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| Mount Rainier, 14,400 ft, viewed from Auburn, WA |
Happy
Independence Day, USA! Besides celebrating the gift of living in a country
founded on a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”, the
4th of July is one of my favorite holidays to pass out tracts. I’ll
be going with three others from our church to the city park to exercise our
freedom of speech for a good cause – eternal life!
In
my previous update I asked for prayer for affordable housing beginning in June
and God provided way above what I ever imagined! Fellow Seventh Day Baptists,
Norm and Vicki Burdick, learned of the need and offered me their 2-bedroom rental house
in the town next to Auburn (2 miles away), at NO RENT! I just pay utilities.
The house had been vacant for a time and I’ve been cleaning and sprucing up
since moving in May 30th. It was built in the 1950’s and has lots of
great features not found in homes today like a dresser built into the wall,
cupboards that open to both the kitchen and dining room, a pullout cutting
board, and can-opener attached to a cabinet. And lots of windows to let in the
sun when it shines!
Several people have loaned me furniture, so I’m all set to
live, work and entertain from my little house. I thank the Lord daily for the
gift of this home.
I’ve
continued the home Bible studies and have been thrilled to participate in this
part of the Great Commission, to “make disciples.” The two mothers of young
children have been excited to see the stories of Jesus come alive as we study
the gospel of John. Claudia commented that we study from the Bible itself,
whereas the Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on their Watch Tower materials. She prefers the Bible! Her two
teen daughters have joined us for the summer studies.
Both Claudia and Magali,
with their families, have visited our church group when we’ve met in the park
on Sabbath afternoons (see photo - everybody likes to sing). I’ve joined Claudia for some of the school events of her
children, and assisted her as a translator a few times.
One day as I was
leaving her mobile home park, I noticed a chair on the curb. I stopped to
inquire of the neighbor and left with four chairs for my dining table! A little
glue and they are good as new. More praise to God from whom all blessings flow!
It’s been great to see the deepening
understanding of Dalia’s four children as we studied 13 lessons on the life of
Jesus. They’ve been getting to know who He is through His miracles, teachings,
sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection. Sometimes their friends join us
too. Recently the oldest child said, “I want to follow Jesus” and the next
oldest asked, “Will I be in heaven?” Praise God for their desire to be
disciples of Jesus. Dalia and children
regularly attend our church. Thanks to your gifts I’ve been able to give them
children’s versions of the Bible, plus a Bible for Dalia.
In the picture we're singing "Jesus Loves Me", "Cristo Me Ama."
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| We made baskets to hold "five loaves and two fish." |
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| Neighbors joined us for coloring the Bible story picture. |
In April I enjoyed the SDB Women’s Retreat
(Northwest Association) at a rustic retreat center in Auburn where I taught
three sessions on “Being a Missionary Where I Live”. It was good to hear how
different women are sharing the gospel in their workplaces and neighborhoods,
giving us new ideas
Two
middle-school students have been taking the weekly guitar class since March.
Both are excited as they get better at playing, and one, José, has joined us in
the park a few times and played with me for some of the choruses (see photo).
I’m getting
to know the parents a bit too, and we invite them to join us for Sabbath
worship. A married couple from our church will be starting lessons this week.
My hope is to leave the church with a few new guitarists whenever I move on –
music discipleship!
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| Rhododendrons, the WA state flower |
I’ve finished teaching the series on SDB core
beliefs for the adult class on Sabbath, and now we’ll study the book of Acts to
consider how the actions of the first believers can shape how we live and act
as a church, guided by the Holy Spirit. We are working toward a commitment to
membership and finding ways to serve our local church and beyond.
On warm and
dry Saturdays the church often meets in local parks for our worship service and
Bible classes, followed by a fellowship meal. The kids run around and play,
sometimes the adults too (Frisbee!), and we hang out for hours.
Have you tried
Prickly Pear cactus cooked on a grill? It’s pretty good! They call it “Nopal.” I’m really enjoying the delicious
made-from-scratch Mexican food by our skilled cooks.
Every so often the church takes a Sabbath to go
farther afield such as our trip to Mount Rainier in May. There was still snow
on the ground up there but it was fun to see the waterfalls and walk a bit on
the trails.
I offered to tote baby Isaac in a carrier since his mom had her
hands full with her three other kids. I’m grateful for good health and glad I
can keep walking (and doing line dancing)!
Pastor
Ben encouraged me to apply as a volunteer for the school district so I could
get to know some of the youth who attend our church as well as meet new people
(staff or students) and let them know of my involvement with the church and our
desire to serve the community.
In early May I began assisting with supervising
the lunch break twice a week at Mount Baker Middle School, where Pastor Ben
works, until school ended June 24th. It was eye opening to see the
major ethnic diversity at the school, reflecting the community.
There are over 65 languages and dialects used by
students in the Auburn school district!
Thank you for your faithful
prayers! Here are some new prayer requests:
Fruitful gospel outreach by our church at
Algona Days, July 15-16.
For Pastor Ben and Marcela.
For the growth of the church plant numerically
and spiritually, and for leaders as we add structure
For my growth in effective bi-cultural
ministry.
For me in July as I watch over the flock while
Pastor Ben and Marcela are away.
My travel in August to SDB General Conference
and then to Headquarters for Summer Institute.
Additional financial support monthly
or one-time gifts, continuing into 2017.
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| Putting church info labels on tracts |
If you’d
like to share in this ministry financially, donations can be sent here, payable
to “IBS Dia”. Please
write my name on the memo line of the check and they will pass along 100% of
the funds to me. We can also set up automatic fund transfers (EFTs), bank to
bank.
IBS Dia
PO Box 217
Auburn WA 98071
PO Box 217
Auburn WA 98071
“It was
for freedom that Christ set us free!” Galatians 5:1a
Holding
fast to the Savior so I can make disciples,
Patty
