Greetings from Guadalajara! It’s already halfway through May – the hottest month of the year here in GDL. While life has continued to be full, I’m enjoying some time on my own and learning what it means to find rest, even in the midst of busyness. March and April were months that the apartment felt like a revolving door – it was in fact just that. There were about 2 weeks worth of days that Sandra and I didn’t have guests staying with us! A highlight for me was having my uncle and aunt from Winnipeg spend 3 days with me. It was a short visit, but one with great conversations and times together. Both Sandra and I felt refreshed by their visit.

Since early March, a TREK team has been here in GDL. They spent the first 7 weeks here in language classes and since then, they’ve been involved in serving one of the local MB church and it’s community. It’s been exciting for me to see the impact that these 4 have had on the lives of some of the Mexican young people. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring 2 of the young women on the team and I’ve been so proud of them and their desire to learn what it means to serve God with their lives.

During these last months, I’ve also began to disciple a young Mexican woman named Maggie. Maggie graduated from university just over a year ago and has been working in the area of graphic design. She became a Christian during her university years and has a desire in her heart to serve God in full time service – she just doesn’t know what that looks like yet. Like many others, Maggie faces many challenges from her family for being a Christian. Pray for me as I mentor Maggie and pray for Maggie as she tries to understand who God is and what He has planned for her.

In the middle of April, Sandra and I travelled to Minneapolis, MN to attend a conference on short term missions. Since the majority of those attending the conference send out short term missions teams, we brought a different perspectives being on the hosting end of those teams. Because Manitoba is just a short 8 hours away, I took advantage of this and spent 2 weeks of holidays visiting family and a few friends. It was great to be able to be with my family and a real treat to meet my nephew Kaiden (14 months) and spend time with him. It was great to be there, but it was also great to get back ‘home’ to Guadalajara.

During the month of March a young couple from southern Manitoba spent 5 days with us. Their trip was a bit of an exploratory trip with hearts open for God’s leading in their lives. Please pray with us for them as they discern where God is calling them to. There is still a need for someone to come and work full time with the youth in RETO and we know that God has His timing and His perfect plan.

Sandra and I are in the midst of preparing for a youth retreat that will take place May 25-27. We are excited and surprised that we have 26 people committed to attending. It’s been very encouraging to see the youth come out regularly, and their interest in God. Pray for us this weekend as there are a number of non Christian youth planning to attend. Pray that God would move in all of our hearts. While leading youth was not part of the original plan in coming here, I love being with these young people and seeing growth happen in their lives.

These days are filled with plans and preparations for the upcoming months. Summer will be very busy and so the more preparations we can do now the better. This next month will be full of celebration times – a missionary retreat, farewells and birthdays will provide opportunities to gather and celebrate God’s goodness to us. I thank you once again for your continued support, prayers, encouragements, emails, and phone calls. I do love hearing from you and I praise God for you often.

Blessings
Jen