Easter Sunrise Service: Sunday March 23, 7 AM at Sun Stream Park off Salem Rd.

Missionary News from Mexico City: Dear Prayer partners, friends and family,

You probably wonder where we have been… Well, let us tell you!

We feel that we have lived a whole year in just 2 months, but we have not been able to share any of it with you because of problems with our computer and email service. But now we are back online and want to update you in a big way with the happenings and prayer requests from these last months.

In early January, we were excited with the anticipated visit of 16 Guatemalans from the Grace Brethren Church in Guatemala City, eleven of whom were to attend our youth camp. It was sad when we received a call from them saying that they were in Mexico, but that Mexican immigration had not allowed them to proceed in the van they were driving. We asked God what we should. God seemed to indicate that they needed to be here. Gerardo, our national ministry partner, left on the 16+hour trip, one way, to pick them up. We praise the Lord for the time of blessing and encouragement that this visit was for everyone.

The day that they left, we received word that Jack Churchill, a good friend and fellow missionary in northern Mexico, had passed away. Although we grieve the loss and our hearts have been hurting for Rosa and their children, we rejoice that we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the memorial service and be of support to Rosa.

On this same trip, our hearts were saddened to see the mental, physical decline of Bess’ only surviving aunt, yet were encouraged to see that there are still signs that Aunt Jean is still there and that we were able to see her again.

In the midst of this, we found out that Brenda’s mother was to begin another round of 18 radiation treatments because of 2 more tumors that had been found. We rejoice in the comfort that God’s presence has brought to Brenda’s family and to us and for His guidance and healing power. Wanda will have a PET scan this week as a follow-up.

When we returned from Jack’s memorial service, we were surprised to find that Denver Murray, fellow missionary, had been in the hospital for 2 days, due to some kind of intestinal obstruction. The next day, he underwent emergency surgery to remove a stone in his intestines. After a 10-day stay, he was released and is now doing very well. We rejoice that God lead him to just the right clinic and doctor that he needed, that his life was spared and that his insurance paid for these expenses.

A few days after Denver’s surgery, a group of 5 people from a Grace Brethren Church in Tampa came for a long weekend visit. It was a joy to meet and spend some time with these generous brothers and sisters who have been an important part of the ministry here.

That weekend, Brenda suffered a crack rib from an enthusiastic hug from one of our good friends and leaders of COCRIMEX. It’s meant some sleepless nights in the beginning, but we were thankful that it wasn’t worse.

A couple of days after Denver got home from the hospital, the rest of us were in Cuernavaca at a retreat for our leaders. Early on Saturday morning, Roberto, one of our leaders, had to take his wife, Isabel, back to Mexico City because, after 5 months of pregnancy, her water broke. Later that day, their little girl, Rebeca, was born, but died within minutes. It was a wrenching moment when we received the phone call. It was even harder to tell their other 2 children, Brenda (12) and Roberto (11), who had stayed at the retreat with us. This loss was hard on all of us, yet we have been grateful for God’s sustaining grace in the lives of this family and for the unity it has brought to our church family.

It was only days later that our hearts cried once again when we learned that Dominga, a dear sister in Christ, was taken Home after years of battling with Lupus and diabetes. Some of the tears came from the loss and some came from the joy of knowing that she is no longer suffering. Dominga, short in stature, was tall in service. Ever since she and her daughter, Alejandra, came to COCRIMEX, she was always looking for a way to help, to serve her Lord, even though she had little financial means to do so. We stand with twenty-three yr. old Alejandra who is grieving and feels confused.

Following Dominga’s death, a Grace Brethren team came from Orange, CA, for 9 days of ministry with our congregation and non-Christian guests in marriage conferences. The topics covered were so needed for each of the couples present, some of whom are currently in crisis, including the hurt and destruction of infidelity. While hurting with these couples, we also rejoice with a relatively new couple in COCRIMEX. The marriage of this Christian wife and unbelieving husband began to be restored after the husband repented and turned his life over to Christ just a few months ago.

After 3 weeks of difficulties in her pregnancy and many prayers, Patty gave birth to Jimena just 2 days after the Orange team left. Gerardo and Patty, our national ministry partners, have been married 15 years, but had not been able to get pregnant, so we are all rejoicing with them and enjoying having another baby in our congregation.

In the middle of all of this, we had to replace our water heater, have smog inspection done on our car and get an antifreeze leak fixed, replace our printer, and replace our cell phone that was stolen during the marriage conferences.

Whew! We are tired just telling you about all of this! J

Now, we are busy trying to finalize hotel and transportation details for the GBIM board members who are coming the middle of April for their annual meetings!

Thanks for your patience in waiting for this update and reading the long account of what’s been happening. We sure are glad that many of you continue to pray even when you don’t hear from us!!!!

We continue on because of God’s grace,
Brenda and Bess