" 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us' " (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of--He is a being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate--God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord's birth was an advent--the appearance of God in human form.
This time of the year is very special to us because we get to spend time with members of our family which we don't see much the rest of the year. Ministry wise though, it isn't the best time, people are so busy doing their own thing, partying and things like that, they don't have time for God, which is so sad to see.
How fast we humans forget. We are seeing how the people in Alamos have already forgotten about the hurricane that took so many lives, left so many without homes, and have gone back to their old practices. I was talking to somebody the other day saying how I liked Alamos more when it was without electricity and people were working together cleaning their homes and sorting out things that could be salvaged. We live in a dark world that rejects the Light.
Some of you have asked about my brother Miguel Angel. Well, he showed up yesterday. He has been married to a woman from the mountains for a few years now, whom he was planning to divorce, (that would have been his second time), before the hurricane hit Alamos, but now is back with her. This lady was a widow when my brother met her and she has a grown son. She is not saved and was really doubting my brother's decision to follow Christ.
Miguel Angel was telling how most people have left 'Cieneguita' (the community where they live, pictured below) because they fear for their lives. We are wondering why he stays there, except that Norma (that's the wife), has her 90 something year old mother (picture below) that says she won't move from there at any cost. She has lived there her whole life and that is where she wants to die. Fortunately this lady accepted Christ not very long ago and has had such a change of heart, not in wanting to move from there though, but to live for Christ.
Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of--He is a being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate--God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord's birth was an advent--the appearance of God in human form.
This time of the year is very special to us because we get to spend time with members of our family which we don't see much the rest of the year. Ministry wise though, it isn't the best time, people are so busy doing their own thing, partying and things like that, they don't have time for God, which is so sad to see.
How fast we humans forget. We are seeing how the people in Alamos have already forgotten about the hurricane that took so many lives, left so many without homes, and have gone back to their old practices. I was talking to somebody the other day saying how I liked Alamos more when it was without electricity and people were working together cleaning their homes and sorting out things that could be salvaged. We live in a dark world that rejects the Light.
Some of you have asked about my brother Miguel Angel. Well, he showed up yesterday. He has been married to a woman from the mountains for a few years now, whom he was planning to divorce, (that would have been his second time), before the hurricane hit Alamos, but now is back with her. This lady was a widow when my brother met her and she has a grown son. She is not saved and was really doubting my brother's decision to follow Christ.
Miguel Angel was telling how most people have left 'Cieneguita' (the community where they live, pictured below) because they fear for their lives. We are wondering why he stays there, except that Norma (that's the wife), has her 90 something year old mother (picture below) that says she won't move from there at any cost. She has lived there her whole life and that is where she wants to die. Fortunately this lady accepted Christ not very long ago and has had such a change of heart, not in wanting to move from there though, but to live for Christ.
Miguel Angel says he is not afraid to continue to live in this deserted place. I told him that is understandable since he now has eternal life, if he dies, he now knows he will go be with Christ and that gives him lots of peace. He continues to have a hunger to share the Gospel with the ones staying, as they seek him out in their despair. He wants to take back Bibles, NewTestaments, and pocket New Testaments to give away. He is sharing the Gospel with the people the Lord sends his way. It is great to see Him and encourage him to continue putting His trust in the One that never fails and will never leave Him. What an awesome, all powerful God we serve!
Esmeralda & Dulce came to visit us in church on Sunday. They used to live with us. It was so special to see them, especially sweet little Dulce. It was so hard for us when they left. They now live with their mother in Puerto Peñasco. We had a special Christmas service there in Osobampo. Lots of people came and we were blessed to have the Towgoods with us, (my sister Delia & her family from California). We also had two brothers in Christ that came to visit us from Life Christian Fellowship in Orange County, California. Brian & pastor Helyn were such a blessing for us to have over the weekend. Brian wants to bring a group from his church in March. They got to help transport the food for our event in church from 'Las Minitas.'
Lolis (Faith) is now 17 years old! I was telling her I was not even used to saying she was 16 yet, and now I have to say she is 17! What is wrong with this world? How come children grow so quickly, it isn't fair!
The adoption with Marilú & Lolis are finished, but we still need to go to Monterrey to get Marilú's birth certificate. Lord willing we will do it when we get back from the Missions Conference in January. Also with Lolis birth certificate something needs to be corrected. It will take at least 8 months to be done, and until then we cannot start the process for a passport for her. We are also starting the adoption process with Josie. It will take close to a year just to be done with the stripping of the rights for her. Oh, well at least we are starting. Hopefully it is possible to do it. Some times the judge in Navojoa won't allow adoptions to be done if she feels, or thinks that for any reason it isn't the best for the child in her opinion. We will pray...
