April 2007

Glessner's Logo!

Happy Children’s Day! April 30^th is Children’s Day in Mexico (quite an under-appreciated holiday in the US, we always felt as kids). We celebrated in church yesterday with an all-church scavenger hunt and piñata after the service. Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3) and Mexicans love them. Did you know that in about a generation Mexico’s birth rate has dropped from about 6 children per woman to under 3? Many of our middle-aged acquaintances are one of 6 to 10 kids in their families. But they usually have only two kids. What are the implications for Children’s Day? Fewer kids and more treats per kid!

April began slowly and then rapidly built up steam. Most of our usual activities were on hold during the two-week Semana Santa break. Our early-morning Easter service went well. We’ve done two Alpha studies with positive results: lots of visitors and a high level of interest. We think it was a good thing when a young man in our small group said, “I’m not a Christian, and I don’t plan on being one”… and then went on to show he had really listened to the lesson and understood what was being taught about Jesus. He came back the second week as well. We had a church meeting to lay out our hopes and needs for ministry in the church in the coming months. We are hoping and working to hold Bible studies in five church homes throughout the week this autumn, led by church members—not by the pastors. Our prayer is that we will be training and equipping members to serve and to lead. We hope to take two church women to a conference for children’s ministry this next weekend.

PRAISE
1. We had twenty guests at the first Alpha, some fewer at the next, but we are thankful for church members working to invite family and co-workers and for the visitors themselves.
2. Things are going well as Tim works with Christian. It’s been great to come to the same ideas for the church’s direction and teaching needs independently of each other.
3. Gavin is out of casts and into his corrective shoes and bar. He’s getting used to them and it doesn’t seem like they’ll slow him down too much as he gets set to join his sister as a crawler.

PRAYER
1. Pray for our guests at Alpha, that they would hear and receive the good news about Jesus. In the end, our prayer is that they will say, “I’m a Christian, even though I didn’t plan on being one!”
2. Pray for continued growth and responsibility-taking in our church members.
3. Pray for couples in the church with “issues”. We’re seeing real willingness to seek and obey God. Please pray for their strength to continue and that God will be glorified as relationships are restored.

Finally, back to the Children’s Day theme. Kids, can you tell us how many special celebrations there are here in Puebla between now (April 30) and the end of May?

In Christ,
Tim, Barbara-Lee, Drew, Gavin, Fiona

mexico@theglessners.org
http://www.theglessners.org

Mailing address:
APDO 1072
Puebla, Pue. MEXICO
C.P. 72000

Phone: 011 (522) 222-48-50-07