Agape Mission Coastal Ministry

Veronica's Wedding in Lachiguiri

2014-06-21T19:37:00.001-05:00

In the middle of April, God provided a buddy pass so i was able to fly down to Lachiguiri for a couple of events and also to help with Israel and Virginia's daughter,Veronica wedding that took place on the 3rd of May 2014.

First when I got to my house, I had time alone to go through many of my personal items and pack them away so it would be easier for Garett and his family to have space when they are in Lachiguiri.

After they arrived we headed to a couple of the missions deeper in the mountains for a couple of reunions celebrating their missions. One was held in La Loma Esperanza and the other was close to there. It was so good to see so many friends in each area. The special speaker in La Loma Esperanza was an old friend, Alfredo from Vera Cruz Mexico.

Then we were back in Lachiguiri for Veronica's wedding.

Esteban, Virginia, Veronica, the groom and his parents

While there I started making plans to return about October so that I can hire speakers to help us record at least all of the Book of Luke. There are some from the village who want to help with this project. When we were way back in the villages for the reunions I was told there are still many people who do not speak any Spanish and need to be able to hear the scripture in their language. I am looking forward to this time there.

Be in prayer with us for this project. I originally went to Mexico to translate the scriptures into the Lachiguiri Zapotec. There is a lot of details to be worked out.

Sheri

Israel Lopez Co-Bible Translator in the Santiago Lachiguiri Zapotec

2014-03-28T22:38:00.000-06:00

Israel Lopez

RIP

10 Jan 1953-

22 Mar 2014

It was 26 years ago when I first went to Lachiguiri. Within a year I started working with Israel Lopez, at the time, a single pastor who dedicated his life to working with me on the translation of Luke and John. He then married Virginia and they have five children. Their son Esteban was born in my house in Arizona 18 years ago.

His step mother gave her heart to the Lord as she heard the story of Jesus Calming the Sea in Zapotec at one of the Children's events we had there in Lachiguiri. Her husband asked how she understood this as she didn't speak Spanish. She told him that the story was in Zapotec. We later had her baptized shortly before she died. You can listen to this on our Media Page.

I told Israel when I was there in January he couldn't die yet as he hadn't finished recording the book of Luke and John. He told me that was a reason to live yet. But God must have someone else to do that job.

Then the Jackson's wrote me today:

Garett Jackson: When the news of Israel’s passing was announced over the village PA system, they played the recordings of Israel singing those hymns that he had translated into Zapotec.

Sheri Burk: Oh, Garett Jackson that touches my heart more than you will ever know. Maclovio, his father’s wife accepted Christ when she heard his recording of Jesus calming the sea only weeks before her passing. She did not speak any Spanish, only Zapotec. His work was not in vain!!

Stephanie and Garett Jackson who work with us in the Lachiguiri area shared the following:

We arrived by 9 p.m. Sunday night. We were amazed at the huge crowd at the Lopez house. People filled the house and lined the street on both sides sitting on the curbs and standing in groups. The back bedroom had been cleared of beds and was the viewing room. People were sitting in chairs against the walls there singing or listening to someone sharing a message. There was a table at the head of the coffin with a money box. We saw many people come in and contribute.

Garett and I were blessed to be able to share some songs for about an hour in this room. It was very hot and stuffy, but no one noted that. It was a beautiful time.

Next day more crowds. They, of course, were feeding everyone both these days. Oh! We had stopped by Angelina's (My favorite restaurant in the area) on the way to see if she knew. They said Angelina and Carlos were already in Lachiguiri. They had brought a ton of meat and veggies. Many people brought dispensas (beans, other food). Pastor Jose Pepe gave some words. Garett shared and then he gave words from you. You were there in spirit. They knew.

Garett added to Sheri: everybody really really really missed u a lot.
With the coffin being carried in front and the mourners walking behind, we all made our way down to the graveyard. Jose Eli (Israel's brother) and Pastor Nellie sang lovely Christian songs. Someone shared a short message of hope

Israel's daughter, Emma approached and sobbed, yelling out "Papito!" It was so sad. The coffin was lowered, flowers and possessions put in and then the cement poured.

The next evening a group of us went down (walking) to the grave to show our respects. I was able to encourage them with the truth that Israel is not in the grave; he is in heaven.

Veronica shared about Israel how he was always very kind and patient, and that he got along with everyone.

What next?

Veronica is getting married on May 3rd and I, Sheri, feel I need to be there for the family. But I am out of funds for another trip down so soon. How can I go? I thought. Then this morning a brother called and says he has a way of getting me a huge discount to fly down.

