Hello my friends and partners,

The past 3 weeks have flown by full of many experiences and blessings.  This will probably be a long blog–but with lots of pictures!  Feel free to read it in segments, but hope you enjoy it and get a good idea about how God is answering your prayers and what you can pray for in the weeks ahead.

I did start Spanish tutoring and it is going very well.  I am learning and reviewing and my teacher, Adriana is an experienced teacher and has been able to focus on my needs as well as review what I need to remember.  I go to her house (15 minute drive) 3 times a week, Mon. Wed and Fri. in the evening for 1-2 hours.  I am so blessed to have her and to be friends with her.  I believe God has arranged this and know that He will bless the time.  He has even prompted a Mexican missionary to help me with the language, Juanita del Angel, who is also with the sister church, Jubileo.  She has offered to have breakfast or lunch with me a couple times a month to help immerse me in Spanish.  We had breakfast at a restaurant April 16 and only spoke in Spanish.  She is so much fun and a wonderful friend.  Thank you for your prayers.  Please continue your prayers in this focus.

I also started teaching English.  At first to 2 young men in our church, Champy and Pelusa.  These are nicknames.  Champy’s real name is Carlos and Pelusa (which means lint,???) is Emanuel.  Nicknames are very common here, especially with young people. I started on Monday, April 16.  They were supposed to come to my house at 8 p.m.  They arrived at 9:15.  I told them they were too late and they said Wednesday would be better.  I told them that I would lock the door at 8:30 and would not answer the door bell.  They came at 8:15 on Wednesday and have been fairly on time (for Mexicans) since then.  We really have a good time.  They know more English than I thought.  They have level 1 in school (over and over again–never have more than level 1)  The material that my friend gave me is really good and includes games, which they really enjoy.  They have had 4 classes since we started.

Last Saturday, I prepared for an English class with some of the women in the church, who had asked me to teach them.  About 8 people told me they would be there, so I worked hard to prepare for 8 people.  :0 Only 1 came–Lety.  Par for the course here, but I was very impressed with Lety’s determination.  She REALLY wants to learn English–but knows NO English.  We started with the alphabet and numbers.  The written alphabet in Spanish is the same as English, but it is pronounced very differently, such as J–in Spanish it is pronounced Hota.  Y–in Spanish is E gre a ga.  She was determined to learn how to say the alphabet in English so wrote out each letter phonetically in her notebook.  I am sure she will be able to say it this coming Saturday.  I hope more women come then.  I have also been thinking and praying about putting a sign on my gate offering English lessons to my neighbors.  I don’t get a chance to meet many of them because they are rarely out of their houses.  I am praying that God will use me in this capacity to show His love and to tell them the Gospel.  Please pray that God will direct me in how He wants to use me in this capacity and if He wants me to do this, He will prepare the hearts of the people He wants me to influence to His glory.

April 18, Fabis (my translator) and I met with another CHE Trainer, Vicenta.  We talked about TIC (CHE) and what she was saying made me realize that they are not working as a team and do not all have the same vision.   So the next Sunday, Pam deLeon and I had a meeting with 3 of them.  Norma decided to go to a movie instead (She is only 18 and hasn’t learned to focus on priorities yet).  At that meeting Lola and Vicenta made it fairly plain that they didn’t consider TIC their top priority.  Lola wants to be the Children’s director, which would not give her enough time to be committed to the huge ministry of TIC.  Vicenta voiced fears about working in LaRaza. (She and Lola do not actually live in LaRaza, but in Cubitos which is adjacent to LaRaza) Adriana is very committed and wants to see changes in her neighborhood.  Of course, Norma made her choice by going to the movie.  Soooo. . . we have to find others in LaRaza (maybe at other churches) who want to be a part of the changes God is going to make there.  Adriana is the best person to know who in her neighborhood would be excited about changing their community for Christ.  Adriana can also help us train other people, since she has had the first phase of CHE training.  Also, Judy Fish is coming May 15 to help us get restarted.  Judy is a CHE consultant for CMF and other organizations.  She is always a source of great advice and encouragement.  I praise God that He has made us look this situation in the face and trust Him to put the right persons in place to accomplish His will.  I also praise God for Judy–His resource for CHE and encouragement.  Please pray for God to use us to accomplish His will and give use encouragement.  It has been a little discouraging as we have invested a lot of time and money in these women, but God keeps telling me that He is in charge and His perfect will is ongoing.  Please pray for Lola to be used to teach the children of our church the love of Jesus and how to live for Him.  Please pray for Vicenta to find out how to use her gifts for the glory of God.

On April 19, our cell group had a baby shower for Zenaida.  She and her husband have a son, who is 8.  She had been pregnant before but lost the baby, a girl, right after she was born.  We have been rejoicing with Zenaida since  we found out she was pregnant, but also praying for God’s touch in her health and having a healthy baby.  She has found out that this baby is also a girl.  Please pray for her and her baby as the time is very near for the delivery.  The baby shower, my first here, was definitely a cultural experience!  One game they play is that anyone who crossed their legs or arms have to wear a diaper.  Nearly everyone had to wear the diaper at one time or another.  The one who is wearing the diaper is on the watch for anyone who can take over the diaper by crossing legs or arms.

Alma got caught crossing her legs

Even Zenaida got caught. Her son, Josue is helping her.

Vicki (in the background) is really enjoying my admission to the club (she posted it on Facebook)

They place some really fun other games.  One woman had to hold a baby doll, feed it and hang clothes while talking on the cell phone.  The person who could finish all in the least time got a prize.

