April 2024
There is SO much to report on and share with you in this update. We have hosted 10 teams since January 9th, as well as a number of visiting ministers, and we have 16 more on the calendar that we are preparing for, and new requests to bring teams! The year has started off with a bang, and we can’t believe how much has been accomplished in this short time.
Here are a few family and ministry highlights for you to check out. Thank you for praying for us, and for your support. These things would not happen without you!
Family News
We have been renting our current home for three years, and it has been a blessing at the right time. Now we are on a timeline to move out – November 1st. This will be here sooner than we know! So, the land is ours…now to build. This will be a faith journey for sure.
We have some funds set aside to help with this, but we will be raising the bulk starting now. Although we are still working on an exact figure, we are estimating the amount needed to be around $140,000. This is needed in a short time, and we’re excited to see how the Lord will do it! He has faithfully taken care of us so far, and we know he’ll continue.
Would you be in prayer to hear if the Lord would have you join us in this? If you feel led to help us build our home, there is information at the bottom of the page on how you can do that. Thank you so much for standing with us!
We’ll be posting regular updates on the progress as we go along. In the meantime, family life has continued in the midst of it all. Here are some glimpses into our lives during these last months.
This is the land (up to the blue line) that has been given to us for our house. We’re so thankful and can’t wait to see it go up!
Hannah’s mom came in January! We had so much fun showing her around and enjoying our beautiful Oaxaca. This picture is in Pluma Hidalgo, a mountain town a couple of hours away.
We had a team here during the Super Bowl, and we got to join with the Spanish school students to watch it all together. The Americans were loud that day!
Finney passed out during a recent visit with some local store owners.
These two were excited to be baking with real chocolate chips
Ben’s brother Andy, who is also a missionary in Mexico along with his family, was in Oaxaca. Ben got to see him and hang out at the Monte Alban pyramids for a day.
Living in Mexico means learning to have a whole lot of patience. Here the fab 5 are waiting for our driver’s licenses to be renewed. This became an all-day process, but attitudes stayed generally good.
Finney’s first haircut!
Sunrise service on the beach – Easter
A humongous bag of chocolate chips from the States – thank you Shana! Sage took the picture to show her friends how big the bag was.
Ministry Update
As many of you know, we have been praying for partners to join in the short-term ministry, and the Lord has provided! Alex and Melody Madín have joined us, and we could not be more thankful. Melody grew up here in Cacalote and has been involved with teams as a translator and helper on some outreaches, as has Alex. Some changes in her schedule mean that she has been freed up to now work with Hannah on the administrative side as well. Alex is also a massive blessing to Ben, working alongside him with both base projects and hosting teams. Alex and Melody are both bilingual and have massive hearts for service. We are so grateful for their presence and support! Thank you, Jesus!
This is extra good news since this has been our busiest season yet, with expanding roles for Ben on the base regarding projects and new construction, as well as a lot of new teams to prepare and plan for, and of course host.
One big event that we want to share about is the annual Convocation here at the base. This was a special time of gathering the Roca Blanca pastors and churches and spending days being trained, worshipping together, and celebrating what Jesus is doing. The video below and accompanying pictures can only give you a glimpse of this massive celebration! Our favorite moment of the whole thing was the “parade of nations”, with believers from each tribe of Oaxaca represented and coming forward to worship. It was stunning and such a good foreshadowing of heaven. Ben was an integral part of the team that helped pull this event off. Check out the first video for a quick look.
We couldn’t possibly share everything that the Lord has been doing over the last months, but here are a few pictures, and some videos too to give you an idea. Make sure you click on the buttons to see the videos!
Alex and Melody, our new partners in service
Pastors from each region were invited to pray and intercede in their own language.
One of the outside walls of the base compound “before” a team came and worked.
Kids outreach with a team
A Roca church in Puerto Angel is working on getting a roof. They have been meeting under a tarp.
Part of a team from Mississippi helps put in the roof structure
On the way to Puerto Angel, one of the van’s tires caught fire and exploded. Scary! But it happened just at the appropriate place… there was water nearby, and our team and some locals were able to put it out. It was an adventure!
I had the opportunity to hear this precious lady’s story. She and her daughter welcomed us into her home. She has lived through unbelievable challenges but is open to the Gospel. The church in Juquila will keep ministering to her in practical ways and showing her Jesus’ love.
A team of men from Gateway church in Dallas came and gave the kitchen a facelift and helped with new equipment. They left their mark. It’s covered by tile now, but the impact remains and is felt daily.
The men from Texas had a time of prayer and connection with Elieser, our base administrator. This time was a shot in the arm and a real boost to a faithful, tireless worker.
The same wall “after’. A team blessed us with re-finishing to protect the wall from the elements, and painting.
The Mississippi team brought a hairdresser. Here she’s using her abilities on mission!
Hannah translating for a couple’s event at the local church
This student team from upstate New York had the best attitudes while working! Their labor helped push several projects forward.
Food distribution with a team in Juquila, about 2 hours from us.
The base kitchen serves hundreds of meals every day. It really needed a facelift, some new equipment, and a lot of love all around!
Our friend Bill led the men’s team. Here he is helping to re-wire a church in El Mosco, several hours up the mountain. The team also painted, put in a new sink, buried water lines, and did several other projects to help support the church.
This is a good graphic of how each ministry here at Roca Blanca Missions Base works together. Each is a thread coming together toward one goal and vision – winning lost souls to Jesus.
We can’t say how grateful we are to you and glad that you are on our team. Keep praying for Oaxaca, for Mexico, and for the Clarks!
If you are interested in giving toward the house, here’s how you can do that:
- Sending a check made out to “Roca Blanca Missions” at Roca Blanca Missions, PO Box 1101, Hutchinson, KS 67504-1101. Simply memo it “Ben and Hannah Clark”.
- Giving online here, and choosing Ben and Hannah Clark from the drop-down menu.
In love and gratitude,
Ben, Hannah, and kids
Wow, the convocation and especially the parade of (Oaxaca) nations is amazing and encouraging! Thanks for another wonderful newsletter. Can’t believe how big the kids are; I like you calling them the fab five 🙂
Hi Karen! It was a joyful spectacle for sure. Very moving! Yes, the kids are getting bigger every single day.
Praise the Lord for the Harvest that is happening in Oaxaca!!!! Marvelous to behold!!
You are dearly beloved,
Ken and Sharon
Thank you friends! God is faithful!
So much happening! Interesting to see all the parts of the mission on the chart. Exciting about the land! Love you guys.
Love you too!!