Dear Friends,

My family had a little poem they would recite when the tulips and daffodils began to bloom:

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz,

I wonder where the flowers is.

The boid (bird) is on the wing,

Now ain´t that absoid.   I thought the wing was on the boid!

Thank you for praying for us.   We continue to be amazed at God´s faithfulness.

First,  a quick update on things we asked you to pray about previously:

• Lynn was able to obtain the material necessary to begin the course he is offering.  The orientation meeting was held on February 14th and the first class was held on March 14th.  Fifteen enthusiastic students signed up.
• A resolution was reached and the church La Gracia de Dios will now be able to use the building we were hoping to use for more frequent meetings.  We are encouraged that two young couples  are participating more and more in the leadership of the church.
• The breakfast for the Pastor´s wives was a success. (see photo).  We continue to connect with more women and anticipate seeing the ministry expand.

More recent events:

In February we took advantage of the dry, warm weather to have the house painted and a roof built over a section of the back patio.

The house was “abuzz” with activity as Juan and Juan Pablo worked long days, sometimes joining us for meals.

This small area will give us more storage space…necessary because the house doesn´t  have an attic, a basement or a garage!

Lynn and I attended a workshop in San Antonio, Texas, in March in order to become certified trainers in “Couple Communication”.  We hit a glitch, however.  Our new Mexican visa status means that according to the customs agents we are considered Mexican citizens, which we are not.  Being considered Mexican citizens means that we cannot import a U.S. car into Mexico.  So we found ourselves in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, with a car and a load of boxes.  I flew to Guadalajara and Lynn drove the VW Jetta to Iowa where our son Dan will sell it for us.

Anyone need a car?

On March 10th my (Barb´s) father passed away.  Because of Alzheimer´s Disease, we had been saying goodbye to him for a long time.  The funeral was held in Clinton, Iowa, on March 30th.  Part of honoring my father was celebrating family.  We were able to spend a day with our children and their children… and some of that time was in the pool.  Here is Grandpa with 3 of the 6 grandchildren.

Current concerns:

• Tonight Lynn is presenting a conference on Conflict Resolution as part of an outreach ministry for the new church plant of the Converge Worldwide missionaries, Dan and MeLinda Nelson.
• Lynn continues in the process of obtaining an operating license from the city for the Marriage and Family Training Center.  Please pray for open doors.
• April 11th will be the second class meeting for the course Lynn is offering.
• On April 25th we will be hosting another breakfast for Pastor´s Wives.  Barb is currently working on a newsletter.
• Please pray for the sale of the mission vehicle (VW Jetta) so that we can purchase a Mexican vehicle for use in the ministry here.  This is a big, elephant-sized request!

We appreciate your continued concern for the ministry God has given us.  Your participation in prayer is an important, very important part of the mix.  Thank you.

Do you look forward to the beginning of a new year?  I enjoy the time of reflection, considering the many blessings of the previous year and looking forward to what God will do in the year to come.  In our reflection on 2008, we were reminded of your faithful support of the ministry God has called us to in Guadalajara.  Thank you.  Your prayer, your interest in the ministry, your commitment financially encourage us to move into 2009 with hope and enthusiasm.

On January 25th, our church, La Gracia de Dios,  hosted a conference sponsored by Grace Walk Ministries of Latin America.   The church, along with guests from other churches heard testimonies and preaching by Mike Zenker and friends of Grace Walk Ministries of Canada.  We were challenged and encouraged to proclaim the message of grace.

Plans for La Gracia de Dios for the new year include bringing together the cells of the church more frequently for a variety of activities, including in-depth doctrinal teaching.    We thought we had the location worked out when things got bogged down.  Please pray for a resolution between two Christian groups so that the location can be freed up for ministry!

Barbara  will begin a  new book study with several women of the church.  We will be reading a book written by Paul Young entitled “Kid CEO” (in Spanish: “Niño Dominante”).  The author discusses the difficulties that result in a family where children rule.  She is anticipating lively interaction between the women.

Through the Marriage and Family Training Center, Lynn will be offering a course to pastors and church leaders beginning in February.   The title of the course is  “Family Counselors” and will cover themes such as: Theological Basis for Marriage and Family, The Family in Today´s World, The Life Cycle of the Family, Marriage and Family Communication, The Bible, Church, Sexuality and Family.  Upon completion of the 18 month course, the participants will receive credit from EIRENE International and the University of the Americas in San Antonio.  Please pray for the logistics of obtaining the materials for the course, for 20 students,  and for Lynn´s preparation of the course work.

Because of the confidential nature of Lynn´s work, we do not have the freedom to share openly with you concerning the people he is seeing.  May I just say that in the past couple of weeks he has been encouraged by seeing some major steps taken by some of his counselees.  Please remember him in prayer as he seeks God´s direction and wisdom in helping people who have come to him looking for positive change in their relationships.

Saturday, January  31st, MeLinda Nelson and Barb will be hosting the 4th breakfast for Wives of Pastors.  Our desire is to encourage them in their significant role in ministry.  We hope to give them an opportunity to share honestly, to be accepted openly and loved extravagantly.  Please join us praying that we can meet our goal.

