Justin's Birthday

We are thankful that we were able to be back in town and spend some time with Justin for his birthday. We were able to take Justin to Mr. Gatti's Pizza buffet along with Ana & Tevi as well as Grandma & Grandpa Hernandez before they left for Mexico again. The kids got into the photo both and we had this picture taken. In the picture from Left to Right: Carena Raymer, Justin Fabela, Estevan (Tevi) Fabela.

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We were also able to go to Justin's soccer game that was held on his birthday. His team beat the undefeated team on this day. These are a couple of photos I took. The boy with Justin is his friend from school Ezekiel.

Carena & Tita

While we were in Monterrey these past couple of weeks, Carena saw a picture on a billboard of a Chimp named Timo. She thought he was so cute. I told here I knew where he lived, and maybe someday we could go and visit him. A week later we were downtown Monterrey spending some time as a family, and we got to the street where Timo lived. I told Carena we would go see if Timo was home. We arrived in the store and Timo wasn't home but Carena immediately saw Tita, a much smaller Chimp playing and she decided she wanted her picture taken with Tita the Chimp in a little dress wearing a diaper (she thought that was so funny). After the picture Tita turned and gave Carena a giant hug - it was very cute.

Carena's AWANA Presentation

On Sunday, May 4, 2008 Carena participated in our church's AWANA presentation with her Puggles group. We thought you might enjoy the video.

Raymer Update - April 2008

April 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

The past several months have been full of activity for us. We thank the Lord for His provision and protection during these days.

As many of you have heard, we are currently preparing to transition our base of operation to the Monterrey, Mexico area. We will be continuing to minister with OREMUNDO, as well as, work closer with our sister ministry Universidad Cristiana de Las Américas (Christian University of the Americas). We will be working on expanding the new area of Advanced Pastor Training Courses that we have begun to record. We will also be expanding the publications area of OREMUNDO and UCLA. We have been busily trying to pack our belongings and get our house ready to put on the market to sell. We ask that you would pray for us as we have our house on the market, and as we look for housing in Monterrey. Our plans are to move once our home has sold.

Although we have been focusing on our upcoming move, it has not slowed down our pace. February began with Russell and Kirk Briscoe making a quick trip visiting a number of churches making plans for our summer trip ministry. We thank the Lord for the folks who will be traveling with us this summer. We have over 200 people scheduled to minister in Mexico with us this summer.

The second week of February took our family to the Tampico, Mexico area for a pastors conference. Russell was asked to assist with the technical aspects of this conference. It was a lot of movement of equipment as Russell sat up the sound and recording equipment in one location during the day, then in a completely different auditorium in the evening. We thank God for the wonderful preaching that was presented at this conference which was focused on different social problems facing God’s people in today’s world. While in Tampico we got to see several of the children that Debbie taught in VBS last August and their parents. What a blessing to see that 3 new families have been going to that church since the kids classes.

March took us back into Mexico for another pastors conference and a special service celebrating 50 years in the ministry for Debbie’s dad, Valente Hernandez. God has richly blessed the ministry of Bro. Hernandez, and there was a large group of people present whose lives have been touched through his ministry. The celebration marked a milestone not a completion of ministry. We thank God for the continuing ministry as an Evangelist that Debbie’s dad has throughout Mexico. As family, we wish that he would slow down a little, but we are thankful for his faithfulness to the Lord. Debbie enjoyed seeing family members that she had not seen in 15 years.

April took us back to Monterrey for a special conference celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Christian University of the Americas. Russell once again assisted with the technical aspects of this conference. It was exciting to hear the testimonies of how God was using the graduates in different areas of ministry. It was a special time of giving thanks to God for His blessings and provision over the years. We are excited about working closer with these students in the future.
Carena continues to grow. Recently she began attending a K4-K5 class one day a week. She enjoys going to school, but does not like sitting down for the classwork. She continues to grow and does not stop going. She is a typical 3 year old. She is excited about moving down to Monterrey, although she keeps asking if we are taking her toys with us.

Please pray for us as we will be spending the majority of the month of May in Monterrey recording a course on youth ministry. This course will be part of the new program for pastors that we are creating. Russell will also be coordinating another Intensive Course for pastors the 8th-10th of May.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support. We are so blessed to be completing 15 years serving the Lord here in Mexico and realize that it is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we have been able to continue in this ministry.

May the Lord richly bless each of you,

Russell & Debbie Raymer