SPECIAL REQUEST

GREETINGS FROM COFRADIA, MEXICO:

As we mentioned in our latest update, this July we will be entering into a season of rest, study, and spending time with supporters during the next school year in order to strengthen our spiritual, mental, and physical health as a family and as missionaries. We want to share with you a little deeper about why we are doing this and let you know some of our needs during the next year.

After months of prayer and seeking God's discernment, we are feeling God is calling us to this time of rest and renewal.  During these months, we have set personal and ministry goals for ourselves that we believe will enhance our lives as a family and as missionaries.  We will spend two months (August and September) on a sabbatical to rest, study, and strengthen family ties including providing the girls time with their grandparents.

After the sabbatical, starting in October, we will have scheduled visits with churches and individuals to share reports of God's faithfulness in Alternative Missions/La Cofradía United and offer opportunities how one can partner with us as we continue to Raise up Leaders in Rural Mexico.  Along with visiting our supporters, we will be observing other ministries to learn how they operate, update our ministry website, and study certain topics and skills that will help us improve as missionaries.  Finally, Geña and I will make several trips to Cofradía for scheduled short-term mission teams as we continue to foster those relationships as well as prepare for our return in July of 2020.

OUR NEEDS:

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

We have three major needs at this point:

1) Our greatest need will be finances during the next year: July 2019 through July 2020 (13 months).  After receiving council from a number of friends and family members, we have come to realize that our budget for next year will increase by $3,000 a month due to rent ($2,000 a month in Kitsap County) and other expenses that come along with living in the states (Insurances, Utilities, extra travel expenses, and more).

This is a temporary budget goal for only 13 months that we believe is very reachable with your help. We are asking 30 of you to consider a one-time gift of $1,300 or a $100 monthly pledge, or more, through July 2020. If you already give to our family, would you consider what you could do to help us by raising your donation for these 13 months? If you have not had the opportunity to join our financial support team, would you consider making a one-time gift or a 13-month commitment?

We have raised $3,600 with an additional $1,300 pledged leaving us with $34,100 left to reach our goal (see chart).

2) Another great need is housing.  As one of our goals is for our girls to be close to family during this year, we would like to be in the vicinity of Silverdale, Washington. If you are aware of any availability for housing, please let us know by email.

3) Finally, please pray for us during this transition.  Pray for us as we organize things in Mexico to be ready for our absence.  Pray for our finances and housing for the 13 months and wisdom with school enrollment for the girls.

Will you join us by being part of our Sabbath Support?

You can make your contribution at this link.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

NEW ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS DONATION LINKS

The Alternative Missions donation links have a new look and a new url.  Please make note of the changes if you need to as you give. Our old donation links will become obsolete. 

Here are a list of donation links related to our ministry in Cofradia:

COFRADIA MINISTRIES:

• Cofradia Operations: This is our general fund link where you will specify your contribution in the "notes" section for people or ministries that do not have a specific link.
• EL RETO: This is our annual youth event that reaches over two hundred students in our area.
• Cofradia Restoration Center: This is the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Rosamorada led by Pastor Amado.
• Cofradia Leadership Development: This is anything to do with our reaching out to Pastors, Leadership Training School, and Conferences we hold.
• Cofradia Disaster Relief: This was originally to help those affected by Hurricane Willa and serves to help those in special need when/if disaster hits.

COFRADIA MISSIONARIES/STAFF/PASTORS:

• Steve and Geña Silberman
• Amber Crafton
• Gregorio Hernandez
• Luis Vazquez
• Horacio Garzon
• Martin Garzon

APRIL MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! This update was ready yesterday, but I wanted to wait until today, April 2, to send it in case some might think we’re joking about our forthcoming plans. :)  After praying a lot and seeking guidance since last summer, we are convinced the Lord is leading us into a season of rest, study, and spending time with supporters during the next school year in order to strengthen our spiritual, mental, and physical health as a family and as missionaries.  This time will start when we go to Washington in the summer and we will be returning to Cofradía in the summer of 2020.  We are excited for what the Lord has in store not only for us, but for the ministry in Cofradía and the surrounding areas.  It will be a blessed time for all of us as we continue to Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico.

