They write concerning their ministry: Since 2000, when we arrived in La Paz, we have seen the Mexican Baptist Convention of Southern Baja expand from 6 churches to 11, and three of those are planting new churches.  An interesting fact is that these churches are growing through new believers.  98% of the people joining the Baptist Churches did not previously know Jesus.  One growing church doesn’t have enough space for worship because more than 500 are now coming!  In 2005, the Convention partnered with Lacey Seminary in Oaxaca to begin a Theological Extension School to train new leaders.  In 2010, the school will graduate its first group of students from a three year program, and 6 more people have joined the program as first-year students.  We have also seen one student travel from La Paz to Oaxaca to study full-time.  Our ministry to English-speaking people continues to grow by leaps and bounds!  In the last 9 years, we have seen this ministry grow from 8 people that met for a Bible study in our living room to a stable church of 50+ called Crossroads.  We have seen God glorified through the growth and transformation of many lives.

Currently they are on U.S./Puerto Rico Assignment.

 

Excerpts from David’s most recent journal http://www.internationalministries.org/read/14038 : On June 25th we left La Paz to move to Littleton, Massachusetts for our year of U.S. assignment. We drove 4,150 miles arriving on August 29th. … Along the way we dropped a son off at college.  There’s been a lot of change in those 4,150 miles. And change can be unsettling.  Somewhere along the way, as the scenery constantly changed, we also became aware that what’s going on around us represents what’s going on inside.  Things are changing. We are in transition. God is transforming us. …

 

Thinking about all the change going on inside, a verse comes to mind from Matthew 11:27-29 in the Message version.  It says; "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

It’s surprising what God uses to get into your thoughts.  [On my bike as] I pedal along trying to keep a rhythm going, his voice works its way to the surface…”I want you to rest in my unforced rhythms of grace.”  About that time several cars go zooming past…”you’ve been like the people in those cars . . . rushing.  Will you stop…rest, quiet your heart and allow me to talk with you?” Whoa, I didn’t expect that.  Have you ever tried to ride a bike with tears in your eyes?  

God knows me better than I know myself.  He knows I’m going to resist letting go of old and familiar perspectives, ways of thinking, my understanding of purpose, habits, and attitudes.  He knows identity shifts are hard.  So, he assures me that it is unforced.  I have to choose to let go of the old and embrace the new.  We are in-between the ending and the emerging, and it’s pretty uncomfortable.   But God says, “It is full of my unforced rhythms of grace.” 

What I know right now is that God is doing a new thing and I don’t know what that is yet.  Transformation has begun.  What God desires next in our mission and ministry for his glory and Kingdom is being built into us now.  I’m in the in-between counting on the unforced rhythms of grace to play deep in my soul.

• Pray for David and Joyce as they experience transition and as they minister during this year of U.S. assignment.
• Pray for their son Ian who has begun his first year of college, and for Aaron as he adjust to life in the U.S.
• Pray for the ministries that continue in La Paz in the absence of David and Joyce.