Over the Horizon

Cofradía Student Ministry Transition

This summer has been one full of change and transition for our Altenrative Missions staff, the local church congregation, and also the local church leadership. One of the areas where much changes is taking place is the Student Ministry. Steve, having stepped into the Area Director position has had to transfer much of the direction of the Student Ministry to others within the leadership team. He's shared some about that transtion on his blog, so read the report here and please continue to keep everyone down there in your prayers!

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As I've been mentioning in our monthly reports, our ministry in Cofradía has been going through a transition since June. In July, I was appointed as the new Area Director for this ministry. I am excited about the opportunity to lead this ministry in the next step of raising up leaders in rural Mexico.

For the past couple of years I've been able to watch my right-hand man in the Student Ministry, Luis Vazquez, grow and take ownership of the Youth Group. He's really been leading it for a while, I've just been there coaching him. With new responsibilities and knowing how God has developed the Student Leadership team, I'm confident in taking new steps myself as I step down as the Student Ministry Director in Cofradia.

In my opinion, I couldn't ask for a smoother transition. For the newer and younger youth, this change is not even close to monumental. Luis has been their "Pastor" for a while. It's a strange feeling not being in charge or working first hand with the youth, it's hard to imagine doing anything else. I love the Student Ministry we have; they're awesome! At the same time, I'm excited because this was my goal as a Missionary--to work myself out of a job.

As we continue to move forward, we appreciate your prayers and continued support. Please pray for Pastor Luis as he accepts the responsibility the Lord has given him in leading the Student Ministry of Centro Cristiano Cofradia. Also, thank you for your prayers for our staff as we follow the Spirit's leading in this ministry.

Alternative Missions Cofradía Staff:
Max, Jay, Faith, Mati, Pastor Gollo, Geña, Steve, Sandy

Thanks again for your continued support. Your donations are changing lives.

Alternative Missions Cofradía Staff Retreat

This summer I announced here that our staff in Cofradía is going through a transitional period after the change in command of Area Director for our ministry. Our directors of 18 years returned home to Canada full-time to pursue the next steps the Lord has for them, and Steve Silberman was appointed to step up behind them and continue as our new director. In addition to the change of command, we also have a couple of new staff members, one of whom is Sandy. So, upon completing the summer teams and THE CHALLENGE, our staff finally had an opportunity to gather together for a staff retreat and focused time for team-building and envisoining together as well as ironing out other details that come with a change of command and team composition. Steve has posted a report about this on his blog, and I thought you might like to read about it. Enjoy!

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Our New AM Cofradía Staff at the top of the Mazatlán Lighthouse
(L-R) Max Díaz, Sandy Garzón, Steve & Geña Silberman, Gregorio & Mati Hernández, Jay & Faith TenBrink and their kids Elizabeth (14), Kai (3), and Isaiah (15)

What an exciting time in Mazatlán we had with our Cofradía Missionary Staff! We spent three days in a very nice Hotel/Hacienda in Old Mazatlán's downtown called The Melville. We rented two suites, each with two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining, and living rooms. It was a great, private place to refocus as we edified, planned, and prepared.

We spent the first day having fun together and talking about cancer in teams as opposed to what makes a great team. We hiked up to the lighthouse and had a very nice dinner at La Playa Mazatlán as we caught the tail end of the beautiful sunset over the Pacific.

The next day we talked about almost every aspect of our ministry. It was a series of long needed discussion and clarification of our responsibilities as team members and ministers. We finished the evening with a very engaging and exciting game of Pictionary. Men vs. women. The women had us beat, but the we came back very strong at the end to squeak out the win!

The final day we prepared ourselves to return back to Cofradía. It was a great three days that brought our team together. We are unified and ready to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO.

If you are interested in ministry as a missionary or intern, don't hesitate to email us. We would love to give you an opportunity to minister. You might want to come down with a short-term missions team, as an intern, or consider a longer term commitment. Alternative Missions' catch phrase is "Creative Ways of Serving the World." What creative way would you like to serve God, serving the World?

Dinner at La Playa Mazatlan

(left) The tail end of the sunset during dinner; (right) Planning

(left) Pictionary awaits! (right) Max drawing..something!

Baptism Joy!!

