Sunday Night Fellowship

There's nothing like Sunday night fellowship....we had great services today and we finished off the day at the Burches, fellowshipping with them and a family from the church. The popcorn and hot chocolate were delicious - thanks, Philip and Collette!

Philip's contribution to the evening...well, I guess there were only 3 ladies and a bunch of kids to socialize with!

Rosalva - what a sweet lady! The 3 dark-haired kids in the pic are hers; of course, the blondes are all mine!

Collette, always the gracious hostess

And he's off.....

Marc left this morning on the 9:45 bus for his 4th trip to Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico bordering the Pacific Ocean. We have several Bible Methodist Churches in this state: in Oaxaca City, scattered through the mountains, and 2 missions that are right on the Pacific Ocean. He will be participating in a pastor installation service in Oaxaca City, dedicating 2 new church buildings in the mountains, will probably be asked to dedicate babies and baptize new believers as he normally does, is scheduled to preach in several of the churches, and will try to catch a few winks of sleep in between. He was excited to go - he always loves going to Oaxaca.

Leaving Salamanca Bus Station

I tried to ready a few things to send with him for the people there. They love any kind of baked goods so I sent some Super Duper Chocolate Cookies (Pam Davis' recipe in the FMC recipe book), some candy for the children, 10 illustrated Spanish children's Sunday School songs (thanks TriState WMS ladies), some handmade Spanish greeting cards addressed to the pastor's wives (thanks, Myranda: http://www.scrapsolutions.blogspot.com/), and some printed off flyers announcing the Mexico IHC in October here in Salamanca.

Of course, Marc took a supply of our prayer cards with our Mexico contact info written on the back, and the rest of the Behold the Harvest posters translated into Spanish (thanks, Bro. Sams and others). He was also able to take a generous money gift along with him to begin the construction of a new church building in Santa Maria - more on this later)

Here's Oaxaca City

One of the Bible Methodist Missions on the Pacific Ocean - the ocean's just right down that little road

Pastor Desiderio Lopez looking out at the Pacific Ocean

The boys and I are planning to start homeschool on Monday - I think they're excited although they don't want to admit it.



I would appreciate your prayers for Marc and for the boys and me. I'll need to be Mom and Dad for awhile and he'll need God's grace and strength to help him minister and be an encouragement to the churches and pastors there in Oaxaca.


Thanks for your prayers!

Cookies and Crayons

Ok - I've gotten inspired by all my blogger friends who are posting recipes and photos of baked goods: bread, pies, etc...I decided to make peanut butter cookies this afternoon. Boy, are they good! (if I do say so myself)

I have had a 4th delightful little boy in my home this afternoon. He's one of our neighbor boys and his name is Jose. The boys and he have colored pictures, listened to Spanish Sunday School songs, played games (inside and outside), and ate cookies (he happily ran off to deliver a few to his family).

Outside of waving to her and just saying hello on the street, I have not actually talked to Jose's mom. But I really want to. I know their family does not go to church - Jose asks me where we go on Sundays. I would love for this to be an open door to befriend and witness to his family. Help me pray that God opens the door and gives me an opportunity and the words to say!

"These roses are for you..."

Aren't those great words? Here's some photos of simply gorgeous roses that my mother-in-law, Janet Sankey, has planted along the walkway in front of her home. I don't have a green thumb - not at all - but she does! Seems that everything she touches grows and blooms beautifully. Just so happens that she has that gift with more than just flowers. The lives she has touched are the proof.

Love you, Mom!

My Sunday School Class

I'm so excited - I have my own Sunday School class! Yes, I'm a little ashamed to say that my first class responsibility is taking place on the mission field (and in another language, no less!) but due to the wonderful and capable team of Sunday School teachers we had in Franklin, it was never necessary for me to teach a weekly class.

Collette Burch (HIM missionary, my friend and mentor) has decided to divide up her large S.S. class/Children's Church to be able to better focus on the needs of each group and teach to their separate levels. I have been given the privilege of working with the smaller children, teaching with activities and stories more on their level. Collette is now free to work with the older ones in more advanced lessons, question and answer sessions, etc.

(We attend and assist in the HIM church here in Salamanca when we are not visiting and ministering in our Bible Methodist Churches.)

Tomorrow will be my third Sunday "on the job" and I'm already loving it. It is giving me a wonderful opportunity to practice and improve my Spanish, and the little ones don't seem to mind my mistakes and blunders.

Thanks to Collette, I have a wonderful online resource center to draw materials and ideas from. However, I am open to any and all suggestions. If you know of Spanish preschool/kindergarten level Sunday School resource sites or books, I'd be happy for you to pass along the information.

