The Value of Prayer.....

Again we want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your constant prayer support for us in Mexico. At times we have struggled and at these times we have felt closer to God and also a reassurance that He is in control. Be assured that your prayers are making such a difference in Mexico, and God is really blessing His work here.

As a result of your prayers, and God's blessing, people are coming to know the Lord, growing in His presence and sharing the Gospel.

You are such a blessing to us!!

Missionary Weekend.....

This last weekend was the missionary weekend in our church. It was amazing to be part of it via audio link up, and we enjoyed chatting to the church on the Saturday night. Jonathan Morton, Field Director for OMS in Mexico, spoke at the meeting on Saturday, and we shared how we felt in the change of culture, weather and everything that is Mexican.

It is fantastic to think of technology today that this can happen, and we feel so blessed to have a fellowship at home that continues to uphold us in prayer.

A New Experience.....Horseriding

Another new adventure in Michoacan was Jonny's first time riding a horse! It was amazing to try something new and although it was a bit strange and the horse done a bit of off-roading and bucking, although it may have just been a slight kick, it managed to leave him unscathed!

It was definately a birthday to remember, with the pain lasting well into the next week!

Butterflies.....

Butterflies everywhere!!! This was what we saw when we got up the mountain on our holidays! There where about 60 million butterflies at this place (we got this from a video, we didn't count them!)It was something spectacular and another fantastic sight in Mexico that we have been so blessed to see. None landed on Jonny praise God, as I don't know how he would have reacted!!

It gave us time to reflect on God's marvellous creation as these butterflies normally live for 2 months, but one generation lives for 8 months so they can travel down to Mexico every year. It's such a mystery to everyone, but to us it's just another miracle of God!

We're all going on a day trip.....

On Sunday we all loaded up into the car and went on a little holiday to celebrate Julie's Birthday! We went with the Mackinnons to a little hotel outside a place called Michoacan. The special bit about this is that every year, about 60 million Monarch butterflies migrate from Canada, and you can climb the mountain on horseback to see them swarming!

It was such an amazing time away with amazing friends, great food, amazing weather and of course Tottenham Hotspur winning the Carling Cup. It was even polished off with a visit to the House of Strawberries!! Yum!

Birthday Girl.....

Last Saturday was Julie's birthday, and although we had to work on Saturday it was such an encouragement to get so many birthday cards from people and also have an e-mail inbox full of e-cards!

It's such an encouragement to know we have so many people back home standing beside us in this work and also are remembering us in prayer and with little gifts like this.

Thank you all so much!!

New Arrival.....Jackson James Pollock

This is our new nephew, Jackson James Pollock. He was born on the 17th of February and was 7lbs 13.5oz. Both mother and baby did very well and are getting settled back in at home. It'll be a big change for Jonny's brother, Craig and his wife Christine, and us too as an aunt and uncle! We ask you to pray for little Jackson and also our family, that he will be brought up to know the Lord, and also that we can be an example for him and be there for him as he grows up.

It's at times like these that it is hard for us to be in Mexico, but we know that the Lord will bless us and our family as we serve Him, and we are so excited at our new little nephew, and are itching to get home to see him in July!!

STIC-ing Together.....

This week we had another of our STIC (Sticking Together in Christ) meetings. Kris (from Indiana, who is staying with us over this next week to see the field) was invited along and we went to Wings and also Bowling. It is a real encouragement to share with each other and just go out and to talk about how God is changing us, and chat about fun things aside from work. We are really building friendships on the field and tonight we looked at how we are to be like a table football team, that are joined to Christ, and standing together to see His goals accomplished. We praise God for what He is doing through our team here in Mexico.

Ethan's 3rd Birthday.....

Last Sunday, we were invited to Ethan's Superman birthday party, we had a great time and from the pictures you can see that everyone did! It was a Mexican party with a pinata and "mordita" (This is when as soon as you blow out the candles you take a bite out of your cake, the only thing is that usually your FRIENDS are on hand to push your face into the cake!!!!)

