MAY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2)  I have had a couple of days this month that have lead me to stop and consider whatever I was going through as pure joy.  Thank you so much for your prayers over us and our ministry; we need you to pray.  Our hope is in the Lord and there is no greater joy than knowing that in Him, we are victorious!

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. Bible School. Thank you to those who have responded to the tuition sponsorship request as we are down to only one person in need of finances before graduation.  The classes we have this quarter are excellent.  Jay TenBrink is teaching a Missions class and doing a phenomenal job and we are learning a lot from John Maxwell’s The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day in the other class. 
3. Drug Rehab Center: According to the town commissioners, there is no more land available to give away and they are unable to help Pastor Amado.  This means that he will have to purchase the land for the drug center.  There are a couple of options that have been presented to him.  We (Pastor Goyo, Pastor Luis, and I) visited with him a couple weeks ago and looked at the options he had and prayed over them.  After talking more with him, it has become aware to me that there is a bigger problem with drugs and prostitution than I was aware of.  Everyone he talks to (government officials, town leaders, and the townspeople) has encouraged him to keep moving forward because the need is so great.  With Rosamorada being the county seat, it is a prime location. 
4. Accounting: Thank you for your prayers as little by little we’re getting the hang of things as we continue to ask questions and explore the way other ministries handle certain situations. 
5. Internet. No word yet.  Please continue to pray for a better system to become available to us. 
6. San Diego.  Because of a death in Geña’s extended family, we were unable to visit the group last month.  We hope to see them this Month. 
7. Emma’s Birthday Emma had over 20 kids at her “mini-RETO” birthday party and everyone had a blast!  We will have a short video up sometime this month on our blog.  Be looking for it or wait for a link to it in the next update.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• 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. Religious Association Status.  $2,000 USDollars. 
2. Bible School. Graduation will be on June 19.  All but one student has been able to finish his tuition fees.  If you would like to help Angel Martinez, “Niko”, send me a message and I’ll share with you how to do that.  He still needs ($340). 
3. Drug Rehab Center: Please pray for Pastor Amado as he puts together a proposal and seeks financial help from different avenues.  He will initially need $15,000 to $20,000 US dollars to purchase a piece of land (6 acres).  In the meantime, he is looking into renting a house in town for those who are coming to him.  If you would like to help him, please let me know. 
4. Internet. Continue to pray for a better system to become available to us. 
5. San Diego.  Pray that the Lord would continue to encourage the leaders in that Bible Study and that those who meet together would be impacted by His love and Spirit. 

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 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.

