it's all about. I asked him if he wanted me to tell Beau anything for him, and he didn't say anything for a moment. I asked him if he did, and he said yes. But when I asked what he wanted me to tell him, he got shy and wouldn't say, but still had his amazing smile on his face.

I asked him if he wanted to think about it for a little bit, and he said yes.

About five minutes later, I went back and sat next to him again. I asked him if he had thought about what he wanted me to tell "Bob Esponja" as they called him at the camp. He giggled and said he didn't know. I started to tickle him and said that I knew he did. I decided to help him get started, knowing that if I told him a few things he could say to him, he would join in and say what he was really thinking; what I knew he wanted to say, but was just too shy to tell me. I asked him if he wanted to tell him that he misses him, and he said yes. Then I asked if he wanted to tell him that every time he watched Sponge Bob if it reminds him of him, and he saidyes. And then he said "and tell him that I'm asking all the time when he's going to come back." My heart melted. I said that I would for sure tell him. I could tell he was super happy that he decided to tell me what he was really thinking. I was too. He had finished coloring and all of a sudden got super excited. He looked at me and held out his paper, shaking it with excitement. Give this to him! he said! I said, okay, but you have to write your name on it. He wrote his name with pride, and handed me the paper to give to Beau with a giant smile on his face.

God has placed Justiano on my heart, and I can't get enough of him! He captures and makes my heart melt. He's only like 8 years old, but he's incredible! He's adorable and set apart. I pray that as he grows up he will continue to be set apart from the world, and continue in his walk with God.

My heart breaks thinking that soon I won't be able to see him each week. See his smile, hear his laugh and watch him live life with the constant joy that he has, despite the extremely hard life he lives. I will miss him dearly when I'm away at college, but I'm confident that we will one day spend eternity in Heaven together, and nothing can give me more peace and joy than that.

I never thought God could teach me so much from one little boy, that lives in a migrant worker camp in a small town in Mexico. I'm so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to get to know Justiano, become his friend, and allow him to change my life. That he has taught me all that he has. I love you Justiano!!!

Bethany California Group

Yesterday morning in Church, when it came time to share prayer requests and praises from the past week, I was at a loss for words. God has done more than I could have ever asked for in my life this past week!
Bethany Church on the Hill, from Thousand Oaks, California has been coming down to Autlan annually for missions trips for many, many years.

I met them for the first time last summer. From the day they left last year, I've been excited for them to come back.

This year there were 11 teens in the group. Six of them had come the year before, and the other five I had only met breifly when we visited Thousand Oaks in January.

I seriously cannot comprehend how you can connect and feel like you know someone as much as I feel like I know the kids that came on the trip this year, in such a short amount of time. I feel like we've known each other forever. From the very beginning there was just that connection. It must be a God thing! I feel like I've known them forever, and even though I've known them for so little time, they are some of my best friends. =)

Each and every one of them are incredible. They all work together and encourage each other in all they do. They all have incredible hearts to serve God, and have a true love and passion for their Savior.

Watching and observing them this past week impacted my life in many ways. I was encouraged, inspired and challenged.

We did a four day VBS at the migrant worker camp. Most of the people in the group didn't speak much Spanish, but that didn't stop them from connecting with the children and sharing the love of Christ with them. Everywhere I looked there were smiles, and the love of God was evidently there with us every moment. Ten children accepted Christ into their hearts as their personal Savior at the camp this week! God is so good!

In the afternoons we worked on some projects at the center. We re-painted and decorated the two bunk rooms at the center, which I have to say, look amazing.

In the evenings we did a variation of things. One night we went to the garden downtown and performed a drama to the song "Who am I". We had a Bingo night at La Roca, which was super fun!

We had many fun-filled adventures aside from ministry as well. Going to the tortillaria, having a flood upstairs and cleaning it up with out power due to the thunderstorm, intense games of Blitz, Navy and fooseball. Star tripping, boyz in shorts awesomeness, ga-ga...the list goes on and on. It was truly an incredible week!

Thank you all for the work you guys did in Autlan this week. You truly made a difference in the lives of the people here. You encouraged the Christians, and shared the love of Christ with the ones that don't know Him yet. You are all amazing, and have made a huge difference in my life. Love you all!!

ISAI COMING HOME!

