NEW YEAR'S MINISTRY UPDATE

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for being part of our ministry this past year whether you prayed, gave, and/or came down to help.  We are very grateful and appreciate all of you!  2017 was a year a many blessings in the midst of many trials.  The greatest thing of all is that God never changes.  He is our strength and our joy; He is the cornerstone of our faith!

We look forward to another year and appreciate your continued prayer and support for our family and ministry.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

In our last update, we asked you to please pray for...

1. Women’s Conference Five women connected to our ministry went to the conference in Mazatlan and came back blessed.  We continue to pray for someone to be raised up as a leader in this area. 
2. Freedom in Christ Seminar What an excellent time!  Over 30 people representing 6 different churches attended the seminar.  It was a blessing to see how the atmosphere changed as we went along.  Freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing!  Click here for a quick report and pictures.
3. Restoration Center Thank you for your continued prayers.  There are only a few hours left before the end of the year to donate to the restoration center.  We still have not reached our goal. Click here to make your final year end donation.
4. Lain & Kelly Grant. The Grants are in New Mexico and have given birth to two tiny little girls: Naya Michelle and Mia Lynnette.  We are excited for them as they continue in their new chapter.  Here is a first look at their new family.
5. Border Trip. Thank you for your continued prayers.  We are currently with Geña’s sister in Southern California and will be arriving back in Cofradía again around the 10th of January.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates 
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• What is EL RETO? 
• Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more. 
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Border Trip. Please pray for our travelling safety and time to rest (Now through January 10). 
2. Elder’s Retreat.  Please pray for Wisdom for Pastor Goyo and those who will be helping him lead.  Pray for freshness and a strength in our team as we work together (January 12-13). 
3. Short-Term Missions team from Cy-Fair Christian Church in Houston, Texas, will be joining us in January to build a home for Florentina, a delightful indigenous woman from our church (January 20-27). 
4. Bible School We are working on getting those who have invested money in their tuition to be able to finish their degrees through Summit Bible College.  Pray for our future with this as we are running thin on qualified help.  We would really like to see this continue.

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
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **
ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at the link.

MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

Freedom in Christ Seminar

We had an excellent time over two days of intense meetings at our Freedom in Christ seminar we held in Cofradia.  Although there was a lot of material to cover, it was well worth it and very important.  Thirty-one people (including those of us who led sessions) participated from six different churches; the place was packed.  We really appreciate your consistent prayers and believe that God is working.  It is always refreshing to do this. After going through the "Seven Steps to Freedom in Christ" by Neil Anderson, there was an amazing change in the atmosphere. People were laughing, joking, having a lot of fun, and they all seemed at peace. It's amazing what happens during these times. We believe YOU HAD A PART IN THIS through your prayers over our family and ministry. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!

The word is getting out and we have been solicited to help at three more churches next year.  Please continue to pray for Pastor Goyo, Pastor Luis, and myself as we lead the talks that we would be able to explain with clarity and truth.  Also, pray for our protection over us and the meetings against the fiery darts of the enemy.

Help us continue to Raise Up Leaders in Cofradia by making a contribution here.

THANK YOU!!!

DECEMBER MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico!  It has been a busy couple of months as we built two homes and hosted a Short-Term Mission team from The Well in Salt Lake City, Utah.  We look forward to more builds in the near future, specifically the house for Florentina, a delightful indigenous lady who attends our church; she always has a smile on her face and is a passionate worshipper of the Lord.  It will be a pleasure to help her!

Thanksgiving was very special this year as we shared it with our Pastors and Associates.  We stayed up for hours intensely playing “Uno” and laughed until our gut hurt.  For Pastor Amado and his family, it was the first time they had a Turkey dinner.

Steve & Geña, Amado & Lourdes, Goyo & Mati, Luis & Mari

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

In our last update, we asked you to please pray for...

