Update
Goodbye Bear
Yesterday we said goodbye to our best friend, Bear.
We are so grateful to God for the opportunity to have taken care of one of His most amazing creatures. Bear was among the most loving, gentle, and calm dogs. Everyone loved him! From him we learned so much more about unconditional love and the need for companionship. We thank God for all the fun we had with him and how he was always there to be a friend, more than anything. There are countless people we have come to know and become good friends with through his presence with us. Thank you everyone for loving Bear and being part of our lives!
The last month in particular has been difficult. After a number of Vet visits to deal with a build up of fluid, Bear was diagnosed with a tumor in his thorax which was causing the fluid build up. Test results came back saying that it was cancer. He was 11 and a half years old and had a really good life.
Below are some of our favourite photos of Bear. We are missing photos of some of his friends. Goodbye to his Lakewood friends, Charlie, Jazz, George, Pepper, Mac and Nugget. Goodbye to his Mexico friends, Canela, Jasper, Ruby, Kori, and Dakota. The individual photos below are also in this PPT – Bear
Bake’n Take
This past week was a busy week preparing for the weekend. We hosted the October Bake’n Take on Saturday and Carolyn was asked to make the Anniversary Cake for the church we attend here in Puebla. See photos below.
Tampico, Mexico
This past week Sept 22 – 25 . . .
Phil travelled with Dan to Tampico in the north of Mexico.
They had a really good time connecting with the Pastors, churches and groups that are studying the SEAN material in Tampico, traveling in the states of Tamaulipas and a small town in the northern part of Veracruz, Mexico.
It is so amazing to visit places where groups are excited about studying God’s Word. Seeing and hearing testimonies of what God is doing, how their knowledge and understanding of the Bible is transforming their lives – words cannot fully explain. Below are some photos from the trip.
This older man in the photo to the right gave testimony to the benefit of studying with his group. He is blind and told us how having spent over 60 years of attending church religiously, he learned nothing. Now, being part of this group, he studies with his wife and their lives are filled with joy to learn more and more about Jesus. Pastor Jaime standing behind him leads this group and travels over 2 hours from his home in Tampico over very rough roads to minister at his church in Paso Real for 3 days each weekend.
Their travels took them to a very small church where they were able to encourage the people. Below is a video of the building they currently meet in and the work they have started on building a church. They are looking for assistance to be able to finish the work.
Another 2 groups study in Tampico under the direction of Pastor Bernardo. The more advanced group is in the Second Level of the Seminary Program and the other group is almost finished the First Level.
We are so grateful for these groups studying. Our mission organization World Partners has a fund that we use to help the students with half the cost of the materials for the Seminary Program. This fund is getting low and we ask that you consider a contribution of any amount to help students. Go to Project Leadership Development for more information and how you can make a financial contribution.
Here are a few more pictures from the trip, scroll over for caption.
We made it to the Beach in Madero which is really part of Tampico. It was so hot we could only stay for an hour or so and walk the pier.
Independence Day
Yesterday, Monday, Sept 16 was Mexican Independence Day.
On Sunday, we celebrated after church at the church we attend here in Puebla. Everyone was grateful for Carolyn’s offer to make a cake.
The cakes were fantastic! The big one was a vanilla cake coloured in the colours of the Mexican flag! Not only was it visually cool, it was so moist and yummy!
The other one was a Tres Leche cake. It’s certainly the “best we’ve ever tasted!” At least that’s what we’ve been told!
Saying Farewell!
Lots of things happened in August.
We hosted a last minute farewell party for our friends Zac & Jen. They moved to Queretaro another state in Mexico. Carolyn made pretty much all the desserts and Phil helped out with some of the other stuff. We hosted over 30 people one afternoon and several were unable to make it.
Conference/Visitors
July 25 – 28 Phil attended the anual Conference for the Missionary Church of Mexico (IMM). It was held in a touristy town called Chignauhampan. This was an important event to attend since this is the year to vote in an almost entirely new Board of Directors for the IMM, and to make some important connections with churches who are wanting to begin and continue their studies with the Semillas Seminary that we oversee.
Sun July 28/29 on their way back from the conference, one of the pastors, his family and brother came to Puebla to visit. We had a lot of fun playing games and teaching them some baking skills.
Below are some photos from these special times together.
Making Granola
Granola is good on . . .
– List your favorite thing to put granola on in the Comments Section.
Here’s what Mexicans put it on: Yogurt & Fruit
On the weekend while Phil was on a Ministry Trip to La Sierra, Carolyn hosted a Granola making afternoon for a couple of ladies. They just love Carolyn’s granola! Fun! Fun! Fun!
Phil’s trip was very good as well! He was able to visit with 4 of the study groups and connect with the pastor in San Miguel whose group is no longer studying. He is very busy with another church ministry about a 10 min drive from his town. It seems to be doing very well.
He visited the group in Cuetzalan on Saturday. They just finished their exam with flying colors, and we celebrated with a meal of Carnitas at a local stand. The young fellow who waited on us attends their church and made it a wonderful experience.
On Sunday the group in Huitzilan celebrated with a meal of Cerdo con salsa rojo (Pork in Red Salsa). They were so pleased that their second group who just finished the first introductory book, received near perfect scores on their exams this past week.
It is always such a pleasure to be part of the work that God is doing here in Mexico. Please keep us in your prayers as we connect with Pastors, leaders and locals, that we would find favor with them and be able to build even deeper relationships for God’s glory.