APRIL UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, México! Over twenty years ago when this mission began, a group of people went to a village called San Diego del Naranjo to assist those who were sick and share God’s love with them.  We began to visit them each week to conduct Bible Studies there and some of you may remember that I eventually took over as the leader for that outreach.  We had a number of converts and baptized some of the believers.  There was one man named Joel who’s testimony and encouragement to others was really a backbone for the believers.  He was unexpectedly shot to death in 1997 (not for religious reasons) and the outreach began to see it’s struggles and opposition.  After a number of years, it was hard to get people to come to the bible study anymore.  Our youth Pastor, Luis, and his wife took over for a couple of years and found the same wall of opposition.  Eventually, we began to shift our focus elsewhere and continued to pray for the people with an occasional visit.  Last month, someone from our congregation went there to sell shrimp and came across a group of believers.  It turns out that just recently, some locals who have returned from living in Guadalajara for a while are leading a bible study there and they’ve been meeting for a few months.  Pastor Goyo has gone to visit them and they are asking for our help.  We have committed to pray for them and assist the leaders encouraging them to continue what they’re doing and offer training for them.  They have over 20 people meeting together and praying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays!  God is amazing!
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 still do not have sufficient funds to complete this. 
2. Bible School. Thank you to those of you who have responded to the request of sponsoring a student.  There are now only two students who have yet been able to finish paying their tuition before graduation in June. 
3. Drug Rehab Center: Please continue to pray for the barriers of opposition to be broken.  Drug abuse is rampant here and there is no specific Christian help for these people in the region.  Pastor Amado and his wife continue to meet with young people and do what they can to help.  One young lady is now staying at their own home.   
4. An Accountant: I met with our accountant last week and it was a very productive meeting!  Little by little I am understanding what to do and how to do it.  Please continue to pray for clear direction as we dabble with delicate duties. 
5. Internet. We continue to hope and pray.  Someone had a conversation with the phone company a couple weeks ago and the phone operator could not believe we do not have internet here.  They said they would get the ball rolling.  Well, let’s have faith they will keep their word. 
6. Splash 2016: Phenomenal event!  We had a number of churches participate and it was a lot of fun!  Read about it and see pictures at this quick “Splash Report”.
7. Church Anniversary Celebration.  Excellent time!  We had one of the biggest Sunday services ever.  Visiting churches celebrated God’s faithfulness with us as we have now been in the building for 5 years! Click here to see a quick report.
8. Mesa Team.  Successful week.  The team shared Bible stories and led various workshops for a week at one of the Cora Indian villages in the mountains.  Here is what Missionary, Jay TenBrink, had to say.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update.
• A Window Looking into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Pastoral Perspectives: Read the bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• EL RETO 2015.
• What is EL RETO?
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three 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. Religious Association Status.  $2,000 USDollars. 
2. Bible School. Spring classes start on April 5: Missiology and Leadership.  Two students have yet been able to pay their tuition in full.  If you know them and/or would like to help, let me know and I will share with you how to do that.  The two students are Hugo Diaz ($70) and Angel Martinez “Niko” ($340). Thank you on behalf of them. 
3. Drug Rehab Center: Pray that a piece of property becomes available for this Center; pray that the costs of purchase, construction/renovation, furnishing, and function would be covered. 
4. Accounting: Pray the Lord will help us grasp the details of the requirements for the Civil and Religious Associations.  Pray the Lord will bless this ministry. 
5. Internet. Continue to pray that a better system becomes available to us. 
6. San Diego.  Pray that the Lord would continue to encourage the leaders in that Bible Study and that those who meet together would be impacted by His love and Spirit. 
7. Emma turns TEN on April 10.  We’ll be having her annual RETO Birthday party with all her friends and it should be a great time.

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 ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up to make monthly donations online at the link below.
ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support.

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.

CENTRO CRISTIANO COFRADIA - 5 YEARS!

CENTRO CRISTIANO COFRADIA ANNIVERSARY

The Christian Church in Cofradia has been alive for more than 20 years, but it wasn’t until recently that they obtained a meeting place just for themselves.  It was a sweet accomplishment led by missionary Dave Elias who proceeded to move his family back to Canada shortly after its completion.

It marked the end of the era of planting a church body and meeting together at the mission base...

The inauguration took place on February 27, 2011...

It has been five years since we opened the doors to the new church building after five years of construction projects brought to fruition and funded by your help.  It was a large project, but definitely worth every drop of sweat that went into it.  The locals also gave so much of their time and heart into the project helping teams and working while no teams were present.

Now, it is a place where the locals meet together to worship God; it is a place where people find restoration through a Savior named Jesus; it is a place where people find freedom in Christ; it is a place where people grow in their leadership skills and are trained through a Bible school; it is a place where people of all ages meet to have fun together playing soccer and volleyball during the week; it is also a place where a diverse group of Christian churches meet in unity to worship the same God and share the same purpose of extending HIS Kingdom.

This past Sunday, we celebrated God’s faithfulness to His children.  Throughout the years, He has shown His kindness and love in so many different ways.  As we look to the future, we continue to march forward towards the goal of finishing the race that has been set before us.  We are “La Cofradia United”.  “Cofradia” means a brotherhood that shares a common goal whether it be religious or charitable.  We are working together with other churches to expand the Kingdom of God and raise up leaders in rural Mexico.

