JANUARY 2016 UPDATE

Greetings from the Silbermans! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!  We are currently visiting my parents in Washington for a few days and will be in Southern California for another week before we drive back to Cofradía.  We are enjoying this small window of time with family after a very busy November and December.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
In our last update, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Religious Association Status.  We have sent in the first round of paperwork and are waiting for a response from Mexico City.  Thank you for your continued prayers. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students as they finish up their Thesis.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their financial need.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: We had a great time with the leaders of Freedom in Christ Ministries here in Mexico.  They guided us through a 13 week discipleship curriculum in four days.  It was intense, but the outcome was very helpful.  Some of the testimonies where that people were able to sleep at night with a peaceful mind.  Thank you for your prayers. 
4. Drug Rehab Center: Still waiting for the Rosamorada Town Hall meeting in order to get the land for the Center.  Thank you for praying. 
5. Border Run.  So far, everything has been going well.  We are enjoying ourselves with my parents and look forward to spending next week with Geña’s family in California.  Thank you for your continued prayers for safe travels and divine encounters.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO?
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  Click on this link to check it out.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  We want to make sure that the church we have planted in Cofradia is legal.  This is the underlying reason why we need a Religious Association.  We are looking at a minimal cost of $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished and need help with the cost.  Click here to safely send a tax-deductible contribution.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students finishing up their Thesis.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their need.
3. Drug Rehab Center: Thank you for your continued prayers for this as we look forward to seeing this Center become a reality. 
4. Border Run.  Thank you for continuing to pray for our safety and good health while we’re in the states.  We’ll be returning to Cofradia on the 11th of January.
5. Short-Term Mission Team We are hosting a team from Houston, Texas from January 23 – 30 with a focus on Marriage and Family Relationships.  Pray for another successful time with nurtured international relationships and strong families and marriages.

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

Thank you so much for being part of our team as we work together to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO!!!!

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
La Cofradia United International
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up for monthly giving safely online at the link below.
ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support.

BY POSTAGE MAIL/CHECKS. 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 The Silbermans.

DECEMBER UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! This is our last update before Christmas and the New Year.  So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We continue to be marveled by the grace of God and His immense love towards us.  It is special and great to be called His children.  

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
In our last update, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Religious Association Status.  While Pastor Goyo and I were in Mexico City, we had the opportunity to meet the person who is helping us with the paperwork.  She has been a blessing to us and we continue to gather all the documentation we need in order to pass on to her. 
2. Bible School. Please continue to pray for the five Masters students who are working on their graduation exam (Pastor Goyo, Martin, Angel, Pastor Amado and his wife, Lourdes—from Rosamorada) and that they will be able to pay for their tuition.  Contact me if you feel led to help them or have a question about their need.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Mexico City: WOW!  What an incredible time!  Everyone so was so loving and accepting as they made us feel right at home and blessed.  It was an unforgettable and freeing time for both Pastor Goyo and me; I even had a chance to sit down and chat personally with Neil Anderson.  You can read about our time in Mexico City here.
4. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: Please continue to pray for this upcoming conference with William Gallardo, his wife and two others who will be coming to Cofradia to lead a four-day conference with the Pastors and Leaders from Cofradia and some from the surrounding areas.  Pray for safety in their travels, open hearts in those attending, and for this aspect of ministry to continue in this area; we want to see people free in Christ! (December 17 – 20) 
5. Drug Rehab Center: Pastor Amado is still waiting for Town Hall to present to him available locations for the Center.  Once they have the land, the Municipal President has offered to help with the construction of the facilities because of the overwhelming need in Rosamorada (our county seat) for a Rehab Center.  Thank you for your continued prayers. 
6. Anniversary! Thank you for your continued prayers over our family.  Even though the actual day was super busy, we have been able to find moments to give thanks for the past 15 years.

