October Update

Dear Partners in Missions:

We hope all is well for you and yours. Here's an effort to summarize all that's been happening lately.

General Mission Update:

• As the summer group season has come to a close, there are already 10 groups scheduled for next year's mission trips. So, if you are considering scheduling a mission trip for next year, please review our web page detailing 2008 Mission Trips already scheduled and drop us an email as soon as possible about your possible plans for 2008.
• Ginny taught workshops in the annual Pastor's Conference at the bible school (Stress Management; Counseling Basics; and Addiction, Recovery and The Church). Special thanks to Penny Musson and Margie Turner (North Wilkesboro Pres) and Gray Clark (Fellowship Pres in Greensboro, NC) who also taught workshops.
• While on furlough in NC, we made presentations at 1st Presbyterian in Pilot Mountain; Highland Presbyterian in Winston-Salem; 1st Presbyterian in Mt. Airy and the Asheville Rotary Club. We also enjoyed worship and fellowship opportunities at 1st Presbyterian in Boone and Oak Ridge Presbyterian.
• Since returning, Ginny has resumed teaching English classes and will soon resume participation in prison ministry.
• John and Pablo Feliciano participated in the PCUSA World Mission Conference in Louisville and have begun a multi-state tour to share about Las Manos de Cristo and other ministry needs here in Chiapas.

Manos de Cristo Update (Medical Clinic):

• Most summer construction efforts were totally focused on the clinic. Approximately 90% of the roof for Phase I was completed. A special lightweight, daylight roof will be installed over the patient waiting area.
• Interior walls, doors, windows, tile flooring and other finishing are to be completed in the coming months.
• Movement of furniture and medical equipment donations across the border remains a concern. John and Dr. Bill Herring met with representatives from Samaritan's Purse to request assistance with additional medical equipment donations and delivery. Approval is pending.
• Additional funds are still needed if the May, 2008 target opening date for Phase I (Outpatient Primary Medical, Dental, Lab and Pharmacy) is to be met. Please prayerfully consider making a donation through Hebron USA to help cover these additional costs.

Family Update:

• Despite our lengthy saga, we are now fully-legal with new visas and a new car permit. Thanks be to God!
• We enjoyed a great visit to NC and got to visit with lots of special people in our lives. It was especially good to have additional time with Ginny's dad who is doing well but still adjusting to life since losing Ginny's mom last December.
• Holly and Maggie have begun a new school year and are happy to be back with friends here in Ocosingo.
• Animal friends come and go in Mexico, which is why we elected to let our Corgi, Baxter, be in foster care while we are in Mexico. Upon returning, we learned that one dog, Ray Ray, had managed to recover from injuries sustained before we left for NC, but that our puppy, Oreo, was gone! So far, no Oreo. But....as fate would have it, the tiniest, boniest, most pitiful little kitten you've ever seen landed on our porch. So, Dobby (think the house elf from Harry Potter movies) is now getting lots of tender loving care at the Mills household.

Prayers

• For God to continue opening doors of opportunity for us to serve
• For safe travels for John and Pablo as they visit churches, small groups, bible studies, Rotary clubs, and others around the US. May they build meaningful relationships and help others catch a glimpse of how God is at work in Chiapas and how they can be a part of it.
• For all the short-term missionaries who came to Mexico this year. May they continue to reflect on their experiences and may those experiences move them to continuously be on the lookout for opportunities to serve in their own backyards.
• Of comfort for those experiencing loss, including the families of Dot Hurley and Tom Edwards.
• Of support and encouragement for those coping with illness, including Frank Splawn, Hal Newell, Donna Painter, Pastor Andre, Carol McClancy, Tenney Dean, Nancy Lingenfelser, Jim Scott, Mary Wynne Perryman, Bonnie Bode, Katie Yarbrough, Mr. BeShears, Marshall Hollingsworth, Louise Holshouser, and the family of our dear friend Cecelia. As always, please let us know of your prayer needs and whether it's ok to share them with others.
• For the family of Doreen and Alan Desjardins as they prepare for a year apart with Doreen's deployment to Washington, D.C.
• Of gratitude to North Wilkesboro Presbyterian for assistance with medical care expenses for Amalia Feliciano, who is recovering from gall bladder surgery.
• Of support and encouragement for fellow missionaries and their families around the world, including Pablo & Jan Feliciano, all the Dye Family Missionaries around the world, David Meacham, and John and Sandra Wimbish.
• Special prayers for Julie Alexander, her husband John, and their children as they seek to begin their missionary service in Brazil.

Opportunities

• Donate to HebronUSA for Phase I and Phase II of the Manos de Cristo Medical Clinic in Ocosingo (www.hebronusa.org/Support.html)
• Donate to First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy, NC for our family’s missionary support (www.millsfamilymission.org/5.html)
• John and Pablo are currently scheduling programs and visits in several US states for several weeks in October and November. Times are limited, but those who would like to request a visit should email John at hebronfoundation@att.net or call him at 336.829.4329.
• Mission Tip of the Month: Let us share one of our latest reads, compliments of our friends Bert & Mary Beth Wood.... Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. This is an incredible book, challenging us all to be more deliberate in our pursuit of a life that mimics Jesus'. For more information, check out the blog entry, "Irresistible Revolution" for a few powerful quotes that represent just a few of the incredible nuggets of inspiration found inside this incredible book.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. Please keep in touch and drop us an email from time to time and follow along the daily walk by reading this blog. Blog writing came to a screeching halt during our furlough, but new posts should be flowing regularly again soon.

Paz en Cristo,
Ginny, John, Holly & Maggie