Summer Speed Soccer Tournament 2009

Opportunities! Opportunities abound in events like this within Alternative Missions Cofradía’s Student Ministry. This summer, the opportunities came with Intern Chuy Hernández organizing the tournament.

Chuy getting ready to hand out the trophies.

This was the first event the he put together after coming back from a Bible School in Oaxaca. He did a great job choosing team captains and giving opportunities for a couple of guys to experience leadership who haven’t yet. One of those, Carlos, does not come to church very often but in the past year has been coming around more and more. It’s notable in his face and eyes that when the Word of God is being shared, he is more than interested. Our prayer is that Carlos just doesn’t stay on shore getting his feet wet, but that he jumps into the River of Life fully committed to the Lord. He’s a great kid.

Carlos flying through the defense.

Another new captain this summer was Royer. He has been part of the youth group for a few years now and just last summer was touched by the Lord at camp. Chuy has been mentoring him as they read the Bible and hang out together. Royer did a great job helping lead his team to the Championship game!

Royer getting ready to score.

Gregorio has been part of the youth group for a number of years and has been a part of almost every event we’ve had. He has been a leader in the past in other events, but this was his first time as a Soccer captain. He did a great job.

Gregorio can handle the ball well.

The returning captains were two Student Leaders; Martin and Julio. Martin has stood out as a strong leader for many years in our youth group and has made a great impact in the lives of the youth in his home town Arrayanes. One of the reasons that the student ministry has grown is a result of his labor.

Martin getting ready to block a shot.

Finally, Julio has also been part of the youth group for a very long time and also stands out as a strong leader. He has been a great team leader in the past and this year, he, like Royer, led his team to the Championship game. In the end, Julio’s team won as they not only dominated the Championship game, but the whole tournament.

Julio has a strong foot!

The Champions "Deportivo Cerro".

It’s interesting to see the fruit that comes from events like this. You never know what will happen in the days or weeks to come. Students make relationships with newer students and those relationship lead to opportunities to share Christ’s love whether it’s through hanging out as a friend, listening to a message, praying for one another, or simply the way a student lives their life.

It is a blessing to be part of this ministry. Please consider how you may participate as well to become part of a winning team for Jesus.

Click here to see how to donate to “Cofradía Student Ministry”.

Travel Itinerary to Washington

We will be leaving for Washington on Tuesday, July 28 from Cofradia. Here is an itinerary of our trip. There may be some changes along the way, but this is to give you an idea of where we'll be. If you see that we're in/near your area, let us know so we can have a cup of coffee or something. Once we get to Arizona, we'll have a cell phone with us for easier communication.

July 28-La Cruz de Elota, Sinaloa (Youth Camp)
July 29, 30-Tucson, Arizona (Micher's)
July 31-August 3-Perris, California (Gena's sister's-Julia)
August 4,5-Oxnard, California (Jimenez's)
August 6-Tracy, California (Gena's brother's-Luis)
August 7-9-Lincoln, California (Gena's sister's-Esperanza)
August 10-Gaston, Oregon (Meeuwsen's)
August 11-October-Bremerton, Washington (Silberman's)

We look forward to hearing from you.

Student Leadership Retreat Report

OPERATION EDIFICATION

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds” was the verse from Hebrews that rang in the ears of 10 student leaders and five youth staff for three days. It suggests teamwork, edification, and a goal.

We spent the first day mostly getting to know each other more and developing a “team” atmosphere. Our first study was in the evening as we focused on what we build upon our foundation who is Christ. As a leader, it’s very important to not live a self-centered life infected with pride. The day ended with a very special time of prayer and adoration to God.

The next day was spent mostly in the classroom with three more Bible studies: Authentic Worship, Unity, and Being Freed to Lead. As an application to Unity we watched “Remembering the Titans”--in our leadership team this year, we are representing a rivalry between two towns and as we learn to accept and love one another, we should have some serious growth in not only our leaders, but the youth group as well. A highlight of the day for many was a hike up to the highest functioning lighthouse in the world as we experienced first hand overcoming a tough task--we did this in the hot sun in the middle of the day!

The final day we wrapped things up as everyone had the opportunity to share about each team member from a worksheet given out on the first day called, “My Team.” Each member was to write some positive affirmations about each person on the team. Many times we have an automatic pilot that focusses on the negative characteristics of others if they’re not “our favorite person in the world.” By affirming others, we are forced to see the gifts God has given them. It was a great way of “edifying” one another.

