Praises!

The months go by so fast! Because we are required to submit a report for the 501c3 (yes still working on it!) I decided to go ahead and do another P&P. With so much going on there isn’t a shortage of photos or something to share.
You might remember the last one that we had a lot of volunteers at FMLK for the month of August with a few stretched into those first couple of days in September but a lone soldier until mid month. One of the things I probably inaccurately stated is they were all from Spain.
We did have someone from Greece, one from Brazil, one from the Netherlands and Allen our last guy is from Andorra. Andorra is a tiny little independent country between Spain and France. He lives in France and rides his bicycle to work a short distance to Spain. After looking at Andorra I think I would love to visit as it is quite mountainous, sparsely populated and I have always wanted to visit Spain since that is my mothers heritage.
Allen stayed behind and seemed content to do things on his own. I’m sure he missed the group of all these volunteers which I don’t think he knew well. A friend of a friend situation but again I think we will see many of these young adults back, including Allen. At least I hope so.
Bill & I had him join us for lunch more often since he was alone and the rains were coming more frequent which makes it a little more difficult to get around on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). You will see some of the photos of his continued work at the school but I’ll try to recap here.
He had iron sheets added to the girls dorm showers, and the toilet area updated where some of the iron sheets had deteriorated. They added a clothes line under the eve that was extended at the shower area so the clothes there might be able to dry even with some rain. He had shower curtains added and had the doors to the toilets repaired.
He brought out a guy to change out all the broken window panes which the count was under 20 but close to that number. He was going to buy chickens but ended up buying the feed and Clare purchased the chickens. Definitely the better deal for Clare.
He also brought a strap with him that has a large ratchet on it that you can chinch between two trees for the kids to learn to walk and balance on it. Probably about three inches wide. Of course there are always too many kids on it and not used as originally as designed but the kids are on it often and enjoy it anyway. He also chose to distribute rice to a few of the guardians in the village and left some for the school as well.
So that was Allen’s projects and we delighted in the visits with him and glad that we had that extra time as well. He too seemed open to spiritual conversations which we had with him. It always hard to say if things change for anyone but I believe that is not my work, that is Gods. I share, God changes hearts and lives.

So onto other things now. BSF started for me mid-Sept so just in time since prior to that I was a little too crazy and I think we all, the ladies, feel like it is overwhelming right now. Always a little difficult to get back in the grove. Bill is still in the trenches with training and conferences being discussed and possible dates being considered. His horizon looks like December I might be alone often since that month is the month that many can book activities with Universities and schools closed.
Other things coming quickly; a sweet friend is getting married in November so helping with that a little bit. She & I are headed to Kampala on Friday to attend a ladies bible conference. I’m excited, the theme is “Abide”. She and I are also working the craft for the conference with a card making activity. I’ll share pics next time. It’s a well welcomed relief for me to have that opportunity to relax and focus and have fun all at the same time with the last three months of over the top crazy busy. I think Bill will probably be working away here and doesn’t get the break as he says the furball kids are always a little whacky when I’m not here.
I just started with some scriptures with P7. I’ve run out of time so will focus on them only and the other classes can wait. They’re sitting for the candidate exams in November. Today, Saturday, I left them with John 14:6 and the question of who is Jesus to you? I will keep the time short so they can focus on their studies, however I want to encouraged them through scripture and prayers as they prepare. Mentioning to them today that it is not unusual to have fear and anxiety, they were receptive to that with a couple of the kids confessing struggling with it. So I’m looking for ways to help them cope with that and point to Jesus all the way.
They have a lot to think about. Because we don’t have a Secondary School we can’t place them in the next traditional learning space. So their choices are limited with FMLK. Some of our Naguru kids are in this class. Then two others in P6. They all call me their Jaja (?) or grandmother. And it feels like each time we have the children graduate up, get rejected because of behavior, or sometimes we don’t know why they don’t return, it is like grandchildren in my heart as it breaks for these kids.
I am working with the teachers and giving them ideas for the Christmas program as well which is just a little to close for comfort. Then I’ll help with the costumes once that is decided. A couple of unfamiliar songs for them too are being considered. Here we go, life is like that here. It keeps us busy and going for sure, just like you!

