A New Season
Hey friends!
It’s hard to believe we’ve now been in Mazatlán for over five months. What once felt new (trash-day scavengers) and unfamiliar (lime-flavored everything) has gradually become everyday life. Now we know the right amount to pay for public transit and mangos from food vendors, where to find parking when we go to the dentist, and how to treat jellyfish stings effectively. Our routines have settled in, and many of the faces that were once acquaintances have become friends.
We are now wrapping up the busy season of ministry, thankful for how the Lord has continued to teach us, stretch us, and give us opportunities to serve His church by being here, boots on the ground as we like to say. Here are some highlights from the past couple of months:
Happy belated Father’s Day to all you proud dads out there!
Equipping Churches for Summer Ministry
When we have big events, we usually host them here at the base (in our garage/backyard if you will). One of the largest events we helped with recently was Shoulder to Shoulder's annual Vacation Bible School training day. On one Saturday morning, representatives from around 30 churches gathered here to learn how to prepare for their upcoming VBS weeks.
Our team’s goal wasn't simply to hand out curriculum, but to equip pastors and church volunteers with practical tools, teaching ideas, organizational strategies, and encouragement so they could confidently share the gospel with hundreds of children throughout the city this summer.
A few weeks later, we also hosted a huge event for young adults and invited all of them from all the churches we worked with, packing out the base to standing room only. Deemed “Collective Night” based on the similar group that meets weekly in Akron area, it was a great opportunity for them to share more about the way God has grown their ministry by changing their mindset and strategy of evangelism. And abetted by worship, soda, Spikeball, and a rooftop guitar jam session, Mexican guests lingered to chat with the US team into the AM hours.
Life with Missions Teams
Since arriving in February, Bryan has now helped coordinate or fully manage nine different missions trips, and somewhere along the way he quietly took charge of planning and leading the logistics for each team's week. It's a role he’s really enjoyed.
Each trip is a giant puzzle involving transportation, schedules, ministry partners, construction projects, translators, meals, lodging, and countless small details that hopefully no one ever notices because everything simply works out. It's been rewarding to watch churches come ready to serve and then see local congregations genuinely strengthened through medical clinics, children's camps, Vacation Bible Schools, construction projects, pastor training, and evangelism.
The past four teams in particular have been some of our favorite weeks of the year. God blessed each one in unique ways, and it was encouraging to watch both the visiting teams and the local churches leave excited about what He had done.
Weeks spent at Fuente de Vida, Ejército de Salvación, Academia Ancla, and our VBS training
Erin here! Just wanted to share a quick story about a week that impacted me recently:
There’s a lot in ministry that has to be meticulously planned, but I’m learning that there is so much more that God does inspite and despite our best plans and limitations. Usually a small “yes” grows into a huge opportunity, as it did when I agreed to assist in our week long camp we helped a team run for a Christian school on Stone Island, one of the poorest and roughest parts of the city. I had pictured popping in and out of stations, delivering water and encouragement, and generally making sure our kids were fine as they were also attending as campers. It became apparent as the camp got closer that I would be needed as a full-on translator running the craft station— Spanish and art are not my strongest areas, but I determined to give it my best efforts and my prayer was to use that time not just for paint and bracelets, but to make sure the gospel was truly settling into the hearts of these precious kids. Day 1 was a chaotic jumble of Spanglish and a barely remembered devotional about the days of creation, but just three days later I ended my time wiping tears from my eyes as multiple children clearly articulated the gospel and even shared how they woud tell their friends when given the opportunity. God truly gave me the words to share with the kids and He also blessed me by hearing them reciting His word and hiding it in their hearts. Would you pray with us for the children of Stone Island? The pastor of the church there believes broken families will be changed through the salvation of the kids whose hearts are so hungry for the gospel. They are currently about to start their second year of running a Christian school in addition to full-time ministry at the church. The school is growing from 30 to almost 80 kids! Praise God!
Moments like that remind us that while construction projects and logistics matter, our greatest joy is watching God's Word take root in people's hearts.
A Different Rhythm
With our last summer missions team now finished, we're entering a very different season.
There won't be any more visiting teams until November (as most northerners don’t prefer swimming through an oven every day for a week), and that means our ministry will look much different over the next few months. Instead of coordinating team schedules every week, we'll have more time to build relationships with local pastors over coffee and tacos, visit churches on Sunday mornings, host trainings, learn each congregation's vision, and better understand how Shoulder to Shoulder can serve them well over the long term.
This slower season also comes with opportunities for our family. We've been thankful to begin making a few friendships here in Mazatlán and have enjoyed opening our apartment to spend evenings with people. We're looking forward to doing that even more in the months ahead. Hospitality has always been something we hoped would become a regular part of life here, and it's encouraging to see those opportunities beginning to grow.
Making friends at a church World Cup watch party as Mexico defeats South Korea, woohoo!
In August and September we'll also be traveling back to Ohio and Pennsylvania for about four weeks, hope to see most of you then! We're excited to reconnect with family, friends, and supporting churches before returning to Mazatlán to start the fall season.
Answers to Prayer
The Lord has answered many prayers over the past few months.
The last four missions trips were wonderful. God gave safety, unity, flexibility, and many opportunities to encourage local churches. They were some of our most enjoyable weeks since arriving. The whole family was able to participate in some or most activities of the final two weeks, helping them feel involved and bond better with the team.
We met/worked with several potential future STS missionaries. One couple visited from Puebla to learn more about Shoulder to Shoulder, and we also spent time serving alongside two couples from here in Mazatlán who are exploring future ministry opportunities, very encouraging to both us and them.
One answer was "not yet”—many of you prayed that Bryan would be able to receive the special license needed to drive our two large ministry vans, but we learned he wasn't eligible at this time, but will be able to apply after twelve months living here in Mexico. While it wasn't the answer I had hoped for, we're thankful for clarity and look forward to trying again next February.
We love having visitors! Here are some from Puebla
Prayer Requests
Pray for this new season of ministry. Please pray that these coming months would be productive, relational, and fruitful as we invest more deeply in local church members and pastors 1 on 1 while also caring well for our family and marriage.
Pray for our kids. They're adjusting well, but we'd love for them to develop deeper friendships while also continuing to grow in kindness and unity with one another at home.
Pray for the churches we've been meeting. Several pastors we've gotten to know are praying and working toward purchasing the buildings or land they currently rent. Owning these properties would provide long-term stability and allow their churches to continue growing for many years to come. Please pray that God would provide what they need in His timing.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us, encourage us, and faithfully partner with our family financially too. We are continually reminded that while we're the ones serving here in Mazatlán, this ministry is truly a team effort because your prayers, generosity, and encouragement make it possible for us to be here, and we're grateful for each one of you.
Grace and peace,
The Josephs