To keep the tradition of the Student Leadership Retreat, we went to a big water park in Mazatlán for some much needed free time after sitting and absorbing for two and a half days!

This was the third year in a row that we chose some older students whose leadership and commitment to God stand out amongst the others. We are excited about the year to come as it will bring freshness to the youth ministry. This year Chuy Hernández joins our youth staff as an intern. He is taking some giant steps of responsibility after spending 10 months in Oaxaca at a Bible School.

Chuy Hernández

Returning as Student Leaders are...

Martín

Sandy

Mily

Joining us either again or for the first time are...

Ricardo

Cheche

Julio

Rubén

Verónica

Abraham

and Chuy Corrales.

Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for us during this time and those who gave donations to make this possible. This is the most important time in the Student Ministry of Cofradía. THANK YOU!

Click here to see how to donate towards this ministry.

June Update

Greetings everyone!  Wow, the weather sure warmed up here.  We pray that all are doing well wherever you may be this month!  Here is a quick report about June and some things to pray for in July.  Thank you for including these items in your time with the Lord.

Last month, we asked you to pray for…

• Short-term Missions...Canyon Hills Church from Washington did a great job while they were here working on the new Church building and ministering in different towns in the evenings.  We were able to go to a couple of towns that we don’t normally go to; Minitas and San Vicente.  God has opened doors for more ministry opportunities.  Would you like to come down and serve?
• Men’s Conference...four men went to the three-day conference in Mazatlán.  The reports are that it was phenomenal!  Thank you for praying and especially for my brother-in-law Hugo who attended; he had a great time!
• Student Ministry...we are planning for our three-day retreat with our leaders.  Please pray for the Lord’s direction as we lead people to lead people.  For me, this is the most exciting part about this ministry.  We received the funds needed for the retreat and we look forward to reporting about it next month.

Vacationing in Mexico? We would love to see you as Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are all 3 to 4 hours from here.  If you are coming to any of those locations, let us know!!  We would love to have you come and visit us in Cofradía and experience the “Real Mexico”!!

Links to something extra...
Tuesday mornings' “Coffee Time 0530”: <http://cafe0530.blogspot.com/>
Facebook; if you’re on Facebook, I’d love to get in touch with you!: <http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651334882&ref=name>

This month, would you please pray for...

• Short-term Missions...Christ Memorial Church from Poulsbo, Washington is here right now.  We had over 40 students arrive for a three-day volleyball tournament and they will continue to minister to children this week.  Please pray that there would be fruitful results of their ministry (July 2-11)
• Student Leadership Retreat Please, please pray for a special anointing over this time.  We have 11 student leaders this year and there will be four of us sharing the speaking times.  Pray for open and ready hearts in the students and guidance for the staff (July 13-15).
• Speed Soccer Tournament We’ll have our annual Speed Soccer Summer Tournament July 21-24.  This is a great way for reaching out to students and allowing our leaders to put their leadership into action.
• Youth Summer Camp Pray for students to be transformed during this time (July 28-Aug 1).
• Visit to Washington We will be arriving in Poulsbo Washington around the 10th of August.  Please pray for safe travel, relaxing family time, and opportunities to share Christ’s love.  We will also be available for giving reports in churches, small groups, Sunday Schools, special meetings, or over dinner.  Click here to see our itinerary: http://thesilbermans.blogspot.com/2009/07/stateside-itinerary.html

Thank you very much for your prayers and continued support.  
See how to partner with us and donate here: <http://thesilbermans.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-donate.html>  .

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka and Emma Rose Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

Stateside Itinerary

We will be heading to Washington soon for three months and we would love to give reports in churches, home groups, youth groups, Sunday Schools, special meetings or over dinner.  Please contact us if you would like us to come share. 

Our itineration will look similar to this...

Arizona (last week of July)

California (first week of August)

Oregon (early second week of August)

Washington (mid August to late October)

We are also hoping to make a trip to Idaho and Montana during our stay.

Oregon/California/Arizona (last week of October/first week of Nov.)

Contact us by email or Facebook:  steve@alternativemissions.com

Sunday Service

We had a great service yesterday morning in Church. Christ Memorial Church from Poulsbo, Washington has sent a team of eight here to work along side us in the ministry this week. I am especially excited about this because this is my home church! They are a great group of students and young adults and I have really enjoyed the four days theyʼve been here so far.

Saturday, I received an email from a good friend and member of the congregation back home about a dream they had of the team praying for us and that God was doing some great things. In turn, one of the team members who has been diagnosed with Leukemia was prayed for by us and was healed. That was the dream.

