Our tickets to return to Mexico have been purchased. We will be flying from Iowa to Guadalajara on May 21st.

It has been an amazing year.  We will remember with fondness the times spent with each friend, each missions committee, each church.  Please join us in giving praise and thanks to our faithful, unchanging God.

Would you also join with us in prayer for the following requests?

• Readjustment to life in a large city; settling into our home.
• Wisdom in the first steps for beginning the Marriage and Family ministry anew.
• Location of offices.
• Efficient networking with churches, pastors and other professionals.

Permission to return to Mexico!

GUADALAJARA 

MAY

 CELEBRATE with us.  We are so very grateful for the churches and individuals who continue to faithfully give to the ministry to build strong marriages and healthy families.  We praise God for those who responded to the increased need for financial support.  Thank you.

We have a few more weekends of travel plans and then our focus will be on our arrival in Mexico.  Look for more specifics in a couple of weeks.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us,

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever!  Amen.  

Ephesians 3:20-21

]]> http://www.connermex.org/2012/04/13/hot-off-the-presses/feed/ 0 http://www.connermex.org/2012/04/04/green-again/ http://www.connermex.org/2012/04/04/green-again/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:43:05 +0000 Lynn http://www.connermex.org/?p=421
As I look out the window this morning, I see green again.  The seasons have each displayed their beauty and we realize that our year of home assignment is coming to a close.

What a year it has been!

Family.  We are sure you can imagine our joy at being within huggable distance to our children and grandchildren.  This year we have all been in Iowa, no more than a 2 hour drive away.  We’ve had special dinners, coloring fests, kick ball games, Wii competitions, LEGO building sessions, etc., etc.  It has been a rich time.

Partners.  We can hardly find the words to express how amazing (awesome, wonderful, marvelous, encouraging, inspiring, humbling, touching, heart-swelling) it has been to visit both churches and individuals who have partnered with us in the ministry in Guadalajara.  So often we have been encouraged to “Keep on keeping on” in obedience to the call because of your faithfulness in both prayer and economic support.

Friends.  Our lives are rich with friendships that have stood the test of time and distance.  We’ve hiked in the Rocky Mountains, grieved together over the loss of loved ones, laughed over stories of grandchildren, and celebrated our friendship.

Tools.  This year has given us the opportunity to add some tools to our kit for ministering to families and couples.  We are now certified presenters for “Couple Communication” and “Prepare and Enrich”.  Lynn has also met weekly with a supervisor discussing a therapy model.  Several churches have given us the opportunity to present workshops and seminars which have kept “old tools” sharpened.

ALMOST THERE!  

We are waiting for the final OK from Converge Worldwide International headquarters.  We are primed to make our plans to return to Guadalajara in May.  We will keep you posted.

In Him,

Lynn and Barb

That’s how many months of our home assignment we have completed.  That means three more months until we return to Mexico in May.

That means we still have time to be physically present with our kids and grandkids.

That means we still have opportunities to prepare ourselves for ministry in Guadalajara by taking seminars and   workshops.

That means we can visit the final 5 out of a total of 33 churches that support the ministry in Mexico.

And, it means we can continue to contact potential partners with the intent of raising our support level to 100%, allowing us to return to Mexico.

Schedule:

Feb. 19            The Rock Southwest of Littleton, Colorado

Feb. 25            Crow Hill Bible Church of Bailey, Colorado

March 4            Grace Baptist Church of Anaconda, Montana

March 11            Broomfield Community Church of Broomfield, Colorado

April 29            Harvest Baptist Church of Boulder, Colorado

Prayer Requests:

 We are deeply grateful for our partners in ministry.  So many of you have supported what we are doing in Mexico for over 20 years.  If God permits it, we have 8 more years that we desire to serve in Mexico.

We have been greatly encouraged by the progress we have made toward reaching our goal of being 100% supported by the middle of May.  We are taking a bold step to invite those of you who read our blog to consider participating financially as well as prayerfully in building healthy marriages and strong families in Mexico.  If you have been thinking of increasing your support or becoming a new team member, click on the following link to join us:

www.convergeworldwide.org/give/12848 

Our thoughts can’t help but turn to our return to Mexico and we would like to ask you to join us in praying that the Lord will guide us to an office location that is centralized in the city of Guadalajara and that will offer space for growth as the ministry expands.  And secondly, that through networking with other professionals we will connect with the person who will eventually take over the directorship of the Marriage and Family Training Center.

