Mission Dispatch Features the Silbermans

Mission Dispatch is a ministry set up to help missionaries and ministries by providing a support hub for them, prayer, and for us...mentorship (Thank you Ted and Linda and the rest of the Mission Dispatch Team!)

 

They have recently been featuring our ministry on their facebook page. I know many of you are not on facebook and would probably appreciate what they have been posting. They have done a great job! Here are their most recent posts:

 

Post #1

Some ministries are measured only by what is built; others are measured by the people whose lives have been changed and equipped to keep building God's Kingdom — Meet Steve and Efigenia Silberman of La Cofradía United Ministries.

 

Since 1996, Steve and Efigenia have faithfully served in Nayarit, Mexico, investing in people, churches, and communities with a vision that extends far beyond themselves.

 

As directors of La Cofradía United Ministries, their passion is to raise up Christian leaders who are confident in their faith and equipped to disciple others. Their desire is not simply to grow a ministry, but to see generations of leaders carrying the gospel into their own communities.

 

Mission Dispatch is grateful to partner with Steve, Efigenia, and their daughters as they faithfully serve the people of Mexico.

 

Please join us in praying for the Silbermans and all the lives they invest in on a regular basis!

 

 

 

 

Post #2

Since 1996, La Cofradía United Ministries has been investing in the people of Nayarit, Mexico, with one clear vision: to raise up Christian leaders who are confident in Christ and equipped to raise up others.

 

That vision takes many forms.

 

It looks like pastors being encouraged and mentored. It looks like churches being planted and strengthened. It looks like leadership training, Bible studies, and Freedom in Christ conferences. It looks like children receiving meals, families finding restoration, men overcoming addiction, homes being built, and mission teams serving alongside local believers.

 

Every ministry they are involved in exists to help people discover the truth of Jesus Christ and become faithful disciples who will impact their own communities for generations to come.

 

Would you consider partnering financially with Steve and Efigenia through Mission Dispatch?

 

Your prayers and support help strengthen churches, equip leaders, serve families, and extend the hope of the gospel throughout western Mexico.

 

 

Post #3 

PRAY FOR NAYARIT, MEXICO

 

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Nayarit is home to beautiful mountains, fertile valleys, coastal fishing communities, and growing cities. It is also home to people from many backgrounds and cultures, including several indigenous communities with rich histories and traditions.

 

While many churches faithfully serve throughout the region, there are still communities that need strong biblical discipleship, trained Christian leaders, and opportunities to hear the hope of the gospel.

 

This week, join us in praying for Nayarit:

     Pray for pastors and church leaders to faithfully teach God's Word and disciple the next generation.

     Pray for local churches to grow in unity, spiritual maturity, and love for their communities.

     Pray for families to experience healing, hope, and the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

     Pray for missionaries, including Steve and Efigenia Silberman of Cofradía United Ministries, as they equip leaders who will continue multiplying disciples throughout Mexico.

 

God often changes a nation by strengthening local churches and raising up faithful leaders who will invest in others.

 

How can we pray for your community this week? Comment below.

 

Post #4

Did you know?

 

Nayarit is home to the Wixárika (Huichol) people, one of Mexico's best-preserved indigenous cultures.

 

The Wixárika are known around the world for their breathtaking yarn art and intricate beadwork. Many of their designs tell stories through colorful symbols inspired by nature, family, and their spiritual traditions.

 

For generations, art has been a way of preserving their history, identity, and beliefs.

 

The Bible also tells God's story. Not through yarn or beads, but through His Word.

 

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals God's love, His plan of redemption, and His invitation for every people and every nation to know Him.

 

As missionaries serve throughout Nayarit, they seek to honor the people and culture while faithfully sharing the greatest story ever told: the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!" ~ Psalm 96:3

 

What is one way you've seen God use culture to open doors for the gospel?

 

 

 

To make a contribution to the Silbermans, 

 

 

2025 Ministry Updates

If you have missed any of our updates, please click on the different months below to access them.

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Thank you so much for your partnership with us as we Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico TOGETHER!

If you have not had the opportunity to join us, please pray about getting involved by:

• Giving to Cofradia Ministries
• Giving to the Silberman's Personal Budget
• Short or long-term missions trips (contact us for details)
• Prayer

Thank you so much!

From Washington to Cofradía...

We have made it back to sunny, hot, and humid Cofradía! It was a definite warm welcome (pun inteded, LOL).

So many things have happened since we left Washington on September 4. We made our way down through California stuffed in our rental car to visit family and friends. We spoke at Templo Calvario in Bakersfield which is always a blessing to see the brothers and sisters there. They are truly a blessing to our family!

We continued on to visit one of our long time friends Francisco Jimenez and his wife, Teresa, in Camarillo. I met Francisco on one of my first trips to Mexico as a youth when he interpreted for our short-term missions team. He was also the interpreter at our wedding!