Lola competing in the game

Claudia managing the challenge

Zenaida practicing for motherhood

We had other games, but I won’t describe all of them, but here are the pictures:

feeding someone blindfolded (messy)

guessing how much toilet paper will go around the soon to be Mom

measuring the TP

She guessed wrong, so gets a red dot on her face. She looked like she had measles when it was finished

opening gifts

as always, eating! Yum

On Saturday, April 21, some of us went to Peñas Cargadas (which loosely means rocks carrying rocks) for Benjamin’s (Vicki and Greg’s son) birthday.  It is a beautiful park with lots of rocks to climb.  We had grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, a lot of fun talking with other missionaries, and the kids ran themselves ragged (along with Luna, my dog).  I had to leave early for my English class at the church.  No one came except Champy.  He is really faithful!

kids climbing

 

Luna playing with the kids

Greg grilling, with help from Matthew

Pam deLeon came the next day for the meeting with the trainers.  I always enjoy Pam’s visits as it is a break from only my own company!  She is a good friend and teammate.  We went to visit Lola the next day in my quest to get to know the trainers better personally.  I had never been to Lola’s house and was so happy to see her in her own environment.  We were there more than 2 hours talking.  Fabis went too, so she could translate for me when necessary.

The next day was my oldest granddaughter’s 12th birthday.  It was hard to not be there.  She is an amazing young lady.  Please pray for her to stay in Christ through the tough times of adolescence.

Haley Akihiro

On Wednesday I met with Luke Greer, a missionary from Jubileo Christian church, who is very interested in the CHE ministry for the people in an area in Pachuca ministered to by Jubileo. We are praying for God’s guidance in this possible endeavor. Please pray with us
The next day Greg, Vicki and sons left for the US for a work vacation. They will return on the 12th of May.

That Saturday I was ready for English class and a lot of women and young people who had asked to come.  1 woman came–Lety.  We had a great class and I am coming to know Lety more and realize her strength and determiniation.

Sunday was a special day.  On the 5th Sunday we have testimonies.  3 people gave their incredible testimonies.  Lazaro told how his marriage was almost over and God rescued them and have made their marriage incredibly strong and their lives totally blessed.  Santiago (James) testified how God changed his life from the life of an addict to drugs to an abundant life in Chirst.  He admonished everyone to never hesitate to share their testimony and tell people about the love of Jesus.  Then Ana (who had just had baby Valeria) shared how her life was very bad before she found the love a Jesus.  Now He is changing her life day by day and her marriage is stronger every day.  It was an incredible Sunday to the glory of God!

Lazaro

Santiago

Ana

After the service, the special day continued with a church picnic at a beautiful park about 1/2 hour from the church.  Most people went in a hired bus, but Enrique and I drove.  A young couple from YWAM (the organization, Youth With A Mission) came along with me because the wife is American and speaks very good Spanish.  She went as a translator for me (Fabis couldn’t go).  It was great to get to know them.  They (Amanda and Juan) have been married for about a year and are totally committed to serving our Lord!  I am blessed to know them.

My good friend Adriana (sitting) our faithful trainer

hiking and finding Obidian (local prized black rocks)

me with Simone, one of God's recent miracles

as always, eating! Yummy food

My good friend Efra and his girlfriend, Jaque (used to be my tutor)

Whew!  This week has been Spanish tutoring, English class, cell group and enjoying God’s blessings.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  I never stop praying for you too.

 

 

Hi Folks,  We have had 2 wonderful weeks!   Sunday we also had a baby dedication.  The baby girl (Valeria) is the daughter of a young woman (Ana) in our church and her husband (Guillermo).  Since the baby was born, he has started coming to church.  Please pray that Guillermo will accept Christ and that baby Valeria will be raised to know and love Him too.

Ana, Guillermo, and baby Valeria

Gerza (Herza) praying for the baby and family

Our good times started March 31 when I went to the bus station to help transport 7 young people (middle school age) and 4 adults from Southland CC, Lexington KY.  It was the first visit to Mexico for all but 1 adult–Jeri Dyer, who lived and worked here a couple of years ago. I must say I was very impressed with each of the young people.  They were truly ambassadors for Christ.  They worked very hard for our 3 day (Tues-Thurs) VBS for ages 6-10.   We had 40 children at VBS with a number of youth from our church helping also.  I helped make snacks, as usual.  I love doing it because I learn so much from the women I work with and have made some good friends.  Please pray that God will touch the hearts of each child and that they will pass that on to their families.

singing with motion

learning new things

learning Bible verses

learning English (Jeri Dyer)

doing crafts

making sopes

A couple of the kids got sick stomachs , but didn’t last long and everyone got to go to see King Jesus, the pyramids and other attractions near Pachuca.

King Jesus (about 20 minutes from Pachuca)

climbed up into the statue

Jesus among friends

in a shopping area at Real del Monte (about 35 minutes from Pachuca)

Human statue in Real D M

2 of our girls with the "statue"

another human statue with one of our girls

climbing the pyramid (about 1 hour from Pachuca)

pyramid from farther away

Saturday--time to go back home : (

The day those kids went home, David Giles, Mike and Don, (3 guys from Post Road CC in Indianapolis) came to help remodels the lower level of the church building into an apartment for people to stay when they come.  They really worked hard, but did get some down time in the week to visit the pyramids and then on Thursday, I took them to see King Jesus, and Real del Monte.  (Those places seem like my home away from home lately).  We really got lucky at Real del Monte.  There was a team of indigenous men who do acrobats swinging from ropes on a tall pole.

Then they came to my house for dinner.  We had a great time and I am thanking God for people who will give their time to help out here.

