Marco and Gwendolyn Nunez Cancun,MX

Lazaro Saved

2011-10-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Last night a young man named Lazaro was saved. He has been coming to services with his aunt for some time now. With a name like that- you have to think about how God is the only one who can give life, physical, or spiritual. We are glad this young man has been taken out of darkness and brought into the light of Jesus Christ!

Marco's Eye

2011-10-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Marco has been having headaches for about 10 days, his vision is blurry and he is "seeing double". We went to 2 different doctors and they say something is wrong with a nerve near his eye. All the tests they have done come out fine and so now the next step is to get an MRI to see if there is a tumor. If not, he just needs some exercises to strengthen those nerves. Please pray for him, mostly as it is difficult to read and study. Thank you.

Flooding in Chiapas

2011-10-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Brother Ciro's home/church property has a small creek on 2 sides of it. For the last 2 years this creek has risen so high in the rainy season,it has come into their house. They are now making plans to build on a higher plot of land. Please pray for them and if you can help in any way let us know. Thank you.

Candelaria's Blessing

2011-10-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

Pastor Nacho has started a church in Limbano Blandin, Tabasco. One of the young women who was saved there is married now and here in the church in Cancun. Recently she gave thanks to the Lord that He sent Pastor Nacho to that small town to share the gospel, so she could hear and believe. The Lord has also given her a godly husband and now they both are part of the Cancun church.

Thank you for your support and prayers to the end that the Word of the LORD would run and be glorified.

Christian and Candelaria

Candelaria decorating the day of her wedding in the Tabasco church

Julissa, Pastor Nacho, Wife-Eidy, Amairany

News

2011-09-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

School is back in swing here in Cancun and some kids have the afternoon shift that finishes up anywhere from 5- 8 PM depending on the school and grade you are in. Please pray for students to be like Daniel, no matter where they are, and purpose in their hearts not to defile themselves with the things of this world and also to be a positive testimony for Jesus Christ.

Please pray for Marco to have strength and wisdom for his work here, that that we would walk worth of this ministry and see people reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Please pray for Brother Ciro and his family there in Chiapas. They have rented another house in town that is higher since the river that runs behind/around 2 sides of their house has risen from the rain waters.

Brother Nacho was able to put down a cement slab behind their house which may be used at some point for the children's class during church services. They are very thankful the LORD has provided for it.

Thank you for your prayers for all of us here.

Christian and Candelaria Wedding- Limbano Blandin, Tabasco

2011-08-15T19:05:00.001-07:00

On our way back to Cancun, we stopped by Brother Nacho's church in Limbano, Tabasco and celebrated the wedding of his son Christian to Candelaria. They are living in Cancun now and we are so thankful to have them here with us.

Back Home Again!

2011-08-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Praise the LORD, we drove all the way through Mexico and arrived safely home again after a 2 month furlough in the southeastern USA! Brother Raul, Tomas, Vicente and their families welcomed us with a clean house and meal of carne asada. We are thankful for their faithfulness while we were gone and their love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the families in the church.

Thank you to you who prayed for us on our travels and especially this last long drive through Mexico.

Thank you to all you who hosted us in your homes and churches as well. We certainly received much more than we deserve. Thank you for your kindnesses to us and love for the Lord.

Dothan, Alabama

2011-07-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

We are on a 2 month furlough in the southeast visiting some of the churches that support us. We are in Dothan, Alabama this weekend and thankful the LORD has brought us this far. We have enjoyed seeing people and places we hadn't seen before or at least in 5 years.

One of the blessings is that between churches we are staying with Marco's son and daughter-in-law and their 3 children in Easley, SC. That has been a delight! Having the 1 yr old stretch out his little hands to Grandpa's cheeks and give him a smile! It is mazing how such a simple act makes you feel like a million dollars!

This is Asher who is 3!

This is Kaiden who will be 2 on Marco's birthday- July 8!

The smallest one is Tre, he just turned 1!

More Sunday pictures from Chiapas

2011-04-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Some of the ladies from the nearby town who come to services with brother Ciro in Santa Martha, Chiapas.

Who me?

Brother Ciro- April 2011

2011-04-23T06:59:00.001-07:00

Brother Ciro with his wife Dolores and their oldest son Jose Luis, daughter Odalis and grandaughter Yohani.

Ciro's son Marco Antonio with his wife Karina and their daughter Yohani.

Ciro's nephew Jose Alfredo and his wife Isella and their son Urias. Ciro commented one time that it was such a blessing to see Alfredo come walking to church with his Bible in his hand, and now with his wife and son as well.

This is the small group of believers there in Santa Martha, Chiapas.

Brother Nacho- April 2011

2011-04-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Brother Nacho and his wife Eidy have seen various people saved since they came to start a local church in Limbano. We are thankful they are here sharing the gospel and being a light.

For now, Julissa and Eidy take turns teaching the children's class. Julissa lalso plays the piano for the services. Their son Christian works here in Cancun and goes back to see them every 2 months or so.

The blue building is their home and the white one is the church building.

This huge bridge is on a dirt road that leads to their home. It is one of the HIGHEST bridges I have ever seen and goes over a relatively small river. Going up the one side is so steep it is like going up that first side of a rollercoaster!

Looking down into the river the bridge goes over.

Leaving in the early morning, there were birds, even pink flamingoes here in this pool of water.

Brother Jose Luis- April 2011

2011-04-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Pictured here is Brother Jose Luis and his wife Martha in purple and their daughter Glendy in brown holding her daughter Cristal. The other daughter Lucy who teaches the children's class was in school and the other daughter Wendy who plays the piano, works in anaother town during the week. Our friend Dr Jimmy Parkerson pictured here as well, came with us on this trip to do some volunteer dental work farther along in the Santa Martha church.

Here is the kids classroom. They have quite a few children on Saturdays for the class and also for regular Sunday and Wednesday services. The hammock is there for a man in the church was had been staying here after an operation.

Here were some folks from the church that welcomed us. Benito, in red, has been having problems with his kidneys and they didn't give him much chance of recuperating. Praise the Lord, he is getting better and has been coming to services as well.

Some bananas from their yard, ripening in the kitchen window.

Here is a close up of Glendy and her baby. Her husband made a profession of faith but rarely comes to services now. Please pray for him to come to the Lord and also thank the Lord that Glendy is continuing on faithful and not discouraged.

Brother Pascual- April 2011

2011-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Brother Pascual (center) is about 2 hours from Cancun in Chemax, Yucatan. Recently some young men were saved in this church and continue to come. They have Thursday evening services in nearby Valladolid with about 25 people. Their littlest baby Rebeca is just now 3 months old. Pictured here are just his 2 youngest children, as the 2 older ones were in school when the picture was taken.

Miguel is helping Pascual take care of the services and children's classes.

Pascual has been practicing the guitar and when we were there he played a couple songs and we all sang along. His younger sister Alberta typically plays the piano in the services.

Maybe one of the most delicious meals here is "cochinita". It is pork fixed in the Yucatan style and put into handmade tortillas. This is what we had with Coke for breakfast when we arrived.

This is the house and church as seen from the road, and the car we are driving now. It has the tendancy of looking like a batmobile- especially with the 2 doors opened. Lord willing this car will be passed to Brother Raul when we bring our truck back from the states.

Christmas Play

2011-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

The last Sunday evening before Christmas the teens presented the Christmas play.

Teen Christmas Party

2011-01-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

Each year the teens have a gift exchange and share blessings the last Saturday before Christmas. This time we had it up on the patio of the church under the stars!

2011-01-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

The ladies group had a good time Christmas caroling in December.

2011-01-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

The children made their own small pinatas and later we added some candy inside and gave them out the Wednesday before Christmas. I was glad to see how well they worked together, even near the end when they helped the smaller children finish theirs.

Group pictures- Sunday Morning

2011-01-07T04:33:00.001-08:00

Here we are, most of us anyhow! The children and babies and some straying adults are not pictured, but most of the church is! Merry Christmas and a Happy New year from all of us!

Welcome to the World little Alexandra!

2010-11-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

One of the new ladies in the church, just had her little baby and so far just put the second name, Alexandra. She is still debating on the first name.

Visiting Brother Pascual

2010-11-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

Our dentist friend Dr. Jimmy Parkerson comes from Ken Burkett's church in Mississippi. Usually Jimmy comes alone, but this time his Pastor came with his family and all 6 of us went out to Chemax for a church service and short visit.

Pascual and his wife have the good news that his wife is expecting a new addition to the family. They are calling the baby Isaiah already, but then don't know if it is a girl or a boy. We pray the baby will be healthy and grow to be a person who loves the Lord will all his heart.

back LR Pastor Ken Burkett, wife Chalayne, Jesse, Candice
front Javier, Mirna, Pastor Pascual, wife Leydi, and the smallest one in front is Perla Aurora.