Here are some links to more:

• EL RETO 2015
• What is EL RETO
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors.
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet three families that are in need of a home.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  Click on this link to check it out.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  Continue to pray for guidance, wisdom, patience, and finances, as we put all the documentation together.  We are looking at a minimal cost of $2,000 US Dollars in order for this to be accomplished.  Thank you. 
2. Bible School. Continue to pray for the Masters students I mentioned above and their individual needs.
3. Freedom in Christ conference in Cofradia: As I mentioned above, please pray for safety over the speakers as they travel, open hearts in those attending, and for this aspect of ministry to continue in this area; we want to see people free in Christ! (December 17 – 20) 
4. Drug Rehab Center: Thank you for your continued prayers for this as we look forward to seeing this Center become a reality. 
5. Border Run.  No, we’re not going to Taco Bell!  But, yes, we are making a quick trip to the states in order to update our vehicle permit.  After driving to the Los Angeles area, we will fly to Washington for a few days to spend Christmas with my parents, then return to the Los Angeles area to spend some time with some of Geña’s family.  Pray for safety in travel, divine encounters, and the Lord’s provision.

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

Thank you so much for being part of our team as we work together to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO!!!!

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
La Cofradia United International
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---

You can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift or set up for monthly giving safely online at the link below.

ONLINE. Click here to donate to our personal support

BY POSTAGE MAIL/CHECKS. 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 The Silbermans.

Freedom in Christ with Neil Anderson

Pastor Goyo and I had the privilege of being invited to a Freedom in Christ Seminar in Mexico City by William Gallardo, FIC representative here in Mexico, with Dr. Neil Anderson as the special speaker.  In December, we'll have William and his wife, Lourdes, here to present a four-day conference with our pastors and leaders as well as other pastors from around this area.  We are really excited about having them come, especially after having met them in person.

After a five-hour delay, our flight finally took off and we arrived in Mexico City at 12:30am on Saturday.  That morning we were one of the handpicked Pastors invited to a breakfast where Neil shared a devotional about his new book that will be coming out next year.  The focus is on the Presence of God, something He has been speaking to him about lately through time with his wife.

At the conference, there were around 250 pastors and leaders mostly from Mexico City.  We were extremely honored to have been invited to sit right up front.  Neil shared in the first three sessions a lot of material and principals that we have read in his books lately.  William and Lourdes spoke in the final session giving us a glimpse of what we will be looking at when they are here.  That evening over half of the people walked through the "Steps to Freedom in Christ" booklet guided by Lourdes and a man named Carlos (who will be here also). 

They all have a special way of sharing the truth in love and full of grace.  This was one of the most freeing experiences I have ever been a part of.  It is important to know who God is, who we are (our identity), and that in Christ, we have authority of Satan.  God has called us to be free.  Our salvation depends on Christ; our freedom depends on us believing the truth.  "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

The next day we were invited to the church service where Neil was to preach.  As we were waiting for our ride, I had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Neil in the lobby of our hotel for about 20 minutes.  I was amazed at how down to earth he is and how easy he is to talk with. 

At church, they again sat us up front and we were able to worship with 400 plus people at Vida Nueva that meets in the hotel Camino Real Santa Fe just outside of Mexico City.  Neil shared an evangelistic message that presented God as loving and accepting and exposed our tendency to want to do what we are told not to giving the example of Adam and Eve in the garden...as well as a more modern illustration with our children.

In the end, we were blessed and look forward to sharing our experience with others.  We will be hosting a four-day conference of a 13-week discipleship course December 17 - 20 and would appreciate your prayers. 

This is free to all Pastors and Leaders in our church and in the area, but will incur some expenses that we will need help with.  If you can, will you join us in sharing freedom with others by sending a special offering to help us and bless William and Lourdes as they take time out of their schedule to come here?

Make donations online here with a note that says, "Freedom".

You can send checks made out to "Alternative Missions" by mail to:

ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS

PO BOX 3107

FERNDALE, WA 98248

*Indicate that it is for Cofradia Freedom.

Neil sharing at breakfast.

Pastor Goyo and Neil.

William and Lourdes

Neil speaking at the conference with his interpreter.

Neil speaking at Vida Nueva with his interpreter.

Awesome worship time at Vida Nueva.