BIG NEWS...

"You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; You have guided them by your strength to your holy abode...

You will bring them in and plant them in your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever."

Exodus 15:13, 17-18

First, I want to thank the Lord for being as faithful as always, revealing his heart to us here.

Last week, he made my heart jump so high and practically leap out of my mouth! Eating a casual meal with Bob and Shona (my kiwi missionaries) I asked how their meeting went with their Pioneers director, Tim Brown, who had just visited for the weekend. They gave me what I've been begging God for since I arrived here- clarity. They told me they spent the whole meeting talking about how obvious it is that God's designed me for Mexico City and this ministry. How the time is crucial for me to be here- the harvest is now. Not in a few years after I fulfill the American dream of getting a successful job, finding a husband, and cute little apartment. No, the time is now.

Two years ago when I was first here, Shona reminded me of Romans 12:2

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may be able to discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

God started our tiny church, Oasis, just a few months before I got here in August. He's used the relationships that we've built through our community center, to really bring the people to church. We have seen the fruit that we so desperately have been asking him for. I cannot say enough, Jesus is faithful to the end!

Originally I thought I would go back to the states (I can't call it home anymore- my home is where he wants me), work for a few years and then come back to Mexico. Aren't we so blessed that our God is way more creative, exciting, and adventurous than that! He's the one that has made me a perfect fit for this place, this team and this ministry. It's amazing how he designed every little thing in my character, for the main purpose of glorifying him here and bringing people to him! It's been entirely his work, not mine.

Since this is a crucial time for our church and community center, and the workers are really few- God has given me clarity and the goal- returning to the states to support raise and go through long-term missionary training, and then return as soon as possible. We're hoping by April of 2013. God will make it clear when he raises the support- both prayerfully and financially that I'll need.

I would ask you to listen to God in this time- if he would have you support me with your prayers and finances. We are the body and your support has been a beautiful picture of Jesus! Would you continue in helping me show this place God's love and glory?

Praise Jesus that we are gaining more and more ground especially with our neighbors- all of the lost kids have started coming more to our kids' programs and last week a few of them prayed to Jesus! More and more people are coming to church and the Spirit is moving- our prayer, worship and the messages!

(Janet, 14 years)

 

I am still really aching for my friends 13 and 14 year olds, Luis and Janet  who have no father, and a disinterested mother. Their 15 year old brother is going to be a dad. God has burdened me for their salvation and I want so badly to see them know him. What a miracle that Lord willing, I'll be able to continue my relationships with them when I return next year! Right now, they are both searching for role models in the wrong places. Pray for God to change this!

I only have about 2 more weeks here. I'll be back to Birmingham on December 18th and cannot wait to see you all! You all deserve HUGE ALLIECAT hugs :)


Thank you again and again for your prayers! I have never learned the importance of prayer like I have here. I daily need
you to ask God to continue his work here. Please continue in this. You are storing up beautiful treasures in heaven when you pray for us here!!!

"Don't lost heart"- Jesus

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought to always pray and not lose HEART." Luke 18:1

Our Father is ridiculously faithful. Ridiculously compassionate and overflowing with extreme love. For the whole world. We got to taste just a tiny piece of it and it's completely overwhelming.

My best friend, prayer warrior, and the chic that has brought me more than enough laughs and joy had to leave on Thursday. Wednesday night was probably the sweetest moment God's given me so far. Saying goodbye to all of her friends here was so difficult. The most touching by far was sweet lil George- our 7 year old neighbor who has the most innocent smile in the whole world. This precious kid cried so hard for Beckah, it broke our hearts.

Coming home to pray our last prayer together before she had to leave the next morn, Beckah and I were completely overwhelmed by God's Spirit. Feeling just a fragment of his HUGE heart for George and his entire family (17 precious people total who are all going to hell unless they turn to Jesus, their only Savior) we could not stop crying. I've never felt such a heaviness for any one's salvation in my life like I do for this whole family. I know Beckah would say the same. We both could not (still cannot) believe how faithful and graciously generous God is for giving us a piece of his heart for them. What he's placed in us in nothing that we gained nor created ourselves. It's completely our sweet Daddy wanting to give us good gifts and to share his heart with us.

Every single one of them, our Father is aching for. And there's absolutely nothing I can do to save them, but wait on the Spirit and let him lead them to Jesus. It's hard to wait, but he is so trustworthy.

The parable of the persistent widow has been coming up a lot... I know he hears all our prayers and this lady's story motivates me more and more to keep asking him. This is by far my biggest request if you could join me in praying for this whole family, including:

(sweet George and Sarai- innocent angels)

Luis, Janet, Rosa, Ricardo, Antonio, Lupe, George, Sarai, Chava, Santana, Sergio, Jasmin, and all the rest of them.

Amazing how faithful God is. I was sad about having my day off without my best bud, after Beckah left on Thursday. I didn't want to be alone, but didn't know what to do or who to spend it with. I gave it up to him and the very next morning, I woke up to the answer (all 3 of them) literally sitting on my bed at 8am! My sweet neighbors Rosa and her sons Chava and Santana leaned into my confused face full of morning breath and asked me to go spend the day working on constructing their new house. Though I was exhausted and still a bit fluish how could I say no?! We spent the day on a mountain side, shoveling gravel to build their floor, shooting fireworks off the mt and eating lunch over a fire. Though I didn't get to say a lot about Jesus, God gave me a lot of footage with them and used it to really grow our relationship. (They're Jehovah's witnesses) I'm able to call them Papa and Mami as they care so much for me.

