Youth Support Requests

So, there are several youths here who are embarking on journeys, pursuing directions in which they feel the Lord is leading them right now...but they need help. The following support letters were written by the staff here in Cofradia: Sandy and Lupe's by Jay and Faith, and Julio's by Steve. Please pray about how you might be able to help as you read through their support letters, whether through prayer or also through financial help.

Sandy

Sandra was the first one of her family to become a Christian. As a 13 year old she began attending church alone. As Sandra began to change and grow in Jesus, the rest of her family began to believe. First her younger sister and then her mother accepted her invitations to see the good things that were happening at church. Now her whole family has become Christian due largely to her testimony. Sandra is now one of the core youth in the church: she plays in the worship band, has completed the four-level discipleship course, and continues to be a leader in all she does. The Discipleship Training School will build on those strengths while challenging her in new areas. Though Sandra is not sure what her future holds she believes that thsi school is the next step in her journey.

Sandra says, "I would like to attend the Discipleship School in Mazatlan because I believe that God has a purpose for me there, physically and spiritualy. Being there I will be able to be in a more intimate relationship with God, learning from Him, changing character issues in me. I will also be able to communicate this treasure, the Word of God, to other people. I wold like to know people, places, and things that here in this little town I have never known before."

Lupita

Lupita is orginally from Guadalajara where she grew up in an emotionally dysfunctional family. Amidst a lot of yelling and verbal abuse, she left her home for a visit with her cousins in the little town of Arrayanes. There she attended church and youth functions and felt God touch her life. When she received Jesus in her heart she was weeping not only for the pain in her life but also because she knew that her family would reject and ridicule her for becoming a Christian. Reluctantly, she returned to Guadalajara. Less than a year after returning home her father became sick and eventually died from liver failure. Through it all, she stayed strong in her faith even without a church family to support her. Lupita is back in Arrayanes and growing more than ever. She leads the worship in Arrayanes and is becoming a leader in the youth group. Her desire is to be used by God and minister to others who have struggled as she has. This school will strengthen her and give her the tools to do just that.

Lupita says, "Today I began thinking about my goals and the purpose of my life. I have one goal and one purpose. My goal is to attend the Discipleship Training School, my purpose is to be transformed by God and to live my life for Him. One of the reasons I want to go to this school is to surpass who I am now, and come to know Jesus more through His word. I want to be a missionary, to experience other languages and cultures, and to preach the good news about Jesus. I believe that through this experience God will also strengthen me to be able to share with my own family so that they could be saved."

Julio

Julio Hernandez's is one of our youth and is studying in High School at this present time. His father, Gollo, is Pastor here in Cofradia, and he has three other brothers; two of which are studying as well. Steve, writes: "I believe 100% in this young man. I have written numerous times about him in Newsletters, Ministry Updates, and on our webblog, and I have mentioned him when we have spoken at churches. He is GOLD. His desire for the future is to finish High School, go to a Bible Institiute, and come back here to Cofradia to be the Youth Pastor...He is turning into a great, fun leader and will make an awesome Youth Pastor. I have been praying for an intern to work along side of me, and he is quickly becoming the person.


How Can You Help??

Each of the girls (Sandra and Lupita) will need to raise $3000 US to cover the cost of tuition and the outreach phase of Discipleship Training School in Mazatlan. Julio will be studying in High School for three years, and he will need $1500 US for each year, which would be $150 a month.

Would you be interested in helping with a one-time gift or monthly gift? It would be completely tax deductible. You can send gifts to Alternative Missions, and we would be able to withdraw the money here from the account.

If you desire to write a check, then simply make it out to "Alternative Missions", and on a SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER write your designation: "Sandra DTS", "Lupita DTS", or "Cofradia Student Scholarship: Julio".

Another option is to make your donation online through the Alternative Missions website. Your online donations are secure, consistent, and automatic. If you choose this option, on the form there is a drop-down menu that asks which program you would like to donate to. Simply choose "Special Project", and in the text box underneath type in "Sandra DTS", "Lupita DTS", or "Cofradia Student Scholarship: Julio".

Please pray about how you might help these students. We believe very strongly in each one and see the potential in them to be used in great ways in the kingdom work going on here in Mexico. Thank you for supporting the Body of Christ in Mexico in this way!!