Final Level 3 English class and party at our house

We just finished up our Level 3 English class module and I'm giving the oral exam to the students during the last class. I would read the sentences and they have to write what they hear using correct spelling - very hard to do in English!!

Gabriel Trujillo, a man from the community, taking his English test - holding his little daughter, sound asleep. Is English that boring? :-)

my little sweetheart, Kenya, "taking" her English test.

part of the food for the party afterwards at our house.

We made Cincinnati Style Coneys and Marc had given a demonstration of how to "build" your coney - they had never heard of them. Here's Bro. Jose Correa, building his coney.

Marc handing out certificates to the students in the Level 3 English class.

We so much enjoy teaching English here and are beginning to see results from this ministry....Gabriel (in the orange) has invited us to his house this Friday night to study the Bible. He says his family is hungry to know about God. That's what this is all about. Thank you, Lord, for this open door!

Cameron has had braces for a month!

Cameron's first adjustment for his braces was today. The orthodontist was very pleased with the progress he has made so far. He chose red and blue rubber bands today. Never seen a kid so happy to go to the dentist...just can't wait to get in the chair!

My first adjustment is coming next Friday.

From everlasting to everlasting....

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Psalm 90:2

(beautiful mountains around Monterrey, N.L., Mexico)

Bible Methodist Day of Prayer - in Mexico

This past Sunday was the Bible Methodist Day of Prayer; in the United States as well as our mission fields: South Africa, The Philippines and Mexico. We were happy to participate at our Rio Bravo Church in the afternoon prayer service.

It was wonderful to pray together, and bring our needs to the One who knows no language barrier nor international boundary lines.

One little tired missionary boy...

Afterwards we had a time of singing and praising the Lord together, then Marc preached.

Our Pastor in Rio Bravo; Pastor Santiago and his family.

Jordan and his great friend, Ervin Balderas. They are 4 months apart in age - Ervin will be 15 in July. They always enjoy getting to be together.

After the service, we enjoyed an awesome meal and fellowship at the home of Eli and Isela Balderas, our Bible Institute President and family.

The boys enjoyed making some music...

Jordan's bday

We enjoyed celebrating Jordan's 15th birthday with him on the border - glad it worked out that we could.


He got to choose his favorite restaurant for lunch - Olive Garden in McAllen, TX. There is no Olive Garden in Saltillo, Mexico! :-)



The OG gang sang to him..he was kinda embarrassed but kinda liked it too I think. :-)

His birthday treat - a Venti Java Chip Frappe from Starbucks!

Talking to Uncle Nathan on the phone....

Jordan is 15!

We are wishing our son, Jordan, a very happy 15th birthday today!

Son, 15 years ago today, you made us parents. We had no idea what we were doing, but we were so insanely happy with you. We learned everything on you as it is with all first-borns and you held up under it well. :-)

We are so excited to see what God is doing in your life and for your decision to serve and follow Him.

We love you and hope your 15th birthday is the best ever.

~ Mom and Dad

Our February 2010 Newsletter

Our recently-posted February 2010 Mexico Newsletter including news, pictures and information about the upcoming Institute Classes here in Saltillo.

If you'd like to receive this monthly newsletter by email, let me know at melodiesankey@yahoo.com

~ Melodie

Marc and Logan's weekend

Marc and Logan visited 2 of our border churches this past weekend: La Florida and Santa Apolonia.

They were able to give out lots of clothing, shoes, Bibles and other items sent from many of you in the States - thank you! You can see the smiles on their faces and that's its own reward. :-)

Our Pastor and family in La Florida; Pastor Bernardo, Arely and little Estrella

Pastor Jose Cruz and people in Santa Apolonia

Thank the Lord for His protection on my husband and son this weekend!

Happy 40th Birthday, Marc!

My husband is turning 40 today and, as my friend Angie Davis said about her husband turning 40, "it suits him". He has beaten incredible odds and with the help of God, has fought his way back to health from his terrible accident of 4 months ago. I have never known a man with more integrity and inner strength, a man more committed to his family and God's calling on his life. I am proud to be your wife, Marc and am so thankful God gave you back to me.

I love you more than ever and wish you a very happy 40th birthday!

