The family of Christ is growing!

Isn't it wonderful to know that one day there will be two young Mexican men with us in heaven because of YOUR prayers and support of our ministry here in Yucatan!

One man is named Jose and he has been involved with the Mormon church for several years. He had been searching for something more, when Jeff and Bob met up with him this past month. After clearly explaining God's plan of salvation to Jose, bowed his head and accepted God's priceless gift.

The other young man's name is Jesus. Jeff, Tori and her friend, Allison, were going door-to-door one Saturday this month, simply inviting people to come to church. Josue answered the door and began chatting with Jeff and the girls...from there, one thing led to another and God used the 3 of them as a witness in the life of Jesus. (Yes, that really IS his name!)

Continue to pray for our family and also the Bob Yeater family as we continue to plan for the new work in Caucel. Our desire is to see many lives changed and to see a solid ministry established for the families of Caucel.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We are excited that one day you
too will meet Jose and Josue.

2010

Hi Everyone! Wow, 2010 is finally here...and I'm only now just getting to our blog...in February! Oh well, better "late" than never, right!

The last time that we posted was in November and so, the following next few posts will be a general overview of the past several months. Happy reading and enjoy following what God has been doing in our lives here in Yucatan.

New Year...New Beginings

So many times at the start of a new year, we try so hard to maximize the fact that we get to start from fresh once more and are often times eager to shake last year's "dust"off of our feet.

Well, this year is definitely a "fresh start" for our family and our ministry.

On January 31st, we officially completed our last ministering service in the work of Iglesia Bautista Peninsular. Upon our arrival to Merida in 2002, by team ministry, we have since seen a church established and have trained nationals to carry on what we have started. Since they have taken ownership and responsibility for the ministry, it was quite clear that we had accomplished our job! Although it was sad to see such a long and dear chapter of our lives close, we are eagerly looking forward to the ministry opportunities that God has brought into our lives.

With that in mind, we are planning and praying with the Bob Yeater family, to once more establish a new work; however, this time in the city of Caucel. Currently, there is no religious group of any kind there in the city, but that wont be for long! Our desire is to be the first work available to those in Caucel and to make a major impact in their lives for Christ. Please be in prayer for us-particularly this year, as we need to return for furlough, raise additional support for the new work and also plan and establish the foundation of "Project First Impact".

Holiday Blessings

Does God answer "trivial" things?

It had been so hot here for days in the Yucatan, and we had been (fervently) praying for cooler weather so that we could feel a little more festive for the holidays. About a week before Christmas a cold...very COLD, "norte" blew in over the Peninsula and we have NEVER had a cooler Christmas season!

This year, in particular, both Tori and Tyler really wanted to celebrate the holiday with BOTH sets of grandparents. Well, after they had prayed for quite some time, we received a phone call from my parents (Jeff's already live here) stating that they were coming down to celebrate the holidays with us here in Mexico!

Last but not least...since November, we have been praying for a (great) new home for our dog, Cosmo. After praying for several weeks, God led us to a wonderful family who has adopted him into their home...where he sleeps every night in the bed with his new family-something he NEVER did at our place!

So, yes, God does answer what others might deem "trivial"...but also, He has been busy answering "big stuff" as well in our lives.

Finally, after 7+ years, the church has finally been able to purchase a property and begin its very FIRST BUILDING project!!! We have bought and then had to sell properties, because of loop-holes in the laws that prohibited La Peninsular from building a church property. However, God has allowed us to buy where we have been renting and now can add on to & expand what has already been built and "approved" of by the officials.

It's amazing how God takes such a great interest in our lives and our requests!

Happy 2010 and may your eyes been opened even wider to the amazing God that has created us!

Veterans Day

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

author unknown

As we approach the holiday day, it brings to mind our family and the sacrifices that they have made and are making for our country.

With many soldiers and veterans in our thoughts, we wanted to send a special, public "thank you" to some of our very favorites: our grandfathers, dad, uncles, & brothers. We LOVE you and are grateful for your sacrifices.

