Rosita

Fourteen children attended the Rosita program.  The topic was respect and how God made us so special and He made us to love others as we love ourselves.  (Leviticus 19:18)  Living in this chaotic city of Tijuana sometimes we forget about respect and courtesy and we seek our own benefit.  However God calls us to a life of peace with Him and each other.

LLL San Diego Fair – CPTLN Mexico Participates!

CPTLN staff Tere Montoya and I staffed the LLL Booth at the San Diego Fair yesterday.  We enjoyed the opportunity!  We chatted with people who came our way.  About 1/3rd of the people who wandered our way were spanish speakers.  There was alot of curiosity about what we were “selling”….nothing, it is all free, just like the grace of God! In between conversations with passerbys, we were able to have a 3 hour staff meeting going over all the things that were covered at the directors meeting in Panama, where Tere went not only in my place, but as part of her training as assistant director!  I was committed to the National LWML Convention that was held at the same time in Portland, Oregon.

Proyecto JOEL – Martial Arts Outreach

This was a busy weekend for Proyecto JOEL youth training in Martial Arts from San Pablo Lutheran Church. Four of the students, accompanied by their parents, attended an annual martial arts tournament in Tijuana. One hundred young people were present at the tournament. The 4 Proyecto JOEL youth, each a white belt, had the opportunity to see what kind of preparation is required to perform at a tournament. Proyecto JOEL teaches the youth to seek healthy bodies and minds because they are a gift from God. Proyecto JOEL works with 28 children every week in the community of San Pablo Lutheran Church.

U.S. Students Get to Hear about the CPTLN ministry among youth

We hosted 30 U.S. students from Minnesota at our offices who came to hear about the ministries on the border.  Accompanying them was Rev.Bill Bruggeman of World Transformational Opportunities.

After some lively discussion, that included Tijuana youth from Proyecto JOEL, the whole group went to have Mexican ice cream at Tepoznieves. There they have interesting flavors such as guacamole, tequila and rose petals!

Conventions and Conferences!

Melissa had the opportunity to travel to the National LWML Convention in Portland Oregon.  The women of the church considered and voted 18 mission projects all around the world. Tere traveled the same week to the Director’s meeting in Panama.  She enjoyed the opportunity to share about our ministry programs and learn many new things from the team.  Also, it was the first opportunity the Latin American directors had to meet the new Area Counselor Nilo Figur.  Our esteemed Ken Peterson retired to take on new ministry opportunities in Latin America.

New Newsletter for Proyecto JOEL

New resource for Tijuana youth.  This attractive color newsletter with articles of interest to youth and giving a Christian perspective is hot off the printers!  The newsletter is discussing what it is to be a youth living on the border with the many challenges that face youth in Tijuana. Pray it will reach many young people who are looking for answers in life.

Sharing Gifts…..

Orphan Grain Train has shared with us gifts of yarn LOTS of yarn.  We have shared with the elder groups and now one of them, Sra. Josefina, is teaching others and then they bless others with their handiwork!  Here is Sra. Josefina and some of the beautiful things the elders are making.

For the water bottle. Tijuana does not have piped drinking water.

Crocheted purse project!

Lima Lama – Proyecto JOEL

CPTLN sponsored outreach through Proyecto JOEL to youth in marginal communities in Tijuana connected with local Lutheran congregation.  Interesting fact:  Since the youth have received their uniforms (and walk from their homes to the church where the classes are held) the class has increased almost 100% .  The children without uniforms are the new children who have joined in the last few weeks. Photo taken inside San Pablo Lutheran Mission in Tijuana.

The Gifts of Healing….

We had a fascinating study on the Gifts of Healing.  Eleven students as part of our Equipping the Saints effort, studied Scripture on the topic of the Gifts of Healing thanks to the excellent summary of Pastor Carl Lutz who was there to answer all the deep questions the students had.  Pastor S. led us through the material.  He translates the material written by Pastor Carl from English into Spanish.  Pastor Lutz’ material led us through an indepth study of the topic through Scripture and also includes what our official LCMS teaches (and recent CTCR material).  It is interesting to study, scrutinize, ponder, discuss and apply as a group. What a blessing this has been not only in our growth and understanding of God’s Word but in our understanding of each other and the beautiful mission hearts that we share as servants of the Lord.  Leaders who teach are always thinking of the way they will present the information to others.  That forces us to push through some of the easy and superficial thinking and make sure the understand has been captured as we then think through how we will explain the concepts to others.  We ended with prayer and a beautiful application as Pastor S had been struggling with several health issues and  Pastor Lutz annointed him with oil, trusting in God and praising Him whatever the outcome is for his physical well being.

March for Jesus in Tijuana

Jesus the hope of Tijuana and of the Whole World — In Heaven there is no CRISIS!

We participated in the March for Jesus in the city of Tijuana along with 3,000 fellow believers in this city of more than 2 million persons.   What a wonderful opportunity pray for this city and to give a testimony to the faith we have in a personal Savior, Jesus Christ.

Members from our churches and other partners with CPTLN were present.