December 2021 Newsletter
Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Greetings friends!
As 2021 is coming to a close, it seems like a good time to reflect on the past 11 months. We had some uncertainty on how we would move forward, and still fulfill some commitments we had. To me, one of the biggest concerns was our student ministry. Yet these students still amaze me every time we get together with them. The last newsletter I mentioned that they are determined to build a house for a family in December. So the fundraising began with all the students in San Luis. They handed out letters asking for donations from local businesses in San Luis. They had a couple 3-wheel bikes and some cakes they had raffled off. Their last fundraiser was a yard sale at the ministry house. When we met for pizza after the sale, they were happy to announce that they had raised over 61.207 pesos for the house, which is equivalent to $3297.00 U.S. After seeing what they had accomplished, we had the opportunity to announce to them that some donors in the U.S. have committed to covering the rest of the cost for the build. With a $20 pledge to start the fundraising in September, they got to see God's faithfulness first hand!
This year we have several students graduating. Some that have graduated already, will be heading back to school to continue their education and advance their goals. It's exciting to see the dreams and goals they have had over the years come to reality. Only with the continued support from YOU, has this been possible.
We had the opportunity to build seven houses this year. On most of the houses, we have utilized our local help for the week. One of the most exciting builds we did was with a group from Nebraska City, who ventured back in October after a long time off. This coming year we have the same amount of home builds planned, plus a youth group coming next summer. We will also continue to help at the two feeding centers this coming year.
Cristina is one of the ladies that you have been helping over the years. A few months back, she was supplied with enough picnic tables to accommodate the kids attending her service, and to eat at the feeding center. Since it has grown over the years, she needed to add some sort of shade to help get the kids out of the sun. The inside of her facility could no longer accommodate the numbers. We added cement and a large shade in the courtyard. We also noticed she was doing some ministry in another city not far from San Luis. The facility she was holding church services in was a 17x20 structure with a small shade over top. We ventured out to take a look at how we could possibly help. To be very honest, this area has probably some of the worst living conditions I have ever witnessed. Her small group started with a handful of people attending the service. It has been growing weekly, and at the present time there are 80 people at every service. We had the opportunity to pour concrete to double the size of her facility, and hope to add some sort of shade in the future.
Sylvia's after school feeding center has been blessed with new mini-splits to cool the feeding area. Now she can continue ministering to the children through her after school programs. Because of YOUR faithful giving, we have been able to continue supplying and helping the different ministries operating here in San Luis.
None of this could be done without YOU, our supporters. We have been so blessed to see the needs, and to be able to rise to the occasions. So we want to thank you for all your prayers, words of encouragement, and your faithful giving. As we close out this year, we hope you will remember us with your year-end giving. It has been crucial over the past several years in the dynamics of the ministry. When we have a student we see potential in, we can sponsor them. If we see a need at one of the feeding centers or local churches, we can step in and lend a hand. We are also still handing out food boxes to families when the need arises.
So thank you for thinking of us as the year 2021 closes, and for being faithful throughout the year. You are greatly loved and appreciated. We thank you for your love and generosity in helping us meet the spiritual and physical needs of our brothers and sisters in San Luis, Mexico.
Thank you and God Bless You!
Curt and Kelly VanEkeren
And the Casa Board of Directors
Prayer requests:
Student ministry and the December house build
Continued safety and funding for the new year
