"THY WILL BE DONE"
Someone once told us after we went through a rough time in our ministry; "If you are doing God´s will and doing God's work properly you will be blessed." At that time in our ministry it felt as though everyone had abandoned us but there was one who stuck by our side and never left us standing alone. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...." Matthew 6:9-10 Standing alone at times is hard, but remember if your doing God¨s will and doing God's work properly your life and ministry will be blessed. February 2021, was no exception to that rule because of the many blessings that E.M.M. received and was able to share with others. For over 30 years we instilled that basic principle in the lives of many children, to do God¨s will and not their own. Jose, our field director for E.M.M., along with many volunteers shared God´s will and love to the children of the Vallado Children's Home here in San Luis Potosi. How did Jose find this home for abandoned and abused children? You could say it all began as a dream of Jose´s as a child growing up himself in a children¨s home and being abandoned and abused as a child. He often said, "Someday I'm going to help kids like I was helped." He reached out to a children's home that he never knew or ever heard about in December 2018. He, along with other youth in the church, decided to find a children's home that no other church had ever helped. They got food together and headed out to just bring a smile to children in need. Of course you know the end result the youth were more blessed in the end. It was a total success. So much so Jose was asked to come back and help counsel some of the children, help fix their computers and more. Fast forward to today. It took over two years of patiently waiting and explaining to the directors Jose's real intention for the children. Allow the children to come to the Ontañon Church of Christ and see how God loves them even though they may have been abandoned. This is a private children's home but sponsored by the Mexican Family Services, DIF, and mainly funded by this govenment agency. They have no church affiliation, in fact they never took the children to any kind of church service. Through much patience Jose finally got the permission needed in January 2021, to finally have the children attend a service at the Ontañon Church of Christ. Just one! In February they began attending 2 services, in fact now they stay for the entire day to go to church, have lunch, play games, watch a ,movie and more. Looking back at some of the first photos you could see some pretty rebellious and I don't want to be here kids. Now there are actual smiles, laughter, singing Christian songs loud and clear and they actually want to go to church. Pray that they will soon be able to attend each week. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." It´s wonderful to see and hear how your mission gifts are truly changing lives. This is just one of the many ministry opportunities we provided for children, youth and adults to the inner city of San Luis Potosi in February. Thank you for allowing us to do God's will and God's work. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me." Luke 18:16 God never closes a door before He opens a new door of opportunity. Thankful for what He has done, what He is doing and what He will continue to do through the ministry of E.M.M. Field Director: Jose Manuel Gonzalez Field Office Coordinator: Xitlali Ortiz Facebook: Emanuel Mexico Mission Iglesia Cristiana en Ontañon General Directors: David and Sheri DeBolt ![]() Mid-March and it´s snowing and now today it´s back in the 60s. Still not so sure about living in this Indiana weather. It´s always sunny and in the mid-80s in San Luis Potosi. Jose is working hard more than ever before. He says that each day brings on new opportunities to serve and share the gospel. He has a great team of volunteers from the church and other area ministers to lean on and help as needed and our office administrator, Xitlali, to take care of all the office needs. Hopefully we are looking to open the church once again the second Sunday in April. It is now code yellow so it should be open soon. Jose continues to preach each week via Facebook and hosts the Vallado children´s home 2 times a month. Even through the pandemic we have been able to host them on Sunday´s with all the necessary precautions being met. The children´s home is responding well to the gospel. Amazing that these kids never went to a church or never had the opportunity to sing Christian music but God is doing some amazing things through this new ministry opportunity. Another neat new ministry that Jose is working on is, Emanuel Kids. He has found a program that converts his voice and person into cartoon characters and he is working on making a weekly kids program for kids that can’t come to church. It´s just now in the making. Keep you updated on how this new ministry will develop. Jose is taking a missions trip for a week at the end of this month to the southern state of Chiapas and crossing over to the Guatemala border to see the ministry work being carried out at the most southern border of Mexico. A former missionary passed away last year in this area and we are being asked to see the work taking place there not only to encourage to but to see how we can see the ministries in these remote communities continue. Emanuel – God with us. We feel His presence each and every day. Serving with