June - July 2010
Randy and Donna Denton PO Box 2635 Mission, TX 78573-0044 facebook.com/randyrdenton email: stmmexico@aol.com
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Drug Violence Subsides — for Now Demand still high in feeding children Following a tumultuous spring, the drug war has quieted down somewhat here in the northeastern part of Mexico. It’s not because the drug cartels have left, not by a long shot. Rather, they are still very present and very active, awaiting the next assault on their position by the Mexican military or a rival cartel. It’s more like the “calm between the storms.” Click to read more... |
Jared Graduates High School with Honors
He plans to attend SAGU, train for missions and play baseball
It's the dream of any parent: to see their child grow up to follow in their footsteps. So it was with a reaction of pride that we received the news from our one and only son, Jared, that he wants to go to Bible college and train to be a missionary and follow us in the ministry. Oh, and he wants to play baseball there, too.
Enter Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. Even though we are interdenominational in our ministry affiliation, we really like the mission of the school: it’s all about missions. The university is excited to get another “soldier in training” and the Lions’ baseball coach is thrilled that Jared has chosen SAGU. He sees that Jared has a chance of being an impact player on the team. We believe it will be a good fit for him as he strives to paint his dreams on the canvas of life.
The road to college was not without its twists and turns. Jared had to overcome obstacles beyond his control that threatened to take away his senior year of sports. But through a lot of prayer and a miraculous turn of events, he secured his eligibility and was able to lead his basketball and baseball teams into the state playoffs. All senior year long, his plate was full with the demands of being a captain on the basketball team and a starter in both sports, and at a Class AAAAA school, that is no small feat. But he loved it; he would have had it no other way.
His pursuit of excellence on the court and diamond were just as great in the classroom. Jared graduated in the top 10 percent of his class of 650 students. He received honors as a Texas Scholar and completed the Distinguished Achievement Program.
But best of all, he went through his high school years with his Christian witness held high. His coaches and teachers spoke well of the way he led by example, his morality and his work ethic.
We’re proud of you, son. Now go out there and make some noise.
Jared signs a national letter of intent to play baseball for Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. Standing are his high school baseball coaches Bart Bickerton and Chris Brown
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But for now, and it’s ironic to make this statement, drug operations are running smoothly again. Officials in Mexico don’t really know how to stop this monster; the drug industry is so deeply ingrained in the fiber of this country, it is perceived by many as a permanent fixture. The government can capture a drug kingpin (many have been taken into custody,) and there will be dozens of underlings willing to risk their lives to rush in and fill the vacancy. Such captures and the ensuing struggle for power is what makes up this thing they call a drug war. Take a big man down and the violence starts all over again.
A Mexican marine stands guard as confiscated narcotics are destroyed. Captures of drug lords, their weapons, cash and property are creating power struggles and infighting among cartels and frequent skirmishes against the military. The government is fighting to dismantle drug families. Some say the cartels are winning the war.
Throughout the first half of this chaotic year, in the middle of all this turmoil, our churches have been thriving. They are growing. The silver lining to this war is that people are turning their hearts to God.
Just as the churches are growing, so are our feeding programs for children. The cause? Out of fear, more parents are keeping their kids at home from school. People are out of work because businesses have shut down. Business owners have shuttered their doors out of fear of abduction or extortion. It’s a vicious trickle-down effect that is extending its evil tentacles into every home in Mexico. What are we to do?
We just continue to pray and to serve. God is still God and He is the One in control, not the drug lords. He will bring resolution to this crisis one way or another and in the meantime, thousands will be ushered into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For that, we are forever thankful. Speaking of thankfulness, we would like to say how grateful we are to you for standing with us in prayer and financial support. This summer marks 22 years that we have been full time on the mission field. We could not be here feeding children, building churches, supporting national pastors and providing literature to the masses if not for your love and your belief in what we have been called to do. For every soul that’s saved, for every life that’s changed, you have a part.
If you would like to make a donation to help us help others, click here or on the Donate button at the top of this newsletter. You can contribute by credit card, debit card or checking account. You do not need a PayPal account. Thank you for helping us during this season. Costs are up, demand is high, requests for more feeding programs are coming in. We need you. And we know you and God will be there for us. God bless! 
To send a contribution by mail please print and complete the donation form and send it with your check to: STM * PO Box 2635 * Mission, TX 78573-0044 |
Changing lives, seeing the world through Jesus' eyes.