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Saturday, December 8, 2012

No Time to Stop

These past few months have been busy! I have been in Georgia several times visiting with my grandchildren and preaching in several meetings. All three of my kids and their families were able to get together with me in GA for Thanksgiving and it was a blessing to have everyone together. I just moved into my house in Texas and it seems that I have hardly been home! I am now home in El Paso and am starting to unpack from the move and really settle in. 


In the past, I have mentioned that there are two men called to preach in my church. Arturo has been working with me for a few years and now that my son-in-law John is pastoring, Arturo will be going over to the Ortega work to help there. I am taking Luis under my wing now and starting to work with him. Already he and his family go visiting and passing out tracts on their own and when I need something done at the church, Luis is willing and ready to help. Please keep these two men in your prayers as they learn and grow in the ministry. With support money that comes in, John and I have been able to pay for Arturo to attend the Bible Institute in Juarez. It it time to help Luis now with Bible school. He loves to study and always has questions. He is looking forward the opportunity to learn under godly nationals who teach at the institute. 


La Iglesia Bautista Ortega is doing well under John's new leadership. I helped over there this past week removing a gas tank that was no longer functioning. I hired some men to help me move it and replace it with a working one. So far, neither of the churches have needed heat with the weather being so nice, but cold weather does come and we are getting ready for that. Both churches are getting ready for our annual Christmas meal. My family and I bring 2 turkeys, 2 hams, and the cranberry sauce. It is always a big 'hit' with our people. The ladies bring the side dishes...one of them being tortillas, of course! We always hand out 'goody bags' to the children and this year, the church ladies are taking over that project. We are all looking forward to the time of fellowship!

Continue to pray for the two church works we are laboring in that God will give the increase and bring new souls in for His harvest! Merry Christmas, everyone! 



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Moving Update

It has been a busy summer with packing up the house, deciding what to keep and what to take with us. My house in Mexico was a good size..big enough to host @ 15 people comfortably when having mission trip groups. I have had as many as 24 at one time! With my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson living with me, we have double the amount of things we really need when downsizing. It has been a lot of work, but we are now living over the border and adjusting very well. I do believe it will be better for my health living in an insulated house! We are setting up house and have been enjoying being close to the grocery store, our mail, and even my doctor. I have had one doctor appointment so far and one trip to the emergency room, and it was so nice not to have to cross the border to do so! It has been no trouble at all to cross the border for church services. I have been back and forth with visiting my church people and attending services. 

I have a new mailing address which is posted on my 'Contact Info' page. 

The work in Tierra Nueva is doing well. The men in training are growing and learning more and more. A few weeks ago, I had each man get up to preach a passage that I picked out and had them preach it 'on the spot'. I challenged them from the front pew on their message. It took them by surprise, but I'm wanting them to be ready..in season and out of season. 


My son-in-law, John, is doing well over at the Ortega church. He has a faithful group of people coming and helping in the services. We just celebrated the Quinceanera of Rosa, who has been in our church since she was a baby. In Mexico, turning 15 years old is a big deal, and there was a special service for her. 

I have been doing some traveling and preaching this fall. I don't travel as well as I used to, but it sure is great to visit faithful supporting churches! What a blessing it has been through the years to have their love, prayers and support. It is an honor to be with these precious people in their churches and be able to thank them in person. 

I would ask that you would pray for a young man in our church named Antonio. I have high hopes for this young man for going in the ministry and right now he is really struggling with some things. He is near and dear to my heart and I ask that you keep him in mind, on your heart, and in your prayers. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Changes

Since my shoulder operation last November, my health has not been the same. I now am having problems with a degenerative disc in my back. I've had 2 'episodes' with that this year, where I am in a lot of pain. It is a hassle for me most times to get out of bed to have my son-in-law, John, take me to the VA hospital emergency room in El Paso, TX.  I did go one of the times and was able to get an injection of pain medicine and it does help. That and rest. My most recent problem with Agent Orange is with my arms. They look like I have been sunburned and the skin is peeling off. Well, the skin is peeling off, but I have not been sunburned! I have not liked any of  the creams prescribed as my skin is sensitive. When I remember, I wear long sleeve shirts over my work shirts when I am out in the sun. 

La Iglesia Bautista Tabernaculo is doing well. For awhile there, I wasn't so sure. Satan has really been fighting and our people have been struggling, and not just financially. Due to some problems in the church, and a lack of leadership on my associate pastor's part, I have had to do some disciplining. Arturo is no longer an associate, and he is back working full time with his uncle. He is still helping me, but not on a full time basis. The church is doing better after we sorted some things out and we are now moving forward. 