Just a few days after Mexican Independence Day, on September 18, four people in the local church in Cofradia celebrated their own freedom in Christ by taking the step of faith to be baptized into the family of God. All four of these individuals have close family members who have been following Christ for quite some time and are greatly involved in the local body of Christ. They have all been prayed for so much over the years, and there have been people who have sought them out and invested in them with the hope of seeing them one day finally take the step to truly participate in Christ and in His body on earth. So, this day was very exciting for all of us!

Sandy wrote a report for this event, and once again I'm sharing it here for you to enjoy and celebrate together with these four individuals and all those who have surrounded them with love and labored for them in prayer and relationship. Thank you for your prayers! They really do work!!

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English Report

On September 18, there was great celebration in the heavens and on earth over four more people taking the next step and being baptized: Benito (my dad), Gustavo, Josefina (my aunt), and Ana (one of the girls that Amber mentored). In order to be able to take this step, Pastor Goyo spent time with these people doing a study that would make very clear the step they were about to take. This was so they wouldn’t do this lightly. When the day came, we began with some praise songs and a small teaching given by the pastor. Then we went straight into baptizing each one of the people already mentioned. When we were finished with the baptisms, the pastor invited us all to pray for them and place them in the Lord’s hands and to conclude the event. After this, the families had an opportunity to return to their homes or stick around and fellowship a while longer, which always brings more blessing between brothers and sisters. So, there were some who stayed and others who did not, but either way, we concluded the day with joy knowing that the family of Christ is growing.

Pastor Goyo & Steve leading the gathering in some praise choruses and a small teaching before the baptisms.

(left, L-R) Benito, Jay (missionary), Gustavo, Pastor Goyo, Pastor Horacio; (right, L-R) Josefina, Pastor Luis, Ana

 

Jay, who has been mentoring/studying with Benito in his journey to Christ, and Pastor Goyo baptizing Benito, Sandy's dad. Now Sandy's entire family is finally united in their devotion to Christ!

Pastor Horacio, Benitos' brother, praying for Benito after he was baptized and committing Him to the Lord.

(left) Gustavo being baptized by Jay and Pastor Goyo; (right) Josefina, Sandy's aunt, being baptized by Jay and Pastor Goyo

Praying together in the river after completing the day's baptisms.

Spanish Report (ve fotos arriba)

El dia 18 de Septiembre hubo celebración tanto en el cielo como en la tierra ya que 4 personas mas dieron su paso de al bautizarse, Benito (Papa de Sandy), Gustavo, Jose (Tia de Sandy) y Ana. Para poder realizar estos bautismos el Pastor Gollo pasó tiempo con estas personas haciendo un estudio para dejar bien claro lo que estaban a punto de realizar, y para que no lo tomaran a la ligera. En el momento, empezamos con alabanzas y una pequeña enseñanza por parte del Pastor, para después empezar a bautizar a cada una de las personas antes mencionadas, al terminar con los bautismos el pastor nos invito a hacer una oración para ponerlos en las manos del Señor y para dar conclusión al evento. Después de esto las familias tenían la oportunidad de regresar a sus casas o quedarse a convivir un rato más, lo cual siempre trae bendición entre hermanos. Así que hubo unos que se quedaron y otros no pero de igual manera concluimos con el gozo de saber que la familia en Cristo esta creciendo.

Freedom Day!

September 16 is Mexican Independence Day. The celebration starts on September 15, also known as "El Grito" or "The Shout", and leads up to the culminating moment at 12 a.m. on September 16, when from the central plaza in Mexico City, the President rings a bell and yells out, "VIVA MEXICO, VIVA MEXICO, VIVA MEXICO!!!" (="Long live Mexico!"). They are commemorating the rally cry that began the 10-year war for freedom from Spanish rule in the 1800s. If you'd like to read more about it, check out this article that I posted several years ago on my original blog site.

In Mexico, freedom is a very big deal. In fact, I would argue that it's a bigger deal than even here in the USA. From their earliest beginnings this people has fought to be free, and even today they are fighting that battle. No longer are they fighting foreign oppressors, such as the Americans, the Spanish, and the French. Now, they are fighting internal oppressors such as poverty, corruption, prejudice, and hopelessness. While some battles will continue for a lifetime, other battles have already been won in Jesus Christ, a truth which many throughout the country, and espcially in the Cofradía area are proclaiming loudly!

