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The Hendricks Family
Mike & Cora Hendricks, (Steve 22,
Sara 19)
10443 Calle Hermosa
Albuquerque, NM 87114
505-899-5376 home
505-453-7959 Mike US Cell
011-52-953-537-3337 Mike Mex Cell
mhendricks9@msn.com
www.nativecommission.org
Dear Friends,
Some have asked to know more detail about 'what we do' in Mexico, Canada
and the USA. Briefly, we offer orientation and mobilization of Native
Christians in Great Commission ministries.
I'd like to send along this summary of the Native Heritage Month/November
Trip to Oaxaca, and a Word attachment with several pictures of the year's
events. For some, these people and places are very far away, but I would
like to offer some encouraging news and stories of God's work. We are
so very thankful for your help and prayers to be a little part of His
wonderful work among the First People of our land.
Their story is precious!
1. We were asked to help a California ministry to purchase and deliver
(3) 15 passenger vans for use by future ministry teams coming in to Oaxaca.
The Lord helped us obtain a 1991 Chevy, a 1993 GMC, and a 1998 Dodge that
fit the need nicely, and our small group of 3 drivers set off for Oaxaca
through south Texas on October 31, a great day to work for the Lord! The
vans are now in Huatulco Oaxaca, undergoing legalization to stay in Mexico
permanently. Our teams also now will have the option to fly in to the
Zapotec area and benefit from these vehicles on site!
2. Boyd Begay came with us this time as well. Some of you may remember
him, from our visits last fall, he is a 20 year old Navajo brother who
has been a great help over the past 18 months; 4 times now in Mexico.
God has done much in Boyd's life, and he shares his victories in Christ
with many young people. Please keep him in prayer for continued growth
and maturity in following Jesus.
3. We were able to begin a house building project for a Mixteco Indian
family who serves the Lord faithfully in unreached communities near their
town, Acatlán Puebla. Donations designated for them have been arranged
by a couple here in Albuquerque, and they have begun the project as of
this November. It will be a simple home with 4 or 5 rooms and a cooking-fellowship
area outside. They want to have regular Christian gatherings there, so
you all are invited in about 9 months for open house!
4. Visits were made with more Mixteco families in Huajuapan, and then
Tamazulapan, where we taught for 2 days at the Betania Bible Institute.
Indian students there are eager to learn and share about Christ together.
Since we had 3 large vans and only 3 people, we worked it out for the
whole school to come along with us, (staff and students!) 8+ hours on
down to the Isthmus region, and help with meetings among the Zapotec people.
Most had never been that far from home, or met Zapotec people. We also
were able to hold evangelistic meetings in Santiago Lachiguiri, in cooperation
with local pastors. Two graduates from Betania also came with the Team,
one was Martin Santiago, (20) spoke in a main session, challenging everyone
to never "throw in the towel"... but guard our 'mantle' and
be faithful in every aspect of ministry!
5. While we were in the Zapotec coastal area, we helped at the annual
La Ventosa Pastors & Leaders' Conference; over 800 attended! We taught
a special series together for youth leaders, and some of our close friends
there did special events for children and ladies. Our Mixteco friends
were a wonderful addition and a complete ministry team. These were some
of the most affirming times for Native people, to be honored in leadership,
free dental services were provided, prayer ministry, and shown dignity
and respect in the love of Christ. So many of them have been persecuted,
beaten or jailed for their faith, but this was a time to come apart and
be refreshed.
6. We then took a team of 30 volunteers back to the airport in Huatulco,
4 hours back to the west. They were a wonderful team, and the vans bought
for this event can stay and serve more ministries for years to come.
7. Also near the end of the Conference, our missionary co-worker Sheri
Burk experienced several TIA mini-strokes. Please pray for God's healing
hand to be with her, she is a veteran of 17+ years in the area, and is
still in careful hospitalized recovery. She plans to come home to Arizona
for several months, and rest well; then hopes to return around the end
of February.
8. I also serve on the Board of Agape Mission Projects, the organization
that Sheri serves with. About a year ago, we began taking steps to form
a Mexican, Native-led organization, so local Zapotec leaders can continue
in ministry with Biblical covering and accountability. Armando Gutierrez
has been chosen by our US board to take responsibility as director of
this organization; I will be working in cooperation with him regarding
Proyectos Agape México. Agape's website is at www.lachiguiri.org
9. This partnership with Agape will not change our status as full time
staff with NAIM. However NAIM has encouraged my involvement with Christ
for Native Youth to be limited and much less than the past 10 years. We
are defining our role with NAIM's development of comprehensive Missions
opportunities by Native churches and individuals. We would really appreciate
your prayers in this transition; it's a great new venture for NAIM and
I am honored to be part of its formation.
You can also see regular updates and current events listed on the Native
Commission Website, www.nativecommission.org
Thank you for praying for God's work in Native hearts and lives!
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