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.

Please Pray – Remembering, Reflecting and Regrouping

THANKS

We are grateful for your prayers and patience towards us.  These last few months have been full of… well, of everything.  In the last four months we have had a youth-retreat, a vision summit, three work groups, started fund-raising for the church land, have had two prayer services with testimonies, not to mention three weddings, two funerals, four babies born, and have started a small business and found out we have a baby on the way!

There is so much to give thanks for in the last year and all of you are a great part of the blessing we have had.  We know these are all trying times for many of us, but oh how our Lord is faithful and steadfast.  We have had many obstacles to overcome this past year and have seen a lot of difficult times, but we know that when God brings his abundance and his blessings we rejoice all the more in His mercy`s.  This has been obvious in the donations and and support many of you have made toward the land for the church. Between what the Jubilee Church has given here and your donations we already have half of the land paid of.  Our hope is that by the end of this year it will be totally paid and we will be able to start building!

Youth Ministry

Please do not stop praying for us and the youth ministry we have at our hands.  These are times of trials and a lot of pressure for our youth.  They seem to swagger from on thing to the next, and not be totally committed to anything.  We are excited about and praying for two youth, a young woman of 19 and a young man of 20, that are getting involved in leadership training and have been a big help these past months.  Their names are Estrella and Daniel.  Please pray that God keeps maturing them into humble servants and uses their lives to impact their friends and family around them. Both have also mentioned of going full time into ministry, which is something that is very difficult to do here in Mexico.  Pray that God will guide their steps and give them wisdom to make good decisions.    We will be sharing their personal testimonies in our next up-dates.

We were excited to see the turn out at the youth retreat (Mexico-CIY) we went to.  We had a total of 27 youth go with us and one was even baptized at the retreat.  About ten of the youth that went had never gone before and the impact it had on them was encouraging.  Those that went for the first time said that they felt accepted and part of the group.

¨KUVOS¨ – A Small Business

In October the Lord opened an opportunity for us to start a small business with some personal savings.  It is a small computer shop where people can come in and rent internet time on the computers.  We also do some designing and different kinds of publication, like flyers, bulletins and banners.  Sergio`s brother, Oscar, has been the one that has been able to stay at the business and run it most of the time.  There have been a few volunteers and friends that have helped out to cover the evening shift. We are working at trying to see who will remain full time, taking the evening shift.  Sergio has been helping with the publicity side of things, but is working on getting a friend involved who, we hope, will take a lot of that work from Sergio`s hands.  Sergio is still planning on being involved in the administrative and oversight of the business, but would like to see his brother be able to handle most of it.

This opportunity has given us the ability to help his brother and his family with a more permanent job and, hopefully in the future, a more stable economy.  But most importantly it has given us the ability to help Sergio`s mom economically.  At the moment she is raising four grandchildren and has no real means of support.  God is truly making this an incredible learning experience and we are looking forward to seeing more of His blessing through this.  At the moment all money coming in sustains ¨KUVOS,¨ the employes and helps with Sergio`s mom`s rent and utilities.

Partnership with Good News Productions International

We are beginning a partnership with GNPI to establish a production studio here in Pachuca.  This studio`s main purpose would be to increase the production of Christian evangelistic and training materials, Sunday School materials, videos and other Christian tools in Spanish.  The hope is that they will be able to be distributed around Pachuca, Mexico, and eventually all of Latin America.  We are very excited about this partnership and are still in the process of setting dates for training and waiting for funds to make this a reality.  Please let us know if you are interested about more information about this project.

School Days started and another on the way…

Abby just finished half a school year in Kinder-2 (Mexico has 3 years of Kindergarden before staring 1st-grade).  Her Spanish is improving and she is starting to learn how to write her numbers and vowels.  She takes school very seriously and loves to do homework.  She had her first small Christmas performance for school.  She was a little shepherd girl!

Emily is very content to stay home and get all the attention, but does ask for her sister about a dozen times before we get Abby from school.  These are potty-training days for her, which she doesn´t care to much for, but we are progressing…slowly.

Both girls`s are excited to have a baby-brother on the way.  Abby has already said that she´ll be changing diapers and putting him to sleep!  And Emmy has no idea what´s coming!

We are both so excited to be waiting on a baby boy and ask that you keep us all in your payers.  Especially pray for the pregnancy and Holly´s health.  She has been having circulation problems with one leg and needs to be careful.  Otherwise we have both been well.

Pray as we get ready for this new year and the plans God has for us and our team.

We are also planning on being in the States in June and July to visit our churches, family and friends to give you up-dates and do more fund-raising.  We will be traveling a lot and we hope we will be able to see many of you while we are there.

Prayer requests.

Elders retreat – Planning activities and calendars for the year, good coordinations and    clear communication

Youth groups – commitment and hunger for the Lord, growth.

Our youth leaders – motivation, encouragement and steadfastness.

Our team – health, rest.

Family – health, Holly`s pregnancy and baby, personal support level needs to increase.