"For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh…."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
Greetings to all! Summer has come and gone, and so much has happened in the last few months. We do apologize for our delay in communicating with you all. Life and ministry became a bit overwhelming as the workload increased, and finding staff to add to our team to help carry the load has been a slow process. We are committed to keeping you updated on how God works in our lives and the ministry that He leads here!
FAMILY
We had the privilege of traveling to Michigan in July/August for our daughter, Annabel’s, graduation from an Aviation Technology and Maintenance program. She went through a series of FAA certification tests and is now certified with her Airframe and Powerplant License, in other words, she is an Aviation Mechanic. We are extremely proud of her dedication and accomplishments. Our oldest daughter, Shan is in her third year of medical school and continues to push through each semester, one at a time, also with great dedication. Alexa is now a junior in high school, and Eva just entered middle school as a seventh grader. We have so many different stages of life happening in our family, and it is all a blessing.
CAMP
There were two summer camps this year, one for preteens and one for teenagers. The theme for the first was “Jesus, my Friend” and the second was “Let Yourself be Molded in the Potter’s Hands.” Both had an attendance of about 60 campers. We realize that success does not depend on numbers, but on the way the Lord touches the hearts of those who hear His Word.
During the week with the teenagers, there were 2 baptisms and 3 confessions of faith of young people who wanted to go back to their congregations to be baptized! God is so good! The Bethshean Camp has been such an amazing instrument for people of all ages to hear the gospel!
CHURCHES
Fernando and Rosy continue to minister in the Loreto church, Manuel and Fernanda in the Sauceda church, Jose and Yazmin in the Maravillas church and Abdiel and Shannon in the Villa Gonzalez church. We have added Eliu Rocha to the Bethshean Staff as a counselor/advisor to the ministers and churches that Bethshean supports. His role is to hold the ministers accountable, help them to organize and plan for the future. He is also in charge of planning camp activities, like retreats, camps, seminars, etc. He has been a great addition to our staff and a support for us.
Rosy and Fernando Fernanada and Manuel Eliu Rocha
CHANGES
Changes have been made in every aspect of the Bethshean ministry and some have been very hard, but all have been necessary. We have made changes and updates to the construction of buildings, changes to programs to reevaluate their purpose, and changes to staff to better execute plans in accordance with what we believe is God’s will for the Bethshean Mexico Mission. We ask that you pray for us during all of these changes, that we would continue to give glory to God in all we do and not lose sight of His purposes.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
There are various upcoming activities that we would like to you to partner with us in prayer for. In October, there is a seminar happening at the Bible College in Piedras Negras. Many of our ministers and staff will be attending to further their education. Also, the regional convention will take place about 40 minutes from Estancia in October. In the middle of November, we will be holding the young adult retreat at the camp, and the last week of November we will be hosting Bob and Sandy Klemm for an intense seminar on the book of Romans. We can easily get caught up in activities and forget our priorities. Please pray with us that these activities will nurture the main priority that we as Christians must have in our hearts: God’s word put into practice in our lives!
GRADITUDE
Thank you, thank you for your patience as we continue to transition into our role, for your love poured out upon us through prayer, words of encouragement, and your financial gifts. We trust in God’s provision and depend upon you to do the same! We know your support does not come from an overabundance of time or resources, but that you sacrifice to give because of your love for our Lord. We are grateful…
Until the Whole World Hears,
Abdiel and Shannon Rocha
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