Easter at Lighthouse Church

Easter 2011 at Lighthouse Church is history!  We now look to the future and trust God for the seeds that were sown due to the efforts of our people at Lighthouse Church.  We were blessed to see more than 80 in worship and at our potluck lunch and Easter egg hunt.  Many thanks to all those who came early and stayed late to assist in so many ways.

Special thanks to our supporters who prayed for this history making day at Lighthouse Church and Yucatan Outreach Ministries.

Preparing for Easter in Tulum

We have 4,000 very nice color fliers that will be distributed in and around Tulum, this week. Good folks have signed up to help, and they will begin Monday, hopefully complete by Thursday evening. We have targeted areas where English speakers gather; neighborhoods, local businesses and hotels. 

We are trusting God to bring over 70 to worship on Easter Sunday.  Our highest attendance has been 68 with our attendance last year on Easter being 58!  Our praise team is working on awesome music, Terry is preparing a new series called "Living The Better Life" with Easter's teaching called "Come Alive This Easter".  Potluck lunch will be shared and the children will participate in a huge Easter Egg Hunt following lunch.  

Our new web-sight should be up and running by this time tomorrow.  Please check it out,  lighthousechurchtulum.com.  Daniel has done a wonderful job on design and graphics of our new sight.  Let him know how much you appreciate it when you see him.

Keep us in your prayers as we will pray for all our sister churches across the world on this Easter Sunday that many may come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Happy Easter!

Busy Times

Past 2 weeks have been very busy!  Caleb returned home to Alaska (it is not the same here without him), Lyndy and Angie Philips came to do a 4 hour Marriage Conference and minister with us for a week, Playa Paint party for priming Teri's wall, new web page in the works, US taxes, YOM taxes, fliers for Easter!  Serving the Lord in Tulum is not for sissy's.  As you are well aware, Terry and I love it! 

Terry and Caleb at airport

Terry, Debbie, Angie, Lyndy

Lyndy painting

Headed to the airport one more time!  Thanks for all your prayers, things are happening and your prayers make a hug difference in our life and ministry.

The Feel of Spring in Mexico

Spring is definitely in the air! We certainly feel it in the weather; the temperature is rising along with the humidity.  We have relented and turned the air conditioner on in our bedroom.  The bugs are back and prefer the house instead of the outdoors.  Yuck! Last but not least, our winter birds are flying home for the spring and summer.  You should know by now that I'm talking about our snow birds that come in from the US and Canada and spend the winter months in their homes here on the Yucatan.  Most will depart by Easter.  We will miss their fellowship and their share of responsibility in our ministry here.  We trust God to bring them back next winter.

Terry completed his series on dealing with stress this past Sunday.  Of all the Sundays to practice his teaching over the past 5 weeks; Daniel, our worship leader, had emergency surgery on a ruptured appendix Friday night, leaving only one singer for Sunday morning! The computer overheads would not work, projector would not read my computer; sound system wouldn't make a sound and I left the teaching material for our children at home!  Stress was high, God has taught us that we can rely on him.  No one panicked or even was out of sorts.  Daniel was doing well in the hospital, and he contacted our only singer, Karen, and she happily agreed to lead. She did an awesome job.  She had received the overheads from Daniel on Saturday afternoon to practice, and decided to bring her computer to church.  We switched the overhead projector to her computer and it worked great.  The main switch in the control room was on mute and all we needed to do was push a switch and magically, we had sound. I returned home and in a matter of minutes found the children's material.  We had 58 in worship, Terry said you could have heard a pen drop during worship as God's children received his word.  I had 6 beautiful girls in Little Lights, and they loved the teaching of the B Attitudes!  It was an awesome Sunday.  I know you all pray for our ministry every day, and they were felt especially this Sunday.  Thank you.

Refocus on Attendance

Our attendance was down for the third week in a row, yet we continue to have new attenders.  As our "high season" or "tourist season" winds down we see many of our regular attenders return to their second home in the US or Canada.  Sunday we had 50 in attendance, and still our hopes remain high to achieve our high attendance of 70 before our season comes to an end.  We know of many of our attenders/members who work 7 days a week during the high season and we will see them return to attending regularly over the next month.

We have a mission project scheduled for Saturday, March 26th.  We plan on completing the wall around Teri Hastings home in Playa.  We are thrilled to complete this much needed repair as it was destroyed during the hurricane that hit Playa back in 2006.  Teri is one of our widows that lives in Playa full time and is on a fixed income and has not had the funds to repair the wall.  Much thanks to Abba Casa, (Bill & Renee Johnson) as they continue to lead our church in mission outreach to our community.  WATCH FOR NEW MISSION PROJECTS NEXT MONTH.