I feel that is God's way of telling me, YES Sheri I will make a way.

I had to share this about our friend and Co-Bible Translator with you all.

We are having problems with our web page but as soon as it is working again I will put up photos and more on how God used Israel and I in getting the gospel of the Book of Luke and John into his peoples language.

Sheri Burk

2014 Go Forward

2014-01-03T22:17:00.001-06:00

WOW. Here it is already 2014. This year, more than ever, I plan to start each day with my daily routine since 1986… Grab a cup of Lachiguiri coffee, my newest Inductive Study Bible and communicate my intimate relationship with Abba Father. For sure I will need all the guidance He is willing to share with me daily.

I recently posted on my Facebook page this thought: “Don’t get ahead of God. STOP! LISTEN! Listen to His guidance as He speaks through the Holy Spirit His plan each day.”

January 19^th I fly out of Montrose, Colorado at 6am, passing through Denver, Houston, Mexico City and on to Oaxaca City Mexico. From there I take an allnight, First Class bus to Huatulco, arriving about 8am on the 20th. Hopefully I will be able to sleep well as they have nice spacious reclining seats.

Our team members Pastor Lee Shaw of Chino Valley Family Church in Arizona and his father, Tom Shaw, a missionary who recently retired from serving in Honduras will arrive about 2:30pm on the 20th. They want to know Pastor Damian and his ministry, especially in the areas that are unreached villages to the gospel.

We will visit several of these remote villages where Pastor Damian has started about 18 new missions. On Friday the 24^th we will join the mission churches in a Baptismal in San Agustin where at least 21 people from our various missions want to be baptized. We seem to average about 20 who wish to be baptized every two months.

At this event we will also be ordaining Damian as Missionary Director over our Agape Coastal Missions. We will be discussing how to set up a school to train intern pastors for our many missions. This has been the Shaw’s main focus. They would also like to share with us other ways we can help these communities earn a living as most of these villagers are extremely poor with no real income to take care of their own families.

Also I want to give you a brief update on Pastor Israel of Lachiguiri. Last week I was able to talk directly with him and his wife Virginia. They received the funds we sent down and he did have the transfusion. It had to be paid for in advance. Then when he was released he stayed at his sister’s house in Salina Cruz while Virginia returned to their home to sterilize everything as they then planned to start dialysis. For some reason that didn’t happen as yet, He was feeling much better and returned to Lachiguiri until another date can be set. Not sure of the next step as I can’t reach Lachiguiri. All phone service is down except one phone downtown. I will keep trying. Garett Jackson, the director of our Bible conferences in Lachiguiri has planned to go there this coming Monday.

Agape Missions has been based on networking with other missions. Our funds are mostly through friends and churches who have supported our work over many years. God has always provided even when it has been hard for me physically to do much travel. You have faithfully supported this effort financially and your prayers. We so appreciate you.

Sheri Burk

2013-12-20T13:53:00.002-06:00

Merry CHRISTmas

This fall Sheri traveled to several states to meet up with many friends, family and churches along the way. The years have passed so quickly. So many joys but also failures and illnesses. On this trip many prayed over her for complete healing. She is seeing healing starting in both her body and mind.

Our mission in Oaxaca is reporting great victories. Sheri will make a trip down to Oaxaca the end of January. Our board feels it is time to appoint Pastor Damian as Director and missionary to the unreached remote villages on the coast of Oaxaca. Pastor Damian, asked us to thank you who are supporting the ministry God called him too. This ministry that God has given him is located in one of the unreached areas of Mexico. At least 15 of the missions under his direction had no other Christian church in their villages.
For instance just a few weeks ago, Raúl García from one of these villages asked Christ into his heart. This man led a very ugly life of violence and robbery. Raul’s change of life is a miracle that started when God gave him a new heart.

Another miracle is a mother of three children. She is 31 years old and has suffered many rapes, beatings and ill-treatment, but now her heart belongs to our beloved father. This is just a few of the miracles in the last couple of weeks. So our missionary Damian Cruz asked me to share with you, that without your prayers and financial support he and his team could not make the weekly trips, many hours deep into these areas going in four directions each day. They desire to continue to reach out with a lot of love for the lost, to extend the kingdom of God to these souls.

We at Agape Missions wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you very much for everything you have done for Mexico.

I, Sheri, have been thinking of how we can do something special for Damian and his family for this Christmas. If any of you feel led, let’s surprise Damian and Rosa with an extra token of our love so they can buy a few gifts for their family, especially the two youngest children for Christmas. It isn’t too late to make a contribution either through Paypal on our donate page or sending a check to the Colorado address on our donate page. If you prefer to mail a check let us know by email at agapecoastalproject@gmail.com how much to expect so we can send it down immediately. This isn’t exactly a need but a love offering to the family.

