January 2009

Dear Friends of Prayer,
The History of our Town:
We have arrived! - in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, Mexico and we are so glad to be here. By God's grace we have had safety in our travels and believe that God has led us all the way. God has provided a rental house suited for our family's needs which we believe will be comfortable and secure yet amongst and accessable to those whom God has sent us to.
Magdalena was settled in the sixteen hundreds by a Jesuit priest named Fransico Kino. He built the original catholic mission downtown and his bones are enshrined in the square for all to see. In the cathedral there is an idol of his likeness at rest to which devout catholics of the whole of this part of Mexico and the southwest of the United States make a pilgrimage to pray to. Having said their prayers, offered their offerings and burned their candles then they begin to kiss this idol from the toes to his face. Once at his head they ever so discreetly attempt to lift him off his bed. Those whose sins are light are able to do so! - Those who cannot lift him must seek continued penitance.
Each year in October Magdalena becomes the mecca of catholics of this whole part of North America. They come by the thousands and partake of all the old world catholic and pagan practices held so tightly by benighting tradition. It is truly heart wrenching to see the complete inner emptiness portrayed outwardly upon the faces of these sincere but misinformed souls.
The Hope of our Town:
It is the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST - no more, no less. But how to go about the job of telling Magdalena. Really, It is not that hard - actually quite simple (other than the language thing). "Could I give you a tract to read? It's the Word of God."
Almost every day we are able to pass out handfulls of the gospel. Seldom ever are they refused even in the catholic square's shops. Almost always they are being read when we retrace our steps.
Today I was able to speak with a few. I spoke more at length with Javier and his brother Hañssel. I spoke with Jose at a grocery store and then Peggy, Anna and I had the privilege to speak with Maria Los Angeles, Angelita. She is eighty-six and is anxious to talk with us again. Jesus Garcia and his family are our neighbors - devout Jehovah Witnesses but God made no mistake when He put us in their way,
It is our hope to have the help of some of the young people that we have previously helped to train. We have one young lady that is to join us in the ministry in February. I have been praying for another specific couple to also come and work with us. It is my desire that as God raises up this work that it be a national work from the very onset. Please pray with us for God´s will in this specific matter.
We are also looking at various places to rent for services. We have found several good possibilities and we are excited about the prospects. We know that God has exactly what He desires for His work here in Magdalena, please pray with us as we discern God´s will in each of these things as well.
Thank you for allowing us to be here,
For the salvation of souls,

The Harris Family