Happy New Year!

Mejias on a Mission - 2014 Annual Report

CLICK HERE!  YEAR IN REVIEW IN PICTURES! CLICK HERE!

Its hard to believe that 2014 has come to an end, and this new year marks 4 years since we have been serving in Sincelejo, Colombia!! Its been a both a fruitful and challenging year as we’ve seen God multiply our ministry, provide funds for projects in needy rural areas, increase the number of leaders and pastors we are helping to train by 100% while at the same time facing robberies, the sudden death of various pastors and increased instability in the country! Much less to say our life is never short of surprises!

Amidst the celebration of birthdays, anniversaries and holidays when we try to have a ‘normal’ life we have gotten used the cultural norms: the early morning call of the street venders, the unannounced visits for our evening tea time open house, horse and carts sharing the street, 15,000 motorbike taxis, seeing everyone wearing sweaters in 98 degree weather, neighbours sitting on the front porch in the evenings to catch up on the days happenings, dancers during worship and nightly church meetings!

J.E.T.Z. HIGHLIGHTS

January to March ~
*Both boys were enrolled full time in school for the first time, therefore allowing for Jenn to serve at the mission base as the director of the ‘BRILLAR’ Youth Ministry training programme.

* Jenn is the guest speaker at a youth camp along with two of her youth ministry students
* We began hosting a small group bible study at our house, the group has now begun to do deep study and investigation of the bible with the support of a recent seminary graduate

April to June ~
*We hosted an angel unaware who came to see our work at the base and is now funding 10 learning centers that will include computers, study materials and classrooms where the leaders and pastors can learn, grow and investigate effectively in very rural areas.

* Jenn went home for a wonderful visit and pre- home assigment preparation with the boys (including getting Zachary his Caymanian papers!)
* Over 800 women attended the National Women's Convention, many enrolled to study and many are students already!

* We traded our little car for a larger 7-seater, God's surprise! They asked only for our car and $500 USD!

July to September ~
*Evelio was able to go to Venezuela where the first group of an indigenous tribe graduated from their bible and ministry classes (he lost and tooth and almost lost his life on this "adventure")
*We were able to take a donation of $100USD that bought food for 3 months for 3 families in Venezuela during a time of crisis and drought

* 20 youth ministry students (Team Brillar) were selected for special training, they will continue our work with youth leaders!

* Evelio spent 2 weeks in theology and technology training in El Salvador and Costa Rica

October to December ~
*Jenn was able to take a small group of her youth workers to the International Youth Workers Leadership Convention (in Spanish) in Orlando, Florida

*Over 300 pastors and leaders graduated from the 4 bible programs

*Enjoying some needed vacation time while the base is closed for the holidays!

* A 3rd group of 60 youth workers begin enrolling!

We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you! Thank you for your faithful giving and prayers! While our term of service is 4 years, we saw the need to ask for your continued support for 6 months. We will return to Cayman in July 2015 for “home assignment” or “furlough” where we will rest, report, pray and prepare! We look forward to reconnecting with many, getting to know the new faces, refresh our souls and bodies!

UPCOMING:

January- A week of training in technology and teaching with 30 local tutors
February - A new group of youth workers begin round #3 of the training program
March - National Training Course on Youth Culture, we're expecting 400 youth workers
April - We travel to the capital, Bogota to renew visas
May - Final classes for youth workers in groups #1 and #2
June - Over 1000 teenagers in 10 events during the month
July - Graduation from the youth ministry program for 100+
        -Jenn, Evelio, Tobias and Zachary return to Cayman for 12 months of "home assignment"

Happy new year and God's richest blessings!

From the J.E.T.Z.

Mobile Missions

Its been a crazy month!! A trip to Cayman for passport renewal, pre-furlough arrangements and reconnecting with church and supporters. It was a great trip, especially since my boys finally found the confidence to start speaking English, I was able to be a part if numerous bible study groups, serve at VBS, take Tobi on his long awaited 1st horseback ride, spend time with godparents, wish farewell to the pastor and his famoly and spend time in sweet fellowship with many friends!!

We then headed to Panama where I was to speak at a Christian camping conference. The training was postponed at the last minute, leaving us nervous but thank God for his provisions. We were able to meet with Christian camping board members, fellowship with a pastoral family we studied with in Costa Rica and enjoy some family time seeing the Panama canal!

This week Evelio is off to the celebration of the first ever Guayu tribe graduation, this is an indigenous people group! He and four other team members are in La Guajira, Venezuela serving and celebrating this special event!!

I am holding down the home fort and getting ready for the next youth leaders training course: "Creative Bible Teaching" that fellow missionaries and Christian Education scholars will be teaching!

The boys have readjusted well and are enjoying being back at school!

Never a dull moment here, open house tea times each night are back in full swing!

 Please pray for travel mercies for Evelio and the team. Pray for rain, water and food in the area where they are as well as the rest of Colombia who is facing crisis due to drought!!

Please also pray for us as we face a few complicated issues in ministry, finance and scheduling!

A weekend to remember

This past week and weekend were busy as usual and full of unexpected!

Evelio spent the week attending 100+ pastors here at the base who were meeting for an annual pastors planning, updating their course materials and evaluating their readiness for graduation. This weekend he was of to Cícuco for a class and the graduation of 9 pastors from the Pastoral Ministries program. The trip included a 3 hour drive, a 1 hour boat ride, a motorbike and a walk. He was pleased to meet with these pastors, preach at the church service and congratulate these new graduates on their special day.

I spent the weekend with a house full of unexpected guests as well as taking the boys for a day outing with their teacher. A pastors dad passed away suddenly on Friday, so we opened our doors to the family who came in from other towns for his funeral. We hosted and fed 5 people one night and 6 people the following night as well as gave them a place to relax, cry and be encouraged. Please pray for the Labrador family during this time of grief. The boys love having people in the home and are great servers already. 

The boys also enjoyed an outing with their teacher to a Christian recreation centre for a few hours of outdoor play. Houses here don´t have back yards or grass, everything is enclosed and paved with cement, so this is a treat for them! The on Sunday we went to the beach town of Tolu for lunch with 3 of my students from the youth ministry training program. Its wonderful to hear how God is working in their lives, challenging them to grow and using them in the lives of so many teenagers.

The next few weeks have some exciting things going on:

1) Jenn, Tobi and Zachary will be heading to Cayman on June 16th

2) Evelio will be visiting many pastors training centres to connect with the leaders we serve

3) Jenn will be teaching at a Christian Camping International conference in Panama in July