Have a wonderful celebration this Christmas of what God is doing in your life this season.

2013-10-25T14:24:00.000-05:00

Sheri and Annie have gone full circle to Las Vegas NV. Annie flew home to Washington on Wednesday. What a wonderful adventure we had traveling around the Northwest USA meeting with friends, relatives and sharing is some churches about the mission.

Sheri planned to head out same day but got a call from Pastor Lee Shaw's wife in Arizona. Jacque told me her husband and his dad will be here in Las Vegas after their church service on Sunday and we will be discussing how we can do Webinar Bible School training for the remote pastors in our missions in Oaxaca.

Lee's dad, Tom Shaw recently retired as a missionary to Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico and had Bible Schools especially for the remote pastors.

Garett Jackson is our director in Lachiguiri says he can monitor these classes also as he always likes having others help teach . Victor Jesus Flores who works with Pastor Damian is the teacher on our coastal missions.

I am very excited about using this new media in Mexico to train new pastors.

Meanwhile Pastor Damian is driving to our many remote missions to bring in new members for another day of baptisms to be held at the beach mission of San Agustin. Today he is bringing down 10 people from one of the missions in the back of his small red pickup and there is heavy rain. Please pray for this trip. He brought another load down yesterday in pouring rain.

From June 2013 Baptism

It has only been a couple of months since the last baptism when 20 new converts were baptized. Another 25 plan to be baptized this Sunday. A day of celebration. God is moving in Oaxaca!!

Monday afternoon after the meeting with the Shaws, I will start driving back to Colorado in my Minnie RV. No driver for this leg of my trip. Pray God will be with me and that the weather is safe for traveling over a few mountain passes.

We need prayer partners to help pray for me (Sheri) and the mission that God has used me to work in over the last 25 years. He also sent many other teams to network with us.

I sometimes don't understand why God chose me for this mission but He does have a plan for each of us. I've made many mistakes along the way but thank God it is His work and I am only a tiny part of who He chose for this task.

I am also grateful for the many partners who have helped through prayer, short term mission projects and the financial support. Several of our main supporters have died in the last couple of months so we are in dire need of others to take their place. You can click on the Donate logo on our webpage agape Projects donation page. You can use Paypal to help today. Be sure to mark it for the Oaxaca ministry that you can write in.

All for His glory,

Sheri Burk

2013-09-26T18:53:00.000-05:00

Gathering of dispensary

Villagers walking to Xanica

Unloading truck

As you have watched the news lately I'm sure you are aware of how Mexico has been hit by the effects of several hurricanes at the same time that have come from both the Atlantic and the Pacific coast and so many towns are not able to get out to buy food etc. Yes the government has made drops in some of these areas but many of our own missions still do not have food.

Damian has received some funds to give food to four of our Oaxaca mission villages. Word got out to three of these villages because he couldn't get to them and the people came either walking, an hour or more, or by mule to receive our help.

Team members handing out food

Villagers waiting for food

Pastor Damian handing out cornmeal for tortillas

When the people came to receive, two new people found Christ as their personal Savior. When we obey the words in Matt. 25:35-46 God will use this to bring people to Himself.

Damian leaves tomorrow to head back to five more of our mission villages to distribute food who have no way to receive help. I am asking any of you who would be willing to help to go to the Donate today logo and give what God puts on your heart so we can meet this emergency. You don't have to have a Paypal account to give. It is secure. This way we will know how much is coming in immediately and not have to wait for a check to reach Arizona and be processed. After you put in your gift a screen will come up and you can designate your giving to go to the Oaxaca villages or just say Pastor Damian so it goes to the correct disaster relief. This isn't very clear on the donate page but you can add it at the end.

Sheri is On The Road Again!

2013-09-16T21:37:00.000-05:00

I will try to make this somewhat short. Can Sheri really do that? I'll try.
Since I last sent an update I met my daughter and her husband in Grand Junction and she helped me drive to Las Vegas, NV for a small family reunion. Then I stayed a couple of extra days to pick up my friend Annie who has been to Oaxaca and we headed in my RV from there to Reno NV where we are right now. No we have stayed away from the casinos. I don't like anything to do with that life style. Plus I can't afford to lose even a roll of nickels. hehe

We are supposed to head up into Oregon tomorrow passing through part of our Federal Parks and enjoying our great USA. Have many friends in the Portland area and hope to see some of you around there. Some of you I haven't seen since you baby sat my kids years ago. Since I have the RV and a service dog we won't be a problem as we bring our hotel and restaurant with us. Please let me know if we can get together with some of you, for old time sake.

