June 2, 2009
Hello to all!
The time of the fair had finally come, which we had been excitedly preparing for—the annual fair of the “Costa Grande” (long coast). Of course, every year is unique. This year stands out due to the rash of violence occurring in the area. It was so bad that many of the shop owners refused to set up their stands!

The clowns getting ready for the program. We started around 7:20 pm and ended around 10:15 pm—which allowed us to do the same complete program twice.

The police and the military maintained an active presence in the area, patrolling while we set up the platform for our presentations. Although this year we did not experience the horror of hand grenades exploding among chattering fair-goers, fear was a palpable, living reality—never far from anyone’s mind. In fact, the simple act of attending the fair seemed itself an act of defiance—a demonstration of bravery in the face of a sense of loss of control to the drug lords who have taken ownership of the region and those who live their lives out within it.

Dave giving a message. Believe it or not people would stay to hear a short message.

God’s activity in birthing new ministries in the church was evident throughout this event. Leaders stepped up to the plate with excellence, giving oversight to the preparation of dramas, puppets and clowns.

The clowns were a big hit with everyone, although the children were especially thrilled. One of their acts was a competition over which clown smelled the best. The first clown used expensive perfumes to increase his beautiful odor while the other, apparently confused, smelled worse as the act wore on. Everyone enjoyed a hearty belly laugh at their antics, helping to dispel the tension in the air, while focusing in on our human tendency to try to present ourselves as better than the next guy, which may end up making us look worse!

Different believers had a chance to share the way in which the power of God had transformed their daily living experience, being a living and breathing demonstration of God’s creative presence. Lives that had dwelt in darkness now bore in their faces the splendor of the light of God. Those who came to the fair wracked in the fear of the times or in the pain of life could witness a God who drew near through the lives of these believers – a God who cares profoundly about each life now hanging in the balance, and who seeks to bring peace in the midst of the storm.

Bet painting Armando, and not yet having finished painting her own face.

Each night entailed preparations which would start about 6:00 pm, followed by the actual program (we had enough time to run it twice) and end around 10:15 pm.
Among the new dramas developed specifically for this event is a drama called “Two Beings in me.” Bet developed this drama to highlight the struggle which we all face between listening to God’s voice and that of the enemy. You may download this powerful video at: http://agua-viva-living-water.org/videos2009.html
Though I don’t have an exact number of the people who received the Lord as their Savior, I witnessed people responding from their hearts every time the gospel was presented. Hearts were sensitive to the working of the Spirit, as those who previously may have tossed the tract two seconds after receiving it, now took it home to read. When before it was all we could do to stop people from leaving after a minute, now their hungry eyes were glued to the stage, their hearts warmed by the Spirit. Although no one could possibly wish for the intense brutality which has left countless bodies, and few families untouched by grief, the guns, knives, and AK47s of the drug lords have broken through calloused hearts driving people to Christ. When in years past you could scarcely catch a person’s name as they fled your presence, now we had people wanting to talk with believers who waited on the sidelines.
Work and fun intermingled, and through the haze of fear and pain, the continuous move of the Spirit in the lives of the townspeople of Petatlan progressed. The kingdom of God rejoiced as we welcomed brothers and sisters into the experience of the presence of our LORD. We wish that you could join us someday, get your face painted, participate in a drama or two, and most of all share the story of God’s incessant, loving and steadily increasing work in your own life – how He has brought you from death to life, from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light. We would join together with other trophies of Christ the King, masterpieces created anew in Christ Jesus with the purpose of making His name known.
May God's blessings be on you and yours, and may He cause you to increase in the knowledge of Him, multiplying also everything that you have given. Thank you for joining us on this journey of making His name great among the nations, for you are co-laborers with us for Him.
Dave & Becci