At CMTS:

As mentioned last month, we have received our building permit for the warehouse. At the end of February Stephen was able to organize with the builder to get the foundation dug and poured. The next step is to start erecting the steel once the concrete has had about a week to cure. A group of people in the construction industry has expressed interest in the past to help with this part. Please pray that these people will be available and we can get our building up quickly.

God is really blowing us away with his provisions on this project. The ministry is trying very hard to have this building done by Open House so we can have tours of the building and hold a dedication ceremony thanking God for it. Check Facebook for updates and pictures of the work.

The Belize trip is going very well overall. The shop project is being completed, the house updated, vehicles and supplies distributed, and supplies organized with shelving brought down. Most of the staff will be returning by mid-March. Andy and Nancy will be back at the end of March. Please pray for the safety of the people working there. There have been two small accidents, and while no one was seriously hurt, the situations could have been worse.

Also, pray for people traveling back; it can be very hectic and frustrating. There are lots of great pictures and info on Facebook about the trip and projects.

We have been trying very hard to keep the CMTS property in compliance with requirements set by the township. Recently the township presented us documents that were bad news and good news, but mostly good. Recently they have been enforcing some things that were never agreed upon, including requirements for our cars. These original documents clearly outline the requirements. As we figure out what our problems are, if any, please pray that we can quickly and responsibly get rid of or move the cars around. Also, pray that we continue to improve the overall look of the grounds.

Ministry Spotlight: CMTS Mexico

Long before there was even a thought about opening a center in Belize, CMTS was hosting trips to Mexico. For most people who have memories of serving on a

CMTS Trip, those events revolve around Mexico. So what happened? Why is such a great opportunity for so many people to serve in missions no longer an option? In one word, cartel.

About four years ago the cartel activities in the part of Mexico we work heavily in really ramped up. Monterey has become very violent and the safety of Americans in that area has become a cause for concern. Some would argue, “Our God is bigger than the cartel” or “God will protect his servants.” We agree totally and these people are correct, but it is not we who pulled the plug on Mexico trips, God did. The ministry tried very hard to continue to send teams to Monterrey. God kept closing door after door until it became apparent to the leadership and Board of Directors that we were to stop trying.

So now what? Was all that hard work on the center in vain? Not at all. Even though no one from the U.S. has set foot at CMTS Mexico in years, God still uses the property. For a while a training school for troubled single mothers met there. More recently a small church congregation started meeting there. CMTS’ Mexico national missionary, Antonio Negrette, still visits the center weekly and takes care of the upkeep and legal issues.

So please pray for whatever God has in store for CMTS Mexico. We would love to host trips to Monterey again, but maybe this is not the time. Maybe that has run its course and we will never have trips back to the Monterey facility again. Only God knows at this time. Please pray for CMTS Mexico. Pray that God guides our involvement and uses that property for His glory. And thank you to everyone who ever supported or went on a CMTS Mexico trip. Know that your resources and time were not wasted.