Baptisms- November 7,2010

2010-11-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

5 people were baptized today. It was COLD outside and windy. No one stayed around to swim like other baptisms we have had. But the important fact that was the same as other days is that these folks know they have been cleansed from all unrighteousness and are now making a public sign of their faith in Jesus Christ.

LR is Bety, Miriam, Isabel, Dulce and Estefania.
Bety is the niece of one of the ladies in the church and she has been sharing the gospel and the love of Christ with her for quite a while.
Miriam had come about 8 years ago and then left and is now back and we pray she will grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isabel and Estefania (on the end) are the daughters of a couple who recently came and were saved.
Dulce is the mother of one of the single young men in the church. She lived in Mexico City and attended a church. The Holy Spirit worked through the phone calls and good testimony of her son here, and she was saved, and grew, moved here and has now been baptized.

Dulce with her family.

Bety in light blue in the middle who was baptized, with her 2 aunts, Ninfa in black and Marie in stripes.

LR Warren(visiting from the states), Dulce, Cynthia, Jazmin, Anita, Maria Aurelia, Martha(Warren's wife), Carol

Baptisms- October 17,2010

2010-10-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

What a blessing to know our sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. These folks who are being baptized understand that. They understand that baptism is an outward symbol of the inward washing Christ has already made in their lives.

This first picture is of part of the church group in the service before we went to the beach for the baptisms.

Paula has passed us by!

2010-10-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

Paula the hurricane, has passed us by. Last night, (Tuesday the 12th) they had canceled school for Wednesday here in our county. Today we had hard rains and winds off and on throughout the morning and early afternoon and then it cleared up in time for people to get to church for the Wednesday evening service. We thank the Lord for moving it away from us this time, but also pray for His grace on others who will get hit. Thank you for praying for us.

New Believers and Visitors

2010-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday four people made professions of faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose again for our sin. Three of them have been coming for a time already and one was a first time visitor.

There have been quite a few people who have recently been saved and we are studying with them as well as we can get schedules worked out and all. A great blessing is that Raul, and Vicente, Tomas and Kleyni are all helping us disciple new believers. Please pray there will be fruit that will remain. Pray that even the studies we have and the time spent in studies will be done for the glory of Our Lord Jesus and not for ourselves.

This Wednesday evening we had a new family visit that we met at the tianguis. We first met them about 6 months ago when we first started going to pass out tracts. Just this past week we bumped into them again at the tianguis and they said they had been wanting to come, but had lost the tract with the address. Tonight they came. A mom and dad and 4 kids and 2 aunts!

Blessings- Sunday, September 26, 2010

2010-09-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

We are thankful we have a church building to meet in to preach and teach and learn and worship the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. Today was a blessing as we had some visitors in the morning and in the evening.

In the evening a teenage girl named Estefania and her father and step mother were saved. Estefania came as a child, and since had her own child, but had most recently been asking her dad to come back to church with her. Please pray for them as Marco is also scheduled to start studying with them tomorrow evening.

Tonight was also the Lord's Supper. We always leave with joy after we have confessed our sin and remembered the sacrifice of our Blessed Lord Jesus.

Even the children were uncommonly glad and obedient which helps move everything along nicely! Oh, the Lord is good! And His mercy is everlasting!

Visa Changes

2010-09-26T19:21:00.001-07:00

For the last 13 years we have had a car here in Mexico with American tags. Since the permission for the American car hinged on Gwendolyn's visa, we could have the car here. But now her visa has changed and is one step closer to becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen. With this new visa, we can not have a car with American tags. So because of that we drove the car out of Mexico and left it in the states.

We are now looking for another car to buy and use here.

Give Lots of Hugs and Kisses to the Babies!

2010-09-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

Whenever Marco talks to his son on the phone, he always remembers to send "lots of hugs and kisses to the babies". So when we were able to visit them in the states, he was able to shower them with kisses in person! And he did! : ) We had a wonderful time. I think we have really turned into grandparents, because we love to take and show the pictures of our 3 grandchildren. The oldest is only a little over 2 years old and we congratulate Marco and Kim for taking care of all of them so well!

Lidia Saved!

2010-08-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

Lidia is the mother of some children who have been attending the Saturday Bible Club for about 2 years. She has never come to church before, but one of the church ladies has shared the truth often with her. Her children had come to church for 2 weeks recently.

2 days ago the church lady called and asked Marco to go see her as she has been having lots of problems lately and had been very depressed. Marco went yesterday and visited with her and she repented of her sin and believed in Jesus Christ. Lord willing she will grow. Right after she prayed with Marco she seemed relieved Marco said.

The Lord is so good. His mercy endures forever!

Felicidades a Tomas y Kleyni

2010-08-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today was the wedding day! August 14, 2010. (also Kleyni's birthday) The ladies helped decorate on Friday night and then Tomas and some of the young men came and finished up on Saturday morning. This is how it looked finished when just a few people had started to arrive.

Kleyni's mother helping cut the cake.

Hermana Isabel who is always willing to help with the kitchen work!

The family that NEVER eats cake... :)

Inside the church. Even though we have the air-conditioners now, we had turned them off since it is just about impossible to keep it cool inside with so many people going in and out. Most were outside in the park under the canopy. It used to be this hot all the time inside the church! We are so thankful to the Lord for providing air-conditioning!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

2010-08-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

We are so glad to have received the ministry of reconciliation! There is nothing better in this world than to be able to share the gospel. This morning 2 people were saved and tonight one teen, the daughter of the lady who was saved in the morning. They had attended services about 6-7 years ago and have just recently been coming back again, to special services or events and praise the Lord today they repented of sins toward God and believed in Jesus Christ.

Another blessing is some who have recently made professions are coming to services and getting incorporated into Bible Studies. Please continue to pray for Tina and her daughter Susana and son Manuel to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, Miriam, the same. Pray they will be rooted and grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.

Papaya

2010-08-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

We are blessed to have so much good fresh fruit here in Cancun. This papaya popped up from a 3x5 foot pad of dirt in front of my mother-in-law's home. When I took this papaya off and cut it, it had this little plant already starting inside from one of the seeds. I thought it was amazing as well as beautiful! Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

Carlos Alfredo XV and Curt's gifts

2010-08-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

On August 7 we celebrated the XV birthday party de Carlos. We had the regular teen meeting first and then the carne asada y pastel up on the new porch.

Emmanuel plays the piano now at all the teen meetings.

Carlos and his parents up on the porch with the rest of the teens.

These are just some of the most beautiful flowers we have here. What I like about them is they don't need lots of attention!

A friend from the states sent a suitcase of tee shirts and ball caps to give out to the church folks here. it just so happened that the suitcase arrived just in time for the birthday party- so we thought it was appropriate that Carlos and his family and the rest of the folks get a hat- not really a "party hat" but in a way it was! This is Carlos' Dad.

David and Carlos.

The kids and I are taking an imaginary vacation through Mexico this summer. Each service we see something from one of the states in Mexico. Saltillo, Coahuila is well known for their sarapes, hence the picture. Sarapes de Saltillo

Kids in their new tee-shrits. Thank you Curt!

Sergio is in Heaven

2010-07-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

The young man Sergio that Marco went to visit on Sunday afternoon in the hospital died yesterday and today we went to the funeral and gathering at his families house. Any funeral is sad. His family doesn't know the Lord Jesus Christ, but they did ask Marco come preside at the funeral. The joy in our hearts is that Sergio did repent and believe the gospel in the hospital a few days before dying. Lord willing the family will come to church.

When we got back from the funeral, the teens were working like little ants all over the park cutting and raking grass. Our late Mayor of Cancun, "Greg" is now in jail. In spite of everything that landed him in jail, I can say that while he was in office we did have tidier parks. It appears as though we need to start cutting the grass again like we used to do.

My mother-in-law was outside in the shade of a tree enjoying all the activity. Today is her last full day here in Cancun. Lord willing, tomorrow Marco will take her to Ensenada to be with her other children for a time.

Things are always changing, but the blessed hope and assurance is in the Rock of Ages Who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Sunday Morning Service

2010-07-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Lately we have run into many different people who teach salvation by works. I am so thankful we are saved by grace alone. This morning Marco taught about our our inability to keep the law and the beauty of the new birth by faith alone. Romans 3!

A Dying Friend

2010-07-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Marco was called this afternoon to go visit a friend of a friend of a man in the church who is only 21 and dying in a hospital here in Cancun. Such a sad sight. Marco shared with him that his real problem is his sin, and God's Holy wrath not the frailty of his body. This young man prayed and repented in his bed. As always, God is the just judge and He knows those that are His. We trust this was a repentance unto salvation and not a repentance of this world that only produces death.

