Serving in Northern New Mexico with Mission to the World (PCA)

Halloween is approaching fast, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and before you know it we will be singing Christmas Carols, but if I could I would like to hit the rewind button for a minute.

Let’s return to the spring when we were overly concerned about circumstances we had no control over. The financial markets were still in turmoil, concerns over security issues, and to top it off we had the Swine Flu pandemic. We weren’t sure how the summer would turnout? “Oh ye of little faith!” Are there some of you just like me?

At times we forget just how big and how faithful the God we serve is! Fortunately for me once the summer started I didn’t have any time to worry about circumstances I could not control. The Lord kept me focused on the tasks at hand and He did the rest.

After 10 weeks of almost 20 different short term teams made up of more than 27 PCA churches serving in 7 different cities here in Northern Mexico the Lord accomplished much! The seed of the gospel was planted in the hearts of many through various evangelistic outreaches like Vacation Bible School, English Camp, and Sports ministries. Physical and spiritual needs for the sick and elderly were met during the Medical Brigade Week. Relationships were built through construction projects, improving facilities for worship and education for those attending the churches

The Lord used many in a mighty way to show the love of Christ to the unbelieving and as a great encouragement to those already believing!

One highlight from the summer was the transforming of an old Kick
Boxing gym into the new home for the “Cumbres del Rey” church plant. With the help of two work teams, sheetrock, and a lot of metal studs we were able to create a sanctuary, a nursery, church office, a storage room, and several Sunday school classrooms. Currently the sanctuary is being used for our seminary classes too.

Also this summer my home church made their first visit to Monterrey.
Their week included both a construction project, building a wall for security purposes replacing an old chain link fence, and Vacation Bible school. They were able to complete the foundation for the wall but more importantly we are trusting that the Lord through the VBS, over 130 in attendance, was preparing the foundation in the hearts of many both the children and their parents to receive the gospel!

This is a small sample of the things that transpired here in Mexico during the summer of 2009 as we strived together as a team to apply the gospel in all we did.

On a personal note thanks for all your continued prayers and support for our son Stephen and grandson, Scotty, both are doing well. The Lord blessed our family tremendously last weekend as we were all able to attend Steve’s graduation from Air Force Basic Training!

Please continue to pray for Steve as he begins his training in Aircraft Hydraulic Systems, that the Lord will fill him with His grace and wisdom during his time at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX. And for Kathy, Jeffrey, and I also that Lord would fill us with His grace and wisdom as we continue seeking all that He has for us here in Monterrey.

As we now set our sights on the weeks ahead pray for those contacts made during the summer at the many outreach activities, for Joyce Huizinga’s sewing ministry, and please pray for wisdom and discernment as the Northern Mexico team will be evaluating national church planting candidates from Oct 27- Oct 30th.
In Him,

Scott Craig
[email protected]