1. Dwellings Build #14 Thank you so much for your prayers as we collaborated with The Well from Salt Lake City, Utah, to build a house for the Perez-Garcia family.  It was the first house with the new design that a team has participated in and we were a little concerned we would not be able to finish within a week as it is almost double the work.  Amazingly, the team along with a few volunteers, got the job done...early!  It was a sweat victory and a very emotional house dedication.  You can read a short report and see photos here.
2. Restoration Center We are still at the same numbers.  This is an excellent opportunity to make a year-end donation.  Your gift will be matched up to $2,500! We are hoping to be able to get the amount we need for the property as soon as we can in order to take advantage of the Local officials’ promise of helping with the construction.  The team is still working on fixing up the temporary rental as it is still not in the best conditions to be used.  Click here for more information.
3. La Cofradía United International Thank you for your continued prayers.  Our accountant has been more available for us lately. :) 
4. Freedom in Christ Seminar Please continue to pray as we prepare for this seminar on December 15,16. 
5. 17 YEARS! Our 17 year anniversary was one of the best!  Due to a bad experience at a restaurant with our latest team, we decided to take advantage of the small economical car that the Sluys helped us purchase a couple months ago and head to Mazatlan in search of a better restaurant.  Everything fell into place as we watched the sunset at the spot where the Lord spoke to my heart about becoming a missionary 29 years ago!  It has changed quite a bit as they have expanded the small two-table restaurant into a much bigger place that will seat over 100 people.  As soon as it was dark, our table was set in the front to view some fireworks that were lit off by someone on the beach (not really sure of the reason).  It was a very special and nice time together. 

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• What is EL RETO? Our annual, six-saturday, youth outreach.
• Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Women’s Conference Please pray for the four ladies who will be attending a women’s conference in Mazatlan with the Cosecha Final ministry December 8, 9, and 10. 
2. Freedom in Christ Seminar Please pray for us as we continue the preparations of our Freedom in Christ Seminar on December 15,16.  Pray the Holy Spirit guides us and continues to move in the hearts of the people who need this.  God will see to it that the one’s He chooses will be able to make it.  Pray for Pastor Goyo, Pastor Luis, and myself as we prepare ourselves and the material we will be using. 
3. Restoration Center Let’s try to get to the final goal by the end of the year.  We can do this!  There is still the opportunity of matching funds available in the amount of $2,500.  That means, your $2,500 is worth $5,000!  Then, the only amount needed after that is $6,000.  When you consider your year-end non-profit donation this month, please remember that this has been a high-priority need for a long time!  Send your online gift here.  Or, mail a check to the Ferndale address at the end of this message.  Indicate that it is for “Cofradia Restoration”, NOT the Silbermans. 
4. Lain & Kelly Grant. We are excited for the Grants and the new chapter that is unfolding in their lives.  They are currently in New Mexico with Kelly’s mom awaiting the arrival of their TWINS due in January.  After the twins are born, they will be moving back to Houston, Texas, to live.  Pray for healthy babies, a job for Lain, and a place to live.  You can read their latest update here.
5. Border Trip. Please pray for safe travels as we head to the border to renew our truck permit on December 26.  This year, 2017, has been loaded with burglaries in Cofradia.  Our missionary staff here has been hit quite a bit as well as many locals who leave town for a few days or months as they find that their place gets broken into.  Drugs are what drive these people (another reason to donate to the Restoration Center!) and the authorities take the bribe instead of taking the thieves to jail.  Please pray for a hedge of protection around our house as we will be gone.  We are working on some security issues and looking into who might be able to stay here.

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
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director
Ministry Website

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **
ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support.  Click here to contribute to the Silberman's Ministry.

MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

The Perez Garcia Family Receives a House

THE PROFILE:

Abimael Perez of Chiapas and Martha Garcia of Mexico City work as pastors in the nearby town of Tuxpan.  They live in a rented house with their two daughters, Olga and Martha. 

The couple moved to Tuxpan as pastors of a church where they have lived for 12 years. During a time when they decided to take some rest, in Mexico City, not only did they lose the original land they had purchased to build a house, but also they did not feel welcomed in Mexico City by churches or the church leaders.  Soon, Abimael felt God calling his family back to Tuxpan, where they returned again to their ministry.  The couple has just paid off a new section of land, but they don’t earn enough money to build a house. 

For this family, having a home would mean so many things.  Not only would it provide them with stability, security and a sense of calmness, but also it would provide them a place to host their church, which they often do.

A big thank you to The Well Church from Salt Lake City as they sponsored and built a house for Pastor Abimael and his family.

This was the first house we built outside of the surrounding areas of Cofradia and the first house of the new design to be built in a week.  Our staff had our doubts as to if we were going to be able to finish since it is almost double the size and work of the previous design.  The Well and some other volunteers completely wiped our doubts away as we not only finished in a week, but we finished before schedule!  

The Well worked hard all week and deserve to be recognized for their persistent drive to finish under the circumstances they were in.  It was abnormally hot all week and there wasn’t much shade at the work site.

What a blessing to be able to help Pastor Abimael.  The day of the dedication, there were many people who shared their experience and appreciation of Abimael and his family.  Some of his congregation and Pastor Samuel were able to step away from their work schedule and join us.  It was a very, very special time!

