Hope your summer is going great! We are really being kept busy. Juan will be getting an update to you very soon. I want to introduce you to friends from here so you can see the personal side of what we do. We have hosted several teams since March and many of you have met some of the people I am talking about. We have so many wonderful friends here and many that work alongside of us. Thankfully, this is a team effort, not just us doing this work all by ourselves. If you are getting this for the first time, my notes are profiles of people that are our friends, people we minister to, our team, our staff, and sometimes even you, our friends from the other side of the border. We do love you and miss you. Hopefully, Juan and I will be able to take a furlough this fall, and see some fall leaves, some snow, and visit some of you personally. Let us know if you would like a visit from us. (Oct/Nov) Our weather here in Zacatecas is so pleasantly cool this summer, nothing will take me to the heat.
Lesly
La Viña Zacatecas has been blessed the first year with two girls that work in the office. We got to know Lesly when we began leading the Growing in Christ Drama team which we inherited from Ken and Pat Anderson. Lesly is from Calera. Right away she touched my heart as a young girl who never wanted to play seducing parts in the dramas. I had to get after the director a few times as he really wanted her to play a part and she just could not. Even though I cannot talk really deep with her, because of my limited Spanish, she once told me I was her second mom. I take that as an honor, although she really has a great mom.
Lesly, with help from others, designed our logo. She also designed our weekly bulletin at church, among many flyers for the ministry. She has been our secretary and we count it a blessing to be a part of her life. She really loves God and seeks to serve him. I asked her to share her perspective of being a part of this church plant.
She says, "I like the Vineyard because being here has allowed me to develop and grow spiritually. I have learned much about the Word of God. I feel there are many needs for orphans and I believe that may be a ministry for me someday." Lesly has a desire to play the piano for the Lord. She is studying and learning that now. Pray for her as she has finished one year working here, received social credit for school, graduated and now is going on to help her dad plant a church. We are thankful for her service to the church in Zacatecas and pray for her as the plan for her future unfolds.
Priscila
We have known Priscila since she was a little girl. I remember
her playing the tambourine when we would first visit Lobatos. Her parents have
been pastors of several Vineyards in Zacatecas for a very long time. They are
taking a little break from pastoring right now, but are serving as members of
this church planting team. Priscila’s whole family is on the team. With them
comes years of experience. I will highlight the rest of the family in another
edition. Today I will talk about Priscila. She is the youngest in their family.
Actually she is probably the youngest person, besides our grandchildren, on the
team. She works full time with us and has done that this whole year. I should
say she is full time plus. She is one of those that stays and works until the job is done,
assisting in the office and with the children’s ministry. She sings on the
worship team. She also is on the Growing in Christ drama team. (drama photo
below) That is where we really began to get to know her. Traveling with the
team, praying with her, for her and studying God’s Word together. Priscila also
is working in Enrique Estrada with the children’s Bible club and feeding. She
helps with a feeding and ministry to the people at the garbage dump and teaches
at Lomas de Bracho ministry. She has naturally taken up photography and takes
some of the pictures you all see. She assists Melissa in keeping the children’s
activities going and has a true servant’s heart.
Juan and I thank God for Priscila and her faithfulness to the ministry. She can
be counted on without even asking her to help. She is picking up the load since
Lesly has left and is an encouragement to us and the church. Thank you for being part of our life. Take a moment to look at our website,
send us an encouraging word and/or email us a note about what is happening in
your life. May your summer be in the shade, Debbie
Debbie
email: j_garza27@hotmail.com
or
mailto:lavinazacatecas@prodigy.net.mx
Visit our website: http://www.oocities.org/garza_mexico_missions/
Current snail mail address:
Apartado Postal 3-74
Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98064
Mexico
THANKS YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.