What's the big deal? The chicken definitely came first!

So, in our case we know that the chicken came first, for sure.  We've been feeding the things since before Easter and now, they are finally going to start feeding us!  No, we aren't going to have more meat on the table, but we ARE celebrating because in the last 2 days, our chickens have laid their first 2 eggs.

Yep, fresh "farm" eggs is all I have to say.  The picture on the top is the first egg, laid yesterday...and you guessed it, the second picture is the second egg, laid today.  The funny thing is, I never realized how hilarious chickens would sound when they are laying an egg.  I'm even laughing a little bit right now thinking about it.  But...on to the more important issue...in our case, the chicken came first, then the egg(s).  Also, if you are wondering, yes, those are fake golf balls in there too.  We put those in there, because, you see, chickens are not all that smart...actually to be more accurate, they are downright stupid.  So, we put in these "round egg looking things" to help them to know where to sit when they are laying an egg.  I don't really know if that's what helped them, but one way or the other it worked.  All I know is that my egg sandwiches will taste much better now!  No more Walmart eggs...Yipee!

The Countdown is ON!

First, we wanted to say a BIG Thank You to all who have been praying about our upcoming trip to Guadalajara.  Now, with Memorial Day done and with the kids in their final week of school for the year, we are on the countdown to our trip.  We wanted to give you an idea of what is happening during our time there and some locations that you can look up during the days we are there to be praying specifically for us while we are gone!  First, here are some other trip-related prayer requests:

1.  For smooth and safe travel there and back.
2.  That we have great opportunities to connect with the missionaries who are serving in Mexico.
3.  That we would have great opportunities to reach out with Christ's love.
4.  That God would use this trip to forever change the hearts of each one of us.
5.  That our children won't miss us too much :)
Please take a moment to look over our schedule and pray for us each day in the different places where we will be!
We are deeply thankful and encouraged that God has given us each one of you to be a part of our ministry team!  Your prayers are NEEDED and EFFECTIVE and something that we can't do without, so thank you!

In Service of the King of Kings,
Ben and Sarah

Pray for us each day as we are in these different locations:
June 1 - fly out of Denver at 12:30
June 2 - with church group in Guadalajara
June 3-4 - ministry in Guadalajara
June 5 - visit Los Minerales
June 6 - visit Tequila, Mexico
June 7 - visit Ixtlan del Rio
June 8- ministry in Tepic (visit native Indian village)
June 9 - with church group in Tepic
June 10 - fly home

Chickens, Snow, Websites, and Kansas City!

Chickens

That's right, chickens! We are now the proud owners of 9 chickens. For those of you who care about breeds (3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Ameraucanas, and 2 California Whites). We decided as a family that we needed some animals to take care of so we can learn the value of God's creation and we pray that they will be a great source of provision as well. The picture above is from right after we brought them home. They are much bigger now and we are all ready for their BIG MOVE to the coop!



Snow

I know, it looks like we ran Travis over with the van, but in reality, he buried himself in what was the 4 foot drift that climbed its way over the hood of the van! In the last 2 weeks, we have officially received 42 inches of snow! It seems kind of crazy that as I write this letter it is 70 degrees outside! It reminds me of a line in a book that Sarah read, "There are only 3 seasons in Wyoming, Winter, July, and August"! Here we come, July! Anyway, it has been good to have all of this moisture around because much of this area is agricultural and survives on the water supply. We are very thankful to God that He sent His Son to be the Living Water that never runs dry!


Websites

In 2006, TBM posted it's previous website and it served the Mission well for many years. However, as you know, all things "technology" become obsolete pretty much over night. So around 6 months ago TBM embarked on the adventure of designing and producing a new website. The new site features smoother navigation, higher levels of functionality, and implementation of technology that wasn't available in 2006! We are so thankful for the input and help of all those who put in so many hours to get this completed! If you haven't seen it, please visit www.tentmakersbiblemission.org where you will be able to see the upgraded and updated website. Take some time to look around, see the new features. We praise God for the ability to use this kind of technology to further the work of His Kingdom!

Kansas City

This is not a picture of Kansas City, but rather a picture of a unique landmark on the way to Kansas City from where we live! This landmark is called the "Great Platte River Road Archway". But I wasn't driving to Kansas City to see this archway along the way! I was actually on my way to the Leadership Forum for Association of North American Missions of which TBM is now a member organization. You can visit www.anamissions.org to find out more about the Association. I enjoyed a great time of fellowship, food, and learning as I was able to meet many Missions Organization leaders from all over the country and sit under the teaching of people who have much more wisdom than I have to offer! It was an "iron sharpening iron" kind of week, except the "iron" that I was being sharpened by was much sharper than I am (insert joke here :)) But I am so thankful to have spent time learning from faithful servants! Thank you for your prayers as I was gone on that trip.

Guadalajara, here we come!

This post is a small portion of our most recent newsletter.  Click here to view the full version!

June 2013, Sarah and I will be travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico leading a team of students from Frontier School of the Bible, Cornerstone Bible Institute, and Calvary Bible College for a Summer Missions Trip. The team from Summer 2012 were able to visit Missionaries from both United Indian Mission and Biblical Ministries Worldwide to get a taste of what ministry in that area of Mexico is like. This year, we will continue to help expose students to the needs of Mexico, but also help them get involved in hands-on and teaching opportunities.

The overall goal of these Summer trips is to promote the work of church planting and, if the Lord so desires, to begin planting in the hearts of these students a permanent connection to the Mexico mission field.

Please pray with us that the Lord will provide the necessary funds for Sarah and I to travel to Guadalajara in June. We are about half way there already (PRAISE GOD!) and have yet to raise about $1,200 to complete the funding for the trip. If the Lord puts it on your heart to give toward this specific project, gifts should be made out to Tentmakers Bible Mission and include a note that it is for the Cline's Guadalajara missions trip and mail to P.O. Box 160 LaGrange, WY 82221.