The terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad night: explosive diaper and projectile vomit extravaganza 🕺
December ministry & family update
It was evening. Fer and I had gotten into bed, taking a few minutes to reflect together on what things we felt thankful for. One specific thing we thanked the Lord for was that it had been some time since we had gotten sick. (If you remember, the beginning of this year was rife with sickness.) So in a spirit of gratitude, we went to sleep.
12:00 midnight. Miriam threw up all over her bed, some on herself. Fer cleaned her up and helped her fall back asleep.
4:00am. Miriam filled her diaper, which exploded spectacularly. And she vomited again.
4:15am. As we were cleaning up Miriam again and changing all her clothes again and changing the bed sheets again, we heard Esme in the next room. Vomiting.
4:20am. Three beds had now been pooped and vomited on.
4:30am. Fer started the first load of bedding soiled with … stuff.
4:45-6:00am. The girls continued taking turns heaving while we tried to catch it in garbage cans, toilets, or tupperware. They both finally settled down to sleep.
6:01am. Daytime! Miriam was awake like nothing bad had happened, acting like she had slept just fine. Yay.
During the morning. We couldn’t help but wonder whether we had jinxed it by thanking God that weren’t sick. Did we bring the sickness upon ourselves?? Obviously not. In spite of a crazy night, we were able to be there for our little girls and each other, and for that and so many other things we are grateful to God. We were also so grateful that our pediatrician could see us at the drop of a hat that same morning. It was reassuring to have a paid of medically trained eyes look our girls over and tell us they were gonna be ok (with the help of some meds).
GIVING THANKS
Although we had one of our worst nights yet, we won’t stop thanking the Lord, for his mercies are new every morning!
We’re so thankful for the many things we’ve been able to do and accomplish this semester:
Isaac finished teaching the seminary course “Music in the church.” It’s rewarding to see students amplify their understanding of why we Christians sing and make music to the Lord.
Isaac is also about to finish one semester of teaching Bible to grades 11 and 12 at Puebla Christian Academy. This, too, has been an enriching and fun opportunity to interact with youth while helping them see the beauty and immensity of the gospel.
Today was the end-of-semester recital at a rural church Isaac has been teaching choir at. The choir members were nervous but gave it their best shot. They sang an arrangement of “You are my all in all” and they did their director proud. Later they told me that their previous teacher had stood them up on the day of the recital! So just getting there was an improvement, right?!
Dramatic hand blur Marifer had a great first semester teaching music at Esmeralda’s kindergarten
We continue to pray for open doors for Marifer to study perinatal education. While the Lord figures that out, he’s given Marifer opportunities to offer help to new mamas we know in the area. In September we drove two hours away (we thought it was closer!) to help a new mama and baby start their lactation journey. In this mama’s own words:
“My baby was born two months ago. All I knew about lactation was that it was going to be painful. Fernanda came to me right in the moment that I needed help. She provided clear, specific and practical techniques that help the lactation process to go smoother and even be enjoyable. In just one afternoon I learned what I needed to have a successful time with breastfeeding my baby.”
—Abigail
Marifer is excited about the new possibility of serving again as a doula this coming April. A lot is still up in the air, but we’re praying for this couple and hope that Fer can be a blessing to them.
We’ve helped out with music twice in a small rural church in San Nicolás de los Ranchos, about an hour from here. The doors are open to build up this church in music, helping to train up local members to serve in their church. Fun fact: it is right next to a very big active volcano (Popocatépetl).
Where do YOU go to church?
FAMILY UPDATE
We’re not sick anymore! Praise the Lord! And again I say: rejoice!
Esme is 3 years and 5 months old. She loves to sing and dance, especially to “Carol of the bells.” She likes her school and her teachers. Depending on the day, she can count either to 6 or all the way to 29. It’s a toss-up. Esme is eager to do her homework every day and gets frustrated if we run out of “homework” ideas.
Miriam is 15 months old. She’s failing the homeschool semester and will likely have to do some coursework over again so it doesn’t look bad on her transcript, eventually affecting which colleges she’ll be accepted to. Doesn’t walk yet. Doesn’t talk yet. Isn’t potty trained. She likes her new shoes, though. It’s good thing she’s really cute or this would be REALLY difficult!
We’re a little broke
OK, more than just a little. This month we made the last payment on our car, praise the Lord! It’s been tricky to come up with the extra money each month. This season has been a time of really trusting that God will get us to the end of the month. The Lord allows us to go through times of little and of plenty. As we wait on him, he brings something our way each time, whether a music gig, a temporary job, or simply someone’s generous gift.
That said, we need to take a hard look at our monthly support and we need to make a number of our needs known to you. As of last month our ministry account was deficit. This month it is more deficit. Some supporters have stopped giving because they are under financial strain themselves. Others’ gifts were stopped or delayed due to expired cards. Still others couldn’t find the right link at which to donate. So please, let me provide you with the info you need if you feel it on your heart to give to our ministry.
In case you’re wondering why we both raise support and work jobs: The first and most obvious reason is: we’re not fully supported! So on one hand this is necessary for us to make ends meet. Because we are 1) not fully supported and 2) we don’t have full-time jobs (so that there’s time to do ministry), we find ourselves in a financially tricky position. We are praying for the Lord to raise up more monthly givers to provide a financially solid base for us to continue to do ministry and start projects here.
Do you want to become one of those monthly supporters? Do you have the means to give? Is God leading you to give here or elsewhere?
UN-MET NEEDS
Medical and dental care
Insurance of any kind
Renew deteriorating wardrobe and footwear (all of us)
House maintenance (e.g. both of our toilets have been partly broken for months)
Travel budget and related expenses (flights, passports, visas, trips to US embassy in Mexico City)
Would you like to help fund a specific project?
Marifer’s upcoming studies (details in next newsletter!)
Neighbourhood children’s choir
Music workshops and lessons in rural churches (e.g. San Nicolás)
Valsecamp 2026 (summer music camp)
HELP US PRAY
For direction to find the right course of study for Marifer.
For God’s favour as we partner with the local town authorities to start a children’s choir.
That we will use wisdom to balance our ministry activities with raising our little girls.
For health and strong immune systems throughout this winter (it gets cold in Puebla!).
IN CLOSING
Thanks for reading! We know that the Lord has brought us thus far. We also know that he will provide everything necessary for us to bring glory to him through our work and ministry here in Puebla. We assume he will not forget to provide for groceries and shoes and diapers.
Thank you for your prayers, your gifts, and for sharing this journey with us.
In Christ,
Isaac, Marifer, Esmeralda, and Miriam
P.S. We’re in the process of updating the websites where you can give. You may see “Oaxaca” on there but it’ll soon say “Puebla.”
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To give in Mexican pesos: get in touch!
musicoszurdos@gmail.com | 🇲🇽 +52 (415) 108-6748