From there we headed to Geña's sister's house in Perris, California, where we stayed the next few days. Rebecka and Emma joined us there to be at their cousin's wedding on Saturday. It was nice to see them one last time before flying out as well as getting to see some more family.

At the last minute, Geña's sister's pastor called me up and asked if I'd like to speak at church. I gladly accepted and started to put some things together.

The next day we flew in to Puerto Vallarta where Pastor Jimmy, one of our Cofradia United Pastors was waiting for us. It was Mexico's Independence Day so they were having a party at church that night. Minutes before we left the house for the party, he asked if I'd like to speak. I gladly accepted and arranged a quick "Independence Day" message for the occasion. We spent the next day visiting with them.

We arrived in Cofradia on September 17 to a heavy humidity that at times was almost unbearable...especially after being in the states for three months. It rained that first afternoon which was nice because it lowered the humidity and we were able to fill our water cistern which had gone dry. 

We got here in time for EL RETO Week #4 which traditionally is the RETO AUCTION. During the auction, teams bid on an unknown item in a tote box with points they've accumulated throughout the event. So fun! At the end, for the first time in a long time, there was a bidding war where they were going back and forth very fast. I little challenging for this auctioneer! The energy was so strong and exciting. The auction doesn't have much spiritual application to it (however, if I meditated on it long enough I know I could find one!), but the kids love it and they get prizes...or sometimes negative results.

That night, Pastor Amado asked if I'd speak the next evening at his church. I gladly accepted and we had a great time of fellowship with them afterwards. Pastor Goyo almost got me to speak Sunday morning, but I wanted to have a little more time than a couple minutes to prepare for Cofradía. I love speaking in Cofradía.

We have settled in now and Mackenzie is all set up for her online Jr. High classes through Western Christian Academy. (I HIGHLY recommend this school if you're looking for a home-school-type alternative for your children!! Contact us if you'd like to know more information.)

It was a blessing to see everyone we were able to see. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, we REALLY appreciate it. If you would like to donate specifically to our family, here is a link that explains how to do that. Thanks again!!

Enjoy the video of our journey!

Shalom Chalet Air B&B

Shalom Chalet is cute little cottage owned by some Pastor friends of ours in Sequim, Washington, and rent it as an Air B&B. As a gift, they generously offered us a couple of nights there while we were in Washington this summer. It is advertised with "Relax Revitalize Renew" and that is exactly what you get! It was a very peaceful and relaxing stay for Geña and I. We spent a lot of time reading together, we went to Dungeness Park for the day and hiked down to the beach, and enjoyed the view of the bay from the dinning room window as we watched the sea lions bobbing in the water. It is definitely a fine place to consider for those who like to travel and stay at Air B&B's...or to try one out if you haven't before.

What a blessing! What a view! What a relaxing time!

Check out their page here, you won't be disappointed!

September 2024 Ministry Update

 

This month's update features...

• Dropping off Emma @ School
• Locals-led VBS in Cofradía
• EL RETO IS BACK!
• Upcoming Pastors' Retreat
• Mission and Vision
• Ministry Opportunities for you
• Links to more
• September's Agenda
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to the September 2024 Ministry Update...

Thank you so much for your partnership. We continue to remember you in our prayers.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

June 2024 Ministry Update

This month's update features...

• A quick follow-up trip to Mexico this month
• A Mission in the Mountains
• Mission and Vision
• Ministry Opportunities for you
• Links to more
• July's Agenda
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to the June 2024 Ministry Update...

Thank you so much for your partnership. We continue to remember you in our prayers.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

 

Rebecka Has Graduated!

Class of 2024 Northwest University. Rebecka graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. Her immediate plans are to work in fields where she can get experience and start her Master's in December. 

CONGRADULATIONS REBECKA!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

This year we had some family and friends over for a small gathering over Geña's deliciously cooked Turkey, fireworks, and games after a quick thought from the Word out of Philippians 2:5-8:

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Christmas is so much more deeper than a baby in a manger, the celebration of our King's birth. It's God, coming in human flesh, so that he could die on the cross for the payment of our sins and give us salvation and ultimately being raised from the dead taking victory over death and the grave in order to destroy the works of  the devil in our lives. This is a great reason to celebrate!

Blessings to you all and have a wonderful NEW YEAR!

Gary Gene Silberman Memorial Service

Dad passed away August 4, 2022, at the age of 77.

August Ministry Update

This month's update features...

• News about my dad
• Pictures with captions
• Cofradía Kitchen Kids
  
• Links to more
• August's Agenda
• Ministry Opportunities for you
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to the August 2022 Ministry Update...

Thank you so much for your partnership. We continue to remember you in our prayers.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

My Dad

It will be much easier for us to communicate with all of you here. I will try to update each day Dad's condition and specific prayer requests at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your prayers.

