The following words are the titles of each month´s letter written along with a brief summery of 2 months combined.  Enjoy.

January - Victory in Jesus
Febuary - Multitasking Missionary
"We pass on the baton to a new generation of leaders."

March - Thy Will be Done             
April - I have learned....
"Teaching children, Jesus loves them."

May - Let the Little Children come to Me 
June - Teaching by Faith
"Teaching and preaching, our mission purpose." 

July - A Time of Celebration        
August - Virtual Celebration
"New ideals and new goals as souls are won to Christ."

September - Generosity Fulfilled     
October - Thank you for your Service
"Fulfilling the Great Commission as new leaders are taught."

November - Your Missionary at Work 
December - Nativity - Navidad
"The doors of the mission are once again open as we celebrate the birth of Jesus."

As I read over the words written each month along with their titles, there is a common thread that ties together each month.  Faith. Faith that continues to support the ministry it was built upon. Faith that allowed us to teach, preach and share the Gospel in new ways. Faith that supported us during financial difficulties and the pandemic of 2020-2021. Faith that will continue to support the ministry to bring the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  

Many people measure success in different ways.  As missionaries we don´t look at success with our eyes focused on the past or present but dream of the future, "Fix your eyes on Jesus".  New people were won to Christ during 2021, that was our success, but it does not mean that our job is finished.  

As we close out 2021, we see that each and every monetary need was completely met even though the inflation rate grew more than 7%+ in Mexico during the year.  Lives were touched by your generosity and lives were won for Christ by your prayers.  This is our purpose and it was accomplished.       

January 2022 we will present the future of E.M.M., with its needs of course, but more importantly the work yet to be accomplished.  The New Year will be a land mark year for the ministry in the inner city.  

1972 - 2022  Fifty years of ministry to the inner city´s needs of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  C.D.N. - E.M.M.  Under two different names but the purpose never changed: share Jesus.

1992 - 2022  Thirty years for the ministry of the Ontañon Church of Christ.  Under the leadership of two different missionaries/ministers but with the same purpose and common goal: share Jesus.  

There have been countless children, youth and adults helped in the past 50 years and there have been many souls washed white as snow through the ministry of the mission and church.

There is only one person to thank for all that has been accomplished, God, for the strength given us to see that His ministry continues in the inner city.  

By mid January, a financial report of 2021 will be available to those that desire one and a proposed budget of 2022 by the board of directors of E.M.M..  We will be cleaning up our contact lists both physical and electronically.  If you are interested in continuing to recieve information about the ministry please advise us as your name may be dropped.  We don´t want to leave anyone out in all that God is doing through the ministry of E.M.M.

Serving with you as your Field Director, Minister, College Professor, and Friend.
Jose Manuel Gonzalez

Serving with you for the past 31 years as Directors of E.M.M.
David and Sheri DeBolt

Address:
2950 E. - 350 N.
Bluffton, IN 46714

Nativity - Navidad

In English or Spanish,  Nativity or Navidad the meaning is the same, the birth of Jesus Christ.  The miracle message that our Savior, our Emanuel came to be with us.  

As I look around the house there are many reminders of this magical time of year.,  The tiny vintage Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from Christmas past.  Colorful ceramic Christmas trees decorate the kitchen as well as the living room and let´s not forget to admire that once a year tradition of seeing grandma´s hand painted ceramic gingerbread house on display.  There are snow globes that sparkle as the pretend snow slowly drifts down over there unique Christmas scenes. Pine scented candles send that once a year Christmas aroma throughout the house.  Then there are the four very unique Nativity scenes.  Let me describe each one.  

One was a gift from last Christmas.  A beautiful one piece scene of the Nativity with the words to that classic Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World" on one side.  The entire scene is embedded in an antique looking Bible scroll.   
Another is of a tiny wooden stable with miniature figurines standing each in its proper place while looking at Jesus in the manger.  

Then there is a very special one that took years to make just perfect.  A large wooden stable with a rustic roof and each year a new ceramic figure was added to this beautiful Nativity scene from an open market in Mexico.  Large palm trees over look the manger and the shepherds with their flocks looking at the new born King. 

Finally the forth Nativity is made of a very special wood and came from a very far away place.  Rustic in its design.  Simple and unique in the way a carpenter designed and hand crafted and carved each piece.  It´s from Israel, Jerusalem to be exact and made from the very trees that Jesus traveled through, olive trees and probably as a child he too carved wooden figures.  Unique indeed.  A hand carved manger and Jesus placed in its fold.  Coming from the very place that God came to earth in the form of a baby born and placed in a  manger, in the city of Bethlehem.  God our creator came to live with us and was placed in a lowly humble stable.  King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God in all his glory and infinite love came as a child and they named him Jesus.  Our Savior and Lord

We truly thank you for sharing in so many different ways during 2021.  Many gifts were given so that the true meaning of Christmas the Nativity could be shared all year long here in the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  Children, youth and adults were touched by your generosity.  Countless individual and families were ministered to through the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission.  The list seems endless, but to put it all in one word, that would be, Nativity or Navidad.  We celebrate the message of Christmas everyday with everyone because of the birth of Jesus Christ.  