Pastor Ruben from Las Varas leading worship. 

Pastor Benjamin from Chiapas sharing from God's Word.

Dramas

Children's graduation from Samaritan's Purse Christmas Box Bible Study (12 weeks).

Thank you for your dedication to prayer for this congregation.  Thank you to all who have come and participated on a team.  Thank you to all who have donated financially to increase the Kingdom of God in this area.

The work here is not finished.  With the foundation set, we are excited about extending “La Cofradia United” to other towns where meetings are already taking place.  We need your help.  Here is a quick look at our ministry and the current needs we have and ways you can help.

One-time or monthly gifts can be made online or by sending a check made out to “Alternative Missions” with a separate note indicating that it is for “Cofradia Operations” to: 

ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS

PO BOX 3107

FERNDALE, WA  98248

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A ONE TIME OR MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS ONLINE.

SPLASH REPORT

SPLASH 2016!

It was definitely a Splash!  With at least six different churches, we made 8 teams and played kick-ball with a splash.  It was a lot of fun, the students were all mixed together randomly in order to break the invisible walls of comfort.  All the students were able to participate (if they wanted).  After kicking the ball out in the field, the students would proceed to slip-slide-slither in an unbalanced half-run along the soapy wet plastic baseline to finally tumble and plunge into the small pool at first base with a big SPLASH.  This was the scene as those who actually made it, continued along to 2nd and 3rd bases.  Making it to home was enticingly attractive after wriggling out of the way of being the target for an out--a sweet dive through a hoop, down a small wet slide into the final pool.

Tumbling into first.

Splashing into 2nd.

Escaping the out.

Sliding Home!

After a couple hours of the tournament-style event, Pastor Luis shared with all the students about the connection that our dreams have with our heart.  If our heart is right, our dreams are right.  What is the essence of our dreams?  Are they selfish or are they selfless?

The Winning Team

Thank you for supporting this Student Ministry in prayer and finances.
Click here to donate towards the students.

MARCH UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía! eeHAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!ee  Not to Geña and me, but to our local church.  Five years ago was the inauguration of the new church building and we’ll be celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness this Sunday!  The ministry started over 20 years ago with a medical team when the ministry was Youth With A Mission.  The focus was to assist the locals and the travelling indigenous workers who would come down from the mountains to work in the fields and serve them, in a sense, as a City of Refuge.  The ministry evolved into a church plant and the Lord continues to be faithful as people meet Him and grow in Him.  Click here for a quick two-minute video of our ministry.

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 have completed a big chunk of the paperwork and sent it in to Mexico City last week.  We need $2,000 to help with the cost. 
2. Bible School. Thank you to those who have responded to the need of the three students who have been unable to pay their tuition.   
3. Drug Rehab Center: The City Commissioners of Rosamorada have said there is no land available to donate towards this project.  The Municipal President is still anxious to see this project get under way and is willing to help build the facilities.  We’re just waiting for land.  A while back, Pastor Amado was offered an abandoned movie theatre for roughly $40,000 US dollars, but there are no finances for the purchase.  In the meantime, he and his wife have been treating and helping drug addicts from their home and attending funerals of young people.  Just last week a young girl slit her wrists due to her addiction!  These people are desperate for help.  
4. An Accountant: Keep praying for the Lord’s will to be done. 
5. Internet. Keep praying for the Lord’s will to be done. 
6. Date Night.  What an excellent time!  We enjoyed having Doug and Jan Taylor speaking for us.  Click here to see a quick report with pictures.
7. Church Anniversary Celebration.  This Sunday, March 6th. 
8. Leaders.  Continue to pray for leaders to be raised up in this area. 

