Merry Christmas from Western Harvest and the Mendes Family!!!

 What a blessed and busy year we've had here! God is so wonderful and faithful to fulfill his word and we praise him mightily for each and every step! We pray this finds you and yours healthy, content and living peacefully under his umbrella. Western Harvest fellowship center has had quite a year of construction, not only in the physical sense of the word, but also in the spiritual.

 We have watched him construct a strong and faithful congregation of all ages. While it has at times been painful to see some move on, the new growth that his word speaks of at the times of pruning is evident. Our 2nd annual Christmas party numbers doubled this year and we had such a wonderful time filled with food, laughter, and fun in the celebration of the birth of our Christ.

 It is amazing to think that just a little over a year and a half ago, we were standing in a rye pasture with only a perimeter fence. Today, we have 3,000  square feet of space combined in our 2 buildings. One houses our children, youth rooms, and office space. The other is our worship area. A neighboring ministry, Sonshine Ministries of Azle, Texas donated a mobile home that now serves as  a bunkhouse. It sleeps 12+ in the common area, and was already constructed perfectly with 3 toilet closets, 2 shower stalls and 3 sinks in the  bathroom.  A small kitchen area  tops it all off and along with the six sets of like- new- condition bunk beds that it was sent with.  How awesome that our God handed us just what we needed to house a group instantaneously.  Upon its arrival, we were allowed once again to bear witness that He is just so faithful and we are left speechless and humbled at his provision.

 The road,  parking lot, and arena are in, the septic system, water well,  plumbing, and electrical work are complete and the welding work is in progress. All came through Church offerings, individual supporters,  donations, proceeds from the Dallas Cowboys Stadium outreach, tithing of time and the       sharing of God given skills from his precious faithful. As a result of his gracious mercy and provision,  we are reminded daily that what he calls us to do is not in vain. Nor are we ever alone when he walks with us.

 The result of all of this can be seen in the face of the young teens coming to Christ and growing in his word through the youth group. It is evident in the joy in the children's faces as they rest in the safety of unconditional love and acceptance of their peers in our small classroom. All while the winds of bullies and peer pressure to be autonomous, blow through their schools. 

  Our adults are enjoying hearing the uncompromisable and life giving word of God and it is   refreshing to watch him build a group of people with a passion for Him and a desire to really experience Him and what he has for each individual. Looking to His face is the only way and we have learned this year that in letting go of ourselves, we find him. What an encouragement this has been to our body of believers as they are experiencing his presence and peace in our services like never before. It is a true blessing for Scott and I and the leadership to see the adults reach out to each other and receive from one another in his absolute Godly fellowship.

  We are so grateful to God for providing us with our wonderful worship leaders, Greg and Deborah Slankard, and gifted youth leaders, Steve and Misty Shearer. Their callings to our fellowship have been divinely instrumental in the timing of their arrivals and we are so excited to watch their dedication to their own call and in serving him because of who he is to them. They are such an inspiration to us as Pastors and they encourage us daily.   
 We have had a season of interesting visitors, and ministers of song, and we have more  oftentimes than not, found the road to be rarely narrow, smooth, or straight. We are learning to dig in deeper, to actually embrace the tough times, (rather than just sing or talk about doing it) in our new found knowledge that they are  the very stepping stones of our  path that will lead us to his eternal plan. We as a body are growing to actually embrace and see his face more clearly especially in the unfamiliar or uncomfortable times and in resting there,  we truly are  experiencing that wonderful peace that actually does pass all understanding.

 May God richly bless you in all he calls you to do in your lives and Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are nothing without him who loves us.