Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Hello Everybody,
I’d like to start off my introducing you to our new girl Gabriela, or known here as Gabi. She came to us from a state home in Durango, like many of our kids have. She’s having a really hard time adjusting so please pray for her. She’s been in that same children’s home since she was two and she is now fourteen. She really needs to be saved.
We’ve been busy getting our next group of high-schoolers signed up for their classes this fall. We will have eight in high school… EIGHT!!!! If you only knew how much of an accomplishment we see in that – it’s just a miracle. All of our kids are again in school after a two week spring break and are very happy to be back.
A couple of months ago the teachers came to us and told us that our kids are behind in their reading. It’s really hard to find decent books in Spanish, so we just paired them up and put them to reading the Bible out loud to each other for twenty minutes apiece a day. Then they had to write a little report about what they read to show their comprehension level. Every one of our kids moved up at least one grade level in their reading, and Azucena moved up three grade levels. We are so happy with their progress. And we even got a good note from the school today, congratulating the kids and their progress. That’s so much nicer than the bad notes, not that our perfect kids ever would be deserving of that. Right.
Why does it always seem like we have to have at least one vehicle down? The old green van, she ain’t what she used to be. There’s an electrical problem somewhere and the battery just drains. Oh, and speaking of vehicles, if anybody has a vehicle, preferably a SUV that they would consider donating, Mary and Nathan are in dire need. They have a dying Jetta, which was wonderful for their deputation with one child, but baby Jack is going to be here any day, and there really just isn’t enough room. These are missionaries that we can vouch for their need and the fact that they are very hard workers (and we’re not just saying that because they are our kids, they have impressed even us, and that’s not easy!) The terrain here in Mexico eats up small cars and it’s only going to get worse when they eventually move to Oaxaca where dirt roads are more common than paved roads. We’re sure that God has the right vehicle and is going to touch the right person’s heart to meet this need. Maybe it’s you.
Speaking of baby Jack, Mary has been having contractions and Dr. Elizabeth said the baby could come any day now. We are anxiously awaiting. Please pray for her and the baby, that all goes well.
As many of you know, we have been working on an addition to the boys’ end which will allow us to accept more children. It has been a lengthy project and thanks to a large gift from the people at Bayou View Baptist Church we were able to move one step closer to having the room occupied. We have a man coming out today to give us an estimate on the paint and glass for windows which we are hoping to have completed before the rainy season begins.
We want to close this update by thanking you again for your faithful support. This week I was again amazed. As folks continue to dig out from under some incredibly devastating storms, they have continued to be faithful in prayer support and giving as well. I am honored by this and our LORD is honored in this also.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ,
Mexico Division
