Logan is 11!

Happy 11th Birthday, Logan! We love you..... Mom and Dad

Making Kitchen Towels for the Mexican Pastors' Wives.....

My sister Missy and her mother in law, Judy Miller, are making and donating kitchen towels/pot holders that hang on a stove handle or kitchen cabinet handle. I have one that Judy gave me a couple Christmases ago and I just love it and use it all the time! It is getting quite worn out and Missy and Judy have agreed to make not only a few for me but one for each of our pastors' wives here in Mexico to include in their Care Packages we'll be giving out at the Institute Classes next month.

Thanks so much, Judy and Missy. I know the pastors' wives are going to enjoy these towels, and I know I will for sure enjoy mine!

:-)

Sunday in La Boca

Let me share with you a few photos of the ministry that took place in the village of La Boca on Sunday. Pastor Pablo, his wife Ofelia and daughter Teresa drive out every Sunday (an hour and a half one way) to minister in this poor village. These are our Mexican nationals, feeling the call of God on their hearts to fulfill their own Great Commission and to minister to their own people and culture. We are SO blessed to work arm in arm with such quality people/pastors.

Here is Pastor Pablo on the left with a couple men from the church.

Pastor's daughter, Tere, teaching the children in Sunday School and helping them make a Jesus Me Ama craft.

Some of the SS. Children with their crafts.

Quilts and clothing were given out and a special meal for all the church people was enjoyed.

Thank you, Pastor Pablo and family for your dedicated ministry in this area and may the Gospel message find lodging in the hearts of the dear people in La Boca.

"El Trio Magnifico"

Pastor Dolores, Marc and Steve sang a song in church last night. They sang "Dilo a Cristo" Tell it to Jesus - and did a great job!

Ministry in Zacatecas

This past weekend was a very busy weekend in ministry for a couple of our pastors and their families in the Saltillo/San Rafael region.

I would like to share a few photos with you and tell you about their ministry - our dedicated pastors, wives, and laypeople ministering to and in their own culture. We are privileged to work with such capable and committed nationals.

Early Saturday morning, Pastor Dolores and his entire family travelled 3 hours one way to visit and minister in the very poor regions of Zacatecas, the villages of San Antonio and Sabana Grande. They preach, teach the children, sing and give out clothing and shoes. Thanks to Bro. Dolores for these wonderful pictures and for your faithfulness to the people in the remote region of Zacatecas!

If you have recently donated shoes, clothes or blankets, you may recognize some of your items being given out. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to send 2 large boxes of clothes, shoes, and blankets along with the contributions from the church people and pastor here in Saltillo. Also given were Spanish Bible stories provided free of charge by Helping Hands Ministry based in the Rio Grande Valley - thanks so much, De and staff!

Coming soon - pictures and report of Sunday ministry in the village of La Boca with Pastor Pablo and family!

English Classes - Spring 2010

We have begun another module of English classes. For the next 8 weeks, Marc and I will be teaching 2 levels of English to church and community people.

The students in the First Level English Class on Saturday night. These 3 are from the community and came in response to our friendship with them (the guy on the right cooks the fabulous "street" chicken we love) and fliers we handed out. Their names are Gabriel, Andres and Jesus (Chuey). We were happy to invite them to come to church and get to know them better. They enjoyed English class!

El Senor es Mi Pastor "Pocket" books

If you are looking for a church or missionary society project idea, consider purchasing and donating these wonderful little "pocket" books - El Senor es Mi Pastor/The Lord is My Shepherd - to use in our child evangelism efforts in Mexico. Psalm 23 is explained and illustrated in simple terms and the plan of salvation is clearly presented at the end of the booklet. Our pastors, SS teachers and childrens' workers will be so thrilled to be equipped with these evangelism tools.

I have just spoken to the author of this book, Helen Haidle. She is giving Bible Methodist Missions a big discount on this product. Instead of $3.99 each, she is making them available for $.50 each when you buy at least 50. Order at this phone number: 503-718-7911. Email me if you'd like more information!