Wall to be painted Saturday, March 26th - Teri Hastings

Trip to Tennessee!

Terry and I were privileged to travel to Kingsport, Tennessee March 1 - 8th.  We were hosted by Dallas and Becca Bivins and the Sullivan Baptist Association.  The Sullivian Baptist Association of Churches has partnered with Yucatan Outreach Ministries for the next 3 years.  We were able to speak at their associational Executive Board Meeting, speak in several churches and meet individually with several pastors and lay leaders.  We look forward to the future partnership and believe we can come along side each other in reaching others here and there.  We are hoping many of the churches will be sending mission teams down to assist us with local mission projects as well as assist us in future church development on the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Cameron, Rick Becca, Dallas and Brock

Pastor Dan and Terry at Cowboy Church

We were blessed to stay in our good friends, Dallas and Becca Bivins' home while in Kingsport (left above).  It was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship with Dallas, Becca and their 3 children; Rick, Cameron and Brock.  We were also blessed to be in Chris and Kristina Alford's home for a wonderful "mexican dinner."  Thanks to all in the Sullivian Baptist Association for bringing us up and for allowing our week to be a blessing to us and our ministry here in Mexico. (right above picture of Terry and Pastor Dan at the Cowboy Church)

Great Job by Alaska Praise Team

We were blessed to have 4 people from the Rabbit Creek Church Praise Team from Anchorage, Alaska here last week.  They spent Wednesday and Thursday working one on one with our worship leader and instrumentalist in Playa Del Carmen.  They spent all day Saturday working with many of our praise team singers here in Tulum.  They assisted our praise team on Sunday morning.  More than anything I thank them for there willingness to come along side our team to fellowship and encourage them to do what ever God wants in the way of music ministry.  Thanks to Frank, Allen, Johanna and Makaela.  You are all some of my favorite people.

Terry and I are in Kingsport, Tennessee this week.  The Sullivian Baptist Association has partnered with Yucatan Outreach Ministries for a 3 year partnership in mission outreach.  Terry was able to share at their associational meeting with a mission report on YOM along with our annual DVD highlighting missions, baptisms and ministries of Lighthouse Church in Tulum, Mexico.  He presented an invitation for local churches to join us through short term mission trips, assisting through financial support and prayer for our work on the Yucatan.  We were blessed at the close of the meeting as the entire group gathered around us in a time of prayer and dedication for our work in Mexico. We trust God with the results from this trip; that we'll develop lasting friendships and see many people give their lives and hearts to Christ. Once again we can not express our appreciation for those who support our ministry.  God bless all of you.

Men of Light Fishing Trip

Men Of Light Fishing Trip, Saturday, Feb 12, 2011

Our first Men Of Light fishing trip included 12 men. It was a great time of fellowship and they did a lot of fishing!  Only one (Cowboy) caught a fish, a 20 pound barracuda.  In spite of the rain and a few queasy stomachs, they had a wonderful time.

We had 60 at worship on Sunday, missed our goal of 70 but we will aim for this goal again this week.  Several first time visitors this week (about 10).  If we can ever get everyone here on the same Sunday we will have over 80!  We will keep inviting and trusting God to bring people. 

We made an offer on the piece of land we had in mind and the owners came back with a counter that was double the price.  What?  I'm not kidding.  We will not counter that offer but will trust God to lead us to another piece.  Real Estate in Mexico is a like a box of chocolates.... you never know what you are getting into.  This did not surprise God, so we will continue to watch and wait!

Lighthouse Church takes a step of Faith!

Sunday, February 6th, Lighthouse Church voted unanimously to make an offer on a piece of land here in Tulum, for the future sight of Lighthouse Church building.  What a step of faith our church has taken.  We are preparing to present the offer this week. The second verse to this victorious step of faith is that we don't have all the funds we need! More on that later.

We have set a goal as staff to exceed 70 in worship one Sunday this month. We have used a texting message each weekend to reach out to friends.  Reaching people is our main focus, and new people are coming to Tulum each day.  The Lord is definitely the "the Lord of the harvest,"  we pray for labors in our fields!  Example:  One of our young ladies brought 5 first time visitors this week!  She is a laborer!

First Men of Light Breakfast

Saturday, Jan 29th was our first ever Men of Light Breakfast.  Terry shared a devotional with 12 other men, and there was prayerful discussion of a land purchase for Lighthouse Church.  They were able to view the land we are considering for the future site of Lighthouse Church.  Everyone was encouraged by the location and price of the possible piece of property.  Continue to pray for God's leadership in this momentous decision. 

We continue to average in the mid 60's for the first month of 2011.  We had 63 this past Sunday.  We are praying we can break the 70 mark in February!  We had a record attendance in our nursery area with 9 under the age of 3!  Wow!  We usually have 3!  We had to have 2 workers this week. Thank you Lord for growing and blessing.  

