In Oaxaca, headed for San Gabriel

Got to talk to Marc this morning for a couple minutes. They had a great weekend in Oaxaca/Jayacatlan and are heading south across the mountains to San Gabriel. 6 hours on some of the curviest roads I've ever seen; Marc and 5 of our pastors in our Sequoia. They will be the preaching/teaching team this week through Friday in the San Gabriel church and mountain missions.

Piano Lessons for the Cuatas//Twins

I recently began giving piano lessons to our pastor's twin daughters, Kenya and Christy. We will be doing the lessons on my piano in the church but since it was a frigidly cold day and there's no heat in the church, we opted for a keyboard in my living room.

The girls are smart and learn so quickly.

That's the way, Kenya.

They've been practicing every day and are doing great!

"Mama, tengo frio//Mommy, I'm cold"

Those were the heartbreaking words I heard a few minutes ago as Pastor Dolores, his wife Sylvia and I visited in the home (I use the term loosely) of the new family in our church. Most of you know that extreme cold has come to Saltillo - the last few days have been in the 30s and tonight sleet is falling, making all the surfaces icy.

Hugo, 5 years old, had the hood up on his light jacket but was huddled near his mother, shivering with cold. We were sitting in their "kitchen" visiting, encouraging them in the Lord, listening to them talk about their struggles. They have no money, no heat in their home, no refrigerator; the father is barely able to find sporadic work but with the poor economy, sometimes the employers have money to pay him; most of the time they don't.

The couple have 4 boys; their 2 oldest boys spent the day in our home, playing with our boys and eating meals with us. The hunger was obvious on their faces as they ate BBQ Chicken, Cheese Potatoes, Corn, Cole Slaw, Rolls and chocolate chip cookies. Who knows the last time they had chicken to eat?

We prayed with them and Sylvia gave them some hot chocolate and strawberries she had brought from Guanajuato. They were so thankful; someone knocked at the door and brought them a bowl - 1 bowl - of soup; again, so thankful...

We walked out through the sleet to our car and my heart was breaking. I walked in the door of our little house, which now looked like a mansion. I felt the heat from our space heater. I looked at my plastic "pantry" shelves with food on them, at my refrigerator, my microwave....and felt like I had walked into a mansion. I began telling Marc all about it...we started pulling things together to take to them: food items, blankets, an extra electric heater we have. Pastor Dolores and Marc drove back to their house and took them the things we had collected....so thankful, they were.

Lord, help them keep warm tonight, help them keep following You and help me be thankful for the multitude of blessings You've given me. May my hands hold loosely to those blessings so I can share them at a moment's notice with some of your most needy children. And please, Lord, keep Hugo warm tonight......

Our Ministry Trip to Honduras

Marc and I just got back from a wonderful trip to Honduras. Finally, I got to visit and see the place where he was born. He was the main speaker for the Campmeeting in San Luis, Honduras and we participated in the special music also. Such a wonderful time!

A highlight of the trip was getting to meet Hna. Marina in Miramelinda - one of the first converts Dad Sankey had after starting the mission work in Honduras in the 1960's.

The Conference presented us with beautiful gifts on the last night of the camp.

We so much enjoyed getting to stay in the Meltons' home and enjoy their wonderful hospitality and fellowship. Thank you so much!!

Thanksgiving 2010 in Saltillo, Mexico

We started off the day with an awesome Mexican breakfast made by our pastor's wife, Sylvia. Just the 4 of us around their table in the early morning...their kids were already at school (Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Mexico) and our kids were still snoozing..enjoying their day off school.

We ate huevos rancheros//eggs with salsa, tocino//bacon, frijoles//refried beans, and tortillas de harina hechas de mano//homemade flour tortillas. SOO delicious!


Later on in the day, there were 14 of us around the Thanksgiving Dinner table in our little house. Again, great food!!

Filling our plates....

Our brother in law, Steve, brought these delicious pies...apple and pumpkin. (Beth is in Indiana for a few weeks). We had a great Thanksgiving Day! So grateful to God for how good he is to us!

Our "new" home

Our family has recently moved to a small house nearer our Bible Methodist Church in Saltillo, right next door to the parsonage in fact, and we are loving being here! Here are a couple photos of our "new" home!

Scrapbooking in La Boca

Your Scrapbook Supplies being used in ministry at our Bible Methodist Church in La Boca - thank you for providing such a special blessing to these Mexican children and young people for an activity during their Sunday School classes.