So, in church we allowed God the opportunity to work in this way. At the end of the service durning our normal prayer time, I mentioned to the Americans what the first part of the dream was about and encouraged them to pray for the people. When I interpreted what I said into spanish, I asked for anyone who was sick or had a family member who does not know Jesus and it seems an impossibility for them to accept Him, to raise their hands and the Americans would go around and pray for them. We continued to sing “Mighty to Save” (in Spanish), and as we proclaimed what the chorus says, “Savior, he can move the mountains.” Just about everyone raised their hands asking for prayer! It was amazing to see God using the team in this way.


When the team had finished praying for everyone, I continued to explain what the rest of the dream had included...us praying for their team member. I asked the young lady come forward and about 80% of the people in the church came forward to hands on/towards her as we asked God for healing in her body.

It was definitely an amazing time! The Holy Spirit in his own gentle way directed us as we prayed for one another and as I looked out I saw a number of people weeping and being touched by God. Maybe we wonʼt see any immediate physical obvious signs that God has healed someone, but I do know that He touched many lives yesterday. I believe thatʼs what he likes to do. Just as the leper in Mark chapter one asked Jesus to touch him and He did, so it was today. We asked God to touch us, and He did!

JUNE NEWSLETTER

Click here to see our June Newsletter.  You will have to click on "free user" and then "download."  It is safe!

Answers to Jehova's Witness Friends

"Respuestas a Nuestros Amigos Testigos de Jehová" by Thomas F. Heinze

The english title would be..."Answers to Our Jehova's Witness Friends."  This was a very good book!  I haven't found it in English, but I imagine that it is.  Each of the twelve chapters bring light to doctrinal issues that do not coincide with what the Bible says.  Many things in the religion are taken out of context to share a "truth" that really isn't Truth.

My heart breaks for the people who are being deceived in this religion and my prayer is that their hearts and eyes will be opened to the Truth.

This is a great informative book to help those who have limited knowledge of what the Jehova's Witnesses believe.  I recommend it to anyone who knows Jehova's Witness believers; has them coming to their doorstep...invite them in, share this book with them; and I also recommend it to Jehova's Witnesses.

There is also a "sister" book to this one about the Mormon religion by the same author at amazon.com.

Student Leadership Retreat

We are gearing up for our third annual Student Leadership Retreat.  This is where our Student Leadership Team find their identity as a team and is the most exciting part of this ministry for me.  I do not ask the students to be part of paying for the expenses of the trip so I am asking you who believe in what we're doing to make a $50 to $100 donation towards this Retreat.  We will need $1000 US dollars total.  Click here to see more, you will need to click on "free user" and then "download" to see the file.

THE ROOF IS COMPLETE!

Dave Elias has just finished his report on the new church's roof.  Thank you to all who have helped!  You can download the pdf file here by clicking on "free user" and then "download."

MAY UPDATE

Greetings everyone!  Again we want to say THANK YOU for your prayers!  Please do not stop praying.

Last month, we asked you to pray for…

• Mother’s Day...just because we love them! We served a breakfast for the Mothers in the congregation that 37 women came to and they drank 80 (EIGHTY)-yes, EIGHT ZERO...cups of coffee!  We’re going to need a Starbucks in Cofradía soon!!  The report was that they all enjoyed themselves and the women’s ministry is doing really well!!
• A trip to La Cruz, Sinaloa...to visit Pastor Héctor Robles and speak to the congregation.  We had safe travels and a great time.  I preached on Saturday night in San Ignacio (a sister church of La Cruz), Dave preached Sunday morning in La Cruz, and Pastor Gollo preached there on Sunday night.  We really enjoyed ourselves and thank God for the relationship we have with our brothers there.  Some of you may remember that I spent a year in La Cruz with Hector to help him get started in that Church.  It is very fulfilling to see that the vision we had for the church has been being realized more and more.  Ten years ago when I was there, we had our sights on a big abandoned movie theatre for the future sight of the church which was then only about 20 people.  The Sunday we visited, Hector and some of his leaders met with the owner of the building who wants to sell it!  They need around $170,000 usdollars to buy it.  I was brought to tears as we walked into the place and almost couldn’t believe it was true that our vision was that close.  We called it “20/20 VISION”.  For Healthiness and the place where we wanted to see the church in 2020.  We’re half way there and the only thing they need is to buy the place and renovate it, and move in.  WOW!!  God is good!
• Church roof construction...Dave Elias is amazing!  He has done a great job finishing up the Church Roof Project.  They completed in about one-half the time expected.  I uploaded a couple of pictures and a short 12 second video here.
• A Worship Leader...I am still praying for someone responsible and dependable to work along side me in the area of Worship.
• Student Ministry...we are really excited for the next round of leaders we get to train up in our Awesome Student Ministry.  We have invited 11 students and all of them have accepted the invitation to join us on our Student Leadership Retreat.  It will be a three day retreat on July 13, 14, and 15.  Thank you for your continued prayers for this ministry!
  

