Dear Friends,
 

This has been an amazing week, perhaps the best time I (Cheryl) have had down here
in Juarez, Mexico in the last fourteen years.  We arrived in El Paso last Sunday
evening, Dec 23rd and now the evening Friday 28th I am writing on my laptop in
Rich's truck as we await our last event, a fiesta at Pastor Robellio's church.

We spent Christmas here in Juarez with the family of Pastor Robellio.
Christmas Eve we attended "Verdad Y Redencion", Pastor Robellios church, and
although the church was freezing cold, we were struck with the genuine gratitude and
joy amongst the believers.

It is hard to decide which highlights to share with you:  perhaps the most impacting
occurred on Wednesday night Dec. 27th.  Pastor Felipe's church which meets at the
Torribeo Family Center had chosen as their special outreach project for this year
the goal of reaching out to the women of their community in order to raise the
women's sense of value.  The church women had been saving money all year for this
event and were very grateful when additional gifts came through various individuals
and churches.  Each woman received a gift, was given a lovely meal and was able to
hear a local Christian Psychologist talk about her intrinsic value.  The gospel was
clearly presented and over eight women responded to the message, accepting Christ as
their personal savior.

It was a joy attending the fiesta at the Children's home out at Pastor Luis's
church.  We were impressed with Citlaly, a high school student who lives at the
Children's home because she is from a very poor family.  She was very involved in
helping to put on the party and so much a part of the lives of the younger children.
 She is able to attend school because she is receiving a scholarship through Arrow
Outreach, and she hopes to become an engineer.

It was great to see the new Clinic building, which was built this past October,
already in use. The good news is that a doctor and nurse are not only seeing
patients on some days but also running a school each Saturday morning for 6 local
people who are learning the basics of health care in order to be able to serve their
community.

One of the programs we have been working on over the past year is establishing a
sewing cottage industry that will employ women from our partner churches.  Our first
effort is now under way at Pastor Felipe's church, where four ladies are working
hard on their new sewing business and learning financial principles as they go.

Well, this gives you a taste of some of what we encountered this week.  I am
writing this on my computer as we drive back to Dallas.  In all we attended 6
fiestas over these past days and had the opportunity to fellowship with many of the
folk who are supported by Arrow Outreach in one way or another.

Rich's thoughts on the week: With the leadership of  Pastors in our partner Churches
and Centers the congregations are reaching out to their communities whether it is a
gospel clown, a sewing mother, or a nurse meeting a medical need.  Our folks are
sharing the gospel by word and deed.  The churches are growing, leaders are being
raised up and the word is becoming flesh in both spiritual and practical ways.  What
a joy it is to watch this happen

We appreciate you and wish you a very blessed New Year,
 

Rich and Cheryl Mackey