Thank you to all who gave.  Thank you for allowing God to put Abimael’s family on your heart and change lives.

Join us and be a part of changing another family’s life!  There are more candidates waiting to receive a home.  Contact Steve for more details.

Give to Cofradia’s Ministry

Day one - Getting Started.

The End of Day One.

Day two finishes the walls to two meters, pours the bond beam, and finishes the walls to the desired height.

Day Three - Smoothwall.

Day Four - Details

Ten year old Tanner digs in preparation for the drain pipe.

Day Five - Roof and finish details.

 

DONE!

NOVEMBER UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico!  Congratulations to the Romero Carrillo family who received a free house this past month from the Sluys through our Dwellings ministry here in Cofradia.  It was an exciting day; their smiles were priceless!  You can read about it here.  We are preparing for the next house that will be built next week for Pastor Abimael and his family from Tuxpan with the help of the sponsors, The Well Church of Salt Lake City.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

In our last update, we asked you to please pray for...

1. Dwellings Build #13 An excellent time!  
2. Dwellings Build #14 please pray for safety for the workers and the Americans who will be joining us for next week’s build. 
3. Restoration Center Pastor Amado and his team are still preparing the rental and materials.  He will be making a trip to Guadalajara soon in order to receive more training.  
4. La Cofradia United International I’ve been able to get into contact with our accountant this last month.  Please continue to pray that things that things will be done with efficiency. 
5. Interns.  Thank you for praying for God’s guidance and His provision of help.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Lain & Kelly Grant’s Latest Update 
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates 
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• What is EL RETO? 
• Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.  
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Dwellings Build #14 Pray for our team as we continue the preparations and get ready for the group who arrives on Saturaday, November 4. 
2. Restoration Center Pray for wisdom as he prioritizes his time and God’s provision over his ministry.  He still needs finances for the property.  We have helped him raise $9,000 which is nearly half the goal.  There is still the opportunity of matching funds available in the amount of $2,500.  That means, your $2,500 is worth $5,000!  Then, the only amount needed after that is $6,000.  If you are considering a generous year-end donation to a ministry, this would be a great selection!  Send your online gift here.  Or, mail a check to the Ferndale address at the end of this message.  Indicate that it is for “Cofradia Restoration”, NOT the Silbermans.   
3. La Cofradia United International accounting help. 
4. Freedom in Christ Seminar Please pray for us as we begin the preparations of our next Freedom in Christ Seminar for December 15,16.  Pray the Holy Spirit guides us and begins to move in the hearts of the people who need this.  God will see to it that the one’s He chooses will be able to make it.  Pray for Pastor Goyo, Pastor Luis, and myself as we prepare ourselves and the material we will be using. 
5. 17 YEARS! Geña and I will be celebrating 17 years of marriage on November 18.  A big thank you to all who have been a part of our lives and ministry.

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
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **
ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link.


MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.

The Romero Carrillo Family Receives a House

The Romero Carrillo Family

PROFILE:

Alonso Romero of Cofradía and Karina Carrillo of San Juan live in Cofradía with their three children, Aaron, Ingrid and Carim.

This sweet couple met at a dance in San Marcos, six years ago.  Alonso asked Karina where she was from, and when she answered San Juan, he told her he had never been and would like to visit sometime.  They started talking, and soon Alonso went to Karina’s mom and asked her if he could visit Karina.  When Alonso lost his job, due to the business shutting down, he went to Karina.  He told her it might be a while before he had another job and the money to come visit her.  He then asked her to come to Cofradía with him and she did. 

The family of five shares one room in a house with Alonso’s grandmother and uncle.  For income, Alonso works in his uncle’s fields and feels obligated to work for free as rent payment for the house.  Therefore, Alonso is looking for a second job that would provide money to support his family.

For Alonso and Karina, a house will be a gift from God and a place of their own where their children will grow.

It is with great joy and excitement that we share with you that Alonso and his family received their house last night!

Alonso is a very hard worker and dedicated many, many hours to help with his new house.  It was very exciting to see his enthusiasm and gratitude for this gift.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

This family received a free material gift that is only to last them a time here on earth.  The spiritual gift of salvation from God is eternal; it lasts much longer that the earth!  What we witnessed in the physical material world these past few weeks is a picture of what spiritual salvation is...a free gift.  All we need to do is RECEIVE the gift God has provided for us--SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.  Jesus paid for our sins when he died on the cross and rose from the grave, making it possible for us to be saved.