David, Mike and Don at the statue of Cristo Rey (King Jesus)

men at the top of the pole

pretty high up there

amazing

back on the ground

Easter Sunday was a wonderful day to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!  In the afternoon, some of the middle school kids from our church went on an overnight retreat in El Chico National Park (about 12 hour from Pachuca).  I transported 7 of them.  I think there were about 25 including adults.  It started out good, but started raining on the way.  It was in kind of a remote area and the cabin they were staying in was pretty rustic.  I was thanking God that I didn’t have to stay!  We went back to bring them home then next day.  It was a nice, clear day.  They said they had a great time, but were pretty tired (probably didn’t sleep much).

I have started a program of visiting with our 4 CHE trainers during the week.  For now, I am taking a translator with me in case I have problems understanding or they can’t understand me.  My translator is Fabis, who used to live with me, but needed to move back home after 4 months.  (No she isn’t the one who stole from me).  Fabis has good English and she is not working right now, so she is going to come with me to translate whenever I need her.  I enjoy being with her.  She is also good at correcting my Spanish.  Please pray for the time I spend with our trainers, so I can get to know them better and  encourage them in their CHE work

Last Tuesday, Fabis and I went to visit Adriana at 8 in the morning.  Adriana prepares and sells juice and fruit to people in LaRaza.  I wanted to get to know more about what she does.  She starts at 6 a.m. but we decided to go at 8 a.m.  I was amazed at how hard Adriana works.  It was very interesting.  She puts together combinations that are very healthy.  She has one for people who have colds.  My favorite is Orange/Carrot.  We helped her prepare some.  We finished about 9:30 and then her daughter took the juice and fruit to sell in the neighborhood.  We are going to go with Adriana next Saturday to the market and see how she buys the fruit.  It was great to be with Adriana and learn more about her and her family.  Fabis was a big help.  She helped clarify some of the things I said to Adriana and some of the things she said to me.  Adriana’s husband left the family quite a long time ago.  She has a son in the US, a daughter, (who has a 3 year old daughter) and a teenage son.  Her teenage son was baptized last month.   Please pray for Adriana’s family to all come to the Lord.  She has a heavy burden for all of them, including her husband.

Adriana preparing juices

Next week I am starting 1 1/2 hour tutoring classes 3 evenings a week.  My teacher’s name is Adriana (not the same Adriana).  She goes to our sister church, Jubileo CC (Hubelao, which means Jubilee).  I am hoping it will help me do the work I am called here to do.  Please pray for my language to improve so I can interact more with the people at church and in LaRaza and also that the Lord will provide the extra money I need for tutoring and translation.

Also next week I am going to start teaching English to some of the youth in our church.   I also think it will help me with Spanish.  They speak NO English.  Dee Duggins, a fellow missionary here, teaches English at Jubileo CC.  She has been very helpful with books and ideas.  I am looking forward to developing some strong relationships during these times.   Please pray that these times with the young people will be helpful for their language and that I can help them grow in Christ.  

Thank you all again for your love and support.  Your prayers mean so much to me.

 

 

Hi Friends,

The past couple of weeks have been rich in fellowship and blessings.  March 18 and 19 our church had a surrender retreat.  Those who had completed the 1st step in discipling were eligible to go.  It was held at a beautiful area called El Chico National Park, about 45 minutes from Pachuca.  It was an overnight venture for 28 adults, youth and kids.  I went to the one last year, though it wasn’t an overnight venture and was at a different place in El Chico.  There is Bible Study, Prayer, Introspection, and a ceremony of surrender to the Lord along with food, fun and fellowship.  This year I just went to help transport them back to Pachuca.  I took Luna, my dog, who was pampered to no end.  Please pray for our new brothers and sisters to grow and bear fruit.

main house, there was also a cabin

owner's residence

beautiful view from El Chico

Lety and her 2 children, Fannie and Said

dining area

as always, women in the kitchen

packing up to leave

Luna and me

David and friend relaxing

play time

The Surrendered

The next Wednesday started a 4 day Mexico Missionary Reunion.  This is an annual time when missionaries, mainly from Christian Churches and Ministries (including Niños de Mexico), get together for fellowship, share ministry ideas, refresh, network, and be fed.  We have decided to include missionaries from other denominations that we know personally.  One couple from Pachuca who have planted a Bible Church attended this year and were a big benefit to the group.   It was the 2nd one I have attended.  It was in a city called Ixmiquilpan (X me keel pan), about an hour from Pachuca.  It was at a place called Hotel Campestre, which was all inclusive and had areas for children to play and very comfortable rooms (though the beds were quite hard).  The speaker was Michael Sweeney, President of Emmanuel Christian Seminary, who encouraged us with words about Spiritual Leadership.  We had game night, Karaoke, and lots of prayer for each other.  It was wonderful.  Thanks to 3 churches who helped out with finances, including First Christian Church of Florissant, we were able to rent the hotel area so that we were the only ones using it.  All 48 people were blessed and very thankful.  Please pray for all missionaries in Mexico to remain strong, preach the word boldly, and be guided by the Holy Spirit in their ministries.

playground

we all ate meals together

Mike Sweeney speaking

door to my room

inside the room

Praise and worship time

book share

kids' pool

fun slide

soccer

Karaoke

Tomorrow, 11 people from a church that supports Greg and Vicki Syverson (my teammates here in Pachuca) are coming for a week of ministry.  We are going to have a 3 day VBS for kids ages 6-10 (school will be out for Easter break).  There should be some fun pictures of that.  Please pray for the children and parents to experience God’s love through the team and VBS.

