Christmas - Part 1

The decorated trees in downtown Saltillo.



The kids gathered around Maria before the Saltillo Church Christmas Program.



Maria playing the keyboard during the program.

Maria had to go up front for the traditional birthday congratulations. Sylvia is leading the service and Manuela was also celebrating her birthday.

Everybody in the church passes by to hug the Birthday celebrants while singing, "Feliz, feliz cumpleanos..."

We Love These People!

A precious family from La Boca, Mexico. They are consistent, steady Christians; very faithful to the church and the Lord's work.


Steve in La Boca with Teresa and Pablo Leonardo.

The road between La Boca and San Rafael.

Sunday School kids in San Rafael.

Loaded up in the van for the trip home.

Road Work

Last summer (July 2010) a hurricane dumped about 20 inches of rain over northern Mexico and caused widespread flooding and damage. Many roads and bridges were washed out and still need repaired. This is part of the road that we travel to get to church on Sunday.

The flooding washed the blacktop away, leaving dirt and rocks (and ruts and holes).

We haven't seen any evidence that work is being done.

A detour around the worst damage, leads us through a sugar cane field.

Piles of dirt and mud.

Water along the sides of the damaged road.

Flat Stanley Goes To Mexico

We were glad to participate in a class project called, "Flat Stanley." Stanley is sent to host families who take pictures of him participating in their daily lives. Here are some pictures of what Flat Stanley did when he visited us.

He got caught on a cactus called a nopal. The people of Mexico like to eat nopales. They scrape the thorns off, dice up the cactus and eat it like a vegetable. In the background on the left you can see an outhouse with a blanket for the door. The homes and churches in this area do not have indoor plumbing.

Stanley went across the bridge that spans the Rio Grande. About halfway over he got his picture taken on the boundary line between two great nations: the USA and Mexico.

After Sunday School Stanley got his picture taken with Fatima and Mariana.

Later he stood in front of a statue of a golden eagle - the national symbol of Mexico.

Stanley went to church in La Soledad. We were happy to take him to see the people whom we love in Mexico!

Institute Session - Part 2

A group of pastors and laypeople during one of the classes.


Some of the students during a session held in the church in Rio Bravo.



Another class session.

Glenn Reiff interpreting for Mission Director Tim Keep as he teaches a class on Integrity in Leadership.

There's nothing better than praying together.

Institute Session - Part 1

These pictures are of our Institute Training Session held a few months ago in Rio Bravo.


Institute President, Eli Balderas, directed the sessions. He is a gifted teacher, a spiritual leader and a tireless organizer with a gifted mind. We are blessed to have him in this position.

Field Director, Marc Sankey taught classes on Missions.

Here are a couple ladies that attended Melodie Sankey's Scrapbooking Sessions.

Glenn Reiff taught Basic Doctrine.

Helen Reiff gave lessons on Child Evangelism and Women's Ministry.

Mission Director, Tim Keep, gave several lectures during the Institute Session, as well.

Steve and I also taught classes, but we didn't take any pictures of ourselves! :o)

"He That Hath Two Coats, Let Him Impart To Him That Hath None."

We are so thankful to those who have sent clothing to be given to our people in Mexico. Due to crackdowns at the border we are unable to take in used clothing, but we still have a good supply on hand that we have been able to distribute.


A new pair of flip-flops...


One of our pastors delighted with his "new" shoes...

Another pastor and his wife selecting clothing ...

Conference President Cuco sends his thanks to all of you.

Mission Director Comes To Visit

It was a joy to have our Mission Director, Rev. Tim Keep visit us in Mexico a few months ago.

He and the Sankey family joined us for a meal at our home in Saltillo.

Tim Keep, Marc Sankey and Steve Stetler in La Boca.

Eating a delicious meal at Pastor Alejandro's home in San Rafael.

Bro. Tim with Pastor Alejandro.

Bro. Tim with Pastor Alejandro's wife. You can see her wonderful tortillas on the griddle on the stove and also the ones waiting to be cooked on the sides of the red bowl. Delicious!