Fasting and miracles in the Year Ahead

On February 3, 2013   /   News   /   Leave a comment

As a church, we began the year with a Daniel fast in January. Our desire was to seek God’s  direction for the upcoming year.  As the adults and youth fasted, each individual experienced the touch of God in their life.

Gris, a 30 year old woman, had moved in with her partner several years ago. When she came to Christ she sought to do the right things and has her partner to get married. His response was always “Later”, and she soon stopped asking. Not long after the fast, he came to Gris and said, “Okay, let’s go to city hall and get married!” She was amazed by the One who does miracles, our Lord!  They are now happily married.

Youth, children, and adults alike are coming to Christ and growing stronger in their faith each day. That’s what it’s all about — extending His kingdom. Thank you for standing with us this year and believing the impossible for El Refugio, the AMA Teen Center and abstinence events, and La Peña Church.

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Happy New Year

On January 31, 2013   /   News   /   Leave a comment

Happy New Year to all!  We pray you had a great time with family & friends celebrating our King’s birth!

We ask your prayers for my dad and two other church members, they left last night to Sonora, a state 12 hours east of Tijuana up in the mountains where he will delivery about 60 gifts to children along with other donations. They will be there for three days.  Please pray that the Word be spoken and accepted to many hearts and His Kingdom will be extended and  that they may have a blessed time and safe return.

We want to thank all who have helped us spread the Word of Life in Tijuana by praying, visiting and donating money last year.  We give thanks to God for your life.  Thank you because we know that you put Philippians 2:4 into practice: ” Don’t look out only for your interest, but take an interest in others, too.”

Thank you again and we pray blessings over your life in this 2013.

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Gracias & Merry Christmas

On January 30, 2013   /   News   /   Leave a comment

We were overwhelmed by your generous response to our request for donations towards the purchase of sweaters for the children at the AMA Teen Center. The Lord is faithful and we received enough funds to buy 140 beautiful winter sweaters. Not only do we have enough for the AMA kids, we are able to bless children at two local churches as well!

We’ve been trying to figure out how to get so many new clothing items through customs to Tijuana, and just this morning someone called with an offer to provide the necessary permit at no charge. We serve a faithful God!

On Saturday we will be joined by a group from a church in Los Angeles to distribute the gifts at the Teen Center. Pray that our time with the visiting group will be blessed, and that each child receiving a gift will know the One who cares for them most.

We love you and thank you for being a vessel of God’s blessing in our lives and ministry.

Wishing you each a Merry Christmas,
Rene & Cristina Matus

 

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Giving Thanks

On January 30, 2013   /   News   /   Leave a comment

We are so very thankful for each of you who have blessed us with prayer, visits, words of encouragement, and financial support throughout the five years we have been serving in Mexico.

As we head into the giving season we have begun to pray and plan what to so for the children at the AMA Teen Center. We want to bless each child with warm sweaters and new toy, and we are reaching out to you to make this happen.

We have 100 children and teens on our list and are in need of $1,500 Will you help? Can you sponsor a child or teen with $15 this Christmas?

Thank you for all these years of faithfulness to the people of Tijuana and our family.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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Summer Recap

On September 11, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

Summer is gone! It seems like every day was non-stop, from teaching Bible school to mentoring and ministering to the youth, to planning the abstinence camp and hosting VBS. We pray there was much fruit in what we did.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. This past weekend we were able to give away 7 backpacks and 20 bags of school supplies to the teens and children at AMA Teen Center. Thank you for helping us!

Ana Cristina

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Girl’s Abstinence Camp

On August 8, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

The love of Jesus was so very present at camp last week, and His splendor was evident over the life of each girl in attendance. We had an orphanage send their young ladies, and two girls that rode the bus all the way from Sinaloa (a 22 hr. bus ride). Gladys, who celebrated her birthday just three weeks before camp, was given the choice of a birthday cake and present or to attend the camp. She chose to come to camp.

Of 202 participants who came this year over half joined us for the first time, and for the first time they were challenged to make a choice for abstinence. At the time of the covenant, all the girls in attendance stood to their feet and made the choice for purity. What an amazing response! Even more amazing is that 17 girls accepted Christ for the first time.

Many hearts were restored, and many took to heart the word of the Lord spoken over them… a call to live as royalty and daughters of the King! I know that each girl left with a renewed spirit. Praise the Lord and to His name be the Glory! Thank you for your part, for praying and helping financially.

We love you and are blessed by you,
Ana Cristina

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Preparations

On August 1, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

One team of people left this afternoon for the campsite and another team will leave tonight. I head out tomorrow with a group of leaders and campers.

We have been under heavy attack this past week with one thing after another going wrong. We know the devil is not happy because so many girls will be saved; but we know we have victory in Jesus and nothing will stop us because the Lord is with us!

Please keep us in your prayers this weekend. The camp starts tomorrow and ends Saturday afternoon. Thank you also for helping financially. We meet our goal and are fully funded; Praise the Lord!

Ana Cristina

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So Close!

On July 24, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

We have come a long way since our first e-mail regarding APV, but we still have a little more to climb. We are only $500 away from the initial request of $6,000.

God is faithful! Will you stand with us in faith and make a pledge? We only need 10 people to pledge $50 dollars, or 5 people to pledge $100. Please take a moment and let God lead you in the direction He chooses.

Also, please keep praying for us as we finalize details in planning this coming week. From the staff and girls of APV, thank you for joining forces with us!

Ana Cristina

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Bittersweet

On July 4, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

I just came back from beautiful Vermont, a bitter sweet trip. I love to visit my grandparents, but this visit was under unfortunate circumstances as it was for my Grandpa’s funeral service. Please help me pray for my Grandma as she faces this new chapter of her life.

Also, this week we have a week-long disciple training for our youth where they will go deeper into His word and will establish His kingdom by serving others in our community. Please help us pray for them.

Next week we have VBS at AMA Teen Center under our brand new roof! Pray that many children and youth will be saved.

And finally, please pray that in the midst of all this we can stay focused and prepare for our girls camp–we still need funds to meet our goal–and that the Lord be exalted in Tijuana.

Blessings,
Ana Cristina

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Boy’s Purity Event

On June 21, 2012   /   News   /   Leave a comment

Thank you for praying for our boy’s purity event “Someday My Princess Will Come”; it was a success! Young men enjoyed a much needed candid talk about the reality of sexual abstinence and enjoyed delicious fish tacos! We know they were challenged in every way to stay pure and many made a commitment to the Lord.

Also, we would like to thank you for your prayers and monetary contribution to the girls camp, in the past weeks we have received more than half of the money needed, with only $2,000 more to go. God is faithful. Please continue to pray:

  • APV Girl’s Camp: finances as well as guidance and wisdom as we work on logistics
  • VBS at our local church and AMA Teen Center
  • Youth at La Peña Church as we have discipleship training for a week
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