REVIEW OF EL RETO 2013: FAITHBOOK

EL RETO 2013:  "FAITHBOOK"

Another great year of reaching out to unchurched students, encouraging students who already have been exposed to the gospel, and learning more and more about God and His love for us.

This year's theme "Faithbook" was focused on the Word of God as our Book of Faith.  We know it to be true and as God's letter to us.  It is through the Word of God that we ultimately have our Faith.  Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ" (ESV).

During the course of the event, the students were challenged to "accept" or "ignore" friendship with God.  He extends His friendship towards us and not only that, offers to include us in His Family.  What on honor!  During the final RETO event, about 40 students came forward to respond to God's friend request making a decision to follow Him.

In all, there were nearly 180 students over the six weeks who participated this year including a number of students from other churches in the surrounding areas such as Tuxpan, San Vicente, Ruiz, El Tigre, and visitors from Tamarindo.  Our youth Pastor, Luis Vazquez, did a great job this year with his team of leaders organizing and carrying out the event.

It's always exciting to hear how God touches lives through this event.  The students as well as adults can take advantage of opportunities to learn something.  Teachable moments abound and those are the lessons that we remember.  Here are three stories of how God worked in lives this year.

Here are a few photos of EL RETO 2013... (you can also view full albums at the EL RETO Facebook page).

Luis explains this year's EL RETO to the students.

Teams work together to find their identity by choosing a name and decorating their flag.

The exciting activities begin as the students race off to find their next task.

Each team put together their own "Faithbook".

Mini-zipline!

Forming a bridge across the river so a teammate can cross.

Bobbing for ???

Dramas in relation to their team's Bible story identity.

For some activities, the teams are transported by trucks.

The Refuge is a time for the students to hang out together, play games, talk, and...

worship together, and...

listen to a message by Pastor Luis.

Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ.

Before they leave, each team votes for another team to do chores.

After voting, they wait for the results below.

Next year is our 10th anniversary of this event.  We are already looking forward to it!  Please start with us now by giving a donation of any size!

DONATE HERE TO "EL RETO".

WHAT IS EL RETO?

Does EL RETO make a difference?

We have been hearing testimonies from parents and teachers about the change in students' lives due to their involvement in EL RETO.  Here are just a few stories...

STORY #1: 

Three of the participating youth are brothers. The youngest of them had already failed the same grade two years in a row, and his teachers no longer wanted to allow him to continue studying. However, they decided to give him one final opportunity. This young man has many struggles with a lack of discipline, and the teacher was always calling his mother with complaints about him. Then this young man, together with his two brothers, decided to participate in El Reto, and the Lord did a great work in all of their lives. All of them began to change both in school and at home.
One day, the teacher sent a message home to their mother congratulating her on the changes he was noticing in her son: his behavior had improved and he was making better grades. Surprised by the improvement, the teacher asked her what she had done to cause such change in her son; he had become a sociable and responsible person. His two brothers changed a lot as well: before, they had been alcoholics and now they had been rehabilitated, thanks to the power of God working in them. Their mother now attends church, grateful for all that has happened in the lives of her sons.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

STORY #2: 

Arely is a young lady from the town of San Vicente, Nayarit. She was very affected spiritually during the time of ministry on the day of the final El Reto event. God touched her heart and she felt the true hand of God working in her. She used to attend her church’s youth group just for the fun of it, but ever since the Lord touched her, she has attended not just to have fun with the rest of the group but also to be more intentionally involved with them and to hear the word of God and to worship Him.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

STORY #3: 

Gabriela and Delio Virgillio are a brother and sister that participated in El Reto beginning the second week of the six-week event. Originally, they signed up because they were bored and needed to change up their weekly routines at home in San Vicente, Nayarit.  Over the course of the rest of El Reto, they continued to grow more excited and spent all week anxiously awaiting Saturday when they would “go to El Reto” at the church in Cofradía. During those five weeks of their participation, God was working in their lives and hearts without them even realizing it. When El Reto was finally over, they told the pastor of the church in San Vicente, where they had never before attended, that they wished El Reto were not over but could continue all year  because the sermons they heard from Pastor Luis made them feel good and accepted by God. Gabriela has sought out people from the church in Cofradía asking for prayer and counsel in dealing with difficulties she has been experiencing, a sign that God continues opening opportunities  to reach out and minister two these two young people and for his sovereignty to be clearly visible in their lives.

