Inside this Edition:‣ L a F u e n t e I g l e s i a

d e C r i s t o ( p g . 2 )

‣ P l a n t i n g R o o t s ( p g . 3 )

‣ S p e c i a l E v e n t s ( p g . 4 )

‣ C e l e b r a t i o n s ( p g . 5 )

‣ F a m i l y a n d T e a m U p d a t e s ( p g . 6 )

“... THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE FULL RICHES OF COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY KNOW THE MYSTERY OF GOD, NAMELY, CHRIST ....” - COL 2:2

GARCIA family2 0 1 1 M E X I C O M I S S I O Nthe

BIMONTHLY:SEPT. / OCT.

¡Hola from Cuernavaca! We pray this newsletter finds you doing well and enjoying a sense of autumn change where ever you are. Our family and ministry continue to be ever grateful for your role in helping us to live and work in this amazing city. There is

much to do here and the Lord is always providing more opportunity for our own personal growth and service to the church and the lost of Cuernavaca.

*This is the last newsletter of this physical year. Due to our upcoming time in the States (see pg. 6), our bimonthly report due in December, Lord willing, will be in person!!

Look for the next emailed newsletter in January!

P a t r i c k , B r a n d o n ’ a , S o p h i a , & S e b a s t i a nEmails: fpgarcia@gmail.com & brandona.garcia@gmail.com Our Address: Vonage Telephone: (972)325-4645 Paseo del Conquistador #310

*This number is a U.S. call that will ring our house in Mexico! Colonia Lomas de Cortes C.P. 62240Sponsoring Church: Waterview Church of Christ Cuernavaca, Morelos, MEXICO 1409 North Waterview Drive, Richardson, TX 75080 (972)238-4700 - www.waterview.org We’d love to hear from YOU!!!

“... always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given

me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel...”

- Eph. 6:18-19 -

Your prayers are a VITAL part of God’s work!

Please join us in prayer ...

✤ Thanksgiving for our new brother-in-Christ, Gerardo!

✤ For those we are studying with and deepening relationships: Humberto, Epiphanio, David, Sandra, Ivan, Pedro, Lorenza, Marco, Derek, Ivan (2), Sofia, Veronica, Veronica’s mom, Eloisa, Elsa, Antonio, Isaac, Sarahi, Irving, Pale, ...

✤ For our safe, healthy, & blessed Furlough.✤ For our teammates, the Sims family as they

furlough during the holidays, and the Reyes family as they remain in Mexico “team-less” during the holidays.

✤ For the aroma of Christ to spread from La Fuente Iglesia de Cristo!!

CUERNAVACAMorelos, Mexico

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Sophia ready for

the drive to the.

Abigail & Jesus

M e a n s

“!e F!ntain” “I will give to him that is thirsty of

the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Rev. 21:6)

UNA IGLESIA DE CRISTO

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... The Church Plant ... Its been nearly three full months since the doors of La Fuente were opened for the first time. During this period, we’ve tried to be wise in taking our baby steps, while seeking the wisdom of God. We know the “DNA” is now intentionally (& unintentionally) forming the structure of this body. We continue to feel the blessing of God’s omnipresence, patience, and power as we remember this is HIS church and not ours. He continues to teach us humility, as aliens in a foreign land and world, and yet grants us the joy of feeling victorious in being a part of His plan for this beautiful city. Our mission is to: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples! Our vision: That we would be a community of authentic Christians dedicated to: truth, evangelism, spiritual transformation, and service in love. So... what does that look like so far? Each week, while the three men on our team take turns preparing to deliver the sermon, the worship service is prepared thoughtfully to include the national men and young men in roles such as welcoming the congregation, leading prayers, leading songs, serving and leading the meditation for the Lord’s Supper, reading scripture, and giving the announcements. The weekly Sunday potluck dishes are delegated to (& some times by!) the Mexican women. Even though it is perhaps not as “easy” (organizationally) for the three American women on the team, it is appreciated and encouraged because it develops ownership and leadership among the national women. A weekly cleaning schedule of the building has been put in place, with the Mexican families all eagerly taking a turn as well! The Reyes daughters help greatly by teaching children’s Bible classes & being great examples in the Tuesday night Youth Bible Study. The three guys also are leading a Thursday night small group Bible Study, having one-on-one studies, & making visits during the week. We LOVE the people God is sending our way! May we all bring Glory to His name as we strive to work for Him!

