I'm So Thankful!

I had the joy of hosting my field director, Bro. Terry Jones, in October. He preached a week long revival and did a little manual labor as well! New lights were installed in the church kitchen as well as molding around the ceiling. We had one person saved that week and hearts were renewed for Christ. We had a visitor during the revival who had received a tract while visiting two years ago! He had saved it and while visiting family in Juárez, came to see us. It pays to visit, pray, and knock on doors! Amen! 

BIBLES FOR OUR CHURCH

I want to thank the First Baptist Church of Lafayette, CO who has supplied more than enough funds to purchase a Bible for every man, woman, and child in our church. Also, another source of Bibles came from B.I.M.I. through Bro. Jones, my field director. What a blessing to have Bibles for a very long time. I will be planning a 'Bible Sunday' real soon to distribute these into the hands of our people. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for this young couple who is growing in the Lord. I had the joy of winning them

to Christ and baptizing them. Manuel is adjusting to his new life in Christ and his new life outside prison walls. Neither of them know anything about the Bible, so it is a joy to watch them as others help them find chapters and verses during the preaching service. 

Please keep praying for my health. I just received a new set of injections in my back two weeks ago, and at present, am doing well. My doctor is preparing for a radio frequency ablation for the next time my back 'gives out'. Along with degenerative discs, I have arthritis in my back that sure can complicate things for me. I don't have time for this! I am thankful for a good doctor who cares and who is helping me. My daughter Rebecca drives me around when I cannot due to pain. She drives me to doctor appointments, over to Juárez and back, and wherever I need to go. Most of the time, I am independent, but when the medicine runs out in my back, she takes over and is my chauffeur.

PLEASE PRAY - The violence in the city has picked up and there have been several shootings in the area around our church. We are watchful and we listen to the news often. My associate, Luis, keeps me informed and warns me when it might be too dangerous for me to cross. So far, our church people are not feeling panicked, so if they don't panic, I don't! They are watchful of me and keep me informed of the activities that might affect my family or the church. 

Thank you to my supporters. I could not do what I do without your prayers and financial support. I want to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

Summer Updates 2015

This summer has been busy with church growth and new converts. This past Sunday, eight people followed the Lord in baptism. We've waited a while to see these souls saved and come to the personal knowledge of our Lord and Savior. To see these follow in baptism was a joy. Please pray for these people as they continue to grow! It is so exciting to see what God is doing in their hearts! The baptism was an exciting event in our church - and the water wasn't too cold! Amen. 

The next step in their spiritual growth is showing them the Lord's Supper. 

As cooler weather comes to the Borderland, our plans are to go beyond our area to flea markets, other colonials, and new housing developments with the Gospel. 

We have the men now, thousands of tracts, and invitations to go beyond. By the Spirit and Power of God, we can do it! Please pray with us about this. 

Health Update: 

Thank you so much for your prayers concerning my health. This past month, I had 6 more shots to relieve the pain in my back. I am doing better at present, and going full speed. Because I have degenerative discs, I will need another set of injections sometime before the next year. For now, I'm kicking the devil in the shin! 

Ups and Downs

First of all, I would like to thank each of you who have sent me Christmas cards and offerings. I am overwhelmed by your love and generosity. Thank you so much! 

Life and ministry have been like a roller coaster ride lately. Up and down you go, feeling as if you are about to lose your stomach. We've had people leave the church, then come

back. We've had illness and hospital visits. Near death experiences, even. My associate's son, Saul, has been in and out of the hospital with kidney infections. He has been so ill, he has not been able to be in school much. His parents are waiting on test results on why his kidneys keep getting affected. My son-in-law John and my daughter Rebecca who work with me, have been talking on and off to Luis and Mary about homeschooling because of this. A young lady who was in our church as a teen took an enormous amount of pills with alcohol trying to end her life. Within one day of her mother having to decide to 'pull the plug' on life support, she became awake. Many people were praying for Teresa during this time. I was able to visit with her for five minutes here and there. In those five minutes, I prayed for her and talked to her about getting back in church and letting the Lord take control of her life. She is home now and, as far as I know, she will be able to lead a normal life. Second chances don't come like this often. We are fervently praying not only for physical healing, but spiritual healing as well. 

My family has not been exempt from sickness. We were dropping like flies with a terrible cold. It has taken weeks to recover. Now that I don't have a cold, I have other health issues that are on-going and are at the forefront of my mind. Ever since the El Paso VA received a bad rating last year, I have had doctors appointments one right after another. Health concerns I have been telling my doctor about suddenly seemed to matter and I found myself having appointments for by back, my brain (for memory), and even for my 'psyche'. I had mentioned to my doctor that my back problems made me a bit depressed, and before I knew it, I had an appointment with a VA psychologist. She declared me 'just fine' after talking with her. Amen. I've had cat-scans and MRI's. Appointments with a neurologist. Physical therapy, which was very painful and did not help. On Monday (January 26), I have another cat-scan. On Tuesday, I am going to have a shot in my back that will hopefully help with pain level for three months. I am to avoid pain medication for a few days. I had not realized how much pain I was in and the intensity of my back problems until I came off the pain medication. Pray for me. I have a few days left without much 'help'. I have a TENS machine that I use that is alleviating pain a bit. 

Prayer Requests:

1) The health of our church - both physically and spiritually 

2) My health - Pray that the shot will work for me and relieve the pain in my back

3) The health of my family - It seems that we all get well, then have another round of the cold return. We are all feeling weak and struggling to regain momentum. 

4) Teresa - who really needs the working of the Holy Spirit in her life

5) My associate, Luis, and his family - He is working hard in the church and is a faithful servant of the Lord. I do not know what I would do without him. He is also trying to take care of his family. His son, Saul, has kidney infections. His other son, David, has adenoid problems, and his wife, Mary, has frequent lymph node flare ups. His daughter, Rebecca who is the youngest, is the strongest one of the bunch! 

May God richly bless you for your continued support and prayers! 

Romans 8:26 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.