FUN THINGS:

Introducing the idea of a chocolate frosted cake donut

at a little bakery in the

Upper Peninsula.

Skipping with grandchildren on the pedestrian

mall in Iowa City.

Joining a Precepts Bible Study in Bailey, Colorado.

Teaching a grandchild

how to dunk graham crackers in milk.

Volunteering at the River Community Church Food Bank in Iowa City.

My Utmost for His Highest

Oswald Chambers

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

On our recent trip to Minnesota we had the great fun of…

celebrating the retirement of Chuck and Betty Selander, our former colleagues on the Central Mexico field,

saying “hello” to the pastor under whom Lynn worked in the ’70′s in Waterloo, Iowa, Al and Dorothy Travaille, a good friend and mentor,

and visiting Ken and Sheila Albright, also former colleagues in Mexico, who were marvelous examples and very influential in God’s confirmation of our call.

Next weekend we will be travelling across Wisconsin to visit Grace Church, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, followed by a weekend in Mosinee, WI to visit Good News Baptist Church.

Then before a month-long trek out West (Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska) we will tuck in a trip to Union Park Baptist of Des Moines, IA and Lynn will be sitting for his professional exam for his license in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Please pray he will have an agile and alert mind that day: October 5^th.

Confronting the challenge.

Shortly after our return to the USA, the Converge Worldwide accounting office informed us that we were falling behind in our support, reaching only 85% of the needed monthly funds.  That translates into approximately $1400 needed per month.

Our travels to visit churches and phones calls and emails have demonstrated that the short-fall has been caused by a variety of reasons:  the economic times, staff changes, and changes in mission focus, to name a few.

We are convinced that our time in Mexico and our ministry through the Marriage and Family Training Center  is not completed.  Because of that conviction, we believe that God will provide the funds through His generous and faithful followers.

Philippians 4:18  ”(Your gifts) are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

If God directs you to give or to increase what you are giving, would you be willing to notify Converge Worldwide (BGC) with a donation on-line or through a phone call?

Call: 800 323 4213 and speak to Lisa Johnson,

or go to:  http://www.convergeworldwide.org/give/12848

THANK YOU!

GREEN. In many ways we find ourselves new to the culture in the USA.  Who knew there would be such a variety of ways to pay electronically.  Can you see us encountering each new “swipe your card” machine?  Can you see the looks on the check-out cashiers’ faces when we look confused?  We laugh at our mistakes.  Lynn came home one day and told me of his attempt to signal a “thank you” to a driver who let him merge into a line of traffic.  Let’s just say that the gesture for thank you in Mexico has a very different meaning here in the USA.

GREEN. Recycling is very different here.  In Mexico, I put my garbage on the street the day the garbage truck is scheduled to pass by.  I hang the soda cans in a bag on the front gate, and stack the cardboard on the side of the garbage can.  Early in the morning the men who make their livelihood picking up recyclables drop by and pick it all up.

We have a full schedule of visits to supporting churches.  We look forward to seeing many of you.

Following is our agenda for July through October:

July 24 –    First Baptist, Kiron, Iowa
July 31 –    First Baptist, Amery, Wisconsin

August 7 – The River Community, Iowa City, Iowa
August 14 –   Cornerstone Church, Eldridge, Iowa
August 21 –   Faith Community, Hudson, Wisconsin
August 28 –   Elim Baptist, Isanti, Minnesota

September 11 –   Oakhill Baptist, Humboldt, Iowa
September 18 –   Grace Church, Gladstone, Michigan
September 25 –   Good News Baptist, Mosinee, Wisconsin

October 2  - Union Park Baptist, Des Moines, Iowa
October 9 –   Galilee Baptist, Loveland, Colorado
October 16 –   North Hills Church, Lingle, Wyoming
October 23 –   Center Cross Community, Gering, Nebraska
October 30 –   Bethel Baptist, Greeley, Colorado

We have enjoyed some very fun times with our family.  Pine Lake Camp in Eldora, Iowa, was the site for a day of canoeing, hiking, carpetball, and grilling.  It is wonderful to have everyone within a 2 hour drive.