The Imperishable Seed

2010-07-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday a lady called us who had come to church and made a profession of faith 7 years ago. She said she would come to church Sunday night.

Tonight she came, with her beautiful unused Bible in her purse, sorrow in her heart and tears in her eyes. She again prayed with Marco and then we made agreements to start studying again on Wednesday mornings. The reality of whatever happened with her 7 years ago, or tonight, the Lord knows. But we are so thankful that we serve the King whose Word will go forth and do His will, that the Word is an imperishable seed that WILL grow!

Baptisms- May 16, 2010

2010-05-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Please pray that the ones who were baptized will live for the One who died and rose again for them.

Marco and Vicente squeezing out the baptismal robes.

Some of the church ladies visiting in the shade after the baptisms.

Teen Meetings- Saturdays 5-7PM

2010-05-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

We are thankful for Raul's work with and love for the teens in the church. There are quite a few each Saturday evening. They share blessings, sing and then Raul shares the Word. Afterward they usually go out to a park and play basketball, soccer or kickball.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is celebrated each May 10 here, but since it fell on Monday, we celebrated in the church on the 9th. There were 168 in attendance on Sunday! The Youth Pastor Raul and his family made Pozole (a pork soup that you add lettuce, radishes and onions to right before eating). The teens made coffee Frappes for the moms for desert that were a hit! This year was the first year we had air-conditioning in the church area for the service and all the celebration. We really enjoyed that!

This mother was the Mother with most "experience". (87 years worth! :) ) She also just happens to be Marco's mother.

This mother came the farthest and has the most children. (10!) She is pictured with her daughter Celia who comes to our church.

Of course each mother is the most loved and best in every way to their own children and husbands. Here are some of the other mothers and families that were here this past Sunday.

Please pray for us that we would be a holy church. Demonstrating fruit worthy of repentance and love to both members and visitors.

Children's Day 2010

2010-05-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here in Mexico Children's Day is celebrated on April 30. This year we took the children to the "End of the World" (and back). It is a 1.5 hour walk on the beach to a calm swimming hole and a rocky area that has a blow hole. Along the way the kids always find shells, broken pieces of sand dollars, sand cliffs to slide down or little lagoons of water to play in. The wind was so strong this year and the waves huge! There was so much wind when we first got out of the van to start walking- the sand was blowing against our faces and skin and actually hurt!

These are the children from the service each Thursday night in Playa del Carmen. What a blessing they too are hearing the Word of God. We pray they will one day be wise unto salvation.

Roberto Carlos Saved

2010-04-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

We have been praying for Roberto to be saved for quite some time, and this past Sunday evening he repented and came to the Lord. (This is last year's picture- but he is the smallest one on the far right). We are still praying for his father (on the far left with the blue shirt) to be saved.

Also taking this opportunity to remind you Tomas and Kleyni are getting married this August 14. (front and center- this picture was the day they announced their engagement).

Nacho and Eidy In Tabasco

2010-04-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Three young people have been saved recently in Tabasco. They had been coming to services and listening for some time, and now have made a decision to repent and believe the Gospel. Pray for these 3 to grow and bring forth fruit!

Some of the families who have been saved there have been rejected by their families and that has been difficult for them, but they are following Jesus Christ and not turning back.

Please pray for Eidy as she has lots of back pain. This is a problem she has had for years and now is taking a new medicine. Also her 2 girls have typhoid fever and are taking medicine. Apart from that, pray they will not grow weary in well doing.

Thank you!

Jose Saved

2010-04-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Jose is the nephew of a family who have been in the church for some time. They had been witnessing to him and just recently he came to church and believed. It is a blessing to see how God uses the testimony of the church folks. They witness and share what the Lord is doing in their lives with family and friends and through that many see Jesus and come to Him.

Last night he came to study with Marco and Lord wiling will continue every Monday evening.

Andres and Adrian Saved

2010-04-09T18:43:00.001-07:00

Adrian and Andres were both saved Wednesday evening at church. Adrian, pictured first, has family here at church. His mother, a brother and his family, but his own wife and children have not come yet.

Andres is our Youth Pastor's brother. He came here to Cancun to work and for the time is living with Raul and his family. Please pray that both of these men would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

10 People Baptized!

2010-03-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 28 Marco baptized 10 people who have been saved recently. 2 children, 6 teens and 2 adults. The Lord is so good!

Irma Saved!

2010-03-03T20:20:00.001-08:00

Irma was contacted through the Tianguis ministry and came to church tonight, Wednesday. She said she had been in a church for a while but never been saved, and that her sisters and family in her hometown had been praying for her. She came with her son and daughter-in-law and grandson tonight too and we pray they will all be back on Sunday.

Marco asked her if she had a Bible and she said yes, but that her glasses had just broken and she couldn't see the print to read. So Marco remembered we have a box of glasses various people have given us, so we got it out and she started trying on one and then another and another- she tried about 7 or 8 pairs and finally this purple pair did the trick and she started reading and read quite a passage right there on the spot. We pray she will read at home and grow in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sunday, Feb. 28,2010

2010-03-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is Edmundo and his family who have been coming since before Christmas. We thank the Lord that his 3 children and his mother have all been saved since coming. He and his wife are also helping out at the Tianguis passing out tracts.

Dani in stripes and Roberto in plaid. They caught my eye because Dani was giving the biggest, happiest bear hug I have EVER seen to little Roberto and between squeezes I heard him say, "I missed you at church this morning". I thought more of us should follow his example of love!

Yuli, Erica and her baby Lisset, and Celia (LR). Yuli and Celia and others at church have been helping Erica as she can't get around very much still. She has another appointment with the Dr on the 8th of March. Her knee is in a brace, but the wheelchair is because of her hip. She has been such a joy to be around and such a good testimony since the car accident on December 21. We pray she will heal properly and meanwhile, we thank the Lord for her good testimony!

Jazmin and her daughter Lauren. She has been here for about 3 or 4 years now in the church and ALWAYS has a smile for everyone! We thank the Lord for the work in her life.

Here is Marco's mom and new wheelchair friend! We have 2 wheelchairs in the church now- so wanted to get a picture with the famous two!

Tianguis Ministry

2010-02-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

The Lord is so good. All of us who are participating in this ministry are learning and being pressed to grow in our knowledge, and wisdom and love in sharing the truth. It has been a huge blessing for all of us. No one new has come to church or been saved, but we are just planting the seeds right now.

Today Marco bought a new table with a hole in the middle for an umbrella. We have a big beautiful yellow and white beach umbrella that we are going to put there and start using starting Monday. The great thing is we will 1) shade 2) have a higher place to hang pictures or signs on (on the umbrella) and it is pretty!

It is funny how we bought it with thoughts of lounging on the beach sipping sodas and eating potato chips underneath! (I still like those thoughts too : ) but I LOVE the new use for the umbrella so much more! Standing underneath it on a dusty road, sweating, and sharing the Way the Truth and the Life with our fellow man made in God's image!

Please pray for fruit that will remain!

Tianguis and Erica's Dr. Appointment

2010-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

TIANGUIS
Good news! Marco came back all fired up from witnessing in the Tianguis!!
Lord willing we will get a little shade area set up and our stuff from
flying away... And light at the night events. I think we are going to be going through lots more tracts than ever before now! Praise the Lord!

There is a weekly schedule where all the tianguis' are each week and once you pay the entrance fee and monthly fees you can go to all of them if you want.

ERICA
The Dr. said she has a fractured KNEE! They supposedly took X rays back on December 21 after the accident. But I suppose they just didn't catch it? That must be the reason it was swelling. Oh BOY!

So they took care of that and said that the hip is healing and she is allowed to sit now- not stand or walk. She is supposed to get a wheelchair to use and scoot around
in. This was a setback we were not expecting. So please pray for her that she will not faint in her mind.

Please pray for us.

Witnessing at the Tianguis

2010-02-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day of having a booth to share the gospel at a flea
market type event they do here in Cancun. There are different folks from
church that will be there each day.

Marco and I were scheduled to go today
but I woke up with no voice! So I am home and he went with the other
family.

Our Raul's wife Erica had a doctor's appointment today to see how her hip is
doing from the car accident on Dec 21. She had some swelling in her knees,
from lack of use and movement, which has now gone down through some
massaging. She has been in bed now for 5-6 weeks and ready to get up and
enjoy simple joys like taking a shower! Lord willing we will get some good
news from the Dr today.

Marco is looking into finding a new car for Raul now. He was looking at a
little Ford Ranger with double seats in the front to import from the US.
But then there was a minivan here that someone was offering at a good price.
For now 2 other families are loaning him their car to go to Bible studies
with the teens and all. Since our car is in my name and only has plates
from the US Raul can not use it.

