Member Care Training-Feb 2008

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31,32

Peering through the bus windows, snow covered trees could be seen in every direction due to the snow storms that had passed through recently. The snow chains on the bus tires made an unfamiliar sound as we headed up the mountain. Our final destination, Hume Lake looked like a winter wonderland with fresh snow twinkling on the ground around us. The grandeur scenery brought back memories of driving through the Rocky Mountains in Canada to visit our daughter Jessica and her family during the winter months.

Our purpose for being in this beautiful setting was to attend a conference called, “Building Skills for Member Care with Excellence”. The definition of Member Care is simply equipping and supporting those around us. Our time at Hume Lake mingling with other missionaries from all over the world was an incredible experience. As we came together and shared about our own experiences while taking part in ministry in Mexico, excitement arouse within us. Others that had the same experiences were hearing the speakers confirming some of the stresses we and other missionaries around us had encountered while living and serving in a third world country.


As parents of an MK(missionary kid) you cannot imagine how our interest was captured when information was shared about the very changes we watched Rebekah go through while living in Mexico. The cross cultural lifestyle of youth causes them to look the same on the outside but process things differently on the inside. We can see how Rebekah has grown and changed with the times of transition in her own life. She has a heart for those around her and a sincere love for God.

Being in ministry does not guarantee you will have a good marriage. Rod and I were grateful for marriage tips that were shared on how to keep your marriage healthy while in ministry. Taking time to continually work on these skills in the midst of the busyness is on the top of our list for the New Year. We have a couple from Canada coming to visit in April. We have invited Don & Judy Kropp to share with our staff their expertise on marriage matters. Both Don & Judy are marriage mentors using the materials from Love & Respect. We are looking forward to them sharing with YUGO staff how they too can keep their marriages vibrant while serving in ministry.

The days continue to be busy as those interested in serving with missions join us in El Faro. Networking and connecting with YUGO missionaries and other ministries have brought many opportunities to leave life changing experiences with the guests of El Faro.

Special Guests for Christmas-Jan 2008

Traveling down the bumpy roads, scarcely moving forward due to the crowds of people in the market could have brought frustration. But we were on a mission, a mission to deliver 250 Christmas gifts to be handed out by ten individuals from St. Simons church in Georgia to a Mexican church called Casa de Oracion (House of Prayer).

This building did not look like any other that people normally gather in for a church service. In years past, music could be heard through out the streets as people searching for the purpose of life filled the dance floor. Today this building has been transformed into a place where the Good News is shared.

The team shared the Christmas story through a play, a play sharing the Good News of how God came to reveal himself, and how He did so through a human body. A human body, born in a humble setting, that felt cold, hurt and disappointment. The birth of Christ was clearly displayed as a gift, the greatest gift ever given.

The time came for gifts to be handed out to the children. Little faces beamed as children unwrapped and played with their gifts. We soon left knowing we had done our small part in facilitating the Georgia group in sharing the gifts they brought with the children and the truth about Our Heavenly Father and the gift He sent for each of us.

Many Mexican children received gifts this Christmas. Thank you in part to Daryl & Marita from Salmon Arm, B.C., the Robinson family from Red Deer and my parents John & Gerry Szott for getting involved with YUGO staff to give to those in need.

Having my mom and dad, John & Gerry Szott join us in ministry was one of the highlights of our first Christmas spent together in Mexico. They brought with them gifts bags and quilts to be given out at a needy orphanage nearby. Mom and Dad, thanks for your part in reaching out to the children on Mexico.
The year of 2007 came with many great memories. We don’t even know where to begin. We are thankful for the staff we have worked with. Each one carries a very special place in our hearts for their friendship, hard work and dedication in serving.

“Lord my God, you have done many miracles. Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count.” Psalm 40:5 I read this scripture and knew this applied to those we have had the privilege to work with. A book could be written about all the wonderful opportunities there have been to reach out to the people around us and how God has used many to fulfill His plan.

It is not easy to live in Mexico. Yet, our comrades in ministry have chosen to give up the easy life which includes leaving behind safety, comforts, family and friends to come and serve the Mexican people. It is an honor to work with each of you.

And our families, the ones we left behind. Thank you for supporting us and allowing us to continue to fulfill God’s calling for our lives. When we visit orphanages and see children the ages of our own grand children, there is a tug at our hearts. We walk in gratitude, knowing that our grand children are well cared for and loved. We are also thankful for the many that have come to visit, join us in ministry and spur us on. We could not serve here in Mexico with out each one of you standing behind us. Thank you!