Combined List of Books/CDs/Resources For Sale - $1 Sale

Books

1. All Rivers to the Sea - Bodie & Brock Theone
2. A Table in the Presence - Lt. Carey H. Cash
3. Swamp Tigers - full color book with DVD
4. Call of the Wild - Jack London Treasurey of Illustrated Classics (children's)

Spanish Resources

5. Spanish Beginner’s Dictionary – Harper Collins
6. "Nuevos Rumbos" - Spanish Textbook 2nd Edition Hardback
7. Spanish Verb Tenses – Workbook (305 pages, new)

CDs

8. Singing News – Celebrate – (20 songs)
9. Kingdom Heirs - Forever Gold
10.Southern Gospel – You Better Believe It! Artist Sampler – 1995
11. Southern Gospel – You Better Believe It! Artist Sampler – Volume 2 – 1996
12. Southern Gospel – You Better Believe It! Artist Sampler – Volume 3 – 1998
13. Southern Gospel – You Better Believe It! Artist Sampler – Volume 4 – 1998
14. Southern Gospel – Share the Joy! Artist Sampler – 1999
15. Southern Gospel – Share the Joy! Artist Sampler – 2000
16. Spread the Word 2002 – Southern Gospel Sampler
17. Phillips, Craig and Dean - Fearless - 2009 (disc only)
18. David Phelps - self-titled (disc only)
19. Michael English - Heaven to Earth 2000 (disc only)

You may email me at melodiesankey@yahoo.com with any questions and with the names of the items you wish to purchase. Shipping will be added to your cost after the items have been sent. I will communicate with you re: that total amount. I will be making a trip out to the border next week, so to receive your items in a timely manner, it would be best to act promptly. We hope these Books and CDs are a blessing to you and your family!

Melodie Sankey

Fall 2010 Bible Institute Classes

Our Classes this fall were held in the Rio Bravo Bible Methodist Church in the border region on Mexico. The Lord gave us a wonderful time together!

Bible Inst President - Eliezer Balderas

Jordan was such a help in videoing the classes. Thanks, son!

Students/pastors

Marc teaching one of his missions classes.

Left: Assistant Pastor Bro. Juan from Cuchicuato (recently saved 2 years ago); Right: Pastor and long time church planter Desiderio from Oaxaca

Thanks to so many of you who donated these items, we were able to provide lots of clothes and shoes to the students and their families. These two little sweethearts were having fun with the packing peanuts. :-)

Sis. Helen Reiff, giving her class on the Sunday School. She did an absolutely wonderful job, bringing so many materials with her to share with the students and SS teachers that were enrolled in the classes. So practical and helpful!

Missions Director Tim Keep taught classes throughout the week on Leadership and then preached in the weekend revival. Bro. Glen Reiff did a terrific job translating all Bro. Keep's classes, plus teaching 2 other courses of his own - Basic Bible Doctrines and Pastoral Theology. A HUGE week for these two men but they did a wonderful job, teaching with the annointing of the Holy Spirit and a passion for their subject matter.

Thank you to all who contributed to make these classes possible - your donations for Mexico Student Aid go directly to the Institute Classes. May God bless each one of you who give for your generosity!

Logan's Broken Arm

Logan fell a week ago today in front of the church in Rio Bravo and broke both bones in his left arm. I have a picture of the arm before it was set, but none of us can stand to look at it and it's probably not something I should share online. His first broken bone and he did it up right!

He was playing with his brothers and a bunch of Mexican kids, attempting to climb onto Cameron's shoulders (as boys are wont to do), when gravity took over and he hit the concrete. He tried to catch himself and the rest is history.

Pastor Santiago took Marc and Logan to a hospital which was blessedly close and the ER team (specialist, hospital doc and nurses) treated Logan so well....meds for the pain were administered and his arm was able to be set (while he was under anesthesia) without requiring surgery - thank You, Lord!

Seems like everything happens to this boy - guess some kids are just like that. :-)

Visit with Missions Director Tim Keep

We are so much enjoying having our new Missions Director Tim Keep here with us in Saltillo to visit the churches and pastors in this area. He will be accompanying us to the border this weekend to participate in the Mexican Bible Methodist General Assembly and teach in the Institute Classes in Rio Bravo this coming week.

So happy to have him here!

Keyboard Needed in La Boca

Our pastor's daughter in La Boca, Teresa plays the piano well and is willing to provide the music for services in this village church. She learned to play the piano as a student at LABI several years ago and is using her talent to glorify God. However the church in La Boca does not have a piano/keyboard nor anyone in the church who plays guitar.

Do you have a keyboard you would like to donate to help meet this need? or possibly you would like to contribute toward the cost of purchasing one.

Teresa and I have discussed this and we have agreed to pray together about it until God supplies the need. If He would lay it on your heart to help, it would certainly be a blessing in our Bible Methodist Church in La Boca and an answer to prayer. You may email me at melodiesankey@yahoo.com to correspond.