Other things that have happened this past month were

• Lots of home school!  We have been working hard doing two classes a day to finish before the short-term mission teams show up.  Rebecka is doing very well!
  

Vacationing in Mexico? We would love to see you as Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are all 3 to 4 hours from here.  If you are coming to any of those locations, let us know!!  We would love to have you come and visit us in Cofradía and experience the “Real Mexico”!!

Links to something extra...
Tuesday mornings' “Coffee Time 0530”.
Facebook; if you’re on Facebook, I’d love to get in touch with you!

This month, would you please pray for...

• Short-term Missions...Canyon Hills Church from Washington will be joining us in ministry for 10 days doing general evangelism as well as working on the new church building. (June 20-29)
• Men’s Conference...some men of our congregation will be going to a weekend Men’s Conference...the first time they’ve done something like this.  Pray for open hearts and a willingness to hear God’s voice. (June 26-28)
• Student Ministry...we are planning for our three-day retreat with our leaders.  Please pray for the Lord’s direction as we lead people to lead people.  For me, this is the most exciting part about this ministry.  We need $1000 usdollars for this retreat.  Thank you for helping us.  Will you commit to a donation of $50 to $100 dollars?  Please let me know and I will give you information on how to make specific donations for the retreat. (July 13-15).
  

Thank you very much for your prayers and continued support.  
See how to partner with us and donate here.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka and Emma Rose Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico

Alternative Missions Cofradía

Coffee Time 0530 (2)

We continue to meet on Tuesday mornings in my office.  Lately, the guys have been showing up later and later.  We start at six, and I had told them that if they wanted coffee to come at 5:30.  One stumbled in at 6:30 with swollen eyes as if he had just woken up and walked in the door.  It was kinda funny.  The point is, they are still coming to be fed from the Word and they are continuing to enjoy what the Lord is showing us from the book of Mark.  So, I'm excited that they aren't coming "for the coffee" as the reason to come.  They're coming "for the food."

We are just about finished with Mark 3, but I am one study short of finishing chapter two on the blogsite.  The two reasons for doing this are:

1. In order that their hunger for God and reading His Word would grow.
2. In order that they would have an anxiousness to share about God and His Word to others.

I'm seeing this happen.  Their hunger has grown and one of them has been teaching another student in the youth group what he's been learning during this time.  We've got a little ways to go still, but I'm having fun...and the coffee is good too!

Here's a link to the blog.

Homeschool Whirlwind

We are in the middle of our Homeschool Whirlwind.  It's been four weeks since we began to do 2 lessons a day in order to finish by the time teams start to show up.  It has been pretty crazy and sometimes testing to keep sane.  Rebecka has been doing an awesome job and her reading skills have improved quite a bit.  We have three more weeks (including this one) of 10 "school days" per week to do.  Then, the final week will be regular in order to finish on June 19; the day before our first team.  We'd appreciate your prayers.

Church Roof Progress

The main part of the roof is up.  Just a few more details and it will be done!

Church Roof

Amazing...in four days, this is what they've been able to do!

What In The World Is Going On?

"What In The World Is Going On?" by David Jeremiah

This is a pretty interesting book.  I'm kind of weird when it comes to people's interpretation of the Bible about eschatological events.  Part of me gets real excited and says, "Oh, wow, yeah, that makes sense" or sometimes it's just the mysterious curiosity of "what's going to happen" in the end of all time.  The other part of me is pretty cautious.

I liked the book, but I didn't quite understand some of the conclusions as I read the Bible along side what he was saying.  Most everything he says is in the Bible, but I'm still left with a couple of questions about his "timeline" of the eschatological events.  It makes sense, but it wasn't thorough...maybe that was intended??

He starts the book explaining what's going on in the world at large with crude oil, where most of it is coming from, how the financing is changing, and who's most dependent on it.  As it appears that this is a major factor in the events that are leading up to the Second Coming of Christ.  

It's interesting, it's confusing, it's important.  He writes, "Scholars count 1,845 biblical references to the Second Coming...The Lord Himself referred to His return 21 times.  The Second Coming is second only to faith as the most dominant subject in the New Testament."