God's blessed me with more people to love than I've ever dreamed of. Though the enemy tries to attack with loneliness, Jesus pulls me up and shows me how deeply he can fill my heart. More than any best friend, child, nor man ever could. He is beyond our wildest dreams.

With Beckah gone, it's been really hard going through the day without sharing life, laughing and crying with my girl. But God is using it to grow my reliance on him and also take me into a new season. He's so exciting like that, always bringing new seasons and surprises. I've already been able to spend way more time with our neighbors in just 3 days than I have ever before. And today he gave me an opportunity to tell them why I'm here. He provides all we need and dream of, always in abundance.

Little by little, he's leading me along, showing me glimpses of what he made me for. I belong here with these people. This nature lover has never known such joy in such a polluted, overcrowded city with hardly any trees in sight. That's God for you :)

You are a part of his glory and goodness. Thank you for continuing to pray for his work here and for me. I am so grateful! I can obviously see that you're praying. Please continue, for his glory!



(George, Beckah, Santana, Luis, Chava, me and Carlos)

Open more doors. Bring the fruit.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, an account of which I am in prison- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-4

As always, thank you for continuing to be faithful and pray for us here. Your prayers are moving God's heart to answer us in powerful ways here! I am so thankful for you.

God answered our prayers and brought a full house of people to our Hallergia Outreach event last Friday. It was amazing seeing so many new faces and families enjoying themselves in Oasis (our community center). We had karaoke and lots of games, but even more importantly...Bob was able to give a short message, in which the Spirit totally spoke. We are praying that God rooted his message in each heart that was present and that he'll continue watering and growing the seeds.

Lately, God's been teaching us all about his harvest- how he's the only one who can grow and produce fruit. We're just his workers, following his lead. He is the Harvester. We must be patient and wait for his perfect timing. He's been giving us pictures of him handing us the fruit. He's holding SO much for us. He just wants us to keep asking, seeking, wanting and persevering and he'll hand it to us. He is an abundant God and Giver!

Beckah and I have had days when the attacks of the enemy are extra hard. Some days we feel drained and without joy, but we know that God is fighting for us and all we have to do is surrender and let him do his thing. He mounts us up on eagle's wings, all for his glory. I've been amazed at how faithful he's been in giving us more hunger for him. His presence is so rich, full of abundance. All we have to do is ask him for more and he answers.

The past several days, I've asked him for specific things such as giving me loveliness, purifying my past (full of lust) and helping me seek him above all...

Would you believe it! Each day I've opened my devotion book to find him literally, word for word, promising me these things! God is so real and living. Here's just an example of what he said yesterday:
I am working my ways in you; the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being. My main work is to clear out the debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession.
 - Jesus Calling

Let this encourage you to ask, ask, ask in Jesus' name. His name literally contains so much power.

He's been faithful in bringing two girls my age to church...I've been so blessed seeing him work in them. One already knows him and the other is curious. We're asking him to keep them coming and to keep watering these seeds- especially so they'll stay connected to Oasis after we leave.

Those of you that have prayed for God to continue giving me specific pictures and words for people, and also for boldness to share them, THANK YOU!!! He's growing my trust in him, to rely on him entirely whenever he gives me something to share. Last night during our prayer time, I tried to step out more and ask him for a picture/word for my friend who doesn't know him. He answered (not a surprise!) and though I was so afraid for the awkwardness of sharing/not knowing how to explain in Spanish to this girl that I hardly know, he gave me the courage. He even touched her heart as I told her what he said . I'm praying his words stay with her and that he makes her thirsty for more.

He has also continued honoring me in dreaming big. I honestly never thought my sweet Mama Barber would ever be able to see my life here and understand that God made me specifically for this country. I love my mom to death, but God's obviously made us different and I'm not really sure where I get my sense of adventure. Nevertheless, this dream that I've had for some time...for her to know and see me here, is coming true! Like I learn over and over, God has no limits! My parents and sister are coming tomorrow until Monday to help us do much needed construction at Oasis. I've never been more thrilled and thankful!

Please continue praying:

• God would open more doors for us to share his truth with all of our students, especially as our time is coming to an end. Beckah leaves next week and I leave in 6 weeks. Also that he would make what we share clear and give us creative ways to share with our younger adolescent friends.
• For all of the relationships we've made with our friends who are not believers. There are many: Luis, Rosa, Janet, Ricardo, Santana, Chava, Diogenes, and several more. We are so hungry for them to know Jesus. Especially the one household of Jehovah's witnesses that we love. Only he can bring them to himself.
• For his Spirit to continue speaking and leading with dreams, visions, and words for these people. Also, more boldness for us to share these with whoever he tells us to.
• Perseverance, physical and emotional rest, refreshment, wisdom, peace, joy, discernment, compassion, gentleness and ALL the fruits of the Spirit for us to display for his glory.

Again, I rely on your prayers and can't thank you enough! You are one of the reason's I'm here and when you pray, God is using you to display his glory here. May his glory be magnified wherever you are in this moment!