May Baptism Pics-See details in post below

Home Assignment Happenings E-mail Update: 5/12/2011

Warm Greetings from California!

We are excited to share the news that 9 teens and adults from Iglesia Emanuel were baptized on May 1^st.
(Pictures posted above-courtsey of the Reyes')

Our co-workers from San Jose report -

Each person has a unique story of how he or she came to know Jesus:

Samuel from Russia was led to Christ by his Mexican stepfather. Ricardo, a former drug addict, learned about Christ from Amarildo who was baptized last year. (Ricardo is second-from-the-left in the third photo. Two of the men are from his cell group and two are former alcoholics who have faithfully encouraged him.)

Daniel and Sinthia's mother told me to tell Art that they were interested in becoming Christians-could I ask Art to talk with them? (That is a VERY Latin way to communicate!) Their older sister was baptized with them. She had received Christ in her cell group last year.

It never gets tiring to see people following Christ and making this public commitment! We are especially excited that many youth took the next step in obedience. It is also thrilling to witness more fruit from Amarildo’s life and testimony. The three siblings mentioned are from a family whose initial contact was made through an outreach using EvangeCubes, a special tool for sharing the Gospel.

Iglesia Emanuel continues to grow in number and spiritually. The congregation voted to approve hiring a young Mexican pastor to come and co-pastor alongside our co-worker, Art Reyes. They are awaiting his response. Please pray as the church continues to move towards a completely nationally led congregation. It is wonderful to see them growing in so many ways.

Next week (May 16-20) is our field’s annual conference for the missionaries. Since we are based in Southern California for the remainder of our home assignment, we have decided to attend the conference as well as make a short visit to San Jose afterwards. In light of the growth of Iglesia Emanuel and the reality that it is transitioning to national leadership, this places us in a position of asking the Lord, “What’s next?” We have been praying and have been dialoguing with those at TEAM’s headquarters but we look forward to the opportunity to discuss all of the potential opportunities with our fellow teammates at the conference. It will also be a great pleasure to hear reports from all of the various ministries TEAM has in Mexico of what God is doing. Please pray for all of us who will be participating in the conference and that we would receive clear direction for our future ministry. We would also greatly appreciate your prayers for safety and an uneventful drive down and back.

Our goal remains to finish up our home assignment and return to the field in late July or early August. We praise the Lord for increase in our support level and trusting Him for the remainder as we continue to visit with several more churches in Southern California.

Thank you for your prayers and partnering with us!

The Eager Family

Where Do You Live?

For most people, this question doesn’t generate any anxiety, concern, confusion or related emotions. However, for our family right now, it is an especially hard question. With all the transitions we have faced and continue to face on the mission field, here on home assignment right now and as we plan and prepare for our return to Mexico, it becomes increasingly more difficult. Our seven year old, Micah, summed it up really well a few weeks ago when he cheerfully and matter of factly said, “We don’t live anywhere, we live everywhere!”

In all honesty, at the time, I did not know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh because it is comical in a sense all of the places we’ve been. Cry because I know he is lacking something I had growing up-the sense of security and permanence that living in one house for most of your growing up years can provide. It also reminded me of the Bible’s teaching about the reality that this world is NOT our home. But, oh, at times, it is still hard to not long for that sense of security and permanence that a fixed address seems to provide.

Recent events in our lives have had me pondering these issues once again…where do you live? At this point in our lives and ministry, there seem to be more questions than answers regarding our future. I confess that I am what I like to call a “recovering control freak” as step by shaky step, I am learning to yield control over to the Lord-it was really always His anyways, right?! So, you can imagine that unknowns tend to stress me out. Well, I have just been through several experiences that have filled me with such peace that I KNOW could ONLY come from Him. This recovering control freak could never have mustered this sense of deep, abiding peace on her own-that is for sure!

You see, as our world, some of our dreams were shaken the other day and we felt blind sided-He showed up in such a powerful and undeniable way for me. This experience with my Savior has been such a growing, testing one and at times painful but oh so worth it for the glimpses of Him and His enfolding embrace I felt and continue to feel.

As I sat contemplating where we will live, He brought me to a quote that I felt He placed for me to find at just the right moment to bear fruit in my life. For you see, the idea was not all that new or profound but it was for me at that moment. The quote is, “Make God your permanent residence. Everything else is just temporary.” I don’t even know who said it first but oh the profound truth for me in that moment. That longing for security and permanence-fulfilled when I chose to make Him my PERMANENT residence. My tears over what felt like a lost dream turned to peace and joy knowing that the dream lost wasn’t lost at all-for HE is my one hope and my dream-everything else truly is temporary.

Then we went to church in the morning and every song was like a resounding confirmation to TRUST completely in Him and to LIVE in Him. God knew I needed that extra reminder of what He’d shown me the night before. Those songs had been planned days, perhaps weeks, before but He knew exactly what I needed that morning.