Prayers
 Pray for Bill as he prepares for sharing truth at these conferences and that the leaders and the students would be engaged and understand the gravity of their choices and that likely, the current status is not a pathway to heaven.
 Pray as we settle in. Pray for our health. I still have a cough from the bout with covid I’m managing. Bill is also having some testing done so we will keep you posted. As you very well probably know or heard, getting old is not especially fun when we think of health!?
 Pray for another couple of streams of funding for FMLK. This is an ongoing prayer, and we hope that with some of these young adults that there might be some help coming in the future. WE continue to trust God in all things!!
 Please continue to pray for the families I gifted photo sessions to, the sessions haven’t been scheduled yet. I haven’t had time to follow up with one family and the other I’m holding off for focus on the first.
 Please pray as we prepare for FMLK NGO renewal THIS month. Always rough!! Still working though this so hopefully we are pretty close and will have little stress at last minute. It is October!!

Mission to the Children

“Changing our World one Life at a Time”

We had a major earthquake on Monday.  Hundreds of houses were destroyed, but numbers of death and injuries were small. Thank you, Lord, for your protection.  Several churches have been destroyed. Thankfully the ranch did not have any damages. However, our church In Villa Alvarez was damaged. We will have to replace several walls, and fix the roof. We Had the civil engineers come out and inspect our church and they found all our cement beams crossing the sanctuary have many cracks and will have to be repaired.

They did say we can continue to have services, but there are some places we will have to close off for fear of falling concrete. They are also sending our results for a further study to determine how to best repair the structure.  We have a lot of work to do so please pray God send us support. We have to get the church repaired before the damage worsens.

Let me explain my Church situation. When I married Lis, she was in Charge of three churches that her father started. (Suchitlan, Coquimatlan, and Villas de Alvarez). We oversee all the churches, and we have a pastor in Suchitlan.  Our pastor in Coquimatlan, just left, so including the ranch we will preach in three churches each week. We also have some more good news; on Sept. 3rd We took food to the hospital to feed those in need. We fed around 50 people and it was a real team effort.  We also set up an area and prayed for all those who wanted prayer. Also, thanks to a Donation we were able to buy three carts of food to feed four families.  We also helped feed another thirty people at the Ranch. People in our churches are suffering and they work so hard, but they have so little. Times are tough here. Me and Lis celebrated our One-year anniversary on 9/11. It has been a wonderful year, and I am so blessed to have her. We went to Guadalajara to celebrate. While we were there, Lis’ brother, who also pastors a church started by their father, had a Christian block party to Celebrate the New year.  It was awesome; They fed around 350 people, and Lis was the featured singer.  She sang several Christian Mariachi songs; she did a great job and has a wonderful voice.

Also, Last week at the ranch I led a young man to Christ. Please pray for him.  We are also starting a new ministry to help feed the needy people in our churches and community, and it is named a “Box of smiles”. The Idea is as we receive designated donations, we will buy boxes of food and give it to needy families. My heart was broken last month when a Lady in our church prayed for the offering and said, “help us to be generous and strong when our money runs out on Thursday and we get paid on Saturday”. Here people buy food each day, and do not store food in their house. What broke my heart was that she didn’t pray for food; she prayed, help us be strong and generous when we have nothing. Please support this new ministry by designating a donation to “Box of Smiles”. We are also starting an earthquake fund to repair our church so designated your donation  to EARTHQUAKE. Thank you so much for supporting my ministry, and helping us “Change our World on Life at a Time”. Please make checks to Mission to the Children PO BX 211322 Bedford Texas 76095 or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/missiontothechildren

A few lessons we learn as we read through Acts 12. One of the most powerful: sometimes God start working with the first words his people say in prayer. Peter’s deliverance from high security Roman prison occurred at the same time when the church was praying. The church is Jerusalem was grieving the recent death of James. That was a big blow for the believers because he was one of the pillars. They prayed but no answer. And this prompted them to think that this might be not the time. We prone to think that God’s work is always slow and long. But we have to realize that sometimes God does it with the first word we utter. He needs his Body – the Church, to co-work with him for the kingdom goals. And when his church does great things happen.

ESL ministry

Please, welcome Start Language School! We’ve finally come up with a neutral name for our language courses. We hope it will keep us safe and unharmed as we’re trying to preach the gospel in our limited abilities. Pray for new people come to us and existing get closer to us and to the Lord. Continue to pray for wisdom and creativity in this endeavor.