Later hope to stop and see a cousin in Eugene where I took some of my linguistic training to translate the Bible into an indigenous language and then over to Coos Bay to see my Aunt Betty and many friends between there and Myrtle Point.

Later will travel down I-5 to California. Hope to see friends in Redding, CA. Need to end up in Squaw Valley California on the 13th of October to share what is happening in Oaxaca Mexico and our ministry. From there maybe on to Bakersfield to see a friend from Oaxaca days and Hemet to see my boys and Great grandchildren before heading back to Colorado.

I'm now living south of Grand Junction, a long ways from the flooding north of Denver where my daughter was born. Devastating for these who have lost loved ones and homes. Our prayers go out to so many. Sheri Burk

The Completed Sea Wall

2013-08-08T09:07:00.000-05:00

San Agustín Mission
This new sea wall should hold back most Tsunami type waves. That is Sheri standing between the Palapa and the sea. Pastor Damian is sitting on the wall near the kitchen.

A clip of Hurricane Barabara

2013-06-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

Here is a short clip of when the hurricane hit our beach. It wiped out our retaining wall and carved a cave under the floor of the Palapa. A lot of work ahead of us.

Start of repairs to Palapa Mission church

2013-06-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

They first need to shore up the foundation. The sea carved a huge area underneath the floor. When this is finished we will need to build a huge sea wall. You can help by sharing this site with your friends and by donating funds by going to our web page on the donate page. Thanks for whatever you can do especially your prayers.
donate If you use paypal be sure to state that the funds are for the repair of the Palapa.

2013-06-10T11:21:00.000-05:00

Sunday June 9th our coastal mission in San Agustín had a baptism event for people who lived in our remote villages. 20 new converts were baptized.

This had been planned before Hurricane Barbara struck our beach a couple of weeks ago. We were unable to put on the event at the Mission Palapa as the storm did a lot of damage to the land and also the Palapa.

Here is a unedited video that Pastor Damian's son sent us this last Saturday.

Today Pastor Damian is evaluating the problem and seeing what needs to be done and getting bids on materials. Our newest team member Jacoby Scarbrough will be coming down June 20th and he will do what he can to help.

Sheri Burk is also heading down on the 16th of June for six weeks to see what is happening at our missions. Her health has been so so but her doctors says she can go! While there she will also head up to Lachiguiri for Pastor Israel's son Esteban's high school graduation. Esteban was born at Sheri's Arizona home about 18 years ago. This will be a surprise as they have no idea she will be in the country.

2013-03-19T16:19:00.001-06:00

I have mentioned our need to replace my vehicles in Mexico. We have had most of them for many years and they were used vehicles to begin with. Each has over 300,000 miles on them and over the last couple of months one thing after another has gone bad on each of them. They are at the point where it isn't cost effective to keep putting more money into them.

Several friends and churches have responded We are hoping for a vehicle to take deep into the mountains and villages every week for Pastor Damian and his team. A 4X4 as the roads are horrendous.

Damian went yesterday to Oaxaca City to look for a vehicle as there isn't one that meets our needs at this price. Just spoke with him and they are very expensive there. He is now headed down to Salina Cruz as he has friends there who are mechanics. Would love to have several thousand dollars more so we can buy one that will last as long as our older vehicles did.

I do want to thank all of you who have given toward this vehicle and ask for prayers that God will help us to find the right vehicle for this purpose at a good price.

Praise God for caring people who believe in Pastor Damian and his work among 14 village missions among some of the poorest people in Oaxaca Mexico.

We especially ask for your prayers and thank you for the support to keep this outreach going.

Coyul December 2012 Family Cruade

2012-12-16T11:21:00.001-06:00

This last week Agape Missions put on a Family Life Crusade in El Coyul Huamelula, Oaxaca, Mexico. This was held in front of the Town Palacio where we also have our church services. This town has a notoriety for the seamier side of life. They are tired of the hopelessness of their lives. God laid it on Pastor Damian's heart to reach out to these people. He knew many of them from his own past life. These same people offered to help prepare the two "fatted calves" to feed all who attended. Mexican Bar-B-Que beef. Yummy They served over 500 meals over the two days. The presidente of the town, Ramirez Aramando Robles, introduced Damian and welcomed his team for the evening. There was a time of Worship, the children all joined in and sang and danced to a song that Damian's son Gonzales taught them. Then Gonzales sang three Christian Rap songs that he wrote and the teenagers loved the music. Two of our team members shared on the value of the family and Pastor Damian closed with a message of hope for their lives and an invitation to allow God to come live in their hearts and give them real peace in their lives. In the two nights 35 people came forward in front of their neighbors to dedicate their lives to Christ. That alone was a major step for them. Each one was given a Bible. The team will be there for these people as they meet twice a week to lead them in their new walk for God. Our mission started here three months ago. Damian asked me to thank all who prayed for this event and for the continued support for this work. He wishes all of you Blessings as we celebrate the Birth of God's son and that you have a blessed New Year.