Born to simple folk, lived his youth as a carpenters son, stepped into ministry with twelve unknown and unlearned men that would later turn the world upside down, all because of his birth in that lowly humble stable.  God came to earth and with that he brought us the greatest gift of all, Salvation.

We celebrate the Nativity at E.M.M. just like many of you.  There will be Christmas carols sung at church and share gifts to those less fortunate that us.  The Nativity story from both the Gospel books of Matthew and Luke will be read.  The kitchen will be filled with the wonderful smells of a Christmas Eve midnight meal that will include Christmas punch and of course what Mexican Christmas meal would not be the same without a variety of warm delicious tamales and atole.  
        
Every manger scene helps us to remember the very true meaning of Christmas .  The glorious way that God came to earth. Thankful, blessed and knowing that Emanuel means, "God with us" and indeed he truly is.

Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas

Thank you and may God bless your Christmas beyond belief this year.  We are truly blessed by your gifts and prayers so we can share the Nativity - Navidad to an inner city and beyond.  

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:11

Wishing your the very best this Christmas season and New Year with all its new opportunities.

Jose Manuel Gonzalez
David and Sheri DeBolt

Patience is a virtue, especially if you are a missionary in Mexico.  Now after a year and 8 months of quarantine, Covid restrictions are being lifted here in the state of San Luis Potosi, and city of San Luis Potosi. 

Good things do happen to those who wait.  Especially during the time of the pandemic Jose was able to be there for the neighbors who faced Covid head on and was there for them, praying and visited with precautions.   Many came to ask for prayer and he unfortunately visited those who lost loved ones to Covid. 

November also was a new beginning as the church at Ontañon was able to reopen to all their normal church opportunities to serve others. 

This time of Thanksgiving we need to especially be thankful for Faith, which had sustained us through many trials, Family, which have continually prayed for us, Friends, who encourage us, Finances that continue to bless others in need and Food whether it be a taco or turkey we can share with others in need. 

We are Thankful for Patience that has brought us through this past year.

Jose, David and Sheri

"GENEROSITY FULFILLED"
Recently I heard the statement, "Generosity Fulfilled", by a church leader who was commending the congregation for their outstanding giving.  Another church leader told his congregation during a Sunday morning offering thought that "the church does not need your money, it´s you who needs to give as the Lord blesses your life and family and in turn the church is blessed."  Both churches are thriving for the Kingdom at home and abroad.  Both congregations are living our what the Bible teaches about giving and that it is a blessing and an honor to support the Church and its many mission out reach opportunities.

We too want to lift up our outstanding supporters for their, "Generosity Fulfilled", in supporting the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission.  Our board of directors are deeply involved in seeing that the mission work carried out is having an impact on peoples lives in Mexico.  Also we are accountable to the Valley Christian Church as our home base in Lakeville, Minnesota and all of our wonderful supporters throughout Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and California.

As we enter this time of fall harvest we see the farmers bringing in what they had sowed in the spring and watched and waited as God abundantly water throughout the spring and summer months. It´s always God who blesses the increase to the harvest especially when we consider the ministry of the Church.  

Consider giving a first fruits gift of your fall harvest whether your a farmer or any kind of able bodied worker.  It is us who needs to give as the Lord blesses our efforts and labors.  

Jose was asked to teach (Tuesday to Friday) at Colegio Cristiano del Centro (CCC) located here in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This year the college has experienced a new growth in the student body and in need of more professors and faculty..   It is only a 15 minute drive from the mission and still allows time for Jose to oversee all the mission outreach opportunities that EMM is involved in here in the inner city.

Jose is helping to fulfill the Great Commission by teaching and enabling a new generation of Church leaders to be sent out into the harvest fields. The Bible says the harvest is plentiful.  Pray for Jose and his students as together they are answering the call for more workers.  

"Generosity Fulfilled" by our outstanding  supporters of Emanuel Mexico Mission.  

Jose, David and Sheri

Field Director:
Jose Manuel Gonzalez

Facebook:
Emanuel Mexico Mission
Iglesia Cristiana en Ontanon

August 13, 2021

Thank you!

Greetings once again from your mission partners in Mexico.  With your help Jose completed a successful month of VBS and Camp during July.