I have another request for prayer.  I am still struggling with language.  Since I am the one who is interacting most with our 4 CHE trainers, I really need to be able to understand and communicate better.  Our 4 ladies have kinda lost the enthusiasm and need someone to walk along side to encourage them to complete their projects before we can start the 2nd part of their training. This and my difficulty with language have been a big source of discouragement for me.  We have decided that I need to hire a tutor and also to hire someone to translate for me in certain situations.  I will start 5 hours of tutoring a week until I have improved enough to communicate on my own.  Please pray for God to enable me to speak Spanish well enough to complete his mission for me here. 

Thank you all so much for your faithful prayers and support.  I wouldn’t be here without you.  Please know that I am praying for you too.  Let me know if there is anything specific I can pray about for you.

Hi Friends,

Last week was an event packed week!  I did go to Mexico City Tuesday, March 6, though Thursday, March 8 and had a great time with Pam DeLeon.  We did some shopping, cooking and Kay Carpenter and Daisy, a friend from the church there, came to sample our cooking.  We were able to talk about CHE and discussed the latest spiritual attacks that have been aimed at the program.  These attacks prove that it is a threat to Satan. I know God is going to work a miracle in that area.  The latest attack is that the judge in authority in LaRaza has denied our request to do surveys there.  He believes we are a political organization, even though we are church-based.   Even though Adriana, our trainer who lives there and knows the judge, assured him that we only want to help the people of the community, he refused.  We can do our praise concert there, which involves other praise bands in LaRaza and in other areas near Pachuca. It will be a way to let people know what TIC (CHE) is and how we can help them.  I believe that God will soften the heart of the judge after the concert.  It is important to have the survey so we can find out what the people think are the problems and what is  most important to them.  There are other ways to gather that information, but a survey would be the most beneficial.  We are still going to do a school screening to find out problems with children and get in contact with parents, which will be a way to make them aware of TIC.  Please pray for the judge and for our four trainers to stay motivated to accomplish what they need to before starting our next training session.

On Friday, we had our 2nd Missionary Women’s Fellowship. Four women came.  Kay Carpenter, our Mexico team leader and Darla, a young woman who is interested in ministry in Mexico were there too.  We had a really good prayer ministry time and time just to talk.  One young woman, Lauri, and her family are moving back to the US soon.  Please pray that God will bless each woman in her ministry here in Pachuca.

The next day, Saturday, we had a Women’s Breakfast.  The night before I made 3 chocolate cakes for it.  That was an interesting night–The gas in my oven exploded when I was trying to relight it.  When I got over the shock and surveyed the damage, I only had a small cut on my nose.  My hair wasn’t even singed.  I was standing right in front of the oven when it happened.  It was like there was a shield around me to protect me.  The rest of the kitchen was a mess.  Things flew out of the cabinets, the stove and cabinets moved 6 inches away from the walls.  It was so powerful that the windows in my living room blew inward and my neighbor’s windows rattled.  I can only say that God evidently has more for me to do here on earth!  I called Greg and asked him to check the oven so I could finish making the cakes.  The oven checked out fine and the cakes got baked.  Gerza, the church elder who made the cabinets, came today and  put things back to normal, repairing some cabinet doors  and the living room window.  Please praise God for his protection and mercy.

small cut on my nose and a little bruise

The Women’s Breakfast was a success.  It is a great outreach to this community.  Quite a few women came that don’t attend our church.  A number of women have started to attend after coming to one of our breakfasts.  Kay Carpenter gave a program on who we are in God’s eyes.  Please pray that many women will come to Christ through this ministry.

women's breakfast

The next day our sister church, Jubileo (Jubilee) Christian Church, had its 5 year anniversary.  Some of our members went there to do children’s Sunday School so their workers could take part in the special service.  What a blessing!   The church has more than doubled in the past 5 years.  Vic DeLeon (Pam’s husband) preached, even though he had just returned from the US at 1 a.m. that morning and he and Pam had to drive 2 hours from Mexico City.  After the service they had a dinner.  The anniversary for Iglesia Christiana Nueva Vida (New Life Christian Church), our church is in May.  God is blessing both churches in a mighty way!  Please pray that God will continue to bless both churches and guide their leaders to help them grow.

Monday evening was our Leader’s meeting.  We planned a Surrender Retreat for this Sunday and Monday in a beautiful area called El Chico Park.  It will be an overnight event for new baptized believers who have completed the first step of discipleship.  I really wish we had these at our church in the US.  Many people have accepted Christ as their Savior, but never completely surrendered their lives and their past to Him.  There were lessons on surrender from the Old Testament and New Testament and how we cannot bear fruit without it. It is a time for them to search souls for any obstacles that have come between them and God, make a list, and then  burn their lists together, praying that God would cleanse and fill them with His Spirit. It is very powerful.  I went to the last one, but am not going to this one.  Please pray for these new brothers and sisters (many of them young people) that they will grow into mature, fruit bearing followers of Jesus Christ.

Wednesday I went to a cell group that I normally don’t attend because Marina, one of our church members lives near.  She has been quite ill for a long time and just got home from the hospital after having some biopsies.  We went to her house for our cell prayer time so we could pray for her again.  (We went to her daughter’s house in El Chico a few weeks ago.  I told you about it in a previous blog).  She doesn’t look good, but much more cheerful than the last time.  Her son and his wife are taking care of her now.  She will get the results of her biopsies today.  Please pray for her and her family in the difficult time.

Next Wednesday through Saturday we have our Mexico Missionary Retreat in a town about an hour from here.  Many other missionaries come to share with each other.  There will be a speaker from the US to feed us spiritually and we will get to know each other, relax and have fun.  I’m looking forward to seeing people from Niños de Mexico and other ministries whom I met last year.  It is really a blessing and a wonderful time for refreshing.  I’ll be sure to have pictures from then.  God bless you.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  I continue to life you all in prayer.

