JUNE MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! In just three weeks we will be heading north to Washington.  We will be there for the month of July and will need to return to Cofradía for a week of orientation classes at the High School for Rebecka in August.  During our time in the US, we will be driving up through Arizona, California, and Oregon with hopes of arriving in Washington just before Independence Day.  Then, about the first of August, we’ll head back south the way we came and hopefully celebrate Rebecka’s 15th (Quinceañera) birthday on the way.

Please contact us about getting together as time always flies when we’re in the states and our agenda gets filled up quick.

We are available for speaking at church services, mid-week services, home groups, youth groups, Sunday school classes, etc.
Looking forward to seeing as many of you as we can.

A little over a month ago, I was approached by an elderly man named Gustavo from Las Pilas who needs help with the labor of building a room onto his house with materials the government supplied for him.  The rainy season is coming and he was desperate for help.  Pastor Goyo has been leading small groups of helpers to pour the floor and build the walls.  Here is a link to some of the activity there.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Last month, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Pastors’ Retreat: Thank you for your prayers as we Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico.  This retreat went really well and the pastors who attended were encouraged and felt refreshed (to put it mildly).  Here is the report.
2. Las Pilas Church: This will be a continual request for prayer.  I have posted on our blog our prayer petition.
3. Arrayanes Church: This is also a continual request.  Pastor Goyo has been meeting with a few people, praying together, and planning what to do for an awakening in Arrayanes.
4. Our Family: Thank you for your prayers!  We are constantly in need of prayer and appreciate people like you who faithfully pray for us.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Lain & Kelly Grant’s Latest Update 
• (UPDATED) Cofradía Dwellings Candidates 
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Bible School Graduation: Seven students will be graduating with different degrees on June 18.  Pray that this will be a blessing for them and the church as we continue to raise up leaders.  Our friend, Francisco Jimenez, from Oxnard, CA, will be joining us again this year as well as some graduating students from Mexico City.  We anticipate a great day! 
2. Trip to the States: Please pray for travel safety, God’s provision, and good health as we travel the next couple of months.  We look forward to seeing as many of you as we can while we’re in the states. (June 23 – early-August). 
3. EL RETO 2017: Please pray for Pastor Luis and his team as they begin planning for our annual youth outreach.  The event starts the last Saturday of August, but it’s not too early to start praying for the staff, captains, and students who will be involved.  This event operates with a $2,000 US Dollar budget and is funded by mostly donations from many of you and some minimal fund raising here.  This way, we do not have to charge anyone for attending.  Because of some faithful givers throughout this past year, we have roughly $400 USD already raised!!  That means, in order to reach our goal, we need at least $1,600 more.  Please prayerfully consider a generous contribution to reach out to these unchurched students.  Here is a link to contribute online.
4. Church Ministry: Pastor Goyo and his leadership team have been doing an excellent job lately as they are leading small group meetings and evangelisms in different towns.  He is heading up the meetings in Arrayanes and overseeing the meetings in Cofradia and Las Pilas where Angel and Francisca lead their groups respectively. 
5. Jay and Faith TenBrink will be leaving the mission field of Mexico and returning to Washington State in July.  They recently had returned to Cofradia to help facilitate a ministry in the mountains where Martin, Pastor Horacio’s son, is now living.  Jay has been a huge help around the base and church with mechanics, media, and a number of other things.  Pray for them to be able to reestablish their lives in Washington, for work, and direction for their future. 
6. Our Family: Please continue to pray for our family.  Pray for the Lord’s wisdom, clear communication amongst each other and with others, a considerate and loving heart to hurting people, God’s guidance in leadership, and whatever else the Lord lays on your heart.

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
Ministry Website: www.cofradiaunited.com
Facebook

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **

ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link.

MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Arrayanes Church

Pastor Goyo has been meeting with a few people in Arrayanes each week.  Please pray with us for an awakening in Arrayanes.  Here is our request of prayer for Arrayanes in our recent update:

"As many of you know we have church property and a building in Arrayanes where we gathered on Sunday evenings a number of years ago.  We eventually started to meet all together in Cofradía on Sundays and held home bible studies in Arrayanes during the week.  Activity in Arrayanes has gradually decreased and is almost non-existent.  The building is no longer being used and the property looks abandoned.  Some of the Arrayanes congregation continues to meet with us in Cofradía on Sundays, but many do not come or have quit coming.  We would like to see something happen during the week to give the opportunity of meeting together for those who do not come or cannot attend.  Pastor Goyo met with them last Friday night to talk to them about starting something up again.  We are praying that the Lord would begin to move once again in this town.  The enemy has taken ground and we want it back.  To give you a better picture, read all of Nehemiah 2 and give attention to verses 17 and 18.  After praying about this for some time, it has really been on our hearts to 'rebuild' in Arrayanes.  Pastor Goyo will meet again with them on May 19."

Las Pilas Church

In our latest update, I shared a request of prayer for this town and direction for the future of the church that meets together each week:

"For a number of years, one of the members of the Cofradía church has been visiting Las Pilas (the town right before you get to Cofradía from the Interstate).  She, Secundina, has adequately discipled one of the locals, Francisca (the wife of Mario the Taco guy), who in turn has been leading bible studies for a couple of years now.  About seven people in town came to her asking her to teach them and lead them.  With the help of Secundina and occasional visits by Pastor Goyo, their meetings have been consistent and they have been growing spiritually.  They currently meet on Thursdays home-group style and will continue to do so, but we’re also praying about a more communal place for them to meet which would include property and a building like we have at the mission base.  Please pray with us for their continued growth and direction for the future of the Las Pilas Church."

This is the style of building we would be interested in for the Las Pilas church.

Please continue to pray for the Lord's direction and provision.

Building Bridges

"Cofradia" means "Brotherhood": A group of people linked together for a common purpose whose goal is religious or charitable.

One of the charitable activities that bring us together is construction projects.  A few weeks ago, an older gentlemen, Mr. Pineda, came to me asking for labor help with a room for his house for which the government provided the material.  The rain is coming soon and he still has a number of vulnerable bags of cement lying around.

After talking it over with our Civil Association leadership team, we decided that it would be a great opportunity to build a bridge for Christ in the town of Las Pilas where Mr. Pineda lives.  We have been doing bible studies in that town for the past few years and like Nehemiah, we want to help people with their physical needs as well.

We gathered some volunteers and went out to pour the floor of the room that will be added on to the man's house.  On our way, our cement mixer's axel froze up and we had to lift it into the back of my Courier.  After about an hour of work, we finished and were able to bless Mr. Pineda.  Pastor Goyo is planning some more trips out there until we finish the project.

Here are some pics of the floor being poured...

PASTOR'S RETREAT

We are Raising Up Leaders in Rural Mexico!

We want to see people being raised up as capable leaders who will become great leaders in their families, churches, and communities.  One of the most effective ways we've been able to see results of growth and awareness is through Leadership Retreats.  During these times, people have a chance to participate in ideas, be encouraged by others, learn about teamwork, and be challenged to put their visions into action.  It's been a very helpful tool for us.

Last December, some pastors came to us asking for help with their ministries.  After mentioning that these retreats have been very helpful, they wanted us to do one with them.  So we did.

Some said it was "encouraging and very much needed for their ministry" and others added that "this was a time of refreshing renewal" for them.  They all mentioned that this was an urgent need for their leadership team in their ministries and they needed to do something about it right away.

This was a very fulfilling time for our team as it is our desire to help as much as we can the churches in our region as we also can learn from them.  It's an exciting time of team building and focus as we understand that we are all working for the same Kingdom and know that our congregations are "not ours".  Having that concept helps us build camaraderie with each other.

After everyone was picked up, we made our way to San Blas where we visited the ruins of a naval look-out area and an old church from the 18 century.  We all shared our stories of how God has worked in our lives.  As we left, we were able to leave those "ruins" there and focus on what was ahead.

