David and Joseph were asked a couple of weekends ago to participate in another enduro race in Joyaba, a town about an hour away. They went with their friends from here in Canilla and at some point during the race, two of these young men were stopped, robbed, and their bikes were thrown down off the side of the mountain. The men who stopped them said that they were looking for the "Americanos". They were angry because the Americans are stealing their gold! Fortunately our boys were warned by their friends and they just changed their route a little.





We have not mentioned going out to the Zona Reina recently because... we have not gone. Just before Christmas the president declared that part of the country "under a state of siege" and sent the military out to protect the local people there. Apparently the drug cartels are crossing the Mexican borders and coming in, stealing land and killing those who get in their way. Any planes coming in or going out are suspect and we have been advised to wait until things settle down. That along with the murder of two men here in Canilla - gunned down by the Zetas, has made us pray for protection more faithfully. We are very grateful that the Lord has placed people in our lives who care about us and who give us wise counsel about what is really happening. As outsiders, it would be so easy to stumble into danger without really understanding what is happening.



We are not afraid. As cliche as it sounds, we know that there is not a safer place to be than in the center of God's will. As the news blasts disaster and unrest in all the world, I pray that you have the peace of knowing that you are right where God wants you today.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13