... Planting Roots In ...

The Word of God

The Spirit of God

The Willof God

The Mercy of God

From the initial dreams of planting another church in the kingdom of God, we knew that instilling a mission-mindedness would

One new addition we’ve

Gerardo is a recent law student graduate from the University, “UNIVAC,” down the street. He came to worship service at La Fuente after seeing our sign on the newly painted building. His gentle spirit was immediately evident as a man in search of the truth. We agreed Jeff would begin studying with Gerardo throughout the week and we would be praying!!! Then on Oct. 16th, we were overjoyed when Gerardo wanted to wash sins away and become a follower of Christ! He has since become an inspiring child of God, continuing to seek ways to serve the Lord’s church, and know His savior more deeply!

made to the building, is a large canvas at the front of the “auditorium” with the books of the Bible in order with labeled categories (history, law, poetry, etc.). This is greatly helpful as many visitors do not know where to find the passages during the sermon. It has proved to be a great tool in equipping people to have a better general understanding of how the Bible is organized, and therefore less intimidating or overwhelming.

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be important. Thus,we decided that part of La Fuente’s weekly contribution would go towards a Mexican missionary family. We chose a family of whom we’ve come to love and respect, the Molina family. Israel & his wife Nelly, have served in full-time ministry for over 10 years. They have three children, Gael (9), Julianne (5), & Amalie (2). They are sponsored by a church in Kansas, and worked with American missionaries, Sean & Jenni McClue for seven years in planting a church in Mexico City.

In our team-meetings, beyond the tasks that need attention, we are dedicated to praying for the flock together, petitioning God for what we are aware of in the lives of those we are ministering. If

you’d like to pray more specifically with us about these precious souls, here are some guiding thoughts (we’d love to share more details, as time, space, & respect for privacy allows):

*Humberto - his heart & mind*Gerardo - courage, family stress, & to find work in Cuernavaca!

*David - for an open heart*Lourdes - fight against false teachings*Sandra - struggles in life

*Veronica - to take the next step in obeying the gospel*Epiphanio - his study & work needs*Ivan - opportunity to connect

Abigail & Jesus

Attending A Ladies’ Day!

Eating together ... and not cooking or cleaning it up!

Special Events

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On Oct. 29-30, the La Fuente congregation hosted an outreach event, inviting people to come hear a three-part seminar. The speaker, Israel Molina (native missionary in Mexico City) preached passionately (and without an American accent, like us!) about the forgiveness, freedom, and the celebration of salvation. Saturday evening, after a time of welcome and worship, the children (16 total) were taken downstairs for a two and a half hour time of Bible Stories (via video), art, games, and popcorn! Sunday morning, we were joined by many of the brethren from the Tabachines church, & all enjoyed a potluck meal and fellowship time together after the service. It was exciting to see the building full (65 total!) with people hungry for the love & Word of God!

Hosting An Outreach Seminar!

A big THANKS to Jaryl & Sharon Young, from Woodlawn in Abilene, who sent us the money to buy these needed

extra chairs in time for the seminar!

On Saturday, Oct. 22, Brandon’a and 43 women from Cuernavaca left on a bus at 6 a.m. to travel to Toluca where an annual Ladies’ Day is held for women in the Church of Christ. The fellowship, study, and worship shared by the B I G g a t h e r i n g o f M ex i c a n Christian women was well put-toge ther and a b l e s s ing to Brandon’a & Monica, who had not been with that many Christians since moving to Mexico! They were also happy to experience a nationally-led Ladies’ Day, as they are planning one in February for La Fuente. It was an encouraging day for everyone! Thanks be to God!!

Abigail & Jesus

Eating together ... and not cooking or cleaning it up!

