Ladies Missionary Fellowship and Youth Group

This week we hosted a Ladies Missionary Fellowship Breakfast on Thursday and on Saturday we had youth group. It is always nice to get together as missionaries. There are several things we all have in common: believers, living in a foreign country and at times, missing family and the States. There are also ministry challenges that we all have in common as well like filling all the holes one leaves when we go home for furlough.

It was good to get back into youth group after a recess during Christmas play practices. We had 16 kids come!!!!!!!! My responsibility are to provide refreshments as well as lead the games. Both Sam and myself are training two young men in our church while we do this. One thing we have noticed is that young people need lots of activities and leaders that are very energetic. I've always enjoyed working with youth. I'm very thankful to be back in this ministry again!!!!

Let it shine, let shine, let shine!!!

Is the world seeing our "light"? Many Christians through the centuries have secluded themselves in such a way that their "light" was very dim if lit at all. I understand that true Believers are not to be submersed into the world so much that no one can see the difference but I think that many folks have taken this too far. How bright is your "light"? Are you willing to step out and do something totally different than before to reach your neighbor, coworker, classmate, for Christ??!!

I've been thinking back on all the blessings the Lord has given to Nueva Vida this past year. The Lord has brought us several new families and I'm in awe of what God uses to grow His Church! This past year we have seen one family come as a result of the outreach of a church family along with English classes that we did last summer! Then a family of this family is coming due to the changes they've seen and having come to the Christmas Program! Did you follow? Two new families, that are also blood related, are coming to church as a result of English classes, changed lives and the Christmas Program!!! We also have seen some young people come as a result of our youth group meetings! These meetings are very informal, action packed,eatin' meetin', with a gut check bible lesson. All I can say is, Praise God!!! Only He is able to use sinners and still accomplish His Goals!!

We often wonder if all the work, planning, is worth it when it comes to a ministry. Sometimes it isn't the activity necessarily that folks actually see. It is in those activities that folks see who we really are or see our "light". Many times it is how we respond to life around us that shines. Yes, we need to do things with excellence but while we are "doing" our true colors are shining and impacting those around us for either good or bad.

This Friday Sam is starting a Bible Overview Study with these two new families!! God is always at work!! Sometimes we don't see it but be assured He is working overtime for His Church and His Kingdom!!

We truly had a wonderful time as a family over the Holidays!! It was great to catch up with our son, Nathaniel. He is hoping to finish his undergrad degree in December and then possibly come and live with us for several months before he goes off to Seminary. Of course the girls miss their big brother. Nicole has come to me in tears several times since Nathaniel left on Saturday. Unfortunately this is part of missionary life that we don't particularly care for. I do think however that missionary kids possibly have a better understanding that this life is temporary and I think they look forward to Heaven and the fellowship that we will have that will be for eternity!! Most kids grow up in a very small "world" and missionary kids have the privilege of seeing a bigger "picture" of life. It's hard to think outside of my family, school, church, town... So, if you think missionary kids are different---they are! They are living in a more realistic world than many think!! Mks (missionary kids) may not know about the newest electronic gadget, or the most update lingo, but boy do they have an edge when it comes to knowing another language, culture and even possibly understanding the Great Commission better than anyone their age!! Sometimes we (missionary parents) think our kids are missing out by not having a State side upbringing. I think in the long run our kids are in the best position!

Busy Days!

We have been extremely busy these past couple of weeks. God has taught us many lessons. One has been that we can do anything He is asking us to do even when we are ill and are uncomfortable. For most of the Family Conference I was ill. I had a very bad cold of needing to blow my nose every five minutes. Not fun when you are trying to teach. God was good and allowed me to get through all my responsibilities and I was even able to smile through it all. We know that only God can do this!! We are still recovering from colds but we are rejoicing in all that God is doing throughout Mexico!

January 1st we left for Indian Land

New Years Day we spent traveling down to Poza Rica where Sam's parents live. This would be our home base while we ministered in a Family Conference up in the mountains in a pueblo called, Macedonia Alonso. We had such a wonderful time with these very special folks. Their lives are very simple. They are all mainly farmers. They might have a single light bulb in their homes. The Hornbrook Family had quite the learning experience while we were out there. We fell in love with these people. The trip out there was two hours of driving over very bumpy roads but the landscapes were worth it all! We look forward to going again sometime soon! We were glad that Nathaniel was here to go with us. He got to teach the young people one day! Nicole of course was treated like a "movie star" out there. Many folks had never seen real red hair and blue eyes. All the little girls wanted to touch Nicole's hair and skin. This of course got old after a day for Nicole. In the end everyone wanted their picture taken with her! It was so cute!

December 31st New Year's Eve!

This year here at Nueva Vida we decided to have a special New Year's Eve meal in the afternoon. This way our church families could spend time as a church body as well as with their families later in the evening. We had 40 folks come for the meal!! We had a wonderful time of testimonies. Much thanks was given to God for the salvation of family members this past year. God is so good!

December 27th Piano Recital

This is our second piano recital that we have hosted in our home. This year we enjoyed listening to our two daughters as well as Uriel. Our son Nathaniel also got in on the fun and played a song that he has written. We are so thankful for our piano teacher, Aida. She is a believer and has really helped our children grow in their piano journey!

December 25th Christmas Day!

On Christmas we enjoyed sharing this special day with my parents, Sam's parents, our children and Aunt Lois Jackson! We began our day reading the Christmas Story from Luke and then we had a time of giving and receiving! Later that day we played Mexican Train. Once again, great memories!!

December 24th Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve we had fun hosting Jim, Ruth, their kids, Ruth's sister, Becky, Ruth's parents, Bruno and Gene, my parents, Jerry and Rita Jamison, Sam's parents, Sam and Ellen, Nathaniel (our son) and single missionary Lois Jackson! We had a wonderful time together. The food was yummy and the fellowship was divine! We finished the evening by singing Christmas Carols. We especially enjoyed hearing a Christmas Carol sung in Ukraine by Ruth and Becky. Wonderful memories!

More pics from Tepotzotlan

We have a professional photographer in our church, Axel. He went with us along with his parents and special friend to the dinner theatre and took pictures for us. These are a few of the ones that he took.

December 23rd - Tepotzotlan

We have been so busy since I wrote last. My parents and Nathaniel arrived the 22nd. The first activity we did together was to go and see a Mexican Christmas Program called a Pastorela. We went to see this in a small town called Tepotzotlan. We have a family in our church that lives in this pueblito. The catholic church was built in the 1500s. It is a very famous dinner theatre. Prince Charles has been said to have helicoptered in to see the program in years past. We really had a nice time. The food and the atmosphere was very Mexican which is what we were going for.