The Work Of Missions

I recently came across some very interesting statistics on the work of missions. It would seem that this generation of believers is losing ground on reaching this generation's souls. This information came from Gil Anger and you can see it for yourself at http://www.reachingbeyondborders.org/statistics.html but let me share some highlights.

* Since 1950 the work of missions has lost 1,000 missionaries per year

- only 50 take their place each year

*Today there are approximately 5,000 "Independent Baptist missionaries"

* 1,000 American missionaries return home each year*

* 75 % of new missionaries will return home never to return within the first 3 years

* 43 % of all missionaries never complete deputation

* less than 1 % of all Bible college students will consider foreign missions

Are you aware (according to his research) that:

- 14 of the 48 listed European counties have not a single missionary!

- 20 of the 156 listed countries of Africa are without a single missionary.

- 11 of the 43 listed Asian countries have no missionary!

- 19 of the 28 listed Middle Eastern countries have 0 missionaries!

- Even 6 of the 48 listed American countries have no missionary!

Zimbabwe with a population of 11,343,000 has no missionary. The island nation of Seychelles with a population of 79,000 has no missionary. Even in some America nations such as Martinique with 407,000 has no missionary. French Guiana with 163,000 has no missionary.

Mexico is listed with 206 missionaries. A ratio of 1 missionary for each 487,136 souls. There is much work to do. Why not join in? If some of these countries are a little to distant for you then come to Mexico and replace us and we will ask God to send us to one of the zero nations of the world. If God is not sending you then please realize the importance of your personal involvement in sending others just like The Harris Family to represent Christ to the uttermost part of the world.

Pre-Service Bible Study

Neighborhood Witnessing

The Ladies -ready for services

How To Get Stuck in a Monsoon

Chiles Rellenos Con Camarones

Those who know me best will find this the most difficult to believe. This was a meal that I (Steven Harris) prepared and cooked. We have a friend who is a widower and it was his birthday. I had invited him to a birthday supper and had asked him what he wanted. The joke was on me though because he facetiously said "frijoles rellenos con camarones" of course I heard chiles rellenos and went searching for a recipe. The meal turned out very well so I will share it with you.

Buen Provecho!

Chiles Rellenos con Camarones (shrimp):

4 poblano chiles (roasted)
1 red bell pepper (roasted)
3/4 pound deveined shell-on fresh shrimp
4 ounces shredded Montery Jack cheese
w ounces shredded fontina cheese
1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
3 tablespoons diced white onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
w tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 quart vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup medium blue cornmeal

# 1 - Roast Chiles (after roasting, pull off skin, slit to remove seeds, leaving stem end intact)
# 2 - Roast Peppers (after roasting, seed and dice)
# 3 - Grill or dry-roast shrimp (shell and chop into large pieces)
# 4 - In mixing bowl mix bell pepper, shrimp, cheese, corn, onion, marjoram and cilantro, Mix well
# 5 - Stuff poblano chiles with shrimp mixture; press gently to seal
# 6 - Heat oil to 375 degrees in a deep heavy-bottomed pan. Dip stuffed chiles in beaten egg; dredge in cornmeal. Deep fry until exterior is dark blue (4 to 5 minutes). To reduce fat calories -bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees instead of frying

Youth Camp 2010

Each year we participate in a summer youth camp. Although our numbers were down we had six churches involved and a very good week of activities and preaching. I believe that this year went exceptionally well.

The last two years we have incorporated a time of soul winning into the camp week. This year we went soul winning right before services on Wednesday. All the campers then came to services at Iglesia Bautista de Magdalena. This is our monsoon season though and we had our first heavy monsoon at 5:30 PM just as everyone was out soul winning. Although everyone came back soaked to the bone it did not dampen the spirit of our services!

The campers from our work, Iglesia Bautista de Magdalena, included Abigail and four first time campers at youth camp this year! We look forward to next year and what God will continue to do with these campers for the remainder of this year.

Camp Activities

A Great Help

About a half a year ago I received an e-mail from a man I had never met, Salvador Santos. He is a member of a church in Montana we had been in while on deputation about six years ago. His request was to come down to Magdalena de Kino to visit with us and to help in any area where we felt we could use him. To that end Salvador and Naomi Santos were part of our lives this past week. What a tremendous blessing and help they were to us. We made much of their abilities and kept them very busy everyday soul-winning and witnessing.

Every other aspect of life took a back seat as we sought to make full use of this servant of God. We were in numerous homes presenting the gospel, we followed up on many contacts previously made and made many new contacts. Brother Santos delivered sound Bible messages for our mid-week service and both our Sunday services. We were also able to have most of our folks here in our house to fellowship with this dear couple. A great deal was accomplished and we thank God for this privilege.

Our Third Graduate

The highlight of the end of May and June was Ezra's graduation back at Cozaddale Baptist Academy in Goshen, Ohio. Peggy, Abigail, Anna and I traveled back by car (well actually our F-350) to attend Ezra's graduation. We left Mexico on May 20th. Ezra graduated on May 27th and I returned by plane to Mexico on June 2nd leaving Peggy and the girls to spend time with Sarah and Izabell, Simon and Ezra there in Ohio. On June 14th I returned to Ohio by plane to pick up the family and make our way back to Mexico. We arrived home on June 25th.

We were able to be in one supporting church and three churches new to us. It was a special blessing to be in a church on Father's Day that has supported my parents for 58 years! God blessed in our travels and in our meetings in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa.

In my absence it was a blessing to have Pastor Ismael Zamarron fill in for me. He and his wife, Lourdes, stayed here at our house and faithfully took care of the work. God blessed his time here with 7 professions of faith, 1 new attendee in services, as well as a spiritual growth in our folks. I would leave again if that is what it takes!

Some Won, Some Still Lost, and So Many More

Ezra graduated from High School back in Ohio on May 27th. Peggy, the girls and I made our way back to be there for Ezra and to preach his commencement service. A Mexican national that lives (legally) in Ohio had us bring his mother for a visit and it was time (7 days) well spent in introducing her to the truth of the gospel of Christ. Please pray for Ana Maria's salvation.

At the graduation service one excepted Christ as her Saviour! That one was our daughter Abigail. Wow that makes the whole trip worthwhile! (And why you always include salvation in and then give an invitation for any message.) Abigail has wrestled with this for quite awhile but has finally seen God give her the victory.

In our absence Pastor Ismael Zamarron and his wife Lourdes came up from Navajoa to take over the work. They arrived the day before to give me time to give them some directions and then we were off. In our absence they were able to follow up on quite a few people that we have been working with and were able to see seven saved! I am so thankful that God allowed me to brake up some fallow ground and to sow some seed. I am also so thankful that God would allow itineraries to be made in such a way that Pastor Ismael was here to gather the harvest!

Well, Peggy and the girls are still in Ohio visiting with Sarah and Izabell, Simon and Ezra. I have flown back to be here in Magdalena but will return to Ohio to pick them up this month and then return to Magdalena together.

Just keep PRAYING!