April 2012 Update – Please Pray

All things come when we are patient and wait on the Lord.  This has been what we have seen as these first few months of the year have gone by.   There have been lives reborn and celebrations and we know that the success of it all is due to our Lord’s faithfulness.

February brought a lot of excitement as there were 8 baptisms and the theme through the begging of the year was evangelism.  Sergio and his team from the video studio made a bridge illustration of how we are separated from God, but that He has sent Jesus to provide a way to God.  You can see the video at www.quienesroman.com.  It is in Spanish, but hopefully you can grasp the main idea.

Everyone has learned new things and have been motivated a great deal to share of the Good News of Christ.  Sunday’s have also been packed with about 160 in attendance. This has brought the need to expand the sanctuary and rent a fourth store front so we can continue growing.  People have been excited and are inviting friends and family. God is truly at work and everyone seems to understand their part in sharing their changed lives with others.

Jubilee’s 5th anniversary was celebrated on March 4th with 223 in attendance.  It was a truly incredible day as the theme was “We’re Thankful”.  We sang new worship songs, shared what the Lord is doing, and how He has provided through the purchase of the land.  Everyone was excited and expectant to see what the Lord has still to do in the coming year.  Food and dessert could not go wrong on such a wonderful and exciting day of thanksgiving and blessing.

As evangelism and the anniversary came and went, there has still been great expectation to our year theme of “The Story”.  We just started the week after the anniversary.  We will be reading through “The Story” of our Lord for 31 weeks and will be able to study Genesis to Revelation.  So far few have only done two weeks and there have already been great blessing in people’s lives as they see their story through the eyes of God and try to see His story in their lives.

April is right here already and we are already preparing for it.

Our youth camp will also be at the end of the month.  Our theme is “Hunger Games”. We will be focussing on being hungry for our Lord and striving to be more like Christ.  Of course, we will wear them out with team building games and challenge them in every way possible to push them to lean on each other and on God to trust and to keep going. Please pray this camp will have a profound impact on their lives and especially in their relationship with the Lord.

As a family we have been doing well.  The girls, Abby and Emily are growing and learning a great deal in school.  Abby is starting to read and does pretty good.  Emi loves going to school and her teacher says she is very quiet and orderly.  Eric is growing and growing.  He is almost walking, but gets around just fine without having to. And, and of course, mom and dad keep busy with everything that is going on.  Sergio is still working hard with the video studio and keeps busy with bible studies, counseling and meetings for church.  Holly tries to keep up with the kids and is still participating in the worship and the cell group.

We will be taking over one of the Family cell groups temporarily while Eric and Dee Duggins (team members and family) will be gone on furlough for 6 months in June.  We will not be participating as much with the youth because of this, but will still help out with all the special events and anything our leaders need us for.

Again we send out our love to you and thank you for all you have done to maintain our ministry here in Pachuca.  We are excited at the things the Lord is doing and we know great things are still to come.

Blessings,

Sergio & Holly Alvarado

End of Year Report – Please Pray

A Successful Youth Retreat

Our youth retreat was truly incredible!  We took 62 in total; there was 24 from the New Life Church and 38 from Jubilee that went.  At the beginning we had calculated we would be taking about 50, so we truly surpassed expectations.  The retreat was based on Francis Chans’ first four themes of his series “BASIC.” We showed his videos to get started and then everyone divided into small groups were they were taught and wrested with the theme of that day.  It was an incredible experience for, not only the youth, but also those of us that went as leaders.  The smiles and fellowship was incredible.  The Holy Spirit truly moved in awesome ways.  Worship was lead by the New Life Church and the impact upon the youth was amazing.  Even the bonfire and hide and seek in the dark were a hit!  There are no words to express what God did while we were there.  Please pray that the impact of the retreat will have long-lasting and life changing effects upon each person that went.

Money for the Land Almost Complete

It has been a testimony of God’s mighty hand and sovereignty in how the money for the land has been provided for.  We only have one more month before the end of the year and have 98% of the total cost of the land.  We are are hopeful to have the whole amount by the end of the year.  But the work doesn’t end here, we will be starting to collect money for the first phase of the building and all documents and permits needed.  Keep praying for this process and we truly are thankful to God and all of you who have helped do this entire process.

Take a “COFFEE BREAK”

As many of you already know the Coffee House, better known here as “COFFEE BREAK”, has been opened a few months now. It has been doing really well and has been able to maintain itself. We still need to promote it a bit more so we can start covering the cost of rent. Overall we have seen great blessings for the church as more families have stayed around for coffee and a browny and have a time of fellowship.  We are excited to think about what it could become and at the moment are enjoying “coffee breaks” now and then!

A New Experience with the Video Studio

As Sergio has been preparing and learning to run the video studio, they are excited things that God had been working out.  The video team has started an online podcast to get experience with filming and editing.  The podcast announces different events that are going on in Pachuca, as well it will promote different businesses around the area.  so far they have worked a month and have already learned a great deal.