you for the Honor and Glory of God. Jose, David and Sheri ![]() MULTI-TASKING MISSIONARY In Matthew 9:35-36 it says, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd." In these verses we see Jesus multitasking his life in a number of ways. He taught, he preached, he healed, but most importantly he used his compassion for the sick and lost. His heart was always focused on the most in need. Here at Emanuel Mexico Mission (E.M.M.) that is exactly what we are geared for. Just like Jesus, we use our feet, our mouths our hands, our ears and our hearts to show compassion to the people most in need. Example: Jose, on January 31, used his multi-tasking abilities to visit a man dying in the hospital, a request from one of our Ontañon church members. He over saw the morning worship service via on-line. He also picked up, fed and spent his Sunday with 7 children of the Vallado children's home, who stayed that day at the mission and watched intently how Jose was doing his live Facebook broadcast. Jose is fully installed as our field director and we now have Internet and new phones here in the United States office. Following you will find all updated phone numbers and addresses. Jose has a full calendar of projects, preaching schedule, dates and themes for the next 6 months, with the main topic of "Preaching Hope 2021", Emanuel Church Outreach and Emanuel Children's Outreach. Due to the updated (January) COVID restrictions set in place in San Luis Potosi, the Ontañon Church of Christ was forced to close its doors for in house services, but will continue both on-line Sunday services and weekly morning devotions. Our new office administrator (Xitlali Ortiz) is now on site with a new office area next to the counseling center here inside the mission. She will coordinate with Jose and us here to see that all funds are properly taken care of and accountable to you, our faithful supporters of the mission. We were able to cover all of January 2021 expenses as it brings with its property taxes and van and car license plates, which are once a year expenses. Thank you for going above and beyond in your giving and especially your encouraging words and prayers on behalf of your Emanuel Mexico Mission team. FIELD DIRECTOR: Jose M. Gonzalez 011--52-878-137-7300 jamg8829@gmail.com FIELD OFFICE COORDINATOR: Xitlali Ortiz 011-52-444-165-7796 Xitla.op@gmail.com Office Address: Ontañon 910 Barrio: San Miguelito San Luis Potosi, S.L.P. 78339 MEXICO GENERAL DIRECTORS: David and Sheri DeBolt (David) 260-228-1055 davidl.debolt@gmail.com (Sheri) 260-228-1012 sheril.debolt@gmail.com Mailing address: 6389 S. - 500 E. Markle, IN 46770 FINANCIAL DONATIONS AND OFFERINGS: Larry DeBolt 260-565-3657 debolt@adamswells.com Payable to: Emanuel Mexico Mission Mailing address: 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46714 God bless you and we look forward to an exciting year of opportunities to multi-task for the Kingdom.
VICTORY IN JESUS
With a new year upon us, we begin by sharing a time line of events that were made over 5 years ago. Beginning on January 1, 2021, Jose will become our new field director of Emanuel Mexico Mission. He will oversee all the physical needs as far as maintenence and upkeep of the facility. He will also continue to serve as the lead minister at the Ontañon Church of Christ and its ministries. In recent facebook posts you can see that we will have an office and accounting director, Xitlali Ortiz on site. Also an associate minister, Leonardo Hernandez to help as well. Both will work under the supervision of Jose. Our new roles will be in the areas of communication, correspondence and finances with our supporters. Beginning February 1, 2021, we will open an office in the U.S.A. that address will be: David and Sheri DeBolt 6389 E. - 500 S. Markle, IN 46770 David turns 65 this year and beginning the retirement process. Again, as in years past, 100% of what you give to the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission will go to the mission field work taking place in the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. We will continue as directors of the mission and are not retiring from ministry, but will simply allowing a new younger generation of fully committed Church of Christ servants work hand in hand with us. While we organize a U.S. office, we will seek part time employment to cover our own personal needs. As groups are allowed to return to short term mission trips, we will lead them and help organize other special events to help the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission. All in God's timing has been our focus for the past 5 years. The past 2 years have been an extreme challenge, but God brought us through it stronger. We look forward to a new routine and continue to serve the Lord full time / part time as He leads us. Remember it's all about the ministry of the mission and not the missionary. No matter who is in front of the battle line, it's all about sharing Jesus Christ, because we know the outcome, VICTORY IN JESUS! God bless and continue to support the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission. God's light in the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Jose Gonzalez - Field Director David and Sheri DeBolt - Directors ![]() Hello from your missionary parters at Emanuel Mexico Mission! Tomorrow Sheri and I will be heading north to the border and then on to Louisiana (going to see our 3 grandkids there) on Wednesday and