Baptismal at San Jeronimo, Oaxaca

2012-09-14T15:26:00.000-05:00

My Internet is down and I have to go into town and work from the library. So today I will just send out a video that Pastor Damian's son made which is great. I know it is in Spanish but watching will let you know what went on.

Coastal Missions Growing

2012-08-24T22:05:00.000-05:00

It is way past time to get an update out to my friends. So much has happened both for me and the mission.

First, I am doing well. Not having to use the cane and have been using my granddaughter’s treadmill. Slowly for sure but I am progressing. Have contacted my travel agent as I hope to make a short trip down ‘Mexico way’ as soon as we can find a sale price on a flight! There are a lot of new taxes for these flights. My doctor has given an OK for a short trip. Yeah. Will be doing some Video Filming for a Big Party I want to have with you invited. Yes you! Will keep you all posted on this! Would love to have a volunteer cameraman to help with the camera work to join me.

Meanwhile----

Lachiguiri- Garett and his family have been in the states meeting with their family and supporters. They raise their own funds just like we do. They will be returning soon after the first of the month. They hope to upgrade my house in Lachiguiri so they can move closer to the pastors for our Bible Conferences and also to work with these pastors there. More on this later! I plan to visit Lachiguiri when I go down. Don’t have an update on Pastor Israel but do continue to pray for him. We haven’t been able to send down money yet to start his dialysis because my bank no longer has the information on his acount.

Coastal ministry from Huatulco- Pastor Damian’s family went on vacation so they had no way to send photos. Damien’s son Chalo is the computer person. But during this time, Damian and four of his assistant pastors have started two new missions. Wow they are doing well. We were able to send down some money to purchase some chairs for these new missions. Hoping for some complete Bibles and not just New Testaments for those who don’t have Bibles.

We now have six full time assistants pastoring these missions. Pastor Damian hopes to start classes for eight more young people who desire to become pastors and fill the needs for pastoring these missions. Plus Damian hopes to start more missions especially in areas where there are no evangelical churches mainly because it is so hard with the bad roads that are almost impossible to get to. One of Damian’s assistants studied under Garett when he was director in Baja California and he told me he is an excellent teacher. It is great having Victor on board working with us.

Pastor Damian did write that he is really very happy that the kingdom of God continues to expand even more in the remote mountain area. They have two and three services going at the same time. Our mountain missions in San Jeronimo and in Santiago Xanica and one on the Coast. The roads there are exceptionally bad because of heavy rains from the last hurricane on the East Coast of Mexico in the Gulf. It isn’t very far across the Isthmus so we do get rains all the way to the West Coast.

--Which brings up the Seawall at our San Agustin beach mission. They haven’t been able to get the materials we have already purchased to the site so do be praying that the rains stop soon. They hope to get this completed very soon and already have permission from the town Presidente. A team with our pastors and some of the local members hope to get this finished up this coming week.

Also the team spent time earlier this week to harvest a large crop of corn they planted on some of our mission property in San Agustin to help cover some of the expenses for the mission.

We did get one photo of one of the young men in the San Jeronimo mission who now has a guitar and is learning to play so he can work for the LORD.

There is also a baptismal scheduled for early in September and over 20 have said they want to be baptized. Usually a meal is served for all attending. The plan is this will be held at the San Agustin beach.

I want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support and the extra offerings to help cover for the Sea Wall. Think it all has been covered but we will know more on Monday.

Hurricane Carlotte

2012-06-29T21:09:00.001-05:00

Damian’s “Nehemiah Project”

Earlier this month of June hurricane “Carlotta” paid a visit to the coast of Oaxaca and left some critical damage to the San Agustín Church Palapa Church. The full force of this Pacific storm washed away some of the foundation of the shelter and restroom building, and has left some unstable ground for us to address now. Damian talked with me just today and we decided this is their most urgent need: to construct a retaining wall of cement and boulders to re-secure the boundary of the palapa as soon as possible, before any more erosion occurs. The Church members are working on a plan, but as a limited income group, they could use our help to hire a bulldozer and get the cement work done. All gifts designated for Damian’s “Nehemiah Project” will go for this urgent need.

