Zacatecas - Part 2

I'm sorry the pictures are uploading so small. I am traveling and not able to access them in the usual way.

Steve with some of the little girls from the village, who are holding their new books.

More girls - so happy with their books, "Jesus, My Very Best Friend."

Village ladies selecting some used clothing for their families. Thank you for your donations.

Some sweet girls after receiving their new flipflops and books.

Zacatecas - Part 1

It was very early on a beautiful Saturday morning, as we headed out through the mountains to the tiny villages of Sabana Grande and San Antonio in the state of Zacatecas.

We stopped part way on the trip and ate our breakfast by the side of the road at an altitude of 8710 feet. The benches for the people to sit on during the services were tied on top of the vehicle.

The dirt roads were very rough and rocky and as we neared the site for our first service, we discovered that one of the vehicles had 2 flat tires. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. Marc and Steve got the tires off, but the lug nuts sheared off, so even if we were able to get the tires repaired, we had no way to hold them on.

We were grateful for the two men from a nearby village who stopped to help us.

It took all day, but we eventually got back on the road.

Some of the children holding their copies of "Jesus, My Very Best Friend." What a joy to be able to give them good books that tell them of God's love.

Pastor Dolores Hernandez, Steve Stetler and Marc Sankey with the two men who helped us get the tires repaired and new lug nuts purchased. We paid them for their help and gave them Bibles.

Many of the drug cartel members live in this area and the local people were very concerned that we had to travel after dark to get back home. We are thankful for God's protection and care for us.

Building Project

Steve has been helping on the construction of a church annex in the little town of San Rafael, Nuevo Leon. Building styles are very different here in Mexico, but he is learning lots of new methods.

Daniel Pena and Dolores Hernandez

Saltillo Pastor Dolores laying block, while standing on a "scaffold."

Completed interior walls.

Outside walls.

60th Anniversary - Part 3

Kenneth and Jewel Stetler's Wedding Picture...



... and 60 years later. We are so thankful for their commitment to each other, to their family and most of all to God.

60th Anniversary - Part 2

All the grandchildren (and 1 great-grandchild) that were present for the celebration.


These are the 3 youngest grandsons. They were born a year apart: Benjie in 1991, Kent in 1992 and Kenny in 1993. They are all in different Bible Colleges: Hobe Sound Bible College, God's Bible School and College and Union Bible College. We just didn't think it'd be wise to let them all loose at the same one! ;o)

The cake I made (Kay Vernon's Diet Coke Cake Recipe).

The Monte Stetler family that was present.

Kenneth and Jewel Stetler and his siblings (Emma Highlander, Pat Burris, Margie Poe and Monte Stetler) that were present.

60th Anniversary - Part 1

We were happy to be able to make the trip from Mexico in August to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Steve's parents.

Frances (4th child), Darrell (3rd), Dan (1st), Trilinda (6th), David (2nd) and Steve (5th), with their parents, Kenneth and Jewel Stetler.

Dan and Joan with daughters Sarah and Aimee (Paul, Julia and Elisa were not able to attend).

David and Marsha with Benjie, Alisha, Kelly, Denisa and Brent (Kendall and Sherry were unable to attend).

Darrell and Regina with Kenny, Sherilyn and Andy, Merrilee and Brett (Brant, Darrell Lee, Lizzie and family were unable to attend).

Steve, Beth, Maria and Kent.

Keep checking back for a couple more posts on this great celebration.

Youth Campout - Part 5

Pastor Dolores, Marc Sankey and others digging our 4-wheel drive out of the ditch. The mud caked the tires and made all the vehicles slide everywhere.

Pastor Dolores tries to make it through the mud.

Jose Correa going sideways in his 4-wheel drive.

A few miles farther down the road, but stuck again.

Still stuck.

It took us about 2 hours to go 12 miles, but we finally made it out onto the paved road. We made some great memories! :o)

Youth Campout - Part 4

The campout was over and it was time to head home. But, between us and the highway were 12 miles of dirt road, which after several hours of rain had now turned to mud.


Barely one-fourth of a mile from the campsite, vehicle #1 was already stuck.


We all pulled off into the grass and helped each vehicle make it through the rough spots one-by-one.

Some of the guys helping to push a van out of a deep, muddy rut.

Keep checking back, there is still one more segment to finish out these Youth Campout Posts.

Youth Campout - Part 3

While we were playing games, the fog started rolling in. That's part of the fun when you are at an elevation of 6000+ feet.


Steve helping the Correa and Hernandez families set up a tent.




Then came the rain. Here we are trying to fix food under tarps.



Having service huddled under a tent.