Greetings from Cofradia, Mexico! Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom (payment) for many.”(NIV) Though we cannot be “Saviors” for people, we can direct them to Him. This verse has been echoing in my mind lately as the weather here is an uncomfortable humid heat, as we miss being with family members and friends in the states, and as we also sometimes miss the comfortable lifestyle the states have to offer. In the light of this “suffering”, we are reminded that Jesus came “not to be served, but to serve.”
In the past month, the Men’s group finished their Group Study of the book, Wisdom for Fathers. During the last meeting, they went to Puerta Colorada (a nearby town) for evangelism in the plaza. They continue to meet for prayer in the mornings at 5am and in the evenings at 6pm M-Sa. The Women have started to meet for prayer as well at 9am M-F. The Bible School students are finishing up their final exams of the Spring Quarter and we also began to move forward in making plans for a Religious Association in Mexico.
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...
- Continued healing for Mackenzie. She is continuing to do well with minimal markings on her chest and stomach.
- Cofradia Bible School Students As I just mentioned, the students are finishing up the Spring Quarter and I’ll be working on grading final exams pretty soon!
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.
- Cofradia High School Construction Update see the progress and latest details here.
This month, will you please pray for...
- Continued healing for Mackenzie. We are still praying for no scars.
- Cofradia Bible School Students for encouragement as they take on tasks they aren’t used to (writing reports, using a computer, etc.). We will be starting the Summer Quarter on July 1. Many of them have been a little overwhelmed with their workloads, but it’s great to see so many talk about the important things they’re learning from the Bible and from Church History.
- Religious Association. Pastor Goyo and I will be meeting with another Pastor this week for guidance on this issue. This is an expensive, yet high priority need for our ministry here in order to protect our pastors and the properties. Our goal is to be a legally registered Mexican ministry. Please pray for guidance and that the paperwork will be done quickly and correctly.
- Elder’s Retreat. Pastor Goyo and I have been planning an overnight retreat for the Elders of the church for the purpose of knitting the team together and helping everyone to better understand the church’s vision and their responsibilities as Elders. This is part of what we do as we “Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico.” It is looking to be an excellent time! Many of the men have not participated in a retreat like this which is very similar to the Leadership Retreats we did with our Student Ministry a few years ago (here's a link to one of them).
- Help. I have been overwhelmed with things to do and this is the “down” season in this ministry. Neither Geña and I nor the Ministry Base has the finances to hire people to help with certain projects. We have been depending on volunteers, yet they also need to put food on the table and we don’t want to overload the few that are willing to help. Please pray that the Lord would guide us to make wise decisions with these “back stage” issues whether it’s added missionary staff, selling vehicles/properties, hiring workers in faith, or..? There are so many things to do here as we continue to raise up leaders. Jesus said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” We are asking the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers. Before we know it, Christ will come back to take us home. Maybe in our lifetime, maybe not. But if it is, there’s still a lot of work to be done in little time!
- Local School. It has been bothering me a lot lately that we send our children to a school that has teachers that do the very minimum (less than required). Lately, there’s been movies and playtime during class in both Rebecka and Emma’s classes. We’re proud of Rebecka for walking out of class when the teacher put a horror movie on and left the students alone so he could go and...?? I’ve talked with the Director about the lack of interest I see in the teachers, especially in teaching math, but it feels like I have no voice. Please pray as the President of Mexico is attempting an “Education Reformation” that the interest in the need to educate children will finally leak down to the apparent “insignificant” villages of Mexico.
Thank you so much for joining us in prayer!
Blessings,
Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions Cofradia
Area Director
SKYPE: “srsilberman”
Thank you very much for partnering with us through your prayers and financial 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.
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