Just moments ago I was infromed by Poncho that Isai is released from the hospital and will soon be making the journey back to Autlan. He will be staying at the Church where his parents live for a while as he continues to recover. On Saturday afternoon the teens are going to have a welcome home party for him. =)
He has improved more than I ever imagined possible in the past week and a half. He talks, and remembers EVERYONE! He still says things that don't make sense sometimes, and gets irritated pretty easily. However, he has made incredible improvements in such a short amount of time, and it's only expected to say random stuff or act a little different in his condition. In time though, he will be back to his normal self, I am confident. He walks great, but does still need a little help. After laying in a bed for 30+ days, I would have a little trouble walking and getting my muscles working again too!
Someone called him on the phone the other day and talked to him in English, and he responded in English. Then after he got off the phone, all afternoon he only wanted to speak in English! This news encouraged me greatly because I've been worried as to if he will remember how to play the piano or not. He plays the piano and has been for a lot longer than he has spoken English, and if he remembers English, I'm sure he will remember the paino.

Yesterday I went to the evening service at Aposento Alto. Poncho was there and had just arrived back from Guadalajara a few hours before. He told me that Isai remembers Brent and I perfectly and even asked Poncho to say hi to us on his behalf! This made my day, and I felt extrememly happy and blessed.
I hope to go and see Isai tomorrow. I have missed him so incredibly much since the last time I saw him. I can't wait to hear his voice again, see his smile, and give him a huge hug.

Thank you all for your prayers and support for Isai and his family as the past 40 days have been a journey of a lifetime for them. Please continue to lift them up in prayer as Isai continues to recover and regain his strength.
Love you, Isai!! So glad you are finally going to be back in Autlan.

Isai- The Past Three Weeks -

Since I saw Isai for the first time 18 days ago, I've grown immensely in learning how to trust COMPLETELY in God.
From the time I wake up in the morning to when I lay in bed at night, thinking and praying for Isai, I have to remind myself of this: in times like these, when you want to do all that you can, but the only thing you can do that will truly make a difference, is put all your trust in our Savior, and find peace in Him. God has renewed and strengethened my faith in Him every time, as well as shown me the power of HIS LOVE through every aspect.
2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us to "live by faith, not by sight." This passsage has taken on a whole new meaning to me. It has become incredibly real to me, on a whole new level than before. I've had to learn how to trust 110% in God, because there is nothing, absolutely nothing more than I can do. God is our "strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." (Isaiah 33:2)


This past Saturday, July 3, I was blessed with another opportunity to visit my dear friend Isai in the hospital in Guadalajara. A group was arriving on Saturday morning from Texas, and we were to pick them up at the airport. Some of the people in the group know Isai from coming to Autlan in the past, and have been praying for him every day since the day they heard about his accident. They wanted to go to the hospital to visit him, and I followed right behind them.

