Dear Prayer and Share Partners~

 

 

 

Usually in Chihuahua City there isn't much of a sunset.  The sun just slips behind a mountain and it gets dark outside.  Most days the sky is completely clear- vast, and blue and empty.  However, the Friday before Easter was something to behold.  Chris Smith and I attended a Good Friday service hosted by our sister church, La Casa de Mi Padre.  Pastor Rodolfo Pérez and some of the leaders of his congregation shared about the "Seven Last Words" of Christ.  After the service, we enjoyed a dinner of traditional dishes prepared by the ladies of the church.  There were six of us from Grace Community Church in attendance.   We were treated as honored guests and we were expected to be in the front of the line to get our food.  Hospitality is very important, and there is no arguing with the hosts. 

            The Easter holiday and the preceding Holy week are another natural break in the year where many people go on vacation.  Chihuahua City actually seemed kind of empty during Easter weekend.  Most of the family-owned stores were closed from Thursday through Monday, and even the street vendors took a few days off.  Needless to say, it made for smaller crowds in church on Easter Sunday. 

            The group at Visión de Gracia is continuing to adjust to the absence of Pastor Luis and the new leadership in Pastor Joel.  In addition to Sunday services, the core group continues to meet midweek for prayer and they are encouraging one another along, in the midst of the uncertainty they are feeling.  I have been teaching a beginning English class for them since the beginning of March.  The class attendance has been as small as 4 and as many as 12.  There are a faithful few who have attended almost every time, and little by little they are recognizing differences and similarities between our languages.  It has been fun to watch them learn, and even more fun when I gain new Spanish words in order to explain a concept to them. 

Grace Community Church welcomed some old friends for Easter.  John and Sharon Steadman are a couple who had become very active in the church, and then they were required to take a year furlough from Chihuahua.  While they were here visiting for a few days, John was able to preach for two of our services.  In a few months, John and his family will return to Chihuahua City and they are already excited to get back into "doing life together" with their GCC family.  The Ladies of Grace Bible Study has continued to be such a blessing as we meet each week to share and study together.  Our group has grown a bit, from just 3 or 4 to a group of 6 women most weeks.  Sometimes we really study the lesson, sometimes the moms just need to vent and compare notes, and sometimes the fellowship is so sweet that a meeting that begins at 9:30 in the morning lasts until 2:30 in the afternoon!  The group is an eclectic mix of ages, family situations, and levels of spiritual maturity.  Some of us are full-time missions workers, while others have no church background and just got their first Bibles.  We are actually beginning to see some women from the International Women's Group consistently attending this Bible study and Sunday services!  This is one of the prayer requests I had shared with you a few months ago, and the hearts that God has been moving in are beginning to respond. 

            There are many specific situations that I feel need prayer at this time, but most of them fall within the following themes.  Please pray for:

**Leadership and growth within our churches here in Chihuahua.

**Continued interest in GCC (and ultimately God) among the international community.

**The MVP teams who will be coming soon.

**Me, as I try to prepare myself and the leaders here for my upcoming furlough. 

            Finally, like all your favorite musicians (and missionaries), it's time to announce my Summer Tour Dates!  I will be on furlough during July and August, and I am currently booking speaking dates.  If you want me to come and speak during your church service, group meeting, or special event - Act Now!  Space is Limited!! 

            Please contact me directly, either via email at: hpritchett616@msn.com or, I have an internet phone with an Evansville phone number: (812) 962-0813.  It's just a regular local or long distance phone call for all of you, and if necessary, you can leave me a voicemail.

Clear me a spot on your calendars!

In His Abiding Love,

Heather Pritchett

GB Mexico Missions ~ Chihuahua