Today is the first day of classes at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary. The Center for Youth Ministry has the largest incoming freshman class that we’ve had in the five years of our existence. There are (at least) five new youth ministry students entering this year out of a freshman class of 13.
I’m excited because we really worked hard the last year to promote the youth ministry training program at various events throughout the country. Our students are spreading the word about one of the only bachelor’s degree programs for youth ministry in Latin America (link to Spanish website).
Below you’ll find the list of names of the freshmen youth ministry students. Please pray for them by name.
2008 Youth Ministry Freshmen Class
Victoria Castro Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
Gerson Hernandez Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
Josue Misael Lara Vázquez from Monterrey
Kareni Sadai Méndez Galván from Monterrey
Débora Osobampo Martinez from Sinaloa
Also be praying for the other youth ministry students who are beginning classes this week at the seminary. I’ll post more about each of them in the future. It’s going to be a great year of ministry.
They say that babies who are born breech have trouble with their hips because of the pressure placed on them before birth.
Since Benjamin was born breech, the doctors wanted to do an ultrasound on his hips when he turned 6 weeks old. So we went for today.
We went to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. The results came back negative. Everything is normal. Thank God that nothing was wrong. We didn’t even see the doctor after they did the ultrasound because everything was fine.
So, we went to International Plaza as a family since we were already down that way. Nathan got to play at the Looney Toons park (see the video below), I got to take my first ever trip to an Apple Store (although I didn’t spend as much time there as I would have liked), and we all got to share a delicious cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory.
Overall, it was a great family day despite the stress of having to go to the hospital for the test. Thanks for praying for us (follow our PoulettePrayer twitter stream.)
“Prayer is the language of a man burdened with a sense of need.” – E.M. Bounds
We need prayer in our ministries. It should be a priority for us. But, it’s easy to get burdened with the hassles of “work” and not pray like we should for our students and volunteers.
I read a great blog post on Pura Vida that compares Mexico City with Gotham City. It has some startling statistics in it about the city we call home, and it references another article from the New York Times about crime in Mexico City (free registration required).
Some startling facts about Mexico
Since the end of 2006, the Calderón government has sent more than 25,000 soldiers and federal police on high-powered anti-drug “operations” to combat drug cartels.
This year is on pace to be the bloodiest on record for Mexico’s drug war, surpassing by almost 50 percent last year’s toll of more than 2,500 deaths.
The U.S. Congress has authorized $400 million worth of aid to Mexico for next year, including equipment and technical support for García Luna’s police.
In a national poll taken earlier this year in Mexico, 56% of Mexicans think the cartels are more powerful than the government.
A powerful drug cartel left a “hit list” of police chiefs and mayors on a monument to fallen police officers in February of this year. Of the 22 names on the list, 18 were assassinated within three months.
Last year the largest confiscation of cocaine in history – 23 tons – happened in Mexico and the amount of $207 million dollars was seized all in one house (there were entire rooms filled with hundred dollar bills stacked from floor to ceiling).
Please continue to pray for Mexico. It is definitely a spiritual battle that is being waged. We know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, and we know who ultimately wins.
Each of the statistics above represent many lives and families that are being destroyed. Mexico needs your prayers.
We send one out about once a quarter (through snail mail). If you would like to receive it, please send me an email (drpoulette at gmail dot com) with your name and address, and I’ll add you to the mailing list.
Also, if you want to get on the email list, I send out an email update about every other week (when we’re in Mexico). It’s also the best way to stay up to date with urgent prayer requests. We need people praying for us as we continue to minister. Thanks!
We need your help. A few weeks ago, I sent an email to our mailing list that said that we really needed prayers for the last of 6 encounters for a Master’s program we are directing in Cuba. I have been going there each January and June for the last 2 and a half years (almost 3 years), and this time will be the last trip I make for a while.
Many of the 13 students in the program have serious issues at home or in their ministries that are affecting them in their quest to complete this once in a lifetime opportunity. Here are a few of the situations that they are facing. Please pray for them.
Maykel’s wife is pregnant, and her pregnancy is very high risk. She is due right around when we should be in class. Maykel has been finishing up a thesis he is researching for another degree he is completing at the same time.
Pancho was recently told by his doctor to avoid doing anything that requires much effort due to the amount of stress that is in his life. He is taking a sabbatical from his job as the director of the youth program at the Eastern Baptist Convention, but he is continuing his studies to obtain his Master’s in youth ministry.
Abdiel and Leza are expecting their first child. While this is a good thing, it’s not easy to be pregnant and do the required work for the youth ministry classes.
Giancarlos’s wife has very serious eye problems and may lose her sight if something isn’t done soon. They say there isn’t much that can be done.
We know that these are difficulties that need to be overcome, and we are confident that your prayers will help (James 5:16). Thanks.
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