We arrived at the Bungalow downtown which turned out to be very accessible to our needs.  As Lain prepared lunch for everyone at the barbecue, we talked about the required reading for this trip, John Maxwell's The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader's Day.

After lunch and an activity, we talked about what characteristics are found in bad teams as opposed to good teams and each ministry chose a few of the positive characteristics to work on.  Then, Pastor Goyo led a session on Nehemiah chapters one and two just before dinner.

During dinner, some of the guys jumped in the pool while we had the movie Invictus projected up on the wall.

The next morning we debriefed the movie and looked at some of the positive characteristics in the way Nelson Mandela brought together his country when he became President.  We moved on to a "Health Report" of our ministries and talked about ways we can do things better in light of all the information we had talked about in the previous 24 hours.  This led us to challenge them to put together a one-day or weekend leadership retreat for their leadership teams in their ministries.

In the end, it was an excellent time and very, very productive.  We were able to relax in the afternoon at the beach for a couple of hours before heading home.

Here are a few pics from the retreat...

A must-need pit-stop at Starbucks before we hit the road.

Sharing each others' stories at the ruins.

Pastor Luis completely engaged during the activity.

Positive qualities of a functional team.

Some of the guys hopped in the pool during the movie.

Planning time for a retreat with their own teams.

Unity in Diversity.

Thank you to all of you who prayed specifically for this retreat.  In general, when you pray and give, you are investing in our ministry and the ministers and ministries in which we have influence.  Your gifts are very much appreciated!

Please make a special one-time donation or become a monthly donor to this ministry; click on this link and follow the instructions.

At that same link, you can send a gift for an upcoming Leadership Course some of our pastors will be attending in Mexico City.  The cost is roughly $265 US Dollars per person.  We have three Pastors signed up and are committed to helping them; we would love to send more!

LET'S RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO TOGETHER!!

MAY MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! Thank you so much for remembering us in your prayers this past month!  It was a good month to get caught up on a number of things that have been waiting to get done.  Also, we were able to make time for a couple of trips to catch some waves at the beach.  You will see a number of photos at the link below under the heading, “Emma’s Birthday”.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Last month, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Rosamorada Outreach: This three-day outreach was held in the public town square.  Each night there was worship music, a message, and prayer.  There were testimonies of how God touched lives and many by-standards stopped to listen.  I have touched on this in a brief report with pictures here.
2. Emma’s Birthday:  We had a really fun day at the beach as we celebrated Emma’s birthday.  Due to Holy Week, there were a lot of people, but the waves were still the same...and we caught some!  We have lots of pictures here.
3. 49th Anniversary: Congratulations to Mom and Dad who celebrated their 49th anniversary on April 12!
4. Pastors’ Retreat: Please continue to lift this up in prayer as we have set the dates for May 12 and 13.  We found an excellent location for a very low price!  We will focus on teamwork and the needs in our ministries.  We are really excited about the opportunity to invest in the pastors from Rosamorada, Las Varas, and Compostela, Nayarit, as they have requested our help in guiding them and we look forward to what we can learn from them as well. 
5. Our Family: Thank you for your continued prayers.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Lain & Kelly Grant’s Update 
• (UPDATED) Cofradía Dwellings Candidates 
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• 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. Pastors’ Retreat: Pray for guidance as we plan; open hearts as we teach; and a humble spirit as we learn. 
2. Las Pilas Church: For a number of years, one of the members of the Cofradía church has been visiting Las Pilas (the town right before you get to Cofradía from the Interstate).  She, Secundina, has adequately discipled one of the locals, Francisca (the wife of Mario the Taco guy), who in turn has been leading bible studies for a couple of years now.  About seven people in town came to her asking her to teach them and lead them.  With the help of Secundina and occasional visits by Pastor Goyo, their meetings have been consistent and they have been growing spiritually.  They currently meet on Thursdays home-group style and will continue to do so, but we’re also praying about a more communal place for them to meet which would include property and a building like we have at the mission base.  Please pray with us for their continued growth and direction for the future of the Las Pilas Church. 
3. Arrayanes Church: As many of you know we have church property and a building in Arrayanes where we gathered on Sunday evenings a number of years ago.  We eventually started to meet all together in Cofradía on Sundays and held home bible studies in Arrayanes during the week.  Activity in Arrayanes has gradually decreased and is almost non-existent.  The building is no longer being used and the property looks abandoned.  Some of the Arrayanes congregation continues to meet with us in Cofradía on Sundays, but many do not come or have quit coming.  We would like to see something happen during the week to give the opportunity of meeting together for those who do not come or cannot attend.  Pastor Goyo met with them last Friday night to talk to them about starting something up again.  We are praying that the Lord would begin to move once again in this town.  The enemy has taken ground and we want it back.  To give you a better picture, read all of Nehemiah 2 and give attention to verses 17 and 18.  After praying about this for some time, it has really been on our hearts to “rebuild” in Arrayanes.  Pastor Goyo will meet again with them on May 19. 
4. Our Family: Please continue to pray for our family.  Pray for the Lord’s wisdom, clear communication amongst each other and with others, a considerate and loving heart to hurting people, God’s guidance in leadership, and whatever else the Lord lays on your heart.