We are also getting the Air-conditioner units put in the church today. It
has been cool so far, but when the heat starts we will need them.

Thank you again for your prayer for us and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Trip to Mission Churches- January 2010

2010-01-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

Marco and I visited 3 of the mission churches from Monday, January 11- Friday, January 22,2010. Here are some of the pictures from that trip. (Be warned -there are about 100!)
At each church the families wanted to see pictures of the friends and family back in Cancun, so at each stop, Marco took out the computer to show them pictures.

Grandma Martha and her daughter Glendy with her first baby Cristal.

Marco with Jose Luis and his family and also Miguel Angel who is there helping. Lucy is teaching the children and we pray she will be faithful in preparing and training the ones who come. Lucy and Wendy are both in the 10th grade.

Welcome to Tabasco.

Nacho with his family.

Brother Nacho and his family and one lady in the church named Martha. Martha was the first to come when Nacho first arrived in Tabasco and she is still there and by her speech and by the peace and joy she has even in tribulations her growth in Christ is evident.

Some of Eidy's chickens behind her house. One day Amairany brought me a just laid, brown little egg cupped tenderly in her hands. Never having grown up on a farm myself- or around chickens- it is just amazing to me!

The day were were there for services, Nacho asked me to play the piano- which I did- but as I sat down to play and began to play, I immediately noticed that quite a few notes were not working. I said something to that effect and one of the little boys there listening said, "When Julissa plays it sounds great". That was a kind reproof from his little mouth and I realized how thankful people are for whatever kind of music they have. Even if all the notes on the piano don't work.

On the same thought- Just this past Sunday we were talking to a family here in the church and mentioned something about how many churches in the US have soft padded pews, the wife said- "I would sit on a cement block to listen to the Word of God".

These are the ones who usually come to the service there in Tabasco with Nacho.

Children in the kids class. They really were respectful and listened well. After the lesson, some of the kids were trying to "confess" sins to me- I don't know if it is because they are used to "confessing" to a priest in other churches or what? But, it made me realize again how salvation is both "repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ". Acts 20:21 I pray that one day the kids will be "wise unto salvation".

Notice the milk jugs/cans on the side of each horse.

Amairany and I walked up the hill to her school and her friends came running out to greet her, I don't know why now Amairany was not in school, but anyhow the kids were out for recess and they came running and waving to her and then were holding hands and laughing and visiting the whole time we were there. The blessing is that she has been a good testimony and shares the truth with them.

A neighbor getting water from her well.

I forget- someone help me if you remember- this is a "bochimobile"?? A taxi of sorts they use there in this area.

Martha from Nacho's church there in the library in her town where she works.

Cedar wood drying.

The children who come to church stop by and visit quite often. I liked how this one was outside the house, but inside the curtain and window! : )

Amairany playing back hymns for me in English so I can tell her the words. She and Eidy seem to be quick to remember the English they hear.

Eidy taking taking in her laundry. Someone had sent her sheets and towels for which she was grateful.

Nacho has put his office area for study and all right in the auditorium of the church. He keeps it so neat, I wanted everyone to see. Brother Jose Luis has done the same in Becal and it seems like a practical way to go considering the space and all available.

Julissa brought the piano over to he house since Marco and Nacho were studying in the church area. She practiced quite a few hours that day. She said it was one of her New Years resolutions this year- to practice piano more. : ) Later Marco came back and was singing along with her.

Ladies Bible Study. They have men's and ladies Bible study each Thursday at 6PM.

Coffee and animal crackers afterwards. Nacho and Eidy have been demonstrated much hospitality to man people through the years. They are thankful to you who have given them pots and pans, dishes and mugs, silverware and tablecloths. They are getting good use! : )

Diego is the neighbor boy who started coming to the children's class more than a year ago.

He lives in this house, right next to the church. He would come to services and his parents would just listen from their windows. As you can see the windows of the church and their home windows are very close. Nacho and Eidy visited quite a bit with the parents and after quite a while they came too and were saved.

These are his parents who were saved. At the ladies Bible study, the mom shared a blessing and also asked for us to remember to pray for the people in Haiti who has suffered losses in the earthquake. And for them to hear the gospel. It was touching to me to see where she lives, and how little she has, but concerned for those who have even less now in Haiti.

These are 2 children who started coming and now their parents have both believed and been saved.

These are the parents and older sister of of Leandro and Marisol pictured above. The children also came fist and now the parents and were saved.

This whopping bridge leads into some nearby towns. There is a lot of drilling for petroleum in this area.

Leaving their town at 7AM we passed 2 groups of cattle and horses. Again, as I didn't grow up with this- it is just like out of the movies for me! I am used to seeing yellow school buses and minivans.

We are headed out to the federal highway now. Leaving the hour and a half drive on this "side road" to their town. We thought we smelled and heard something strange in the car SO Marco got out to check. Since we had been admiring the canopy of tree branches over the road, I hopped out to try to get a pic, but by now the canopy was not as full as it was a little bit farther back... next time I'll get a better pic! : ) It turns out the smell was antifreeze dripping and the sound finally faded out. We are thankful that in driving so many miles the Lord kept us safe and we did get home again safe and sound.

Welcome to Chiapas!

Ciro and his wife Dolores and their daughter Odalis.

Tono and Karina and their new baby Yohany Julibeth.

When we were there 2 sets of glad parents dedicated their children to the Lord. Of course we know this is really parents dedicating themselves to train their children to walk in the Lord's ways. Here are Tono and Karina with their baby again.

Marco with the 2 babies in his arms. The boy is Urias Magdiel, first son of Ciro's nephew Jose Alfredo and wife Isela. Just about 1 year ago, we went to Chiapas with George and Marilyn Jensen and Marco performed the wedding ceremony.

I may be partial... but I think the best looking one in the picture is my husband,Marco A. Nunez Sr. : )

Here is Urias Magdiel with his parents and grandmother. The grandmother is Candelaria, Ciro's sister.

Ciro with Urias. This picture reminds me so much of the time Ciro played Simeon in the Christmas play when he was still here in Cancun. His words as he took the baby Jesus in his hands were the words of Simeon in Luke 2, "Ahora, Señor, despides a tu siervo en paz, Conforme a tu palabra; Porque han visto mis ojos tu salvación".

Urias alone.

With Grandma.

Yohany in Grandma's arms with Dad in the background.

Yohany in pink! The Lord provided clothes and all sorts of gifts through the kindness of the people in the small town where little Yohany was born.

Dolores washes dishes here. It never ceases to amaze me, the outdoor washing area is beautiful!

Marco with some children after church.

Kids in the class. We pray they will one day understand and love the truth. Karina has done a wonderful job teaching those who come to services.

Men praying before the church service.

Men practicing the guitar and sharing tunes. The little neighbor boy just wandered in and sat down with them. They usually come over for services when they hear the music, but since they were playing and singing, he must have thought it was time!

Ciro's mother who needs someone with her all the time now. The little puppy went from person to person and Ciro's mom was the one who showed the most interest in playing.

About 8 years ago a friend gave about 50 tee shirts to the church folks in Cancun. Ciro and Jose Alfredo were both there at that time, and STILL have their shirts! They look great- although they are starting to show signs of use and a few little holes. They were commenting on how long they lasted while peeling peanuts, Thank you Curt!

One day we went to a local park. It boasts 3 streams, 3 rivers and 44 lagoons, at least one waterfall and Mayan ruins. It really is beautiful- more than beautiful- almost unreal the water is so clear and such amazing colors. We didn't swim today- only Tono got in... but on other occasions we have. They do report seeing crocodiles though, so you have to beware.

Dolores

Dolores and Margarita, mother of Tono and Karina respectively.

Margarita holding up a cedar tree.

Seeds from a cedar tree.

On our way home from our day trip to the park and Guatemala, we stopped here to buy a chicken on the grill. The clay pot on the grill is full of beans.

Candelaria again with her little grandbaby Urias.

Nacho and his family came out to say hello and bring a table they had built for the church in Cancun on our way home.

On the way back to Cancun we stopped by to see Jose Luis again and pick up a podium to take to the mission in Vallodolid.

Sunday Night

2010-01-10T20:02:00.001-08:00

Christmas and Construction

2010-01-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas Celebrations are over now and the main part of the construction is too! We had about 180 people at church the night of the Christmas play and MOST of them fit inside. Here are the pictures you can see for yourself. The whole downstairs is now covered with a real roof which forms a huge patio upstairs. We put some built-in cement benches up there for gatherings and now all we need is to install the air-conditioners when hot weather comes.

