UIM Connection

This is the month of love, or at least it used to be. February has typically been associated with Valentine's Day. But it seems it has become much more.

Singular or Divided Devotion?

I recently discovered that February was also the American Heart Month, American History Month, Black History Month, Children's Dental Health Month, International Friendship Month, Cherry Month, National Embroidery Month, National Grapefruit Month, National Snack Food Month, National Wild Bird Feeding Month and Responsible Pet Owners' Month.

Sounds a bit like our lives. We used to have a singular focus...one devoted to love, but now our life is cluttered with many "good" and noble things. The good can deteriorate into the tyranny of the urgent.

I guess many of these additions to the month of February could be regarded as extended and practical expressions of love - love in action, as it were. But they can also become so much activity, without true affection.

I am struck by the accumulation of "good causes" that can fill up one's life. If one were inclined to be busy with many things and compelled to find significance in activity, then this could become a problem.

We are bombarded with a daily barrage of appeals: television advertising, computer pop-ups, aps on our cell phones, solicitations to give, go, grab, gain or lose, incessant vain promises to make us happier, healthier, and more appealing.

I've been taking my time meditating through the book of Revelation. And of course one of the classic and often referenced texts is Revelation 2:4 in the letter to the church at Ephesus. There was much commendation as a very "good church." But our Lord had to correct it as one that had fallen into a condition of misplaced love - "you have left your first love." It's a good reminder for us to keep our singular focus on Christ and His cross!

In UIM International we seek to stay focused on the main thing - the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - by the great command and the great commission, connecting with the lives of others who desperately need to hear and see the message of our Lord Jesus Christ on display in our lives.

God has entrusted to UIM some amazing opportunities in Mexico - a country ravaged by competing cartels and economic challenges. UIM International is making connections where the news media never goes - the unfolding of the gospel and the display of God's grace through the ministry of Ana's Kitchen in Guadalajara and the House of Refuge in Leon, Guanajuato. Motivated by the love of Christ, ministering His grace and truth, UIM International is connecting with the lives of people and declaring God's love - our singular devotion.

Read. May your heart be stirred. Allow this connection to be cause for a refocus in your own life. Reorder your "loves," back to a singular first love.

Thank you for staying connected with UIM International. Please pray. If able, give in a tangible way, as well. This is your UIM Connection!

Thank you for keeping connected...in Christ Jesus' love,

Dan Fredericks, UIM Executive Director

If you know of someone who would benefit from connecting with UIM International by receivng UIM Connection! please forward this email to them. If you've not yet connected - send your email to uim@uim.org and ask to be connected to UIM Connection!

Leon - House of Refuge

Guest helpers from Calvary Church in Santa Ana recently refurbished a home in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, to house families who bring their loved ones to the government hospital but have no place to stay for themselves and also for homeless women who have nowhere else to sleep. With showers, bunk beds, kitchen faciliites and a reception area, the house can accommodate up to 30 people at a time.

After talking with UIM Mexico field director, Don Nellis, about Ana's Kitchen in Guadalajara, Ulises and Maria Dominguez' from Leon, told Don they wanted to start something similar in their community.
The local church, First Baptist of Leon, responded favorably to getting involved.
A three-bedroom house a block and a half from the hospital was donated by a woman in the church for free!
The house needed refurbishing due to disrepair.
The Lord provided sufficient funds for purchasing materials.
Guest helpers from Calvary Church in Santa Ana, California, generously helped refurbish the donated home.
There is still much to do on the home to have it ready for occupants.
The Lord has provided so far; we trust Him to provide the $7,000 yet needed.

Guest workers assessing the need

Guadalajara - Ana's Kitchen Serves Up Soup & Salvation

In less than two year's time a soup kitchen for the homeless has become a brand new church. As Ana's Kitchen was regularly serving 30 to 40 homeless people six days a week, the food-serving staff were also sharing the Gospel and watching more and more individuals come to know Christ as their Savior. As of January 23, this soup kitchen is now hosting its very own church service.

Meeting a homeless eleven-year-old girl named Ana is what prompted Don Nellis to become burdened about her and the plight of others just like her. After sharing his experience with a friend, this friend asked Don to accompany him on a trip to Guadalajara to look for Ana and find a location for a "soup kitchen" and a place of refuge for street kids. Ana's Kitchen was the result of that trip. By August of 2009, Ana's Kitchen was open and serving 30 to 40 homeless people six days a week! So far in 2011, up to 80 people have been served. An exciting event recently was the first church service that was held in the kitchen on January 23. More and more individuals have received Christ as their Savior through this ministry and want to grow in the knowledge of God's Word.

Don Nellis and Ana

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Ana's Kitchen