Early in the month we welcomed Jami Strandberg (Converge Worldwide missionary to Mexico, currently on home assignment) and Tim Nash (Converge Worldwide missionary in Tecate, Mexico).  We enjoyed time together as a team.

December 18, 2008

As I walked to meet some friends for breakfast this morning, I took my camera along in order to capture some images of Christmas in Guadalajara.  Students were entering their preschool

prepared for their Christmas program.  This is a little “shepherd girl”.

Later, I passed Rudolf.

This year they are selling felt antlers and red noses to put on your cars.

It is very clever and it makes me smile every time I see one.

A littler later I walked by the dulcería where they sell

every kind of candy you can imagine,

and, of course piñatas.

And what would be Christmas without poinsettias?   Here they are called Nochebuenas.

Wikpedia tells us that: “The name “poinsettia” is after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico,who introduced the plant into the US in 1828.

It is our prayer that you enjoy this holiday season

rejoicing in God´s extravagant love for us.

Thank you for praying for our involvement in the Missionary Assessment Center that was held in the Dominican Republic.  Thankfully, we didn´t experience a hurricane.  Rather we enjoyed the wonderful opportunity of getting to know people who are considering entering missionary service.  This was the first assessment where the candidates participated in live cross-cultural ministry as we spent time in the afternoon visiting homes of Dominican believers, encouraging people in Haitian settlements, and building a house for a young father whose wife recently passed away.

Last week following a counseling session Lynn had the opportunity to share the gospel with a client who believes that it is important to look for support in God  Please pray that the Lord will use His Word to impact this person´s life.

Turn you radio dials to 1040AM “Radio Mujer” on Saturday, November 15^th at 11:00 am. to hear Lynn´s interview with Martha Elena Mejia regarding the Marriage and Family Training Center.  If you don´t live in Northwest Mexico, you can tune in via the internet at www.radiomujer1040.com .

We head WEST for the weekend.  Lynn has been invited to teach, preach, and offer counseling this weekend at a Baptist church in Los Pilares, Jalisco.  We will leave on Saturday and return on Monday.

Barbara made a trip to California to oversee the care of her father in her brother´s absence.  We are very grateful that he is comfortable and not in pain.  Barb had several moments of connecting with him, being able to tell him the things in her heart.  We will be leaving Tuesday for a two-week vacation in Iowa and Indiana visiting children and grandchildren.

May you have a very blessed Thanksgiving

PLUMMETING STOCKS.  BAILOUTS.  SCARCITY OF CREDIT.

How much we need to be reminded of the sovereignty, the trustworthiness and the faithfulness of God.  Jesus says in John 5:17 “My Father is always at work.”  Believing that, we keep on.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.  God has faithfully answered.

• Lynn received the Power of Attorney for the Marriage and Family Training Center and also was able to open a bank account.  Now he can handle the other legal issues of the Center without having to coordinate things with the “signing” members of the Board of Directors.
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• The recruiting of a second family therapist has been stalled because of government paperwork.  Esther is waiting to receive her university transcripts and degrees.
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• Lynn concluded the series of classes for training lay counselors at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church and continues to meet monthly with married couples at Lily of the Valley Baptist Church.  He also had the opportunity to speak at a retreat for Christ, The Only Hope Baptist Church.
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• Since January, 2008, Lynn has had an average of 25 therapy sessions a month.  the year-term goal is to have 40 a month by March, 2009.  This number will probably increase when we launch an advertising project by January, 2009.  Also in January, 2009, we are planning to begin an extensive training course for pastors in family assessment for local church pastors and leaders.
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• In the last couple of months, Lynn has worked with a family in which the parents and one of their teenagers experienced a lot of conflict; a family which one of the older children has attempted suicide; a marriage of 35 years that has been characterized by fighting; and a cohabitating couple who have a history of getting angry at one another and exploding.
  

Recent events:

• We celebrated the Mexican Independence Day on the 15th of September with music, folkloric dancing, games and a delicious supper.  The piñatas were suspended on account of rain.

• We enjoyed our third Pastor’s wives breakfast on Saturday, September 27th.  Each woman received a vase of roses, a letter of encouragement and a time of personal prayer.

• Last Sunday, we joined another church for a joint worship service, a shared dinner and  friendly volleyball and basketball competitions.  GO TEAM “LA GRACIA!”

• Barb is involved in the lives of 20 women: studying, mentoring, and encouraging.  She stopped by the house of her young friend, Mari, who is the wife of a pastor.  Her father, who served as a pastor until his retirement, was visiting their home.  When Mari ran to rescue the new puppy from her young children, he took the opportunity to thank Barb.  He said,  “Mari´s mother died when she was 16.  She hasn’t had a mother to guide her since then.  Than you for spending time with her to encourage her.”

Upcoming events:

• We have been invited to participate as assessors in the CONVERGE WORLDWIDE Missionary Assessment Center to be held in the Dominican Republic October 19th through the 25th.  Please pray with us that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit as we join in seeking direction in the lives of others.  And, of course, we desire that there be no more hurricanes this season!

