Sending Warm Hugs from Mexico
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1
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¡Hola <<First Name>>!
We are thankful for you and your continued love, prayers, and support in the work we are doing here in Mexico.
We pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving, and you feel encouraged by His wonderful promises.
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A Quick Summary
We are still in the process of picking a tribe and can now begin team formation. Please pray for us as we move in that direction. We hope to visit locations this summer, as soon as the kids get a break from school.
We are currently in our 15th month of Spanish language and Mexican culture studies.
- Travel: Gamaiel was able to take a 3 day trip to Baborigame, a Tepehuan village in the Sierras.
- Our local Church: Gamaiel plays guitar in the worship band at our church.
- Travel: We went to Mexico City for a discipleship training with our local church.
- Culture: We have been able to spend lots of time with locals.
- Language: Our second language evaluation results were encouraging.
- Niños: This kids are acclimating well here, many answers to prayer.
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Baborigame (the land of the Tepehuan)
In September Gamaiel and three other men had the opportunity to travel to the Sierras of Chihuahua to visit the team working with the Tepehuan (currently just one couple). The purpose was to encourage them and to check out the area as a possible location for us to work in the future.
They flew in a small plane and Gamaiel even got to fly it for a bit. While they were there they visited with local believers, fellowshipped with the team, went hiking, and ate yummy aguachiles (think shrimp, lemon, chilis, onion, and cucumber).
Please pray for us as we consider and ask the Lord if this is the Tribe He wants us to go to.
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Our Local Church
We have been graciously integrated into our local church, Libertad. It's a small Baptist church that gathers in a rented room above a carpenter’s shop. Sounds pretty biblical doesn't it? There are only about 8 families that attend, so we are able to fellowship with them more intimately.
The church is led by pastor Iván (orange shirt lower right) and his wife Alejandra (foreground). Please pray that the Lord gives them wisdom and encouragement as they disciple the believers and learn how to balance the church load. We are learning a lot from them.
Gamaiel plays the guitar in the worship band, and he almost weekly gets to participate in the church service. Last week he shared his testimony to the congregation. They said it was a blessing to hear and that it has made them more aware of the world of missions.
Please pray for this church as the pastor looks for a new location. We are excited to see what the Lord provides.
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We went to Mexico City for Discipleship Training
In April 2021 Gamaiel and Rebecca went to a little town outside of Mexico City called Chalco, to participate in discipleship training at the Iglesia Bautista Getsemaní (Gethsemane Baptist Church). It was a wonderful experience, full of 16 hour days of nothing but Spanish.
We learned a ton of new biblical words in Spanish, as well as lots of Mexican culture. They fed us amazingly well, with 3 huge meals every day. A couple from the church graciously hosted us in their home. It was a wonderful experience.
Isei and Ayin stayed in Chihuahua with our E2 directors so they didn't have to miss extra days of school.
In the photo above we are getting ready to eat dinner at 10:30 p.m. We are continually amazed at how Mexicans can stay up very late and get up early without showing little fatigue.
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Lots of Time With Locals
Since the city has opened up much more these past few months we have been blessed to be able to spend more time with our Mexican friends.
In between our language sessions, we have been trying to fit in as many social events as possible. Every week Gamaiel has class in Spanish at the Biblical Institute, we go to two different community groups, Gamaiel goes to band practice, Rebecca and Ayin go on playdates, and lots of other outings with the locals.
We have been invited to Birthday parties, a wedding, a Quinceañera, a funeral, bible studies, and community groups.
We praise the Lord that we have friends here who are willing to be patient with us as we struggle to communicate in Spanish.
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Language Evaluation Results
In August we had our language evaluations. Every 6 months we get tested to see where we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, and what we should focus on in our Spanish studies.
Thankfully we each moved up one level. Gamaiel is at Capable Low, and Rebecca is at Progressing Mid. Gamaiel only has one more level to go! Rebecca has 2 levels to reach before we can leave for the tribe.
Praise the Lord that our hard work has been paying off. Please pray that we continue to make progress and can be encouraged in our study.
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Los Niños
Ayin started 3rd grade and Isei started high school this August. They are still attending the missionary school here in Chihuahua, called Binimea.
It's a very challenging school and we are thankful for it. It is taught by English speaking volunteers. The kids do get about 3 hours of Spanish lessons a week though. They both have Spanish speaking friends so they have been able to practice speaking with them more and more.
Isei's homework load is pretty heavy. Please pray that the school would readjust some things in the future so the students that are headed to the tribe could take more time to learn language and culture as well, because that's what we're here for.
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We asked for prayer that kids would find new friends...
the Lord has answered our prayers in an awesome way.
Isei
Isei turned 14 in October, and almost over night he turned into a full blown teenager. He has many friends here, so many that he doesn't ever want to leave. He's been to many birthday parties, went to a high school camp for spiritual enrichment in September, he goes to Youth Group most Friday nights, and keeps himself busy with lots of homework.
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Ayin
Ayin is about to have her 9th birthday on December 13th. She has made many friends here, both Mexican and missionary kids. Her best friend is Sarai, the one in a turquoise long-sleeve, holding the play-doh ice cream. However, Ayin loves playing with the other girls from our church and from school. She's starting to pick up more Spanish as she hangs out with more Spanish speakers.
Side note: Ayin was originally due on December 12th (her birthday would have been 12/12/12). We have since learned that December 12th is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is very important for many Mexicans.
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Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful celebration with our Chihuahua team. The directors of the field graciously hosted us. There were about 25 of us, including all the children. We had such an abundance of American food. It was quite the feast.
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Our Team
We haven't yet formed a team to go to the Tribe, but we hope to soon. These lovely families are potential teammates. Please pray the Lord makes it clear whom we should team up with.
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PRAISES
- We have been able to spend much more time with locals
- We have been integrated graciously into our local church
- Gamaiel has learned a ton at the Instituto Bíblico (bible institute)
- We have recovered well from Covid. No side effects.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- For continued friendships and deeper relationships
- For our kids to be encouraged as they continue school
- For continued progress and encouragement in Spanish study
- For our future people group and teammates in Mexico
- Also please pray specifically for our church Libertad for the Lord to provide a new location
DO YOU NEED PRAYER?
<<First Name>> - thank you so much for praying for us. We are so thankful for you. We would love to pray for you too. Please email us your prayer requests by replying to this email, or WhatsApp Rebecca at: (805) 452-5449
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Our Contact Info
Our mailing address is:
Gamaiel and Rebecca Zavala
10101 Dellwood Dr.
El Paso, TX 79924
We get packages and letters here!
Mail takes a while to get to us since there's an additional trip from El Paso to Chihuahua, but it arrives eventually.
Text us on WhatsApp anytime:
Gamaiel (805) 570-9728
Rebecca (805) 452-5449
Instagram:
Rebecca posts on Instagram frequently, for more updates follow us there:
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Would You Like to Join Us?
Do you want to be involved in God's mission but don't know how?
Become part of our stateside team to help us reach the unreached of Mexico.
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