Isai had been removed from Intensive Care a few days before, because his fever, infection, and pnemonia had been overcome. Thanks to both the miraculous provision of God, and a Christian nurse in the hospital that had heard about Isai, he was blessed with his own, the only, private room on his floor.
As we approached the steps to the main entrance of the hospital, the devestation that surrounded us from every angle clouded over each of us as well. The eyes of the people around us told stories of hurt, desperation, and longing. People were everywhere waiting to hear news about their loved ones, trying to get past the security to see them, and waiting for a miracle.
Just moments after we arrived, my wonderful friend, and the sister of Isai, Ceci, came down to greet us. Her heart filled with joy as she greeted everyone. I received a big smile, and an even bigger hug from her. I knew she was happy we had come.
I asked Ceci to tell us the situation on how our friend was doing. She told us:
"He is doing well, and making small improvements. Two people may go up at a time to see him, but you can't touch him. There are face masks you must wear, and be sure to wash your hands before you enter."
Karen and I were the first ones to go up to visit our friend. As Ceci handed me the pass and told me which floor and room to go to, my heart was still nervous, but more peaceful. I had been longing to see Isai again every moment since I left his hospital bed two weeks before. I had been praying all morning that God would prepare my heart and mind for when I saw him again. Karen and I made our way past security and waited for the elevator.
Karen is a nurse in the United States, and I was really happy she could be here. She understood so much more that most of us did, and just by seeing him would be able to have a better idea of how he is doing, and what he needed.
The elevator doors opened at floor 10 and we made our way to room 10161. After washing our hands, I knocked at the closed door. Poncho opened it just enough to see us. He handed us our face masks, and after we got them properly assembeled, let us in, closing the door directly behind us. I gave Poncho a big hug. It was so good to see him again.
Inisde, the very first thing I noticed was that Isai had a cell phone right next to him, and was listening to music. I almost began to cry just at the sight of it. I had thought about how he needed to be listening to music while he's here. It's who he is.
I made my way over to the side of the bed that Isai was facing, and his eyes were wide open. I smiled, but then realized that because of the mask, he couldn't see it. I greeted him with warm, friendly, excited words. Poncho leaned over the bed, and in Isai's ear said to him "Isai, your friend Jessi came to see you. You need to greet her; raise your eyebrows to greet her, Isai." Isai raised his eyebrows in direct responce to Poncho. I never knew such a little thing could bring so much contentment, joy and hope to one person in one moment. However, I was overcome with even more of those same feelings when just moments later, as I continued to talk to Isai, Poncho told me that Isai recognized me.
Poncho said when he knows who you are, he is very tranquil, and his face is relaxed and content. When nurses or people come in that he doesn't know, he acts bothered, and makes annoyed facial expressions.
Karen was filled with questions, and as I translated for Poncho, Isai continued to listen to my voice, and study me intently. I knew he really did recognize me, and know who I was. Words can't describe the joy that brought and continues to bring to me.
One of the things I told Isai was that the teenage boy that he had been reaching out to daily before his accident, who was very skeptical and not interested in God, had come to youth group all on his own a few weeks back. And that he also came with me to church at Aposento Alto last Wednesday night. As I told this to Isai, he acted different. His eyes had a look of both determination and excitement. I knew what I had told him meant a lot to him, and I believe it moved him a step closer to getting better.
Amist the conversations with Poncho about how Isai was doing, Poncho informed us that Isai's fever was coming back. "The hospital is out of the medicine he needs, and it's hard to find. It's our job to get it, and its very expensive." Karen and I immediately wrote down the name of the medicine and the amount he needed.
Isai had lost a lot of weight since I saw him two weeks before. However, I could tell he was at peace. He wasn't constantly moving around, restless and upset, like he was the last time I had seen him. He actually was very calm while I was with him. I could tell that he was doing better; that he felt better.
Karen and I were with Isai for at least a half an hour, probably more. There were more people that wanted to see him, and we knew we had to go; even though I'm sure she was wishing she could stay with him all afternoon, just like I was. I held Isai's hand for a minute, and told him goodbye. I gave Poncho a hug goodbye, and we made our way out of the room.

As I left Isai's room, I had a very new, different outlook on my friend Poncho. He is the most amazing nurse of all time. He takes better care of Isai than probably 3 of the hospital nurses could together. He had this specific manner about it that amazed me, and was so good at it! Seeing this gave me a new level of peace about Isai. I knew he was being well taken care of, and I didn't need to worry about his care, Poncho was doing an outstanding job.
Seriously, the nurses that came in while we were with Isai just opened the door and asked Poncho how he was doing. They knew Poncho knew how to take care of him, and had showed him everything he needed to know how to do to take good care of Isai. Poncho had this joy, this contentment in every movement, and I knew that he was thankful for the opportunity to take care of his best friend.
I also left with a new, incredibly high respect for Poncho. God will bless him in many ways for everything he is doing for Isai. I've learned from observing how he is with Isai, that I need to have a servants heart like his. Thank you Poncho, for setting the amazing example that you have in my life, and in the lives of many others. You're incredible, and God will bless you for the man of God that you are.

Karen and I made our way back down the elevator and outside. My dad and Deb went up to see Isai next, and Ceci went to go talk with the doctor about the medicine Isai needed.
Everyone that had been waiting while we were with Isai asked me how he was immediately after I got down from seeing him. They were curious to see how I thought he was in comparison to when I saw him two weeks before.
Everyone fell quiet and listened as I began to tell them what Poncho had told me, as well as what I had seen, felt, and observed in my time with Isai just moments before.
I could tell that I was trembling a bit, and my voice was shaking a little as I spoke. I got about 2/3 of the way through, but then I couldn't hold it in any longer. I stopped mid sentence and began to weap. Why? Because as the words were coming out, and I began to cry at the same time, I also realized and knew that I believed with my whole heart, what I was about to say.
A moment later, when I was able to at least say the three words that they were waiting to hear, I let go of my moms warm hug. I looked around and just about everyone else was crying too, but I managed to get the three words out, "he's doing better".
Ceci came down and told us that the Doctor didn't have the medicine Isai needed. Karen, Ceci, and I all knew that if he didn't get that medicine NOW, it wouldn't be good. We told everyone about the medicine he needed and immediately began trying to figure out where we could get it. Before we began our search for the medicine though, we did took the first step, the most important step in finding what we were in need of.
We all circled around the front of the hospital, and without caring about how much room we were all taking up, or who was starring at us, we grabbed hands and began to pray. My dad prayed in English, and after he concluded, with my hand holding Ceci's, I prayed in Spanish.
After we finished, with tears running down her cheeks, Ceci told us thank you with the most thankful and more sincere heart than she was capable. With tears now running down my cheeks as well, she looked at me and told me thank you. I immediately hugged her, and we cried together. Both with sadness, longing and hope in our hearts. Neither one of us wanted to let go of each other, so we didn't. It felt good to be a comfort to her, and I was happy to know that our visit meant a lot to her.

