Saltillo Youth Choir

Marc and I have been asked to work with the youth group in Saltillo to prepare a few Christmas songs for the upcoming Christmas Eve program. We practiced with them for the first time Sunday night. Not all of the youth were present, but a good group to get started.

Our first time to direct/accompany a Spanish choir, but it was fun!

Logan took this picture for me while we practiced.

Having Dinner Together in our own House

This was our first real dinner together in our own house in Saltillo - it was fun. Meatloaf, cheesy potatoes, veggies and salad were on the menu. We went to our wonderful HEB grocery store that's really close to our house and bought lots of groceries. Here we are at our dining room table. You can see part of our beautiful back yard through the patio doors.

For those who are asking for pics of my house, I am still trying to put things in their places and empty boxes. As soon as I can, I'll get some pics posted of the inside of our house.

Our boys and their friends

Our boys have made friends with some Mexican boys who live on our street: Eric, Daniel, Carlos, and a few others...

Here they are having fun playing futbol americano (football) in the street. The Mexican boys didn't know how to play it - my boys taught them.

We have Internet!

A week after arriving here in Saltillo, we have internet here in our house! Talk about feeling disconnected - that's how we've felt. Thank the Lord for technology; it sure helps us communicate with far away family and friends - like you!

Update on Logan

Quick update on Logan before we head back to Saltillo:

Both doctors - the Infectious Disease Specialist and the Ear Nose & Throat Specialist - were pleased with his progress. The MRI results showed just 3 mm of swelling, definitely less than August's MRI and obviously we're moving in the right direction. The ID specialist is leaving him on the Vfend (anti fungal med) for another 2 months, then off for a month, then another MRI in March to see what is happening at that time. The doctor expects that with his progress to this point, by that time he can be completely off the medication. The ENT wants to leave him on one allergy pill a day (Loratadine 10 mg) for now and was happy with how his sinuses looked. Bloodwork was normal.

So, a good report - we're very thankful. And we're heading back to Saltillo this afternoon!

My heart is heavy for my Uncle Verlon. The failed attempt at angioplasty today and possible stent procedure soon, along with all the blockages and damage to his heart, sounds very discouraging. All we can do is trust him to the Lord and pray. I know God can do a miracle and touch him - we sure believe in that!

Love you all and thanks for your prayers for us,

Melodie

Progress on the Saltillo Parsonage Project

Here's an updated photo of the progess on the parsonage project in Saltillo. The Hernandez Family is so excited and happy to be moving into the new section of their house as soon as it's finished! Thank you to all who gave to this project - we will keep you updated - keep checking back!

Just love this huge Mexican flag against the backdrop of the mountains.

Our Day in San Rafael

We spent an awesome day in San Rafael yesterday. It was so wonderful to be with our people again. Each of the Bible Methodist Churches in this district were represented for a full day of services and fellowship.

Here are some of the Sunday School children presenting their lesson.

Kent and Jordan and the rest of the Youth Class.

Cameron enjoyed playing his guitar with the evangelist's son.

Logan and the San Rafael kids after morning service.

Look at that delicious mole, rice and beans...doesn't get any better than this!

Jordan enjoying the great food. They call him "Mexican Boy" because he loves their food so much!

Bro. Florencio at the site of the Kids Club in San Rafael. They minister to about 50 kids weekly here on the sidewalk in front of this house.

Steve spoke to the young people in the afternoon service. The Lord really helped him.

The Bible Methodist Church in San Joaquin where Bro. Alejandro, pastor at San Rafael, is holding services every Thursday.

Between service scene.

Cameron and Bro. Daniel Pena practicing before the evening service. So sorry for all the circles on my pictures. Using my camera in such a dusty place like the villages we visit has caused this, I guess.
Conference President and pastor at Saltillo Dolores Hernandez dedicating 2 babies to the Lord in the evening service.


Bro. Dolores and Sis Sylvia's beautiful twin daughters, Kenia and Kristi.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and we came home last night tired in body but encouraged and thrilled with how God is working in the lives of our people and churches in Mexico. It's so good to be back.

Cleaning and Moving In

Our pastor's wife Sylvia was a wonderful help to us organizing the cleaning of our home. Muchas gracias, Hermana Sylvia!

Steve, Beth, and Kent also have helped us tremendously - spending hours cleaning, moving boxes, painting, feeding us and keeping us in their home - thanks so much!