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors
• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three 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. Religious Association Status.  Finances. We need $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished.  Please consider how you can help; click here to safely send a tax-deductible contribution online.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Partner with us as we raise up leaders in rural Mexico.  Graduation will be here before we know it and some of the students still have been unable to pay their tuition.  Of the ten students currently eligible for graduation in June, three of them are coming up short: Hugo Diaz ($70), Mily Garzon ($240), and Angel Martinez “Niko” ($360). If you know one of these people and want to help, I can share with you instructions on where to pay.  Or, if you’d like to help any of them in general, simply send a gift with a special note of “Cofradia Tuition” here.
3. Drug Rehab Center: Pray for the Lord to open up doors for land or the opportunity for a building.  Also, pray for the pastors to have wisdom as they serve these young people so desperately in need. 
4. An Accountant: We are in need of an accountant in Mexico to help us with our Civil and Religious Association finances.  We have been working with one, but her availability is very limited.  All receipts are done electronically through the internet which makes things very difficult for us in a location where the phone company does not want to install internet.  Please pray that God would provide us with the right person or that our current accountant will be able to help us better understand what we need to do. 
5. Internet. Pray that a better system becomes available to us.  We currently are using dial-up at home; at the mission base, we have a satellite system from the states through Hughesnet which is slow, limited, and expensive. 
6. Splash 2016: We’ll be hosting a mulit-church youth event this weekend with games and a message to continue creating a sense of unity amongst the churches in the region and reach out to new youth.  Click here for more info.
7. Church Anniversary Celebration.  This Sunday, March 6, we will be celebrating 5 years since our inauguration of the building.  Pray for the evangelistic opportunity that this brings. 
8. Mesa Team.  A group of people from our local church plant, Centro Cristiano Cofradia, will be travelling up to La Mesa, Nayarit, to work with the Cora Indians for a week as they present the message of Jesus through a VBS-style camp for the children (March 13 – 18). 

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 ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up to make monthly donations online at the link below.
ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support.

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.

Alternative Missions Cofradia

A quick look at the ministry here in Cofradia, Mexico, with the Director Steve Silberman.



Come along side us and be part of what God is doing here by Praying, Coming, and Giving.

• Pray for wisdom with the governmental requirements of our new Religious and Civil Associations.
• Pray for finances.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in this area!

• Come down on a Short-Term Mission team (click here for the Short-Term Missions Manual).  
• Vacation Bible Schools with the children 
• Partner with the church evangelizing other towns
• Building relationships with the locals
• Construction Projects
• Building houses
• Come down as an intern.
• Come down as a full-time Missionary.

• Give towards the ministry's operational fund.
• Give towards the support of local Pastors and Missionaries who are going out from Cofradia to other places.
• Give towards specific projects and/or ministries.

*ALL GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE AND CAN BE MADE AS A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION OR SET UP AS AN AUTOMATIC MONTHLY DONATION.

*CONTACT STEVE FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING ANY QUESTIONS OR SPECIFICS ABOUT PRAYING, COMING, OR GIVING.

SPLASH 2016! coming soon...

Next Saturday, March 5, we are inviting all the youth groups in this region to join us for an evening of "refreshing".  Splash 2016 will be a kickball game using pools as the bases and soapy, wet tarps as baselines.  It will be a Splash!  We'll have a refreshing message from the Word to follow.

Many of the events for the student ministry incur extra expenses and your donations help make this possible for us to do.  Please partner with us by sending a one time or monthly donation to the Cofradia Student Ministry here.  Thank you in advance!

DATE NIGHT 2016

Thirty-nine couples came out to our annual “Date Night” for Valentine’s Day.  It was a nice, relaxing time that couples were able to enjoy over a very good meal, some participated in games, and an excellent message from Doug and Jan Taylor. 

Through their message we were encouraged to live the Gospel in our marriage, life, and family, build relational bridges in the community, and serve those around us.  Couples came from Cofradia, San Marcos, Las Pilas, Santa Fe, Arrayanes, Rosamorada, Tuxpan, Mojocuautla, Ruiz, and Mazatlan.  In the end, three and a half couples raised their hands to say that they wanted Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of their life.  Thank you for those of you who prayed.

