Missing Phil

This week our vicar Phil Gurgel headed out of town. After coming down last summer and serving as vicar here in Torreon for the past year, he is taking two weeks of vacation in Mexico. Then he heads back to the U.S.

We so enjoyed having Phil around during this last year. His efforts at the congregation Cordero de Dios (Lamb of God) were greatly appreciated. He will be missed here by all, including Mike, me, and Trinity (and Noelle, although at nine months she's a little small to fully express this).

We wish Phil the very best during his coming years of service and studying. And we hope that he'll be able to visit us in Torreon someday!

- extra note on vicars in Mexico -
We've had vicars from WLS (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary) come down regularly to serve in Mexico for the past 10 years. They have helped out with the work significantly during their time here, and are such a blessing to the mission team and field.

Unfortunately, this year there was not sufficient funding to bring another vicar to Mexico.

When talking to Mike about this, he mentioned that this is a good reminder of how important our congregational mission offerings are. They are used to fund WELS missionaries and the WELS vicar to Mexico.

We hope to have a vicar here again in future years. They are not only a big blessing to Mexico; the experience also benefits them during their ongoing ministry.