General Update

Hey all! I wanted to update you on a few of the many activities that have gone on around here lately. It has definitely been a busy, although incredibly blessed, weekend.

Music Seminar
Around the end of 2004, some of the missionaries in Mexico City asked us to go there and teach them some of the songs that we know. Because Summer and Sam are always listening to new praise CDs and looking for new songs and because some of our church members come from other churches where they've also learned songs, we've ended up with a lot of praise songs that most of the churches of Christ in Mexico don't know. We finally were able to arrange the trip in January of last year and had a great time teaching them. Because of the success last time, we asked them if they wanted us to come back again this year, to which they said 'Yes!' This time around, we included some sessions for a couple of the other works in Mexico, instead of just us. That way we were all able to walk away with new songs!
Once again, it all went really well. We took some of the people from our church to sing with us this year (last year, it was just us missionaries) and they really seemed to have a good time getting to know people from all over Mexico. Here's a picture of one of the 'praise teams'. From L to R, it's Sandy and Aldo, Adriana, Sam, Summer, and Larisita. Yes, I sang as well, but it's hard to take a picture of yourself singing, just so you know. :) Billy and Belinda Moore hosted the seminar in their house, also known as the Pink House, and did a magnificent job, just as they always do. We had a total of five sessions over two days, three of which those of us from Morelia planned and then one planned by the Benito Juarez church and one planned by the church in Tlalpan, in the southern part of Mexico City. Friday night the official count was 89!!! What you can't see in this picture on the left is that there were probably 20 more chairs around the corner in the dining room. People were sitting on the stairs and just about anywhere they could find a spot. On Saturday, there were probably around 60-70 people there, including missionaries from four different works in Mexico. This is definitely something that people want more of and we're already thinking about what improvements we can make for next year.

New Cell Group
The first meeting of our newest cell group was Sunday night and we had a great time! There were nine people there, including Summer and I. Everyone was really excited and engaged in what we were doing and talking about. Jennifer, a cousin of Adriana, showed up. We hadn't seen her in months, so it was really neat to reconnect. Deysy was also there, who is a very good friend of Summer and mine. She used to come to cell group probably over a year ago, but hasn't been able to come lately because of work. Thankfully, she has a new job that keeps her here in Morelia more than before and she seemed really excited about getting plugged in again. The other people there were Amy, Norberto, brothers Leo and Diego, and Heriberto (a friend of Amy's from school). We played a couple of games, sang some songs, talked about the prologue of John, and then sat around and chatted for about half an hour afterwards. Summer and I left feeling very encouraged and blessed by what the Lord has in store of this group of young people. We can't wait to see what He'll do!
Please keep praying for this new cell group, as well as the other three groups that meet throughout the week. They all seem to be growing and doing well right now, which is a major blessing!

Newest Addition to the Family
We are all anxiously waiting for the arrival of the newest Gonzo. Ann is doing well, although I think she's ready to meet the little one face to face. Her official due date is May 2nd. They have a doctor's appointment today to see if this baby is as ready to meet us as we are to meet him/her. Please be in prayer for the entire Gonzalez family with all the changes that a new baby will bring.

Well, I think that brings you up to date! Once again, thank you so much for the prayers and thoughts. You, as our prayer warriors, are the true sustaining force of the work here in Morelia. You are doing battle when you are on your knees! May the Lord shower his blessings on you because you are showering them on us.