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 **

ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link.


MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Emma's 11th Birthday

We celebrated Emma's 11th birthday on Monday, April 10, at the beach in San Blas.  She invited two school-girl friends and had family from Cofradia join us along with some friends from Tepic.  All day long they were in the water with the boogie boards.  It was a great time.  Lain took some really good pictures...

Rosamorada Outreach

Pastor Amado and his congregation, Casa de Oración la Hermosa, put together a three-day open-air outreach in the plaza of their town, Rosamorada.  Throughout the three days, many people were touched by the Lord.  On the final evening, one lady gave a testimony about how she had been loosing her sense of smell and hearing.  As she was dancing at the altar after the service during ministry time, she said she heard a "pop" in her head and all of the sudden could smell "un rico carne asada" (grilled beaf at a nearby taco stand) and she could hear just fine.  Praise the Lord!

A pastor from Chiapas spoke the first two nights and the final night a lady from Rosamorada who now lives in Las Vegas shared a very appropriate testimony of how God took her out of living on the streets and drug addictions.  The people of Rosamorada remember her from her previous lifestyle, but now she is excited to be able to share with everyone what God has done in her life and what He can do in others...especially in Rosamorada.

It was also great to see a number of different evangelical churches gathered together in unity at one public event.

Here are some pictures that Lain was able to take:

APRIL MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! Thank you for your prayers last month as it was a pretty busy one!  In our last letter, we mentioned that we had just returned from a quick border trip to Southern California, held a Drummer Workshop, and Celebrated our 6th year in the new Church Building.  Activities continued with a celebration of life for our friend Roger Reeh who lived in Mazatlan with his wife Hazel, the Church Elders’ Retreat, a new class for Pastors and Leaders through the Bible School, grading papers for previous classes, filling out paperwork for the Civil and Religious Associations, inquiring about local High Schools, the Financial Administration seminar, planning for upcoming events, and Rebecka’s first Violin lesson!

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Last month, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Elder’s Retreat: Pastors Goyo and Luis did an excellent job organizing and executing the in-house retreat for the elders of the church.  It was very helpful to come together for the two days in fellowship as we analyzed how we are doing and planned for the future. 
2. Administration Seminar: It was a great blessing to have Pastor Hector from La Cruz and one of his associates, Hector Quintero, come to share about Biblical Principals on Financial Administration.  Many of the things he taught will be very helpful for our people! 
3. Restoration Center: Within days of sending out our last update mentioning the need for $2,000, we received it!  Thank you so much for all of you who participate in our ministry whether its prayer, financial support for the ministry or us, or by coming down to help.  You all make a difference!  The owner of the land we want to purchase will be arriving at the end of this month so we can work out details.
4. Rebecka’s High School: We think we found the best option for Rebecka’s High School.  Though it is not the best logistically, it is the best option to prepare her for University.  The High School, Preparatorio 5, in Tuxpan is about 40 minutes away and will add $150 - $200 of travel expenses a month to our budget. Thank you for your prayers concerning this and we ask for your continued prayers as she begins this new chapter of her life in August. 
5. Our Family: We constantly need your prayers.  Thank you!