Harvest Days

Harvest Festival is coming up in October. Historically, it’s one of a big celebration for evangelicals in Russia. Every church or a group makes its own arrangements as for when this day will be marked. The secondary goal for that is to make it easier for believers from different churches to visit each other. It will be on Sunday, October 2nd in our fellowship this year. Then, we are going to visit a few groups. Pray for those special days as for opportunity for outreach. Pray for those who close the kingdom to step out and come to service. Pray for services to be bright and the message powerful.

Men’s Club

Please pray for this ministry to resume. And when we resume we could see everyone healthy and in good spirit. From our experiences, Satan often uses summer recess for stealing the sheep. Pray for all new folks to come and the new ones. Our first meeting will be on October 1st.

Greetings from North Carolina,

 I pray you are blessed in every way according to 3 John 1:2, Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

The Lord keeps reminding me that I am still in a season of transition. He has given me some assignments to complete during this season. With the assignments, He is also giving me His Word to keep me on track.  It’s a good thing I have His Holy Spirit to lead and guide me because I would be lost without Him.  I don’t remember fighting such a bombardment of distractions. Nor have I fought such heavy spiritual battles in my own country and in my own family and sphere of influence. It’s been years since I have lived in the States and much has changed. It is challenging, requiring prayerfully seeking the Lord’s Wisdom.

Transition can often feel like a crazy mix of emotions and decisions.  I am not where I was and yet not fully moved into where I am going.  I must remember that He who brought me into the journey is faithful to bring me through it and finish the work He started.

I thank God for the Word that He has written on my heart through the years because it’s by His equipping truths and strengthening grace that I can keep moving forward.  Even though my steps are slower, I take them by faith knowing Jesus is walking with me.  I believe that pressing on through the tough times will be worth it in the end. Jesus the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is on the move and great things are already being done behind the scenes and more is being revealed that will bring in the greatest move of God ever! I am thankful that despite the challenges, I am alive for such a time as this.

Psalm 103: Praise the Lord’s for His Mercies!

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

God always has a purpose for every season in the natural and in the spiritual.   This is a season for reinforcement and renewal.  The reinforcement part includes meditating and praying over the scriptures and prophetic that’s already been given and studying His Word for today and tomorrow’s promises to be revealed.  The renewal comes with worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, like He spoke to the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4:2-3.

 John 4:2-3 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

The scriptures the Holy Spirit gave me many years ago while I was praying for the opportunity to attend Rhema Bible School and to know God’s Will are found in Psalm 37.

 Psalms 37:4-5 NKJV Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.  

I learned a valuable lesson back then. It remains one of life’s “Golden Nuggets of Truth” I deeply treasure. While I worshipped Jesus and waited with my heart and mind fastened on Him, my desires became His desires and His desires mine. I had a heavenly encounter, and we made a heavenly exchange. My Creator planted His seeds in my heart, and as I abided in His Presence, watering them with my worship, I received the sweet fruit of His Spirit. It was an act of surrender. I learned to listen for His Voice.  Jesus became the utmost desire of my heart, and all the other things that were not of Him faded away.

 In the margin of my Bible by Psalm 37, I wrote—Rhema (1984-1985), Guatemala (1987-1991) (1999-2021)— and in His Timing as noted they came to pass. It was always His Will!  

It is vital to discover His Plan. He said to me more than once, “There is no plan A or plan B and no plan C that you have been recently thinking about either.  There is only My Plan, so seek me first and stay focused on what you already know and do that.”

Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

This season of transition is also a time of transformation.  No matter how old I am, I must keep on growing in Jesus, being changed into His Image.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Transformation is a type of metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is defined as a change into something new, like when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. There is a noticeable change in character, appearance, function, or condition. It is like that in the spirit also. God, Our Creator is working, making something new, breathing fresh life into those whose hearts are lifted to Him.  Prepare to receive the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit.  Breakthrough will happen.  Cocoons are temporary!  Changes continue! Life happens, and butterflies are beautiful.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.  It is important to let God be God and trust Him to finish the transformation. We are the work of His Hands!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

 As I close, I pray that you are blessed abundantly in every area of your life as you seek Him, to know Him and to know His will that you will be strengthened by His grace. I pray your relationship with Jesus becomes sweeter and sweeter, and His Word becomes the lamp at your feet and the light on your path to continually show you the way on the journey He has chosen for you. 

In Jesus Name,

I remain His Missionary, Arlene J. Reitz