I'm Off to Mexico!: January 2016

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Blog 31 02 Feb 2016

School News

La Noticia de la Escuela

Hno. Ivan and his son, Ivan. (In Spanish, pronounced, "Ee-von") Hno. Ivan teaches PE for all grades, as well as science and math to the Spanish-speaking children. His wife, Hna. Laura (of baked pineapple fame!) teaches Bible.
Something interesting here in Mexico, is that instead of "Junior" a boy named after his dad is called "Pollo" like "Chickie" (think of Johnny in West Side Story).
So, this is Hmo. Ivan & Pollo.
In school, though, I call him Ivan.

Church News

La Noticia de la Iglesia

As we are preparing for our large annual conference everyone is busy, busy, busy. There are extra music practices, extra cleaning times, and extra work of all kinds! My help with this basically consists of watching the children of those who are doing the actual work ~~ aren't you glad to know that some things never change?

Even the snack shop is getting a makeover

There will be many delegates here, including several who have graduated from our Bible Institute, and many other Pastors from Mexico and Central and South America. Also, my "home" Pastor, Daniel Parker, from Heritage Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, will be attending.

Mrs. Carrie Suhl will be passing out Beams Bibles to many of these national pastors and missionarries during this week of training and encouragement. Many of our institute students and other young people (and myself) will be helping her count and box the Bibles that have been requested by these delegates, and fulfilled by many of you who give to the Beams ministries.

Soulwinning

Ganando Almas

This Friday, I was partnered with Mrs. Carrie Suhl, who led two older men to the Lord. We passed out 12 tracts while inviting others to church. My neighbor Jessica was able to pray with a young man as he accepted Christ. When she took out her Bible, some of his friends passed by and made fun of him for listening to the church lady. He was a little hesitant then to stay with her, but she asked him if his so-called friends would be standing with him one day when he stood before the Lord, accountable for this decision. He stayed, listened attentively, and trusted Christ! PTL!

The seventeen ladies in our church van led sixteen souls to the Lord.

Roberto y Carlos

Sembradoras Todos

Language

El Idioma

While still progressing through Rosetta Stone (almost completed the first disc), I am also memorizing the verses in the Romans Road. In addition, I am using the DuoLingo ap on my phone, which says I am 26% fluent in Spanish -- maybe there is hope!

Weather Update:

From my sidewalk

From Jon and Jenny's second story

Snow on the mountains!
It was 76* the next day, though.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

~ Pastor's Conference Feb 15-18

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

~ for finances

3. Pray for me to learn Spanish

~ for me to be able to lead

someone to the Lord this year

It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Blog 30 26 Jan 2016

New Year, New Pics!
Nuevos Fotos

Almost everyone was present.

A little fun during recess.

Soulwinning

This Friday, I was partnered with Jenny and Jessica, who each led two teenage girls to the Lord. We passed out 12 tracts while inviting others to church. The seven ladies in our van led ten people to the Lord; six other ladies were in Mrs. Carrie Suhl's van.

While out visiting and looking for "lost sheep" we also ran across a few goats ~ literally! While trying to get this pic, one of them chased me. Fortunately, right next door to the yard with the goats, there was a nice, upscale dress shop. We waited there until the goats were sufficiently distracted.

Right across the street from these two houses was a young boy playing with about twelve cute little puppies. Jessica was right next to the fence talking with the boy when a LARGE pit-bull came barrelling out of his doghouse. She backed up almost as fast as I ran from the goats.

Cuisine

I have been recently made aware of the fact that there are only so many "new" dishes. While I would like to report that I am still really enjoying tacos, tamales, burritos, and quesadillas, I will not keep this as a weekly feature, but rather add it when I have opportunity to report a new or unusual meal.

Weather Update:

I have been seeing a lot reports of snow along the East Coast and into Kentucky and Arkansas, therefore I hesitate to tell you that it is bright and sunny and in the 70's and 80's here. In the evenings it has gotten as low as 45* but I haven't really needed much more than a small space heater.

I am loving Mexico for so many reasons!

Language

El Idioma

While still progressing through Rosetta Stone, I am also memorizing the verses in the Romans Road. We have made it a mutual goal for me to win someone to the Lord in Spanish in the year 2016.

Don;t miss the mountains in the background!

Baby Lucas

Lucasito

Lucas is sitting up on his own now and pulling on everything
he is able to reach, which is usually someone's hair!
Speaking of hair, his looks sometimes brown, sometimes blonde, and sometimes red. Only the Lord knows and time will tell.

