March & April 2021
Hello friends!
We’re really excited to share with you some of our adventures from these last two months. It has been wonderful, chaotic, crazy and fulfilling to begin to receive teams here at Roca Blanca.
The work that goes into preparing teams, coordinating lodging, transportation, meals, ministry, activities….whew! It’s overwhelming if you look at it all at once. But there is such joy in seeing what happens during these trips – in the time the Lord had set aside for teams.
A team from Radiant School of Ministry in Kalamazoo, MI, came from March 23 to April 19. They came with servant hearts and despite the heat and the adjustments they accomplished an incredible amount of work during their time here. Check it out!
The base had wanted a basketball court for decades. They just hadn’t had the right team to come build it! Well, here the team is digging out the area for all the footings, etc. … Getting started!
The team worked hard for a good chunk of their trip to get the court done. Their effort inspired some of our Bible and Worship school students to join in!
The finished product! Amazing.
Ministering in San Martin. The team was able to share testimonies and preach for two Sunday services.
Team members also took turns praying for patients during several clinic outreaches. They joined 3 different outreaches into nearby villages.
Students also prepared and handed out over 120 food aid packs along with prayer ministry. It’s desperately needed and very appreciated.
Kids loved the obstacle courses!
Dinner with the host church team after a clinic and kids’ outreach.
In some of the mountain villages, the indigenous language, not Spanish, is still spoken. Here a team member prays for an elderly woman. Her prayer is translated to Spanish, then Mixtec.
This is Amado. He helped make the posts and backboards in the trade school welding shop.
We were grateful to borrow this mixer from the trade school. It made the work go more quickly for sure!
Thank you Radiant!!
While the team was here the base’s weekly “Fountain of Grace” prayer ministry meeting was packed! Some team members were able to attend and help out during this time.
Doing a kids’ presentation in Loma Bonita, a poor neighborhood near us during a clinic outreach.
Fantastic to see this boy’s joy at one of the kid events!
Some of the food pack recipients live way up in the mountains. It can be hard to reach them. Here the team starts the climb to deliver food and ministry.
This sister lost her husband several months ago, and weaves goods to sell to support herself. Weaving methods in our area have changed very little in centuries.
Besides everything pictured above, the Radiant team also ministered several times at our Children’s Home, and were able to spend several days in nearby Puerto Escondido evangelizing on the tourist beaches. We were honored to receive them and hope to see them again soon.
We were able to take part in the dedication of the chicken coop for the children’s home in April as well. The coop was built by the Trade School, and Ben’s carpentry class made the lay boxes and roosts.
Here some of the kids from the Children’s Home stand in front of the new coops. The coops were dedicated and prayed over in blessing. These chickens will provide much needed food, meat and income for the home.
After the dedication the kids from the home each took a chicken from the old pen and moved them into to newer, secure coops. Our kids got in on it too!
The Big Daddy of the whole flock!
Many of you have asked about our quest for residency visas. We don’t have good news YET, but hope to before the end of June. Please keep praying! This process has been delayed over and over. We look forward to getting it done!
Words can’t describe how thankful we are for your prayers and support. This really does feel like a team sport, and we’re so glad you’re on it. THANK YOU!
Ben and Hannah (and kids too of course!)
Awesome letter and GREAT photos!! Thank you for taking the time to share. Love and miss you guys so much ❤️
You too! <3
Always a joy to read your well written newsletters and see all the great photos! Thanks for keeping us updated on what you’re doing. So great to see you at church recently! Love and prayers, Maura
Will you be at church this week?
Every photo made my heart glad!! And I will continue to pray for the visa!!!
Thank you Marnie!!
So good to see you again and now the updates of how God is blessing you over and over again.
Praying for you,
Ken and Sharon Holmgren
Thank you!!