Tyler Gets Baptized

Last year, shortly after Christmas, Tyler placed his faith in Jesus. For Jeff and I it was such a huge step for him to take, because (Jeff in particular) we had been talking with him about this decision for over a year. His reply always was, "I'd rather wait a bit". We figured with his original hesitancy to become a Christian, there wasn't much need to discuss baptism with him until he was much older. However, surprise of surprises, Tyler approached Jeff, and several times at that, expressing his desire to let others see that he had become a Christian. We were so proud of him and are thankful that God has been at work in his heart. Thank you for your many prayers for our family. Tyler's step of faith and obedience are direct results to you prayers.

Congratulations, Tyler! We love you and are so very proud of you and the little man that you are becoming.

Pictures from the past year

A Fresh Look

With our furlough (yea!!) coming around next year, Jeff and I decided that it was time to update our letterhead, prayer card, presentation and blogger. We hope you enjoy to the new look and also the new posts that we've included. Let us know what you think-we always love hearing back from our friends and family.

FINALLY

After hours of retracing/reliving the past year...I'm finally up to date with our blogger!! For those of you who have patiently checked it month after month after month after...well, you get the point! I apologize-thank you for being so patient with us and for so kindly reminding me...on a monthly basis to get "updated". Enjoy our brief (but up to date :) ) postings!

The Carney Clan

November 08-Dec 08

This November, Jeff's oldest sister, Julia, and her family have moved to Merida to be a part of the team ministry! Tori and Tyler were thrilled to have more family (we are currently working with Jeff's parents) and just in time for the holiday seasons! We hope that many more people will be reached for Christ with the new addition to our team.


For Christmas my "best" present didn't come wrapped, nor did it fit under the tree....it was my PARENTS! Dad and Mom had some Jewish meetings scheduled here in Merida, and fortunately were able to coincide their business with pleasure! Jeff also was blessed with family this holiday season because his brother and wife were also able to come and briefly visit.

Jan-Feb 09

This past January through February we were busy with fund raisers for our teen camp in the summer. Many of the kids don't always have the monies that they need to attend camp, so Jeff organizes various fundraisers (predominately) in the beginning of the year to help with their camp expenses. We sold: pizzas, brownies, cakes, elotes (corn), bolis (frozen fruit juices), cremitas de coco (don't ask...I have NO idea!) and among other things, also flan. (Yes, Bryan, I thought of you the night we sold them!) We encourage the people of our church to donate the ingredients and then the teens "sell" the goods and the earnings are divided up among the campers. Jeff does a great job encouraging the church people to get involved and so far, it's been a successful endeavor.

Also, we have been currently working with 2 couples in the youth ministry: Humberto & Marina, and Virgineo & Iliana. Jeff had the privilege of baptizing Virgineo and we hope to see these couples slowly but surely begin to take on more and more of the ministry's responsibilities.

March-May 09

Because I'm blogging (approx) 1 year's worth of events under one month, I'm combining several months together...yes, I know you'd rather me keep the blog up-to-date on a monthly basis, but hey, haven't you ever heard of the saying, "Never look a gifted horse in the mouth"? Basically, be thankful for what you get! :)

So, let's see...in March of this year, Jeff and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary! This year, rather than going away we opted to stay at home and visit a few local sights. Mom C. kept the kids for us and we had a great time together. I'm so thankful for the wonderful husband that God has given me. I love you, Jeff! Thank you for being the love of my life and the best father our children could ever have!

Easter, in April of this year, was a special treat for TnT. Since the Miller's have joined our team ministry this past November, TnT now have COUSINS to celebrate the holidays with! After our sunrise service at the church, we had breakfast on the grounds and then went over to Jeff's sister's house to have an Easter meal and egg hunt for the kids. What a blessing to have family here...especially during the holidays!




Speaking of family...my sister and her husband came to visit us shortly after the Easter holiday!! As always, we had a GREAT visit...but like always, it was way too short. I think that we wound up visiting a new cenote every day of their trip-with the exception of Sunday. My brother-in-law LOVES the water and one of his favorite things to do here in Merida is to explore cenotes.








Needless to say, if you ever come for a visit and would like to know where the famous sinkholes of the Yucatan are located...just ask-we probably know most of them!

In May, we were able to finish up our 3rd year of homeschooling-yea-yea! This was the second year that I taught kindergarten and my first year at teaching 2nd grade. Both kids did really well and I was so proud of the efforts that they've made this past year. Now, only one more year of homeschooling to go....

