Rebecka's Beach RETO

For the past few years, we have done mini-RETO's for our girls on their birthdays.  It is a very small version of our big event in our ministry, EL RETO.

We had a blast once again, and this time at the beach in San Blas!  It was great fun!  Here's a quick video of our time there…

Kids' Camp

Thirteen children from Cofradia went to Kids' Camp this year with a church in Tepic.  They all came back bright-eyed and excited.  Antonia Franco, the Children's Ministry Leader in Cofradia, was privileged to attend and she wrote a quick note about it…

We were so blessed to be able to attend the Kid’s Camp this year in Tepic.  It was something lovely; truthfully, I hope that with these words you will be able to feel the emotion of being there.  I would love it that you would not only understand, but even better, feel it.  Words cannot express the emotion of each child that was there, even my own emotion.  When this emotion is over you, it wakes you up.  The love, the passion, the selling out, that which God has called us to obey and continue to faithfully teach each child.  I am grateful to God and to the parents who allowed their children to attend.  I am convinced that what they were taught there will never be forgotten. 

It’s incredible to see so many children praising God.  Even the child that maybe doesn’t know God that well, but that was no impediment to praise Him, to sing to Him, to jump, to shout, it’s wonderful to see their little faces so happy as they watch and listen to a story.  At the moments of prayer, I could see children with their little eyes filled with tears; maybe because of the emotion or happiness, or maybe sadness.  Oh how God touch their little hearts!  It is something that in the future we are going to know when we see men and women of FAITH.  After your child experiences a camp like this, don’t expect great things from them, expect great things from God. 

The children went to camp where they learned and understood that with God on your side you are “Invincible” in Him.

The Children's Pastor of the church in Tepic posted this comment and video that summarizes the weekend…

This summer was incredible at "La Fuente Niños" with our camp, "Invincibles", that had more than 270 children having fun, enjoying themselves, learning to be a super Hero, jumping, praising, laughing, and worshipping God… mornings filled with fun, challenges, rallies, swimming pools and afternoons of Worship time and action packed stories!!!  we learned that God is on our side and that makes us Invincible!!!  We believe that the life of each child will never be the same y they are a generation that by the power of God, will be INVINCIBLE! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AWESOME VIDEO! 

Welcoming the New Generation!

The Student Ministry welcomes those who are leaving elementary school and entering Jr. High to be part of the youth group each year.  Here is what the leaders had to say about this year's "Day Camp"...

This year, as in previous years, we had a welcoming event for the new generation of students in the youth group.  The "New Generation" are youth/adolescents who come to form part of the youth group once they have finished elementary school.
 The Student Leaders planned a special time so welcome them.  This year it was at a water-fall/river called "El Salto" (The Jump) near Ruiz, Nayarit about 25 miles from Cofradía.  The focus was only on them to make them feel special and accepted which is the motive of this event.  This way we try to confirm in them that they now form part of our team in the youth group.
 During this time, there are various activities like games, eating together, going places outside of Cofradía, etc.  in order to show them that they can confide in those in leadership and also feel free to open themselves up and express what they think and feel.
 The purpose of this welcoming event is so that through this, they can be impacted and feel a desire to continue to come to youth group in order to be fed by the Word of God and blessed through the fellowship of youth that surround them.  This way, they can see themselves as a youth and no longer as a child and take things seriously.
 Our expectations are that these youth will know their potential as leaders and put into practice what, by grace, they have received from God.  And that they would consider God first in all of their decisions that they make in order become a good example and successful youth.  Also, we hope that they participate in the activities each Saturday when the youth group meets so they can put into practice their abilities and for some to set aside their fears and shyness recognizing their identity as children of God.

EL RETO 2014 Invites YOU!

EL RETO 2014 is inviting you to participate!!

We want to invite you to be part of our 10th annual youth outreach called “EL RETO.”  It is the biggest event of the year in Cofradia.  We are reaching out to new students who have never been exposed to the Word of God, reaching out also to those who have yet to make a decision, and we are all learning excellent life principles through the activities and meetings.  Last year, over 180 students attended.  This year, we expect many more as more churches are showing interest in being involved.

In order to make this burden-free for the students, we need your help. This event is always very expensive for us to carry out.  We are asking for donations of any size and I have broken down the needs as follows:

$100 will help with the Team Captain Retreat – In house Leadership training and preparation.

$100 will help with the promotion material – posters and banner.

$300 will help with the Staff and Captain’s t-shirts.

$500 will help with all props and prizes – we have free food and drinks available for the students since we get out late (after 8pm).  Many come from other towns or cities (up to 1 hour away) and get home very late.  We have a Fear Factor Banquet, Auction (involving food), and outings.

$900 will help with all transportation costs – we travel from town to town, take students home, and have mid-week preparation costs.

Please consider how much you can give, it will change a student’s life!

Just recently in a house group at another town, a young lady named Claudia said she was ready to accept Jesus Christ as her savior.  Our initial contact with her was through EL RETO...FIVE YEARS AGO!  We continue to do this event, because it continues to have an impact on the students who get involved.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION

OR
Send 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 COFRADIA RETO.

