Hola! I hope this newsletter finds you well! It’s hard to believe we are already heading into fall. We finished our first month of school and we have 14 students currently studying, with a waiting list of children who would love the opportunity to study. It has been such a joy already to get to know these beautiful kids, see their huge smiles as they get on the bus every day and watch them learn new concepts.
The month started off with Sandra (our teacher at the school) getting baptized. We were very proud of her as she shared her testimony at the church! Her whole family attended church to celebrate with her and we are excited to see her family continuing to open to the gospel!
 
This month, our school had the opportunity to help in an evangelism event by going door to door inviting people. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to step out of their comfort zones and meet new people. The first few houses, I did the talking while the students gave out the invitations. After about 3 houses, one of the students said, “Teacher, I can do the talking now…” I thoroughly enjoyed watching her run to every person walking down the street or slow driver cruising by to invite them to the event!
On the 16th, I had the opportunity to go visit Ana Cristina in the mountains. It was so much fun to see everyone again and take a weekend away from civilization. While up there, Ana Cristina and I started the 6th book of the Discipleship Training Program we have been working through. It was wonderful to see her enthusiasm to continue to grow spiritually and share the gospel with the people in her village. I would like to share part of her monthly updates she has been sending. 
             “Greetings brothers and sisters.
I want to share with you this September what God is doing here in the community. We have 7 children at school and we are doing very well. They really want to learn more about the Word and also to read and write, thank God he gives each child encouragement every day. In the month of August I met a person here in the community walking and we didn't know each other but that person started talking to me and asked me for help, if I could give him some food. While he was eating I shared my testimony with him and when I finished sharing he asked me how I could be saved. I explained a little to him and also gave him the verses that we used for the illustration of the Bridge and that person told me that he was going to read it and I gave him a Bible. Another lady and I have already started studying the Bible every week, she is very excited to learn more about God.”
 
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support which make it possible for the ministry in the mountains to keep going. We pray that many more villages will receive the opportunity to hear the gospel and feel God’s Love in a tangible way!
We were also so excited to see our last year’s graduate start her time of service in Sonora. She has been saving for a year to go on a 6 month internship with a ministry in Guaymas, Sonora. She has been there for just over 2 weeks now, and it is wonderful to hear how she is serving at the church and in the children’s ministry!

Lastly, I want to share a passage that has been on my heart lately. “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.  Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:17-20. I am reminded of how important it is for us, as family in Christ, to love each other. It’s through our love for one another that will spark a desire in others to know Christ. When I choose to love a brother/sister in Christ, despite our different views and cultures/traditions. I find it much easier to keep a perfect church attendance, read and memorize the Word, etc, then to love a fellow believer when he/she hurts me. My prayer lately has been that God would teach me to love my family in Christ and see them through His Eyes.

Praise and Prayer Requests:

-        Praise God for His provision in buying the outhouse for the school!

-        Praise God for the 14 beautiful students we have in school!

-        Praise God for the ministry in the mountains, that Ana Cristina continues serving wholeheartedly.

-        Please continue to pray that God would provide the funds to pay a second teacher, so that each student can learn to the best of their ability.

-        Please pray for Amelia’s ministry with the youth, that more youth could hear about Jesus, and build healthy relationships in a safe environment.

-        Please pray for Ana Cristina, as it can get quite lonely in the mountains that she would continue to find her strength in the Lord.

-        Please pray for Sandra, as it is her first year teaching, that she would stay strong and encouraged.

Thank you so much for your prayers! We know we couldn’t do this alone and we are so blessed to have you standing behind us! God Bless! Amanda.