Thank you for all of you who helped and gave money and prayed for us- The Lord is always good and we are thankful that His loving kindness extends to even us.

This first picture is an area that we had already used as "auditorium" but it had a tarp on top- it was as hot as sitting in a closed Tupperware in the sun during the hot months. : ) Now it has a cement roof with 6 small glass squares to let some sunlight through. this area will now be air conditioned in hot months- March- November- or as needed.

This is the area where we gained the most seating and moved the piano into. For you who have been here before- it used to be the spot for the plants and grill and big trashcan. Now it is also covered and will be air conditioned in the hot months.

Here we are looking into the church area from the road. This is what is on the other side of the podium. Marco puts the podium in the middle and this is to his left as he preaches. The window in the back with the yellow curtain is the children's room where we take the kids for class after we all sing and review our verses together with the adults.

This is half of the patio that was left on top. You can see those little glass skylight blocks here.

Thank you for your prayers for us. May the Lord bless you and keep you this year of 2010!

Raul's family in a car accident

2009-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 21, Raul and his family set out to visit Brother Ciro and his church for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year's vacations. After having passed Palenque and heading toward Ocosingo, Chiapas they had a head on collision with an 18 wheeler truck. The ones who saw it said it was a miracle they were alive.

Right now, Raul, Erica and the baby Lisset are on their way back to Cancun in transportation provided by the insurance company. Erica seems to have gotten the worst of it. She had the baby in her arms and when she saw the truck coming, she leaned down and covered the baby with her head and arms, and broke the windshield with her head. She has some stitches to her head and also a fissure in her hip. She needs to be on her back for 2 months for it to heal and not break.

They had also taken Jorge Luis- one of the teens with them and he has a broken nose and they had to operate as his nasal passage was off and he was not able to breathe properly.

Thank you for praying. Lord willing they will be back tomorrow morning and continue to heal.

Restoring Cancun Beaches

2009-11-30T12:17:00.001-08:00

After Hurricane Wilma, much of the sand on Cancun's beaches was swept out to sea. They tried recuperating the beaches right after the hurricane but only put 8 meters of "beach" and it was soon gone again. Now they again have a company pumping sand out of the ocean and onto the beach area. This time they are planning on adding 70 meters with the expectation that 30 will be swept out again, but they SHOULD still have some left. (40 meters) They are also adding a cement wall in the ocean to try to stop some of the water from doing what it normally does.

You can see the orange plastic fence there, That is where the land ended before. The waves crashed against these walls to the hotels.

Of course all the hotels didn't have this much work to be done, but this is in front of the Hyatt where Marco and I were married 12 years ago.

It certainly is impressive to see these machines and pipes working together, but more impressive realizing the extent of God's power when God questioned Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." Then later reference to the sea and its boundaries, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" These men with hours of work and millions of dollars and lots of headaches are moving sand, but God stopping the sea with just his WORD!

Enclosure- November 30,2009

2009-11-30T12:08:00.001-08:00

We added the one window in the church area that actually opens. Raul, Tomas and Vicente hammered and cut the cement wall out in the size of the window first.

Miguel Angel came and finished off the edges neatly with new cement and then the window guys came to install it. They had to wait til the next day though, until the cement was dry.

Azael, from the church who does iron work made a protector and put it up on the inside of the window. It lets in so much light and enough air to dry the floor after mopping. The church is cooled by the air conditioners though, not the window.

Enclosure- November 24, 2009

2009-11-24T09:12:00.001-08:00

This is how the church looks right now. The tarp that was there covering part of the open area is gone and now it is a cement roof. We are going to make a window in the front and still have to finish the inside and the top of the roof area.

Baptisms- November 15, 2009

2009-11-18T12:03:00.003-08:00

LR Rodolfo, Irma, (Marco), Marynay, and Laura. What a blessing these folks have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. That He died for their sins, was buried and rose again and want to identify with Him publicly. Marynay went back to her hometown in Tabasco this past Monday, but she left behind two of her grown children who used to come to church when they were young. Pray the children will come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was cold here today! After the baptisms there were only a few brave souls... all children! that got in to swim. The rest of us all visited on the beach.

Typical sight here, selling cotton candy on the beach in the day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-18T11:35:00.001-08:00

Here in Mexico the fourth Thursday in November is not a Holiday, but we want to say Happy Thanksgiving to you anyhow and thank the Lord for His wonderful goodness!

We are finishing up the work on the addition/enclosure of the church area. Work is going slower now since it is volunteered time and not all day workers. We thank the Lord for men who are giving of their skills in this way.

Most of all we are thankful for the spiritual house being built in many places where the gospel is preached. The Lord is so merciful to have taken us out of sin- and having put us in the light of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. We thank the Lord He has forgiven us all our sins, not because of what we have done, but because of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection the third day.

Salvations- November 8,2009

2009-11-13T05:06:00.001-08:00

Irma is a friend of one of the ladies in the church. By hearing the Word and the Holy Spirit's work, she finally came to church and was saved. She is having some health problems with her kidneys, and would appreciate prayer on that.

Rodolfo is a man we have known for some time now and he has finally come to church and also been saved. Men in the church had shared the gospel with him before he ever came, and we thank the Lord he has now turned from his own way and to Jesus. He has been coming and helping on the construction work here at the church as well.

Maryney is a relative of a church family who came to visit from another state and was saved. She will be going back to her home in a couple of weeks, we pray she will find a good church to grow in where she is from.

The Lord is good- He knows those that are His and let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Church Addition- November 3, 2009

2009-11-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

Ramiro was saved about 9 years ago now and has a good testimony here in the church. He has helped find construction jobs for lots of men in the church which has been a blessing for many. Recently he has been sending some of his men to work on the church during the day and he has been helping as he can when he finishes work in the evening.

Miguel Angel has been so faithful helping in so many projects around the church. It is great to have someone who knows "HOW TO..."

Pambazos for dinner. I am not the expert on them but I think they came out pretty well. If anyone has info on a better way to make them, just let me know! : ) These were potatoes, onions and chorizo fried up together. Put a dollop inside a hard roll. Dip the whole "sandwich" in chili sauce and fry it lightly and then add lettuce, cream and cheese on the inside.

Christian and Ramiro.

Enrique, Miguel Angel and Marco.

Brother Raul is the youth pastor who has been helping out with the building as he can. The teens are on the "clean up" crew every Saturday night. It is a blessing that they always set up the chairs and do a quick cleaning after the teen meeting on Saturday afternoon. Now that we have been doing this construction, there is so much more to clean each Saturday night but they still clean up and everything looks neat again for Sunday services.

Our black fan. At least it used to be black...

Hebreos 3:4 Porque toda casa es hecha por alguno; pero el que hizo todas las cosas es Dios.

Every house is built by some man, but He who built all things is the Lord.

Church Addition- October 24, 2009

2009-10-28T10:50:00.001-07:00

Top view of the roof- ready to pour the cement.

Underside, or inside view of the roof- ready to pour the cement.

The four brothers from Chemax were here in the day preparing everything so they could pour the concrete roof. Raul and Tomas helped and then about 5PM some more men came to help and finally by around 8PM when they finished there were about 15 men!

Building projects often seem to take more time, and more money than expected... that is what we are experiencing here. If anyone would be inclined to help- we thank you.

The next day this is how the roof looked on the top. Lord willing we can keep it as a sort of patio area.

Church Addition- October 23

2009-10-28T10:24:00.001-07:00

One man saved in Tabasco

2009-10-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Brother Nacho called this week to say that the father of one of the teens in the church had been saved, called out of the darkness and into Christ's marvelous light. Today, Oct 28, is Nacho's birthday too- what a blessing!

Church Addition- October 19, 2009

2009-10-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

We missed a couple days... or 10 days in updating the pictures. But today they are actually closing in the roof- so you can't see the sky anymore... so I needed to get current on the pictures. These are how it was as of yesterday, Monday, October 19. In a couple of hours we will take new pictures so you can see how it actually looks "closed in".

2 People saved in Becal

2009-10-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Jose Luis in Becal called and told us his aunt was saved and also a man who started coming to church. Please pray they will grow in the Lord.

Church Addition- October 8, 2009

2009-10-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

These are the "Famous Four" from Chemax. They are doing most of the work here at the church as far as the new roof project goes. More than the building, we are thankful for the work the Lord is doing in their lives and pray they will grow more and more in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. LR Silvano, Ignacio, Agustin, and Paulino.

Having taken down the tarp, now they need to get the base down.