OCTOBER UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradia, Mexico

What a month!  It has definitely been an adventure since the last time we wrote.

1. During our drive down, we came across some very heavy winds in Southern California narrowly escaping a severe downpour alert in Riverside County (that was the first time I’ve ever heard a radio station be interrupted for an emergency announcement).  
2. We experienced an interesting border crossing in Nogales; after two hours, we finally were able to get into Mexico (you can read all about that exciting adventure here.  
3. As we drove through northern Mexico, we experienced some heavy downpours and that’s the way it’s been since we arrived in Cofradia.  It’s been hot and wet.  I had forgotten how much I really missed sweating (please don’t overlook the sense of humor there!).
4. Our EL RETO youth event has been very effective this year.  After four weeks, we’ve reached 168 students in this remote area.  There is so much excitement in the air, it’s incredible.  I am personally really excited about this year because it’s the first year they have not had me for any of the planning and the staff is doing an EXCELLENT job!  Pastor Luis has definitely taken ownership and is moving forward with the Student Ministry!
5. Finally, one of the most exciting things happening right now is the development of a Bible School here in Cofradía via internet.  This has been one of our desires for years as we “Raise up Leaders in Rural Mexico.”  It will give us the opportunity to help the four Pastors get well-prepared for ministry as well as ordaining and licensing.  The degrees available are Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate.  I myself have been considering joining them as well as some of the other leaders here in the church.  It is truly looking to be a very exciting time; it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
   

Here is a quick update on last month’s prayer requests...

1. EL RETO.  As I mentioned above, it has been an excellent time!  Please continue to pray for the students that participate so they would be able to learn what God wants to teach them.
2. Safe Travels Thank you.  We arrived safely.
3. Girls’ schooling.  The girls are doing excellent in school and having a great time.  I’ve also been working with them with Reading and English Grammar to keep up the American Schooling.
   

This month, will you please pray for...

1. EL RETO.  Thank you for keeping this in your prayers.  October 5 is the FINAL RETO of 2013.
2. Bible School.  Please pray for the Pastors and Leaders who will be taking courses.  We have been given an extreme discount.  However, some will still need help financially.  If you would like to sponsor one of the four Pastors (Gollo-Lead Pastor; Luis-Youth Pastor/Maintenance; Horacio-Assistant Pastor/Indigenous Ministry; Martin-Assistant Pastor/Youth/Indigenous) or a leader in general you can click on the “Cofradia Location” and write their name or “Bible School” in the note area.  OR you can mail it to the address below.
3. Dengue.  There has been an outbreak of Denque here.  Some people are getting sick and having to go to the city to receive treatment at the hospital.  Please pray for protection, healing, and that the virus would disappear.
   

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS SUPPORT.  Another way to donate is by sending a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
Facebook
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

Border Crossing

Thanks to those of you who were praying for our border crossing.  It could have been worse, but it definitely was not the easiest crossing we've had...

I've learned that things go a little smoother when Geña goes in to talk to the officials to declare items.  So, at the first check point for the declaration of the items we had, Geña went in and I stayed in the truck with the girls.  It was 78 degrees (the coolest it's been since Oregon).  Because of the lack of receipts for certain garage sale and craigslist items we purchased, they charged us an incredible amount.  We ended up paying over $1,700 pesos ($150 US Dollars) of tax!  Then, got a red light...but they didn't check anything (time saver!).

At the second checkpoint, we had to get our vehicle permit and have our passports stamped.  Everything was fine until they found out I was a Permanent Resident in Mexico.  The official said that made me Mexican and Mexicans cannot drive foreign vehicles in Mexico.  According to the government, I'm not a Mexican until I become a citizen, but they still would not let me get a permit for the truck, they told me to nationalize it (have it registered in Mexico with Mexican plates instead of US plates).  That's impossible right now until we get our loan paid off.  But, Geña could get a permit for it since she had an American passport (by the way, so do I and they had it in there possession).  But, (again), she could not get permission for the trailer because it's not in her name.  Our Marriage Certificate was enough for her to get a permit.  However, we only have a copy of it, they do not accept copies.  So, they bent the rules for us, had it authorized by the guy in charge (who couldn't figure out why the official wouldn't let me get a permit in the first place), and made the paper valid.  We finally got it done and ANOTHER red light; the second one of the evening and third in the past 13 years!  The same man who authorized the Marriage Certificate just looked in our overpacked utility trailer, asked what we had in it, and let us go.