This year the local church in Cofradía decided to celebrate their true Freedom in grand, Mexican style. They came together in their new facility and sang and celebrated and ate together praising the Lord not only for their national freedom but also for the ultimate Freedom He has granted them in their hearts and souls. Sandy wrote a short report about it and sent some pictures, so I am posting them here. Celebrate with them, but do please continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue to fight the good fight in Mexico!

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English Report

September 15 is when we celebrate “Independence” or “freedom” in our country, Mexico. So, we as children of God gathered together in the church that day to celebrate, in addition to our Independence as Mexicans, OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST. It was a very special day, especially since I don’t remember us ever doing this before.

We had an agenda for the event that was very fun and rich in variety as far as activities and people that were participating. To begin, we had praise and worship music, which always puts us in the mood and submerges us in the presence of the Lord. Then we continued with the participation of Sister Rosa and Brother Magdaleno from Arrayanes singing some folk praise songs, which really got the crowd going and caused them to shout and whistle.

 

After that, Pastor Goyo stood up and invited some of the others to participate in a singing contest that he had already prepared beforehand with a very rich and sweet prize. There were several interested in participating, and although they don’t really know how to sing, they went forward placing their trust in God and their mind on the prize. There were three winners of the singing contest, and each won their own cake. Then, once the contest was over and to cal mus down a bit from the laughter and fun of the competition, we moved into the message which was given by Pastor Luis, our Youth Pastor.

 

(left) Singing contest contestants. Caleb, the youngester in frong, won th contest! (right) One of the winning contestants with her cake!

Pastor Luis preaching

After the message, Pastor Goyo invited the congregation to head for the kitchen and enjoy some wonderful tamales and a rich chocolate drink we call “champurro”, all of which had been prepared by the women of the church. This meal was a typical one for our ancestors and obviously is a very Mexican one.

 

Finally, the youth of the church played some praise and worship and all the rest demonstrated the freedom that Christ has given to each of us by jumping and dancing for joy in praise to the Lord. The Lord has taught us that we are independent WITH Him and dependent ON Him.

 

Spanish Report (ve fotos arriba)

El día 15 de septiembre se celebra la “Independencia” o “La Libertad” en nuestro país, México. Entonces nosotros como hijos del Señor nos reunimos en la iglesia ese día para celebrar, aparte de nuestra independencia como Mexicanos, “NUESTRA LIBERTAD EN CRISTO”. Fue un día muy especial ya que antes no recuerdo que lo hayamos hecho.

En este evento hubo una agenda muy divertida y rica en su variedad de actividades y personas participantes. Para empezar tuvimos las alabanzas, lo cual siempre nos pone en ambiente y nos sumerge en la presencia del Señor. Después continuamos con la participación de la Hermana Rosa y el Hermano Magdaleno de Arrayanes cantando unas alabanzas rancheras lo cual emocionó a la congregación poniéndola a huaquear y chiflar, después el Pastor Gollo pasó al Santuario para invitar a algunos a participar en el concurso de canto que ya tenía preparado de antemano con un premio muy rico y dulce, al cual hubo varios interesados y aunque no saben qué es el canto (porque no cantan) pasaron poniendo su confianza en Dios y su mente en el premio. Entonces de este concurso al final hubo unos ganadores obviamente (3), los cuales ganaron un pastel cada uno. Entonces, ya que se terminó el juego, para calmarnos un poquito por la risa y diversión del concurso, después vino la predica de la cual estuvo a cargo el Pastor Luis, (Pastor del Grupo De Jóvenes).

Después de la Predi, el pastor Gollo invitó a la congregación a pasar a la cocina para disfrutar de unos ricos tamales en compañía de un rico chocolate (champurro) que las mujeres de la iglesia prepararon. Esta comida es una típica de nuestros antepasados y obviamente bien mexicana.

Para finalizar los Jóvenes de la iglesia tocaron unas a alabanzas y todos los demás demostraron la libertad que Cristo ha puesto en ellos saltando y demostrando su gozo alabando a Dios.

El Señor nos ha enseñado que somos independientes con El y dependiente en El.

Sandy's August-September 2011 Report

Well, Sandy has completed her first monthly report!! I'm posting it here for you to read and enjoy.

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Steve's August Ministry Update

Steve posted another video update covering the month of July. Check it out!!!