They are in the process of a big evangelistic project that will start at the begging of the year.  Details are still not known, but we will keep everyone informed as things advance.     Please pray for this project.  We are hopping that it can touch a lot of lives and that it will also help to promote Christ and the church.

Independence Day Church Picnic

Sixty-three people from the Jubilee church met together for a picnic on this year’s Mexican Independence Day (September 16). We met at the national park, El Chico, about 20 minutes into the mountains above Pachuca and the day of fellowship and food was wonderful.

Soccer was a major activity of the day but there were also many side activities. Several of the ladies pulled out table games, and the kids enjoyed exploring and climbing some of the smaller trees close to the picnic area.

Similar to July 4th in the United States, the Mexican Independence Day is a major family occasion. To have about half of the congregation participate was a good response and helped several new participants in the congregation to get to know our Jubilee people.

Family Update

Our family has been struggling a lot with health.  There were a few days that it seemed like we all had something.  The kids all had a cold and Sergio has been extremely sick to his stomach.  This week things finally seem better.  The girls have been going to school and are doing really well.  Their teacher says Abby works hard though she doesn’t stop talking.  They say Emmy loves the structure and works hard, though seems shy at times.  They both seem to do really well and the school has been flexible with us when we have had to take them out for retreats or meetings.

Eric Jeremiah is almost crawling now and he is not even 7 months yet!  Even funnier, he can’t even sit up, but he sure finds the way to get from one side of the room to the other!  Watch a Video of him Crawling here.

Holly has probably been the healthiest as she tries to keep up with the kids and church activities.  At the moment Sergio is on medication for a very aggressive stomach infection but, thanks to a lot of prayer, he is already feeling better and, to no ones surprise, working hard!  Please keep us all in your prayers and we thank you all for your love and support through all!

Thanksgiving was full of fun with family and friends.  the food was delicious. We had a great time with our team and some of the English students that Dee invited.

Please keep us in your prayers as we end this year and start 2012.

Blessings,

The Alvarados

Please Pray – Thank You!

Familiar Places and Wonderful Faces

It has been about two weeks since we have been back from our two month furlough in the States.  We are glad to be back in our home though, from the first day we were back, there has been a lot to do.  We are on the burg of totally finishing the Coffee House so we can open it to the public by the 26th of this month.  There is still a lot of things involved to get it to this point.  Pray that it will bring the unreached so we may reach them and those that are reached that they might consume more coffee!!

While we were with many of you and your congregations we truly felt at home and a part of your family.  Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to us, host us, and let us inundate you with our passion for Mexico and those that are lost and need to hear of our Lord and Savior.  We are truly in debt to many of you for making the ministry

(ours and yours) the vibrant and loving ministry it is here in Pachuca.  Your prayers and financial support have made possible unimaginable life changes around us every day.

Our travels in the United States took us from central Indiana to Lexington Kentucky to Johnson City Tennessee to Florida and back.  Then, we went to Cincinnati Ohio to Fort Wayne Indiana, to Painsville Ohio and back to Indianapolis.  Our last trip was to Joplin Missouri and back.  It was a truly a two months roller coaster ride from one place to the next, though the Lord’s mercies were all around us.

Abby and Emily both loved going from place to place wandering where they would be sleeping next and what the names of the people we were going to see next were.  Abby would ask Holly in who’s house we would be staying and she would repeat their names or place over and over.

Baby Eric was a month old when we left Mexico and he truly did great traveling in the car.  He even slept in a suitcase a few times depending on where we were.  He no longer can fit in the suitecase so I guess we will have to buy him a crib after all!

One of the things that made a lasting impression on the girls, and on us also, was going to Joplin and seeing where the tornado had hit.   Abby kept saying how sad it was and asking why that happened.  We told her that sometimes sad things happen and that we need to pray for those that have lost their homes.  Their whole experience was one of the first things they told there friends about here in Pachuca.

We truly felt surrounded by your love and prayers and know that soon we will see each other again.  We would also like to say a special thanks to Cindy Schaffer who let us use her mini van to travel, gave a place to call home while we were in Indianapolis, and was just an encouragement and loving face to see every once in a while. Also a special thanks to all of you who hosted us and let us share time with your families.  God surely blessed us through you.  May He keep you and show you His mercies always.

Special Need for the Youth

We have our Youth Retreat coming up and want to focus on evangelism.  Our hope is that each person in the youth group can take one friend.  We have been investigating prices and everything is very expensive.  Transporting for one bus to take about 40 people is about $1,000. This kind of event is really out of our possibilities to pay for, but we were hopping that some of our partnering churches and individuals would be willing to make special donations towards the youth retreat.  If we could get a few of our churches or individuals to send a couple hundred dollars each or more to at least cover cost for the transportation, we might be able to make this retreat a reality for our youth group.  Please keep this in your prayers.