FEBRUARY MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía! The dogs are barking; deep “woofs” of the larger ones and sharp yelps from the little ones.  The distant howling of coyotes and the constant crowing of roosters make the sounds appear to be a planned, ongoing song with an occasional donkey braying as if it were trying to sing.  It’s 4:30am in Cofradía.  Soon the sounds will fade into the squeaky suspensions, the humming of vehicle motors, and the popping of tractor engines over men’s voices as they head out into the fields.  It’s a new day and God’s creation is in action.

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.  Things are moving along quite well.  We’re not sure how long this will take, but we’re making very good progress. The Religious Association will be called “Centro Cristiano la Cofradia United”. 
2. Bible School. Many of the people who have taken classes for the past couple of years attribute the material we’ve been studying as having made a direct impact in their spiritual growth and maturity.  It has been a huge blessing!  We asked you to pray for those who still need help with their tuition; some have been able to pay while others still need help. 
3. Drug Rehab Center: We are still waiting, but a location has been chosen.  Thank you for your continued prayers for this as we look forward to seeing this Center become a reality. 
4. Border Run.  Thank you for your prayers.  We had a wonderful time while we were in the states as we spent a week with my parents and another week with Geña’s sister along with a couple of visits at the Harrison’s and the opportunity to see some friends and Pastors in Bakersfield.   
5. Short-Term Mission Team: We had another great time as the team was able to connect and impact lives of the locals as we focused on “Healthy Families”.  Our newest missionary members to Cofradía, Lain and Kelly Grant, came here on this same team last year; they have written a few words about this year’s experience and you can read them here.

Here are some links to more:

• UPDATED Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• Last Month’s Update 
• EL RETO 2015 
• What is EL RETO 
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  Click on this link to check it out.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  The financial end of this issue is still in need; the minimal cost is $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished.  Please consider how you can help; click here to safely send a tax-deductible contribution online.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Graduation will be here before we know it and some of the students still have been unable to pay their tuition.  Of the ten students currently eligible for graduation in June, three of them are coming up short: Hugo Diaz ($70), Mily Garzon ($240), and Angel Martinez “Niko” ($390). If you know one of these people and want to help, I can share with you instructions on where to pay.  Or if you’d like to help any of them, simply send a general donation to Cofradia with a special note of “Cofradia Tuition”.
3. Drug Rehab Center: Continue to lift up Pastor Amado in prayer as he works with the local government to get this project running. 
4. An Accountant: We are in need of an accountant in Mexico to help us with our Civil and Religious Association finances.  We have been working with one, but her availability is very limited.  All receipts are done electronically through the internet which makes things very difficult for us in a location where the phone company does not want to install internet.  Please pray that God would provide us with the right person or that our current accountant will be able to help us better understand what we need to do. 
5. Internet. Pray that a better system becomes available to us.  We currently are using dial-up at home; at the mission base, we have a satellite system from the states through Hughesnet which is slow, limited, and expensive. 
6. Date Night.  Our annual Valentine’s Date Night is tomorrow!  We will have the privilege of having Doug and Jan Taylor once again as our guest speakers. 
7. Church Anniversary Celebration.  On Sunday, March 6, we will be celebrating 5 years since our inauguration of the building.  Pray for the evangelistic opportunity that this brings. 
8. Leaders.  Continue to pray for leaders to be raised up in this area. 

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
La Cofradia United International
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director


--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up for monthly giving safely online at the link below.
ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support.

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 the reports from the local pastors in Cofradia.  They receive very little for what they do and any donation you can make to them is appreciated.  You can click on their name to safely donate online.

Pastor, Gregorio Hernández

Lead Pastor

As 2015 came to a close, we were able to reflect on all of the things that were accomplished during the year, and with satisfaction we saw that it was a year of great blessing for the church. For example:

• The bible college that is providing us with brothers and sisters who are equipped to do the tasks that GOD entrusts to each one.
• The Freedom in Christ conference we hosted in December that was good preparation for those who attended that will help others learn to live free in Christ.

