I have been surprised by questions from friends and supporting partners who wonder about whether  Barbara and I are returning to Mexico after home assignment this year.  The answer is YES !

Apparently I have created confusion regarding our plans.  As you know, we have embarked upon a new and crucial ministry – creating the Marriage and Family Training Center in Guadalajara.  This is in response to a heartfelt plea from our Mexican colleagues to collaborate with them to build and strengthen marriages and families which are facing many difficult challenges, as are the pastors who are attempting to help them.

In order to do this, I completed a Master’s degree in Family Science and am working to fulfill the requirements for a professional license in the state of Iowa.  These are personal goals for professional development that I consider important as a therapist. These are not required for me to serve with Converge World Wide. They are milestones I want to attain and, with God’s help, I have been able to finance this from personal resources, not mission funds.

The whole point is to return to Mexico well-equipped and trained for the ministry to which the Lord has called us. We desire to offer Him our best for the next 8 years.

I Passed My Exam

If you remember, in August and September I was requesting prayer in support of my effort to            prepare and pass the state board exam scheduled for the first week in October.  It takes about 8  weeks to obtain the results. I want to express a big “Thank You” to all of you who joined with me in this supplication.

The results were good – I passed !!

To all our church and individual partners, we express our gratitude for providing the funds needed for our ministry in Mexico. We have been fully supported for these last 4 years.  You have been so faithful!

We have prepared the budget for the year ahead and we project an increase in work funds to restart the Marriage and Family Training Center once we return from home assignment.

As you prepare the budget in your church or your personal allocation of funds for this coming year, would you please consider an increase in monthly support so that we can reach the 100% mark before our scheduled return in May,2012.  Please email or call if you have any questions.

Great Visits!!

What an encouraging time we have had visiting our church partners in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.

It is pleasant to see friends and fellowship with partners who have demonstrated such impressive generosity and faithfulness.  We rejoice in your advances and God’s blessings. We join with you to bear your concerns as well.

Our schedule for the next few months:

December 4        Pleasantview Baptist, Bettendorf, Iowa

December 11      Faith Community, Ida Grove, Iowa

January 8           Olivet Baptist, Urbandale, Iowa

January 15         Conference Baptist, Evergreen, Colorado

January 22         Grace Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado

January 29         First Baptist, Stratford, Iowa