First Tooth

Rebecka lost her first tooth today!

Mark Chapter One

I've just finished updating our "Coffee Time 0530" meetings of Mark Chapter One.  We've had a great time meeting on Tuesday mornings.  Last weed we finally finished Chapter Two, so I'll be updating that as well in the near future.

Oaxaca RETO Video

In our recent youth missions trip to Oaxaca, our outreach in the evenings consisted of a CHALLENGE event that we have here every year.  You can see the video on You Tube here.

Thanks Jeffrey!

Discerning the Truth

I receive a devotional by Neil Anderson each day via email.  They are very good.  I thought today's was especially good since there is so much confusion with so many different religions in the world today.  Some may think they're following the true gospel when in fact, it's something that has part of the truth, but not the whole truth.  That is Satanic; meaning that's what Satan did in the garden to deceive Eve.  He used the truth, but twisted it a little bit.  He is still doing that today.

Here is Neil Anderson's devotional today...

DISCERNING THE TRUTH 

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good 

If you accept prophetic utterances as valid for today, I would encourage you to test them in the following ways. 

First, is the person giving the prophetic utterance living a balanced and righteous lifestyle? You must carefully evaluate the person announcing, "Thus saith the Lord." Also, be on guard for the person who wants to bring a "new thing." If it is true, it's not new. If it is new, it's not true. 

Second, is the person committed to building God's kingdom or his own? Is Christ being lifted up or is he? 

Third, does the prophetic utterance establish confidence in the Word of God and is it consistent with a balanced presentation of it? Are people going to have a greater dependency on God's revelation or man's inspiration? Are prophetic utterances a substitute for the serious, personal study of God's Word? 

Fourth, does the use of the spiritual gift bring unity to the church and build up the body? Be careful in this test because those who hold to a form of godliness but deny its power are not in balance either. They will quench the Spirit through censorship and very little will be accomplished in the church. They can cause disunity as well. 

Last, do the spiritual manifestations bypass the mind? God operates through our mind; Satan bypasses it. If a person takes on a medium-like trance, be assured it is occultic. God renews our mind and brings back to our mind all that He has taught us. We are to think so as to have sound judgment. 

All of us receive input from a myriad of sources today. With Satan still using false prophets in his battle for your mind, determine to discern the truth God wants you to know to set you free and keep you free. 

Prayer: 

Lord, I want to be so in tune with your Word that I can discern error and darkness even when it appears as truth and light. 

APRIL UPDATE

Greetings everyone!  It’s May and the sun is out!!!  A big THANK YOU to all of you who have been following our ministry as you cover us in your prayers.  We really appreciate it!!

Last month, we asked you to pray for…

• Oaxaca Missions Trip We had a great time!  The traveling went really smooth; the Holy Spirit protected us; not only were the hearts of the youth open to the Gospel, but the adults and children as well; our Student Leaders did a phenominal job leading a Sunday Home group, a leadership workshop during the week and the evening outreach called, “EL RETO.”  This was our first missions trip as a youth ministry and we all came home with something to ponder on and help us grow spiritually.  Thank You for keeping us in your prayers!  I have put together a full report here.
  

Other things that have happened this past month were

• Emma’s third birthday
• a visit from Geña’s family from California
• all four of us getting sick at the same time (we’re better now)
• a Guy’s Campout led by one of our Student Leaders
• Since joining Facebook in March, I have enjoyed keeping in touch with many of you and reconnecting with many other friends.  If you’re on Facebook, click on my profile to the right and let me know.
  

The invitation will always be available for those of you who would like to come down with a team or just for a visit and experience the Real Mexico.

Links to something extra...
José Luís' Newsletter
Tuesday mornings' “Coffee Time 0530”

This month, would you please pray for...

• Mother’s Day...just because we love them!
• A trip to La Cruz, Sinaloa...to visit Pastor Héctor Robles and speak to the congregation.  Pray for safety in travel and the ability to connect with the people.
• Church roof construction...Dave Elias will be working all month on covering of the roof with a few guys helping him.  Please pray for safety as he will be really high up in the air on top of the scaffolding just underneath the cool 100 degree sun!  You can see a report here about the rafters being set in place back in January.
• A Worship Leader...I am praying for someone responsible and dependable to work along side me in the area of Worship.
• Student Ministry...our student ministry is completely awesome!  We have some great leaders and will be making a decision soon on whom to invite to join us for the next "round" (July '09-June '10).
  