So, we are finally 60 miles south of Nogales in a Hotel in Santa Ana, Sonora, Mexico.  After a very confusing, double standard crossing, we're safe.  It could have been a lot worse, so thanks again for your prayers!

Let me tell you about the hotel now.  We arrived at the Starr Inn where we have stayed for the past few years when we get to Santa Ana and have had no problems.  This time, the wife of the owner said no to pets.  The owner always said it was ok.  And he did again this time, but the wife came out and started arguing with him saying that they do not let pets stay.  Wow!  We decided to go across the street where they do accept pets.  We didn't want to cause a divorce. :)  And, it's cheaper!

What an exciting evening...one I'd rather not repeat!

"Three Shades of Blue" should be the name of our travel machine.  You can't see it, but the canopy is a lighter blue than the truck...yes, lighter.

EL RETO WEEK 1

Max has put a slide show video up of the first week of EL RETO; 80 students in attendance!  Take a look!



**WHAT IS EL RETO?

**DONATE NOW TO "EL RETO" AT THE ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA LOCATION

What is EL RETO?

EL RETO (The Challenge) started in 2005 and is an event that reaches out to youth in Mexico.  As we get them involved in group activities, they learn teamwork skills, leadership skills, how to work out relational difficulties, and most importantly to us, they learn about God’s love for them.  This is an event that not only the youth benefit from, but the adults who donate their time as Staff learn many of the same things.  The children see the activities and can’t wait until they’re old enough to participate.

The activities we use look like what you might see on Survivor, Amazing Race, and Fear Factor.  We have six teams and we meet every Saturday for 6 weeks starting on the last Saturday of August.  It catches the participants' attention through things like a hidden treasure they search for throughout the week(s), trying to read the clues to the treasure through a code language as they buy letters with points they accumulate, voting for other teams to have to do the chores (instead of voting them out of the game), the competition of the activities, applying every day principles through those activities, meeting new people, hanging out at the end of each week in a time of "Refuge" with free food and drinks, and many more exciting adventures.  Each year more and more students get involved as other churches have begun to participate with us.

It is an event that costs us $2000 dollars.  Please help us reach out to the youth of Mexico.  Click here to make your EL RETO donation.

EL RETO 2013

In just a couple more weeks, the youth in Cofradia will be starting our 9th year of EL RETO (the Challenge).  Here's the flyer, we need to raise $2000.  

Click here to make your "EL RETO" donation at the Cofradia location.

AUGUST UPDATE

Greetings from Washington State.

We have been in Washington State for four weeks now.  The first week we spent resting and enjoying the parents/grandparents during 4th of July.  The next two weeks we got caught up and finished homeschool with the girls, visited a few people, and have been helping Gateway Español leading worship.  This last week we went to Lake Cushman and camped for three nights.  We love to go camping and spending time around the campfire, riding bikes, hiking, and fishing.  The surroundings are a wonderful gift from God.  We also traded in our 2005 GMC Canyon for a 2004 Toyota Tundra that will give us more space.  We are really excited about the “new” truck.

We will be here for the next three weeks and would love to see you.  Please email us or call 360-265-4545 to let us know when a good time to visit is.

The ministry in Cofradia continues to grow strong.  They recently held a baptism of 7 locals.  You can check out a quick video/slide show here.

Pastor Gollo has been leading a men’s prayer every day in the morning and evening.  It was a joy to talk with him over the phone the other day and hear who has been faithfully participating.  What a blessing.  God is going to continue to do some great things!

Please continue to pray for the ministry in Cofradia.  There are a few things that really need prayer at the moment...

1. The Student Ministry is in the process of preparing for our annual youth outreach.  This year’s budget is $2000 us dollars.  Everyone is excited for what God will do this year as the theme is “Faithbook”.  PLEASE JOIN US AS WE REACH OUT TO YOUTH AND RAISE UP LEADERS.  You can read more here and see how to send a donation as well.
2. The Worship Ministry is hanging in there.  In my absence I have tried to fill in spaces with volunteers and visitors.  Please pray that the Lord provides the congregation with the Worship Leaders needed for the services.
3. We have a number of needed items we’re praying for and searching for.  If you can help in any of these areas, please let us know.

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MAILING ADDRESS FOR ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS SUPPORT.  Another way to donate is by sending a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
Facebook
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

EL RETO RETURNS!!!