Pictures of the Completed Church Facility

Here are some more pics of the complted church facility. I asked Sandy to take them and send them to me so that I could see it for myself. Perhaps you will enjoy them as well!

(left) The west side of the education wing courtyard (pastor's office, classroom, library, nursery, playyard); (right) The east side of the education wing courtyard (lower youth room, restrooms, upper youth wing)

The center section of the education wing which houses classrooms on the first floor and the long portion of the L-shaped youth wing on the second floor (complete with kitchenette!)

Looking across the education wing from the Pastor's Office

The view of the youth wing from the western end of it

The kitchenette located in the youth wing's elbow!

 

Looking at the two ends of the youth wing from the kitchenette: (left) the long end & (right) the short side which is above the youth room we've been using the last two years. Both end walls are painted with chalkboard paint, as is one wall in the lower youth room. This is a big hit feature with the youth!

 

(left) Tables and chairs for all the classrooms! (right) The complete outdoor grill/kitchen and picnic area!

 

The completed sports goals in the sanctuary/sports court...now we have goals for soccer AND basketball!

Mission Accomplished!!!

Well, the Central Church facility in Cofradía is OFFICIALLY AND TOTALLY COMPLETE!!!!! It was Dave's major To-Do item before leaving Mexico and moving back to Canada, and the Lord has made a way and rewarded him for his perseverance in seeing this project through to its end. Wow! As Paul said in Philliipians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Dave sent out a newsletter about the completion of this five-year project. Please read and keep the Elias family in your prayers as they finish up final details and packing in preparation for their departure on July 22, just two short weeks away!

 

In addition, Pastor Goyo has sent out a thank you note, and I wanted to include that here as well and echo his gratitude to you for all of your prayers and support of any kind over the last five years as we have labored in the Lord through this project! This celebration is yours as well. Enjoy it and REJOICE!!

Letter of Thanks to Supporters

Cofradía has been transformed. Now, we see a town in constant development, a dream come true. People that know God have been changed, adults with new ways of thinking. There is no greater selfishness than at the beginning, than always expecting to be served. No…now, there is a greater tendency to serve others and we appreciate that in the maintenance of the church, in dusting the chairs. We don’t even have to ask anymore! A few weeks ago the chairs were all set up in the church, but they were dirty. And I saw them, but on purpose I left them that way. Suddenly, there were people dusting them off! You know, serving others is not so common in these areas, but it is becoming common in the people of this church.

And, well, I want to say that the effort is not in vain. I am grateful to all of you that have participated no only with your prayers but also with finances. Thank you.

The reward is seeing towns transformed.

Hebrews 6:10

Sandy's Personal Support Letter

Well, we have a start date for Sandy: June 23!!! However, she'll be taking over the local church's finances effective June 1. Since she was already managing those of the Arrayanes facliity, this means she'll be managing both now as a combined account! Very exciting!

Since, we have a start date for her, she has written her official personal support letter. I have posting it here for you to read and to pray about. Please keep her in prayer as she walks through this process. It's so exciting, but it is so intimidating! Please pray for grace, strength, patience, and an open mind and heart as she goes through a load of changes in the next few months.

She will start with a three-month internship. At the end of that time final decisions will be made concerning her permanent position and roles within the missionary staff team.

Please also pray about joining her personal support team. She will be living on support just as the rest of us do, so if the Lord is leading you to partner with her financially, then please just contact me so that I can make sure you have instructions for how to set up your monthly giving.

Regardless, please enjoy her letter and rejoice with all of us over this great harvest of glory for the Lord!

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The Elias's Announcement

So Dave and Kathy Elias, who helped found our ministry in Cofradía and have been it's directors for 15 years or so, have announced that the Lord has called them back to Canada. This is shocking news and sad news for all of us, but at the same time it's exciting to see how the Lord will continue to move their family forward in His plans for them...in the "what's next" phase! And it's also exciting to see a new vision taking shape for the Alternative Missions ministry as well as for the local church, Centro Cristiano. They are no longer one and the same. They are two entities who must now learn how to walk in partnership with a shared vision and purpose for as long as the Lord ordains it thus. So, while we will miss the Elias's tremendously, we are excited for all the Lord has in store for all of us.

I thought you might like to read their latest newsletter where they share their announcement. Please keep them, the ministry staff, and the local church in your prayers as we all walk through this transition period. Thank you!

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