Our weather here has been fantastic!  high in the upper 70s.  It has been great to be outside.  I’ve been walking to the park with Luna (my dog) a block from my house and catching up on reading.

my dog, Luna. She's camera shy.

It has been a great opportunity to meet some people.  The first day I went another dog came and was bothering Luna. (Luna doesn’t know she’s a dog, so avoids having her butt sniffed).  There were 2 boys there and after watching how we would handle it for a while, they shooed the other dog away.  As it turned out, one lived adjacent to the park.  His name is Alberto.  They were very friendly and I was able to practice Spanish with them.

The next morning, I was looking for my iPhone and couldn’t find it anywhere.  I asked Vicki to call me so I could find it, but it never rang.  The only place I had taken it the day before was to the park.  I think it fell out of my pocket when I sat down on the bench.  I was really praying that God would help me find the cell phone, but didn’t have much faith because if I had left it in the park, I was pretty sure it was gone for good.  Here the motto is “finder’s keeper’s”.  I went to the park and searched, but didn’t find it.  I kept looking until late afternoon and I then decided I would have to go buy another SIM card so I could use an old phone I had saved for just such a time as this.  I went out to buy the SIM card (which is about $12) and also had to buy time, so spent another $16 for time.  I came home and my home phone was ringing, but didn’t get there in time.  I looked at the number and it was my iPhone number!  It turns out that a woman had been trying to call me 6 times to tell me she found my phone.  Even more, she speaks very good English.  She works near to my house so, later that evening,  Vicki and I met her at a store close to my house.  Come to find out she is not Mexican but Polish, married to a Mexican.  She teaches English at a language school near my house and found the phone in the park, where she went for lunch.  She was very sweet.  I thanked her for being honest and for meeting me.  She asked me why I live here.  I told her I am a missionary and asked her if she goes to church.  She said she was Catholic and goes to the Catholic church.  She had to leave quickly to get to work, but I hope our paths will cross again soon and I can share with here how wonderful it is to know Jesus personally.  I believe God orchestrated this meeting, so I don’t think he will let it drop.  I am so thankful that God takes care of me–he’s been really busy doing that all my life!  Please praise God for this miracle!

I had been pretty discouraged with how our trainers were continuing the projects they need to do before we can start the 2nd phase of training.  Nothing seemed to be happening, even with frequent encouragement from me and Pam.  Last Sunday I told 2 of them we needed to have a meeting with people from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) who had offered to help do our survey.  I also talked to one of the young men from YWAM (my friend Efra) and told him they would contact him that day.  I had to leave before this happened so I could take someone to the doctor.  Monday, I emailed Efra, when I could not reach the women by phone, to find out when the meeting was scheduled.  He told me Tuesday at 5 at my house.  He came at 4:45 and no one else came, so we finally reached Vicenta and Norma and decided to go to Vicenta’s house to meet. I was hoping that we could find the other 2 while we were there.  God is so good–Norma brought Adriana and we found Lola, so we were able to plan the survey that day with all four trainers.  They decided to ask the church if more people could help them do the survey.  Efra really was good a encouraging them and firing them up.  They were very excited when we parted.  I felt much more encouraged about the whole thing.  Even more–I was able to speak and understand almost everything during the meeting.  I am sure your prayers worked these miracles.  Thank you!  Please praise God for his faithfulness and pray for the enthusiasm to continue until the work is done.

Next week is going to be exciting!  On Tuesday, I am going to Mexico City to Pam deLeon’s.  Her husband, Vic, is going to be gone for a few days and she invited me to come and hang out and cook yummy things together.  I also thought is would be a good time to do some TIC (CHE) planning.  I plan to stay until Thursday.  Then Friday we have another Women Missionary Fellowship meeting.  I always look forward to that.  I’ll fill you in on all the fun.

Hi Friends,

The past 2 weeks have been incredible!  I love being busy and God has provided incredible times with Mexicans, missionaries, my team, and friends from First Christian Church of Florissant.

On Friday evenings, I have been attending a jewelry class to practice Spanish.  In addition to learning how to make some really neat jewelry, I have made some Mexican friends and it is helping my Spanish.  I hope  to make some jewelry for gifts.  I’ll take some pictures next Friday and post them.  Sorry, I was so involved with learning, I forgot to take pictures.  Please pray that God will bless this time with Mexican women.

The wall of the bedroom upstairs has been slowly crumbling away, I guess from a leak on the roof (although I have never seen any leak when it rained).  I got it repaired two weeks ago.  It still needs to be painted, but I was happy to find a man who could do the work and he was very reasonable.  I learned some vocabulary specific to that trade.  Who knows when I might  have to use it again (hope not-at least on this house).  Please praise God for his provision.

Friday, Feb 17 we had another fellowship of English-speaking missionary women.  It was at another woman’s house.  There were 5 of us.  We shared lunch, girl talk, and prayer for each other and those who could not come.  I am praying that at least 4 others can come next time.  We agreed to meet every three weeks.  I hope it is a blessing for each of us to be able to share concerns, experiences, and joys with each other.  Please pray that God blesses this fellowship and that He will use us to minister to each other.