Blessed Be Your Name reminded me that even though He gives and takes away, I still need to choose to praise Him and it reminded me of what a pastor once spoke about that song-how if we cling too tightly to something, then our hands cannot be open to receive what God wants to give us in its place. So, while that dream had looked so good, I am now expectant and excited for the new one He will give.

Another song spoke of how sweet it is to trust in Jesus and I think, in that moment, I finally understood completely what those lyrics meant even though I’d been singing that hymn practically since I learned to speak.

Finally, another old hymn held such power and meaning as never before-I Surrender All. O Father, I do surrender it all-our future, my control freak ways… EVERYTHING! Towards the end of the song, it actually says, “In His presence daily live.” I can’t say that the line ever held such meaning to me before.

So, back to the original question, where do you live?

Home Assignment Happenings (E-mail update): March 2, 2011

Warm greetings from the Phoenix area!

We left California this past weekend just before the camp we are staying at was to be hit by a snow storm. The kids were a bit disappointed but we were grateful to have escaped. We realized after the first two snows there that we are no longer used to the cold and especially snow! However, we are thankful that our kids' prayers for snow to play in have been answered! (I will attach a picture of them.)

We are currently participating in a missions conference in Sun City, Arizona. It has been a wonderful time of teaching and encouragement. We love sharing what God is doing in Mexico and we absolutely love hearing what He is doing all over the world as well. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers for safety when we need to travel in order to visit churches and individuals.

We have not had a lot to report the past several months. Much of our time has been spent settling in to the trailer we are living in at the camp and connecting with people and churches. We are grateful for the continued opportunities the Lord has provided for us to share what the He is doing in Mexico. We feel especially blessed by the Lord's guidance to a nearby church for us to attend while living there. It reminds us a lot of our church in Mexico because of how warm and welcoming everyone is.

Before closing out, we want to share a bit from a report we received from our co-workers in San Jose del Cabo. We are praising the Lord that several newer youth have accepted Christ. Please pray with us that they will continue to grow spiritually and become leaders within the youth group and the church. They have also asked prayer for several who are struggling spiritually. Please pray particularly for one young lady who is choosing to marry later this month against the wishes of her family and for another young man who has decided he wants nothing more to do with his faith. We know that the prayers of God's people are powerful and effective. Thank you for rejoicing with us for those who have come to know Him and for standing with us in prayer for those in need.

By His Grace,
Phil and Pattie

Home Assignment Happenings (E-mail update): Nov. 8, 2010

Greetings from Iowa!

No, we have not fallen off the face of the earth but have driven well over 3000 miles since our last update and over 7000 since the start of our Home Assignment in June. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers as we travel. We continue to praise the Lord for no major difficulties throughout the many miles. It has been a tremendous blessing to be able to reconnect with so many of you as we have visited in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York the past few months. What a joy to be able to share what God is doing in Mexico with so many people! We will be finishing up our time in the Midwest just after Thanksgiving. We will be heading for warmer climates to visit in Texas and ultimately finishing the final half of our home assignment in California. We look forward to continuing to speak in churches and share with many more people.

We would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for safety as we travel as well as for the challenges we face with home schooling in the midst of the many transitions. The kids have been wonderful troopers through it all and have really enjoyed being able to participate in Awana even while we are on the road. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and excitement for committing the Word of God to memory. There have also been some great opportunities for field trips in many places including: Philadelphia, Washington DC and Chicago which have helped bring to life what they have been learning in their classes.

Meanwhile in Mexico...

· Several of our youth and their families have been going through some difficult times. Please pray that God would be honored and put first.

· Amarildo continues to share the gospel and has earned the nickname of the church evangelist. It is wonderful to hear that he is so passionate about following Christ and sharing Him with those the Lord brings across his path.

· Please pray for Phil's friend, Manuel, with whom he was meeting weekly with for Bible study. Phil has been unable to reach him by phone because his phone has been disconnected and it appears the restaurant where he was working is closed so no one is sure where he is right now. We know that the Lord knows where he is and are praying that he continues to study the Word and seek the Lord and fellowship with other believers.

· Praise God with us that Iglesia Emanuel continues to grow!

Thank you never seems enough to express how grateful we are for your partnership with us....God bless you for the sacrifices you make both in time (your prayers and encouraging notes) and financially.

By His Grace,

Phil and Pattie

Home Assignment Happenings (E-mail update): Aug. 13, 2010

Greetings from Indiana!
We are about to embark on the next part of our Home Assignment Journey to the East. After leaving California, we headed to TEAM headquarters in the Chicago area in order to have a time of debrief in the office, medical checks and a special TEAM conference for missionaries who are on home assignment as well as visit friends and churches in the area. It was a very full, but wonderful month! We feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to reconnect with so many already and this is just the beginning. The Lord has provided some excellent friendships for our children along the way which is an added blessing for them. We are excited to continue reconnecting with many of you as we travel to various regions.

