Youth Impact 2010

2010 Youth Impact Event

A note from Pastor Damian. 

I greet and thank you with affection for your invaluable support and prayers for the “Youth Outreach” dealing with issues of addiction. The conferences were taught by Pastors Joaquin Alberto from Salina Cruz, “Christian Community Church” and Habacuc Mendoza, “House of Restoration” from Tlacolula, Oaxaca.

The praise team from “Cristo Por su Mundo” led music to honor and glorify God. There was a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

To attend this event the youth had to be brought to the beach by boat, bus and volunteer transportation. The majority came from many primitive communities.

I saw a unity between the youth as they interacted thru games, gifts, food and great teachings.

This first year was a beautiful start, the beginning of a New Generation. We would like to invite you to participate with us next year April 2011, and be part of this blessing.

Your friend, Damian Cruz

As a result of the Outreach “Cristo Por Su Mundo” sent a couple of Youth leaders to do follow-up with those whose lives were changed by this event. Also 8 more leaders from the Baja Bible Institute came for ten days. They are traveling to the various communities; therefore we are in need of Bibles for those who desire further teaching and encouragement. Also it is costing Damian additional money to feed them and help pay for transportation.

Meanwhile this last week, the “Gran Fiesta” was held where all my pastors from the mountain region of Lachiguiri and the coast were ministered to at the ranch of Porfirio Montero with many guest speakers and musicians and medical teams. This event hosted about 4,000 made up of pastors and their families who work in Oaxaca and other nearby states. Mike Hendricks, our Agape Mission President, along with a group from New Zealand shared their cultural dances and praise to God. Then they went to Lachiguiri and Huatulco to minister in these areas, and are now on their way back to the states. Pray for their safety on the road.

Thanks so much for your prayers and Support for this mission. Sheri Burk

New Mission in El Arenal

This mission just was formed on May first after the San Agustin Children's Fiesta. Started with 40 adults plus many children. They donated land for a new palapa church like the one pictured in the slidshow. Because of heavy rain they are still waiting to finish the columns and we still need more funds for the roof.

El Arenal New Mission

Pastor Damian often stopped at the village, El Arenal on his way to San Agustin to visit a family. 
He invited the town people to attend the San Agustin fiesta in April. Many did. Several accepted Jesus as their Savior. WOW.

They invited him to come to the village to minister. There is no local church. For the last six weeks he has gone twice a week. They have services on the patio of the first family. Between 30 and 40 adults and young people show up, plus lots of children.The photo is of their first service.

They are so hungry to hear about God they have kept Damian past midnight asking questions. They want Bibles. He asked us for 40. Supporters have responded and are sending money to buy 48 (two cases) of Bibles. God is so good.

These humble village people are very poor, working the fields of others for money to buy food for their families. 
But they so want to learn about God that they gave the mission land to build a simple palapa to meet in. The rainy season started last night with a heavy rain, so they need this now. The grader was there last week to level the area. 

They need a tin roof like this one at our site in Una Esperanza. This new mission is good soil and a fruit bearing adventure to invest in. 
Pray to see if God would have you help with this need.

Do pray for this baby church and for Pastor Damian as he adds this to the other missions we have here on the coast.

Samaritan Purse Shoebox Fiesta at the beach in San Agustín

You will notice in the photos that parents were there also. This is normal for children's fiestas. They hear the gospel also and from this we have always gained many new families finding Christ.



When the children received their gifts they also got stamped. This stamp said paid for. We explained to the kids that Christ also gave us a gift and paid for us with his life on the cross.

Also the "gringas" in a couple photos were Debbie and Colleen from Canada. Debbie is the coordinator for the Smaritan Shoebox program in her area and she loved seeing a fiesta showing the end result of all of you who give to the Samaritan Purse Christmas drive.

Samaritan Purse Shoebox Fiesta in La Cruzacita

The shoeboxes just came earlier this week and we had our first fiesta. Here is a slideshow of some of the fiesta.