December Newsletter

Copy of the newsletter that was mailed out in December 2018

“Thank you for not giving up on us!”

“Sara” (not real name), who was one of my high school Bible students, wrote this comment in an evaluation of my (Bryan’s) Bible class. She, like the rest of kids at the Pan de Vida children’s home, need people to be involved in their lives.

Students in the Bible class

Sara realized how difficult it can be to teach kids like her who have undergone traumatic experiences at a young age.

Like all students, the kids at Pan de Vida can be disruptive, rude, angry, lazy and indifferent. However, it occurs more often with the kids at Pan de Vida since both their ability to focus and learn have been severely affected.

Also, they lack the full attention and support that only loving parents can give.  The caregivers at Pan de Vida, who are in charge of many kids, do as much as they can to attend to the needs of each child and to encourage them in their education. However, at no fault of their own, it’s often not enough.

Brenda and I both faced these behavioral issues on a regular basis. It would have been easy to quit. It’s only through Christ’s strength that we stayed steadfast.

These obstacles that these kids face can be so daunting that the feat of finishing an ordinary formal schooling is truly extraordinary.

Sara was one of 12 students that recently graduated from high school. The school at Pan de Vida uses an accelerated high school curriculum that is accessed online. In the past year, I have had the privilege of teaching them Bible and English. I am grateful that I could be part it.

The high school grads at their high school graduation ceremony

In January there will be a new group of students that will begin their secondary education. Since there is only one dedicated high school teacher at Pan de Vida to facilitate the learning, only one group of high school students can be enrolled at a time.

English class for students who will be starting high school in January

This past semester, Brenda and I were part of small team of teachers that prepared the new group of students for high school. Brenda taught remedial math. I taught them English which is one of the requirements to finish high school. Brenda and I both faced the challenge of having students at different proficiency levels in the same classroom.

Brenda's math class

Brenda and I strive to teach to the best of our abilities. We also seek to introduce the kids to Christ and to reflect God’s love for them both in and outside of the classroom. We want to show them that God won’t give up on them.

My Bible class studying the book of Ecclesiastes

Financial update

I mentioned in the last letter that we were $2,000 short of our monthly goal. In response, regular giving to our ministry went up 10%. Also, many one-time contributions came in which continue to help with the gap. We are very thankful to everyone who gave. Praise God!

If you are not a regular supporter, please consider doing so. We are still looking for more individuals to join our team of supporters to commit to either $10, $25, $50, $100 or $200 a month.  Regular giving enables us to better plan our outreach. It also helps cover unforeseen expenses. Our teaching ministry depends on people like you to partner with us to continue making an eternal impact on the lives of victims of abandonment or abuse.

Last month, Brenda and I decided to “adopt” a few kids from Pan de Vida. Other volunteer families and families outside of Pan de Vida are doing the same thing. About once a week we invite our “adopted” kids on family outings.  The recent increase in financial support has helped make these outings possible.

So far, our “adopted” kids have celebrated Thanksgiving with us, went with us to the state fair and spent time with us walking around downtown.  The kids at Pan de Vida love the family outings. It gives them the opportunity to hang out with a loving family and a provides them a break from Pan de Vida for a couple of hours.

My family and our "adopted" kids at the Queretaro Fair

Celebrating Thanksgiving with 2 of our "adopted kids" and with my sister Ginger and her family.

Upcoming

The spring semester at the school at Pan de Vida will start on January 7^th. I will continue teaching English. I look forward to receiving classroom help from a few individuals who are coming to serve for a short term. In addition to teaching English, I plan to teach the book of Job to the high school students.

Now that Brenda is finished teaching remedial math, she will be able to direct all her energy on homeschooling our three children, especially Brianna who just recently started her formal schooling. Brenda will be available to help teach temporarily at Pan de Vida when needed.

Our kids Ariadne, Alex and Brianna

Within a couple of months, Brenda and I will need to make a decision regarding our ministry. Our original 2-year commitment to serve at Pan de Vida will be fulfilled the middle of next year. We must choose whether to renew our commitment at Pan or to do something different.

We would appreciate your prayer in regards to all upcoming events, especially wisdom concerning the continuation of our ministry.

Sincerely,

Bryan and Brenda Ottoson

Contact info:

·         Personal Phone: 402-314-4375 (works for both U.S. and Mexico)

·         Mexico phones. Bryan 011-52-1-442-676-3422 (Bryan) 011-52-1-442-676-3423 (Brenda)

·         U.S. Home address: 5770 Alex Lane, Lincoln, NE 68516

·         Email: Bryanottoson@gmail.com

·         Other: Text, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Whats App, Instagram and Twitter

Websites

·         Mission profile: https://cten.org/missionary/bryanottoson/

·         Personal blog: www.ottosonmexicomission.blogspot.com