The Cofradia Student Ministry is gearing up four our 9th annual Youth Outreach called "EL RETO" or The Challenge.

This year's theme is "Faithbook: Get Connected" with the idea being pulled out of Romans 10:17 "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

It's looking to be a very exciting time as usual.  In just a few days, the staff will hold a Captain's retreat as they train and prepare the student captains for what they are about to encounter.  This is always an exciting time in Cofradia!!

Please be a part of this event by sending a donation.  We need $2000 dollars this year.  

Checks can be made out to Alternative Missions with separate note saying "Cofradia Reto."
Send them to: Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248

OR you can donate to the Cofradia location online here and add "Reto" in the note section.

Thank you in advance for your generous donations!

Steve Silberman
Area Director

Cofradia Baptisms

Sunday, seven people were baptized from Centro Cristiano Cofradia.  This is exciting news!!

Thanks, Jay, for the video!

In Washington State

We have finally arrived in Washington after taking a "quick" detour through some of the north/mid western states and Canada.  We had a great time visiting many friends and seeing some interesting historical landmarks.  Two highlights were spending the night in a covered wagon at the Ingalls' Homestead in DeSmet, South Dakota and finding out that we have family in a museum in Chester, Montana where my Grandpa grew up.

It's nice to be back in Washington.  We'll be here for about 6 weeks visiting friends and family.  Hope to see as many people as we can.

Give us a call 360-265-4545 or email me.  We'd love to see you!

New Donation Address

Please make note of the new address for where to send your donations:
Alternative Missions
PO Box 3107
Ferndale, WA 98248-3107

*Make checks payable to Alternative Missions  with a separate note indicating that it's for The Silbermans.

Online donations stay the same.

Thanks to all of you who take part of our ministry this way.  If you can't go, will you give?

HOW TO DONATE...

We believe 100% that when people donate to our ministry, they are joining our ministry. God uses all of us in different ways in order for Him to be glorified. We are on the field and do not receive a salary, only what comes to us by donations. We live by faith.

We want to encourage you to pray and seek the Lord on how you would like to join our ministry and the work that God is doing in Mexico. There are three ways you can give:

1. Send to:
Alternative Missions
PO Box 3107
Ferndale, WA 98248-3107

Checks made out to ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS.

Send a note on a separate piece of paper indicating that it is for Cofradía Staff Members: Steve and Efigenia Silberman.

2. You can also safely and easily donate online directly by clicking here.


Thanks for being part of our team!

JUNE UPDATE

GREETINGS from LINCOLN, CALIFORNIA!  That’s right!  We are in the United States making our way to Washington State.  It has been 2 1/2 years since we’ve been back and we’re looking forward to spending some time with family and visiting friends.  Our trip started on May 21 as we drove north and visited friends in Phoenix, Palm Desert, family in Perris, Oxnard, family and friends in Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Salinas, family in Tracy, and now we’re with family in Lincoln.  Our plans are to head east from here crossing Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and South and North Dakota to arrive in Winnipeg to visit more friends.  Then, we’ll head back through Montana, Idaho, and Washington.  Please keep us in your prayers as we’ll be travelling with a full truck (this trip has just about convinced us that we need a bigger vehicle, LOL).

Last month, we asked you to pray for...

• EL RETO LA CRUZ has been a huge success.  180 students were involved and they will finish up for EL RETO FINAL on June 8.  Here is something I wrote about it recently. 
• Mother’s Day 60 women came to our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast.
• Ruben Garzon, one of the youth who grew up in the church was married on May 18 to a young lady who goes to a church in Tuxpan.  We’re happy for him!
• Trip to States  As I’ve mentioned, we are doing some travelling.  We’d appreciate your continued prayers and if we are in your area, please let us know. Here are some recent pics.

Links to other news:

• Hardcopy June Newsletter We periodically send out a very general hardcopy newsletter to those who do not have email.
• SILBERMAN PRAYER CARD We have just updated our prayer card with a new photo and Support Address.
• Rebecka’s Bible Study Group Rebecka gathered some of her friends and started a Bible study group all by herself.
• MINISTRY NEEDS Please click on the link to see how you can help us.
• ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA VIDEO UPDATE  Sunday Church Services, Children’s Sunday School, and Youth Group.
• ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Click here to see where you can fit in.

This month, will you please pray for...

• Trip in the States  Please pray for our trip as we’ll be travelling all this month of June.  Again, we’d love to see you if we’re in your area.  You can follow us on Facebook.  Please pray for safe travels, divine encounters, and ministry opportunities.
• Ministry Needs Our ministry has many needs right now.  Check out the list to see how you can get involved.

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

PLEASE NOT THE NEW MAILING ADDRESS FOR ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS SUPPORT.  Another way to donate is by sending a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
Facebook
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

SILBERMAN PRAYER CARD

"The Trip"

Here are some scenes of our trip so far...

Hanging out with the Rodriguez dog in Phoenix

Visiting the Mungers in Palm Desert

Rebecka and her cousin Kathy out for a morning walk

Papi and Rebecka out for a walk in Perris

Rebecka on a Rock

Mackenzie learning how to shop at IKEA

Visiting the Jimenez's in Oxnard at the Channel Is. Museum

Barbacue in Bakersfield with Geña's mom and nieces

Alicia and her husband cooking at the barby

Fun in the Bakersfield sun

Most recent family photo 

Mackenzie's new do

Just some of the cousins in Bakersfield

More cousins in Tracy

EL RETO 2013 "LA ZONA DE PELIGRO" en La Cruz, Sinaloa

This past weekend I took Rebecka, Pastor Luis and his family (7 in all), and five more Student Leaders/Youth to La Cruz on a "Mini Missions Trip."  We were asked to help them kick off the EL RETO event that we do every year here in their city.  It was an exciting time, lots of work, lots of paying attention to details, and lots of blessings as we saw 110 youth show up for the first week!  Most everything was the same in order to not "re-invent the wheel."  They'll keep doing this for 5 more weeks and then adapting it to their location and students' involvement.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for us.  Please continue to pray as so many of these students do not know Christ as their Savior.  The Pastors in La Cruz have a wonderful opportunity to share with them.

Ministry Needs

From time to time, people ask me what our needs are for this ministry.  Here is an extensive list of the needs for Alternative Missions Cofradia.  Please pray and consider how you can help:

15 Passenger Van

Items for Youth Raffle

Discipleship Books (click for details)

Photocopier/Printer (able to make various copies)-Church Office

Kitchen utensils for Church (email us for details)

Portable Sound System for outreaches

Quiet Honda EU2000I Generator for outreaches

Stihl Electrical Chain Saw

25 - 30 gallon air compressor

Civil and Religious Association Status (prayer and support)

Missionaries and Interns (click for details)

School to Raise up Leaders (prayer and support)

Any financial or material donations are tax deductible.

A Quick Need

Jay TenBrink and his wife, Faith, are missionaries with us here in Cofradia.  Jay is the Director of the Indigenous Ministry and oversees the general maintenance of the base vehicles and buildings.  We recently have encountered a couple of major needs that need to be addressed quickly.

Here is an email that Jay sent out earlier today:

I (want) to let you know about two needs that came up in the last week.
First of Pastor Gollo's laptop finally died. Last year I replaced the motherboard and the power switch and was able to keep t running until now. Last week the screen would not turn on, and once I fixed that the computer no longer recognized the hard drive, or any hard drive for that matter! Gollo uses his laptop a lot for his studies, sermon preparation, planning and communication. I am hoping to get him a new laptop that will serve him for a long time.

Secondly, the bulb for our new projector burned out last Sunday. I believe that it was a result of the power fluctuation that caused it to fail. I will be installing a power conditioner on that circuit to protect it better in the future. However, right now we need a new lamp which costs around $250.

Once these items are purchased I can find a way to get them down here. 

If you would like more information, please contact me and I will set you up in communication with Jay.  Thank you very much!

UPDATE: 5/19/13 Many have responded to this need.  Thank you very much for your generosity.  Jay told me that enough has come in to buy Gollo a new computer, two projector bulbs, and a power conditioner for the projector.  PRAISE THE LORD!

Steve

MAY UPDATE

GREETINGS from Cofradía, Mexico!  We are very grateful to all of you who partner with us in our ministry.

Last month, we asked you to pray for...

• Children’s Ministry Evangelization Tour was a thrilling time for the children as they shared bible stories, played games, did crafts, sang songs, and performed an impressive rendition of the Lifehouse Everything human video seven times in 6 different towns.  Way to go 4th –6th graders!  Here’s a quick report and video of their time.
• Discipleship Group Last year four of us started Greg Ogden’s Discipleship Manual and continued with other men as the book suggests.  This has been very, very helpful to all 15 men who have participated.  Many of the groups formed from our original group are finishing up.  Thank you for your prayers as the men's ministry continues to be strengthened.  Click here to read a little more.
• Evangelism in Las Pilas Our church body spent the evening in Las Pilas, a town just west of Cofradia, sharing songs, messages, testimonies, dramas, and praying for the people.  It is always an inspiring time as the people there are very open to receive from God.  Here is a quick video report of our time there.
• Emma’s 7th Birthday April 10 was Emma’s birthday and she had a great time with her friends playing games, hitting the piñata and eating tamales and cake.
• AM Cofradia Staff Max Diaz has moved back to Guadalajara to be with his children.  He is getting settled in and doing well.  Thank you so much for your prayers over his life, we look forward to receiving him back here soon.
• EL RETO LA CRUZ will begin on May 4 (see more under this months’ requests).
  

Links to other news:

• Rebecka’s Bible Study Group Rebecka gathered some of her friends and started a Bible study group all by herself. 
• A Recent Uploaded Video of the Women’s Ministry 
• Operation Christmas Child
• Upper Room Project The floor has been tiled and the bathroom is completely done.  The stairway, doors, and furnishings are left.  
• April Newsletter Some who do not have email get a newsletter sent to them.  This was the latest.
• ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA VIDEO UPDATE  Sunday Church Services, Children’s Sunday School, and Youth Group.
• ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES See where you can fit in.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

• EL RETO LA CRUZ will begin on May 4. Pray for travel safety as some of us will be attending and helping Cosecha Final La Cruz get started.  They will be carbon-copying our 2012 event: “The Danger Zone.”  Pray for a successful 6 week outreach, they already have 90 students signed up!
• Mother’s Day is coming up and we’ll be serving a free breakfast to all the mothers who come.  Please pray that the Lord uses this as an avenue of ministry for the women of the church (May 10).
• Ruben Garzon will be getting married on May 18.  He has grown up in the church and has been very, very active in the youth group and leadership.  His bride to be is from the nearby city of Tuxpan, Nayarit and attends a Christian church there.  Pray for guidance and wisdom for them both.
• Trip to States  We’ll be heading to Washington soon and on the way are praying for opportunities to share God’s love anyway and anywhere we can.  Our plan is to head to California first to visit Geña’s family and her neice’s newborn, then possibly stretch over to Manitoba, Canada to see the Taylors and Eliases, visiting friends and historical sights along the way. Then, head back through Montana, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Washington before arriving at my Parents house in Silverdale.  It will be a long trip, especially with an 8 month old.  We would love to see you if you live in Arizona, California, northern Nevada, Salt Lake City area, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Washington.  I’ve already contacted some of you and hope to hear from others soon.  This is a “once in a lifetime” trip for us and we’d like to take advantage of this window of opportunity as it will be very exciting trip for all of us, especially Rebecka and Emma as we have plans to see the “Little House on the Prairie” sites in South Dakota and Walnut Grove, Minnesota.  Thank you for your prayers. (May 21 – Aug).
  

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

Another way to donate is by sending a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 5835 / Goodyear, AZ 85338.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
Facebook
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

Rebecka's Bible Study Group

Rebecka has recently started a Bible Study group with her friends all by herself.  They read a portion of scripture together, talk about it, pray, and memorize a verse.  She was inspired to do this by watching adults who do the same!  No one asked her to start this, she just started it.

Evelyn, Martha, Ramon, Dulce, Rebecka

Men's Discipleship

The Centro Cristiano Cofradia church's motto is "Grow and Let Grow."  Our current push is to train up leaders for the next generation of believers.  In other words, "make disciples." In order to do that, we need to work on developing and strengthening our personal relationships with Christ.  

It has been almost a year and a half since we started meeting together, Pastor Gollo, Gustavo, myself, and Hugo.  We studied Greg Ogden's Discipleship Essentials as a trial to see if it's something that would work here.  The results surpassed my expectations, as well as Pastor Gollo's, as our relationship together deepened with one another and with the Lord.  I'm sold on Greg's "Triad" idea; working with 3 or 4 in a group instead of one on one or larger groups due to intimacy, vulnerability, and consistency.  He suggests at the end of the study to have each of the 3 or 4 participants pray and search for 2 or 3 others to work with and open another group.  We did that and those groups are wrapping up this month.  Soon, 15 men will be looking to open more groups.  If all 15 men recruited 2 each, we would have 45 men in an organized, closed, and intense discipleship group.  From time to time our original group continues to meet to encourage one another and keep one another accountable.  We will be looking at John Eldridge's book, Wild At Heart, in the near future.

This is a ministry that is close to my heart.  One of the aspects of Alternative Missions Cofradia is to minister to the local church as a resource for helping them reach their goals and fulfill their vision of "Raising up Leaders."  My hope as the Area Director of this mission is to give hope to those who have none.

Some of the 15 men are already recruiting others to be part of their next group.  We have yet to purchase the books necessary to continue.  Each book in Mexico costs nearly $20 US Dollars.  Our goal is to purchase 50 more books so we can continue.  If you would like to help in purchasing these, please email me to give you the Spanish information and links in order to purchase them.  Or you can simply send a donation and I can purchase them myself.  $100 US Dollars will provide almost enough for 6 books.  Thank you very much for partnering with us.

Your designated Cofradia Men donation can be made as follows:  

Donate online here

or

Send check written to "Alternative Missions" to

Alternative Missions
PO Box 5835
Goodyear, AZ 85338

Please remember to designate your gift on a separate note for Cofradia Men.

Cofradia Children's Ministry Evangelistic Tour

During Spring Break, our children's ministry went to a number of different villages playing games, singing, sharing a drama and bible story, and doing a craft with the children of the other towns.  It was a great time of opportunity to make friends and tell their peers about Jesus.  Here is a video of the drama they performed.  "Lifehouse - Everything."

Cofradia's Women's Ministry

Max finished a great video of our Women's Ministry lead by Geña featuring the Cy-Fair Women from Houston, Texas.  What an impact Short-Term Missions can make in a foreign country!  These women have hit the nail on the head.  We appreciate their ministry tremendously.  I wrote about their time here in a previous post, but here's the video; you'll want to watch it!

Operation Christmas Child - Samaritan's Purse with Centro Cristiano Cofradia

In a recent post, I wrote about the Operation Christmas Child - Samaritan's Purse ministry here in Cofradia and surrounding areas.  It was a great event reaching 300 children.  Max has made an excellent video that you will love watching.

Evangelism in Las Pilas

On April 10, some of the church members went to a neighboring town called Las Pilas for an open air evangelism.  We had worship, testimonies, dramas, a message, and prayed with people in closing.  There was a great response.  We are trusting that the seeds that were planted continue to grow in the hearts of the people.  Here is an excellent video that Max put together of the outreach.

APRIL UPDATE

GREETINGS from Cofradía, Mexico!  We pray that all is well with everyone and thank you very much for your prayers!  We really appreciate them!

Last month, we asked you to pray for...

• EL RETO Training in Sinaloa We had a great time with the pastors and leaders in La Cruz, Sinaloa teaching them how to organize a RETO (Challenge) outreach for the youth in their church and community.   Youth Pastors Sergio and Edith were absolute sponges and we spent two full days talking with them about the event.  On Saturday evening, we held an orientation for their pastors and leaders and included some RETO activities for them.  It was very exciting, here’s the report.
• Men’s Mission trip to Oaxaca In the end, only 4 of the 12 men could go due to the lack of finances.  Those four men started their journey last Monday (March 25) and returned to Cofradia Tuesday morning (April 2).  Thank you for your prayers during their trip.  I have posted an update here.
  

Links to other news:

• Student Ministry Awards Night The students just held their annual Awards night recognizing four students for their outstanding attitudes in the youth group.
• Recent pics I put some pictures up on our blog starring Mackenzie. 
• Upper Room Project We finished the tile to the shower/tub.  Soon we hope to get the floor tile finished.  
• April Newsletter Some who do not have email get a newsletter sent to them.
• ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS COFRADIA VIDEO UPDATE  Sunday Church Services, Children’s Sunday School, and Youth Group.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

• Children’s Ministry Evangelization Tour Our Children’s Ministry will be traveling to different towns during the week playing games, singing songs, performing dramas, sharing stories, and working on crafts with other children.  Pray for boldness, impact, and that the children would grow through this.  Here’s their schedule:
  
  • Tuesday, April 2 in Arrayanes
  • Wednesday, April 3 in Las Pilas
  • Thursday, April 4 in Santa Fe
  • Friday, April 5 in Agua Aceda
  • Saturday in Cofradia
  • Sunday in Church service
    