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• Lain & Kelly Grant’s Update
• Pastor Gerardo’s Healing from Cancer: His testimony (Spanish); His Doctor’s Testimony (English)
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates
• Most Recent House Build
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Rosamorada Outreach: Pastor Amado is heading up a three-day outreach in the middle his town of Rosamorada.  Our church will be participating in a number of areas and I will be leading worship the final night.  Pray for souls to be saved and lives to be touched.  Pastor Amado has a gift of reaching those who have Drug and Alcohol addictions. (April 7-9) 
2. Emma’s Birthday:  We’ll be heading to the beach on Emma’s birthday this year with a number of family and friends.  Pray for safety and a great day for Emma! (April 10) 
3. 49th Anniversary: Mom and Dad will be celebrating their 49th anniversary this year! (April 12)
4. Pastors’ Retreat: We are putting together a retreat specially made to help a few pastors with their churches and leadership teams.  We look forward to an excellent time together.  The dates are not set as we are looking for openings in a hotel with kitchenette.  Pray for guidance as we plan; open hearts as we teach; and a humble spirit as we learn. 
5. Our Family: Please continue to pray for our family.  Pray for the Lord’s wisdom, clear communication amongst each other and with others, a considerate and loving heart to hurting people, God’s guidance in leadership, and whatever else the Lord lays on your heart.

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
Ministry Website

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **

ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link. 


MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

MARCH MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! Thank you for your prayers for our friend, Pastor Gerardo Ozuna of Templo Calvario in Bakersfield.  You joined countless people who had been praying for him. He was admitted into MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston at the beginning of February with a very aggressive cancer that filled his abdominal cavity, liver, lungs, and brain.  I watched an interview by his doctor and he says that it was a “very impressive recovery...almost miraculous” because he has fully recovered in three weeks after not being expected to survive when he first arrived.  A couple weeks ago, Gerardo said he woke up and there was nothing wrong!  No Cancer!  God is good!  Thank you for praying!

Pastor Gerardo’s Testimony (Spanish)
The Doctor’s words (English)

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Last month, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Taylors Conference: We had a great time with the Taylors again as they spoke to our leaders on Friday, at the Date Night on Saturday, and Sunday morning at church.  
2. Border trip.  Thank you for your prayers as we spent two weeks in Southern California.  With the exception of mechanical problems with our truck, everything went really smooth, even the border crossing both ways!  Thank you to all who hosted us as we stayed: Julia Rivera and daughters, Francisco Jimenez and family, Jon and Donna Harrison, and Bob and Dorothy Micher; you were all a blessing to us! 
3. Drummers’ Workshop: Our friend, Hernan, did an excellent job teaching at the Drummer’s Workshop.  We hope that the seed he planted will grow and bear fruit in the Kingdom of God.  Those who attended were pretty excited about learning to play the drums. 
4. Church Anniversary: Pastor Carlos Montoya of Sinaloa came to speak at our 6 year anniversary of the inauguration of the church.  It was a great time and he took time to honor everyone who has participated in helping the church get to this point.  All who have come as missionaries, whether it was long term or short term, were honored on Sunday.