June-July 09

This past June-July was a VERY busy time for our family. Tyler graduated from K-5, Jeff's younger sister, Janice, moved back to the Ivory Coast with her family and James, another one of Jeff's siblings, was married. To top that off, we drove out and then back in again to Mexico!
While we were back home, God enabled us to pick up another year of homeschooling for the children, see most of BOTH of our families and many of our friends.
We also were able to visit several supporting churches and meet some of the many people who make our ministry possible here in the Yucatan.










On our return trip, we met up with another missionary family who has joined the team ministry here in Merida. Praise the Lord, it was an uneventful trip with the exception of a tropical storm. This family is very dear to us because for years, Jeff and I have prayed that God would send us a family with children for our children. It is through this family that He has answered our request. However, not only did he give our children good friends, He also sent us (Jeff and me) friends through their parents! It's amazing how He gives us what we need...when we don't even realize that we need it! Welcome to Merida, Yeater family!

August 09

Many of you know that August is a crazy month for us because we celebrate 3 birthdays: Tyler, Tori and Jeff. This year we decided to do something a little different for TnT's birthdays. We went ahead and did a combined party for them at the location of their choice, Picolo Mondo. The kids and their guest all seemed to enjoy the party...and Jeff and I were happy to have the "mess" in someone other place!


Tori's bday was a rather bitter-sweet event for us...she kept saying, "This is my LAST single digit year. Next year I'll have 2 digits for my age!" *Sigh* They just grow up so fast. It's hard to believe that God entrusted her into our care only 9 years ago... and Tyler, has it really already been 7 years??



Thank you for the birthday calls, cards and presents. You have no idea how much it meant to the kids to have you remember their special days!

September 09

Mexican Independence Day is one of our favorite holidays here in the Yucatan. The city is decorated with flags, kids are off from school to participate in parades, and everyone is cooking "comida typica"...how could you NOT love a holiday like that?

This year at our church we did not hire a mariachi nor did we have a "street party" as we did last year; however, we still met the evening of the 15th as a church family for singing, fellowship...and of course...FOOD! The children of the church participated in a costume contest and both Tori and Tyler won a prize this year much to their excitement. We had a great turnout and the spirit of the church was typical of a fiesta. When the evening finished, TnT were already planning next year's costumes...

Viva Mexico!

October 2009

This month we've celebrated another year at I.B.P...unfortunately, our camera was not working properly and we weren't able to take many pictures of our anniversary Sunday. Nevertheless, we were encouraged to see several new families celebrating our 7th year with us and also so many "old" faces that have been with us from our very first service until present!

This past year has had its "ups and downs" however, God, as always is so good! We've had new families recently join the church, have seen many people make decisions for Christ, and FINALLY after all of this time, it looks like we'll have our OWN property!! Please continue to pray for the ministry here in the Yucatan and thank you for all of your prayers and faithful support. The faces that you see here in these pictures, may not have been lives impacted for Christ, if not for your support in our ministry.

2009...Where is it going...gone?

Ok, for those of you who have voiced their complaints regarding the current status of our blog...well, this is update is for you! Besides, what other blog can you read and see all of the updates for one year under one month's heading? I mean you gotta give it us, it's definitivly a "one-of-a-kind" blog! Happy reading...and please, no more snide comments about our "inactive" status!

Noche del Grito

One thing that I love about Mexico is that they know how to celebrate a holiday! There's always lots of vibrant colors, music and good food. This past holiday was no exception...

For those of you who didn't know, the Mexican day of independence is the 16th of September; however, it's the night before that gets all of the fan-fare. It's called "Noche del Grito" (Shout of Freedom). Among other things, most of the children get dressed up in traditional Mexican clothing from the early 1800's, an important town official rings a bell around 11 p.m. and all shout "Viva Mexico" in honor of Hidalgo and the other conspirators. It's a very important holiday for the people and most every state in Mexico celebrates this event.

Well, this year in our church, we hosted a "block party" with our neighbors and church members to celebrate the holiday. We received permission to close off the street, hired a mariachi to sing, had lots of food, fellowship and contests. The children dressed up and sang while the teens marched with their flag and then led us in salute to their pride.

We had several visitors and neighbors and even old members come and celebrate their independence day with us. All in all, it was a great event and I'm already looking forward to next year's party...!