Freedom in Christ: Rosamorada

It is always refreshing for us and those who participate in the Freedom in Christ conferences.  Through the course of three days, Pastor Goyo, Pastor Luis, and I had the opportunity to teach and lead 12 people to find Freedom in Christ at Pastor Amado's church in Rosamorada.  We always love hearing how the Lord speaks to people at the end.  This is what they had to say:

"For the first time in my life I have peace and I feel free!" a lady who had been abandoned at birth and since childhood has struggled with bitterness and lies about herself.

"I was able to forgive a person whom I thought I never could; I didn't want to see them, nor hear their name mentioned!" a man referring to an ex-wife who left him for another man.

"I was able to overcome my fear of taking the course because I didn't want anything bad to happen again" a lady referring to her son almost being killed after her husband took the course last December.

"I know who I am, where I'm going, and what I want now!" a lady who was freed from confusion in her life.

"I wish I would have taken this course 10 years ago!"

Thank you to all who prayed for us during this time! It is so great to see people free in Christ!

FEBRUARY MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! After getting settled in from our quick trip to California during the new year, we hosted two teams in January, are in the process of changing Board Member positions in our Civil Association, and have started the process of developing opportunities for employment through making adobe bricks.  And, Rebecka has finally been able to return to school after a three month wait due to the flooding in Tuxpan after Hurricane Willa which I wrote about previously.

We recently revised a document that gives information regarding our history, staff, ministry function, and vision for the future. You can click here to view that document.

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

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

1. My Dad’s recovery from surgery.  He is improving a lot and the doctor says things are going really well. 
2. Cy-Fair Women’s Team in the words of the women’s ministry leaders here it was a total success!  The local women were encouraged during this joyful, reviving time and relationships were restored as chains of bitterness were broken.  Isabel says, “It seems like a new door has been opened.” It was an exciting time that brought life, hope, and expectancy.  Thank you for your prayers!! Here’s a link to a little more.
3. His Place Team did an excellent job building a home for Nando and his family. Partnering with the Sluys from Poulsbo with a matching gift, they were able to provide all of the funds needed and a little more for some essential furniture items.  The family was left with extreme gratitude and tearful eyes of joy.  Here is a link to a little more and a video of the build.
4. Wisdom with the Board Member changes in our Civil Association. A weight has been lifted off of my shoulders by handing over the Treasury responsibility of our Mexican organization.  Instead, I will have the title of the role I have played since the beginning, President, which is much less administrative work.  I feel free now. :) 
5. Our Greatest Need(s). We are getting the Employment Opportunities vision underway as our worker has been making test bricks of adobe for a brickworks business.  Click here to read about that vision.

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Pastors’ Perspectives (NEW!): Click here to read bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• Quick Look into our Ministry (NEW!) 
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Freedom in Christ Conference with our church in Rosamorada led by Pastor Amado.  Pastors Goyo and Luis and I will be leading another conference and we would really appreciate your prayers over our lives and protection against the enemy. (February 8,9,10) 
2. Date Night for our married couples will be on February 16.  This year the leadership has chosen youth and parenting specialist, author Ernesto Ramirez from Mexico City to speak.  He will also be speaking to the congregation on Sunday, the 17th. 
3. Freedom in Christ Grace Course We will be kicking off a new six week study about the Grace of God.  Pastors Goyo and Luis and I will be leading the teachings.  We are excited for this material as it has had a very positive impact in our own lives! (Every Tuesday evening for six weeks starting February 19). 
4. Church Anniversary We’ll be celebrating our 8th anniversary in the new building the first weekend of March.  We are blessed to see God’s faithfulness through the years! Our friends, Doug and Jan Taylor, will be joining us as the special speakers throughout the weekend (March 1-3).

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 for our personal support.

LADRICU

Our vision is to strengthen the economy in a way that will provide jobs for people, fortify families and create stability in the community. 

Many people in this agricultural area leave town to find work in other places due to lack of jobs during the farming “off” season. A robust economy will allow men to stay “home,” which is essential to a healthy family as we raise up rural leaders for Christ.

We have laid out a plan to get this vision underway. The first phase is “LADRICU” which is “Ladrillos Cofradia United” (Cofradia United Bricks). LADRICU is a brickworks business.  These bricks are made of adobe which are the most common bricks used in these parts for building all kinds of structures.

To commence the work, it requires $2,000 USD of seed money that will have long-term positive outcomes which include:

1. Immediate work for four men that will support them and their families.
2. Investing back into the community as the rented land belongs to the town.
3. Supporting the church who will receive a small portion of the revenue as a tithe.
4. LADRICU will be self-sustaining in 4 weeks.
5. Most importantly, it will create more jobs as the revenue from LADRICU will help seed small business initiatives such as a market center with small shops to generate an economy that will encourage economic justice and stability within Cofradia.

The $2,000 USD seed will help meet our needs as we seek to become self-sufficient:

• One month rent (estimated $40)
• Land Prep (estimated $80)
• Tools: molds, picks, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. (estimated $380)
• One month of labor for four individuals (estimated $1,500) 

To the right is the land we will rent. It is close to Cofradia’s man-made lake and will have water access year-round.  The ground is prime for brick-making and only needs to be cleared to start the process.

Your generous donation will have immediate and long-term implications on the economy of Cofradia.  This is the beginning of a lasting project that will help strengthen families, the church, and the community.

Make checks out to ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS indicating that it is for “Cofradia Bricks” and send your donation to:  ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS / PO BOX 3107 / FERNDALE, WA 98248.

OR - You can safely donate online directly to “Cofradia Operations” making an annotation for “bricks”.

La Cofradia United Information Page

Clicking on the logo will take you to the information page.

Carrillo Valentin House Build

Fernando Carrillo and Ana Valeria Valentin needed a home.  A few years back they made attempts at building themselves a home, but Fernando's mother became ill with cancer and the funds they were going to use for their house were spent on doctor's appoints, traveling to the capital city, and unfortunately, the eventual passing of his mother.  It as been a few years since her passing and to help them out, we included them as candidates for a home with Dwellings.  They have been living in a borrowed home with their two children: Kevin (5), and Odalis (3).

The original profile picture in front of the borrowed home.

With the help of a matching funds donation by the Sluys from Poulsbo, His Place Church from Burlington, Washington, formed a group and came to build Fernando and Ana a house.  The walls went up the first afternoon and the next four days were spent working on details such as bond beams, electrical, smooth wall, roof, etc.  They were even able to provide some furniture for them as they had absolutely nothing.

Once the house was built, we enjoyed a dinner together and an armadillo feed.  The next morning we dedicated the house to the family and handed them the keys.  This was all done in order to show the love of God and how he cares for the needs of people.  Just like salvation in Christ, it was a free gift.

Cy-Fair Women's Short-Term Missions team

Five women representing Cy-Fair Christian Church in Houston, Texas, came to spend a week with our women's ministry. I have asked Isabel, the women's ministry leaders, and Geña to write a short report about what happened:

This week we had a marvelous visit from our sisters and friends from Texas and it was incredible.  The Spirit of unity that we felt was very unique. It was truly a refreshing time to see all of the women together in Christ. They opened their hearts and shared their needs, even those who came to the meetings for the first time were impacted. Altogether, in all of the places we went, we were able to minister to nearly 120 women. We were encouraged, revived, filled with joy, and relationships were restored.  Thank you for your prayers!