February News From The Livengoods

Hello Everyone,

I realize that it has been a while since I have written an update. I apologize for my lack of communication. We no longer have a telephone or email access at our house. The bill was just too much ( almost $80.00 per month). So I am very limited in my access to email.

Let me just fill you in on the past month and a half. We started back up the school year at Covenant Christian Academy and I continue to teach Pre-algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Pre-calc. So once again I am teaching five days a week in New Mexico. It’s a good part-time job that allows me to pay bills.

During my breaks between classes I have been meeting up with Kenny to work on administrative duties for the ministry. He is living about 15 minutes away from the school right now in Texas so that is very helpful. He and Esmeralda are still trying to get settled in and get acquainted (or in Kenny’s case reacquainted) with the borderland.

On Fridays and Saturdays Ken comes over and helps us work at our house. The last weekend of January we hand mixed and poured a concrete driveway at my house. I am still soar. It was over 100 square yards. We mixed 50 sacs of cement with 10 yards of sand and gravel in a period of 2.5 days. For those of you who have mixed concrete by hand you know that this was a pretty large task. Thankfully I had help from Kenny and one of my students at the school who graciously offered his services. So between those guys on Friday and Alberto and Scott on Saturday we hammered out the driveway with help from two of my neighbors.

We are finally tearing down the adobe house. It took two weekends to tear off the roof of the house. And another weekend to rip down the bathroom. I have attached pictures so you can see what we have been up to.

Please pray for us. We had to empty out the adobe house when we ripped off the roof and we are now trying to cram all of our belongings into the section of house that PCC built for us almost 3 years ago. Perla is still washing dishes and carrying out the left over water in buckets as our make-shift kitchen is in our garage which has no sewer connection.

despite these difficulties, many of which are very time consuming, we have seen God’s hand at work in our lives and in the lives of those we are ministering to and with.

Miriam and Angelica Flores have been attending our afternoon bible study on Sunday along with Noe Luna Mora and Kenny and Esmeralda. What that means is that we are doing bible study in our one room house with 6 toddlers and 7 adults. It’s a hoot. But the beauty of it is that we gather together to study God’s word. We are doing the Wilder study, “Reading with Understanding” which we translate as we go. It is glorious to see these guys digging into the scripture everyday. The discipline of setting time aside to be in God’s word is one of our greatest challenges and one of the best blessings of our study together. Not to mention, the questions these guys come up with as we study are challenging and encouraging. They are finding that much of what they assumed about the bible isn’t what the bible actually say, now that they are reading it.

We also have study with the Renterias on Sunday evenings. That study is more of a challenge since most of the Renterias have little reading comprehension skills. Mr. Renteria is basically illiterate. But we are grateful for the time we have with them. Please pray for Mr. Renteria as he is really struggling with the loss of his wife this past October. In our bible study with the Renteria’s we have agreed to start reading through the scripture searching out themes such as redemption.

Thank you once again for your prayers and support. God bless!

Your Servant in Christ,

Mark Livengood

Merry Christmas!!

This time of year we reflect on the birth and life of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am still amazed that
our Lord chose to be recognized as “Friend of Sinners” and not “Friend of the Famous” or
“Friend of Presidents.” I simply cannot fathom that the God of all creation would choose to be born in a stable instead of
a castle. I cannot comprehend that Christ my King would not choose to be recognized as king by
riding on a stallion or in a stretch limo. He chose a donkey and a cross. What baffles me most is
that He would live to die for you and for me.
Kenny, Esmeralda, Perla & I are involved in two bible studies right now. One of those studies
takes place at our home, and the other takes place at Mr. Renteria’s house in Granjas del
Progreso. In these studies we have recently reflected on and anticipated Christ’s birth. We have
looked at man’s prideful heart and his desire to reign over his own life. And we have seen man’s
need for a savior since the fall in the Garden of Eden. We have also begun to reflect on our own
lives and our personal need for a savior.
This Christmas season, the Onnemi team invites you to do the same. Let us thank Christ together
for his willingness to live in order to die for our sin.
May God bless you richly this Christmas with the joy and peace that comes from knowing Him!
Your Servant in Christ,
Mark Livengood, Jr.

Church Partnership Plans

One of our desires at Onnemi International Ministries is to provide an avenue for churches in the United States to partner in, and experience, International Missions. Being located on the border of Mexico and the United States provides a variety of ministry exposure that is cost effective for group trips, family trips, or individuals.

These ministries range from personal evangelism to building projects, from children’s ministries to soup kitchens, or from sports ministries to medical ministries. The need in the borderland is extreme, especially the spiritual need. Any form of involvement will aide in spreading the message of hope in Jesus Christ!

The following details lay out a timeline for church partnership based upon time commitments and desired depth of experience:

1. Phase #1 – Commitment to bring one or two teams which will help solidify relationships with the Onnemi staff and the families in our community.

1. 1. Summer / Spring Trips

i. Children’s Vacation Bible School

1. Bible Lessons & Testimonies

2. Music Leaders

3. Games Leaders

4. Adult Bible study teachers

ii. Sports Outreach

1. Tournament competitions in any sport

2. Training camps (VBS type ministry)

iii. Mercy Work

1. Building projects within the community

2. Helping local ministries

3. Clothing pantries

4. Meals for homeless

iv. Seminar Ministries

1. Marriage conference

2. Family life conference

3. Youth conferences

v. ESL

1. Teachers

2. Coaches

3. Tutoring

1. Phase #2 – Commitment of two or more teams each year in a three year period, developing personal relationships with local community and church. This is a step toward actively planting a church and being a sister body.

 

1. 1. Summer / Spring Trips as above Phase #1.

 

1. 1. 1 week project work toward developing the Onnemi ministry center and further establishing relationships for the Onnemi staff.

 

i. Build and equip portions of the School

1. Framing and exterior trip

2. Interior finish team

3. Team to “kick off” the school ministry by teaching and tutoring

 

ii. Build and equip portions of the visitor home. The visitor home will provide adequate housing for groups and visitors as they look to serve.

1. Framing and exterior trip

2. Interior finish team

 

1. Phase #3 – Commitment of several teams each year throughout a five year period. This is a committed step toward planting a church, but also toward the development of the Bible school!

 

1. 1. Summer / Spring Trips as above Phases.

 

1. 1. 1 week project work toward developing the Onnemi ministry center and further establishing relationships for the Onnemi staff (as above Phases).

 

 

1. 1. Active participation in Church growth and ministry.

i. Team evangelism with local church.

ii. Training seminars for local church.

iii. Church sister partnerships through family correspondence.

 

1. 1. Major commitment toward development of Bible School.

i. Teach modular courses on Evangelism

ii. Teach modular on Bible Study methods

iii. Teach modular on world missions