The Hispanic Mission Minute
 ... by Abby Dawkins
 

Gracias! I am thankful for you. God has been teaching me over the past few years of his faithfulness and the importance of support through prayer. Thank you so much for your partnership in sharing the Gospel with the Latino community in South Minneapolis through your prayers and encouragement! I ask for your continued prayers for me as God leads you to pray for: Relationships as well as a healthy balance of life and work, Gracias! Your partner in mission, Abby Dawkins
 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, t he new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 New birth! Stacee (11) and her sister Brittany (5) were baptized on Sunday! They shimmered in their delicate satin dresses and pretty up-dos. They beamed as they proudly told all who asked that "Today we are being baptized!" They were beautiful! But the most radiant beauty that they possessed was the one that God gave them that day - they were adopted as princesses of the king. They are now new creations! PRAY: for support and growth for Brittany and Stacee! That they would tell others new birth in Christ!
 

Birthday Celebration! "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." - Jesus (Luke 18:16) "So what is Baptism?" asked one of my younger friends as we talked last week. I had the privilege of hanging out with some beautiful young women - ranging in age from 5 to 14 years old as we learned more about God's character, how he shows us his love, and chooses to adopt us as his children through baptism. We talked about how Baptism is a second birth and that it gives us reason to celebrate for we are children of the King! Praise: We are children of God! Pray: for the girls being baptized this Sunday.
 

"O God, you are my God and I will ever praise you, I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in our ways. Step by Step you lead me and I will follow you all of my days." -Rich Mullins.

Have you ever thought about how many steps we take in a day? Isn't it amazing to think that the creator of the universe, our Savior, accompanies us with each one? He leads us on one day at a time, one step at a time. God is leading me to take a new step in my journey as I have accepted a call to serve as a DCO at Jesus El Buen Pastor, a Hispanic congregation in Kansa City, MO working through the Lutheran Mission of the Good Shepherd. I will head down to Missouri the middle of July to start serving and learning what God has prepared to teach me there.

I thank you so much for your support, prayers, and encouragement over the past year! What a blessing it has been to serve with you! I appreciate your continued prayers during this next step of life and ministry. Praise: for God's faithfulness over the past year! Pray: For a smooth transition of life, and ministry in KC, MO. Pray: for growth and protection for the Reyes family.

"I want to be happy." were the words that came from my Hispanic friend's mouth last Sunday as I listened to her share about the circumstances in her life. She desires to be free of those things that burden her down and cause her to worry. Jesus promises that, for those who trust in him, he will give life... not just a happy life, but an abundantly full life filled with meaning and worth! Pray: for my friend, that she would trust in Jesus who offers a truly joy-filled life. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - Jesus (John 10:10)

Eres importante! (You are important!) "Fear not, for I have summoned you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1b. One of my favorite songs from VBS during my time in Peru goes like this: "If someone tells you that you aren't important, I tell you that this is not true because there exists someone who loves you very much and you are important to him!" The song continues telling how Jesus knows us and loves us and he is the one that gives us our value. Satan is quick to place lies in our hearts and minds saying that we are not worth anything. These lies go against the truth of who we are in Christ. We have value because he chose to love us. Pray: That we would all realize our worth in Christ. Pray: for the Reyes family as they are in the midst of transition.
 

!Feliz dia de la Madre! (Happy Mother's Day!) Mothers are special. They care for us, they nurture us in body and in spirit, and they provide for us. The role of Mother is especially valued and appreciated int he Hispanic culture, making this day of celebration a day to celebrate their strength and provision in our lives. It is on a day like Mother's Day that we can thank God for the parents he has placed in our lives and that we can rely on him to be the source of our provision. PRAY: for the Reyes family as they make a few transitions. PRAY: for strong and healthy relationship between Hispanic mothers and their children.