Hurricane Dean Moving A Bit South Of Cancun

The latest news about Hurricane Dean from the Weather Channel is that it is moving some 100 to 140 miles south of Cancun at the moment. I called Gilberto to Cancun and he said they were ready for whatever Dean brought them. He acknowledged that it appeared that the center of the hurricane would land south of Cancun, more towards Tulum or south of there. This doesn't get Cancun out of trouble thought, as Dean is only a few miles an hour of being designated a category 5 hurricane, the most powerful hurricane there is.







The storm should arrive at the Yucatan by tomorrow evening. Their is rumor that the Cancun airport may close tonight at 5pm.














Gilberto said his apartment is full of people, functioning as a sort of hurricane relief center. His daughter, the University architect, and his assistant Javier are a few of the people who are waiting out the storm there.

Hurrican Dean Update

Gilberto Is Getting Ready For The Hurrican

Gilberto called from Cancun yesterday to ask if I was still flying to Cancun today. After a couple laughs, we agreed it was best to reschedule the trip. As a matter of fact, Gilberto was busy packing and arranging his emergency supplies to help him weather the incoming storm. I will be staying touch with Gilberto to see how he is doing.

A group in Cancun that I have made the acquaintance of just sent out a request for help if he hurricane does indeed hit there. I just received their e-news. Here is a part of that email:

"As most of you have heard we have another hurricane (Dean) coming this way. The projected path is either Cancun or Cozumel Mexico. Please be praying that Dean will pass through an area that is not populated.

That would have to be a miracle because of where it is headed.

I would ask that you join us in prayer and if you can send an offering to help with food and materials. Where ever it hits we will be helping with food and building materials just as we did with hurricane Wilma two years ago. It is a horrible thing but with your help we can turn this around and use it for an outreach. We will be able to share the gospel with everyone that receives the help."

For more information you can go to their website at: www.mexicomissions.org

Hurrican Heading Towards Cancun

As Gayla and I begin preparing for our trip this Saturday to Cancun, guess what is also heading that way? You guessed it! Hurricane Dean. We are now re-evaluating whether we should depart this Saturday for Cancun in light of this new weather development. I suppose by tomorrow we will know if we are going to get on a plane on Saturday. Check out today's forecast as to where Dean is heading:

Late Summer Travel Deals Really Do Exist

Cancun was mentioned in a USA Today recent article about getting good travel deals this summer. Go to the link below for more information. Hope to see you in Cancun soon!!!

Late Summer Travel Deals Really Do Exist

Amor Group Builds Married Student Homes At All Nations Seminary

This past week Amor Ministries groups built six double wide homes for married students at the All Nations Seminary in Juarez, Mexico. Mission trip participants, 176 in all, from two US churches poured slabs, built walls, constructed roofs, and stucco'd these homes for some very happy students at the Seminary. This was a great need since last fall they had to turn away 8 prospective students since they had no place to house them. Its a great opportunity for both ministries to beginning working together while at the same time Amor CEO, Scott Congdon, and All Nations Seminary, John Lee, were undertaking arrangements for a planning trip to Cancun, Mexico this August. This planning team, also consisting of Amor Chief Spiritual Officer, Gayla Congdon, two Amor board members, Mike and Amy McClenahan and the Hispanic Pastor from Solana Beach Presbyterian Church will be meeting to plan an alliance with the All Nations Seminary and the Cancun Christian University

Below is a video shot by Amor showing the construction of the new married student housing built for the Seminary:

Amor Approves CCU Executive Summary Business Plan

At the recent Amor Ministries board meeting in San Diego, California, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the Cancun Christian University Executive Summary Business Plan. The Board has now commissioned Amor CEO, Scott Congdon, to present a full Business Plan for the University at the November 2007 board meeting.

Here is the Executive Summary:

THE CANCUN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

BUSINESS PLAN

Executive Summary

Mission:

Cancun Christian University (CCU) is a non denominational ministry committed to training and equipping Spanish and English speaking servant leaders to share the love of God in tangible and compassionate ways throughout the world.

Vision:

CCU is committed to providing comprehensive and diverse opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission– equipping disciples to reach all the nations. To do so, CCU has four key programs that fulfill this calling:

· Residential Ministry Degree

· Ministry Certificate

· Mission Outreach

· Center for Courageous Enterprise

2007/2008 Strategic Objectives:

· Develop an All Nations Seminary Extension Program on the CCU campus.

· Develop strategic partnerships with other Spanish speaking seminaries and bible colleges.

· Develop strategic partnerships with English speaking seminaries and bibles colleges.

· Organize and facilitate 2 short term mission trips to the Yucatan through Amor Ministries with participants staying at CCU and working on the University and in surrounding communities.

· Work in conjunction with the Center for Courageous Enterprise (CCE) to develop and promote an (one) opportunity for corporate based and ministry leadership teams to serve in Yucatan communities. These teams will also work with CCE to incorporate leadership development into their activities.

Time Line:

2007

· Gilberto begins construction of classrooms.

· CCU property and buildings legally donated to Amor Ministries’ legal entity in Mexico, either Comision de Amor or Construendo Esperanza.

· CCU Board of Directors created.

· Strategic partnership formed with All Nations Seminary to start Extension in 2009.

2008

· Mission trips facilitated to work on the facility development of the CCU campus.

· Strategic partnerships developed with churches in Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula.

2009

· Extension class started in Fall.