Rock Climbing

We went to a place called "Hanger 18" with Geña's family.  Rebecka and her cousin Katherine climbed up the walls of this place.  Even Mackenzie got in on the action!  It was a lot of fun.

Panoramic view of the place.

Rebecka just starting out.

Mackenzie getting into the action!

This is the best I could do for the video...

Van Search Update

Dear Friends,

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; His love endures forever!

After searching and searching and searching, we are happy to report that we have found a van that meets the requirements in order for us to legalize it in Mexico (make it Mexican).  It’s a 2000 GMC Savana 15 Passenger van with 113K miles; the inside is spotless, like new.  The owners were a company to help developmentally disabled people and they took real good care of it.  I went over all of their mechanical records and even took it to the mechanic who has always worked on it.  A few features I’m excited about are vinyl seats and a big rubber floor-matt instead of carpet.  It also has an alarm, a reverse beeper for safety, and full length running boards.  It’s ready to go!

We’ll be crossing the border next week sometime to legalize the van and return to Cofradia.  Thank you very much to all of you who have prayed and given!  What a blessing!

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Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; His love endures forever!

Steve

Temporary Vehicle Permit Update

NOPE!

I’m not sure how to describe the discouraging thoughts or the questions in my mind relating to what’s next.  We could use your prayers and financial help so we can get back to Cofradia.

All I can say is...Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good.  His Love endures forever!

We were unable to get a temporary vehicle permit to take our truck back to Mexico for two reasons we learned today:

1. An American who is a Permanent Resident of Mexico (Steve) CANNOT take an American vehicle to Mexico.  They need to buy a vehicle in Mexico or legalize the American vehicle (make it Mexican).  
2. A Mexican-born citizen who is a US Resident or Citizen (Geña) can take an American vehicle into Mexico for 6 months per 12.  We have already had the truck in Mexico for 6 months which means we have to wait until September to take it back there.
   

Again...Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good.  His Love endures forever!

OUR CURRENT ISSUE is that we have a number of things we need to take back to Cofradía.  Here are the scenarios for us to get back there...

1. Someone to take us there from the US – this is the most inexpensive and probably the most fun for everyone.  A little inconvenient for the taker.
2. Someone to come get us from Cofradia – this is a little more expensive and could turn into a logistical headache. Really inconvenient for the come getter.
3. Buy and legalize a 15 passenger van – something we’ve been talking about doing anyway.
   

Getting another van for the ministry makes the most sense.  I’ve been pricing 15 passenger vans online here and most decent inexpensive vans run from $5,000 to $7,000 US Dollars.  There are a couple under $3,000.  However, they are usually without seats or have over 200,000 miles on them.

Help us get back to Cofradia.  Donations for a van can be made here: https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2?giftid=A9377C7C35C8450

Please let me know if you’re able to send a gift.

Thank you in advance,
Steve

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good.  His Love endures forever!

MARCH UPDATE

Greetings from Southern California! We are currently in the United States as we renew our vehicle permit to travel in Mexico.  Because of some new laws, we are unsure of the possibility of taking our truck back into Mexico.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LORD’S FAVOR AS WE WORK WITH THE MEXICAN ADUANA.

I recently sent out a petition for a phone.  Thank you, we should be receiving one in the mail at Geña’s sister’s house soon.

We are grateful for your partnering with us to invest in the Kingdom of God together as we Raise up Leaders in Rural Mexico!

Last month, we asked you to pray for...  

• Cofradia Bible School:  Things are going well with the school and everyone is excited about learning.  Click here for more information and to see the 15 students.  If you feel led to help one of them financially, just click on their name below their picture. 
• Cofradia High School: The construction of the High School is going well.  We are helping the town build themselves a building in order for the students to meet in their own place.  Pray for the funds to come in as the government has opted to not help.  Read an updated report here. 
• Conference with the Taylors: Former Cofradía Missionaries, Doug and Jan Taylor, were with us February 14 – 16 as the special speakers during a Date Night for the couples and a general church conference.  There were 59 couples from 5 different churches at the romantic Date Night!  Read here for the report. 
• Church Building Anniversary: We celebrated God’s faithfulness in our ministry after 3 years of being in the new building.  It was a great time to reflect on how God has blessed us through His faithfulness to us.
• Trip to the States: We’re still here.  It has been great spending time so far with the Harrisons, Geña’s family, Templo Calvario, and Summit Bible College.  We hope to be back in Cofradía next week.
• Short-Term Missions Team: Our final team has returned home after helping in some much needed areas at the base and church as well as some community projects in town and in the indigenous villages, including pouring a floor for the Cofradia High School. 

Here are some links to more:

• Last month’s update
• Pastors’ Perspective  Read letters from our Cofradia Pastors
• Recommended Book  Father, Son, and the Other One by Jeff Kennedy talks about how today’s church tends to forget that the Holy Spirit is active and working in our lives.  Click here to read a little more about this inspiring book.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more about what our mission is about.  Click on this link to check it out.

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Our Return to Mexico.  We hope to be back in Cofradía next week.  If we are unable to take our truck back, we’ll have to 1) get a second vehicle and leave our truck in CA, or 2) have someone pick us up at the border to take us down due to things we need to take back and leave our truck in CA.  Please pray that this issue with the new law gets resolved.
2. MINI-RETO event for the Youth Ministry on March 15.  We are expecting over a hundred students for a one-day RETO similar to what we do in September with churches from all over.  Pray for the students to be blessed as they get exposed to God’s Word and have fun doing it.
3. The TenBrink Family as they return to Washington in April.  Pray that they will have success in teaching locals what they do so it will be a smooth transition.  Another missionary couple for our ministry would be great! 

Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Click here to donate to our personal support.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR SUPPORT. Another way to donate is by sending 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.

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
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FaceTime: "cafe0530@gmail.com" 
SKYPE: “srsilberman”