Thank you very much for your prayers and continued support.  
See how to donate here

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka and Emma Rose Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico

Neil Anderson Quote

"What you do doesn't determine who you are; who you are determines what you do."

Lousy T-Shirt

"I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" by Vince Antonucci.

Pretty interesting book.  Each chapter talks about something different; a lot of ideas on our attitudes as Christians and our character.  He gives a simple perspective that many of us learn the hard way sometimes.  The title suggests a disappointed Christian.  Someone who was expecting something really cool, but didn't get what they were expecting.  It has to do with our perspective on life.  

He sums his book up on the last page this way,

"I believe the ideas in this book are at the core of Christianity and of life.  Being a Christian is about living life with Jesus--really abiding in him.  And it's about living the Jesus life--really abounding in him.  But even closer to the core are the facts that I am enough for God, and God is enough for me."

Vince is a very down-to-earth kinda guy and his ability to connect with non-Christians or people who don't like church is encouraging to me.

http://www.lousytshirtbook.com/

"Don't Give Up!"

Martin is one of our student leaders and for three years in a row has held a camp out in the "woods" for the guys. It's actually in a field they grow crops in, but the edges are full of brush, riverbed, and small trees that provide shade. This year he called his camp "Don't Give Up."

I just got back from visiting them and I was more than impressed with Martin's organization and well thought-out plan. He has been running them through a bunch of games, much like we do in EL RETO. They camp out in a tent made of tarps, they have two slabs of wood for their dining hall, and a small kitchen set apart from camp.

When we (Luis, Pedro, and myself) got there to visit them after driving back into the woods for about 10 minutes and then walking another ten, they were in the middle of a Bible Study that Martin's dad, Pastor Horacio, was sharing; "...you're either saved, or your lost...". Pretty point blank!

Martin showed me around and explained to me what he had been doing and what his plans were for the rest of the evening. Martin is GOLD! He was explaining some of the games, the food they were eating; "they eat a lot!" he said. A couple of guys went out to the riverbed where there's some still water and caught a couple of fish for tonight's dinner. I'm amazed at what they're doing. A lot of them are tired and it's a good thing the theme is "Don't Give Up."

There's a full night ahead with some debriefing time around a campfire, a night-game called, "No Fear", and pack up in the morning to leave.

I'm proud of Martin!

Here are some pics I took...

Here's the "Welcome to Camp 'Don't Give Up!'" sign (above)

Martin built this cart that he hooked up to his donkey in order to get all the supplies out there (below)

This is the tent of tarps that Martin built.

Opening the door...

Inside...

The kitchen (above)

The stove (below)

The dining hall...

The fish the guys caught last night (2)

Getting firewood for the bonfire (with marshmallows).

The Bible Study we walked in on...

The Gang...

Thanks for your prayers for Martin and the guys that the Lord would work in their hearts!

José Luís' Newsletter

José Luis is our missionary from Cofradía working with YWAM in Mazatlán, México.  He is involved in a skate ministry, Homes of Hope, helps with maintenance of base, as well as numerous other ministry opportunities that come up.  We are proud of José Luís as he has followed God's call on his life to a tough situation--especially financially.  I remember the day he accepted the Lord in one of our youth meetings here in Cofradía.  After a few years of being part of our youth group, worship band, and student leadership team, he went to Mazatlán to be a missionary.  If you would like to help him financially, send me an email or comment and I'll get you the information needed.   

YWAM Mazatlán--April

I hope that everyone is doing well.  I write to share with you a little of what I have been doing.  The whole month of March we were building houses with “Homes of Hope.”  We were very busy and it’s exciting to be a part of what God is doing in the outskirts of Mazatlán.  I’ve been working a lot in the maintenance of the Mazatlán YWAM base.

Also, April was very fun as we were working with some youth from some of the churches here in Mazatlán during Holy Week.  We had a Youth Camp for a whole week as we were divided into teams to do service tasks such as give out lemonade, free hugs, picking up garbage, and giving balloons to children.  More than anything, it was a very cool time as we were serving and sharing the gospel to people on the beach enjoying Holy Week.  Sometimes, people would ask us why we were doing these things and we responded, “we are doing it for God; we want to serve you because we love you and we love God.”

Even though we did not see many salvations, the people were open to what we shared with them and the seed was left planted for God to work in each one of them.

Thank you also for your prayers, financial support, and for being part of this group of pioneers.

God bless you and I will be praying for you all.

Thanks to everyone!

José Luís González