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.

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)