And we know that all this isn’t just a blessing for the church but also for the town in general—that is, for those who will enter the church in the future.

In the area of worship, Hugo’s efforts as Worship Minister really stand out; we are extremely grateful to God for the work He is doing through him. During 2015 he was in charge of leading us in worshiping God on many Sundays, and I am certain that he will continue growing in this area. 

Each one of the Cofradía Christian Center leaders has incomparable potential. For all of this and more we are grateful to all of you for your support in prayer and intercession as well as in finances. I tell you that what you are doing out of love for GOD is not in vain. It is translating into lives transformed for the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are all a part of that!!

Our passion is to continue reproducing what God has done in Cofradía, in communities both near and far, and to continue living out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18‐20. We thank you in advance for your continued and future support. Please be praying for this year’s theme: “Free to Live, Worship, Preach, and Pray.” And as always, we are so grateful for your passion and dedication to God.

Blessings to you all.

Yours Sincerely,

Pastor Gregorio Hernández, Mati, and Family

___________________________________________

Pastor Luis Vázquez

Youth Ministries and Maintenance

Greetings, and may God bless your lives through Jesus Christ, His beloved Son!

In recently days we have been enjoying God’s blessing in new ways as we have continued to know Him better each day, both in His personality as much as in His fullness. He is manifesting Himself in our lives, our ministry, and our church.

THE CHALLENGE (EL RETO), the event for which we asked for your prayers earlier this year, was excellent and provided many opportunities throughout all the activities to talk about all the aspects related to Identity. Over the course of the event, we taught the youth about who Christ is and about His forgiveness. That great truth was planted in their hearts, and God will make His Word prosper in them. We also enjoyed the participation of other church youth groups, one of which continues to bring their youth to our weekly meetings to work together as partners in ministry, which is part of our vision for the youth.

The youth leaders and I are still passionate about pursuing the youth and gathering them together each Saturday and grow deeper roots together in the love of God.

As a family we are still adjusting to the absence of our daughter, who moved to Tepic for college. We believe it is God’s will for her and we receive that; the rest of us keep pressing on and we enjoy having her home when she returns each weekend. We ask for your prayers for:

• Carolina and her studies and for our adjustment to her absence.
• Unity for us as a family.
• The new members and attenders to our youth group.
• Growth in the youth who are already established in the group.

May God richly bless your lives and those of your families. Thank you for your generosity to us.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Luis

_________________________________________

Pastor Horacio Garzon

Indigenous Ministries and Arrayanes

Hello, brothers and sisters. As always, it is a pleasure to greet you once again. I hope that you are all well. I assure you we are all well, though I tell you that because my wife, María, was ill for a month with a digestive ailment, which was complicated by her diabetes and therefore necessitated two or three rounds of treatment.Though she lost quite a bit of weight in the process, she is finally recovering well.

In ministry we are still confident in and grateful to God for all things. We continue ministering in the Cora community of Mojocuautla. We are organizing the distribution of the Operation Christmas Child boxes, praying that many children will receive the love of Christ through that event.

Your support is a precious blessing that allows us to resolve several needs that have beset us. In addition, through it God has allowed us to go to a distant mountain community of Cora called “El Cangrejo.”

Thank you!