After a long afternoon of searching for the medicine our friend Isai was in desperate need of, God provided us with it, just as we all trusted he would. We bought four of the ten that he needed; it would at least get him started. We were going to go somewhere else to buy the other six but Ceci we had already done more than enough, and that words could not describe how thankful she was for all we had done. (Even though there were five of us at the counter purchasing the medicine, we might have possibly left with out it and realized 15 minutes later...luckily we couldn't get very far without it!)
We drove back to the hospital to deliver the medicine. Before the car had even come to a complete stop in front of the hospital, Pastor Leonel and Olivia came running out to us. They had huge smiles on their faces. We immedately gave Pastor the medicine and he literally turned around and ran upstairs to give the medicine to Isai. Olivia quickly followed him, and we knew that God has blessed us all far more than we could have asked for that Saturday of July 3, 2010.


Over the course of the next few days there wasn't much word on Isai, just that he was doing a little better each day.

On Tuesday evening the group decided to go to La Roca. On our way there my little brother Christian (6) says "hey look, that's Pastor Leonel!" as we pass by a man on the sidewalk. We turn to look, thinking it's probably just someone that looks like him, only to find out that indeed it was Pastor Leonel walking down the street.
I jumped out of the car to talk to him, and everyone else continued on to La Roca. I was greeted with a warm smile and hug, but couldn't distinguish if more sadness or happiness lingered in his eyes.
I asked him about Isai's condition, and was awestruck by what he told me. Just today, Tuesday, Isai's breathing tube had been taken out, his fever was down, and they began feeding him food oraly. I literally had to contain myself from jumping with joy, and allowing tears of happiness to come from my eyes.
Pastor continued to tell me that he came to Autlan to get some documents from Nestle, the comany Isai works for. Apparently there has been a misunderstanding, and if they do not get the papers needed, Isai's insurance will not cover the cost for Isai's accident. Someone is claiming that Isai wasn't working when the accident happened, that he was simply using his work truck. Of course, that is completely ridiculous. They are having trouble obtaining the papers though, so please continue to be in prayer for that.
I gave Pastor Leonel a hug goodbye, and we both went on our way. I could tell he was very tired, and still quite down, but I could tell the good news had lifted his spirits some.

Once I got inside La Roca everyone wanted to know what Pastor had told me. I told my dad and a few other people right as I walked in, but was asked by the leader of the mission team if I could announce what I had heard in front of everyone.
Everyone was in the main room chatting and enjoying their coffee. I stood more or less in the middle of the room, and asked for everyone's attention. I was shaking again. The room was silent as I shared with them what Pastor had told me. I informed them of the needed documents and how his fever was doing. When I told them about Isai having the breathing tube removed, I knew the tears were close. I knew the best part of all was next, and I couldn't help but start to cry. I fell quiet and allowed myself to soak in the joy of what Leonel had just informed me with moments before, that I was about to share with them. Tears fell down my cheeks as I told them they had began to give Isai food.
I stood there for a moment in complete awe of it all. God is so amazing! Tears filled the room, as God showed us that it's ALL in His timing. Just days before when we had seen Isai we had no idea how close he was to being able to eat or breathe on his own. God knew the exact moment.



Isai was moved to his third hospital in Guadalajara on Wednesday afternoon. This is the hospital he had been staying at for the past two weeks, and the one we went to visit him at. As you look at this picture, please take a moment to pray for our brother Isai.



The front of the hospital. You can see the steps behind the gate, and the people waiting outside.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Pastor Leonel!