Thank you and God bless!

So Wonderful to have Mom and Dad here!

Mom and Dad at the Alamo in San Antonio, TX.

Dad and Jordan in San Antonio at the Riverwalk.

Being congratulated on their 50th Wedding anniversary at our church in Saltillo.

At the Desert Museum in Saltillo.

At our Bible Methodist Church in La Boca...holding the pastor's grandson, Leonardo. :-)

In front of one of the large churches in Zacatecas.

They'll be leaving tomorrow to return to San Antonio and fly home on Thursday. We have so much enjoyed having them here and hope they've enjoyed this part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration. Love you, Mom and Dad!

Updated Book/CD/DVD/Game List

I have updated this list as of Monday 9 am... adding a few new items (CDs, games) toward the end. I am making a trip to the border in 2 days and will be able to ship your items this week, if you order soon. Don't forget to ask for your free item if you order 5 or more items. Thank you!


Books - $1 each

The Management Methods of Jesus – Bob Briner
The Proposal – Lori Wick English Garden Series -SOLD
The Rescue – Lori Wick English Garden Series -SOLD
Happily Ever After – Susan May Warren -SOLD
Where Honor Dwells – Gilbert Morris Appomattox Saga
The DNA of Parent-Teen Relationships – Gary and Greg Smalley - SOLD
The Homeplace – Gilbert Morris Singing River Series - SOLD
All Rivers to the Sea – Brock & Bodie Thoene
The Meeting Place – Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series - SOLD
The Sacred Shore - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series - SOLD
The Birthright - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series -SOLD
The Distant Beacon - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series -SOLD
Love & Respect Workbook – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
The Twilight of Courage – Bodie and Brock Thoene
Mexico – James A Michener

Childrens’ Books - $1 each

Hank the Cowdog – The Case of the Ancient Bone – John Erickson
The Boxcar Children – Mystery of the Hidden Painting # 24 – Gertrude C. Warner
Grandpa’s Christmas Gift – Sarah Hopewell – ACE
Christians with Courage – Ruth Johnson Jay – ACE
The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Disney Classics Collection Storybook
Disney’s Count on Donald – Read and Grow Library #2
The Oklahoma Dream – Bessie Jones Winterberg

CDs - $1 each

1. Majesty - Piano and Flute with Full Orchestra -SOLD
2. Southern Gospel - share the joy! Artist Sampler 2000 - SOLD
3. Just Relax - Mexico

Games - $2 each

1. The Lord of the Rings – The Third Age – Nintendo GameCube
2. Strawberry Shortcake/Madeline - PC game
3. Triple Play 2001 Rating - E PC game
4. Legoland Rating - E PC game
5. Championship Bass Rating - E PC game
6. Wacky Races Rating - E PC game

DVDs - $3 each

1. Love’s Long Journey
2. Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed/ Ben Stein Rating - PG
3. The Isaacs – Stand Still – Off Stage SOLD
4. Flatpicking Guitar - Ear Training Course - Brad David
5. The End of the Spear - Dare to Make Contact

$1 Book Sale!

List of Books/Games/DVDs to sell

These items are either duplicates or things we are ready to pass on to someone else to enjoy. You may email me at melodiesankey@yahoo.com with any questions and with the items you wish to purchase. Shipping will be added to your cost after the items have been sent. I will communicate with you re: that total amount. I will be making a trip out to the border next week, so to receive your items in a timely manner, it would be best to act promptly. I live 4 hours from the nearest US post office. We hope these books are a blessing to you and your family!

Melodie Sankey

* bonus purchase - if you purchase 5 items ,you may choose any book to be included free in your order.