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A prayer request: My husband is gone this weekend, visiting our churches in the Saltillo area: several missions and churches. His schedule is herculean since he's trying to get to as many as he possibly can. Please pray for strength and protection for him as he travels and that God would encourage our Bible Methodist churches and pastors through him.

Cameron's New Blog

Our son, Cameron, has just created his own blog. Check it out at www.missionarykidinmexico-cameron.blogspot.com

Sightseeing

Here we are at Cristo Rey, the gigantic statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched symbolically to the entire country of Mexico. Situated high on a mountain, this statue marks the geographic center of the country.

We also visited a fortress/convent in a town south of Salamanca called Yuriria. It was awesome to tour and is probably the oldest edifice I have had the privilege to see, dating back to 1550.

Enjoying the volcano....

Buying souvenirs in the plaza in San Miguel de Allende.

Thank you, Anthony and Marci and kids, for taking time out of your summer to come and visit us. We love you!

Elotes - not!

Contrary to what this picture may indicate, Marci did NOT like elotes and Anthony didn't even try them. While I enjoyed my entire cup, Marci was looking for a place to throw hers away...smiles...

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However we did get to enjoy delicious frappucinos together at the little coffee shop down the street. Thanks, Collette!

Anthony did enjoy the tacos al pastor, though!

Fun Family Time

Anthony and Marci and kids recently spent about a week here with us in Salamanca. We had a great time sightseeing, attending Spanish church services (at the HIM church and one of our Bible Methodist Churches), singing together in Spanish, eating and playing games together, and much more!

More pics and news later when Blogger will cooperate.

Embracing What God Does

A week later...I'm back. So much has happened in the past few days: great visit with Anthony and Marci and all that goes along with having company. I want to share about it and a couple other exciting things but first......

I have to share my devotions from yesterday morning...so powerful and just for me. Listen to Romans 12:1 from The Message:

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him."

Followed by an excerpt from Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore:
A missionary in Africa writes: "This response of 'embracing what God does' must come from a surrender of our lives to Him. It's taking our everyday, ordinary life - sleeping, eating, working and walking-around life - and placing it before God as an offering. We must relinquish our rights and expectations to what we do and where we go. I will embrace what God has for me, knowing that in the act of warmly receiving and clinging to those things, it will be the best thing that I can do for Him."

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Imagine that - better than all the Christian service I can possibly perform, better than any sacrifice I might encounter, better than filling my life from morning till night with good works; embracing what God does in my life is better than all of it.

Lord, Your ways are not my ways, and I praise You that You know best. I accept and embrace what You have for me today, knowing it's the best thing I can do for You.

Logan is 8 1/2

Just recently, my wonderful mother in law reminded me that I had never posted a birthday post and pictures for Logan - his birthday was February 8. He turned 8 while we were ministering at Hobe Sound Camp and well, we celebrated his birthday, but there was no time for much else and when we returned home to Mexico, it completely slipped my mind. What kind of mom am I - I know. Thanks, Mom, for bringing it to my attention.

Where did my baby go? It seems only yesterday this tiny bundle was placed in my arms - this little bundle we called Logan Miller Sankey. You were so perfect and just the special person to make our family complete. You have blessed our home with so much fun, with your cute ways and adorable antics. You love to cuddle with Mom and Dad - and we love it, too! God has blessed you with a calm and obedient spirit, with a desire to be diligent and work hard, and a willingness to obey. You are already getting to fulfill the call that you believe God has placed on your life - that of being a missionary. And a good one you are! We know God has so many exciting plans for your life, Logan. We can't wait to watch what He does.

Love always,

Mom and Dad

Elotes - Yum!

Ok - gotta introduce you to this wonderful Mexican snack called Elotes. When Rita Tomes first told me about this in the market in Progreso, I thought it sounded gross - until I tried it. Thanks, Sis. Rita! It is simply delicious! (Although my dad would disagree)

Here's what it is: Whole kernel corn (they use field corn down here), topped with mayonnaise, then Parmesan cheese and chile en polvo (chili powder). Then squeeze a liberal amount of lime juice over it, salt it good and enjoy!

Last night I had a craving for this snack and they make and sell them in the plaza (town square) here in Salamanca. Since there is basically no parking place to be had, we switched drivers - in the middle of the street; I drove around the block until Marc had time to run over to the vendor, order, pay and run back to the same spot to be picked up. I know - he's pretty great, isn't he?

Got an idea - Anthony and Marci and kids are arriving today and while they're here, we'll be sure to introduce them to this snack! What do you think - think they'll like it? Let me know. (I suppose Anthony's out - he hates mayonnaise)

Think Beth likes it? She tried it in San Miguel...