Blessings,

The Alvarados

Baby Eric Jeremiah – Please Pray – Ya Nació!

We want to introduce you to the new member in our family, baby Eric Jeremiah.  At the same time we want to thank you for all your prayers and support.

Les queremos presentar al nuevo miembro de la familia, el bebé Eric Jeremías. Y al mismo tiempo darles las gracias por sus oraciones y apoyo.

Eric Jeremiah Alvarado Duggins

Born: April 29, 2011  - 5:50am

Nació: 29 de Abril del 2011 a las 5:50am

Weight: 5.73 lb   –   Pesó: 2.650 kg

Length: 18.89 in  -   Midió: 48cm

The proud and excited big sisters!!

Please pray for Holly´s recuperation and all the preparations for our future travel plans to visit the U.S. in June.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Blessings,

Sergio, Holly, Abby, Emmy and baby Eric

More pictures and info coming soon!!

¡Mas fotos pronto!

Please Pray – April Update

February & March Highlights

IMPORTANT: If you would like to download a printable version of this update you can download it here: Alvarado Update April 2011. Or let us know and we can send you one by email.

Jubilee´s 4th Anniversary

More than 200 were in attendance as the Jubilee church celebrated its fourth anniversary with an exciting worship service and a fun fellowship dinner. Our leadership team left church that Sunday very encouraged and we felt that the Jubilee church has turned a corner after a very challenging year. Scott Greer, the father of Luke Greer, accepted the invitation to give the teaching at this year’s anniversary celebration.

Land Purchase Update

The Jubilee church continues to work hard and is steadily advancing toward the purchase of the land. Supporting churches in the U.S. also continue to show strong support for the project. If you’d like to know more, or would like to join the effort please visit IMPACTO`s web site. Thank you for continuing to pray for us during this project.

New Believers

On Sunday, March 27th, the Jubilee plant held a special baptism celebration where ten people gave their lives to Christ! The New Life church, a sister church in the city shared their facility with us, and we ate, sang, and celebrated together. Please pray for Armando, Maru, Damaris, Leonor, Kevin, Anahí, Yosemir, Sarahí, Marifer, and Fidel. Ask that their new faith would be deeply rooted and would grow. And join us in praising God for their new life!

FAMILY

Our baby boy will be born at the beginning of May.  Please pray for the delivery and Holly´s and baby´s health.  Soon after the delivery, we will be traveling in June and July to the U.S. to visit our supporting congregations, friends and family.  Pray that we will have safe travels and that the trip will be fruitful. Holly has been doing really well and the circulation problems in her leg are getting better.  Thank you for your prayers. Abby finally got over her Christmas obsession.  She kept wanting to go to parties and hit piñatas and eat candies.  Now she is focused on who`s birthday it is next before her birthday comes along again. Emmy is still potty training and she will start kindergarden after we come back from the U.S. Her birthday will be the 15th of April.  She will be 3 years old.

A Partnership

Good News Productions International is working with IMPACTO Latino to begin a “NOMaD” media production team in Pachuca. Sergio is leading the project in the Pachuca side. NOMaD is a GNPI initiative designed to train and equip nationals in strategic areas around the globe to produce and distribute Christian materials through video, audio, print, and web. Bob Sartoris came to do the first of several training sessions for those that may eventually be part of the production team.  The future training and functioning of the NOMaD project will depend on funding but we are hopeful that the media production team will begin to function by the end of 2011 producing worship, training, and outreach materials for the churches in central Mexico and elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world.

If you have an interest in helping with this exciting project, please let us know!

Coffee House

We are very excited about the opening of the coffee house.  Since we are expecting our new baby boy by the beginning of May and we will be visiting churches in the U.S. in June and July, the coffee house will only be opening for special events and church activities such as conferences, english classes, Sunday celebrations and youth activities. Once we are back in August from visiting all of you, we will start opening the coffee house to the public with an established schedule.

Youth Ministry

Our leadership team for our youth Zone is very excited and motivated.  We have a good group of leaders that  want to serve and help.  The youth zone dynamic is great and it is something we hope we can create with our high school and college Aros.  Also, we are starting a new Aro for singles.  All of our participants are just beginning to learn about the Bible and Christ`s good news.  Our annual camping retreat will be the 15th and 16th of April and the youth are very excited about it. Please pray that they will be receptive to the Word and that the dynamic in the group would be open and focused.

Please Pray

• Pray that the Lord gives us his strength and energy to keep up with everything He is doing around us.
• Our youth needs your prayers as well.  Pray that a passion for the Lord grows in them daily and that their actions will reflect the love they have for the Lord.
• Pray for Holly and baby´s delivery and health.
• Pray for the funds for the land for Jubilee.
• Pray for our partnership with GNPI and the funding we need.
• Pray for our future travels to and in the U.S.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to download a printable version of this update you can download it here: Alvarado Update April 2011. Or let us know and we can send you one by email.