It is Finished
Our new school building is finished for the first phase of construction. Three classrooms are functional and the bathrooms are working. We didn't quite make our goal but on the 21st of August our primary school started classes in their new building. The details were finished a couple of weeks later. I never cease to be amazed at how God supplies ALL of our needs. Most of the funds came from two churches that support the ministry, as they are able. The first church that to gave is looking for property to buy so that they can build their own church building. The Lord told them to plant seed money into the school and that that money would multiply for their own building program. The second church is in the middle of a building program and they needed the money just as badly as we did. The pastor called me told me what he felt led to do, as he wanted to be obedient to what God had laid on his heart to do. The money was sent and three weeks later we were using the building. I also want to bless our third largest donor. Brother Donald is a widower who is now well over 90 years of age and he faithfully supports the ministry every month, as he is able to do. He gave two large offerings that were much more that his yearly support and made this project possible.
On the 15th of September we had the official inauguration of our building.
On September 9th we had a special marriage conference. We had over 50 couple in attendance. One of the greatest things that we learned was the biblical way to make a marriage work and IT NEVER FAILS. First we were taught that love is a commandment and not an emotion. We have emotions that help us to love but they only make fulfilling the commandment easier. The four steps to be in love all your life are: repeat, talk (to teach), tie and write. If any of you are interested in seeing this teaching please let us know and we would be glad to send it to you. We had heard this before, we use it as a couple and it really works.
The 16th of September is Mexico´s Independence Day. Since it was a Saturday this year, we decided to invite the members of the different churches we pastor to join together for a family picnic at our school. One of the families butchered a goat and prepared it while we ordered 200 cobs of corn. This is aside from all the food that each family brought. We had a good time of fellowship. The rain came about half way through the event but most of the families braved it out and stayed. At the end the young people had a great game of mud volleyball. They thought that it was fantastic. Even Dad (David Tolman) came out for a while to be present.
Times have not been easy this year in our area. There has been a lot of unrest and violence. The Lord has been faithful and kept us safe. Agustin, our son in law, was assaulted and kidnapped this month. He was held at gunpoint for around 12 hours but then released with no payment nor any bodily harm. The 6 mile walk he had to do to get help after he was released was a good exchange for not being killed. The vehicle that he was driving was taken. That can be replaced but his life is not replaceable. Your prayer for the ministry and us keeps God´s protection on our lives.
Thank you all for blessing our ministry through your offerings and monthly support.
Philip, Lucy, &Vanessa Tolman
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| New school building with students |
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| Inauguration ceremony of the new school building |
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| The mud volleyball players |
