Sloan Update

     Wow, it's been a long time since I have been able to write anything.  So much has happened and so this will basically just be an update post.

     The end of October I  got to go to my Intensive Medical Training in North Carolina.  Wow, was that awesome!   We learned how to stitch up wounds, splint broken bones, insert stomach tubes, thoroughly examine patients, evaluate and diagnose diseases as well as treat them, and also how to deliver a baby.Very intense two weeks, but a great time.  Made many new friends with people serving all around the world.  

     As soon as we left NC we went to our last meeting in Kentucky, with Bro. Shaver.  From there, we drove to Little Rock, AR where we met some of our dear friends.  They put us up in the Peabody hotel, which was one of the nicest nights of our life!  We stayed in the vice presidential suite.  Nothing like that to make you feel special!  The following morning we drove straight to Austin, TX.

     In Austin, we finished up last minute paper work, shopping, and visiting with friends and family.  Then we  loaded the 30 foot bus with all of our belongings and said our last good byes to our church family.

  

     Friday, Nov. 11th, we crossed the border into Mexico and spent the weekend with our church in Ixmiquilpan, before we headed down to San Cristobal, Chiapas.  We stayed for the next two weeks with my mother-in-law while looking for a house.  On the 18th of Nov. my mother-in-law had her Christmas Banquet and had about 90 ladies come out and there were about 7 ladies that trusted Christ as their Saviour that night.  Since then, we have been running.  Philip and Liz left shortly after the banquet, and Tom took over the church here, until their return.

 

     The Lord provided us with a beautiful house with plenty of room for our family.  Tom's Uncle Lanny drove the school bus down with all our belongings and we have really enjoyed getting unpacked and settled in. * By the way, to anyone needing their belongings transported to Mexico or beyond, I would definitely recommend asking Lanny Ashcraft, as he does this as a ministry to missionaries.  He knows all the roads, can deal with the officials, and the zetas, and does a great job of it all.

     Over the Christmas holidays, we had fun cooking out with church people, getting together with lots of Tom's family and another missionary family the Morris's from Tuxtla.  We started off the New Year at the church having a prayer meeting.  What a great way to start the year!

     Jan. 2 we started school, much the kids disappointment.  =)  They are all doing great and Esther is loving doing pre-K.   Everyone is getting involved in the church, youth groups, soul winning, ladies meetings, van routes.  Tom preached one Sunday for his brother-in-law, Ulises, in three of his churches.  One service he preached a wedding.

     Tom has been taking a group of men every Saturday, to a town about an hour away.  There they have been passing out Chick tracts (450 the first Saturday, and 750 last Saturday).  They are trying to locate a place to hold services so they can start a church in this town.  Also, we will soon be starting another church in another town, Teopisca.  And, another man wants Tom to help him start a mission on the other side of town.  Please pray for all these doors the Lord seems to be opening for us to serve in.  

A sweet lady in Oklahoma gave us 10,000 chick tracts and in less than a month (we started on Dec. 25th) we have nearly run out.   If you would be interested in helping us buy more chick tracts, please let us know.  People are so eager to receive tracts, it is exciting!!  We are so thrilled to be used of the Lord!!!  We would really like to thank each of our faithful supporters.  What a blessing you are to this missionary family.