the blessing of obedience

I was reading a book called "intimate friendship with God".

In it I read that it is important to obey God because of what he says but more importantly because of who He is. In order for God to test us on this, He often tells us to do unusual things that seem to us illogical.

I thought it was very fitting!

Even though it has not been easy to obey, because of the nature of what was asked, in the midst of the difficulties and hardship: moving away, leaving friends, adjusting to a new life... with four kids,etc., We feel totally blessed by God because of our obedience.

among those blessing:

-Karen fell in love with our kids and is turning out to be like a grandma... and a
terrific one too! That is such a blessing for us and the kids.

-My neighbor is this extra devoted friend, who goes out of her way to help others.
Abbie's teacher told her that she was going to need chicken bones for a project at school. (don't ask, I have no idea what it's for, I'll let you know when I find out!) So my neighbor took me shopping to show me a better store to buy cheaper fruit and veggies. While we were there, she bought a chicken and gave me a piece so I would have some bones to send to school with Abbie.

I can't express it well enough even through all the examples I could share. But to all of you, who God is calling to obey Him and fallow Him on a path that seems illogical, I want this to be a testimony of His immense love, care and blessing that come with total obedience.

Jump in with both feet. Although it will not always be easy, you will feel and BE blessed because of your obedience.

Sophie

Life In Mexico

I thought I'd fill you in on a few interesting happenings.

Last week, we had our front plate stolen form our vehicle. Most likely in a parking lot. When the neighbors heard about it they told us we needed to quickly report the incident as most likely, the plate would be used in criminal activities! WOW, the police could have looking for us...!

The police took our claim for 200 pesos.

Also, we had the visit, at our house, from someone working for the city who was coming around to spray for mosquito control. They go around on foot, hitting all the puddles around peoples homes. They also wanted to put some chemicals in our water tank! We declined.

The mosquitos here do bite. You feel the bite, you feel the hitch, but then after you scratch, it goes away almost instantly.

On a different note, we wanted to thank you for your prayers. God has led us to enroll the children in the Christian school. When we met with the principal, she informed us that they had a policy to help people working as ministers of the Gospel. Wow, I didn't expect that at all, they are giving us 50% off the monthly price.

God knew we wouldn't have been able to do this otherwise. The will learn spanish and english 50/50. Praise God for his provision and guidance.

It will give us more time to learn ourselves and start being more involved with the Churches here. Phil Klassen wants Phil to see about teaching carpentry to some of the men at Fe Y Poder ( a Church where Phil and Karen have been involved for years). Many people have lost their jobs recently. Maybe God can use this... Their first project will be to build doors for an other church. They call it Celso's Church.

Praise God for his hand at work through us already. Praise him for support and faithful friends who pray and give to be part of the work in Mexico.

Please pray for health, for protection on our marriage. Protection for the children as they start school and for continued guidance, wisdom and understanding from God.

This picture was taken from inside a new foundation for a church in Tamazunchale, Mexico which has been meeting in a tent for 5 years. The new church will be quite large. Seating for about 400!

This church is located in Tamazunchale about 10 hrs south of Matamoros. They had a group of 6 ready to graduate. The next picture is of the graduates.
Here are some pictures we took on our trip to the interior of mexico. This is Pastor Gildardo and his family in Herradura Xiltla, Mexico are living in a bambo and mud house with a thatch roof and dirt floor for many years now. They have had some help to get the house started but will need a roof. I believe he said the attendance in his church is around 80. This Pastor is very involved in the bible school and is supervising two schools and looking at starting another.

The Lord came through! I am writing this from home! Yes! And we also have a phone.
It's one of those 15 digit numbers... We will likely get a cell phone with Phil and Karen with a US number which should make it more affordable for people to call us.

For now, here's the number 01152 868 203 2787

Phil is visitong a Church tonight. We will be visiting a different one on Sunday. That's quite a few names to remember in a short time!

The mexicans are celebrating independance day Sept 16. It seems to last all week with celebrations at different places on different days!

We have had three invitations to celebrate it. One on Tuesday, one tonight(Friday) and one on Sunday.

Soon we will be posting some pictures of the things we see around here and people we meet.

Again, thank you for praying. We couldn't do it without those prayers. We are taking life one day at a time. More then that would be too much right now.

PLease pray with us for wisdom to make the right decisons about school for the children. Jesse is not taking to home schooling too good and it's taking too much of my time when I need to be learning the language myself.

God seems to be opening doors of opportunites for him in a catholic/christian school where, God willing, I could exchange my services as a French teacher, one day a week, for his tuition.

The school teaches half Spanish half English with an hour a week of French! I am quite happy about this but I want it to be a God thing all the way.

By the way, Jeremie's finger is healed completely. It's a real miracle how the whole thing went. It's amazing how fast he healed. Praise God! We are seeing Him around just about every corner. People He puts on our path, blessings, provisions, even an english speaking person at the right place, at the right time, when I am somewhere without Miguel and can't communicate what I need!

It is not always easy, but we are in a good place, at the center of HIS will. There is no other place I'd rather be!

God bless you and thanks for reading and sharing this journey with us!

Sophie

well what do you know! Things change and so do date!
Still no phone or internet. Not sure when now, maybe next week!??

Otherwise, we are doing well. We are back from our trip into the interior. A place that sounds like
"Thomas and Charlie". That's how Miguel teaches us to pronounce things in Spanish.
(So "Maybe" becomes "kiss ass" would you know! quizaz in Spanish)

It was a beautiful trip in the mountains. The down fall, we brought back a bit of "diahrea" with us. We have met a few pastors and will start doing home visit next week with the mustard seed program.

So our prayer requests are to get better soon and to get a connection soon too. And language of course

The children are doing so much better. It starting to feel like home.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.

one week into it

we still don´t have a phone or internet, but we have a date! September 14.

Thank you all for praying for us. Last Friday, Jeremie was trying to cut a box with a kitchen knife and got his finger good. Phil tought he needed stitches. He ended up taking him to the red cross.

They were back home 20 minutes later! No stitches, just tape. The red cross is really close to home. They were seen right away. It cost us about 25$ canadian. Jeremie´s finger seems fine, he can move it and he´s still able to do all he needs to do!

Please pray for Benjamin. He is having the hardest time adjusting to the temperature change and he is fighting a cold, maybe ear ache too.

Continue praying for home schooling, we started Monday.

Also for protection as we go on a road trip with Phil and KAren next weekend to the interior for a Bible school graduation.

When we get our own connection, we´ll post pictures.

Now I must go, half hour is all I´ve got!