Alright. So I have you updated till New Years.
We had one day to catch up on sleep, and then swing into gear getting the base cleaned up.
Half of the students were here, and the other half would arrive on Monday afternoon.
Once the whole crew was together again (minus one very important Austin :( ) we began preparing for our Missions Conference. We didn’t know exactly how many people would be coming, but last time there were 32, on top of our 15, so we knew to be ready for a big group .
On Friday, we welcomed our new neighbors on to the ranch. Patricia and Carlos have purchased property across the street from us, and are in the process of getting it ready to live on. In the mean time, they will be living in their RV, here on the base. They are an amazing Christian couple from Central/Southern Mexico.
They both helped me to cook during the conference, and I can’t even tell you how big of a help she was!!
She has also promised to teach us Spanish. Yay!!
OK…. Back to the conference. As you all know from last time, in October, these conferences are a big deal. We get guests from all over the world, and have a busy schedule, and are very very blessed.
The group of guests from Roseburg arrived on Monday. On board were Don, Steve, Rachael, and Austin. Yes, Austin…. Our missing piece. Austin was our student last semester, and is not returning this semester in order to pursue ministry opportunities in Roseburg. We all miss him like crazy, and hope that God will have him back here very soon.
Also-- they pulled down the tractor that we had donated to us back in the beginning of summer. Ryan was like a kid on Christmas morning. I have a feeling some dirt is going to be moved around very soon.
Tuesday we welcomed the rest of our guests, and fun began! :-D
Base occupancy up to 46.
Moses and Seragem Paulose, from India, came as our special guests. Moses is an amazing man of God. He is CONSTANTLY sharing the Gospel. Wherever he is. Even the taco stand.
What an example he sets!
His wife, Seragem, is a humble, prayer warrior. She is always lifting up her husband, and children. Her testimony is amazing, and her laugh is contagious. I love her dearly. She will forever be in my prayers.
The Pauloses have a ministry there in India, where- along with discipling natives, they feed and minister to over 120 people everyday, right there in their home. They care for 58 children from the streets. They have 6 biological children who are ALL missionaries/ministers. They also have an adopted daughter. She is 10 years old. They rescued her from the all too common fate of a female baby in their area. She would have likely been bruitally murdered.
This family has sacrificed everything for the call that God has placed on them. They packed up and moved from the home they knew, to a foreign state. They didn’t have money. They didn’t know the language. They had no idea what to expect. But they packed up and moved anyhow. Two young children (a 3 year old, and a 1.5 year old) and 8 months pregnant. On foot.
Moses heard the call, and his wife believed in him, and followed. Amazing witness these two are. Check out their ministry: Body of Christ Ministries.
Another big blessing for me during this conference was that there were several women who came. I really enjoyed meeting them, and visiting with them, and just seeing other women who are fired up about discipleship and evangelism.
I’m telling you guys…. You need to make time to come to the next conference. We don’t even know who will be sharing- but it is always worth it. It will likely be in April sometime. I will keep you updated.
Thanks for being patient with me :)
Now you are updated.
Lots of pictures to thumb through here: http://picasaweb.google.com/steffensenfaminmexico
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