Thank you for your participation through prayer!

Lynn and Barb

It has truly been and “jumpin´ july”.  Thank you for taking our concerns and activities before the Lord.Our annual Field Council was held July 7 – 10 in Mazamitla, Jalisco.  It is known around here as the Switzerland of Mexico.  It is a beautiful village set up in the mountains and pine forests.  We met with the Central Mexico staff:  Dan and MeLinda Nelson, VaLynn Ruth and the Conners.  (Jami Strandberg is currently on home assignment in Minnesota)  It was a wet and chilly time of fellowship as we discussed the past year and our future plans.

Our colleague, VaLynn, is now settled into her new home in Puebla under the shadow of  two famous volcanos.  She will begin her new ministry at the Centro de Cuidado a la Familia, or The Family Care Center.  We were pleased we could help her make the move to Puebla.

From July 21st to the 28th we hosted a short-term missions groups from Grace Baptist Church of Waterloo, Iowa.  These 8 young people and their youth leaders participated in the Vacation Bible School at the church plant location of El Vergel under the leadership of Dan and MeLinda Nelson.       

Each day an average of 80+ kids attended the 3 hour program.  In the afternoon the “Grace Group” helped out in a variety of ministry locations: cleaning, painting, pulling weeds, and working with children.   A 2 minute video of the week has been posted at http://www.vimeo.com/1418962    Lynn and I spent some time this morning praying and planning for the next 5 months of ministry through the Marriage and Family Training Center. 

Please join us in prayer…. for progress on the legal issues of the Center: power of attorney, a bank    account, registration  with the Department of Health, etc.,  for the recruitment of another family therapist, for a seminar on marriage communication offered to the community in October,  for the seminars that Lynn is currently offering at two Baptist churches, and, as always, for wisdom in all counseling situations.   

  Thank you! 

   

 

 

This month is full of activity. Last weekend Lynn had the opportunity to speak twice: the first was the beginning of a monthly series of themes on Communication in Marriage and the second was a presentation of Lay Counseling to the leaders of a local church. Barb was invited to speak at a women´s retreat on the theme “Total Spiritual Health.” (something to smile about….The ladies participated in a craft that required varnish. All the wet varnished articles were placed up front, where I had to speak. It wasn´t long before I began to feel the effects of the fumes. Thankfully, we stopped and moved them to another room.)

Today (Monday) we leave for our annual Field Council Meeting which will be held in Mazamitla, a little pueblo high up in the pine-covered mountains. Please pray that we will have significant discussions and make God-honoring decisions.

On July 11th, Lynn will be presenting at the Mexican-American Hospital Lay Counseling School. (another thing to smile about: When he was invited, he understood that he would present one topic during a 1 and a half hour session. When he called to confirm the commitment, asking what time he was going to present, the organizer said: “You have the WHOLE time, from 9am to 2pm.” Surprise!) Please pray.

We are excited to welcome a group of young people from Grace Baptist Church of Waterloo, Iowa for the week of July 21-28. They will be helping with a church plant vacation Bible school and involved in work projects in the afternoon. Please pray that we will enjoy all that God has planned for that week.

The final week of May we made a trip to Cuernavaca, Morelos to participate in the first Congress of Biblical Counselors. There were 140 people attending the congress and Lynn spoke on the importance of building relationship between counselor and counselee. I invite you to view a video at http://www.vimeo.com/1296637. (another thing to smile about: The hotel we stayed at in Cuernavaca had an interesting hitch. In order to have the ceiling fan on and the light NOT on, we had to put a chair on the bed, do the circus act of Lynn balancing on the chair and unscrewing the light bulb.)

We are very thankful that the Marriage and Family Ministry is growing. We are grateful for your partnership in prayer. Please continue to pray for the “wisdom that is from above” in our lives.

May I share with you some words of encouragement Lynn received? A young father took Lynn aside to say this: “I want you to know that personally you´ve been a great help to me. First, when my wife miscarried our baby at 4 months your counsel helped me know how to care for her. And secondly, when I failed to stand up to a demon, you helped me to deal with my disappointment and guilt.”

“I recognize that there are many things that I habitually do that are destructive to our relationship.”

“This is the first time my husband has really heard what I wanted to say.”

“I´m excited to know that a very simple technique to begin a discussion with my wife could change the way we communicate.”

“I want to ask for your forgiveness (to husband) because I see that I was doing many things that were damaging our relationship. I love you and I want to work to make our marriage stronger.”

Thank you so much for praying for the Couple’s Retreat. We were so pleased with the enthusiasm of the 13 couples and their openness to learn. As you can see from the comments, God had prepared their hearts. The leaders of the church had prayed for months.

Workshop activity.

Chatting.

Some of us stayed in tents.

The retreat lasted just 26 hours….and we were awake for most of them! The men treated their wives to a serenade at 3:00 am! It lasted over an hour as each wife was honored with a song, roses and a kiss from her husband.

The group has invited us to present another workshop in the church in June so more couples can attend. We pray that what they have learned they will put into practice.