Other links:
What is EL RETO?
EL RETO 2013 Report

Thank you very much in advance for being part of this ministry.  Your prayers are appreciated!

August Ministry Update

Greetings from Cofradia, Mexico! Today, the new generation of students that will join the youth group are being officially “accepted” into the youth group as they spend the day at a near-by waterfall and pool with Pastor Luis and his Student Leaders.  Our Rebecka is one of the 6 that are on that trip!

That and some other great things happened this past month and we look forward to more exciting things ahead.  God continues to move us.

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...  

1. Cofradia Bible School Students Everyone is doing a great job!  Many are commenting on how much this has helped them in their every-day life and as they visit people.  The Biblical Counseling class is helping give initiative in problem-solving, especially relational ones.  
2. Religious Association.  We are still working on this.  I have asked the help of a brother who lives across the street from the base and has a degree in law.  Thank you for your continued prayers.
3. Help.  Thank you for your continued prayers for wisdom and provision.
4. Local School.  Rebecka graduated from 6th grade; see the post here.
5. Kids’ Club with YWAM Mazatlan went excellent.  The team spent three days with the children, two days in the Cora Indian villages, an evening with the students at youth group, and accomplished a lot of community and clean-up work.  Click here to see the report and pictures.

Here are some links to more:

• Last month’s update
• Pastors’ Perspectives Follow this link to see what the Pastors have to say about the past few months
• Meeting Palapa in Cora Indian Village of Mojocuautla.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more about what our mission is about.

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Cofradia Bible School Students the students will be finishing up their summer classes by the end of the month.
2. Religious Association.  Continued wisdom and understanding as we fill out paperwork and make decisions on placing people in certain “positions”.  
3. Children’s Summer Camp.  We have 13 children signed up for camp.  Pray that this will make a lasting impact in their lives (August 7 – 9).
4. Birthday month.  Rebecka will be 12 on the 13th and Mackenzie will be 2 on the 31st.  Steve will be 42 on the 7th.
5. EL RETO is just around the corner.  I will be sending out an email later when I have all the details for those of you who want to be involved.  We need your involvement with prayers and support.  This is a huge event we do each year (our 10th anniversary) that reaches out to students all over our region.

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
Cell: 011-52-1-323-116-0565
Facebook 
FaceTime: cafe0530@gmail.com
SKYPE: “srsilberman”

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.

Pastors' Perspectives 14-07

Here are a couple of quick updates from the Pastors as they give thanks for all of you who pray and support them.

On behalf of them, Thank you!

PASTOR GREGORIO HERNANDEZ, Lead Pastor

Hello. I want to express my gratitude for all that has taken place here in the Cofradía ministry. I’m especially grateful for the huge blessing of finally having a Bible school extension campus available at such a low cost, but more importantly I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn so much about the history of the Christian church. That particular course has required us to investigate more deeply the Church’s roots, which has been a challenge for us all because we see how much we need to grow as students in so many areas, especially in reading, research, and grammar. So, it has not only been a study of Church history or of the Bible but rather something more profound, and the more we learn the more we surely deepen our Christian roots.

We have talked about discipling new believers.  There are some new believers participating in this opportunity of the Bible school and it has come at just the right time for them to deepen their spiritual growth and strengthen their faith.  This is in line with our desire to make Disciples of Christ as we continue to extend the Kingdom of God through the students as they are studying.  Later, when they are finished with the courses, we are sure by faith that they will continue on in the Great Commission of making Disciples of Christ.

As a whole, we see what the Church in general is continually growing through the provided resources. It is the Church that is benefitted by the establishment of this extension campus and by our being encouraged to grow.

On another note, I also want to briefly mention the Elder's Retreat that took place recently. It was called “Foundation for Elders.” We are confident that it was edifying and challenging for all, and it leaves us more aware of the responsibility we have for the health of the church with the goal of being part of its growth.

Thank you to all of you for your dedication to taking time to pray and for the resources you invest in this ministry. May God prosper you all with great spiritual blessings!

Forever grateful,

Pastor Gregorio Hernández Galván, wife Maty Espinoza González, and sons

DONATE TO PASTOR GREGORIO HERE

PASTOR HORACIO GARZON

Brothers, it is my pleasure once again to write you this letter to greet you and to wish you wellbeing.

We are well, thanks be to God.

Permit me to let you know that in the last few months—I believe since April to the present—we have been involved in a training program that for me has been a motivation to deal with myself in several areas, such as organizing my time, writing more frequently, researching, and even needing to learn to use a computer. This training comes to us online on Tuesdays at 5:00 pm and lasts three to four hours for two classes.

I believe I am enjoying it and at the same time learning new understanding I did not have before about the Christian Church and its history. But more importantly for me, this has been a great help in being able to share the Word of God with new believers in the mountains—with the Cora—where we are visiting once a week. We are also gathering there once a month to work on construction of a meeting space for our visits.

Brothers, I rejoice greatly in the name of the Lord for what He is doing in my life. I love you all and thank you for helping me to grow more and more in the Lord.

Gracias!!!

DONATE TO PASTOR HORACIO HERE