Here you see the backs of Marco, on the step stool, Raul and then Vicente. They were working on getting this base down. Marco said as they were hoisting it up to the roof- it was quite a sight and thankful it made it all the way up to the top without incident! Praise the Lord!
This skeleton for the tarp they are taking down has served us well for...11 years in the church- giving us shade from the sun, keeping us dry in the rain. It even came through Hurricane Wilma 3 years ago without a scratch! But there is a time for everything- and it is time now to take it down. It was quite a bit of work. After it was down- they hoisted it up on the roof to keep til we can get it to Pascual at his church to use for the same as we did.

I think men the world over build their own little work horses like this one- My dad used to have these around when he was working- and I didn't see them bring it- they must have just put it together to have a work space.

Teamwork 1- Starting with this picture is a series of 4 pics of the men bending some steel bars to make the base for cement columns. It is impressive to watch the teamwork they have going and repetitive movements- like knitting for a woman, making the same stitch over and over- but this is bending and wrapping steel bars, not yarn.
Notice the bar laying on the ground,in the next pic you will see they have covered it with another hollow bar so they can get leverage on it and pull it up- or bend it.

Teamwork 2
See how they covered that bar on the ground with something bigger? To get leverage on it.

Teamwork 3

Teamwork 4

This is the kind of note we like to find when we come out of the house in the morning! : ) Gracias Ana Bertha C!

This is the first time in a long time we have seen the front of the house how it was when we first bought it- without the tarp on to cover more area for the church. Now -praise the Lord- we are able to put a more permanent roof on!

All that bending of the bars has paid off- this is for one column.

Raul took us to Playa del Carmen for the service tonight. The regular family was there with one other lady who comes, and one teenage friend of the girls from school and 3 children they take care of. The Lord is good and I am so glad we have His Word!

Church Addition- October 7, 2009

2009-10-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is part of the area in construction. Lord willing the roof will add 40-50 new spaces for seating and allow us to air-condition the area. You can see that it is opened to the sun (or rain) now, and during services, we put benches for kids when it is crowded.

They have to add columns to support the new roof, so they are digging 4 deep holes. They started to find foam down there in one and and thought maybe it was from the ocean, but we are not sure why. Then it rained and added about a foot of water in the holes. I am glad they know what they are doing. It would have taken me an eternity to dig these holes and not break the pipes and all that they go around so nicely, or lift the dirt OUT of there!

Getting rid of everything they dug out of the holes.

I am always amazed to see how these men take their hammocks with them on work trips and manage to hang them anywhere! Even if there are no hooks in the wall, or trees nearby, the engineer some way to get them to hang so they can sleep in their own bed no matter where they are! We "gringos" take our pillow, they take their whole bed! : )

Addition Started- October 5, 2009

2009-10-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

What a blessing! The permission to close in the church area has been approved and will add seating for about 40-50 people. 4 of Brother Pascual's brothers came to build and before they can actually do the roofing in, they have to bang and dig spaces to put new columns into hold the roof. Today was dedicated to banging and digging. It is amazing to see down there under our house! We will post more about the building as they go!

Salvations! October 4, 2009

2009-10-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

A brother and sister were saved yesterday- October 4. They are both teens who started coming with their parents recently. Their parents have been Christians for quite some time now and we pray they will all grow together. Please pray for them as you think of them.

Baptisms- September 20, 2009

2009-09-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Baptism Sundays are times of rejoicing! We gather for the regular service and then eat together, clean up and visit together, then go to the beach and sing and share the Word and baptize the ones who have been saved. It hasn't rained here in Cancun for about 3 months... but this Sunday after the meal, just as we were getting ready to pile into the cars to go for the baptisms... it rained! But we just waited it out and went anyway. Even though it was cloudy outside we had sunshine in our hearts!

Angeles started coming to church here with a friend from work and by hearing the Word, she has believed that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and has believed on Him to be saved and wanted now to identify with Him baptism. She works at the front desk in one of the hotels here in Cancun.

Rebeca had been saved in another church but had been away for some time and then began coming here with her cousins and wanted to be baptized and identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She is in college studying business administration.

David began memorizing verses with his mother and told his mother he was afraid God wouldn't like what He found in his heart. He began to have a dread and sense of sin and soon after realized that Jesus paid for his sin on the cross and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Arnulfo's daughter was first saved, and then another daughter, and then his wife, and now he has believed. He is a Taxi driver and has recently been having lots of eye problems. They think it is glaucoma but are still doing tests. He is studying with Marco and we are so thankful he is now part of the family of God.

Daniel is in 3rd grade and has been coming since he was tiny. He has heard the gospel and now believed. His mother and brother and grandmother are also believers.

Rogelio is in 7th grade and has been coming with his family since he was small, but recently believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed Him publicly. It is a blessing to see children who have grown up and heard the gospel in their homes and church, and now believe.

Bety, pictured here, and the next 3 pictures after her, are all folks who live in Valladolid are all relatives of a family in the Cancun church. They witnessed to them, and they also came to services here when they were in Cancun, and have been saved. Since their salvation, have been attending the mission church there, but since we don't have a pastor for that congregation yet- they came here to be baptized. Bety was saved about a year ago here in Cancun.

Anahi is in 7th grade and has come to services off and on with her aunt here in Cancun, but is now living in Valladolid with another aunt.

Joshua is also from Valladolid and has been attending services there. He and Anahi are also having Bible studies with Brother Pascual who pastors the Chemax church, about 30 minutes from their town of Valladolid.

Elsie is Joshua's mother and was also saved here in Cancun and is attending the Thursday evening services in Valladolid.

The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever! We are so thankful we know Him!

Independence Day Parade- September 16,2009

2009-09-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Next year Mexico will be celebrating 200 years of Independence. Each year on September 15th at midnight they have "El Grito". That is when they remember that Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bell and called the people to organize and start to work toward independence. The next morning, the 16th of September there is always a parade with bands and school children and all. Irving, one of the teens from our church was in the parade this year, he is in the last picture. (The third row from the front, the next to the last one in his row.) When Marco was growing up in Mexico City, he carried the flag for his school so he especially likes to go to the parades.

Rogelio Saved

2009-09-06T20:18:00.001-07:00

Last night at the teen meeting, Rogelio who is in 7th grade, talked to Pastor and told him he wanted to be saved. He and Marco talked and Rogelio gave good testimony of understanding that he is a sinner and that Jesus paid the fine for his sins on the cross.

He has been coming to church for the last... 8 years and it truly is a blessing to see how the Word of God works and brings conviction of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. His parents were saved about 8 years ago, when the family first started coming and Rogelio is the youngest in their family to be saved. The little girl in the picture is Rogelio's niece, who Lord willing will one day be saved as well.

Daniel Saved

2009-09-06T20:08:00.001-07:00

Daniel is in third grade now and has been coming to church since he was... 3 years old I think. He has certainly heard the truth at home, from his Grandmother Margarita and his Mother Eneyda, and he has heard the truth here at church as well, and now the Lord has opened his heart and he is a new creature in Christ.

The first picture is his father's day picture for his father and the second one is just a fun one of him, flopped into the water with other kids from church, the day we walked to the "End of the World". We are so glad that Jesus accepts, and wants even children to come to Him!

Tomas and Kleyni Englaged

2009-09-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Tomas and Kleyni have been good friends for about a year and a half and now have been engaged and wanted to make it formal with their family here at the church, so last night we all got together. Marco shared some verses from the Bible and then Tomas and later Kleyni shared how the Lord has worked in their hearts to be saved and also to meet each other and that they plan on marrying next October, Lord willing. Later some of the family shared some words and then we ate some delicious tamales that the moms and Margarita made that day!

Tomas had his family here for the official event and we pray they will continue coming to services when they are in the area.

Kleyni's family. Kleyni is the oldest of 5 children in her family. When they first started coming to church they kids were out in the streets at night and headed the wrong way. But the Lord has saved them and it is a blessing to see them grow in the Lord and be faithful in services and to the Lord. All of them were able to go on the mission trip recently and 2 of them are helping Tomas now with regular Saturday Bible clubs.

Margarita and her grandson Daniel. They are neighbors of Kleyni's family and it was through Margarita's daughter's invitation that Kleyni started coming to church and then was saved. First she came to the teen meeting and then to services. The Lord is so good!

Miguel to Becal

2009-08-28T11:01:00.001-07:00

Early on Tuesday morning, August 25, Miguel (in the striped shirt) and Marco (not pictured) set out for the trip to Becal, Campeche, Miguel's new place of ministry. The van was pre-packed with all his belongings and his mom and brother who had come to visit. His mom and brother are believers and attend Jose Luis's church. His brother had a bad accident on a motorcycle about 2 years ago now and still uses a cane from it, but it is a blessing he can walk. It was in the time after the accident that Miguel visited him and shared the gospel and his brother was saved.

Arriving in Becal, Jose Luis was there to help unpack. Miguel will be living in his mother's home with his mother and brother.

