A thank you dinner

Our Pastor here in Saltillo, Pastor Dolores, his wife Sylvia and his family, were just an immense help to our family during our recent 2nd move to Mexico. They worked so hard to help us make appointments to see houses, make repairs to the home we would move into, help us clean, provide meals for us, and more!


As the Conference President and pastors (and parents of 6 children), they are extremely busy, trying to finish the remodeling on their own parsonage. This "cena" (supper) was a small way to try to say thank you for all they did for us.

After supper, we looked at photo albums, talked while the kids played upstairs, made chocolate chip cookies and coffee - just had a great time.









Muchas gracias, Hermano Dolores, Hermana Sylvia y familia - les amamos y les apreciamos a ustedes!

Visit to the Bible Methodist Missions in Zacatecas

Yesterday, Marc, Steve, and Pastor Dolores and his family went to visit the missions in Zacatecas: Sabana Grande and San Antonio. This was Marc's 3rd time to visit the people there and as always, he came home with his heart touched with their poverty and their hunger for the Gospel.

It is about a 3 hour drive from Saltillo, so as you can imagine, it was an all day affair. They preached, sang, gave out Bibles and Christmas gifts, used clothing and other items. The boys and I weren't able to go this time because of trying to make up for lost time with homeschool, but the next time, we want to go!

Pastor Dolores and his family have a great ministry here in these desert villages. It was encouraging to watch them minister to their own people - they have an obvious burden for the people here in this region.

Here's a few pictures to show you.

Pastor Dolores preaching to the people in Sabana Grande

The people receiving their Bibles

A couple village boys "driving" their "burro"

Pastor's wife Sylvia leading the children in some choruses

Pastor Dolores preaching in San Antonio

New spectacles

The "masses" have been asking to see my new spectacles (as Tamra calls them) so here they are. I'm still getting used to them. My depth perception always takes a hit when I put on new glasses. Is that just me? probably....

I think it's great that she and I were doing this at the same time, completely unaware of it. I knew we were good friends! Check out her new specs when you have a chance.

Melodie turns 37

Yes, I'm getting old - I know. Don't like it either. But I did like my birthday. Steve, Beth and Kent came over for pizza and strawberry birthday cake. Marc gave me an awesome electric skillet that I have wanted/needed for a long time to replace my wedding gift one; and a beautiful card. Thanks, sweetheart. My boys gave me a very sweet card. Our oldest son, Jordan, gave me a wonderful relaxing CD to listen to and a Strawberry Pie candle, which smells so good!

My inlaws gave me a beautiful sweater, Stetlers gave me a pumpkin candle, my wonderful friend Tamra sent me a sweet card and a money gift. SO many of you sent me birthday wishes by email, text, Facebook, snail mail cards - thank you to everyone!

Anniversary Celebration and Revival in Cuchicuato

This past weekend, Marc traveled down to the Central Mexican village of Cuchicuato to minister in and attend the 7th anniversary celebration and revival at our Bible Methodist Church there. 7 years ago God helped Pastor Refugio overcome personal stonings and opposition to the Gospel in that village and plant a Bible Methodist Church. 7 years later, we are celebrating the coming of the Gospel to Cuchicuato and the lives that have been changed in this village and surrounding areas.

The Lord helped him preach on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He so much enjoyed fellowshipping with our people there, as well those from other churches who supported the revival. He was so happy to meet and talk with brand new converts in the church at Cuchi - their testimonies were so encouraging. Here is a family of new converts - the Lord is really changing their lives.

Some of the ladies preparing the food.

Pastor Refugio Sanchez and his family receiving their Christmas gifts from the Auburn OH Bible Methodist Church.

Pastor Manuel Navarro and his wife Macedonia - pastors in Pedregales - receiving their gifts.

Isn't this about the cutest thing you ever saw? This is Marisa, one of Pastor Refugio's daughters. She calls Marc "Tio Marcos" - Uncle Marc - and always looks forward to his visits.

Tuesday of Youth Convention

On Tuesday we went out to an absolutely beautiful area in the mountains called Monterreal. I had never been there before and was struck with the beauty - even the drive to get out there was gorgeous.

One of the lodges on the mountain

We played games, climbed a mountain, had an afternoon service with songs, testimonies and another great challenge to our young people by Pastor Santiago, and an altar service right there in the open air.

If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you can see Cameron in the orange sweatshirt, waving at me on his way up the mountain.

