Newsletter -March/April 2018

   We look back at the first two months of 2018 and we try to differentiate between the mundane and the extras that are all part of day-to-day ministry. There were three very special events that happened in these two months.

The visit: We were blessed to have Philip's brother Mark and David´s youngest sister come and spend a week with Dad in January. It was a blessing for us all but specially for Dad since he doesn´t have a lot of what we would call ‘good days’. Their visit was very encouraging to him. Dad´s short-term memory is not very good but he can still remember the visit that means that it meant a lot to him. Lucy also had a special time with her family in February. Eight of the 9 of them were able to spend a couple of days together- something they have never done before. As the years add up we learn to appreciate the families that God in his wisdom made us part of.

Marriage Conference: The middle of February, Philip and Lucy travelled to Guadalajara to hold a marriage conference for a group of churches that had been taught through David and Elizabeth Tolman’s ministry when they lived in that city. Over 150 couples attended the conference. We were blessed to be able to teach them and also to hear testimonies of the fruit of the Tolman Sr. ministry. The pastor and his wife that we stayed with were discipled by the Tolman’s for many years. We also stayed over an extra day and we had the privilege of ministering in two different churches, one of which we oversee.

The story: I try to analyze people that we minister to so that I can teach them to strengthen their weaknesses. One of these classifications if trying to change people from being black holes into becoming springs of water. A black-holed person is someone that you can pour into his or her lives money, time or teaching and it all just disappears. If it is money, they spend it and have nothing to show for it. If it is teaching or time, all that is invested makes no change in their lives. On the contrary people that are springs reproduce and bring life to all that comes into their lives. Has we grow in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we need to become springs. The change from being a black hole to becoming a spring is not an easy change to make. As missionaries this is one of our ministries. Individually we cannot reach many people but as we help those that are with us to change, they will change others and eventually change their society. That is the work the Jesus did for over 3 years, changing a handful of lives.

Thank you for your prayers for the ministry and your financial support make you part of what is happening here in Mexico. We bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philip, Lucy and Vanessa Tolman