then on Saturday head out again for Cincinnati (two more grandchildren to visit) Then on Monday, November 2 we will arrive at Bluffton, Indiana. We have appointments at the nursing home to see my parents both Monday and Tuesday afternoons. My mom was put on hospice care a few weeks ago. The van is packed and ready for the long drive. We ask for your prayers at this time for our travels and our family that we will see along the way. Jose is ready to take charge of the mission ministry and all the church activities. We have 30 days to have the van out of the country so we have not set an exact date to return. All foreign vehicles have to be insured to an American company. Jose continues to amaze us by all the work projects he has taken on and his leadership at the church and other ministries that the mission is involved in. Again thank you in advance for your prayers and support of your mission ministry here in central Mexico. Will add a few photos of Jose working inside the mission. He is making a music room and one of our former boys (Ithamar) will be doing art work on the walls with musical notes etc. Will update you as Jose advances with this new project. This room will be used for music/guitar classes and a room for the worship team to practice. Jose has a new banner made for the church and turned our former tv table for the music into a bulletin board and area to place bibles and other materials. He is being very responsible and resourceful. You have a good missionary working hard each day. Today José and Leo began their daily devotions. It is on the Emanuel Mexico Mission page. Again thank you and God bless. Dave & Sheri DeBolt José Gonzalez
![]() MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS The month of September 2020, had its Mountain top experiences. With the opening of the church once again, we saw new faces arrive throughout the month. Attendance increase! The school lunches provide more than a simple meal to the neighborhood children, but a message that God loves them and cares for them. We were honored to be the Mission of the Month for the Bluffton First Church of Christ, Bluffton, Indiana. Their special offering will help us replace that old worn out refrigerator, finish the remodeling in the main kitchen, repair the church baptistery and more. We celebrated September, by beginning 30 years of service to the inner city of San Luis Potosi and that is where the Valley work is accomplished...in the inner city. If we constantly live on the Mountain top experiences of our lives, we cannot see the true work that needs to be done. A good friend wrote me a few months ago and said, "You know, as I read your updates, it seems to me that Emanuel Mexico Mission is doing even more gospel centered/spreading work than (before). Stay strong and keep lifting up Jesus...while I pray that He will lift you up." It's true, we literally work in the Valley of the inner city. Drugs, gangs, shootings, murder and crime surround us. The police constantly patrol the neighborhood. But that does not stop the need to evangelize the lost and needy. Jose is working hard to reach these people with the gospel. Coming soon will be a series of 5 minute daily devotions via the internet. Some will be in English and all will be translated into English. Yes, the pandemic has affected the way we serve others, but like many, these new challenges put us in the Valley where the real work needs to be done. Thank you for allowing us to have Mountain top experiences. Thank you for helping us to do the Kingdom work that needs to be done in the Valley. God bless, David and Sheri DeBolt Jose Manuel Gonzalez FACEBOOK: Emanuel Mexico Mission We all have gifts that God has given us. We all have been tried and tested at some point in our lives.
As I was watching and listening to José preach this morning I was so thankful for the gifts that God has given our Jose. I say our Jose because we share a brother and a son as your missionary partner in central Mexico. There is no doubt that José loves Jesus. He had a hard and difficult childhood but God protected and blessed José. Protected from what could have been a whole different road from that which he is traveling today. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty or do the work that maybe others could or should be doing. José does it because he simply loves Jesus. Attached are a few photos of what José did this past week and today. #1 Worked to help make the church more functional. Making an opening for our church kitchen to better serve others. Next Sunday we will be celebrating with a church meal after the service and using what was Jose’s office and now is the church kitchen. Sheri and another church member checking out the works after the service today. Next Saturday is a work day with cleaning, painting etc. # 2 Doing what he loves most. Preach. I just couldn’t help but share about what you are doing here at EMM and for the trust and friendship we all share through Jesus Christ Thank you all so very much. God bless you Valley Missions Team and Valley Family. David DeBolt NEW BOOK - NEW OPPORTUNITIES After 22 weeks of being closed we were able to open the doors of Emanuel Mexico Mission on August 23, 2020. The summer of 2020, will go down in the history books as new challenges and opportunities faced us each day. As we enter into September 2020, we begin our 30th year of serving the Lord in Mexico. We use September as a way to close out another season of