View of Mexico......Part 1

This last week we were treated to another part of Mexican culture and food, Chicken Foot Soup. At first we thought it was chicken leg but a quick look changed our minds. We have to say that the soup itself was absolutely amazing and really tasty with some vegetables and broth. However, we didn't brave it as many of the others did, and ate the chicken foot. Maybe next time!

View on Mexico.....Part 2

When we were in Xochimilco we came across these strange dolls at the side of the river. We asked the gondoleer what the significance of the dolls were. He explained to us that they were indwelt by evil spirits and they were to ward off other evil spirits. We have seen many strange sites since we have been in Mexico, but this was quite eerie, and highlighted to us the mixed nature of beliefs that some of the Mexican people have, and our constant need to reach these people for Christ.

English Classes.....

This week Julie & Robin Mackinnon began teaching English in the La Loma church. This is a programme for young children, the first lesson is called "What's your name?"

The first lesson was taken by Robin and I assisted with songs and actions. Next week we change places, so pray for me as my Spanish will be tested!

La Loma.....Celebrations!

On Sunday we celebrated the 9th anniversary of the UNIFAM La Loma church. It was amazing to see so many people in attendance from La Loma and also from other churches. We had a great night of praise and fellowship together with missionaries, pastors and the church of people that are UNIFAM (Families United in Christ.)

We visited La Loma while we were here with the team in 2006, and we have fond memories of the people and the work that we did there. We ask you to pray for the church that they will continue to grow and be a shining light in the area.

Xochimilco.....

Today was another public holiday and we chose to head away for the day with the Mackinnons, Gary and a couple of friends (Yadira, Raymundo and their children) to Xochimilco. (Soh-Chi-Mil-ko)

It was one of the most wonderful places we have visited since we have been here in Mexico. We had great fun and also took about a million pictures. Behind us is our little boat which we hired, as it is like the Venice of Mexico. We had everything from floating shops, floating fast food, and also floating mariachis!!

They also had some of the most amazing flowers and plants on sale, and also a few strange sights, which we'll post about too!

Thank you.....for Pizza!

We wanted to put this thank you post for everyone who continues to support us both financially and in prayer. We were able to use some money we had been gifted to buy pizzas for the young people at the youth night and we know that a lot of you were also praying about this special evening. We want to make you aware and thank you for all you do for the Lord's work in Mexico. You are making a real difference!!

We encourage you to keep checking the blog as there is so much happening that needs prayer at the minute. We plan to start updating more regularly as we have more commitments, with more prayer needs. Thank you for your continued support!

Youth Night......

Saturday was the first of the youth nights in our church at Tultitlan. Normally they have 15 people in attendance so it was really encouraging to see 22 people coming to join us. We had a great evening completely led by the young people in the church. We watched a Christian movie "Facing the Giants" (I'm not plugging it - but if you get a chance to see it it is an amazing movie.)


We then had pizza and I shared my testimony in Spanish (really strange - but praise God my Spanish wasn't that bad!!) We then had an election for a youth committee, which was our purpose for organising this special evening. In working with OMS, our goal in Mexico is to see Mexicans reaching Mexicans for Christ. So having a committee of young people planning this area means that they are being led by God and sharing responsibility. Three young people were elected; Abimelec, Aracely and Joana, and we are excited about meeting with them to support them in planning activities and beginning a discipleship programme with the young people.

The Next Few Days.....

This is Craig and Christine (Jonny's Brother & his Wife) at their wedding nearly 2 years ago!! In the next few days they are going to have a baby, and we havn't blogged about it before as it has seemed far away - until I came to the realisation that Julie & I will be an Aunt and Uncle in the next while. I think it is the idea of becoming official "older people" that we can't get our heads around. When I was young aunts and uncles seemed so much older than you and although they always seemed cooler than your mum and dad. So pray for Craig and Christine as they bring up their child, and pray for us that we can be a Christ-like example to them all.

We'll keep you updated in the days (or weeks maybe, as Julie informs me babies come out when they're ready!) and maybe even post a wee picture of our niece or nephew!