The moving truck arriving with some of our belongings.

Scenes from our Arrival

Those beautiful mountains around Saltillo.

Peeking in my front door before the people arrived with our keys.

Peeking into our beautiful backyard

Enjoying Domino's Pizza

We've Arrived in Saltillo

Logan's MRI and bloodwork went well (even through rolling veins) yesterday, we got our errands accomplished and headed for the border around noon. The boys and I got our visas, we passed through the border and checkpoint with no problems and we arrived in the beautiful city of Saltillo where God has called us to minister around 5 pm.

As we remembered from before, the mountains are just gorgeous and provided us with beautiful scenery along the way.

We drove to our house and peeked in the windows since we didn't have our keys yet...it was fun! Then we drove over to Beth and Steve's house (in the same neighborhood) to unload a few of our things for the overnight stay.

We ate pizza at Domino's then went on a walk through of our house and got our keys later last night. This morning Beth and I and our pastor's wife Sylvia are going over to clean in preparation for the moving truck scheduled to arrive mid-day.

Thank the Lord for a safe arrival and for all those who are helping us get settled here in Saltillo. More news later!

MRI and Leaving for Saltillo

Logan and Marc left a few minutes ago for Logan's follow up MRI and bloodwork. I hope Logan does alright - he's still not cool with needles! He has a couple doctors' appointments/checkups next week to find out these results. Thank the Lord - he is doing great.

When they get back and we get things packed in and a few errand stops accomplished, we're heading south! We hope to cross the border by noon and should arrive in Saltillo by 4-5 pm. The boys and I will have to obtain our visas at the border - all other paperwork is in order - thanks to the Lord and my wonderful husband.

We will be staying with Stetlers tonight and our furniture and belongings should be arriving sometime tomorrow from Salamanca, if all goes as planned.

We are praying that this 2nd 3 year term of service in Mexico will also be blessed of the Lord and that in all things we might bless His name and lift Him up - that is our desire.

Thanks for your prayers and support - we are counting on them!

Our Tuesday

My goodness, what a beautiful day in South Texas - I saw 79 degrees on one bank sign - I'm loving it!

We're working on our to-do list, which seems to be growing instead of shrinking. So many things to get done in preparation to move back to the mission field.

We're staying here in the RGBI guest house, trying to get all our paperwork in order for us and our vehicle, etc....what a job!

We have hopes of being able to move into our house in Saltillo this Friday. The tentative plans are being made that way - we'll wait and see. Marc reminded me of our motto tonight: One Day at A Time!

It was fun to get to see our family and fellow missionaries, the Stetlers, again today. It had been months since the boys and I had seen Beth and Steve! We got to spend a little time together tonight. Soon we'll all be in Mexico together - can't wait!

On a more sober note - I would like to request prayer for my uncle, Verlon Agan Jr. He is in the hospital in Athens, GA suffering heart problems. He is stable at the moment for which we are very grateful.

I'm off to get some rest before the next day dawns!

Our Last Service

The Shreveport Pilgrim Nazarene Church was very kind to invite us to stop by on our way back to Mexico for a Share Support service - and we were so happy that it worked out! Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Robinson, for your warm welcome and to you and your people for the share support, love offering, and kind reception.

We were so privileged to get to meet Glenn and Gracie Betts, former missionaries to Saltillo, Mexico - the very city where we will be serving this term. They opened their home to us overnight and provided us with delicious meals. We enjoyed getting to know them better, looking at some awesome pictures of their time as missionaries, and just enjoying their fellowship. Thank you so much, Glenn and Gracie, for everything!

A Prayer Request and a Praise

Sis. Esther Luna, the wife of our Legal Representative and our pastor's wife at Soledad, just underwent gall bladder surgery this past Saturday. We are happy to report that she is doing well and has been released from the hospital. Please pray for Sis. Esther as she continues to recuperate at the home of her daughter and son in law, Isela and Eli Balderas.

If you would like to send Sis. Esther a get well card, you may do that at:

Sis. Esther Luna

c/o Marc Sankey

2112 W. University Dr. PMB 1122

Edinburg, TX 78539

I know she would love to hear from you!

Back in the Valley

We have just arrived back in Edinburg, TX - the Rio Grande Valley! We had a wonderful missions service last night in Shreveport - more details and some pics coming soon.
I think we'll all sleep good tonight!