Tommy and Jonathan
Tommy y Jonathan

The twins turned 4!
They are growing up so fast. They enjoy school; they have "graduated" to a new Sunday-School Department; and they especially love riding their bicycles! Their "Grammy"
{Jenny's mom} got them new bikes for Christmas. They go very fast, and I predict the training wheels will be off by summer.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church
~ Pastor's Conference Feb 15-18
2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy
~ for finances
3. Pray for me to learn Spanish
~ for me to be able to lead
someone to the Lord this year
It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Blog 29 19 Jan 2016

Back on Schedule!

Those of you who know me well, know how truly glad I am to be back on schedule!
However, I must admit that my tried and true mantra of "Every day we do the same thing," has not ever been applicable here in Mexico; instead, every day is a new adventure!

I was waiting for a day when we were all present to get a picture for the new semester, but alas, no such day has occurred, so no school pics. Next week, I will take at least one of whomever is present.

Church News

Much excitement is in the air here as we prepare for our annual conference for Pastors and Christian workers. Many graduates of the Bible Institute, as well as other Pastors, from all over Mexico and some other parts of Latin America will be in attendance. It is our goal as a church to be an encouragement and blessing to all who attend. This will be not only spiritually refreshing through prayer and preaching, but also tangibly through free or inexpensive materials. Mrs. Carrie Suhl will distribute many Bibles and other literature made available through BEAMS ministries to these national pastors and missionarries.

Soulwinning

This Friday, Jenny and I were partners again. We passed out 20 tracts and invited several people to church. The six ladies in our van led two to Christ; six other ladies were in Mrs. Carrie Suhl's van.

We were in a neighborhood very close to my favorite frozen yogurt shop; I had to twist a few arms, but we stopped. An apparent tourist came up and asked me in Spanish what flavor mine was; she kept talking to me in Spanish, so I had to admit that I could not not understand her. She immediately switched to speaking English and asked me about the prices and flavors. I answered her and told her how much my friends and I enjoyed coming here. I told her we were all here from our church, then gave her a tract and invited her and her friends to our services. This was the second time I was able to carry the conversation while out soulwinning. Remember that Jessica and I are working toward my being able to lead someone to the Lord (in spanish) in 2016!

My Friend Comes for a Visit!!

My good friend from Chicago, who has been like family to me since my college days, came to visit for a few days. Gloria and some of her friends from Hidalgo (12 hours futher South) went to Cola de Caballo with Jenny, the boys and me. (Bro. Jon was conducting a neighborhood Bible Club with some of the young people that Saturday). It was so good to see her and have her and her friends in our Sunday services. Gloria and her children were a great help on my Bus Route in Chicago while I was attending Hyles-Anderson. We visited and picked up people together; and she often fed me.

A few Pics:

Cuisine

Mexican Style Cookout with Authentic Chef at Cola de Caballo:

One of Mrs. Gloria's friends grilled for us. We enjoyed tortillas with all the fixings (including homemade guacamole!) after our walk up to the falls.

Language

While still progressing through Rosetta Stone, I am also memorizing the verses in the Romans Road and getting much help from my neighbor Jessica. We have made it a mutual goal for me to win someone to the Lord in Spanish in the year 2016.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church
~ Pastor's Conference Feb 15-20 ~
2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy
3. Pray for me to learn Spanish
~ Pray for me to be able to lead
someone to the Lord this year
It means so much to me to know that you are praying for me!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Blog 28 12 Jan 2015

Christmas Party Pics:

It just took a little time to compile and post these. Happy New Year!!

Church News

I attended one Sunday's church services over the holidays when Pastor & Mrs. Ashcraft as well as Jon & Jenny were still out of town.
Both of these key men are rarely absent at the same time, and it was encouraging to see so many faithful church-members stepping up to ensure that each part of the service took place as normal.

Soulwinning

The first Friday soulwinning of the new year Jenny and I were partners. We passed out twelve tracts and Jenny led a teen girl to the Lord named Carolina. The five ladies in our van led a total of three souls; seven other ladies were in Mrs. Carrie Suhl's van.

Cuisine

I thoroughly enjoyed some home-cooked, Southern-styled, American food while I was visiting my folks! I am loving my new-found taste for authentic Mexican cuisine; but I have not lost my first love. Down-home sausage, eggs, and grits for breakfast; Virginia ham with all the vegetables for dinner! and, of course, my favorite, Beef Stew!! ~ Mmmm!

Personal Note:

I had a wonderfully relaxing visit with my family over the Christmas holidays, as I hope and trust each of you did as well.

I now have 3 books available through Amazon and Amazon Kindle, or by e-mailing me directly. All proceeds from these publications will help enable me to continue to work and serve here in Monterrey.

Language

Prayer Corner

Thank you to so many people who were so generous over the holidays! I feel very loved and spoiled. I even received my very own stocking through the mail! I am grateful for all who remebered those of us serving on foreign soil as well as for each who remebered my name in prayer.