November 2020 newsletter
The following is a text copy of the November newsletter that was mailed out to those are on our subscriber list.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email me at bryanottoson@gmail.com
2020 Year in Review
Earlier in the month of October, I had to go back to the United States to apply for a new American passport.
While waiting for it to arrive in the mail, I had some time to reflect on the past year. I am reminded of God’s faithfulness. My family and I appreciate those of you who continue to regularly support us despite the changes that have come because of Covid. Also, we are thankful to those of you who provided for our needs with the birth of James, Alex’s emergency appendix removal and the costs involved with getting a new car permit. We want to again say how grateful we are to everyone who supports our ministry. Thank You!
Up until the end of March this year, our teaching ministry was running normally. I was teaching both English and coordinating the English language program at Pan de Vida orphanage. Ruth, Tyler and Jordan came for a few weeks to teach English which helped lightened my load. Also, a few teams from both the United States and Canada came to serve at the orphanage. Some of the team members would help in the classroom with one-on-one tutoring and conversation practice.
Then Covid came.
In Mexico, all schools, gyms, and many other institutions and businesses were shut down. Other remaining services could only stay open with restrictions. My kids couldn’t go to swimming class. Also, their music lessons were switched to online instruction and we learned about Zoom for the first time.
Out of concern for the health of the kids at the orphanage, the director of Pan de Vida decided to prevent visitors and outside staff from entering.
Since I couldn’t teach at Pan de Vida, I dedicated my time to helping my family. I assisted Brenda with the homeschooling of my kids, the care of James and Alex’s recovery from his surgery. Brenda and I prayed for direction. By July, Covid restrictions started to ease in Mexico. I was allowed to start teaching again at Pan de Vida. Later, my kids were able to swim again.
The fall semester at Pan de Vida started up again on August 31 at reduced hours. I was the only English teacher for all the kids there from pre-school to junior high. Unfortunately, the high school students were unable to fit English classes into their schedule. I also started teaching an English class at another nearby orphanage. In all the classes, the kids learn Bible verses and praise songs in English. Also, I take advantage of teachable moments to tell show and tell about God’s love for them.
A few weeks later Tyler came back from Canada to help me with teaching. He has been a big help with assisting me in my classes and substituting for me while I am gone.
Once again we thank you for your support over this past year and
ask for your continued support.
Our ministry is still underfunded. Even though we are short on support, we have been blessed with generous gifts to help us with major one-time expenses.
If you haven’t done so already, please consider giving financially to our ministry on a regular basis. Our monthly income needs to increase by $1,900 to put us in a healthy position to continue on in our ministry at Pan de Vida.
Your prayers and giving enable us to fulfill God’s calling for us to serve in Mexico.
Sincerely,
Bryan and Brenda Ottoson
Taxes! Each year many folks are looking to give end of year gifts to help reduce their taxes. If you are one of those folks, CTEN is able to receive gifts of stocks, bonds and mutual funds which are then sold and the proceeds are provided to the missionaries. Remember that any end of year gifts of stocks, bonds or mutual funds must be in CTEN’s possession by December 31st. Any cash gifts must be postmarked by December 31st. Credit card donations must be posted through the CTEN website by December 31. Call 800 872-5404 for more information.
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