Sunday, Feb 19 we had a “Cena Romantica” (Romantic dinner) in relation to Valentine’s Day.  We had about 40 people there, mostly couples.  The most exciting thing was that Steve and Janet Ross, from my church in Florissant were the guest speakers.  They had a program on marriage.  It was really good.  We also had a “newlywed game”, 2 women sang to their husbands–one was my friend Lola, other great music, and wonderful food, which I got to help prepare earlier that day.   It was a lot of fun and  I was so glad to see Steve and Janet and was honored that they could stay at my house that night.  (was so glad I was able to get the wall fixed before they got there).  God even gave us a beautiful sunset.  Please pray that God will work in the marriages of the people in our church.  There are a number of them in crisis now.

preparing the meal

Exhausted Vicenta (main cook)

table decorations

Waiters--youth directed by Gaby and her husband

people at the dinner

Lola singing to her husband Ramondo

Ramondo enjoying her song

Steve and Janet

Steve and Janet sharing a song

Monday, Kay and Steve Carpenter came to join others on our team in a forum. Kay and Steve stayed at my house Monday and Tuesday night.  It was so good to be able to share my home.  The forum was about an exciting method for evangelism and starting a church planting movement called T4T (Training for Trainers).     We had all read the book and expressed interest in discussing it and finding ways to implement it into our ministries.  David Giles, CMF director of Church Catalyst Ministries, came from the US to show us what he had learned in a training session.  I believe God has given us all His vision for each of our areas in Mexico and how He want people to come to him in great numbers.  I can see many ways that we can incorporate this model into CHE.  I am really excited about it.  If you are interested in learning more about it, the website is http://t4tonline.org.  God is doing some amazing, exciting things all over the world–including America!  Please pray that God will use this method to bring a huge revival to Mexico.

I’m so glad that I was able to enjoy all those activities.  Thursday and Friday I was sick and wasn’t able to go to our cell group (even though I made a dessert for it)  PTL, I’m back to normal now.  Please pray that God would continue giving me good health for the things that He wants me to accomplish here.

Our TIC (CHE) trainers are getting ready to do their mapping and surveys–hopefully this week.  Some of the young adults from YWAM (Youth With A Mission), who are based here in Pachuca are going to help do these.  It will be a great model for CHE.   Please pray for our 4 trainers and for the young people to do good work and make people aware of TIC and God’s love in LaRaza.

More exciting things are coming up in March.  I will post them as soon as I can.  I love you all and depend on your prayers and support.  Thank you!  You are in my prayers as always.

Buenos Dias, mis Amigos (Good Day, my Friends)

Hope your week was as blessed and fulfilling as mine!

I think I forgot to mention one of the blessings I had on Jan 27.  There are a number of English-speaking women missionaries in Pachuca.  Some of us got together at my house for a luncheon and decided to meet regularly to minister to each other in prayer, encourage each other, enjoy fellowship, play games, anything that gives us some respite from the stress and strain of ministry.  There were 5 of us that day and there are at least 5 more.  We decided to meet in a different woman’s house every 3 weeks.  I know it will be a blessing for me, especially helpful with loneliness.  There is one other who is single.  She wasn’t able to come this time, but will come in the future.  Please pray for our fellowship, that God will use us to help meet the needs of each other and will give us strong friendships while we are serving Him here in Pachuca.

Last Friday through Sunday we had our bi-annual Mexican Field Team meeting in Puebla.  The last one was in September 2011.  There are 11 of us–Todd and Tonja from Puebla (they have 3 children), Kay (our team leader) and Steve Carpenter from Mexico City, Pam and Vic deLeon from Mexico City, Casey and Teri Hancock (Casey is Todd’s brother and they have 3 children) from a different area in Mexico City, Greg and Vicki Syverson–they have 2 children (and me) from Pachuca.  On Friday, we  got together at the home of Todd and Tonja Hancock and ate dinner, fellowshipped, played games, and did Wii dances (even me, though I am miserably uncoordinated).  It was a great time to get to know each other and families.  Since we don’t live in the same area, it is hard to get to know each other and be able to function effectively as a team.  I am so blessed to have such godly and committed team mates.  Please pray for each of my teammates and their families to continues being obedient to His call.

Casey, me, Mitchell, and Todd Wii dancing (I only attempted)

Kay and Todd Wii dancing

Our meeting lasted all day Saturday and it was quite intense, but, with the help of God, we made some good decisions regarding our ministries.  It is so good to see God working in each area of our ministries and working  and blessing the lives of our teammates.  Saturday night we ate dinner at Todd and Tonja’s again and then on Sunday we went to the new church that  T & T have recently planted in conjunction with Global Scope (CMF campus ministry) in Puebla. The name of the church is Comunidad Cristiana Mosaico. (Mosaic Christian Community)  A Mosaic is made up of several pieces of broken glass, clay, pottery etc put together to make a work of art.  All of us are broken people, some with sharp edges and so on, but God is making us into His beautiful work of art.  Because the focus was university  with the diversity of Mexico, Germany, USA,  Australia, etc. (the university is an international university) and since they are targeting all age groups, it seemed to fit well.  It was a wonderful experience and I was amazed at the gifts God has given those young college students and the older people he has sent there to be a part of that body.  It was great to be able to hear Todd preach and see the positive reaction from the people there.  Please pray for El Pozo Christian Church, that God will grow them and bless them. 

worship team warming up

Todd preaching

After church we all went to lunch together along with people from Global Scope.  What a great time for fellowship!  Then Greg, Vicki, their 2 sons and I came back to Pachuca.
Please pray that God will continue to bless our team to do His ministry for His glory.

Our TIC (CHE) trainers are busy working on their projects.  They still have a lot to accomplish, but are enthusiastic about evangelizing and helping the people of LaRaza.  Please pray for Adriana, Lola, Vicenta, and Norma for strength, wisdom and courage to complete projects and share His love.
Today we had test for our team meeting together for short meetings on the internet (Go To Meeting and Skype)  It was different, but I think when we get used to it, it will be good for short meetings and emergency meetings.   I was much more impressed with Skype, as we could use video to see each other.  For some reason, the audio and video with Go To Meeting was less than desirable.  This  will be much cheaper than meeting together at some place in Mexico and even people who are on furlough can join in.  We will still meet together 2 x a year and on other occasions, but this will be a good option.  Please pray that we will be able to conduct team business in the most economical way.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and that God will bless you greatly.  Thank you for your interest in my ministry.  Thank you for your prayers–they have been extremely effective!!  Remember that I am praying for you as well.

