Collins Family in Mesick, MI

Classes are in full swing at Puebla Bible Seminary. This semester I am teaching 3 courses: Greek 3: Introduction to Exegesis and Pentateuch and Historical Books (2 modules: in-person and online). Beyond the great opportunities I have for student interaction in class, I’ve had many opportunities to pour into students outside of the classroom. Pentateuch and Historical Books in-person Pentateuch and Historical Books Online Juan Carlos is one student we’ve had the opportunity to support and pour into over the last couple of years. He is in his final full year of seminary classes, and I’ve had him in all 4 language classes I teach. He has come to me many times for advice in ministry, in his walk with God, relationships, and other personal issues. Juan Carlos Caleb is a very hardworking student who is also a great leader and a very godly young man. I’ve had him in 4 classes now, and it’s very encouraging to me to see his passion for God, his compassionate servant’s heart, and his dedic...

TRIP TO THE STATES We are so thankful that God provided the opportunity to travel to the States this summer. It was a joy to see so many of our family and friends and to report to our supporting churches. We hope we will have the chance to meet with even more of you the next time we are there. It is so encouraging to have so many churches and individuals partnering with us in the work God has given us to do here in Puebla. We know that many of you pray for us often, and we are very thankful for you. MOVING FORWARD We arrived back in Mexico just in time for me to participate in the wedding of one of my seminary students, Adolfo Gonzalez. It is encouraging to see God raising up ministry-minded families to serve Him here! Over the next few weeks, we look forward to jumping back into our various ministries with our church, Puebla Bible Seminary, the children’s homes, and discipleship in Huilango. I continue to have many opportunities to preach, teach, share devotionals, and discipl...

Children’s homes Boys’ home With the boys’ home, we´ve had opportunities to share devotionals, play soccer with them at the seminary, and make pizzas together. One of the older boys, Emilio, celebrated his birthday earlier this month, and we were invited to join them for a birthday party!   Girls’ home At the girls’ home we’ve continued visiting every Friday night. I share a devotional with the girls about the attributes of God, and Sarah teaches them how to make desserts and other foods. A couple of the girls also had birthday parties recently, and we were invited to celebrate with them! One of the girls, Laura, asked Sarah to do a regular personal Bible study with her, and Sarah has invited her to come over to our home for lunch and a Bible study on Thursdays. She has been very receptive and asks really good questions. Several new girls arrived a couple months ago from another children’s home in Mexico, so there are now 14 girls. We are thankful for the opportuni...

I've set some pretty big goals for the coming year. With God's help and with some encouragement and accountability I think I can reach these goals and so improve spiritually, physically, relationally, and mentally. Here are the goals organized by categories along with the habits I plan to practice to help me reach the goals. Spiritual Goals Bible Reading Goal : Read/listen through Bible 5 times (ESV, NTV/NBLA, NLT audio 3x) Habits : Follow 5 day/week Bible reading schedule reading each passage in 2 translations; listen to audio 3 days’ worth per day; take 2 days a week to meditate on and apply readings. Prayer Goal : Have a regular personal prayer time (besides “praying without ceasing”) Habits : 10-15 minutes of daily scheduled prayer time (praying through lists and/or Scripture). Memorization Goal : Memorize 1 verse/month in English (ESV), Spanish (NBLA) and original language. Habits : Print and hang verses in the kitchen and review daily in the morning. Mem...

  Puebla Bible Seminary Fall semester ended at Puebla Bible Seminary this last Friday, December 4. This semester I taught Greek 1 and 3. For many of the students, it was their most challenging class, but I was thankful to see their effort to learn. I also enjoyed getting to know many of the students on a more personal level and counseling and encouraging them in their personal lives and ministries. At the end of the semester, we had a special celebration and Sarah made some delicious treats for my students. For the spring semester next year, I am scheduled to teach Greek 2 and Introduction to Hebrew. I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare these courses and that God would help me as I teach and the students as they learn. Children’s Homes We have had several opportunities to serve in the children’s homes over the past few months. Many Saturdays we play soccer with the boys at the seminary, and I’ve been able to share from God’s Word with them too. At the girls’ hom...

  Puebla Bible Seminary Classes at Puebla Bible Seminary began this last Monday, August 17. We are starting by teaching the classes online, with the hope that in a month or so we may be allowed to have classes in person.   Greek 1 & 3 Classes This semester I am teaching 2 classes, Greek 1 and 3. I was supposed to teach another class too, but it was canceled because there were not enough new students. As you may imagine, Greek is a difficult subject for most of the students, so please pray for the students to have a good understanding of the material and that they would put forth the necessary effort to learn. Mentoring at PBS Another opportunity I have at the seminary is in the mentoring program, which is like being a ministry supervisor to students. I am mentoring three students: Alfredo, Caleb, and Erik. It is encouraging to us to see the growth in the students’ lives and ministries. Children’s Homes The children have been coming to the seminary on Saturday...

ANSWER TO PRAYER: LIZ BECAME A BELIEVER! If you’ve seen our recent newsletters, you may remember that we have been discipling a younger couple who live at the seminary and go to our church. Alfredo grew up in Niños de México (the organization we work with at the children’s homes). He has a hunger for God’s Word and is really enjoying his studies at the seminary. His wife Liz , however, was not a believer, but she agreed to move with him to Puebla so he could study at the seminary. Soon after they arrived, we invited them to come to church with us, and we began discipling them. We knew from the beginning that Liz was not a believer, and so we have been praying for her and consistently presenting the truths of the gospel to her. The Bible study we are doing with them about marriage is extremely gospel-focused, and Liz has been receptive to the teaching now for a few months. And so we knew she was close to trusting Christ. And then on Tuesday, April 28, Alfredo shared with us...