JANUARY 2016 UPDATE

Greetings from the Silbermans! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!  We are currently visiting my parents in Washington for a few days and will be in Southern California for another week before we drive back to Cofradía.  We are enjoying this small window of time with family after a very busy November and December.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
In our last update, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Religious Association Status.  We have sent in the first round of paperwork and are waiting for a response from Mexico City.  Thank you for your continued prayers. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students as they finish up their Thesis.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their financial need.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: We had a great time with the leaders of Freedom in Christ Ministries here in Mexico.  They guided us through a 13 week discipleship curriculum in four days.  It was intense, but the outcome was very helpful.  Some of the testimonies where that people were able to sleep at night with a peaceful mind.  Thank you for your prayers. 
4. Drug Rehab Center: Still waiting for the Rosamorada Town Hall meeting in order to get the land for the Center.  Thank you for praying. 
5. Border Run.  So far, everything has been going well.  We are enjoying ourselves with my parents and look forward to spending next week with Geña’s family in California.  Thank you for your continued prayers for safe travels and divine encounters.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO?
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  Click on this link to check it out.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  We want to make sure that the church we have planted in Cofradia is legal.  This is the underlying reason why we need a Religious Association.  We are looking at a minimal cost of $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished and need help with the cost.  Click here to safely send a tax-deductible contribution.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students finishing up their Thesis.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their need.
3. Drug Rehab Center: Thank you for your continued prayers for this as we look forward to seeing this Center become a reality. 
4. Border Run.  Thank you for continuing to pray for our safety and good health while we’re in the states.  We’ll be returning to Cofradia on the 11th of January.
5. Short-Term Mission Team We are hosting a team from Houston, Texas from January 23 – 30 with a focus on Marriage and Family Relationships.  Pray for another successful time with nurtured international relationships and strong families and marriages.

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
La Cofradia United International
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up for monthly giving safely online at the link below.
ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support.

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.

DECEMBER UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! This is our last update before Christmas and the New Year.  So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We continue to be marveled by the grace of God and His immense love towards us.  It is special and great to be called His children.  

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
In our last update, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Religious Association Status.  While Pastor Goyo and I were in Mexico City, we had the opportunity to meet the person who is helping us with the paperwork.  She has been a blessing to us and we continue to gather all the documentation we need in order to pass on to her. 
2. Bible School. Please continue to pray for the five Masters students who are working on their graduation exam (Pastor Goyo, Martin, Angel, Pastor Amado and his wife, Lourdes—from Rosamorada) and that they will be able to pay for their tuition.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their need.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Mexico City: WOW!  What an incredible time!  Everyone so was so loving and accepting as they made us feel right at home and blessed.  It was an unforgettable and freeing time for both Pastor Goyo and me; I even had a chance to sit down and chat personally with Neil Anderson.  You can read about our time in Mexico City here.
4. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: Please continue to pray for this upcoming conference with William Gallardo, his wife and two others who will be coming to Cofradia to lead a four-day conference with the Pastors and Leaders from Cofradia and some from the surrounding areas.  Pray for safety in their travels, open hearts in those attending, and for this aspect of ministry to continue in this area; we want to see people free in Christ! (December 17 – 20) 
5. Drug Rehab Center: Pastor Amado is still waiting for Town Hall to present to him available locations for the Center.  Once they have the land, the Municipal President has offered to help with the construction of the facilities because of the overwhelming need in Rosamorada (our county seat) for a Rehab Center.  Thank you for your continued prayers. 
6. Anniversary! Thank you for your continued prayers over our family.  Even though the actual day was super busy, we have been able to find moments to give thanks for the past 15 years.

Here are some links to more:

• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  Click on this link to check it out.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  Continue to pray for guidance, wisdom, patience, and finances, as we put all the documentation together.  We are looking at a minimal cost of $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students I mentioned above and their individual needs.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: As I mentioned above, please pray for safety over the speakers as they travel, open hearts in those attending, and for this aspect of ministry to continue in this area; we want to see people free in Christ! (December 17 – 20) 
4. Drug Rehab Center: Thank you for your continued prayers for this as we look forward to seeing this Center become a reality. 
5. Border Run.  No, we’re not going to Taco Bell!  But, yes, we are making a quick trip to the states in order to update our vehicle permit.  After driving to the Los Angeles area, we will fly to Washington for a few days to spend Christmas with my parents, then return to the Los Angeles area to spend some time with some of Geña’s family.  Pray for safety in travel, divine encounters, and the Lord’s provision.

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
La Cofradia United International
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up for monthly giving safely online at the link below.

ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support

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.