~ Melodie

Sunday afternoon service in La Boca

Yesterday, our family drove out to the village of La Boca to attend the afternoon service at our Bible Methodist Church there. Along the road outside Saltillo, we saw this pretty cool sight...only there were lots more horses and riders - must have been close to 100.


The dirt road leading out to the village of La Boca.

"Boy, there's nothing I'd rather do on a Sunday afternoon than just lay here in the sun".....

Bro. Alfonso and his wife sang a special song in the service.

Pastor Pablo preached a good message.

Pastor Pablo and his wife Ofelia. They are doing a wonderful work here in La Boca. They started with 5 people a few months ago and yesterday afternoon we had 30 in the service. Several new families are coming and Sis. Ofelia told me she had 20 children in her Sunday School class that morning!

What a beautiful sunset we saw on the way home...

Bible Reading Contest

Our pastor's wife, Sylvia, is also the Sunday School Superintendent of our church in Saltillo. She has been motivating 3 of the Sunday School classes to read the Scriptures and has challenged the Primary, Intermediate, and Youth Classes to see who could read the most verses each week. For the past month she has been keeping records and today gave out the final prizes to each winner. For the Primary Class, Jazhiel was the winner; for the Intermediate Class, Marquitos (Cameron) was the winner and for the Youth Class, Melisa was the winner! I don't recall how many verses they read but they numbered in the thousands for each of them. Congratulations, kids - you did a great job!

...and wonderful idea, Sylvia! :-)

Cameron and his new braces

Thought you might like to see Cameron with his new braces. He's happy but at the same time facing reality of pain, difficulty eating, braces cutting into cheeks, frequent brushing, etc...I think he looks great with them!

First Night of Revival in Saltillo

Here is Hno. Abel Rodriguez preaching the first message of our revival in Saltillo tonight...the Lord helped him do a wonderful job. It was so good to see him and his wife Misaela again.

Prayer Request and Praises...

Preparing for Wednesday night prayer meeting at your church?

Here's a quick list of prayer requests and praises to share with you from Mexico BMMissions and our family...

Praises:
1. Marc's continued recovery - he is doing well!
2. A newly saved couple from the church in Cuchicuato (central Mexico), Bro. Juan and his wife and family, have felt God's call to the ministry and are enrolling in our Bible Institute classes to prepare themselves to be our next new pastors - so exciting!
3. New church plants are being started by quite a few of our existing churches; pastors and people are cooperating to take the Gospel to completely new areas.
4. Recent donation of a 15 passenger van, trailer and a motorcycle for use here in Mexico - big blessing!
5. God's protection on our family as we have traveled through some dangerous areas in Mexico.

Prayer Requests:
1. We are beginning revival here in our Saltillo church tonight - evangelist Bro. Abel Rodriguez, HIM pastor from Salamanca. We have passed out hundreds of announcements in the community...praying that God will give us new souls in this revival
2. a great grandson of Pastor Desi, pastor in San Gabriel, Oaxaca, has been ill in the hospital and has had an operation.
3. our Spring 2010 Bible Institute Classes are coming up soon here in Saltillo - March 29 - April 2. Visiting Professors: Dan Stetler and Paul Alexander
4. please pray for the indigenization process in Mexico...our pastors are gradually being taken off monthly US support/offerings and we are praying for God to supply their needs.
5. Our National Conference President Dolores Hernandez and his family - the responsibilities he carries for the conference as well as pastoring his church in Saltillo and the 2 missions in Zacatecas.
6. Our Bible Institute President Eliezer Balderas and his family - much preparation is taking place for the upcoming classes.

Thanks so much for your support and prayers for our family and Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico!

Melodie Sankey

Logan's Bday

Logan turned 11 last week while we were up on the border for a few days, taking care of some business. We don't normally pose for bday pics in a Cars t-shirt but it was one of those birthdays that happens along with 100 other things that day...I'm sure you moms understand. :-)

Logan with his most favorite ever bday gift (his words) - his "patineta". He's in love...almost sleeps with the thing. Thanks, Grandma Sankey!

Today at church, Logan went up front for his birthday. They say a special prayer for each person, sing Happy Birthday, then the whole church walks around to congratulate them - I love the tradition! The couple on the left celebrated their anniversary today. Logan, Beth, and Karla had bdays this past week and Kent's bday is tomorrow.

Hugs...smiles..congratulations...love these people!