Jose Luis and Martha with their oldest daughter who is now married and has one baby girl. Jose Luis's other two daughters Wendy and Lucy (not pictured) are both starting High School this year. Wendy who is the older of the 2, stayed out 2 years and studied in a beauty school and now has her own little "hair salon" at their house.

It is always a blessing to see how excited Jose Luis is about the Lord's work. Please pray for Martha, she is having lots of health problems now.

A lady saved in Valladolid

2009-08-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Last night at the service in Valladolid a grandmother of one of the children who has been coming was saved. Felipe and Jazmin are going there each Thursday evening for services and Lord willing a church will spring up there!

Marco and I were in Playa del Carmen and the one family who comes was there and we had a good study.

2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Pictures from the teen mission trip

2009-08-25T17:48:00.001-07:00

Kids in the Tabasco group.

Brother PAscual and his family. He is the pastor in Chemax. 30 minutes away is the Valladolid mission.

David saved

2009-08-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

David is a 3rd grade boy who started coming with his parents about a year ago. He was a challenge at first as far as behaving in class and even in church here. Praise the Lord he has really been memorizing his verses for class. A while back when he was memorizing Psalms 139:2324 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. He told his mom he was scared, because when God saw what was in his heart he would be in trouble. I thought GREAT! Without a sense of sin- a guilt before God- no one CAN be saved! This past Sunday morning he told me after we all ate together that he wanted to accept Jesus. I asked him what that meant and he understood exactly that Jesus paid for His sin. He believed in his heart and that evening he prayed with Marco and confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus!

It is amazing how God works and we are glad to be here sharing the living Word! There is NOTHING else we would rather be doing. : )

Here he is in yellow with his parents the day they were married.

This past week at a glance

2009-08-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

This Sunday evening we had a going away party after church for Miguel. He has been in training with Marco for 3 years and is now going as an intern with Jose Luis in Becal, Campeche. Lord willing we will take him and his things to Becal this Tuesday, August 25.

It was good to be in church today- Marco preached in part about laziness- especially in spiritual disciplines and various people commented about it that it was of blessing and conviction to them.

In the children's class some new children attending, which is a blessing so they can learn the truth... but it also takes some time to get them all used to the class order. One family of 4 children are coming- Abby is the oldest in 6th grade, then Oscar and Manuel and little Sandra. Their parents don't come, but we pray the children will become wise unto salvation.

On Tuesday we were swimming and Marco accidentally swallowed a big gulp of salt water, kept getting hit with waves, couldn't find a place to put his feet and actually thought it was the end for him. His nephew tried to get him out, but couldn't and then he called for 2 other men and they pulled Marco out of the water. Marco later said in spite of thoughts of drowning, and the discomfort of getting thrashed around in the water he was completely peaceful in his inner man and ready to go to heaven if it were time to go. When the two men pulled him out and he was on the shore he just fell down weak and rested for a bit. He is fine, and thankful to be alive!

Pictures of the grandbabies

2009-08-11T14:14:00.001-07:00

Kaiden Diane Nunez with Grandpa

Asher Aurelio Nunez with Grandpa

Brother Nacho and his family coming to Cancun for 4 days

2009-08-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Nacho's mother-in-law who lives here in Cancun is very ill and has been in the hospital, so they are coming tonight and will be arriving here Lord willing tomorrow morning. Pray for safety as they travel and for Eidy's mother's salvation.

Teen Mission Trip

2009-08-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Today one man was saved. He is the friend of a family who comes and Lord willing he will grow and bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. Tomorrow he is scheduled to study with Marco, so we can pray for him. His name is Juan Carlos.

We had a good first Sunday back after our 6 day trip to visit family.

5 of the teens who went on the mission trip gave a testimonies this AM in church. Various of the teens mentioned how the families who have gone out (the pastor's and their families) are "serving the Lord with joy". That is something I notice too whenever we go out to see them. It seems like they truly ENJOY what they are doing. There may be few in the churches, few who have been saved- but they MUST have their eyes on Jesus- because they have joy!

Their parents have also told me that they see their teen more interested in studying the Bible now. They all HAD to do certain reading to go- but now they seem to be reading with more interest and even sharing what they read with their parents.

Teens Back - Marco and Gwendolyn Back

2009-08-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

The teens got back Monday evening around 8PM and the one thing they were all amazed about on returning is that none of them watched TV all week long... and no one missed it! I have yet to hear the details since we left on Monday around 4PM for a 6 day trip to visit the grandbabies on Marco's side of the family in DC and Gwendolyn's family in NY.

We arrived safe and sound today, Saturday the 8th of Aug, minus all our luggage. The good news is I don't have to unpack or do laundry since the luggage didn't arrive!
: ) And it should get here tomorrow!

What a blessing to have a home and a ministry and food and friends and family and the sure hope of heaven. Every good gift certainly is from above and we are THANKFUL for His WONDERFUL goodness to the children of men, and to US!

Mission Trip Change- From the Lord

2009-07-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Original schedule for the trip was:
Chemax- Mon -Tues
Becal- Tues - Thurs
Tabasco- Thurs- Mon
Arrive back in Cancun- Monday evening

Tuesday morning Marco got a call from Jose Luis in Becal and his father is very ill, they think he may soon die. From what we understand the father is staying with Jose Luis now and he thought it wise if the group of 20 from our church do NOT go there at this time.

So, Raul and Pascual back in Chemax have planned to take the kids and have a day of classes in Valladolid. Valladolid is the larger city about 30 minutes from Chemax where Pascual and Felipe have been going out to have services every Thursday for some time now. One of our church members has much family in Vallodolid she has been sharing the gospel with- so this is a good opportunity to share again.

They will continue on to Tabasco as planned on Thursday morning Lord willing.

For the Glory and Honor of God- July 2009

2009-07-27T08:20:00.001-07:00

Sunday evening before the mission team left we had the group go to the front of the church and we prayed for them. They are going in the strength of the Lord and only for His glory and honor.

Leaving at 8AM Monday, July 27.

???Where are those kids going???

The Youth Pastor Raul and his family are leading the trip.

Getting ready for the Mission trip- July 2009

2009-07-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

This year the teens from our church are going out to share the gospel in 3 of the mission churches that were started from our church. First they will visit
Brother Pascual in his church in Chemax, Yucatan then to
Brother Jose Luis in Becal, Campeche and lastly to
Brother Nacho in Limbano, Tabasco.

Most of the kids who are going have been here in the church since their elementary years, so it has been a big blessing for us to see them grow nad learn the Word and now be going out to share it in another place.

They had to fulfill certain requirements to be able to go, some of which were, read the Bible daily, memorize about 50 verses, not fail any classes at school, come to all the services and meetings at church, go on visitation every week, and have a good report and permission from their parents.

We ended up with 16 who are going.

Here are some pictures as they were preparing to go.

Miguel, Tomas and Raul cutting cardboard for the songs and verses.

Josue, Ismael, Carlos and David working on the puppet dialogue.

Yendi and Erika choosing pictures for the songs and verses.

Carolina painting cardboard to get it ready for songs and verses.

Ismael and David working on the puppet story.

Cristi working on pictures for songs.

Carolina working on songs.

Paty working on songs.

Baptisms- July 21,2009

2009-07-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

5 folks were baptized July 21.
Candida- Mother of 2 boys who have come to church about 2 yrs more than here- but recently she was saved and now baptized. We are praying her husband Bernardo will also be saved.
Luis and Cristi A brother and sister who are 18 and 19 years old who had come to church for about a year as children and then left and have now returned and been saved and baptized.
Adrian- A boy in 4th grade who is very tender to things of the Lord. His mom said that he is faithful in waking up and reading his Bible for the day and then continuing on with his other activities.
Jose Luis- a father who drives a bus, but was recently out of work for quite a time. Now he is back working again.

We thank the Lord that these folks have followed the Lord in baptism and we pray they will continue to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ until He returns.

The pictures all came out like this one-so I am only including one pic! I am not sure what setting it was on but we'll try not to do it again!

July 2009 Graduations

2009-07-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

School was officially out here in Cancun on July 10. Today, Sunday the 12th was our graduation Sunday. We had 2 graduate from 12th grade, 2 from 9th grade and 6 from 6th grade.

Thalia just finished high school and is planning on going to college.

David just finished 9th grade.

Rogelio just finished 6th grade.

Emmanuel is the Youth Pastor Raul's son and had all "10's" on his report card for all of his elementary years.

LR Lupita, Roni, Alfredo, Rogelio, Emmanuel and Roberto Carlos in the back row, all graduated from 6th grade.
LR in the front are David from 9th, Pedro from 12th, an empty chair for Cecilia from 9th and then Thalia from 12th.
The Lord is so good and we are thankful to see children growing up and learning of the Lord, being saved and continuing on with their studies.