__________________________________________________________

Monday night, July 18, dad was experiencing loss of breath and pain. He could not speak or catch his breath. The ambulance came, put a breathing tube down his throat through his mouth, and took him to Emergency where they transferred him to ICU in Silverdale. The diagnosis was Congestive Heart Failure and Fluid in the Lungs. From there the plan was to insert stents to relieve some blockage in the arteries. Similar to a semi-simple procedure he had done in March. However, this time he was too critical. 

I was hesitant on coming up because my family already had plans and paid tickets for traveling to Washington for two weeks, August 14 - August 28. Due to his critical state, I decided to fly up to be with mom and help her with what she needs. All this time, dad was unable to communicate because of the breathing tube, however, he was able to write to her, "I was close to 'home', but will not go yet, I love you."

Sunday, July 24, they graciously allowed me to accompany mom to see dad. He was responsive and still has a sense of humor as he laughed at a couple of my comments. After almost a week of watching him very closely at the ICU in Silverdale because of feverish conditions, they decided he needed open heart surgery and would be transferred to Swedish Hospital in Seattle, but would have to wait until Wednesday because no beds were available. That night, we received a call they were transferring him to the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment at their ICU since they had availability.

We waited until Tuesday to see him so they would be able to do all the tests they needed. When we arrived, we found out he was struggling even more. By Tuesday afternoon, they were able to locate a severe infection in his abdominal area. We were told they needed to do emergency surgery and that it had a very high mortality rate. We asked if we could wait until my sister who was out of town could arrive. The experienced surgeon said yes, the other doctors told us he might not make it through the night. 

He made it through the night, and his condition improved. By Friday, they had said he improved so much that there was no need for abdominal surgery, nor open heart! His fever was gone and he was stable, but still very critical.

Sunday they placed two stents in his arteries and he did very well. When we saw him on Monday, he was not very alert due to the medicine so we stayed only a couple hours. Before we left, they informed us of their plans to wean him from a balloon pump in his heart (which was placed there in Silverdale), in order to finally take out the breathing tube (it's been two weeks!). He is breathing on his own, but they are unable to take the tube out with the balloon still there.

Today, Tuesday August 2, the plan is to take the balloon pump out in the morning and perform a tracheotomy in the late afternoon in order to remove the tube from his mouth. Apparently, this is easier and safer to recover from than having the tube in his mouth.

Because of some of his responses and facial expressions regarding "end of life" talk, we believe Dad is not finished. This may change, but it's what we know now.

Verses that we are believing:

Isaiah 54:17

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." 

Psalm 118:17

"I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD."

Isaiah 53:5

"...and with his stripes we are healed."

Current general prayer requests:

• A complete miraculous healing would be preferred so he doesn't have to go through prolonged rehabilitation.
• His heart to be strengthened and be able to function well without the balloon.
• His lungs to discharge fluids and be strengthened.
• His blood counts to be normalized.
• Ability for him to be able to communicate with us.
• Quick recovery from all of this.
• Strength for us as we travel to Seattle each day.
• Strength and wisdom for my mom.

Today's (8/2) specific requests:

• Healthy response from the heart as they take out the balloon.
• Controlled blood flow during the tentatively scheduled tracheotomy late afternoon.
• Healing in his mouth from the affects of having the tube.

Thank you for your prayers.

UPDATE (8/3):

Thank you so much for all of you who are praying. Thank you for the comments below, we appreciate you. 

Dad did well after having the balloon pump taken out yesterday morning. His heart has improved. However, after four hours, his blood pressure dropped and doctors do not know the reason yet. The tracheotomy will wait. They say he has a number of things going on and the problem in his abdomen apparently didn't go away. The nurse who came in just before we left says she doesn't think he'll make it out of ICU. This was certainly a surprise to us as many have been expressing hope and improvement in him. It was a really hard evening. 

Today's (8/3) prayer requests:

• Complete healing.
• A clear mind, peace, and wisdom for all of us--my mom, my sister and her family, and myself and my family.
• For all the different doctors attending him and communicating with us to have wisdom and come to agreement.

UPDATE (8/3)-PM:

According to his Living Will, he is at the point of transitioning him into "comfort care". Eternity is just around the corner for dad. Thank you for your prayers. As many of you know who have gone through this, it is difficult.

UPDATE (8/4):

Dad passed at 6pm August 4.

JULY 2022 MINISTRY UPDATE

 This month's update features...

• A busy month!
• Pictures with captions
• Cofradía Kitchen Kids
  
• Restoration House news
• Links to more
• July's Agenda
• Ministry Opportunities for you
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to the July 2022 Ministry Update...

Thank you so much for your partnership. We continue to remember you in our prayers.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER