EL RETO 2016 WEEK 5

Going once, going twice, going three times …SOLD!

As the 2016 El Reto tour comes to a close, (one Saturday left), we held our two activities this week in the town of San Marcos.  The town is not far from Centro Cristiano so many of us walked to the plaza.  As we were headed there we passed a few men standing outside a store.  With all the students passing by, they asked one of the staff members what was going on.  This was a great opportunity to share about El Reto and about Centro Cristiano.  The conversation went well and we are prayerful that this conversation encourages them to visit next week’s El Reto Finale or service on Sunday! 

Each year, we are amazed at the talent of the young students during their projects.  Most of the teams had a commercial theme where they took different approaches to share the Gospel and ask groups to name Jesus as their Savior, change their lives, and start following Him.  Alfredo, captain of Los Perdona2, has a few years of experience in El Reto and always does a great job with dramas or skits.  Even with high expectations, his team did not disappoint.  They took a lot of time to make props including camcorders and headsets that came out great!

 

After each of the teams wrapped up, we stayed in the same spot for the Subasta or Auction.  Here the teams are using their collected points from games throughout El Reto and raffle tickets sold to bid on various prizes.  They have to be careful and spend wisely as points determine the winning team in the finale.  The students are bidding on unknown items in a plastic bin such as popsicles, candies, a list of all the clues for the hidden treasures, a chance for earning more points by cleaning the worship room, and pizza for their entire team.  After the captains bid and win a prize, the auctioneers always bring out a second box to give them the option to switch.  These are difficult decision for sure, as most of the captains will turn and get input from their team to either stick with the box they bid on, or make a last minute change.

If you get lucky though, it can be all smiles and excitement…

I feel like I say this every week, but this is one of my favorite events of El Reto.  The students have such an awesome time with it, and I love the anticipation and reactions of everyone, when the prizes are finally revealed.

This week, members of the church in Rosamorada led the worship time for The Refuge.  Pastor Amado, the Pastor from Rosamorada, stepped in to share a message with the students and read a few passages of scripture.  Even though we experienced some technical difficulties with the sound, they rocked the room! 

Next week is the Reto Finale!  I can’t believe we are at the end of the six weeks.  Looking forward to Saturday and wrapping up our time together!

Here is a video of this week's event...

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EL RETO 2016 WEEK 4

They came to feast!

Week four of El Reto featured “The Banquet”, and the teams came ready.  This week the two events outside the church were held at the nearby town of Las Pilas. First, the students participated in a relay race, by passing a soaked sponge, in order to fill a small bucket of water.  The students had a ton of fun, many of them opting to drench the friend behind instead of carefully passing the sponge to them.

The students also enjoyed the cooler weather.  As you can see in the photos, we were dodging rain the entire afternoon and evening.  One sight we always like to see during El Reto is some of the younger kids taking an interest in all the activities.  Here are some future El Reto participants that I’m sure can’t wait until it is their turn!

Now it was time for the main event, “The Banquet”!  The students just had a short sprint to get to the designated area.

This event featured 11 prepared meals with different members of each team racing to be the first to finish.  The meals are homemade but nothing you would see on your typical restaurant’s menu!  This past Saturday they had a “Zombie Sandwhich”, a sandwhich made with chicken gizzards and lettuce, topped with BBQ sauce. “Eyes”, a simple course of three hard-boiled eggs, “S.O.S”, octopus tentacle that was boiled, “A Herd of Dogs”, three raw hot dogs with all the condiments which the students had to eat without hands.  And this was a just a taste of the menu…

Are you hungry yet? 

The captains selected volunteers from their team to participate in the different rounds, each of them not knowing what would be placed in front of them.  A few backed out completely, but with their teammates standing nearby and cheering them on, most stayed strong and tried their best to finish their plate or drink. 

All of the participants were valiant and did a great job.  The last course was something for the entire team to take part.  As the storm opened up right above us, teams hurried to finish a bowl of marshmallows covered in honey. 

With the rain pouring down, the staff loaded up tables and supplies as quickly as possible and headed back to Centro Cristiano in Cofradia. Not as dirty as The Walk last week, but just as wet, the students packed the room upstairs for The Refuge.  Pastor Luis re-capped the night’s activities and shared a short message from the Word.  Time flies when you are having fun!  We are now on the backend of El Reto 2016, with only two Saturdays left!  I’ll speak for the rest of the Staff and all of the teams involved; we can’t wait until week five!

Here is the video for week #4...

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EL RETO 2016 WEEK THREE

We had another great turnout for Week 3 of El Reto!

The evening started with a review of the Castigos/punishments and Filipos/rewards.  Punishments are for teams not following rules or displaying positive behaviors in the prior week.  When the team is announced, the captain comes forward to select a random ball from the bag. Each color ball represents a different point value that is deducted from the team.  This week, team Los Arrepentidos, chose the red ball.  This ball is special in that it represents the blood of Jesus Christ and takes away the punishment or castigo for the team (no points deducted)! When the red ball is selected Pastor Luis takes a minute to explain the meaning and significance as it relates to our Savior’s sacrifice for us. What a teachable moment for the students!

Pastor Luis is holding up the red ball as he explains its meaning.

The teams first participated in a game at the church.  The captains selected a bucket of balloons and had to use a pin to pop each balloon until they found a piece of paper floating underneath.

Once all the teams finished we left the church and began “La Caminata” or The Walk.  This is great opportunity for teams to bond with one another and take time to reflect on all of God’s creation as they encounter different, sometimes difficult terrain.

During The Walk we saw many acts of service including helping others carefully cross barbed wire and pouring water for the thirsty.  This was awesome to see.

Along The Walk there were various stops where additional games were set up for the teams.  One game had students use what was around them to build a fire high enough to burn through a small rope tied above.

The teams then made their way to the river where they worked together in relay fashion.  They filled small buckets of water from the river and raced to fill a larger bucket offshore that would eventually raise a weighted flag.  The final game required two team members to carry ten of their fellow teammates across the river.  The catch was that they had to use two poles in which the teammates had to stand on.  This proved rather difficult for the students!

From here the students made their way back to the church for The Refuge.  Again, this is such a valuable time for worship and fellowship with a word from Pastor Luis. Even though many might be tired, there is still a ton of energy in the room!

We can’t wait for next Saturday!

WEEK THREE VIDEO...

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EL RETO 2016 WEEK TWO

Well over 150 students turned out for the second week of EL RETO 2016 "Race Against Time"!

To begin the day's activities, each team had to blow up a large balloon until it popped.  Once the balloon popped, they received instructions to hop in a vehicle.

Off to Santa Fe for the kickball SPLASH event.  What a FUN time!  We had all of the staff fielding the ball and picking off the students as they ran the bases.  We used a soccer ball and the students had to run down the baseline (a wet soapy tarp) and ENTER the base (a small pool).  As the students slipped and slid, so did the staff as they tried to catch the ball and throw.  The team to score the most runs in 10 minutes, wins!

Because of a "delay of game" in the previous event, the next event was cut short...Gladiators!  In this event, the students would run down a wet tarp team by team as another team throws water-balloons at them.  They were only protected by a few standing tables.

From there, the students returned to Cofradia for EL REFUGIO (The Refuge).  Here, the students hang out, play games, and snack before we watch the video from the previous week, worship God, and listen to a message from Pastor Luis.

Finally, teams vote for another team to do chores.  This week it was "The Forgiven".  Who also received a clue to the hidden treasure(s). :)

Check out the photo album at our Facebook page.

Here's a video from this week...

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SEPTEMBER MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! WE HAVE GREAT NEWS!!  The ninth and final passport has been found!  Thank you all for praying and believing with us.

We have returned to the small town of Cofradía nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madres in the Mexican state of Nayarit after a rough border crossing where we were charged duty tax of an unexplainable amount for the things in our vehicle??  There really was nothing we can do about it.

EL RETO 2016 has started!  Click here to read the report and watch the video below.


GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

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

1. The final passport to be found. Thank you!  As I mentioned above, we are no longer missing ANY passports! 
2. Religious Association Status.  There has been a change in government officials which has delayed the process of the formation of the association.  We are still in need of finances to get it running; our goal is $2,000 USDollars. Donate here to help.  
3. Drug Rehab Center. $3,000 has been raised!   An anonymous donor has committed to match gifts up to $5,000 above the already raised $3,000!  This will help us dig a huge chunk into the need!  Please let me know if you are able to help out with the purchase of the land. 
4. Trip to the States. Thank you for your prayers.  We had a great time in the states as we met a lot of new people and reunited with friends and family.  It is always a blessing to see everyone! 
5. EL RETO 2016.  The first week has passed and there are five more to go.  See the link above for the report of the first week.  There is still room to give; we are just over $500 short of our budgeted goal of $2,000.  Click here to donate.
6. Speaking in churches.  We had a great time participating in six different churches this past few months and attending five others (three of which for the first time). 
7. Birthdays this month.  Rebecka turned 14 (13th) and Mackenzie turned 4 (31st).  Great girls; great time!

Here are some links to more:

• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• Last Month’s Update
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• What is EL RETO?
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. EL RETO.  This is a huge window of opportunity for us to speak into the lives of young people with whom we normally would not come into contact.  It is an opportunity to share with them God’s love!  Follow it on Facebook.
2. Religious Association Status.  Speedy process and finances. Donate here to help.  
3. Drug Rehab Center. Please continue to pray for Pastor Amado and his team.  Pray for protection over him, his family, his staff, and all of those involved.  Let me know if you would like to help make a dent in the financial need he has. 
4. Missionaries, Lain and Kelly Grant as they have finished language school and will be integrating themselves full-time now here in Cofradia.  Pray along with us and them for a child, finances, and the Lord’s leading.  Click here to see their latest news.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!

Thank you so much for being part of our team as we work together to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO!!!!

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director
Facebook

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

OPTION A---ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support by clicking here.

OPTION B---BY POSTAGE MAIL/CHECKS: 
Send 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.

EL RETO 2016 BEGINS!!!

It’s “A Race Against Time” in this year’s EL RETO!

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  Paul wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago and it still applies to us today.  This year, join us in prayer and support to reach out to a generation who has not experienced God’s love because time is short, we don’t know how long we have!

Over 120 students appeared the first week in Centro Cristiano Cofradia to join together and have a lot of fun.  In the meantime, we’re looking for teachable moments and trying to take advantage of every opportunity to share God’s love.

This year there are five teams:

Los Arrepentidos (The Repentant) led by veteran captain, Lalo.

Los Decididos (The Decided) led by veteran captain and one time winner, Karo.

Generación Nazarea (Nazarite Generation) led by rookie captain, Yesica.

Los Humildes (The Humble) led by veteran captain and one time winner, Luis.

Los Perdonados (The Forgiven) led by veteran captain and last year’s champion, Alfredo.

The first week always starts out with choosing identities.  Normally, the students work together to paint a flag.  This year, the captain and one other had the flag already prepared and led a devotional with their team about the passage of scripture that their team represents.

After the devotional and explanation to everyone, it was off to the races!!  The first challenge was to complete as much of a crossword puzzle or sudoku as they could before a balloon popped above their head.  

The next activity had one team member from each team jumping on a trampoline trying to catch water balloons in a bag that their teammates tossed to them.  

Then, it was off to the inner tube tug of war where one member of each team grabbed on to the inner tube and tried to reach their cone while slipping, sliding, and falling all over a soapy tarp.  

The next activity was a race for a tangible prize in the center of a circle.  One member from each team ran around a circle until the music stopped and darted into the center for a prize (coke, chips, Oreos, etc.) for their team.

The final activity was for them to analyze their own life as to how well they spend their time.  They had to write their name on green if they thought they managed their time well, yellow if they did a so-so job, and red if they felt they were waisting their time in life being involved in drugs, alcohol, or didn’t attend school.  Most of them wrote in the yellow section. 

From the soccer field everyone headed to EL REFUGIO (The Refuge) where we sang a couple of worship songs and guest speaker David from YWAM Mazatlan shared a message to the students.

Finally, every evening ends with a vote.  Each team votes for another team to do chores (this is a Survivor twist--no one gets voted out of the game).  The team to receive the most votes has to do chores, but also gets a clue to a hidden treasure! (another Survivor twist). Last Saturday, it was the Nazarite Generation.

Follow this link to see all the photos on our "el retro" Facebook page.

Here is a video that YOU NEED TO SEE from the first week!


Contra Reloj 1 from macx on Vimeo.

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AUGUST UPDATE

Greetings from Washington State! It has been an enjoyable month visiting family and friends.  Our plans are to begin our trek back to Mexico and leave from Washington on August 9.  We’ll be heading down via I-5 and staying with family in California for the next couple of weeks and speaking in Bakersfield on the 21st just before we cross the border.

As many of you know through facebook, all nine of our Passports were stolen out of our truck along with a checkbook, $50, our dog’s vaccination papers, and a few other less important things.  Everything has been recovered except our checks, the $50, and one passport!  Within a day, three of our passports were found along side the road in different locations.  A couple days later, four more were found and just a week ago one more was found.  We are so grateful for those of you who have been praying.  We have been at peace and our hearts go out to the people who felt the need to take these things and pray for them to be able to find hope in Jesus!

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

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

1. Religious Association Status.  We are still waiting for the government to respond and finalize our paperwork; the financial need is still at hand. 
2. Drug Rehab Center.  We are still praying for a place to be able to house these people who need help. 
3. Trip to the States.  Thank you for your prayers!  We are enjoying our time as we visit family, friends, churches, and have even had the opportunity to go camping. 
4. EL RETO 2016: Thank you to those who have already began to send in contributions for this outreach!  We do not charge the students to attend so your help is very appreciated.  Our goal each year is $2,000 to pay for transportation, materials, prizes, and snacks; we are almost at 50% of that goal.

Here are some links to more:

• **NEW** Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• Last Month’s Update.
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet two families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. The final passport to be found. 
2. Religious Association Status.  $2,000 USDollars. Donate here to help.  
3. Drug Rehab Center. Please pray that Amado would be able to raise the $20,000 he needs to get things going.  What the Lord has called him to do will put a dent in the Kingdom of Darkness and Satan will not be happy and try to impede this work.  Please pray for protection over him, his family, his staff, and all of those involved.  Let me know if you would like to help make a dent in the financial need he has. 
4. Trip to the States. Continue to pray for travel safety, good visits, and time to rest. 
5. EL RETO 2016.  Pray for all of the planning that is happening right now and the Pastor Luis, the Leadership team, and the team captains who are currently preparing for this event.  We still need just over $1,000 to reach our goal in order to pay for transportation, materials, prizes, and snacks.  Donate here to help.  Click here to view a video spot for this year’s event. 
6. Speaking in churches.  Hosanna Bellevue on August 7 and Templo Calvario Bakersfield on August 21. 
7. Birthdays this month.  Rebecka turns 14 (13th) and Mackenzie turns 4 (31st).

SPECIAL NEEDS:  We are looking for: old iPhones, old macbook laptops, mountain bikes, RETO raffle items (cameras, cell phones, tablets, instruments, etc).  Let us know if you have anything you’d like to donate before we leave.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!

Thank you so much for being part of our team as we work together to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO!!!!

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director
--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---
OPTION A---ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support here.

OPTION B---BY POSTAGE MAIL/CHECKS: 
Send 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.

Pastors' Perspectives

Here are recent updates from three of our Pastors in Cofradia.  If you would like to make a special donation to them or support them on a monthly basis, just click on their name which will take you to their donation page.

Pastor Gregorio Hernández

Centro Cristiano Cofradia

Lead Pastor

Over the course of this year we have experienced different events in the church, such as opening the Bible school and the opportunity to emerge as a church totally dependent on God. But I thank God for the event of new believers being baptized. I find these particular baptisms very interesting, because two of the people who were baptized I see as a very slow but very effective miracle. Why do I say this? Because one of them was a woman who met  Jesus almost as long ago as when the mission first came to Cofradía--almost 23 years ago to the day! And it took until May 22 of this year that she decided to take that step of faith. That is why I consider this a long-term miracle. On May 24 of last year, we also had the privilege of baptizing her husband, and I think that was a significant motivation for her to finally take this step herself.

            The other person I mentioned, also met the Lord many years ago, just like the  woman, and also finally decided it was time to be baptized. It was such a special event, especially because of all that God has been doing in this season of the church’s life. We had a time of preparation for those who were going to be baptized; it was not as a rule to participate, but it was strongly recomended for them so they would understand the basics of baptism. Thus they will begin their journey with feet firmly established, and understanding the step they have already taken. It is worth mentioning that it was necessary for them to make this decision for themselves, and not see it as an requirement on the part of the church.

We greatly appreciate all the contributions made by this ministry, both through prayers and support with finances. All this abounds in thanksgiving. We thank the Lord for all of you.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gregorio Hernández Galván, my wife Maty, and family

 ____________________________

Pastor Luis Vazquez

Centro Cristiano Cofradia

Student Ministries

Hello. May the Lord God bless your lives now and forever in all your needs. We are well as a family and as children of God. We are working in various areas of ministry, but especially with young people, as I have mentioned before. Since last year’s EL RETO event, a pastor and his youth group have traveled every Saturday to Cofradía to join us for our weekly youth group meetings. This is something I have always and continued to yearn and long for--that we labor and grow together.

I am grateful to God, on June 19 we celebrated our first college graduation: I and my wife and all the leaders who help me in the youth ministry received our degrees.. I think it is a great blessing that we were able to have such a lovely experience all together; it brings me great contentment that through this training we can be better as teachers and counselors.

This year we will once again put on EL RETO, which begins on August 27 and ends on October 1. So I ask for your prayers, for your financial support, and for you to share about this event, if possible, with friends and/or relatives. I know that the support you give me is wonderful, and my family and I thank you for it.

Our goal for EL RETO this year is to focus our young people on the things of God and diminish their focus on the things that distract them from God, such as technology, lust, unforgiveness, and lack of purpose, among other things. I also plan to focus more this year on the team captains who help me in EL RETO so as to be preparing them so that they may continue afterward as part of the youth group leadership and in that way to be fulfilling the Great Commission that Christ left us, which is to raise up leaders.

I appreciate again your generosity, which is huge, because we have been blessed more than you can imagine. My daughter is studying at college, and your generosity has been such a huge support for that; she wants to be a chemical engineer, and I believe she can do it.

The Vazquez-Sicairos family is eternally grateful to you.

Please pray for:

1. A good time in EL RETO
2. Finances for EL RETO
3. A calling in the hearts of this year’s team captains for EL RETO
4. Open doors for young people who want to continue studying

5. That my children do not lose their vision

6. Growth in leadership and in the youth group

________________________________

Pastor Horacio Garzon

Centro Cristiano Cofradia

Arrayanes and Indigenous

Brothers and sisters, it is with great pleasure that I greet you, and I desire God’s continued blessing upon you. We have spent this full week supporting a ministry in the mountains with work activities, doing repairs, and painting some buildings of significant size. We partnered with a group from Nebraska. They brought a comprehensive work plan for sharing the hope that we have in Christ. We were ministering to a group of about eighty young people who board weekly so that they may receive basic education. They are young people who come from dysfunctional families and therefore lack the basics to enter oficial schools.

During that time, we shared boldly through devotional moments in the Word before and after daily activities. We did not escape unpleasant incidents, such as dealing with alcoholics and those who lose touch with reality because of other addictions. Also, most of us experienced the stomach flu, but thank God we are all healthy once again. To Him be the glory forever!

Brothers and sisters, thank you. We are grateful for your generosity in supporting us through your financial donations. You are a great blessing to us.

God bless you,

Horacio and Maria