2012-05-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful day outside here in the mountains of Colorado. I have been visiting my daughter and her husband, as I decide whether when my house sells in Arizona to make my Stateside home here. My health is up and down right now. This is why my daughter wants me closer to family where they can check on me daily.

My heart is still in Mexico and our mission outreaches there. But it is exciting to see the local Mexican pastors and leaders move forward in winning souls for Christ. I have been getting reports of the outreach with the recent children's fiestas they have had in our coastal areas. One Children’s fiesta was in San Agustin on the beach. They said this was the best since we started them several years ago. Then they have had two more in the mountain areas. Some of the Funds promised to cover these have not as yet been sent down. Please pray that somehow this will be resolved. I know it was sent but somehow hasn't arrived. Damian had to sell our Volkswagen Bug to cover this cost. They also cancelled the fiesta in Copalita for now.

One of our highest values in the vision of Agape Mission Projects is to highlight and invest in the ministries of Indigenous Christian workers, like Israel, Pastor Nely and Pastor Damian. I would like to introduce you to a friend of Agape for many years, Noe Torres. Agape’s president, Mike Hendricks came to know Noe in 2004 working with evangelism in Sinaloa. Noe is Mixteco, raised in the way of his people in northwest Oaxaca, and went to work at 10 years of age with his 8 brothers in the tomato fields of Culiacán. He is now a graduate from the Bethany Bible Institute in Tamazulapan, and has been growing in ministry vision and involvement. We are so blessed to see his example of determination and work, and we would like to help Noe establish his own ministry support. He has mostly supported himself with odd jobs, taking months away from ministry. He has shared his story of transformation in Christ in the Philippines twice with Mike. Noe is visiting friends in Canada until August and needs to apply to renew his visa as either a Religious Worker or Short Term Migrant Laborer. It's our hope to help him establish enough personal support to continue in ministry. If you would like to help Noe, we at Agape strongly affirm his integrity and history of faithful service in evangelism and Bible teaching.

Thanks to all of you who believe in this ministry of Agape Missions and who have continued to give even with my now spending more time here in the states.

~Sheri Burk

Workshops and Conferences

2012-02-23T10:05:00.000-06:00

So much to do today before I head down to the valley. This weekend I will be attending a workshop so I can be certified to teach Precept upon Precept Bible studies. They have Spanish material I can then obtain so I can train leaders in our Mexico ministry. I have been using this method for my personal Bible Study for many years.

But also today Pastor Damian, along with 7 vehicles loaded, are heading up the mountain (over three hour drive) to San Jeronimo for a filled day of conferences.
Rosa his wife will oversee the women’s conferences and Pastor Damian will have a men’s conference also. I sent Agape mission money down to help with the expenses of gasoline for the vehicles and to help on the food they will serve.

San Jeronimo is one of our newer missions where over 90% of the people are new believers. They need good biblical teaching. This mission is about 7 months old and running around 50 people each week.

They are having services every Thursday on the patio of one of the believers. Pray it won’t rain today. The rainy season has started and as of now they only have tarps to keep them dry. We need to put up a laminated roof like we have in some of our other missions to keep them dry. We need to do this right away as they have already entered the rainy season. Since this is at the home of a family they will also build this so it can be disassembled and set up in another location as needed.

Earlier this month Damian’s son and his music team were invited to Mitla, Oaxaca where there is a Christian radio station called the Zapoteca station. They were celebrating their first year with this station. While there Chalo and his group recorded a couple of songs they composed and were able to sell them. They even were asked for their autographs. They then accepted invitations to sing in a couple of churches in Oaxaca City before returning to the coast. They give God all the glory!!!

Garett Jackson contacted me to let us know that Pastor Israel is doing so much better and starting to gain a little weight. His kidneys were working at only 40%. Continue to pray for his complete healing.

I just thank God because with all our growth for the Lord and with expenses for the mission and our vehicles rising God has been supplying miraculously. Sometimes the money comes in at the 12^th hour but HE is always faithful to meet the need. Thanks to many of you who have listened when God laid it on your heart to give.

Do continue to pray for my energy level. I feel I am doing soooo much better but God seems to want me to go slowly (not my nature LOL).

I love you all. Blessings!!

Sheri

Moth Balls??

