The pass 2 weeks

As I sit here importing over 800 pictures that were taken of the two weeks of VBS, I have time to think. First was El Millon and then Riveras Del Bravo. By the time we were done with El Millon we were tired and when we started Riveras we were on Automated. We stayed at the house that someone has let us borrowed in Riveras the whole week, an extra hour of sleep was needed :) On the last day in Riveras all the kids had left and only Myself, lucio, our girls and two youth members were are church. Lucio put on the ipod and put worship music. We were feeling the music and God's presence, we began to get so much energy and refresh. Everything was worth it. The acking feet, the kid that didn't pay attention, having to go from store to store to buy food for the kids, seeing if we were going to have enough money for the food....EVERYTHING WAS WORTH IT!

This was the first year VBS was held at the church in Riveras. We didn't provide transportation to outside kids only to church members and their friends. First day we had 51 kids, after that day we didn't have less then 100! We had so much help from church members. We had youth, single moms, men and even the elderly was there(poor sisters, they said there whole body hurt). For lots of the teachers and helpers it was the first time at a VBS and as teachers and helpers. The church in Riveras raised money to help feed the children everyday. We gave: burritos, sandwiches, fruit cocktails, nachos and on Friday we went out with a bang. On Friday we bought. 3 cakes, 187 ice creams, chips and lots and lots of cold punch and lemonade.

Going back to VBS in El Millon. On the last day it was my turn to give The Word. All week we talked about 5 heroes. David, Moses, Jonah, Joseph and of course Jesus. When i was talking with them. I told them"don't raise your hand please but how many of you have ever been hurt? have been hit?" lots of kids raise there hands. while I was talking tears stared coming. This is why we do VBS! We don't know how many kids during the day are being physically abuse, mentally abuse, or even sexually abuse. At least for a week these kids are able to be kids. For a week these kids are being treated like they should be. Who cares if am tired, hurting, hungry! these kids have been treated and felt worst. At least for one week these kids were not abuse in anyway.

How cool will it be that when we get to heaven, someone could come up to me and say "thanks, being you were the reason why I came to Christ. Because of VBS 2011" ALL WORTH IT!

Last day of VBS in El MIllon in photos!

more picture to come...

New Leaders

God is building up new leaders in the church here in Ciudad Juarez. As many of you know we had been very short on leaders for some time now. There was only My parents in El Millon, Jobita and Victor in El Porvenir and My husband and myself in Riveras Del Bravo. This pass month two new couples where added. We ask you keep them in your prayers as well as us others.



First here is Rodriguez Family.
Jesus and Claudia Rodriguez will be staying in El Millon as potential leaders/pastors. Both are from Coahuila Mexico(12 hours south) and have 3 girls and 3 granddaughters. Both older girls are married and are very much active in different churches. One of them is a pastor and the other is married to an evangelist. Both Jesus and Claudia accepted Christ in their heart 8 years old and have been active in church. Jesus studied at a Bible College for 3 years and have worked with men at church. Neither of them work outside from church. They currently live in Anapra(2 hrs. by bus) but will be moving to a home they own in Riveras(30mins by bus). There youngest daughter is name Brisa and is 3 years old. They have been legally married for 27 years. Jesus is 40 years old and well we don't say a women age.

Here is Raduel and Laura Torres. In this case Laura is the new leader. She will be working in Jesus Carranza and of course her husband Raudel will be helping her out anyway he can. Maybe you reconize Raudel's face. Raudel was a member at the Riveras Church. A year ago in July they got legally married and moved to Oaxaca Mx(2 day drive south) where they helped Laura's pastor open a mission. They began to feel the calling to return to Juarez. God showed them that they needed to return. Now they are back and started full force. Laura graduated from the seminary here in Ciudad Juarez. Raduel accept Christ in his heart 3 years ago at the church in El Millon. Laura accepted Christ in her heart around 20 years ago. They both have been very active at church, from the music, working with kids, going on mission trip and bible study. They have no children yet.

Our youngest VBS'er( is that a word?)

HER FIRST V.B.S

Maybe this has nothing to do with church, ministry or even VBS but she'll my daughter!
This is Karina Amalia Ontiveros, 5 months old!

What is wrong with this picture?

As I got to church this sign was up...
As soon as I told my dad it was VBS and not BVS, he said my nephew put it up.
Had to take a picture of it before we fixed it.

I should put up posts of the crazy things my dad says and does when he tries to speak english.
hey at least he tried.

VBS is on its way

This pass Monday we started the first day of two weeks of VBS. This week we started in El Millon and so far so good. The first day we had 77 kids. Day two 103 and today 90 kids. We are starting at 9am and finish around noon. We start VBS with a short service and then go to our different stations. There are 4 station in total. Story telling, songs, crafts and the kids favorite...FOOD!!
We will finish friday with awards, presentation of the songs and crafts. We are having a great time. My parents are not as young as the think they are but are going strong. We ask that you continue to pray for us. Next week is Riveras and we have no clue how many kids to expect.

