Winds of Change

After a time of soul-searching and prayer, the Lord has led Debbie and me to the decision that we need to go to Phoenix for a time and help take care of my Dad.  We will leave sometime in January and return to the Jerez mission field about four months later.  This will be instead of the trip we had planned to Spain during that same time, which will now be postponed until a later date.

While we were trying to decide what to do, the Lord reminded us of the story of Ruth, from the Old Testament.  She wanted to serve the true God the best way she could, but had no real knowledge of how to do that.  She just made the best decision that she knew how to make -- to accompany and take care of her mother-in-law.  History tells us that she made the right decision and walked with her mother-in-law not only back to Bethlehem, but straight into God's blessing as well.  So it is with hearts full of love and peace that we will  journey to Phoenix to take care of my parents for a time.

Pray for my Dad!

Last Friday (23rd of November) I got a message from one of my brothers in Phoenix, that my father, Rev. Robert Giles (AFLC) was taken to the hospital in Sun City West because his legs weren't working.  The doctors have run tests and eliminated all the really scary things like stroke, heart attack, etc.  In fact they say that for a 90 year old man with Post-Polio Syndrome he is in good shape.

Pray that the Lord would keep my Dad in the hollow of His hand, give wisdom to the doctors, and provide healing for Dad.  Pray that he would give our family wisdom as we consider the best ways to help Mom and Dad.

Thanks!

Tabasco Flood Relief

Flooding caused by torrential rains has submerged 80% of the southern Mexican state of Tabasco and left over 1,000,000 people homeless.  The need is enormous!

Last week, I (Dan), my son Daniel, and César, a friend from church, drove our 3/4 ton Chevy van over 2,000 miles round trip from Jerez, Zacatecas, to deliver a load of relief supplies to a Refugee center in a Christian church in Tabasco.  The food, used clothing, blankets, medicines, and other supplies were donated by neighbors, church members, and other friends.  AFLC World Missions and Amery Free Lutheran church both helped with financial gifts that enabled us to buy more food and supplies and pay for gasoline and tolls to get there.  Thank you, everyone who helped!  (Attention, Partners in Mission -- what a van!)

(The date on the pictures is wrong!)

God on the move!

After 22+ years on the Mexico field, we are still at it, and God is on the move in our midst!

Our adult children, having been born in Ecuador and raised in Mexico, both went to the US for schooling at the university level and have returned to work with us.  The work here is growing and taking shape in Jerez, Zacatecas.  We had 49 people in church today!  (In a little mission congregation, this is VERY good news...)

Danny and Marcela, along with their daughters Ari and Andi have decided to stay in Jerez for two years in order to continue working in the Youth Ministry.  Pray for them!  They will need a little house of their own as soon as possible, and more financial support.  (As Short Term Assistants, they have mission board approval to work with full time us, but no guaranteed salary; so far, they are very under-supported, but their faith in God to supply is strong.  Donations sent for their support to AFLC World Missions, designated for Daniel and Marcela Giles, will be forwarded to them.

Ingrid (also a Short Term Assistant in need of regular support) is also hard at work translating the Ambassador Sunday School curriculum into Spanish.  She also teaches Sunday School and works in women's discipleship.  She is praying about the possibility of adopting a baby.  She has also inquired about becoming a regular full term missionary with the AFLC, and will be meeting with the Board the first week of December in Minneapolis.  Please pray that God would open all the right doors for her!