2012-01-28T18:54:00.002-06:00

My hands smell like moth balls. Went to the valley last week and the car didn't sound quite right. Discovered pack rats had gotten under the hood and chewed all my wiring. Plus punctured a hole in the axle. The rats supposedly don't like the smell of moth balls... I waited at the Deer Valley Airport while my car was "in surgery". Four hours. So hope the moth balls keep them far awayyy.
I guess this is the time for looking at our mission vehicles. The Ford 4X4 pick-up is 18 years old and has a long list of needed repairs. My Jeep Cherokee is in worse shape. Both of these vehicles each have well over 200,000 miles and have traversed heavily rutted rocky trails in the mountains. Even our little Volkswagen bug, affectionately known as "the Cuckaracha" had failed brakes. We paid only $300 dollars for the "Bug" so I felt we should take care of the repairs. BUT... the other two vehicles, I don't think we should put any more money into either of them. They are at the age when you just get one thing fixed and something else goes out.
Just spoke again with Pastor Damian. He took the pick-up to Goodyear where he can charge the work for a month. He said they had to have this vehicle. He just got the minimum work done on the truck. Our cost is $150.00. (oops was informed it was $350 dollars for all they had to do) Here are the photos of them working on the truck.

Here is a email from Pastor Damian: Hello brothers, I send these photos of the mission Ford.

what happened is that we broke down (and right now they are working on the "baleros". We have no resources

to pay for this repair. You know that with the mission vehicles we have always been very careful but this time it just gave out on us. Dear brothers if your heart is grateful to support this we would be very grateful as this vehicle is very useful to us for missions around here in Huatulco. Attn: damian cruz, God bless you much.

We have four teams going in different directions every day to two or more missions each day. It is time to start praying for replacements for these two old worn workhorses. Even I am in better shape than they are, and that is saying a lot.
Daily I have been getting wonderful reports as to what is going on in the various missions. Chalo, Pastor Damian's son and a friend has been blessed in composing some new songs. They now have an invitation to sing at an event in Oaxaca City yet this month. Rosa, Damian's wife each month has a conference for the women of the coastal churches and they had a great turnout at Una Esperanza last Sunday with Pastor Solomon, from another church in Huatulco, who was the keynote speaker. Both Rosa and Pastor Damian are needing more complete Bibles for their Bible studies. Rosa told me that the next conference will be in one of the remote villages, San Jeronimo.
As you can see we need wisdom as to our next step. Prayer is the KEY to what we need to do at this time. Please be in prayer with us!!

2011-12-30T17:55:00.000-06:00

So enjoyed going to one of our remote villages. Beautiful people who have fallen in love with our Lord, Jesus Christ o Thursday Pastor Damian went with his personal family to the San Geronimo Zanica mission. Nohemi, one of the sisters of this mission had prepared a fancy meal and invited other church friends from other communities to celebrate her birthday. After the beautiful meal, Damian’s wife Rosa greeted everyone and Nohemi’s husband Paul gave some words of encouragement. Then they prayed for Nohemi. She was presented some gifts and Yami and Chalo sang. Pastor Damian preached and Chalo and Yami taught the children. It was a beautiful moment in which all sought and praised the Lord. The Holy Spirit touch hearts, and everyone danced, worshiping the Lord with all their heart. Damian and family took a birthday cake for the celebration and when the program was over they distributed food and clothing to the mission families. So enjoyed going to one of our remote villages. Beautiful people who have fallen in love with our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas from Agape Missions

2011-12-06T11:43:00.002-06:00

This has been such a fantastic year for our ministry. God is moving in Oaxaca! I had the privilege of returning to Mexico the first of October for a short visit to many of our missions.
In Lachiguiri I arrived in time for their Gran Fiesta in the Town Center. On the last day of this event, the churches marched down the mountain Shouting JESUS, JESUS and singing with floats etc. It was awe inspiring. Most of the youth of Lachiguiri and the surrounding 16 villages are now born again Christians. WOW!!Pastor Nely led this event where they killed three cows to feed all the guest who came.
The next two days were sponsored by Pastor Pepe's church where our own Israel Lopez was the pastor when we first went to Lachiguiri to translate the Bible. They had two days of conferences. Attendance for both events was great.
Pastor Israel does need our prayer support as the doctors in Oaxaca City said, as a diabetic, he is anemic and his kidneys are functioning at only 40%. God has provided some funds for his expensive medication. Israel thanks you for your prayers.
On our Coastal ministry, where Pastor Damian is the director, so much has happened in the last couple of months. New missions, Many Bibles given out, expanding of new missions, Youth events, Women's Prayer Warrior conferences, and we are already making plans for the upcoming ministry in the Spring with Children's Ministries and conferences for all our coastal ministries. I hope to take several teams down this coming year.
God protected pastor Damian when he had the back of one of our vehicles loaded with 15 road construction workers he was giving a ride. As they were slowly moving down a steep incline on the mountain the back tire came off the truck rolling down the mountain. God protected all. Earlier that day we had to have new brakes put on. I have a feeling the mechanic didn't get the tire back on securely.
Check out the post below for a short video Chalo, Pastor's son, put together of highlights from some of our recent events with the Children's ministry, new missions, the Women's Prayer Warrior conferences etc.
If you would like to still give before the end of the year to help back this great move of God you can also give by clicking Donate today on PayPal. Our link had been broken and is fixed now. Be sure to wait until it shows your receipt or it hasn't finished the transaction.
Thanks to people like you who believe in this ministry and are helping to spread the gospel.