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

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

1. Grace Course. It was a blessing for us to be able to teach this course from Freedom in Christ Ministries.  Attendance ranged from 25 – 30 people each week.  Here is a little more about it.   
2. Pastor Ruben from Las Varas, Nayarit, is doing a lot better. He still has another month to recover before he starts rehab. During our visit with him and his wife this month, she was badly burned on her chest and arms with boiling water.  She also had to rest for a week which set them back a little with the church and work. 
3. Church Truck. The pastors purchased a truck for the church which was a huge need. Thank you all who participated in helping with this great need. See the truck here.
4. Administrative Tasks. Over the next couple of months, I will be training Goyito (Pastor Goyo’s son) in taking over the majority of my administrative tasks while we’re gone. He has been living on the base as a caretaker for a while now and I have full confidence that he will do a great job. 
5. Visitor: Our friend Behzad Mostofi from Poulsbo, Washington, was here for 10 days to visit our ministry and take advantage of the opportunity to get some dental work done.  It was a great time as he encouraged and challenged all of us. I have been praying for a number of years about some of our conversation topics. It was very motivational and the Lord’s timing is always correct; it was perfect timing! Thank you, Behzad! 

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Martin’s Motorcycle: His Place Church from Washington recently donated a motorcycle to Martin.
• Pastors’ Perspectives: Bi-annual reports from our Pastors.
• Quick Look into our Ministry A document that shares our history, vision, and mission.
• Cofradía Dwellings Candidates  

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Furlough Preparation: Please pray for our family and ministry as we prepare for our one-year stay in Washington.  We are fully confident in the present leaders here to administer well and continue in the direction God has been leading us, but it will still be a lot of work.  Pray for our specific family needs as we will be needing a place to stay, getting the girls settled in next year’s schooling, situating certain things here in Cofradía, and we anticipate a considerable increase in our financial support needs. We know that this is the Lord’s will and necessary, but it is going to be a stretch of faith for us so we ask that you please keep us in your prayers. I will be sending out another email with more details soon. 
2. Pastor Ruben from Las Varas, Nayarit.  Please continue to pray for healing in his leg and the burn his wife suffered.  
3. Provisional Administrator. As I mentioned above, I will be training Goyito in the majority of my administrative tasks over the next couple months.  He will be receiving a salary and living on and taking care of the mission base as well. 
4. Visitors: The Calderon family from Templo Calvario, Bakersfield, will be with us for a few days this month for a visit.  We are always excited to host visitors and look forward to having them here. (13-15)

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.

Freedom in Christ - Grace Course

We had the opportunity to teach the six-week Grace Course that accompanies the Discipleship Course  of Freedom in Christ Ministries that we've been teaching for the past few years. This was our first time teaching it and it went really well with 25 - 30 attendees each week.  Sandwiched between lessons five and six is a one-day retreat where we help guide people to experience God's grace through renouncing lies and declaring truth.

Steps Retreat

This course deals with four obstacles that prevent us from truly experiencing God's grace: Guilt, Embarrassment, Fear, and Pride.  I, personally, have experienced all four at one time or another and this course has shown me a number of areas that I still need to work on. Many others were impacted in the same way and we deal with those issues by "Demolishing Strongholds"; renewing our mind to think and believe the truth instead of the lies. Issues that people have been dealing with are fear of man, fear of death, anxiety, and embarrassment.  Some felt a definite change in their outlook on life.

Thank you to all who prayed for us during this time. The Lord continues to bless this ministry with a solid foundation of our Identity in Christ and experiencing true freedom in Him.

_______________________________________________________________

Please join our financial support team for our ministry and make an online contribution to Cofradia Operations 

or

mail a check made out to Alternative Missions designated for "Cofradia Operations" to: Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248

Martin's Motorcycle

In January, Martin shared his plans to start working up in the neighboring Indigenous villages and continue his work with the children/adolescents in Arrayanes.  His Place Church from Washington committed to buy him a motorcycle and help him with his vision. The other day, we were able to find him a motorcycle, a Yamaha 125cc, and give it to him.  It was a precious moment!! As Martin hopped on the bike, he said, "I've been praying for this for 5 years!" He slumped forward and broke out in tears of joy. Praise the Lord!

New Truck for Church Ministry

We were able to help the church purchase a truck for the use of the ministry. Thank you to all who helped with this. This is a 2010 Ford Ranger and will replace the 1984 Nissan pickup that was sold last month. They have been in need of a more reliable vehicle and this will serve as a huge blessing!