Christian Service. We filled 365 pages of, now an old book, and look forward to filling a new book with new opportunities. Each page in this new book is blank, but filled with lines that daily the Lord will write from the experiences and opportunities we have to serve others. One of our most recent opportunities to serve is providing school lunches to the children in our neighborhood. As children returned to school, they are learning from home. Helping with these school lunches gives their parents the opportunity to not worry about cooking their noon meal, so they can concentrate on helping their children. Since we live in the inner city, all the houses are wall to wall and all have flat roofs. The following is what I heard the other day from one of our neighbors. Mom: "Do your homework" Child: "No, I don't want to" Mom: "Do it, it's your job", etc. Probably sounds familiar to some of you. Each brown paper lunch bag is decorated with a message that God loves them and is filled with a sandwich, cookies, apple and a small box drink. Jose has his sermon series all planned out for 2020-2021. Vacation Bible School 2021 is being written and planned. Summer 2021 Camp schedule is on the calendar. A Seminar to attend in October 2020, will provide Jose the opportunity to strengthen his faith and knowledge. Maintenance, repairs and projects on the mission facility are on the books for the rest of 2020-2021. PRAYERS & PROJECTS Replace the main refrigerator: We could say to this refrigerator "Well done, good and faithful servant". It has served its purpose well for over 25 years, but in the past 18 months, we have invested more in repairs than needed. It went down again 3 times in August 2020. Repair the Church baptistery: Each time we fill the baptistery it leaks. We have a list of materials needed and an estimate to repair it. Jose - VISA: During the pandemic, Jose's VISA expired and was not allowed to renew it. The American Consulates are now open and Jose now has the opportunity to fill out the necessary paper work and apply for his VISA. New plates and cups for the mission: The main kitchen has only plates and cups for a dozen people. Church meals, youth activities and groups require us to buy disposable plates, etc. 50 plus cups, plates, bowls, spoons and forks would provide the necessary means to cut expenses for groups and church activities. Facebook Page: EMANUEL MEXICO MISSION David and Sheri DeBolt Jose Gonzalez ![]() COOKIES and CREAM July 14, 2020, we were given 16 cases of Samoas Girl Scout cookies. Yes, you read that right, 16 cases, which means we were given 2,880 Girl Scout Samoas! We traveled from Denham Springs, Louisiana, with the cookies to San Luis Potosi, without problems with customs at the border. It's a long story how the cookies got into our hands, but the short version was someone knew about our inner city mission and knew we were going to be giving out back to school lunches when school starts this year. God is good! Cookies and Cream, but in reality it is "Cookies and Prayer" that we will be passing out along with a sandwich, fruit and a boxed drink. These Cookies and Prayer will bless the Inner City children and their families that surround the neighborhood of Emanuel Mexico Mission. Just in case school does not reopen in August, we will still be passing out these special lunches to the children. Pray that this outreach will bring the children to church, to movie nights, VBS and other activities we have planned for them. During June and July, we were blessed with safe travels to Louisiana, Ohio and Indiana, to see family, attend our oldest (Alex) grandson's High School graduation, meet with our new board president of Emanuel Mexico Mission, Justin Davis and work out details for the upcoming 2020-2021 financial season with our forwarding agent, Larry DeBolt. Things are looking good and you will see some exciting things happening here in the Inner City Ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission in the coming year. UPDATE ON JOSE'S COVID-19 SITUATION: As of this writing he continues in quarantine and is having some difficulties with breathing, but is feeling better everyday. The day we returned on July 17, we looked at Jose and said, "you are going to the doctor". He was experiencing cold type symptoms for over a week that would not leave him. Sure enough the COVID test came back positive, as his condition worsened. We caught it in time said the doctor. *Continue to pray for Jose and the ministry he is involved with here at Emanuel Mexico Mission. *Pray for when we can reopen the facility of Emanuel Mexico Mission, Counseling Center, and the Ontañon Church of Christ due to the pandemic. *Pray for the Cookies and Prayer (Cream) outreach and praise the Lord for those that provided and will continue to provide for these special meals. **Special prayer note: All the necessary paper work has been sent into the IRS and we are awaiting approval for the Non-For-Profit status for Emanuel Mexico Mission. *Pray for our new Emanuel Mexico Mission board of directors. Justin and Sarah Davis - Fishers, Indiana Amy Lobo - Denham Springs, Louisiana Larry DeBolt - Bluffton, Indiana 3-4 more spaces are open for more board members to which the Valley Christian Church, Lakeville, Minnesota, will fill once the IRS has approved the Non-For-Profit. Passing on God's Blessings to Those in Need, David and Sheri DeBolt Jose Gonzalez |
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