Merry Christmas

Sheri Burk

Our Coastal Ministry

2011-12-02T23:07:00.002-06:00

Here is a short glimpse of some of the activities in 2011 of our Coastal missions with Pastor Damian and his team. Our newest missions are deep in the Sub-tropical mountains off the coast of Oaxaca. This includes scenes from 10 of the missions, Children's activities, Youth workers and events, Our Women's Prayer Warriors, Bibles given out, individual ministry etc. 4.30 min.

San Isidro, Potchutla, Oaxaca Mission

2011-10-25T20:03:00.000-05:00

Pastor Damian and his family take a needed vacation

2011-08-16T21:47:00.013-05:00

Pastor Damian and his family finally were able to take a long needed vacation.
They decided to take their son Chalo and Damian's helper to Oaxaca to enter a Bible School training program for the next six months.

So the whole family went and after getting the guys settled and attending church services at Cristo Por Su Mundo they headed into the City of Oaxaca (a tourist city) Some friends helped out with some of the expenses and some said they are sending funds to help with the nice hotel. Not the one in Chiapas as they went a different direction.

Today Pastor Damian sent some photos with he, wife Rosa and their youngest children, Josue and Daniela. They went to a zoo and I see it looks like a lot of fun.

The whole family
said to tell
you-all
Gracias!! Gracias!!

What is now happening at our Coastal ministry

2011-08-09T13:46:00.004-05:00

Many of you are aware that Sheri has spent most of this last month in and out of hospitals with TIA's and a Stroke. God has been in the process of a healing of her body and she is regaining her ability to walk and use her right hand again. We give God the Glory.
Much has been happening with the missions on the coast. God sent a group from a church in Oaxaca City to minister with a Youth Rally.

Over 50 youth came for the weekend. Two were baptized that Sunday.

When that group left another group of 20 Mexican young people from "Cristo por su Mundo" came to hold a four day Daily Vacation Bible School. Because Sheri was sick she didn't know in advance so we could help defray the cost of feeding all these groups, providing drinking water and housing. Also last month Agape's funds for the mission work dropped drastically.

This coming weekend, Damian's son Chalo who has been helping his dad with the ministry and Damian's young sidekick Darwin will head to Oaxaca to spend six months in an extensive Bible training course so they can better work with the mission in the ministry.

This leaves Damian with very few workers with the 12 missions and prison ministry he has under his care.
But God has sent two young men, JUAN ALBERTO and VÍCTOR JESUS, who both graduated from Foundation for His Ministry in Baja California to work with Damian for one year. Our own Garett Jackson was director of this Bible College for a couple of years before he came to Oaxaca and now is serving as director of our Bible College for Pastors in Lachiguiri. So they have had excellent training to help the mission work.
We are so thankful for these two men. But they are depending on Pastor Damian to feed and house them during their stay, so they can be available daily for ministering with Damian at the different missions.

A couple of the missions do pay for their mission's basic needs such as lights etc but most of the missions are in villages of extremely poor families. None of the missions has funds to help with Pastor Damian's salary for his family. It has been very rough on them as he has so little time to work a secular job and still maintain the missions. God has preformed many miracles but it is becoming a strain for him physically and hard on the family.

Please hold up Damian and these two helpers, Juan and Victor that God will give them wisdom as they work for the Kingdom.

One special need on Sheri's heart is for Pastor Damian and his wife Rosa to be able to take a couple days vacation next week before school starts for their youngest son Che-che. They had planned to go for a couple of days after the Children's fiesta earlier in the year but Pastor Damian became very sick and they weren't able to go.

Possibly some of you will send a little extra for this needed vacation time for the family. You can give by sending a special offering designed for them to Agape or even give through the Agape Webpage by clicking here on Donations. This is a secure PayPal account where you can use your Visa or Master Card

Thank you so much for your help in this ministry where God is bringing many new people to Himself through Pastor Damian's faithful ministry.