Luis, a man in our church called to preach this year, has been preaching and is doing a great job. He and his wife pass out tracts whenever possible (on their own!) and are more than willing to help around the church. He is not ready for a leadership position, but I believe he is on his way. Please pray for him. He is having difficulties keeping a job. Around here, a factory will hire a man, use him for a few weeks, then tell him they don't need him anymore. It is difficult to find a good job here. With wages being an average of $60.00 per week, it is a struggle to make ends meet. And when companies use you like this, it is what keeps the people in their poverty. He is hard worker and simply wants a stable job to support his family. 

If you've received my newsletter, or keep up with my son-in-law, you know by now that we are moving over the border to El Paso, TX. The danger here has not gone down and we feel it best to move before things get worse. When I became a legal resident of Mexico, I was under the impression that the house I live in could be owned by me. Right now, the name on the deed is Bro. Chavez', a man I trained in the ministry years ago, and a good friend. It has come to my attention, that I will never be able to own this house. Either the law has changed or there was a misunderstanding somewhere along the way. Either way, God is in control, and things are in the works for the move. John and I have been moving boxes over the border and putting them in a storage shed for now. We do have a house we are in the process of buying and we hope to be able to be moved over by the middle of October. 

We will still continue to work here in Mexico with the 2 churches we are serving in. Many missionaries have successfully lived on the US side and have come over to plant churches and train nationals. I have lived in Mexico for 13 years and this is a new chapter for me. I had hoped to live out my days here, but it is not so. I need to be nearer the VA hospital as well for those times when I really need the emergency room. I am psychologically preparing for the move knowing that this is the right thing to do for our family. 


Monday, August 6, 2012

Summer Activities

This year has been an uphill battle for me with my health. I have had a lot of trouble with pain in my lower back and have been 'down' a few times. I have also had a few 'agent orange episodes' where my body just refuses to cooperate! 


I was able to see my youngest daughter, Melissa, 
and her family. They are missionaries to Australia(www.thatalltheearthmayknow.comand are home for furlough. What a wonderful visit I had with them and it was great to spend some time with my grandchildren. My, have they grown! 



Satan has been attacking our church families again. These are discouraging times for our people and I ask that you fervently pray for our 2 churches that are working to move forward for God's glory. 





My associate pastor, Arturo, has been organizing a youth meeting every last Saturday of the month. So far, we have had a good turnout of teens. Some of the moms even get involved in playing soccer and basketball! Me? I'll just watch, thank you. 



 We are working to keep our youth in church and growing for the Lord. Antonio, one of our 16 year old young men, has been very active in inviting his neighbors and we have had a good amount of youth attending our Sunday services. 


We are getting ready for VBS in the church where my son-in-law, John, pastors. The ladies are getting their lessons and craft projects together and are preparing for a week of neighborhood outreach. 

Our Youth Activities

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

June Happenings

(Updated pictures on my 'Photos of the Week' page.)
A Lot of Changes Going On!

Please pray for one of our churches. I had to step in and run some people off in the Ortega work who have crept in! It was something that had to be done! Things are looking much better now that the problems are solved. My son in law, John, has taken over the church. Quite a few of our people lived over on the side of town where this church is located, so we split the church. The members that live over near the Ortega work are now going over there. In place, there are Sunday School teachers and workers to help grow the work again. As for the Tierra Nueva work where I am pastoring, we are rebuilding it with the people we have left and we are excited about what God has in store for both churches.  






Training Center!

 We have become quite a training center at the church.  One young man announced his calling this past month and has preached twice. We are still working with Arturo and the young people. Our hands are full!


Happy Birthday to Me!

 In May I reached 66 years old!  Thanks to all of you who sent cards and letters! That was a blessing!

                                 Fight the Good Fight!

 Satan continues his battle here in the lives of people. The war on drugs, crime, gang activity are all part of his plan to cripple the good things of God.  May of our people are facing some difficult times as many of you! It is a full time job preaching, encouraging, training, and instructing to keep the word of God before them.   I am so glad that God has placed me in an area where  I can be of some help to those who are in real need.  So many times we have the joy of preaching to those who have never heard of a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Thanks for helping!    Fight the good fight of faith!

Father's Day Feast!

Our church in Tierra Nueva and John's church in Ortega got together for a big Father's Day service. Both men in training preached, the children from both churches sang specials as did the ladies, and a meal of grilled steak, potatoes, spaghetti salad, and rice was served. One of the ladies in our church made the Father's Day cake. I am paying for her to take cake decorating classes. Rosa has shown great talent in decorating for various activities at the church and she is enjoying her cake class. Already, she is getting cake orders from her neighbors. The money she gets from selling these cakes will help put food on their table. What a blessing to see her flourish in this area and be able to help her family. 