All the children loved VBS and the Adults especially liked being included in VBS with their own class time.
Camp week was fruitful as 12 young people came to Christ and others rededicated their lives in response to the Word being preached.  During the week Jose was responsible for all the worship times and each evening shared the devotion.

Unfortunately, at the end of camp week several campers and the majority of staff came down with COVID.  Glad to report that most are out of danger of COVID and just two more are still recovering. Jose had mild symptoms of COVID but recovered quickly   

Values of E.M.M. require living daily in each one of the following ways:

A.    Preach -  Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples, baptizing…”
B.    Teach -    Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to obey…”
C.    Share -
D.    Feed -   Matthew 25:35-36 “You did for me…”  
E.    Love -    

God bless you richly as you allow us to share the Gospel to the Inner City of San Luis Potosi and beyond.

Jose Manuel Gonzalez
David and Sheri DeBolt

EMANUEL MEXICO MISSION
VIRTUAL CELEBRATION - OCTOBER 8, 2021

Emanuel Mexico Mission celebrated lives changed during the month of July, 2021.  Over 69 children and adults attended a week of VBS filled with crafts, music, games and most importantly the message that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  

During camp, Jose had the privilege to lead worship and preach the evening devotion each night.  Twelve young people gave their lives to Christ and were obedient to Christian baptism and others rededicated their vows to live a life worthy of the Christian calling.  

Another celebration in the making is a Virtual Celebration on October 8, 2021.  Even though it is early August we are preparing for a virtual, visual celebration.  Letters have been sent out to those who would like to be a virtual host and those that are close to the ministry.  On October 8, small groups and families will meet in their homes from California to Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and many other places to hear about the ministry via a Virtual Celebration.  A video is being produced to help each leader share the ministry of E.M.M. and gifts will be provided for all attendees.  A special offering will be recieved that evening to support the ministry of E.M.M.  

During 2022, E.M.M. will complete 50 years of ministry in the inner city of San Luis Potosi and the Ontañon Church of Christ will complete 30 years.  More reasons to come celebrate with us.  

Will you celebrate this special time of virtual sharing and giving?  

If you would like more information about this event or want to host a group in your home or Sunday School class please let us know as soon as possible.

To make your giving more easy we now have PayPal and Venmo.  Just ask and we will get you connected.  

Celebrating each day!

Jose, David and Sheri

Dear Valley Christian Church,

Your regular monthly support and prayers are truly making a difference in the lives that the ministry is touching each day.  Jose is doing a remarkable job with the maintenance of the facility and seeing that the mission doors are open to all who are truly in need. 

Jose is holding in home Bible studies, prayer visitation to neighbors in need of prayer and just a simple visit from a friend. Even though there are still some Covid restrictions in place in the city for the most part people are more accessible to having us into their homes and attending church on Sundays.

With summer approaching VBS is on the horizon and camps will be held this year with limited attendance   Late July a film crew from Indiana and Florida will be visiting the mission and making a video for a special event we have planned for October.  Things are looking up for the ministry.     

With the van up and running we are able to have the children from the Vallado Children’s Home once again for church each week and for the afternoon. 

The remaining balance for paying the clutch repair to the van is $497.00.   We are grateful for the two very special gifts that allowed us to pay for part of the repair.  Any extra help in this area would be greatly appreciated as to not take away from the regular monthly needs.

We truly thank you for your generous help!
We are humbled and blessed!

Jose
David and Sheri

Valley Missions team and Church family,
A note of thanks!
Once again we come to you with a grateful heart as the ministry continues to touch lives in the inner city of San Luis Posoti, Mexico. 

Ontañon Church of Christ:
The church has successfully opened up once again as they continue to follow the Health Department guidelines.  It’s good to be able to worship together, hear God’s word preached, take communion and share in our gifts and offerings together.  Jose once again started meeting in the home of one of our members for weekly Bible studies on Wednesday evenings. 

Emanuel Kids:
Children´s day, April 30, was an overwhelming success in every way.  The children came from the neighborhood (inner city) and enjoyed a day full of fun activities, such as games, music, snacks, and listening to God´s work spoken to them. Your gifts help us with opportunities like to this to share the news that Jesus loves the little children.

Emanuel Moms:
Jose also prepared a special Sunday service on May 9 to celebrate our special Mothers who form part of the Ontañon Church of Christ. 

Just a quick highlight of how you are making a difference in a faraway place from your home to the homes of our children and families surrounding the mission of Emanuel.  

Serving with you.
Jose, David and Sheri

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out the special video posted about the Emanuel Kids, Children´s day, on our Facebook pages of Emanuel Mexico Mission and Iglesia Cristiana