La Boca (means The Mouth)

The supply pastor in the village of La Boca leading the Sunday services.



Mountains and homes in La Boca.





Visiting after lunch.

This was our delicious Mexican lunch (or as they call it - "comida," which means "food). We had rice (it is reddish, with a few peas and carrots), mole (chicken in a spicy gravy), and tortillas.

I visited this little building a few times. :-)

The church in La Boca was built by Mennonites many years ago.

Traveling Through Mexico

An adobe house in the village of La Boca.

Our vehicle is surrounded by cacti on a very narrow road in the village of La Boca.

Donkeys on the bumpy, dirt road between San Rafael and La Boca.

These shrines are very common along the roads in Mexico.

A sunset near Monterrey, Saddleback Mountain is at right.

We saw an IV line on this cactus, do you think it needed fluids? :-)

Miscellaneous

Our dog, Jefe, went across the street to "whisper sweet nothings" in his girlfriend's ear! :-)



Our lovely view.

Youth Challenge

Our kids are at Youth Challenge, near Cincinnati, this weekend. Since Maria is at God's Bible School in Cincinnati, she does not have far to go. But, it is too far from Saltillo, Mexico, for Kent to plan on attending. However, Bible Methodist Missions Director, John Parker, was able to raise the funds for Kent to make the trip. Thank you Bro. Parker and all who gave to make this trip a reality for Kent. We really appreciate it and it is an encouragement to all of us. God bless you!

We also thank Mom and Dad Sankey, who had to pick Kent up at the Indianapolis airport at the unearthly hour of 3 a.m.! UGH! Kent's flight was delayed in Laredo, because of bad weather in Houston. After a few hours of sleep, they took him to GBS to be with Maria.

Here's a picture of our kids. They are so, so happy to be together again!

Kent also has been able to see many on the Stetler side of the family. Almost the entire family has gathered this weekend, in the Cincinnati area. Most of them are staying at Steve's parents home, so I'm sure that is a "happening place." :-)

Bible Institute Update

I apologize for not posting more frequently during the Institute session this week, but the internet service here is not very reliable, and although I have tried to post several times, it hasn't been very successful. Finally, as you can see, I was able to get online long enough to post this update.

Here is Rusty Rundell, from Union Bible College, interpreting for William Snider, from Hobe Sound Bible College. The Lord has helped these men to give us valuable information that has been a blessing both academically and spiritually. After Bro. Snider's session this morning, Bro. Rundell was able to pray with one of our young pastors who is earnestly seeking Holiness.


Time for class.

Studying and taking notes.







Relaxing between sessions.

Steve took a picture of Kent, Beth, Rusty Rundell, John Parker, William Snider and Marc Sankey eating beans, pork rinds and tortillas in the dining hall.

Here's the same crew eating at a street side taco stand, right before bedtime. What were we thinking? :-)

This is what the tacos look like. It's not Taco Bell, folks! :-)

The 1st Day of Bible Institute Classes

What an exciting time it was, as we began our first classes in the Mexico Bible Methodist Bible Institute. Several of our Pastors and other young people and adults attended the sessions which were held today. Other students will join in as the week progresses.



Today's cooks were from our church in La Florida.

Kent videos the classes.

Enjoying our meal.

Our classes were held in the Rio Bravo Bible Methodist Church.

Institute President Eli Balderas speaks to the students.

Conference Leader Homero Luna teaches a "Leadership" class.

The Reception for the Quinceanera

After the ceremony in the church, which emphasized the spiritual responsibilities of entering adulthood, a reception was held. The decorations were beautiful: tablecloths, covered chairs with bows, lighted cake and gift tables, etc.







The appetizers.


The meal.

Cyntia and her escort.

The musical group did a great job.

The girls and their attendants.

Cyntia at her cake and gift table.

Steve, Kent and I with Cyntia and Eunice.

Quinceanera

It was a special honor for Steve to participate in the Quinceanera for Cyntia, our Pastor's daughter. A Quinceanera is a very important rite of passage for a young lady in this culture. It is held on the occasion of her 15th Birthday and signifies that she has left childhood behind and is now beginning her adult life. The ceremony and reception are very similar to our weddings in the United States.

These girls are cousins and celebrated their Quinceanera together. Cyntia is on the left.

Their friends come into the church in pairs and line the aisle to form a path for the honorees.

Flower petals are strewn in the aisle and the pews are decorated with tulle and ribbon. During the service the girls are presented with a doll, which signifies she is leaving childhood behind; a crown which represents the crown of righteousness she will recieve if she remains faithful to God; a bouquet of flowers which represent beauty; a kneeling pillow to signify the necessity of prayer; and a Bible on which to base her life.

Steve exhorts the girls to be Godly women. The Lord helped him to speak effectively in Spanish.

A group of Christian young men from Monterrey added beautiful music.

The girls and their escorts at prayer time.

Steve and the girls after the service.

In the car on the way to the reception.

These flowers are tied onto the hood of the car. Check back later for pictures of the beautiful reception.