From July 13-19, we had the opportunity to go down to Mexico and spend time with our ministry partners, Randy and Sandy Huebert and the rest of the team at El Refugio Fundacion (The Refuge Foundation). We were able to find the home we will be renting and were once again amazed at how God continues to bless us. The house is exactly within the budget we had in mind, and is large enough to fit our family and host visitors as well. We are really looking forward to ministering from our home!
We are preparing to move to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico in the beginning of September 2011. We have a 2 year lease on our house there, so that will be our first 'term' so to speak. After that, we'll see where the Lord will have us go, whether it be remaining in Mexico, coming back to Canada, or somewhere else in the world!
We also had the opportunity to go out to two of the ministry sites that El Refugio is establishing regular contact with. The first was a migrant camp where families who work in a farmer's field have gathered together to make their own community. These people are absolutely destitute, but the happiness that spread over the children's faces when our van pulled up was enough to make us well up with tears. Somehing we are hoping to do is raise funds so that we can do a feeding program at this camp. Currently, we are just visiting, playing games with the children, singing songs and sharing a story from the Bible.
The second ministry site we visited was a feeding program at a makeshift village called La Populars. El Refugio has been doing this program for a few months now, and it's such a humbling blessing to be a part of it. For some of the children that come, this is the only real meal they receive every week; but you never get the sense that they're missing out on anything, they're just happy that you're there.
We were so blessed to be able to go to Casa de Esther (the girls orphanage that El Refugio operates) numerous times on this trip. We spent time in worship and devotions with the girls, interns and staff at the home. God's presence and power were so greatly manifest in those times and we can't wait to get back and continue in this area of the ministry.
This was a blessed week for us, and we are constantly amazed how God continues to put all the pieces in place. While we were in Mexico, we received word that our charitable receipting has come through, so we are now able to offer tax receipts for donations. Cheques can be made out to "The Refuge", just make sure to include our name in the memo line (Nic and Michelle, The Brouwers, Brouwer, anything will do) and send to the following addresss:
The Refuge
5107 55 Street
Lloydminster, AB
T9V 0S8
Also, while we were in the air on our way back to Canada, an email came in regarding the sale of our house in Marcelin and it looks like it should be completed by early August.
Regarding our financial support, we had someone suggest the idea that we give people the opportunity to sponsor a specific area of our ministry. Now, obviously, if we can't cover rent of put gas in our vehicle, we can't go to a feeding program, but, we serve a big God, who has all things in His control. And we realize that sometimes it's nice to know what exactly you're supporting, so, we've put together a list of our expenses, feel free to ask for specific breakdowns or explanations:
Housing $530, Household $210, Office $140, Education $180, Auto $635, Food $650, Clothing $150, Feeding Ministry $250, Medical $335
These are our monthly expenses, but if you would like to give a one-time gift, or intermitent gifts throughout the year, these are all greatly appreciated.
We are currently running two ongoing fundraisers until we leave, and we also have a great fundraiser event coming up. We are collecting bottles, cans and milk jugs until the end of August, we will come and pick them up, so if you'd like to help in this way, please let us know. Also, we are running an online auction with many great items, including some that we brought back from Mexico, and more to come. You can find this on our facebook page. If you'd like to donate an item, please let us know. Lastly, we are preparing a fun night of tacos, music and fairwells on August 24, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Family Life Fellowship. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds will go to our move to Mexico. For this event, we need volunteers to make it run smoothly, please let us know if you can help!
Attached is a support form that you can print and mail in or drop off to us in person.
Thank you for joining us in this journey, we look forward to hearing and seeing how God blesses your efforts and support, both here in Canada and in Mexico!
Grace and Peace,
Nic and Michelle Brouwer
cell: 306-821-1850 (until August 31)
magicjack: 1-917-5-MEXICO
email: family@thebrouwers.info
www.thebrouwers.info
www.facebook.com/brouwerfamily
www.facebook.com/therefugemx