Marco's Birthday

2009-07-12T19:42:00.000-07:00

The church folks helped Marco celebrate his 64th birthday! We are thankful the Lord has given him many years to serve the Lord and enjoy His goodness. The church folks surprised him with a party after church on Wednesday evening, July 8! But... we didn't even get one picture.

Maybe next year. : )

We also had a HUGE surprise flower arrangement arrive at the house for our anniversary and birthdays recently. Thank you!

Cooler Church Building!

2009-05-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

Recently we have 3 additions/changed that have cooled our building considerably!

1) 2 coats of paint on the sunroof! For the last 11 years we have lived in this house/church that has a glass "greenhouse" type roof on one whole room that extends from the ground level to the second floor. It acts as a gigantic heater that would be a great greenhouse- but considering we already have 95 degree temperatures, we finally realized that simply painting it would cause that whole area to be shaded! Shade, as you know, is a great cooling device and consequently, we have a much cooler house!

2) Opened door leading to the roof. Old castles always had high windows which cause an upward draft of air. Since warm air rises naturally, it goes up and causes a little draft! Every morning we go upstairs and simply OPEN the door leading to the roof and it actually makes a tiny breeze in the kitchen 2 floors below!

3) Air conditioner with a 3 ton compressor and 3 blowers in the auditorium area of the church. We turn it on for services and close what doors we can to get the air to stay in the church area, and it actually makes it very pleasant. We ONLY turn it on for the church hours on Sunday morning and night and Wednesday evening, since that is when it is crowded and hottest! This addition has proved to make a big difference when we have the 130 or so people in the house.

We are so thankful for the Lord's kindness to us in cooling the building somewhat. We are still praying about the permission to enclose it completely downstairs.

What a JOY to know the TRUTH!

2009-05-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

It is always a blessing to hear the Word preached and to see it lived out in peoples lives. We are so thankful to know the TRUTH! As believers we really do have abundant life!

Salvations!

2009-05-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday morning Arnulfo was saved. He and his wife have been coming for about a year and been saved, but now he has obeyed the gospel. Please pray for him as he studies and grows in the Word.

Sunday evening a young boy named Adrian was saved. He is pictured here in the middle. His family all comes to church and his parents are both believers. His mom said that for quite some time he has been asking lots about being saved. In the children's class at church he often has questions about the story, or comments that let youknow he is really thinking about what is being said.

Tonight, Wednesday, May 20, Ana Cristina and Candy were saved. Candy, on the left, has 2 sons who have been coming to church for 2 years or more, and more recently she started coming. Ana Cristina came as a child and then her family left and now they are back again. Her mother was saved first, and then her brother and now she has repented of sin and put her faith in Jesus Christ.

Please pray for all of these folks whose hearts the Lord has opened. Pray they will have healthy spiritual growth and bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mother's Day, May 10, 2009

2009-05-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

Like you all, we celebrated Mother's Day here. We had our regular service first and then we had carne asada and frijoles charros, salsas and aguas and gifts for the moms. Then after cleaning up we had the evening service and each one to his home to pamper his mother.

Marco's mother. She won for being the oldest mom! 86 years!!! She will be celebrating 87 this month. With all our gifts from the teens, children and Isabel! Thank you!

Mago- partly hidden, Genoveva and Jose Luis

Thank you Dads, teens and kids who helped cook!

Thank you for the new chairs!

2009-05-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

The Lord has provided for 51 chairs so far! Thank you for your gifts and prayers about this. We are still waiting to see if we can get permission to close the church in and put air conditioning in.

Salvations

2009-05-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than for a person to turn from his sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are glad that recently some folks have been saved here. Others have been saved as well but we don't have pictures of all of them.

Francisco has moved here from Tabasco and has been coming to church with his Aunt and Uncle.

Luis came as a child with his mother and sister and then they left for about 10 years. They have been back since December and his mom has also been saved.

Angeles worked with Eliud who witnessed to her and then she started visiting us here and recently she was saved.

Please pray for these and others who have made professions. That they would really desire the Word and grow. We are so glad that salvation is God's work and we just need to be faithful to announce the truth.

El Fin del Mundo- 25 de Abril, 2009

2009-05-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

El Fin del Mundo means "The End of the World". Marco and I like to walk on the beach- and one time, by pure accident we "found" this spot almost at the end of the hotel zone here in Cancun, we lovingly named it "The End of the World" and has since been one of my favorite destinations with kids, visitors from the states, or Marco.

This year we went in honor of Children's Day, which is celebrated April 30 here in Mexico.

This first picture is when we were just setting out. We all had "provisions" for one day and were set to walk from this point where we are pictured, to the very tip of land you can see- THAT is the "Fin del Mundo".

What a blessing to have these children to teach and guide for years in church and see them grow. Little Oscar is the closest in the picture. Behind him is Danny, then Roberto Santiago and last is Joseph. Joseph brought 2 bags full- it seemed with water/beach toys. They turned out to be fun to play with and not so much fun to carry. The bags broke and we had to stuff it all in his tee shirt! No wonder they asked if we were orphans! Please pray for these children. Quite a few have unsaved parents we are praying for, and even for their own salvation when they certainly understand and love the gospel.

Simply sliding down the sand cliffs is wonderful fun! Enjoying the beautiful creation of our loving GOD!

There are a few world famous games kids do... tag, hide-n-seek and when you are at the beach...bury your friend!

As we were walking along, we almost fainted and stopped for drink. Some of the ladies from one of the hotels came out to ask if we were from an orphanage. Later along we met a lady and her husband who were also Christians and ended up coming to church the next day.

The waves were huge today and I wished we had made time to just sit and admire them and contemplate God's greatness.

I know they had fun, but they look a little whipped! They were real troopers. Look at those short little legs! 2 hours walking in the sand!!! Enrique who has sand on his head also was reported to have had sand in his pockets when he got home.

This is the actual attraction at the "Fin del Mundo". A Blowhole! You can see the little one near the big one. A little farther along there are pools with little fish that the kids always try to capture. We took so long walking to get here this time, we didn't have long to explore.

Enrique holding his little brother Tony.

Sammy came home drowsy and finally fell asleep in the van. He was the smallest one to go. His mother came as one of the helpers. At the beginning I told the kids there were 2 things that were not allowed on the trip: crying or fainting. They ALL made it to the Fin del Mundo and back again without crying or fainting- but quite a few came home sleeping. : )

Thank you to the big kids are so good at helping care of the smaller ones. And we thank the Good Lord for his protection on this outing.

The FLU ?

2009-05-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

We are all fine here. No one in the church has the flu and in all of Cancun, we heard just one person might have it, but it wasn't confirmed. A handful of folks wear face masks, (usually on their forehead or under their chin) and employees of certain businesses. Schools have been closed and tourists are leaving- or rescheduling- that seems to be the larger problem here. Here in Cancun the high school and college kids go back tomorrow, the 6th of May and elementary and Jr High are scheduled to go back on Monday the 11th. In Becal where Jose Luis is, the town even ordered the churches to close.

Because of the decrease in the regular tourist income, there is less work and the concern is crime will start to go up. Just this past Sunday afternoon our neighbors were robbed.

Thank you for your prayers!

Baptisms- April 5,2009

2009-04-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

LR
Delia- comes with her 2 little boys. Was a neighbor of one of the church ladies who witnessed to her. She first started coming to church and was saved about 2 years ago when her first boy was born long overdue and had complications in the hospital.

Carol- comes with her mom (the lady who witnessed to Delia). She is in junior high and has been saved a few years and now wanted to be baptized.

Fausto- recently saved and helping Marco get lots of legal work taken care of here in the church. His wife was saved before he was and it is a blessing to see them together in church now.

Martha- Saved about a year ago and now been baptized. Her daughter started witnessing to her, but now the daughter and her family has been moved to Costa Rica for the husband's job.

Alan- Comes with lots of family, and was recently saved. As soon as he was saved he told me, "Now that I am saved, I am going to start reading the Bible- Where should I start?" he is in 3rd grade.

Ana Bertha- Had come about 10 years ago with her 2 children and then left and has been coming again since this past January. She was saved and now baptized and we are praying for her children.

Andrea- comes with her mom and was also recently saved. She is in 4th grade and wants to start taking piano lessons.

It's a Healthy Baby BOY! David Felipe!

2009-03-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

Jazmin and Felipe with their little David Felipe.

Felipe is a Dad now! He has just recently gotten over chicken-pox, and is ready to care for his new little boy.

I think the after-dinner visits are often the best part of the meal!

"Uncle" Miguel. Miguel went with us to see Felipe's boy!