June has been an amusing month. It feels like we blinked and were at the end, it also feels like it’s June 67th. But oh, what a wonderful month it has been! We have hosted 7 teams in the last month! Glory be to God!
A question we often get as a ministry who hosts teams is, wouldn’t it be better to just send the money? And of course, funds are needed, it’s also true God always provides. However, were we not called to be the hands and feet of Jesus?
We read in James 2:14-17, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "God in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
What short-term mission/ministry teams do is extremely important. Locals love, respect, and are very welcoming of foreigners. Going into public schools, using public spaces might come with difficulties for us but with a team, everyone is very hospitable! We have been able to reach a wider range of people through team ministries! And, of course, we make sure that those in our community have a follow-up visit, and when we work outside our community, we always have a local pastor present. Much of our ministry does focus on local churches, because again, when a pastor makes an invite to spend time with a team of North Americans people are more likely to participate. And once the seed is planted, someone is always ready to water and harvest!
So, if you are on the fence on joining a team this year or next year, we pray this newsletter encourages you to do so. If you’re already part of a team, we are happy and grateful for the opportunity to minster alongside you.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and
whose leaf does not wither.
Psalm 1:3a
CHARACTERISTICS OF A TREE
Psalm 1 says, “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” When it is planted by streams of water, it shows different characteristics. Its leaf does not fall, it does not wither, this means that even when there is anxiety or depression, it does not wither, it does not fall, because it’s planted by streams of water. It yields its fruit in season. He wants us to yield fruit. In the New Testament it says to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Therefore, ‘fruits’ refers to a lifestyle change, it’s a new creation, it’s to bring others to the feet of Jesus.
I hope that each of us are “like trees planted by streams of water.” And, of course, the “streams of water” is the Word of God.
Serving Christ together,
Pastor Luis
AFRICA - EQUATORIAL GUINEA
God has opened doors for Pastor Luis and Pastor Tony to travel to the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, Equatorial Guinea! This is an opportunity God presented and after much prayer and consideration they are following His call and began their travels yesterday! There are many reasons for this trip, which we hope to share more about upon their return. However, one of the things happening is Pastor Luis preaching at the anniversary of the Gospel reaching Equatorial Guinea!
This is a mission trip that both Pastor Luis and Pastor Tony have been looking forward to tremendously! And once again, we are excited to share more about what God has in store for Impacto in Equatorial Guinea. If you’d like to be a part of this effort you can graciously donate towards their trip. You can donate via PayPal on our website or send a check with Africa Trip written on the memo. We also ask for your prayers for their safety and that many souls will be won for the Kingdom.