Here are some links to more:

• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates (NEW)
• Most Recent House Build (NEW)
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• CENTRO CRISTIANO COFRADIA’s Facebook page
• Last Month’s Update
• EL RETO: If you missed any of the reports or are curious about EL RETO, click here to see the latest.
• What is EL RETO?
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Elder’s Retreat: Pastor Goyo and Pastor Luis are leading an in-house overnight retreat for our elders in order to strengthen one another and analyze how we are doing.  It should be (as these retreats always are) a very good and insightful time. (March 10-11) 
2. Administration Seminar:  Pastor Hector Robles of La Cruz, Sinaloa and one of his leaders, Hector Quintero, will be joining us for a Seminar on Administration; this is a great need in our community. (April 1,2) 
3. Restoration Center: We have received almost $4,000 dollars as we are raising support in order to purchase the first (of three) plot of land (about 2.5 acres) in Rosamorada for the Drug Rehabilitation...Restoration Center.  The owner of the land will be arriving in six weeks and we need $2,000 more in order for us to purchase this first section.  Please pray for this need, give to this need, and share this link to others who would join us.
4. Rebecka’s High School: Please pray with us as we consider options outside of Cofradía for Rebecka’s High School years.  We really want the Lord’s guidance in this. 
5. Our Family: Please remember to pray for our family.  Pray for the Lord’s wisdom, clear communication amongst each other and with others, a considerate and loving heart to hurting people, God’s guidance in leadership, and whatever else the Lord lays on your heart.

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
Ministry Website
Facebook
** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **
ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link.

MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

DATE NIGHT 2017

We have made it a tradition each year to have a date night for the couples of the church inviting the town and other churches in the area.  It was another great night as Doug and Jan Taylor spoke.  Here are a few pics...

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FOTOS OF SOME OF THE COUPLES.

Betancourt-Rodriguez House Build

He was on his way to work; it was his final day as he was to resign and return home to Cofradia after working in Tijuana for a few months.  The bus that Humberto was standing in with a number of other people flipped over killing 7 and injuring everyone else.  His injuries were somewhat minor as he received a hit to the back of his neck/head which continues to give him pain; he did not expect to walk again as he felt numbness for a couple of days.  As I asked him about the other passengers on the bus, he said there were people all around him with very severe injuries and went on to describe a few that I will leave out of this post (otherwise, I'd have to make this rated R!).

This happened just days after Cy-Fair Christian Church had selected Humberto and his wife, Choco, as recipients for the house they were going to Cofradia to build and already had begun to pray for them.  We all believe that it was God's hand on Humberto's life that kept him alive; it was also a great testimony to Humberto as he acknowledged that it was God who helped him through this.

Humberto is from Cofradia as well as his parents and was part of the youth group a decade ago.  His wife, Choco, is from the Cora indian village of Mojocuautla where Pastor Horacio visits each week for Bible Study.  They have a seven year old daughter named Frida.  They were given a piece of property from his parents, but did not have the means in order to build a house to live in.  Meanwhile, they lived with his parents in an adobe walled, thatched roofed room on the back of the house.  They had been on the list of candidates for two years.

Standing in front of their old home when they first became candidates for Cofradia Dwellings.

This was a great gift for a family who does not know Jesus.  It's exciting for everyone to see the faces of recipients of homes and this was no exception!  Humberto and Choco were so grateful and excited.  Humberto said that he didn't think he'd ever be able to build a house for his family and received this gift with a very thankful heart.

This is so much like the gift of salvation.  We do nothing to deserve salvation; salvation is not earned as so many think so.  It is an unconditional gift.  This house was an unconditional gift.

Humberto receiving the keys to his new home.

Panoramic...this is a typical house we've built with a small kitchen added to the front porch.

We have a special gathering for each home built as we dedicate it to the family.

This is one way to reach a family.  This is one way to share God's love.  Come and bless a family by building them a house and you will be blessed!

We are excited about our new design for a house that will accommodate a family much better.  It includes two rooms, a living room with dining and kitchen area, a bathroom and water cistern.  Click here to a layout of the new design and the current families who are in need of a home.

Put together a team today and contact us!  A good size team is 10-15 people to build a house in one week.