Hi Folks,

Hope you all are starting out with a blessed 2012!

After Christmas, we had a period of time with not much going on.  It always takes time to get back in the rhythm of ministry after 1 month of vacation (I didn’t take a month , but that is what most people do here in December).  Then, all of a sudden, we got busy–PTL!

Pam deLeon and I went to 2 places in another city–Puebla (about 2 hours from Mexico City) to talk with people there about CHE.  Chere, a woman who used to work at Niños de Mexico, and her husband, Luis, live in a little town outside Puebla called Nazarín (not sure of the spelling because I couldn’t find it on the map).  It is a rural area with farming as the main activity.  We met with about 9 people, whom Luis and Chere meet with for Bible study.  We read the Bible together to discover that Jesus ministered to both physical and spiritual needs, then we showed a video of CHE working in rural areas in Mexico and Africa.  They seemed to receive the information very well, though it would be unusual for them not to receive information from North Americans well.   After our presentation, they fed us tamales and olla (absolutely delicious Mexican coffee).  They will contact us if they want to pursue the program with a community wide vision seminar.  please pray for God to show them His vision for that area.

people in the study

Pam de Leon, Chere and Luis

We stayed the night with Chere and Luis.  Then Luis drove us about an hour to their church in Puebla.  We talked with the pastor there about CHE and starting a program there.  About 30-35 people attend their church.  CHE would be a way to help the people in that area of Puebla and increase their membeship.  He will also contact us if he wants to start a TIC (CHE) program there. (Sorry, I didn’t get any pictures of that church).  please pray for this pastor to discern God’s will for his church.

Then Pam and I came back to Pachuca on the bus so we could meet with our TIC trainers to encourage them to pursue their projects that need to be completed before we can start the next phase of the training.  Not much has been done since our first phase (we finished in October and one of the trainers has had major family problems and then there was — December!)  They have to do a school screening, a base survey, a detained map of the area, and what we call a “seed project”, which is a small project to call the community’s attention to TIC.  They are planning a praise concert, involving all the churches in LaRaza in April.  After that, we will start phase 2 of the training, which will prepare them to have a vision seminar for the community, train a committee and TIC volunteers.  They have complied the survey and some of the youth will help them conduct it and also help them make the maps.  Please pray for the 4 trainers, that they will not lose the vision they had and will be committed to implementing TIC and continuing their training.

Saturday we had a women’s breakfast.  We hadn’t had one in quite a while.  There were a number of women who do not attend our church there, so it was a great outreach.  Vicki gave the program on “Who are you in God’s eyes”?  It was very good.  The breakfast was good too!

women at the breakfast

Vicki teaching

Monday, Pam d and I went to an area in the north of Mexico City called Huehuetoca (waywaytoka) where Casey and Teri, 2 of our teammates, have planted a church called Rey de Reyes (King of Kings).  We spoke to 5 women at their Bible study.  They seemed very enthusiastic about TIC.  They will pray about it and let us know also.  One woman wants to plant a church in a poor area nearby and is interested in using TIC for that purpose. (Sorry, didn’t get pictures there)  As you can see, God is blessing our ministry and giving us opportunities to reach more and more people in Mexico.  Please pray for us, our strength, wisdom, and guidance in staying in His will.

Yesterday, Vicki called to ask me if I wanted to go with Greg and 3 other church members, Claudia and Lazaro, and Aurelia who brought her granddaughter, Jessica (Aurelia is the mother of Serenia, who died of cancer last year and Jessica is her daughter) who were going to visit Marina, one of our members, who is staying with her daughter in El Chico, a national forest area near Pachuca (about 45 minutes drive). It is an amazingly beautiful area.  If you come visit me, we will go there! Marina has had many health problems, especially recently, and was staying with her daughter, Brenda, so Brenda could take care of her.  I have visited Marina in her home in LaRaza and talked with her frequently at church.  She has had major surgery on her pancreas, so therefore has blood sugar problems. Of course I wanted to go.  Evidently Marina  had an urinary tract infection and was very ill.  She is on medication now and is physically better, but has lost a lot of weight and is very depressed.  We prayed for her and tried to encourage her.  Brenda and her husband are not Christians, so I pray that they will see the love of God working in her mother and through us.  Please pray for Marina, that God will comfort and lift her spirits and for Brenda and her husband and 3 children to find the love of Jesus for themselves.

path from Brenda's house

Greg and Lazaro walking to the house

Beautiful view from El Chico

beautiful area of El Chico

Aurelia, Jessica, and Claudia

Yesterday afternoon, I went to buy propane gas for my heater.  I stopped at the supermarket and just as I was leaving, we had a huge hail storm.  I had to wait until most of the storm was finished.  It does not snow here, but it sure looked like snow on the ground.  It was the longest hail storm I have ever experienced.  I passed 3 major accidents as I was going home.  PTL that I was in the store and not on the road when the storm hit!   Thank you all for your prayers for me.  I can see how God is answering them every day!  Without your back up in prayer and support, I could not be here.  You all all such blessings to me!  God bless you all real good.  More to come next week after our team meeting in Puebla.

outside the supermarket, the sky very dark

hail on the parking lot

hail on the streets

Hi Loved Ones,

I am excited to tell you about exciting things happening in Pachuca.  2 Sundays ago we had 8 baptisms–PTL, including one young man I have been praying for.  His name is David, but they call him Tigre (Tiger).  Also part of the family of Sirena, the woman who died of cancer that I told you about (I am sure she was rejoicing with the angels) and the son of Adriana, one of our CHE team.  It was a very special day.  Of course we had a wonderful potluck afterward.  Please pray for these new brothers and sisters, that they will grow in Christ and be used for His glory to share His love with their families and neighbors.

