One Year Closes as Another One Gets Started

phinehas

An Update from Mexico

As 2020 drew to a close, we could not believe time had passed so quickly. The challenges and opportunities that we experienced during the year offer a new perspective as we begin 2021. We feel great expectations for the coming months and are excited to welcome a new year.

November

At the beginning of November, we were very happy to receive a visit from Sister Camila Broquet, who arrived from France. We were very grateful that she stayed with us for two weeks. She showed us how to make French bread, which we enjoyed baking and eating! During her visit, we also took walks, visited the homes of the families close by and had a fun adventure boating on the pond at Brother Oscar’s land.

In late November, various members of our community traveled to Waco for the Thanksgiving Fair. Among those attending the fair for the first time was the family of Brother Bernardo Badillo. Brother Éder and his family, along with Nohemi and Ana Limon, went as well. They all took advantage of the opportunity to visit with brothers and sisters and to learn more about the Texas community and the crafts.

December

Two days after our travelers returned from the fair, the Caleb Gonzalez family from the Texas community arrived in Monterrey. They joined us for Christmas and the New Year. On Christmas Eve, a few families got together for a delicious dinner and to celebrate Sister Ana Gonzalez’s birthday. The night was very cold, but we were so thankful to be together. New Year’s Eve offered a time for meaningful conversation amid a potluck supper with most of the families here.

While visiting, Brother Brandon Gonzalez helped a few people continue to improve their pottery skills, including Brother Bernardo’s daughter, Emma. Emma brought back a new pottery wheel from Waco, and now she is practicing at home in Bernal.

We also had the honor of celebrating the birthday of one of our ministers, Brother David Borda. We laughed and shared memories, and many expressed their love and gratitude for Brother David. Gathered in a circle, we began to sing, “All my life You have been faithful; all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

Winter Births

December was also the month when two families were blessed with new little ones!

Brother Javier and Sister Sarahí Guerrero had a baby boy on December 4, Jaír Sebastian. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20.4 inches. (See also the last page.)

Brother Gerardo and Sister Lorena Benitez had twins on December 15. At 2:24 AM, Eliel Sisay was born. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches. Elizabeth Sisay was born at 2:26 AM and weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20.8 inches. (See also the last page.)

January

In January, we had the privilege of meeting a man in the small town of Cadereyta near where many of us are now living. This man brought his tractor and helped us prepare the ground at Brother Oscar’s property. So we are ready to plant at the beginning of next month!