Youth Director Jose Correa, talking to the young people

Perla, from San Rafael Bible Meth. Church, the girl second from the right, was testifying

The whole group, singing and testifying

Pastor Santiago, speaking in the last service.

We then enjoyed tostadas with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato , hot salsa and limon - oh also, some incredibly sweet hot coffee. Believe me, it was appreciated by the time 6 pm rolled around - it was getting cold!

All in all, it was a wonderful Youth Convention and we thank God for being with us.

Oh yes - on a personal note - today is my birthday. I'm getting old!

Getting behind....

I'm falling behind on my blogging - the last few days have been crazy...I have intentions to post about Tuesday of Youth Convention, also the revival weekend Marc spent in Cuchicuato, Gto. - central Mexico. Maybe I'll get it done tomorrow - keep checking back.

Monday of Youth Convention

In the Monday morning service, youth leader Jose Correa spoke to the young people and did a wonderful job. Then we ate lunch and left for a city park to spend the afternoon.

Here's Jordan talking with his good friend, Ervin.

Marc playing basketball with the young people

We're playing a game similar to duck duck goose....if you and your partner lose 2 times in a row, you have to do a very embarrassing duck walk around the whole circle, while everyone chants about the parts of the duck you're demonstrating - it's hilarious and yes, Marc and I had to do it!
I'm on the other side of the circle reaching for our neice Heidi's hand.

Saying goodbye.....it was hard to say goodbye - Heidi, Katie, and Drew had made themselves so friendly to our young people and they hated to see their Alaska friends leave. They even wrote goodbye notes for me to translate and mail to Heidi, Katie and Drew in Alaska. Thanks, Bryan kids, for being so friendly with the Mexican young people - they'll never forget you.

Pastor Santiago preached a wonderful message that night at church. 12 young people came forward at the end of the service to dedicate their lives to God - it was such a special time. Each of us adults prayed specifically for a young person who had come to the altar. I prayed for Melisa, the daughter of Jose and Anna Correa. She's such a wonderful girl - I know God has plans for her life and I told her so after we prayed.

After church, we came back to Stetlers' house for one last family meal together before everyone left Tuesday morning. We had such a wonderful time with all our family - thank you, everyone, for coming and spending Christmas with us - those are memories we'll always cherish!

From our Family to Yours...Happy New Year 2009

Tamales and Soppy Chocolate

Gotta mention these 2 delicacies: Mexican tamales and Soppy Chocolate. No, we didn't eat them at the same meal, but they were both delicious!

Our pastor's wife, Sylvia, made us these awesome tamales a couple days after Christmas and Vonnie made us this soppy chocolate for breakfast on Monday morning of the Youth Convention.

The soppy chocolate is pictured on the biscuit at the top of the picture. It is yummy!

Cookies and a Mexican Wedding

On Saturday, I (with the help of my mother and sister in law) made about 120 chocolate chip cookies for the Youth Convention noon meal the next day. We could hardly keep the kids (or the adults) out of them so I think we ended up with about 100 to take with us.

That evening we attended a wedding at our church in Saltillo. Erika and Hugo were married in a beautiful ceremony and the reception was held just down the street - complete with tacos al pastor, and other Mexican delicacies. I loved the tradition of the bride and groom entering and exiting under the upheld flowers of the attendants.

Is this little girl precious or what?

Pastor Dolores, who performed the ceremony, is praying a special prayer of blessing over the couple. The traditional marriage lasso had been placed around them by two attendants, signifying the joining of their lives together. The unity candle was also used.

The groom presented 2 amounts of money as a part of the ceremony, one to his new bride and one to Pastor Dolores, signifying his intention to provide for and take care of his wife and his intention to pay tithe to the local church. The Bible was presented by the couple as the intended foundation of their new home.

Congreso de Jovenes/Youth Convention

Our Congreso de Jovenes began on Sunday morning and went through Tuesday evening. It was a wonderful time of getting together with our Bible Methodist young people; preaching, singing, testifying, eating and playing games together. Marc gave the opening address to the young people on Sunday morning - the Lord really helped him. Other speakers included: Marc's dad, Steve, Pastors Dolores and Santiago and Youth Convention Director Jose Correa. We thank the Lord for His presence among us and for the desire our young people have to serve the Lord.

A shot of the whole Sankey clan on Sunday morning

Some of the young people in attendance

I enjoyed helping serve the Sunday meals.

Remember those cookies? Here's Hermano Pablo and Hermana Ophelia enjoying them.

Playing a game between services

More pictures of Monday and Tuesday's activities coming soon!