We praise God for his faithfulness to us. We are so blessed in so many ways. We continue to lift many of you up by name to the Lord daily. It is such a privilege to pray for so many of you, knowing too so many of you pray for us always. THANK YOU!!!
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR RANCHO MARANATHA ALAMOS, MX.
Pray for the communities we work with. It is such a great honor to be able to share the Gospel with them and to see how the Lord opens their understanding for His truth and how they are also sharing with others. Like John the apostle says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3Jn 1:4). When I hear the ladies in the Bible studies I do with them tell me how they are sharing with others, I think of this Scripture because I feel such joy to see them practicing and living His truth.
Pray for the people getting ready to come out to help, groups, individuals, etc. We want to be a blessing for whoever the Lord sends here. We continue to be amazed at God's grace and provision to us as He always sustains us in every way!
Pray for my husband as he will be sharing in CC Alamos in their yearly New Year's event, that God anoints his speech, for the name of the Lord to be lifted up as a banner for all to see, for people to have ears to hear and soft hearts where the Word of God can penetrate.
Pray for Jerry & Jo that will be driving from Kansas to come and take care of the girls and things on the ranch while we are away in California. Pray also for Roshon & Carla that will be helping out with the girls and things around the ranch.
Please continue to pray for my brother Miguel Angel, for a greater knowledge of who God is in his life, for a more intimate relationship with Him, for protection and boldness to preach the Gospel to all those that need Jesus so much.
Please pray for our dear sister Dalia's family (she is from Mocúzari), her brother accused of murdering a man almost two years ago, was finally caught by the police and put in jail. He had been running from there all this time. His name is Eleazar. Dalia is the only believer in this lost, lost wicked family. We are so blessed to see her faithfulness to the Lord and her unwavering walk with Him that chose her for the kingdom, as she often says that of herself.
Please pray for Chuy in Mocúzari as she is teaching a Bible study for the women there and has been so blessed doing it. The Lord is blessing her as she continues to be faithful to Him.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (Mark 8:35)
May the Lord bless each one of you. We love you all and wish you God's best during this season when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Daniel & Ana
The adoption with Marilú & Lolis are finished, but we still need to go to Monterrey to get Marilú's birth certificate. Lord willing we will do it when we get back from the Missions Conference in January. Also with Lolis birth certificate something needs to be corrected. It will take at least 8 months to be done, and until then we cannot start the process for a passport for her. We are also starting the adoption process with Josie. It will take close to a year just to be done with the stripping of the rights for her. Oh, well at least we are starting. Hopefully it is possible to do it. Some times the judge in Navojoa won't allow adoptions to be done if she feels, or thinks that for any reason it isn't the best for the child in her opinion. We will pray...
We praise God for his faithfulness to us. We are so blessed in so many ways. We continue to lift many of you up by name to the Lord daily. It is such a privilege to pray for so many of you, knowing too so many of you pray for us always. THANK YOU!!!
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR RANCHO MARANATHA ALAMOS, MX.
Pray for the communities we work with. It is such a great honor to be able to share the Gospel with them and to see how the Lord opens their understanding for His truth and how they are also sharing with others. Like John the apostle says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3Jn 1:4). When I hear the ladies in the Bible studies I do with them tell me how they are sharing with others, I think of this Scripture because I feel such joy to see them practicing and living His truth.
Pray for the people getting ready to come out to help, groups, individuals, etc. We want to be a blessing for whoever the Lord sends here. We continue to be amazed at God's grace and provision to us as He always sustains us in every way!
Pray for my husband as he will be sharing in CC Alamos in their yearly New Year's event, that God anoints his speech, for the name of the Lord to be lifted up as a banner for all to see, for people to have ears to hear and soft hearts where the Word of God can penetrate.
Pray for Jerry & Jo that will be driving from Kansas to come and take care of the girls and things on the ranch while we are away in California. Pray also for Roshon & Carla that will be helping out with the girls and things around the ranch.
Please continue to pray for my brother Miguel Angel, for a greater knowledge of who God is in his life, for a more intimate relationship with Him, for protection and boldness to preach the Gospel to all those that need Jesus so much.
Please pray for our dear sister Dalia's family (she is from Mocúzari), her brother accused of murdering a man almost two years ago, was finally caught by the police and put in jail. He had been running from there all this time. His name is Eleazar. Dalia is the only believer in this lost, lost wicked family. We are so blessed to see her faithfulness to the Lord and her unwavering walk with Him that chose her for the kingdom, as she often says that of herself.
Please pray for Chuy in Mocúzari as she is teaching a Bible study for the women there and has been so blessed doing it. The Lord is blessing her as she continues to be faithful to Him.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (Mark 8:35)
May the Lord bless each one of you. We love you all and wish you God's best during this season when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Daniel & Ana
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