February Thoughts

February was a great month for us here. Once again, we welcomed the 2009 Adventures In Missions class plus some of their guests. We also had visiting missionaries from Leon and Guadalajara, Mexico. We spent the mornings cooking breakfast for 100+ people and spent the evenings wrapping things up and listening to these young apprentice missionaries share their experiences. I have to say, that out of 8 AIM groups we have hosted during our time here in Mexico, this class was the best. They were true servants with hearts for God.

The week after the AIMers left, we welcomed the Rocha family into the Sunset House. Lalo & Jamie Rocha, along with their boys, Liam & Jonah and finally made it to Mexico. Lalo recently graduated from Sunset International Bible Institute. Lalo and Jamie are not strangers to Mexico at all. Lalo is originally from here and we've had the pleasure of working with his parents from time to time. Jamie was living here in Mexico when we first came. Their story is a wonderful one and we are so glad to have them here. We are excited to see how God will use the Rocha family to further His part of the Kingdom here in Mexico City. Please be praying for their transition. Getting settling in to a new environment is always challenging.

The congregation here in Benito Juarez continues to make great advances. We have renewed our small group that meets in Del Valle and the Mexican leadership has really lit a fire within us. New roles have been placed which is always exciting. Juan Pablo and Ro have stepped down as treasurers for the congregation and now Alejandro and Adrian are seeing to the duties. This is a great passing of leadership. Laura and Vero have really taken to leading up the Children's Ministry. Ryan continues to encourage the preachers within the congregation. Many of the men that are on the preaching rotation are coming up with new and inventive ways to encourage the congregation on a weekly basis.

We will welcome a group of seven college-age students from Texas come next week. We are in the middle of dreaming and planning up things we can do with them and how they can help us out and also how we can give back to them. We are planning a Sunday service in the park while they are here and also a praise night. There are other things underway, but much planning to do.

I do want to throw this out there...Ryan and I are needing to raise some more monthly support. We are lacking about $800/month and we are starting to feel the squeeze. After returning back to Mexico after Christmas break, we were faced with rising prices on EVERYTHING. The prices in bills and groceries are rising constantly. We are also wanting to place Jax in school. We feel this is very important. Jax has very little opportunity to interact with other children and we are starting to see some developmental things that we believe school could help. He needs to officially start this fall, (3 being the age when children start school in Mexico) but we are hoping to place him in a little earlier so he can catch up and be ready to start with the other children his age, come this fall. We ask you to spread the news of our needs onto others. We realize that everyone around the world is feeling the squeeze financially...we are no different. Perhaps your Sunday morning class would consider supporting us, or you Ladies' Bible Class. We've known places of business that have taken up collections on a monthly basis. Please let us know if you or someone you know can help. However, most of us please pray that we find these funds.

Our family is doing quite well. We were able to get away for a bit after having the house full for three weeks. It was a wonderful time of family bonding and growing. I can't express how much I love my family. Ryan is such a rock for me and Jax is the sunlight...even when he's testing my limits. I have no complaints about my health. I feel great and to be honest, the best I have in a long time. Perhaps getting older likes me!