• Discipleship Group Last year four of us started Greg Ogden’s discipleship manual, Discipleship Essentials, and continued with other men as the book suggests.  This has been very, very helpful to all 15 men who have participated.  This week, my group (Pastor Luis, Max, Chuy, and myself), will be finishing up and looking towards opening up more groups.  Thank you for your prayers over the men and youth of the church.
• Evangelism in Las Pilas Our church body will be going to the town of Las Pilas for an open-air evangelistic outreach.  Pray for openness and that the message would have a lasting effect on the peoples’ lives. (April 10)
• Emma’s 7th Birthday April 10
• AM Cofradia Staff Max Diaz will be temporarily returning to Guadalajara to be with his children.  It has been an exciting time with him here.  He has helped quite a bit with media and sound, youth ministry, and the church in general.  Max is a true servant who is willing to do anything to help people.  His enthusiasm will be missed during this time, but his impact will last.  Please pray for him as the Lord guides him as a father and leader.
• EL RETO LA CRUZ will begin on May 4.
  

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

Another way to donate is by sending a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 5835 / Goodyear, AZ 85338.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
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SKYPE: “srsilberman”

Student Ministry Awards Night

This past month our Student Ministry held their annual event "Awards Night" that the students from Cy-Fair Christian in Houston started with un around 8 years ago.  This year, Cecilio Rodriguez received the Servant Award for leadership skills, Alfredo Garzon received the Brave Heart Award for taking big steps in his walk with God, Valeria Rodriguez received the Enthusiasm Award, and Luis Vazquez received the New Generation Award for displaying leadership skills amongst his peers.

Oaxaca Missions Trip

Pastor Gollo, Horacio, Jay, and Marin headed out Monday morning to Oaxaca where Martin spent some time serving while he was Bible School there.  They will be working with the children, youth, men, and pouring a floor for the children's ministry room.  Please pray for their trip as they are driving through the night a distance of more than 24 hours away.

UPDATE:  Tuesday the truck broke down and they will have to sleep in front of the mechanic's place in the truck and wait until Wednesday when the parts arrive to get if fixed.  The alternator failed and a fan belt broke.  They are in Pinotepa Nacional where the 5.8 earthquake was in the morning (no relation to the break down).

UPDATE (4/3): The men have returned from their trip and have some very good stories to tell of how God watched over them and used the travel mishaps for His Glory.  Many of the people (policemen, mechanics) who they talked and prayed with were needing someone to share with them.  Lives were touched through circumstances that we wouldn't expect (God seems to do stuff like that a lot!).

Gollo was pulled over in Acapulco amongst the chaotic traffic with malfunctioning stoplights.  He tried to "fit-in" with the rest of the drivers but didn't get away with it.  Twice he was pulled over and twice he was let go.  The second time ended with praying for one of the officials who was a Christian and in need of someone to pray with him.

The truck broke down about 1/2 mile before a town where the mechanic offered his bathroom to wash up, and a place to park the truck for them to sleep.  This mechanic is a prodigal son of a Baptist preacher.  The men were able to minister to him and pray with him before they left.  WOW.

Once the men arrived to their destination on Wednesday night, they held Men's meetings, children's meetings, poured floors for the Sunday School, visited jails, and spoke during the Sunday service.  Amazing testimonies of how God used these guys.  I've only talked with Pastor Gollo and Horacio, I haven't heard Jay's and Martin's stories yet.  Should be good.

Thank you for your prayers during their trip.

EL RETO in La Cruz, Sinaloa

EL RETO has just been expanded.  Some friends in La Cruz, Sinaloa have contacted me to share with them how to reach students using "EL RETO."  Pastor Luis (our Youth Pastor) and I spend a couple of days with them explaining the purpose of the event, how it has helped us, what to be aware of, and we went through what we did each week in 2012.  They want to copy our "Danger Zone" theme and kick off this event in La Cruz in May.  We had an excellent time and look forward to hearing/seeing the results of their outreach.  

During our orientation with them.  We took them through each week and explained to them the activities and some details of what we did.  We also split them (the church leaders who will be helping) into teams and did some of the activities with them.  The real hit was the RETO AUCTION.  They really got involved with that one.  Everything led up to the climax of a RETO FINAL (Final Challenge) where one of the teams won.  

The La Cruz Staff Winning Team