Here is a link to the website if you'd like to read more about the product.
http://seedfaithbooks.com/shopexd.asp?id=127

Melodie

My parents meeting new friends

My parents have so enjoyed getting to know our Conference President and Pastor at Saltillo Dolores Hernandez, his wife Sylvia and their 6 beautiful children.

Pastors' Wives Project

Because of the great response last year and the wonderful blessing to our pastors’ wives, I would like to do the Pastors’ Wives Care Package Project again this year in April as a ministry of our Bible Institute here in Mexico. My sister, Missy Miller and her mother in law, Judy Miller from the Beach City, OH Bible Methodist Church have agreed to make handmade kitchen towels for each lady as our personal touch for the packages this year. SO many of you responded to bless our pastors’ wives last year – thank you!

We are planning to make 15 care packages again this year. If you would like to participate, we would need your items shipped within the next month so that we can begin bringing them in from the border and preparing the packages. So many of these ladies are so poor and your items for the care packages are so special to them. Any non-breakable, non-perishable items of interest to Christian ladies are appreciated. If you are interested in contributing, email me with your item list.

Thank you for considering this Pastors' Wives project!

My parents are here for a visit!

My parents arrived on Tuesday to spend some time with us here in Mexico. We're having a wonderful time!

Snow in Saltillo!

Can you believe it? It snowed this morning in Saltillo! Unheard of!

Yes, I know it's not much...but it's something. My boys were so happy!

It's 23 degrees outside. We're huddled around our space heaters with the Stetlers, playing Balderdash and celebrating my birthday. This is one we won't ever forget! :-)

January 2010 Mexico Newsletter - Sankey Family

Cameron and his recorder

Cameron ("Marquitos" as he's called in Mexico) did a good job playing "Joy to the World/Al Mundo Paz" on his recorder in prayer meeting Wednesday night.

Gifts from Auburn BMC to our Mexican Pastors

Auburn Bible Methodist Church and Sis. Judie Burton have blessed our mission work and pastors again this year with their generous and wonderful Christmas gifts! Thank you so much, Auburn! They sent a special gift for each pastor, his wife and all his children, plus family gift bags for families in the churches.

Here are Saltillo Pastor Dolores Hernandez (Conf. President) and his family receiving their gifts.



Love this picture of Sylvia and I...she is my most wonderful friend - well, one of them...I have lots of great friends here in Mexico. She is my "bridge person" - so vital to foreign missionaries still learning culture and language. Love you, Sylvia!

I love these kids...and would take them all to raise. :-) They call me their American Mom and my boys call Sylvia their Mexican "mami".

Merry Christmas!
from Marc and Melodie Sankey
Jordan, Cameron and Logan
Your Bible Methodist Missionaries in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

We trust each of you have a wonderful holiday season as we celebrate Jesus' birth so long ago. The miracle of His birth has come alive to us in a new way this year and we thank Him for His amazing love...that brought Him all the way to us.

We give God thanks for His touch on Marc and the wonderful recuperation he is experiencing since his accident 8 weeks ago today. Daily, he is gaining strength and returning to his normal activities: missionary work, mentoring of pastors, handling of missions finances, family activities, etc. He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon in Celaya (central Mexico - 7 hours south of Saltillo) this coming Monday - we are expecting the doctor to again be pleased with his progress since there have been no complications.

We thank each of you who has prayed for Marc and our family during these past two months. We have relied on your prayer support and God's strength and have found His grace to be sufficient. Many of our Mexican pastors and families have been here to help and support us with so many details that needed to be cared for. Marc's parents came and spent 3 weeks with us, helping and supporting us - thanks, Mom and Dad. The love offerings, cards, emails and phone calls have encouraged our hearts - we thank you!

Thank you also, for the many Christmas cards and gifts our family is receiving during this time of the year. We feel your love and support so much.

After the first of the year, we will be turning our attention more fully to our missionary work and the normal duties that are ours, as Marc continues to recuperate. Thank you for your continued prayers for him and for our family. As we near the end of the first year of our Share Support, we thank God for each one who is faithfully supporting us each month - you are such a blessing to us.

We pray God's blessings on each of you this Christmas season - may His presence fill your hearts with joy!

~ The Sankeys ~

The only Christmas present I want this year - my wonderful husband. Thank you, Lord!