My family and I spent this past weekend in the grand city of Guadalajara. On Tuesday night after picking up the Barkes family from the airport, we were blessed with being able to help out the family of Isai in the way of giving Pastor Leonel, Isai's dad, and his wife Olivia a ride back to Autlan. They needed to get some documents from their home, and decided to stay for two nights so they could be at Aposento Alto (the church he pastors at) for the Wednesday night service.
When I found out they would be riding back with us, I was very happy. I hadn't seen or been able to talk with either of them since the accident.
They were very tired, and the sadness and desperation they carried with them showed through their every movement. I was still however greeted with two big smiles and hugs. Our ride home was pleasant. We talked for a while about Isai's condition, etc. and then continued on to subjects that were less heavy for their, and all of our hurting hearts.
When we finally arrived in Autlan and were soon approaching their home, I asked Olivia if she was excited to sleep in her own bed. I have never seen someone get that excited about sleeping in their own bed. I mean, I've been without my own bed for a long time, but Olivia had been with out it for 23 days, and she had definitely missed it.

During our ride I found out that the following day, Wednesday, was Pastor's birthday. So I would just like to take this time to wish one of the best Pastor's I know, a very happy birthday.
I am seriously amazed at the wonders God performs in this mans life. He is seriously an incredible man of God. He is not only the Pastor of the largest church in Autlan, but he goes out every single day of the week to near-by towns. He ministers to other Pastor's and Churches there. He also hosts people in need and allows them to stay in his house. He has so many gifts, and he uses every one of them ALL for the glory of God. He is one of the best preachers I've ever heard. I could listen to him preach for hours and not get bored. Pastor Leonel is a great example for how the Christian life should be lived. He does everything with so much passion, joy and love. Thank you Pastor, for being the person you are, and for inspiring and impacting my life in so many ways.

Following the evening prayer service at Aposento Alto on Wednesday night, the church had a birthday celebration for Pastor Leonel in the courtyard. I hope that he had a wonderful birthday. It had been almost a month since he had seen and been able to talk with his fellow brothers, and I think it was a good way for him to spend his birthday, especially during this difficult time in his life.





Mi familia y yo nos duramos el fin de semana pasada en el gran ciudad de Guadalajara. El Martes en la noches despues de ir al aeropuerto por nuestros amigos, la famila Barkes, Dios nos dio la oportunidad de ayudar a la familia de Isai por la manera de dando un ridete al Pastor Leonel y Hermana Olvia a Autlan. Ellos necessitaban unos documentos de su casa y decidieron quedarse dos noches para que puedan estar para el culto el Miercoles en la noche.

Cuando mi papa me dijo que Pastor y Olvia iban regresarse a Autlan con nosotros, estaba muy contenta. No les habia visto ni hablado desde que paso el accidente.
Cuando les vi, parecian muy cansados, y la tristeza y desesperacion que traian ensenaba en cada movimiento. Pero de todas maneras, todavia los dos me saludaron con una sonrisa y un abrazo.
El viaje a Autlan fue a gusto. Al principio hablamos de Isai y su condicion, etc. Y despues seguiamos a hablar de otros subjetos que no estaban tan pesados para su, y nuestros corazones.
Cuando al fin llegamos a Autlan y pronto llegariamos a su casa, le pregunte a la hermana Olivia si estaba emocionada dormirse en su propia cama. Nunca habia visto alguien ponerse tan emocionada para dormirse en su propia cama. Yo si he extranado a mi cama por unos dias, pero Olivia habia estado sin ella por 23 dias, y se notaba la extranaba mucho.
Durante el viaje me dijeron que el dia siguente iba ser el cumpleanos del Pastor. Entonces quiero tomar este momento a felicitar a uno de los mejores Pastores que conozco.

Estoy asombrada de todas las maravillas que Dios performe en la vida de Pastor Leonel. El es un hombre de Dios increible. No solo es el Pastor de la iglesia christiana mas grande en Autlan, pero tambien sale todos los dias de la semana a otros pueblos. El apoya y ayuda a los otros Pastores y iglesias que estan ahi. Tambien es un huesped a gente que necessitan un lugar donde quedarse un tiempo. Tiene muchisimos regalos que Dios le ha dado y los usa a TODOS para la gloria de Dios. El es uno de los mejores predicadores que he esuchado. Podria escuchar a su predicacion por horas sin aburrirme. El es un gran ejemplo de como la vida christiana se debe vivir. El hace todo lo que hace con mucho passion, gozo y amor. Gracias Pastor, por ser la persona que usted es, por impactar y inspirar mi vida en tantas maneras.
Despues del culto el Miercoles en Aposento Alto, la iglesia tuvo un celebracion para el Pastor para su cumpleanos. El y su esposa tenian casi un mes desde habian visto y tener la oportunidad de plactiar con sus hermanos. Creo que fue una buena manera como festejar su cumpleanos, especialmente durante de este tiempo tan dificil en su vida. Feliz Cumpleanos, Pastor Leonel!!