Pray for our mission work in Ek Balam.  We have had a snag in the land acquisition and are looking for alternatives for building the missionary house.  Keep this prayer request before God as we trust God for this need.  Daniel, Andrea and Debi Morris are going to Ek Balam today (1/31) to look for alternatives to build this house!  We know this is what God wants, so this snag is only a delay!

Friends from Alaska

Great friends from Alaska, Robert & Rochelle Hughes, Mark & Brenda Vincent, and Brenda's parents joined us for lunch on the beach in Playa Del Carmen.  They were on a cruise that stopped in Cozumel.  We had a great time of fun and fellowship!  It is always great to reunite with friends!  Thanks for taking the time from your vacation to see us here in Mexico!

Great day at Lighthouse Church where the weather was the coolest we've had, 58 degrees and 58 in attendance.  Had a new member on the praise team; Debra Robinson began playing the electric piano!  Great job Debra.  Daniel and Andrea continue to lead our Praise Team and recruit new members from within our church.  We are blessed to have a group of talented people who give their talents to God through their church.

Our grandson Caleb arrived Wednesday, January 19th.  We have been keeping him busy from the day he arrived.  He was a big help setting up for worship yesterday at church; went to the Tulum Ruins today with new friends and tomorrow will go with Edventure Tours to assist with tourists on beach tours! He will be with us until April 1st!  We are thrilled to have him.

Rain has entered the picture!

We've had nice cool weather here in Tulum the last month except for a couple days of high humidity.  Rained during worship service yesterday but did not dampen the spirits of our attenders.  We had 63 yesterday in spite of the down pour.  Praise Team did an exceptional job leading us in praise.  Terry brought applicable teaching on allowing balance in our mind and thoughts called "What's on Your Mind?" It was the second teaching in "What to do When Your Life is Out of Balance".  

Several attenders from Lighthouse Church viewed a piece of property we are praying about. Please keep this in your prayers as we trust God to lead us in his wisdom and direction.  It is the best piece and price we have seen here in Tulum yet.  

We are in the early stages of planning for 2 mission teams this year.  Rabbit Creek Community Church is sending their praise team leader and 2-3 members of the praise team to come and work with our Lighthouse Church Praise Team on worship leadership and presentation in late February.  A work team is coming from Tennessee in mid March to assist in building Debi Morris, our missionary to EK Balam, a mission house on property in Ek Balam.  

Don't forget to check out our web sites:  yucatanoutreachministries.org and lighthousechurchtulum.com

2011 Here We Come!

We are off to a great start for 2011.  We had 68 in attendance Sunday, January 9th!  Best Sunday attendance ever!  Great way to start the new year! 

We are back on schedule after the holidays and hope to see many of the Vision 2015 projects beginning in the new year.  We are on task for many of the goals we started with Vision 2015. Our first ever Men's Group meets the end of this month for their first meeting.  New ladies Bible study will begin in February.  Terry met with Realtors today as we continue to search for land.  Land here is way over priced so this process is taking more time than we hoped .  Land that was given to Lighthouse Church was too far out of town and not developed with roads at this point.  God has something better in mind!

Caleb, our grandson from Anchorage, Alaska is coming to stay with us for a couple of months.  We are so excited to have him join us here.  He arrives next Wednesday!

We have a new Little Lights Teacher on board for our children's Sunday morning ministry.  She will be teaching 2 weeks, Renee 2 weeks, and I will teach 2 weeks.  This will free Renee and me up to be serving in other areas of ministry.  We welcome and Thank God for Monica!  She is a vital part of our Children s staff!

Happy New Year!

Terry and I enjoyed a 4 day retreat in Cozumel, Mexico.  A good friend offered us the use of their condo right on the water and it was "over the top."  We were able to relax, reflect on our year and prepare our hearts and plans for 2011.  God has blessed us beyond measure this past year. 

As we prepare for a blessed year we want to express our appreciation to all our followers and supporters.  You have inspired us to be better.  You have humbled us with your generosity. You encourage us with your commitment to YOM.  With sincere thanks we honor you.

We commit to keeping our communications up-to-date.  We love hearing from you and getting feed back on things that are happening here in Mexico.  I have listed addresses below for you to contact us at anytime for information or to schedule a trip to Mexico.

God bless each of you this new year!

Debbie

WEB SITES:   yucatanoutreachministries.org       lighthousechurchtulum.com

EMAIL:    debbie@yucatanoutreahministries.org      

                  terry @yucatanoutreachministries.org

SKYPE PHONE:  214-377-0411

 MEXICO PHONE:  984-120-4169 (Terry)   984-745-4008 (Debbie)