Dear Friends and family,

Check out these video links of the team ministry in Mexico:

Singing in Spanish

Performing a Skit (Hang in there you will see Fred)

NEWS FROM MEXICO: The road to Tepic is long! We left Monday morning the 31st of August, and arrived on Saturday evening about midnight. We spent nights in Dinuba, CA, Tuscan, AZ, and Hermosillo, MEX…. twice. There had been a hurricane off the coast of Mexico which dumped too much rain on the lowlands. There were many roads washed out and bridges out. On Saturday morning we were told the road was opened so we left at 5 am, only to be met by a 4 hour delay near Guymas. We passed out the gospel of John and fruit bars on one such delay.

Here in Tepic our accommodations are wonderful even if crowded. Yndira´s parents home is large, spacious, etc…. but there are 14 of us, and 7 of them! It is a concrete and steel home with open porches, and tile throughout. We have the windows and doors open 24¡7. Dogs barking and neighbors music challenge our sleep, but all in all we are doing very well.

We stayed a day and two nights at Gleanings for the Hungry near Fresno, CA. Gleanings takes the fruit that would otherwise be thrown away and dries it, and sends it to poor nations around the world. Tons and tons of it. We saw acres of dried nectarines on pallets in the sun drying for distribution to poor countries. They give the fruit away, work with volunteer labor, and staff with YWAMers who raise their own support. An amazing operation! I spent a few hours washing out hundreds of 5 gallon buckets previously occupied by cherry pie filling, which were donated (dirty) instead of filling a landfill. That´s the kind of recycling I can get behind!

Here is Tepic we are working with a rest home for indigent people. Most of the 20 or so retirees have no family to care for them. They stay in rooms with several beds, and are cared for by volunteers. While there are a few paid staff, there is no way they can adequately care for all of their residents. We scrubbed walls, floors, bathrooms and toilets until the smell that greeted the visitor was pleasant!

Aurora, one of the residents has serious bed sores that required surgery to remove the dead tissue. One of our students, Ingrid, has nursing experience and has been cleaning out the sores and turning Aurora regularly to aid in her healing. Many great needs here.

In the afternoon we sing songs with the residents. One of the women love to dance. She dances a somewhat provocative, (for an 80 yr. old) dance to our Jesus music. I think He is smiling. They are an appreciative crowd. We have also started construction project there as they need a room for storage. We have to be careful to not make it too large, as they would put more beds in it otherwise.

One of the churches we are working with are holding prayer meetings 7 days a week. They are believing God for revival in their city and nation. We attend several prayer meetings a week, as well as worship on Sunday. We also helped with a cleaning project there, sterilizing all of the toys for the children’s´s ministry.

Tonight will be our second visit to a drug rehab center. 24 to 40 men, ages 18 – 50 fill the center. They are placed there by family who don´t know what else to do with their loved ones. They are in lock down for the first few months, then gradually are released to work and more freedom. We are working with a couple who provide food for the men, and a worship and teaching time. Tonight I get to share the teaching. These men have received a salvation message many times, so I will start a discipleship series.

Our team is doing well. Not many complaints about sleepless nights, or too many bouts of Montezuma´s revenge. All in all we are doing very well.

I appreciate your prayers for us.. It is the first time(and I hope the last) that Carol and I have been separated for this length of time. We do have opportunity to speak on the phone regularly so that eases the burden.

Posting pictures has been a little difficult… but I am working on it.

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT: Yes life is much different without Fred. I’ve had to make alot of adjustments, but being here with our YWAM family helps alot. I still miss Fred alot! I’ve never been at the base in the fall, so it’s a new experience. This is our busiest time of year, we currently are running 3 schools so the majority of our staff are working the training side of things. That leaves us very short handed in the operations department. Anyone out there intersted in coming to Salem and helping out for a few weeks…….
We’re making progress with developing cirriculum for our English Language and Culture School. I’m also in contact with Myanmar and progressing on the January outreach. Fred and I have begun praying into that venture and would ask you to please partner with us in prayer: favor for visas, affordable housing, a good deal on airfare and of course finances not only for us but the rest of the team.

Grace and peace to you!
Fred & Carol