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.
