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