Much like what verse 10 says, "...we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works...", is the example that we saw in Alonso.  He already had received the gift (even though it was not yet completed) and worked really hard (not to EARN the gift, but because he had already RECEIVED the gift).

It was an exciting time.  Thank you so much to Marion and Loretta Sluys for their generosity and making God's love visible.

You can do this, too, by forming a team and coming down to build someone a house.  Here are some people who are waiting.  The only thing we require of them is that they have their own land to build on.

Future builds here in Cofradia are already being planned.  We will be pouring the floor to Pastor Abimael's family's house on Saturday and The Well from Salt Lake City will be joining us for this build which will take place in Tuxpan, Nayarit.

In January, Cy-Fair Christian Church from Houston, Texas will be joining us to build a house for Florentina from Cofradia.

Enjoy the photos of the House Dedication:

The front of the house.

The back of the house along the street.

The back porch with water cistern and bathroom.

Kitchen and dining area.

Living room area.

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #1

OCTOBER UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! 

EL RETO 2017 is finished!!  It was a great year again as we saw many new students participate for the first time.  That usually means it was their first time in a Christian church and possibly the first time they heard the gospel!  It’s an exciting time as we REACH OUT to new students, RECOVER students who no longer attend, and LEARN whatever we can from the teachable moments that God puts before us.

This year, the biggest teachable moment came at the very end.  For the past 10 years, there has been a dynamic that allows a team who finds the hidden treasure to play against the winning team in one last challenge.  The Blue team won outright with a lot of points and was very confident they had this game in the bag when they found out that the challenger (the Black team) was a team that had been disrespectful during the event as they received penalties each week for their actions and words.  They didn’t have a reputation for winning.  However, during the final challenge, they shined!  The Black team beat the Blue team without any problems.

It’s interesting when you step back and look at what happened.  The Black team was a team that many would say did not deserve to win because of their behavior, because they constantly disrupted, and people were losing patience with them.  Isn’t that a great picture of us!  Who deserves to be saved?  Who deserves to go to Heaven?  NONE OF US!  The only reason ANY of us have a chance is because of what Christ did as he gave himself up on the cross as payment for our sin.  I’m really glad the Black team won (even though Rebecka was on the Blue team), because through this the Lord showed us his Grace and Mercy in real life!  It was exciting!

THE BLACK TEAM FINDS OUT THEY WON!

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

In our last update, we asked you to please pray for...

1. Wisdom as we continue to deal with the break-in of our house while we were gone.  We are very grateful for all of you who have generously pitched in to help us financially recover.  We are so very thankful! 
2. EL RETO 2017 Thank you for your prayers!  Apart from what I’ve mentioned above, you can view pictures and videos at our blog here.
3. The Restoration Center.  Pastor Amado has had a couple of interns this month.  One is doing well as he helps around the rented house and the other lasted just two days and went back home.  Things are beginning to move; thank you for your prayers. 
4. Dwellings Build #13 in Cofradia for the Romero Carrillo family.  The floor has been poured and the water cistern has been built.  Building will continue for the next couple of weeks.
5. Dwellings Build #14 in Tuxpan for Pastor Abimael and his family.  The blocks have been made and the floor will be poured as soon as the other house is finished.  We are excited about The Well Church from Salt Lake City to come and participate in the construction of this house in November as the sponsors of this house. 
6. La Cofradia United International is the name of our Civil Association.  Please continue to pray for wisdom and that the Lord would provide us with someone who can help us in the accounting department. 
7. Summit Bible College Nayarit Extension.  We are working on finishing up those who have just a few things left in order to graduate with the College.  As of now, there are no new students.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Lain & Kelly Grant’s Latest Update 
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates 
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• What is EL RETO? 
• Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.
  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Dwellings Build #13 for safety over the workers and open hearts of the recipients as we have an opportunity to share God’s love. 
2. Dwellings Build #14 as we continue the preparations and get ready for the team. 
3. Restoration Center There are a couple of trips that Pastor Amado is needing to make to Guadalajara as he continues to prepare for more interns.  They have not done well financially as of yet.  Pray for wisdom as he prioritizes his time and God’s provision over his ministry. 
4. La Cofradia United International accounting help. 
5. Interns.  We are looking for a couple of interns who would like to come down in January and February to help with teams as we will be understaffed during that time.  Pray for provision and let people know of this opportunity.

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
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

** JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM **


ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link. 

MAIL IN A CHECK: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  Indicate that it is for The Silbermans.