Father's Day Celebration

     Any holiday or occasion is a reason to have a fellowship meal at our church! We enjoyed a Father's Day service with 63 people in attendance. The church is still growing and more people are getting involved in the work.

 Satan is fighting, though, and we've been going through some rough times with some of our people, but God is faithful and continues to bless. 

     It is getting HOT here already and the scorching heat is making it difficult to do a lot of door-to-door visiting. The men go visiting on Saturday mornings, but by 10:00, we are already in the 90's in temps. In the summer, we do more visiting within the families of our church due to the oppressive heat. We may just have to start doing this sooner this year. 

     My son-in-law, John, and I are considering starting 2 classes specifically for the men. One class will be for Arturo and Luis, our helpers, and the other for all the men in the church. Our men are eager to learn and I believe the studying together will help unify the believers we have. Please pray with us in this matter that the Lord will show us what He wants done and that we will glorify Him in all we do.

 

Baptismal Service

Praise the Lord for continual growth in the church! My associate, Luis, has been bringing the folks in week by week. The other day he told me he was out visiting and came across a man in the road who was shoveling dirt. Now, if you've ever been in Juárez, you know the roads are a bit rough. Many times there are men shoveling dirt into the pot holes during the day, hoping someone will give them a tip for trying to smooth the road out. Luis came across one such man, and felt a pull to stop and talk to him. The man said he was saved and was looking for a good church, but just didn't know where to look. He said he'd be visiting us on Sunday. Amen! 

Since we've had new families pouring in, there have been several salvation testimonies and last Sunday we had a baptismal service! After the baptismal service, Jorge and his wife said they felt so wonderful. The smile of their faces says it all. 

Health Update:

My family and I have been working on getting out back yard fixed up with flowers, bushes, and a vegetable garden. I was outside trimming the bushes one morning, planning on getting some yard work done. The rest of the day, I felt light headed, weak, and overall, not well. Rebecca took my blood pressure and it was very high. My doctor wanted me to go to the ER, but I felt that a little rest might be what I needed. When I saw my doctor the next morning, he told me I needed to stay out of the heat. Already, here in El Paso, the temperature is reaching 100 degrees! Overall I am doing well, I just need to remember to stay cool! 

Church Growth

What a blessing it has been to see my new associate and his family grow in the Lord and in the ministry. Luis and his wife, Mary, have been doing a lot of visiting on their own and have really been bringing in the families! If you knew Luis 5 years ago, you wouldn't believe he was the same man.
He was shy, didn't like crowds, and now he's bringing in people by the crowd! God has worked a miracle in this family's life and my heart is overflowing with gratefulness for this precious family. 



               Growing in the Lord!

         

My son, Tim, and his family came to visit me this last week. My grandchildren are growing fast and I enjoyed the week with them! Having little ones in the house was an adjustment for me and they wore me out, but what a joy it was to be able to play with them, hug them, and love on them. 

Tim preached on Sunday during the Sunday School hour and my new translator, Jose, translated. Tim was a blessing to our church people. The children in our church were very fascinated with my grandkids' blonde hair and blue eyes. Some of the church kids even tried to pet them and smell their hair! It is quite a contrast with the Mexican dark hair and eyes. 

 We were able to visit the market in Juárez. How empty it looks! Tourism sure has changed since the drug war, but we still had a good time looking around at all the 

handmade crafts and talking to the vendors who are still there.

               

Health Update: My health has been much better since moving over to the U.S. side. There has been a LOT of wind here lately and that has given me some trouble in my lungs. With living in an insulated house now, it has made a difference in how much the dust affects me and for how long.

Continue to be in prayer for La Iglesia Bautista Tabernaculo. The outreach in our church is strong, and we are seeing the benefits of our labor. All glory and honor for the increase belongs to God. 

The fields are white unto harvest!!

In the Ministry

It's hard to believe that I have been in the ministry for 47 years! I started out as a young preacher boy serving in my local church in GA, and here I am, a down home country boy who learned another language to be a missionary in a Spanish speaking country. Life in the ministry has not been easy, by any means, but it has been the most rewarding years of my life. The church I pastor (La Iglesia Bautista Tabernaculo) and another church I started years ago where my son-in-law pastors (La Iglesia Bautista Ortega) put together a surprise anniversary service for me. Three nationals who I have had the privilege of working with preached. There was special music by both churches, a puppet show, and a meal of barbacoa (bull's head tacos!). And of course, salsa. Some like it hot...me? Not too much. Here are a few pictures of the grand event; To God Be The Glory. Amen!  

The preachers

The puppets and the singers

The Food - Barbacoa and Valentine cookies
my daughter Rebecca made for the occasion.


Update: Bro. Arturo is now working with my son-in-law, John, at the Ortega church. I now have Bro. Luis working with me. He is a bit timid when it comes to preaching, but there is no doubt God's call is on his life. When Arturo started out, he could only preach for 5 minutes. Now he can preach an hour! It takes time, but I know God is doing a great work. Luis and his wife, Mary, were never legally married. They lived together for years, even after they were saved. About three years ago, we had a simple wedding ceremony in our church for the two of them. Since Luis' call to preach, he has been convicted about not being married legally in the eyes of Mexico. On Valentine's Day, he and Mary stood with hundreds of others in a gymnasium waiting for paper work to make the union 'legal'. It's amazing what God does when we sit back and let Him work! Luis and Mary are a huge help to me and are eager to learn, to work, and to grow. How about that?? God is working even now. 

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! 

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. 

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.