Many of you already have heard via Facebook: I (Pattie) took a nasty fall from the back of our van while we were loading up to leave California, requiring a visit to the ER, some stitches and quite a bit of pain. We just wanted to make sure you knew that I am doing really well now and pretty much all healed. Thank you for your prayers as we travel, we really appreciate them so much and know that this particular incident could have been much worse if not for many people praying. I have been joking that there seems to almost always be one ER visit during our trips so it is good we got it out of the way at the beginning this time!

We recently received an e-mail with excellent news from our coworkers, Art and Vicki Reyes. We have asked prayer for Amarildo in the past who we first got to know in our cell group. He had stopped by our home various times as well, asking for prayers and counsel about some difficult family situations andd his struggles with alcoholism. Phil had been able to encourage him and share with him the SALT discipleship materials we have found very helpful. Before our departure, we could see much growth and enthusiasm about his new and growing faith. I am going to share an excerpt (bolded) from our coworker's e-mail about Amarildo. We felt like dancing with joy when we read it and we hope it encourages you as well. It reminded us that often, God uses many people and circumstances in a person's life to bring them to faith and to help them grow just like is happening in Amarildo's life.

"Art, would you come over? I am trying to explain the Gospel to Ricardo, but I need some help!" Amarildo called at 10:30 pm last Friday night.

Amarildo has just recently understood that salvation is by faith, not by good works. He is very excited and is trying to evangelize his world! Ricardo did decide to follow Christ. Now, Amarildo wants to disciple him.

Yesterday, Amarildo knocked on our gate. He had two young women with him. They were looking for work. I gave them some breakfast and groceries and began to explain how the Lord uses hard times so that we seek Him.

"I was planning to talk to them about God," Amarildo pulled out a Bible. "Let them eat their breakfast, and I will tell them. You can go back to whatever you are doing."

I was a little shocked, but quite amused!

Please pray for Rosa and Angelica who heard the Gospel yesterday.

Amarildo plans to be baptized in two weeks.

Thank you again for your partnership with sharing the Good News in Mexico and being a part of the chain that helped bring Amarildo to faith and those he will in turn lead to the Lord. Please continue to pray for him and for healing in his family in the days ahead. Please also continue to keep our youth in your prayers. There are several who are really struggling with obedience to their parents. Please pray for wisdom for the parents and that the youth would seek to glorify God above ALL else in their lives.

By His Grace,
Phil and Pattie

Bits from the Border E-mail Update: June 22, 2010

Greetings from Southern California!

After departing San Jose del Cabo a day and a half later than planned and some very long days driving, we crossed the border and arrived here late Saturday evening. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement as we finished up the difficult task of packing up our entire house for storage or to bring with us and the emotional process of saying goodbyes for the time being. We are extremely grateful for Phil's sister, Karen, who helped us so much in caring for our kids so we could complete packing and clearing out our house. Without her help, we would probably still be there working. Thank you as well for your prayers for safety in our travels. We are grateful to have had a fairly uneventful trip up the Baja.

We would appreciate your continued prayers for our children with the continuing transitions as we travel to many different places. It was esepcially difficult for Josh and Abby to say goodbye to their close friends in Mexico. We are also discovering that while Micah and Luke are not as verbal about their struggles, they are finding other ways to demonstrate the stress they are experiencing. Please pray that we would have wisdom in how best to support and help them through all fo these transitions and that we would maintain healthy, God honoring balances during our home assignment.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you while we travel. After visiting a supporting church in the LA area this coming Sunday, we will start the trip across the states that will have us ending up at TEAM's headquarters in the Chicago area around July 11th. From there, we will be making trips East, throughout the Midwest and finally through Texas before heading back to California to set up a home base for the remainder of our home assignment. We are so grateful for one of our supporting churches here in Southern California (FCC of El Centro) who gave our van a complete tune up for the next phase of our journey. What a HUGE blessing!

Please keep our youth leadership team and the adults who will be supervising them at Iglesia Emanuel in your prayers. We know that they are very capable of leading the group and are so proud of them though it was hard to say goodbye. Pray that they would continue to grow and flourish in their faith and reach out to their friends with Christ's love. Please also pray for Manuel who Phil has been meeting with weekly for Bible studies. He is so hungry to learn and filled with many questions. Pray that he will connect well with the man the church leadership decides to have continue meeting with him. The picture is of Phil with Manuel.

Thank you again for all of your love, prayers and encouragement. We could never say enough how much you all mean to us and express fully how your partnership has enabled us to serve in Mexico. Gracias!

By His Grace,

Phil and Pattie