Pray for Me!

This week, John had to take me to the emergency room at the VA Hospital. I have a disc in my lower back that gives me trouble from time to time. I was given some medication to help the swelling go down. Please pray for me that I will be able to return back to working soon. 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Vision

NEWSFLASH! - Continue to pray for us as the violence here is getting worse. We may have to move across the border and come back and forth to the work. Our people are  concerned about our safety also as Americans. It will not hinder the work here, but we are looking into this matter.  Please help us pray!


Features of the month: 
 · Our attendance is up.
· Our people are growing.
· Young people are getting involved.
· 5 waiting to be baptized.
· Our National Pastor is really growing.
· The Sendero De Luz (Path of Light Baptist Church) is moving forward also to seek a pastor.
 Brother Chavez is enjoying just being a helper in the church after 20 years of pastoring.
· I had an ER visit this past month due to pain beyond control. Much better now!
· We are visiting about 150 to 175  homes a week around our church. 



 Arturo and I were able to repaint our church building. He likes to use my sprayer and won't let me use it! He is a blessing and help to me here in the work. 













 Our building looks great!
 We painted the building
 3 weeks ago, and already the gangs
have 
painted on the wall. 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Kid's Day in Mexico



With much hard work from our people visiting and inviting others to our Kid's Day service, our wonderful Lord brought the kids in! It was exciting to see once again our building filled with young hearts listening to the Gospel and enjoying the activities of the day. We were able to share the Gospel message with several adults as well. What a wonderful day it was! To all our supporters and prayer friends, thanks for making this possible!

Church leaders putting on a program

Puppet Show

Young hearts

Nachos!

Cake!

Clowning around!












Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Heart Moving Moments

A note from one of our little boys in the church who we are helping sure made my week! David (age 7) has called me 'Tio Juan' (Uncle John) for a few years now. He is figuring out that I am really not his uncle. His mother, Mary, was talking to my daughter, Rebecca one day at church and was telling her that he was asking questions as to who I was. He has figured out that I am not his mother's or father's brother. He is understanding that I am not even his grandfather. So who am I to him? He wants to know. He knows I am the pastor and that I help them from time to time. He asked his mom one day if I was an angel because angels help people. When Rebecca told me about this conversation, I felt so small. I can only thank the Lord that we are touching lives at an early age. Read more about this on Rebecca's blog: A Record of Graces.


I have had a roller coaster ride with my health this past week. Long hours in the emergency room at the VA hospital with back pain. The doctor said it was the disk in my back that was the problem. I had a bladder procedure earlier last week and was on my back on a hard table for just 30 minutes. It was enough to cause so much pain in my lower back, that I could barely function. I was given some medication for the pain and I am doing some better today. Continue to pray for me. 

Sunday, April 1, 2012

To the Work ...To The Work!

Our building needs painting --for the 20th time! I have declared 'WAR' on the local artists who like to graffiti on the outside church walls.


Ten gallons is what we use each time we paint over again. So far, we have put @ 200 gallons on these walls. We are praying the gangs will run out of paint!

Now that there is less wind, we are doing more door-to-door and open market visiting. Friday seems to work best for our men. One of our newest converts, Carlos, came and joined right in. Pray as we train these men for leaders of tomorrow. My grandson also was a blessing!


A few more pictures are on the 'Pictures of the Week' page. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Windy City

We are bracing for another very strong wind storm with blowing dusts coming at @ 50 mi/hr. Sunday is supposed to have only a visibility of less than a mile. Our ladies are at the church today making tamales. Hopefully, they will be done before the wind hits. Dust in the tamales would make them a little crunchy! 


God has bless with good attendance. Continue to pray!


We have just purchased a 2002 van to replace our old OLD 1984 one which was donated by a supporting church years ago. This van is much better on gas mileage. The other one was just falling apart. Many souls were brought to church in that van and it was a little sad to let it go. We are praising the Lord for the new van and the ability to carry on with the 'bus' ministry. 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Tierra Nueva News

God has been blessing here in the work in Juárez. I am overwhelmed by the changes in people's lives here lately. Four teens were recently saved, and a young man who had been fighting the call of God, surrendered to preach! Arturo, our national pastor in training, is doing a wonderful job. He is a big help to me in the ministry. He and his wife Judy are learning and growing and they are great helpers in the church. Please pray for this family. Arturo is going to a local Bible Institute here and is learning so much in the Word. He has been teaching the youth class in the last year and is getting the teens involved with other youth from other local Baptist churches.