3 November 2008

 

Hello all,

 

Like usual, I begin by saying that it has been a long time since I have last written.  Many things have happened.  Here is a quick overview:

 

I am currently writing from Kalamazoo.  The job here has continued.  I have now been here on and off since September.  Overall, things are going well but many days are stressful and exhausting.  At this point, I'm committed until May 10th with a one-week break coming up.  It's very likely that this situation will continue.

 

Areli is currently very busy back in Mexico City with her studies.  After this semester, she will only have one more to go.

 

With my current work situation, I've been extremely blessed that I can essentially set my own schedule.  During the month of December, I spent four weeks in Mexico.  I don't know of many docs that have this luxury.  Last month, I spent two weeks with Areli in Mexico.  We had the opportunity to visit the beach town of Ixtapa on the Pacific coast.  There are lots of pictures on the website.  The hotel was completely paid for by the bonus points that I've accumulated through my prolonged hotel stays while working here in Kalamazoo.

 

As far as missions stuff goes, I continued to give “curbside consults” to the people of the church in Mexico City when I am there.  There have not been any further medical brigades to Temascalcingo or other villages.  I look forward to doing this again as God allows.  I still do not have a medical license to practice in Mexico.  I'm going to continue to try to pursue this in the coming months.

 

Regarding the future, our plans are still not clear.  Recently, I have felt that God is confirming His plans to have us bring medical treatment and the Truth of His Word to the pueblos (small villages) in Mexico or possible elsewhere.  However, there are no solid plans laid out at this point.  Areli will be finishing all of her requirements and graduating at the end of this year, or possibly a few months into 2009.  After this time, our situation will likely change significantly.

 

I still have not heard anything on Areli's visa.  According to the expected processing times, I should have heard something by now.  I'm hoping that she will be able to enter the US this summer to visit my family and to stay with me while I'm working.  I am going to pursue this during the week.

 

Prayer requests:

 

1.  Continued direction and guidance.
2.  Areli’s visa situation.
3.  Strength for both of us in our commitments to work and school.
4.  Most importantly, that in this time of busyness, that Christ would be our focus.

 

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…” (Philippians 3:7-9).

 

Nice talking to you all (as if an email could be like a conversation). I I look forward tohearing from some of you in response to this email.

 

God Bless,

 

Sherwood and Areli