David (Tigre)

Sirena's mother

Sirena's husband

Sirena's oldest son Carlos

Adriana's son, Erick

Wed, Dec. 7, Pam deLeon and I had a meeting with our CHE team to encourage them in the projects they have to complete before we have more training.  They are going to do surveys, make a comprehensive map of LaRaza, do a school screening, and have a youth concert.  They are going to be busy doing and learning.  They are still very excited about what God is going to do through them.  Please pray for Adriana, Norma, Vicenta, and Lola, that God will give them boldness and wisdom as they continue in His ministry.

Thursday, Dec 8, I received a call from my cousin in Atlanta that my aunt went to be with the Lord.  Her name was Wilma Anderson and she was very special to me and also to everyone who knew her.  She and her husband, Itys, did not have children, so I became like her’s, and she spoiled me rotten.  She also showered all my cousins with her love.  She contributed to my ministry in Africa and also here in Mexico and prayed for me every day.  She had become ill a couple of weeks before and was in the hospital, but doing well and ready to go home–actually waiting for the wheel chair to discharge her –when she had a massive stroke.  After that she developed a bad lung infection and, in God’s mercy, was taken to her heavenly home.  I left the next day for Springfield, MO, where she was to be buried next to Itys.  The funeral was Tuesday (her body had to be flown from Atlanta).  I stayed with my sister, Christie, who lives in Springfield.  It was good to be able to see her, her husband Keith, her son Josh and his new fiancee, Nancy.  The funeral was a wonderful tribute to my aunt and how God worked in her life.  My daughter and son came to the funeral from St. Louis, so I came back to St. Louis with them to spend Christmas with 2 of my grandkids, family and friends.  I am so thankful to be with them now.  I plan to return to Mexico Dec. 29.  I will post pictures of our Christmas.    Please pray for my aunt Imogene, who has been living with my aunt Wilma (her sister) for the past 19 years.  Her life will definitely be changing.  She is 86 (Aunt Wilma was 93)  She is going to live with Susan, her daughter.

I am praying for you all that you will be blessed as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

I was privileged to be able to visit the boarding high school of CMF partner Missions of Hope.  Janice Lemke and I traveled 2 hours on horrible roads to the rural area.  We had to wait to go there all morning because it had rained and the roads were impassible.  I was very impressed with the school.  They were building more permanent buildings, but were already teaching the students (most from Methare) in temporary tin buildings.  Janice went there to teach a class in creative writing.  Janice is an amazing writer.  These are the photos I took:

rural landscape (east of Nairobi)

totally dirt roads for an hour after leaving the highway

new buildings under construction

teachers' residence

preparing dinner

Janice teaching over 100 students

football (soccer) field

class rooms

Auditorium where Janice was teaching

new dormitory being used now

faces of next generation

teachers of students in Janice's class

We thought we were going to be able to see the vegetable garden they were using to help feed the students, but rain was coming and John, or driver, said if it rained we would have to stay because the roads would not be passable.  Please pray for Missions of Hope, the teachers, and the students.  These students are so important for the future of Methare.  Pray that God will use them to share Christ with their families and neighbors.

I left Kenya on Friday.  The Lemkes and I shared the flight to Paris.  I left the Mennonite Guest House at 1:45 p.m. and met the Lemkes at Missions of Hope.  We left Missions of Hope at 2:30 and went to a Mall fairly close to the airport to kill time because the traffic on the road close to the airport is so bad on Friday evening.  We ate at the Mall and then headed for the airport.  It took us 1 1/2 hours to get there because of some traffic problem.  John said it was very unusual for it to be that bad on that road.  We arrived at the airport at 7:30.  When we checked in we were told that our flight was delayed until 3 a.m. because Paris was too foggy.   John had already left, so we had to stay in the airport until then.  One thing I learned–Nairobi Airport is very uncomfortable!  We did leave at 3 and arrived in time for my flight to Mexico City (which was delayed an hour), but Cory and Janice missed their flight to Seattle.  At first they thought they would have to stay until Monday (it is now Saturday), but PTL they were able to get a flight to New York and then on to Seattle.  I was so thankful that God arranged companions for that difficult part of my trip.  It was great to get to know Janice and Cory better.  They are very special people.  Please pray for their ministry in Coaching Ministries International (CMI) where they coach missionaries and national church planters around the world. They also represent CMF in US churches on the West Coast.  They were missionaries in the Ukraine for a number of years.

I arrived home in Pachuca about 11 p.m. Nov 19, safe and sound but, boy was I tired!  I am enjoying being in my own bed and have finally recovered from jet lag.  I was still jetlagging on Thanksgiving, which I was blessed to spend with the deLeons and the Carpenters, who had just arrived from their week in the UK.  Good food and good fellowship (even though 3 of us were jetlagging).  I went back home that evening.  I hope you all had a wonderful Dia de Gracias (Day of Thanking).  I was thanking God for you and for your partnership in our ministry in Mexico.  You are such a blessing!

 

Kay Carpenter and Pam deLeon

Steve Carpenter and Vic deLeon

eating the wonderful meal

Steve and Kay

Pam's mom who was visiting

preparing the meal (my stuffed mushrooms on the table there)