Greetings from Mexico,
We are continuing to try and adjust to this new normal of the coronavirus. We are still being radically affected here in Mexico, with churches still not being allowed to “Legally” meet live and in person. But as we continue to work hard and minister in the middle of the coronavirus, there are five clear lessons that God has shown me that I would like to share with you!
Lesson #1- Ministry and God’s Work Continue in difficult times!
Our ministry has changed but it continues. The Mexican economy has been devastated by this coronavirus and many in our church family have lost their places of employment. To fill emergency needs, we have been focused on our church’s hospitality ministry. This ministry has been busy giving out close to 100 family food bags per week! These bags are designed to feed a family of four the basics for one week, and are advertised and offered to anyone in need in our community, no questions asked. We are blessed that our church has been able to be the hands and feet of Jesus during this pandemic!
We also have continued on with our church planting training. In June, we finished our church planting spring semester, with 28 students enrolled and 6 graduates. (Including two brothers that are being sent out to church plant in Guatemala in August)
I was also able to fly out to Arizona this past month to speak at our new church plant, Refresh Church Waddell, and do some homeless ministry with their church!
Lesson #2- Technology Matters!
If you’re an old person like me, you know that technology can seem difficult and even impossible to learn! When I have to ask my 7-year-old nephew to help me with my phone, you know that I need to up my technology game. But this pandemic has shown us the importance of media in the world today!
To be honest, this was an area where our ministry had been lacking, but not anymore. We have made a deep investment in technology to purchase new cameras, computers, and even built a new recording studio at the church! As the world moves more and more into the digital realm, we are blessed that this push from the coronavirus has forced us to progress and improve in the areas of technology and video production!
Lesson #3- Life Goes on!
This past month our family was blessed with three new milestones. First off, our baby Daniel turned 18 and graduated from high school with honors. So many of this year’s seniors missed out on the normal senior activities, but our homeschooler Daniel didn’t seem to affected by it! We celebrated Daniel’s graduation, by getting a small air b-n-b in San Diego with his family and missionary friends.
Also in June, Sarah and I got to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary, which coincided with our 18th anniversary of living and ministering here in Mexico. Yes, the world may have come to a halt with this corona virus, but just like you, our lives continue to move on!
Lesson #4- Too much news isn’t good for the soul!
This month I finally decided to turn off the news completely! I am tired of the scare tactics and depressing and hopeless newscasts that the media was attempting to force down my throat. The truth is that no matter how crazy this world gets, our Almighty God still rules and reigns on heaven’s throne!
One interesting side note of this situation is how easily the world’s masses and governments have fallen in line with the fear tactics being pushed upon us. For me, I see a world ripe for the amazing end times events laid out for us in the book of Revelation that seemed unlikely just 4 months ago!
Lesson #5- God’s People Remain Faithful!
I am so proud of our church family here in Mexico. Though scattered in our homes, our church family has proven faithful in joining us for our online services. They have also prayed for us and been faithful in their financial giving!
And it’s not only our friends here that have been faithful, we are thankful for you, our precious ministry partners who have continued to stand by us and pray for us and support us financially in these trying times. We are honored and blessed that you have chosen to partner with us in this great mission work here in Mexico! THANK YOU!
Con mucho amor de Mexico, (with much love from Mexico)
Mike, Sarah, Grace, and Daniel
#1- That God would keep our family, church, city, nation, and world safe in this coronavirus, and deliver us!
#2- That God would bless our upcoming church planting conference (August 7th and 8th) and 25th church plant to Guatemala!
#3- That God would allow us to open up our church doors again in a safe manner!
#1- Praise God for the great response to our improving online services! We have had thousands of views, and many first time professions of faith!
#2- Praise God that God’s people are continuing to give financially so we can keep our church staff employed, and continue to support our church planters!
For our personal support, checks should be made out to Saving Grace World Missions with “Vincent support” in the memo section. For special projects, checks should also be made out to Saving Grace World Missions or SGWM, with the project name in the comments section. Use the enclosed envelope or mail directly to Saving Grace World Missions, 17451 Bastanchury Rd., Suite 203, Yorba Linda, CA 92886-1873
For your convenience, you may consider giving through electronic funds transfer or direct deposit. Simply click on this link to directly support our family as your missionaries.https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=DFA990CC09D942B
Or, you can go to our mission’s website, click on the “become a financial partner” button and fill out the information. Please remember to type in “Vincent” in the “purpose of gift” section.