Celebrations of Cultures! On Oct. 17th, our family was honored to be asked (for the second year) to represent Los Estados Unidos (the United States) at a festival day at the kids’ school. The theme was United Nations, and perhaps because it is a bilingual school, there were many different nationalities represented. It was fun and interesting to see different kids dressed up and with their parents showing their national pride. While most everyone was asked to wear all white in a show of unity, the specific families in a special parade could wear their nation’s colors or other symbolic costume. (Sebastian wore his Texas Rangers baseball cap!) After the ceremony and parade, an international buffet was set up where each “foreign” family had brought a dish from their home-land. (We took hotdogs!) It was fun seeing Sophia’s and the other students’ visuals they had used in a research project they had done the week before. Sophia gave a 3-5 minute class presentation (in Spanish!) about the U.S.A.

This year, as we celebrated our second Mexican Independence Day, we were more prepared for what to expect. All month long, extra vendors were everywhere selling Mexican “fan fare,” a major street in the City was blocked off as it held a festival and street market, red-white-and-green were seen everywhere, lots of people wearing traditional Mexican costumes, and lastly on September 16, pretty much everything was closed and everyone was piled into the city’s Center, where the governor addressed the State at midnight with a famous grito! We were invited to a special friend’s 6th birthday party held just outside of the city, further up into the mountains. It was nice to get “out of town” and fellowship with some of our church family, before heading to an early evening party with another Church family! What a celebration!!!!

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Celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 16!

Representing The U.S.A. at a United Nations School Festival!Sophia saluting the Mexican flag, while singing

Mexico’s national anthem!

Our family in the Parade!

The international buffet

Visits from the States!

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Family Update: On October 1st, Sebastian turned 2 years old!! After having a small b-day lunch for him at his preschool, we celebrated by taking him to the amazing zoo in Mexico City. We so enjoyed watching him see some of the animals he loves for the first time in real life and it was Sophia’s first trip to the zoo too! It was made

On September 28th, we welcomed our newest teammate into the world!! Joshua Andrew was born to the Sims’s family, healthy and with a dual citizenship! Proud parents, Jeff & Kristina along with older siblings, Noah (6), Juliana (4), & Isaiah (2) all are enjoying their new addition, and are excited to take Joshua to meet the rest of his family in Longview and Conroe, Texas, as they furlough there during the holidays. The Reyes family has been busy with a long road-trip to and from Texas as well, as Recardo spoke at Sunset Church of Christ’s Mission Sunday on Oct. 2nd. Recardo is a gifted preacher and enjoyed speaking in his heart language of English again, as he shared about the Lord’s work in Cuernavaca and challenged others in “Stepping Out Into Deeper Waters.” Thank you to all of you who have kept these families and their

“big events” in your prayers over the past two months!

Team Update:

even more special because their grandparents and uncle (Patrick’s parents and brother) got to come down from Texas to share in this special time! The biggest upcoming news for our family is that we will be returning to the States (after a a year and a half!) for our first furlough! The purpose of a furlough is to: 1) report to Sponsoring & Supporting congregations and individuals, 2) stir continued interest for the work in Cuernavaca, 3) visit family, & 4) for rest and renewal!

5/17/10: our last day in the U.S.

*We will be with: Woodlawn (Abilene) Nov.27-30, Colgate (Lubbock) Dec.1-4 & Waterview (Richardson) Dec.5-11.*

The last two months have brought quite a few wonderful visits from the

States! The Sims & Reyes families enjoyed hosting some of their supporters, from Texas & Minnesota. Our family was really excited that a sister from Waterview (our sponsoring Congregation), Shug Jones was in Cuernavaca for a Mosaic workshop. We SO enjoyed & appreciated her spending two of her evenings with us! And a visit from David & Kathy Sims (meeting new grand baby) was also wonderful! Each visit from home is a definite “shot in the arm” of encouragement and joy!

Dinner with Sims’

supporters Tim & Ron.

Enjoyed meeting Reyes’s supporters, Paul & Robyn.

Sophia still is asking if we are going to pick Shug up to come to our house!

Tacos with Shug just before the

Sims had their baby!

B’a serving cup-cakes to Sebastian’s school friends.

Celebrating Grandma’s b-day too!

Sophia doing her

homework.

Sebastian “helping”

with dinner.

Mexico Moments More