Just this week we welcomed our 9th grandchild.

Getting ready to leave.

Marriage and Family Center.

The time has come to end counseling with existing clients, recommend clients to other therapists, and not accept new clients.  We have chosen to close the Center for the year that we will be in the U.S.A.  We pray for a smooth transition.  When we return in a year we will continue with the marriage and family ministry that the Lord has given us.

Seminar on Couple Communication.

Sunday evening we completed the third  5-week seminar on Couple Communication.  Eight couples participated and according to their comments, benefited from the seminar.

“What we learned gave solid, secure and practical structure to conflict resolutions.”

“I’m very timid and of few words.  Now I have tools to help resolve personal and family issues.”

La Gracia de Dios Church

Last Sunday Lynn announced to our church family that upon return to Guadalajara in May of 2012, we will not be returning to La Gracia de Dios.  Citing 2 Corinthians 7:16,  Lynn affirmed the church of their ability to continue to move forward.  On May 1st, the elders of the church will present their vision for the future.

Barb has also urged the women with whom she has been meeting to continue to study together and encourage each other.

Gym outreach.

One Friday morning, the topic of the English Conversation class at the gym began with the question offered by one of the participants.  ”Do you think we are close to the end of the world?”  She was impacted by the terrible events in Japan.  We talked for a while, then I asked her what she was feeling.  She said, “Frightened.  I don’t know if God will accept me.”

This was the moment we have been praying for!  Thank you for your support in pray.  I gave her a clear presentation of the Good News and I hope for the opportunity to follow up soon.  Join me in praying for that.

Getting ready to arrive.

We have been in the interesting process of searching for a place to live during our year of Home Assignment.  When our daughter Laura decided to study in the Physician’s Assistant program at the University of Iowa, things began to fall into place.  We will be living in Coralville, Iowa and cheering for the Hawks again.

Lynn has been contacting the churches that partner with us to set up a schedule of visits.  The calendar is almost full beginning in June until the end of November.  We are looking forward to connecting face to face with those who have been so faithful to our ministry.  We hope to continue scheduling upon our return to Iowa for the months of December through April.

As you can imagine the thought of being closer to our kids and grandkids has us grinning from ear to ear.  We hope to be able to have many significant times with them.  SKYPE is great, but hugging them is person is beyond great.

Hasta la vista!

Home Assignment Missionaries. Through emails and       phone calls we have begun the process of contacting those churches and individuals who have been such appreciated partners in our ministry in Guadalajara to inquire about the possibility of a visit during this year that we will be in the USA:  June 2011 to April 2012.  We would enjoy the chance to become acquainted again with you and give you a report of our ministry in Mexico.

If you have plans for a special Missions event or focus and you might offer us the opportunity to participate, would you let us know the dates as soon as possible?

If it you think it might be of benefit to your church family, we would be willing to speak on marriage and family topics also.

Please email us at: connermex@yahoo.com

On Sunday, February 6^th, 8 new believers will follow the Lord in obedience.  Five members of one extended family and three members of another family…a mom and two daughters will be baptized.

Workshops: During the months of February and March we will be offering the Couple Communication workshop in two different churches.  The class for February is full and we hope the same will be true for March.    We are encouraged to see that there is a need for this training.

Exercise and MORE….Barb reports that the English Conversation class she is offering at the gym she goes to is opening up opportunities to become better acquainted with the ladies.  Sometimes the class ends in a counseling session in Spanish.   She will be giving a talk on Monday the 14^th at the gym on Gary Chapman´s book, The Five Languages of Love.

Encouragement: Thank you to all who have blessed us with words of encouragement through letters, cards, and emails.  Below are just a few of the reminders of your faithfulness.

Prayer requests:

….that we can efficiently schedule our time on home assignment.

….that those being baptized would continue to live abundant lives in Christ.

….that the couples attending the workshops would experience a deeper relationship

….that Barb will have opportunities to share Christ with her gym-mates.