That was the way one believer here expressed his impression of the conference which the congregation in Atotonilco sponsored this September, in cooperation with the Brise_o church in Guadalajara and the group of believers in Arandas.

The conference began on Thursday evening, taking advantage of the long holiday weekend, and ended midday Sunday. About 150 participated in the event, including brethren from La Barca, Loreto and Jiquilpan.

In addition to believers from the churches mentioned, Household of Faith, in Garland, TX, sent six people down who worked in meal prep, clean up and logistics during the entire event, so that the Mexican brethren could participate in all of the teaching sessions. Another group of volunteers conducted highly organized children's classes during every session, so that parents were free to absorb the teaching undistracted. In mealtimes, free times and open sessions brethren were able to renew friendships and forge new ones.

The site of the conference, Rancho El Astillero, a large home near the unreached town Santa Maria de Valle, is owned by a brother who lives in Aguascalientes and loans the property for events of believers. This brother, Francisco Miranda, hopes to see this property or some nearby acreage he owns developed into a conference center, and its location, in the center of the Highlands, would make it an excellent tool for the churches of the region.

On the Monday following the conference, a team of 20 young people, 10 from the US and 10 from Mexico, joined believers here in a project of tree planting and river cleanup. Under the auspices of the local government, this group cleaned a long section of the river that flows through town, then cleared a large area near the city park in order to plant trees. The city hoped the team would be able to plant twenty trees. They planted between 80 and 100. Both local newspapers, the town magazine and all three local television news programs, were on hand to interview the participants. We have been surprised by the impact this has had, with people actually stopping us in the street to say how impressed they are at what the Christians are doing. This is not the type of project we have been involved in previously, but we are pleased that a clear testimony was presented in the media through this effort.

Only days after the conference ended, Linda and I flew to Texas to participate in a conference sponsored by Household of Faith. Many associated with Shield of Faith Mission came, and Dick York was present to share in seminars. The conference was themed, "That Which Every Joint Supplies", and we certainly saw that during the weekend. I was struck with how many of the brethren were actively supplying their part so that the conference could be a success: the months of prior preparation, meal planning, publicity and correspondence bore fruit from the first day of the gathering, as different ones took responsibility for music, registration, schedule, children's classes, seminars and sports. Young people, new believers, families and mature believers were all active in making the time a "vessel" into which the Lord poured His blessing.

The congregation in Atotonilco had a good report for us when we returned, assuring us that the studies and meetings had continued well in our absence. We hope that we will soon be able to recognize elders here, as families mature and men take more responsibility for the well-being of the brethren.

In two weeks, I will be meeting with a group of men who want to discuss training believers to work in the Circle of Silence. We will be seeking the Lord together for workers and considering what part we should have in equipping them. Please pray for this key time.

Thank you for your intercession on behalf of the work here.

Steve and Linda Montgomery