Report

Summer and Fall...

This summer found us back in Western Canada through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. We had the opportunity to speak in 8 churches as well as be camp speaker for 3 camps. It was a great time to connect with new people, reconnect with old friends and partners and share the vision of Training Leaders in Mexico.

After we got back in August, Sharlene returned to Calgary for pre-op appointments and her hip resurfacing surgery. She was in Canada for a total of 3 weeks staying with friends when not in the hospital. It was a real blessing to have friends help out with rides, places to stay and company as well while she was in the hospital!

Our kids are doing well. They started their Homeschooling year in September. Elijah is in Grade 5, Caleb in Grade 3 and Jacob is in Kindergarten. Sharlene spends an awful lot of time teaching them and preparing lessons. The two older boys curriculum is on their computers (Christian Based "Switched on Schoolhouse") and Sharlene is making up Jacobs curriculum from many sources.

Language learning for me is going well. I've been saying that I've learned more Spanish in these last 6 weeks than I did all last year! Last years study was a great foundation, but I seem to have hit a good stride recently with being more involved in direct people related ministry. The kids have been learning in their classes and are improving slowly. Sharlene is needing some more exposure, but that has been difficult to come by after surgery and with much of her time spent homeschooling and housemaking. Please pray for more opportunities for her to learn Spanish.

Ministry is going well. I have started a Bible Training for Pastor's ministry in the East Tijuana Colonias. The idea is to train pastors, their wives and church leaders in basic Biblical training. Over the course of 2 years we will complete the equivalent of a first years Bible College or Seminary with the following courses:

Bible Training Centre for Pastors Curriculum

Courses
1. Bible Study Meth./Interpret.
2. Old Testament Survey
3. New Testament Survey
4. Preaching Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry
5. Bible Doctrine Survey
6. Personal Spiritual Life
7. Church Ministry/Admin./Educ.
8. Teaching Princp./Methods
9. Church History
10.Missions/Evang./Discp.

The vision for Bible Training Center for Pastors is to Disciple Disciplemakers. After they are finished this course, the graduates may be trained as teachers (a weekend class) and may begin a class of 10-20 themselves.

Eventually I hope to have Mexican leaders doing the training here in Tijuana while I oversee the teachers. The vision is to have 1000 Biblically trained leaders in 10 years. what I love about this vision is that it is in no way dependent upon a missionary to continue the ministry! It is inexpensive and transferable to the local church. We have no plans to build a building-- the training happens in public buildings or churches that are already available.

Currently I have 31 students. We just finished our first course of Methods of Bible Study and Interpretation and are now moving on to Old Testament Survey.

I am also involved in Project Joy Christmas box program. We connect US and Canadian teams in Ministry to poor families through the churches here in Mexico. We collect Christmas boxes and teams come and hand them out at a 1 day VBS like ministry. This was previously the ministry of Stacey Frederick of El Faro and I have agreed to help organize it this year.

I have also been involved a bit in the Medical Missions of A&B Ministries as they minister in the churches of my students. It has been a privilege to partner with Al and Barb Goldworthy in this ministry as we pray for people, they administer medical advice and help as well as food and supplies. Last week they saw 30 people and had to turn away another 30 (not enough time and only 1 nurse) before I left at 2pm, undoubtedly more came and were not able to be looked after. We plan on returning here in December. I've also helped by driving a little girl and her pastor to her Dr.'s appointments as they examine her. It appears as if she may need brain surgery / cranial repair. Please pray that God provides for Lupita's medical needs!!

Thanks for your support and work on our behalf on the Canadian side of this ministry! I would love to bring any of you who are able to come down out to meet our pastors and leaders in Tijuana's poor Colonias!! While you are coming down, think about recruiting a group of men to come and help build a church building!! One of my guys is leading anew church in one of Tijuana's poorest squatter communities. It is 3 months old and has 50 people in it. The church has no roof, only 3 walls and needs to be finished before the winter rains!!

God bless and keep you all!!

Your partners in Ministry,

McDonalds in Mexico!!