Once again it seems hard to believe that summer is over and we're running headlong into September.Well, in La Paz, we're not exactly running yet.It's still over 100 degrees each day and very hot and humid.However, as we view the struggle of our sisters and brothers in Louisiana and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we know we have much to be thankful for.We too live in a Hurricane zone.From July to early October we track the satellite web sites, critically assessing each storm and if it will be blown our way.Having lived through the tail end of a Hurricane our first term in La Paz, we know we only experienced a smidgen of what those in the Southeastern United States lived through last week.Your partner churches in Mexico stand beside you as we lift up our prayers to God on behalf of all those suffering.

We wanted to share with you some of the events of our summer.Beginning at the end of June and through the end of July, Joyce facilitated a Women's Bible Study using the study she wrote for the American Baptist Women entitled "Women of the Wild."The study explores our creative giftedness as daughters of God.Ten to twelve women participated each week!One of the women who joined us was Barbara, a Roman Catholic who recently came to faith in Christ.She has been proactive in a ministry to one of the poorest areas of La Paz, strategizing how to begin a before-school breakfast program for the elementary school age children.She is using a model that another non-profit organization began several years ago in La Paz.The women of Crossroads were very excited about praying with Barbara and assisting her in these efforts.At present Barbara is back in her native Canada raising support with the hopes of seeing the breakfast program begin by October.She is working closely with the Roman Catholic parish in the La Paz neighborhood as well.The women of Crossroads see this as an opportunity to show the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches of La Paz how we can partner together ecumenically to minister in the name of Christ.

• Pray for us as we discern how to best support Barbara in this ministry.

In mid-July the TEAM mission organization held their annual retreat in La Paz and asked to use the Crossroads facility.Ian and Aaron were invited to participate in their youth program with others MKs from La Paz, San Jose, and Cabo San Lucas.The kids really enjoyed the fellowship with other MKs and the opportunity to be involved in a drama, special crafts, and field trip activities.

At the end of July our family managed to sneak away for four days to a small house in Los Barriles, a pueblo about an hour south of La Paz.A Christian family graciously lent us the use of their beach house.The kids snorkeled, David attempted to find fish, and Joyce read several books.It was truly a refreshing time!

In August, David concentrated on completing a construction project at the theological school.Finishing the room for the library, the bathrooms, and constructing a wall around the entire property was the focus.David, several of the pastors and lay leaders, plus a few hired workers, labored every day in 100+ temperatures to work towards this goal.This week the tile floor of the library is being laid, the final block of 3500+ blocks was put in place on the wall, and the bathrooms are functional.Classes will begin in mid-September again.Gifts from FBC Fairbury, IL and FBC Bethlehem, PA made this construction phase possible.

Thank you always for your faithful prayers, your encouraging letters and emails, and your gifts of financial support.

Serving as your ambassadors to Mexico,

David, Joyce, Ian and Aaron Reed