Here are a few pictures of what has been happening so far.

Feed The Kids!

Here are some recent(this pass Saturday) pictures of Feed the Kids. Feed the kids is a ministry in El Millon and takes place at the dorms. Feed the Kids is every Saturday at 6pm.

A big big thank you to Mill Creek with Pastor Chris. Feed the Kids couldn't not be done without your help. Enjoy the pictures, especially the first one. Angel is putting a whole Chile Jalapeno in his mouth.

Dia de Pentecostes

Este aviso es para usted hermano(a) aqui en Ciudad Juarez/El Paso. Comenzamos este Jueves a celebrar el Dia de Pentecostes.

El Jueves sera en la Iglesia Misionera "Agua Viva" en Jesus Carranza a las 6pm. Estara ministrando en la alabanza el grupo de alabanza de Riveras del Bravo. Predicara la Hna. Irene Garcia.

El Viernes sera en la Iglesia Misionera "Agua Viva" en El Millon a las 6pm. Estara ministrando en la alabanza el grupo de alabanza de El Millon. Predicara el Hno. Monico Garcia.

El dia Sabado cerramos en la Iglesia Misionera "Agua Viva" en Riveras del Bravo a las 5pm. Estara minsitrando el grupo de alabanza de El Millon. Predicara el Hno. Martin alias "El Gato"

Sera tres dias de alabanza y adoracion.
Sera tres dias de bendicion
Sera tres dias inolvidables, donde TU necesitas asisstir.

Junio 9 - 10 y 11

OVERTIME IS ON ITS WAY!

Hello again everyone. Well for lots of kids summer vacation is on its way, where you do a whole lot of nothing. Summer for us means more work, overtime!!!

We start this Saturday. El Millon and Riveras will have registration for Back to School(handing out of backpacks with school supplies) El Millon will have its registration from 8:30am till noon, where as Riveras will have it from 8:30am till 10:30am. We will be doing registration till the end of June at all churches.

In July we have VBS for all churches. Our big VBS will be in El Millon and Riveras. We are expecting 200-250 kids!!! El Millon and Jesus Carranza will have it together on July 11- July 15 from 9am till noon. Riveras will be having it from July 17- July 22 from 9am till noon. The theme this year is Bible Heroes.

In August we will be handing out all the backpacks from the registration. Lets see how many will be in total?? wanna guess?

We also have lots of activities that will be going on at the churches. We have 3 days of services (Thursday- Jesus Carranza, Friday-El Millon, Saturday- Riveras) where we will be celebrating "DIA DE PENTECOSTES"(could you guess what I wrote?). Also in July- August we want to do a Slumber Parties with the young ladies from the different church where we want to talk to them about waiting till you are marriage for sex and sexual abuse. We are hoping and praying for help this weekend(hint-hint, wink- wink). We are also having "Servicio de barrios" in the different churches. Services outside of church. And of course lots of other plans we have but all we need is time!

And to top the summer my baby brother(he's 24) will be getting married on August 13!!! We are so happy and proud of him. We couldn't love Olga more. She is a great women and a great addition to the family. (YES!!! more help for the ministry!)

We ask that you pray for us. Our entire family. None of what we do is done without your prayers and our family help. We ask that you pray for our health especially the little ones(Daniel- 12, Adrian- 3, Ruby- almost 2, and Karina- 3 months).

Pray for my parents: Francisco and Rosa

Pray for myself and my family: Lucio, Rosa, Ruby and Karina

Pray for my brother and future sis-in law: Xavier and Olga

Pray for my sister and her family. Cathy, Jorge, Daniel and Adrian.

and I have an older brother in California, that if he was here he would play a mean guitar(hint-hint, wink-wink)

Everyone plays an important part in this ministry.

LET THE SUMMER BEGAN!!!!

Prayer Request in El Millon

This time its Norma Ramirez that needs your prayer. Norma Ramirez is a sister that has been attending the church in El Millon since 2008. About three weeks ago she gave thanks because she had three goals for 2011 and two of them where already done. The first one was to married to the father of her kids and the second was to get baptized. The third goal is to be able to walk again.
In August 2009 at Norma's home there was a dispute with her husband and some family members. 4 people including Norma jumped into a car that was going to the hospital because one of the men was injured in the dispute, but the man that was driving was drunk. Not even 10 minutes away they turn over in a curb. Norma at the time was 8 months pregnant. Thank God no one in the car was injury badly only Norma. She was told the baby was no in harm at all but she was on the verge of having her leg amputated. God worked his magic and her legged was saved. In September 2009 her daughter was born and she name her Victoria.
Since 2009 they have told her that she needs an operation on her leg because her knee tendons are torn. The operation is costly and untill she comes up with the money she is able to have the operation. Norma sells food at her home during the weekend to come up with the money and also sells candy from time to time at church. Please join us in praying for her so she could come up with the money she needs for the operation.