Have a great day ~ que tenga un buen dia ~

Connection

To connect with these people has to be one of our greatest joys as missionaries. Some of them are a little reticent until we show the desire to converse and connect in their language - their response is always warm, always. They are very patient and seem to enjoy helping us - supplying words, phrases, going far beyond the 2nd mile to understand and assist us.

Here are Marc and Logan - just connecting.....

Visit with Stetlers and Our Trip

Hi - I'm back after a wonderful weekend and a very profitable visit in our home with our new missionaries, Steve and Beth Stetler (brother and sister in law) and Maria and Kent. We felt the Lord's presence with us as we talked and planned and witnessed Him opening doors and answering prayer in the work here in Mexico.

Here we are enjoying those awesome tacos al pastor.

Sunday found us ministering in the HIM church here in Salamanca (Steve preached with Philip Burch translating; Marc, Beth, and I sang) and ministering in our Bible Methodist church in Cuchicuato Sunday evening (Marc preached and he, Beth and I sang) As Marc started to preach, a sudden rainstorm on the tin roof threatened to disrupt things, but he just upped the volume and preached through it.

We were so privileged to present Pastor Refugio Sanchez with a beautiful Spanish Thompson Chain Reference Bible with his name engraved on the front. Thanks, President Sams and Pastor Durr, who made this gift possible for their Mexican brother. He was so very happy to receive it.


On Monday and Tuesday we enjoyed visiting a volcano and San Miguel de Allende with Stetlers.

Ducking down to get through the tunnel leading into the volcano

Yes, those 4 specks on the crater floor are really people!

Our Trip

As I said, it spanned 5,750 miles, 13 states and of course, Mexico. We had a great time, as we had anticipated.

A familiar scene during many of those miles...

First week: The Lord really helped Marc preach at the Alabama Bible Methodist Camp in Pell City. I always love to hear my husband preach, but it had been awhile since I'd heard him preach in English - that was a special treat. I heard him reach for the word in English a few times, as the Spanish equivalent was what his mouth was more used to forming. A highlight of the camp was the Thursday Missions Service and Commissioning for the Stetlers.



Marc had his first experience translating - for Bro. Santiago Hernandez who was present for this service and gave words of greeting from Mexico. His first time and in front of hundreds of people...smiles...He did great!

Jordan and Cameron having fun with Jesse Keep

And of course, getting to be with my parents, my sister and family, aunt, uncle, and cousins and the wonderful Alabama people was wonderful!

Second week: We took several days to relax and have fun with my two younger sisters and their families. The weekend was spent in Franklin with Shane and Tamra Craycraft and kids (thanks for everything!) and lots of special friends there. Please check Tamra and Janella's blogs for pics of our time together. Sunday dinner at the Snellings was amazing, as always. Lots of scrumptious food and great fellowship!

My wonderful friend, Tamra and I

Cute kids or what?

Third week: Marc gave a Mexico update and preached at his dad's church in Bedford, Indiana on Sunday night of the second week, then we spent a few days with Marc's parents, had some dental appointments, and a great picnic at Spring Mill State Park. We enjoyed some special request, "homemade by Grandma" meals while we were in Indiana - so delicious! We headed for the border on Thursday morning, joined forces with Stetlers and headed for Salamanca Saturday morning, making 3 weeks to the day that we had been gone.

We are happy to be back home and back into the work God has called us to do. We thank Him for His protection over the many miles driven - certainly His hand kept us safe and we thank Him.

Melodie

Home Again!

Wow - it feels like forever since I've blogged and let me tell you, I've experienced withdrawals. I guess I hadn't realized how much I enjoyed doing this.

I cannot post what I want to right now - we're in the middle of our very busy Sunday, but I promise a "report" and pics of our 13-state, 1 foreign country, 5,750 mile trip very soon. Actually I don't know how many pics I can post because my camera officially died during our trip. Thanks to the generous gift of a friend, we were able to purchase a new camera - it is so necessary in our line of work - to help make the connection visually between our churches and pastors here in Mexico and our churches in the States.

Besides that, how can you truly blog without a great camera, right?

Steve, Beth and kids are with us for a few days and we're having a great time. Right now we're preparing to drive out to our village church in Cuchicuato to attend the evening service....and lots more plans for the next few days.

I loved checking everyone's blogs and getting reconnected with your lives.

I cannot say adequately what a wonderful time we had at Pell City and spending time with family and friends. But now we're glad to be back in Mexico, where God has called us to serve Him.

More later.....

Melodie