Books - $1 each
1. Tea Leaves – Devotional Meditations for Woman – Nancy Stutzman
2. The Management Methods of Jesus – Bob Briner
3. It’s More Than the Music – Bill Gaither
4. Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence – Sarah Young (devotional)
5. Prayer through the Eyes of Women of the Bible – Ann Spangler & Jean Syswerda
6. Texas Neighbors – 3 Novels in 1 – Debra White Smith - SOLD
7. God’s Smuggler – Brother Andrew - SOLD
8. The Love List – Focus on the Family – Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott - SOLD
9. From My Self to My Savior – Ellen Myers
10. Becoming a Woman of Joy – A Scrap booker looks at Prov. 32 – Sue Ferguson
11. Where the Wild Rose Blooms – Lori Wick Rocky Mountain Memories Series - SOLD
12. To Know Her By Name – Lori Wick Rocky Mountain Memories Series - SOLD
13. The Proposal – Lori Wick English Garden Series
14. The Rescue – Lori Wick English Garden Series
15. Dear Lady – Robin Lee Hatcher - SOLD
16. Happily Ever After – Susan May Warren
17. Where Honor Dwells – Gilbert Morris Appomattox Saga
18. The DNA of Parent-Teen Relationships – Gary and Greg Smalley
19. The Homeplace – Gilbert Morris Singing River Series
20. Bamboo & Lace – Lori Wick - SOLD
21. Stories for a Woman’s Heart – The Second Collection - SOLD
22. Cassidy – Lori Wick Big Sky Dreams Series - SOLD
23. Sabrina - Lori Wick Big Sky Dreams Series - SOLD
24. Jessie – Lori Wick Big Sky Dreams Series - SOLD
25. The Covenant – Hilda Stahl White Pine Chronicles
26. The Inheritance - Hilda Stahl White Pine Chronicles
27. The Dream - Hilda Stahl White Pine Chronicles
28. A Slender Thread – Tracie Peterson - SOLD
29. Do You Know What You are Doing, Lord? Carol Lee Anderson
30. All Rivers to the Sea – Brock & Bodie Thoene
31. Meeting Place – Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series
32. The Sacred Shore - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series
33. The Birthright - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series
34. The Distant Beacon - Janette Oke & T. David Bunn – Song of Acadia Series
35. Love & Respect Workbook – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
36. The Twilight of Courage – Bodie and Brock Thoene
37. Mexico – James A Michener
38. Taste of Home’s Down-Home Diabetic Cookbook - SOLD
39. Taste of Home’s Down-Home Diabetic Cookbook ( 2nd Edition)
40. Family Heirloom Recipe Collection – scrapbook style/binder - SOLD

Childrens’ Books - $1 each

1. The Swiss Family Robinson – Johann Wyss – published by ACE - SOLD
2. Treasures of the Snow – Patricia St. John - SOLD
3. Gladys Alward – The Adventure of a Lifetime – Janet & Geoff Benge - SOLD
4. Hank the Cowdog – The Case of the Ancient Bone – John Erickson
5. The Boxcar Children – Bus Station Mystery #18 – Gertrude Chandler Warner
6. The Boxcar Children – Mystery of the Hidden Painting # 24 – Gertrude C. Warner
7. The Swiss Family Robinson – Illustrated Classics – Johann Wyss - SOLD
8. Oliver Twist – Illustrated Classics – Charles Dickens - SOLD
9. Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson – The Great Classics for Children - SOLD
10. The Children’s Bible Story Book – Anne de Graaf - SOLD
11. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twin – The Great Classics for Children - SOLD
12. A Happy Day for Ramona – and other missionary stories for children - SOLD
13. The Potato Story - and other missionary stories for children - SOLD
14. The Pink and Green Church - and other missionary stories for children - SOLD
15. Bare, Beautiful Feet - and other missionary stories for children - SOLD
16. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories # 7 – No Sacrifice Too Great
17. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories # 8 – Edge of Conflict
18. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #9 – One Shall Chase a Thousand
19. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #10 – The Promise
20. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #11 – Journey to Joy
21. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #12 – To Vietnam with Love
22. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #13 – By An Unfamiliar Path - SOLD
23. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #15 – A White Lady Doing Nothing in the Tropics - SOLD
24. Jr. Jaffray Collection of Missionary Stories #16 – Both Feet on God’s Path
25. My Time with God – 150 Ways to Start your own quiet time – Heritage Builders - SOLD
26. Kidnapped by River Rats – Trailblazer Books – Dave & Neta Jackson
27. Grandpa’s Christmas Gift – Sarah Hopewell – ACE
28. Christians with Courage – Ruth Johnson Jay – ACE
29. Children’s Bible Encyclopedia – a first reference book – E. Wilson and S. Lloyd Jones
30. Children’s Bible Dictionary – a first reference book – E Wilson and S. Lloyd Jones
31. The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Disney Classics Collection Storybook
32. Disney’s Count on Donald – Read and Grow Library #2
33. The Oklahoma Dream – Bessie Jones Winterberg
34. The Adventures of Robin Hood – Howard Pyle – Treasury of Illustrated Classics - SOLD
35. Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens – Treasury of Illustrated Classics - SOLD
36. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Treasury of Illustrated Classics

Games - $2 each

1. Imaginiff
2. You’ve Gotta Be Kidding! - SOLD
3. The Lord of the Rings – The Third Age – Nintendo GameCube

DVDs - $3 each

1. Love’s Long Journey
2. A Song for the Season
3. The Isaacs – Stand Still – Off Stage