South of the Boarder Report - August, 2006

Bitter Sweet

It seems that we always have more going on here than can practically be shared in any e-mail. With summer comes the arrival of summer outreach teams. Our first group (from Covenant Church International in Raleigh, NC) has come and gone, they were such a blessing! We really enjoyed getting to know the group and were blessed by their willingness to serve. They did work projects during the day and in the evenings they hosted a Vacation Bible School in the Church of the Holy Spirit. It was a great 2 weeks.

Just before their arrival Juan (Mexican Staff) shared with Rodney that he really feels the need to register Shepherd's Heart in Mexico. This is an answer to prayers since we can NOT be on the founding board of the Mexican Civil Association. Many of you have heard us talk about our desire to complete this process. As of now we are planning on taking the fall to complete the paperwork. Once that is complete the Christian Community Outreach Center will be one step closer to a reality.

Our second outreach team (Dove Church, Wilmington, OH) arrived yesterday and they also will be hosting a Vacation Bible School at the church here in Ixtlahuacan. For a work project they will be clearing the ministry property and getting it ready for building.

It seems God is always trying to stretch our faith. In the last several months God has been dealing with us about purchasing another property in the area. This property would be used as a temporary staff housing and ministry office. It consists of a small one room house with kitchen, living room and bath and is connected to the back of our other property. It has been a real challenge for us to even think in this direction but God continues to speak to us both about the purchase. Of course as faith goes we have no idea how this is possible, but GOD (we love that phrase!) If God is speaking to you about being a part of this "leap of faith" please let us know.

And finally the news that we have been dreading to share with everyone, it is just something that is difficult to put into words and especially on e-mail. So please forgive us if this seems un-eloquent. Last week, due to a very short and surprising set of events we found out that our baby had died. There have been no explanations for this unexpected event. We were in the hospital over the weekend for her birth. Please keep us & our girls in your prayers as we go through this time of loss.

Blessings, Rodney, Kina, Genesis, Trinity and Zion