Monterrey Christian Mission
The Gomez Family working with the Institute of Biblical Studies
for Monterrey, the Sandia Dining Hall, and Del Sur Christian Church
Dear Friends and Family in Christ,
The beginning of 2010 has been really busy for our family and the mission here in Monterrey. As you might remember, we are now in the middle of our IREB-CURE class, Principles of Teaching and Preaching. Professor Milton Cruz has been doing a fantastic job teaching in Spanish. He is American born from Puerto Rican parents. This is the first time that an American professor has taught in Spanish in our program without the need for translation. Our students are delighted and so is Antonio, who has had the chance to relax and enjoy, sitting down and listening to the class. Thirty-four students from three different congregations are attending this class.
During the last week of November and the first week of December, our family traveled to Guadalajara, teaching a course on New Testament Backgrounds. We had 60 students from the Gigantes Church of Christ and a couple of other evangelical congregations in town. The people were extremely gracious to us and treated us like royalty. Please pray for this project. There is a lot of interest in this church for starting a Bible college program similar to that of the IREB-CURE hosted by the Del Sur Church. We are hoping, if the Lords leads that way, to go back to teach soon.
We are happy to report that our Sandia Christmas Program was a total success. We took 5 trucks full of toys, candy bags, piñatas, food baskets, blankets, and used clothing to give away in Sandia, Trinidad, Union and La Negrita. Special gifts were given to the kitchen crew who work so hard to prepare the food: organizing and ministering to the kids there. Please pray for the children and the people concerning their health. These months are particularly hard on them because of the cold (It gets down to freezing and there is no heating in the buildings.) Many children and some adults suffer from colds, and the flu. We hope to make two medical trips this year in order to provide some dental and medical assistance.
As soon as we returned from the Sandia Christmas program we devoted much of our time to directing a Christmas drama, “The Promise” in the Del Sur Church. It became a combination of drama and music performed by the ladies group, the youth, the children and quite a few adults. Blake and Jenny sung a few of the solos and provided some of the music in the program with Sax and Piano (Blake), and Trumpet (Jenny), and Guitar/Banjo (Antonio). We had a great attendance.
In a couple of weeks, we will be having our annual leadership retreat for the Del Sur Church. It will be a time of prayer and planning. Our hope is that God leads our way and we can do His will concerning the Dining Hall ministry, the IREB teaching ministry, evangelistic efforts in Del Sur, our VBS ministry and new church planting efforts. We are very aware that it is only through His strength that we will be able to accomplish His vision for our ministry.
We are extremely sad to let you know, that after much praying and working to stir back the Huinala Church, they were not willing to correct the doctrinal issues (concerning the Lord’s Suppers and Pentecostal practices). It has been like watching your son rebel and leave home. The leaders of Del Sur have decided to let them go. Unable to change them and unable to work with them anymore, we have decided to try again and start a new church plant project in a part of town called “Nuevo Amanecer”, ( New Dawn). There is a small group meeting there already, and this time the leader is very solid in doctrine and character. They have been working alongside of us for a while. Thanks to all of you who have been praying on this matter. May God bless you. Please continue to pray for God’s leadership.
We pray your church and family are also in good health both in body and in spirit.
The Gomez family