I AM BLESSED

"The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a godly heritage." Psalm 16:6

I agree with the Psalmist - that is how I feel when I think of the life that God has given me. I thank God that by His grace I was given the honor to be raised by missionary parents on the mission field. And not just "any" mission field but the center of Africa. And not just the Central African Republic but as far into the country as possible. I know, I am strange.

Now while God did not see fit to send me back to Africa (yet) He has allowed me to continue the blessed heritage that I inherited in missionary service! Our physical life here in northern Mexico compares little to that of Africa except in some aspects of danger but I enjoy serving the Lord. We appreciate your prayer for your missionaries. I am sure it is hard to imagine the life that each lives for the cause of Christ. The purpose of these pictures from my life in Africa are to lift that awareness. My normal Saturday's (today) takes me into drug traffickers territory to make my visits. I would not begin to attempt such risk without relying on the prayers of God's people on my behalf.

God has been so good to me. The pictures below tell the story of just how good God is to me!

Epic Failure or Resounding Victory?

The photos below tell a story of our fellowship after our evening services Sunday night, May 1st.

Was it an epic failure or a resounding victory? The fellowship was promoted for our May birthdays. Lucillia on the 2nd, Juan on the 12th, Jesus on the 15th, Leonicio on the 20th and Anna on May 30th. Of those five only two made the service and fellowship. Our most faithful family, Juan and Anna Orosco - two of the birthdays, were absent along with Leonicio and his wife. As a birthday fellowship - Epic Failure.

The May birthdays though were just an excuse to grow everyone just a little bit more in the things of the Lord. Resounding Victory! Even with 5 (of our normal) absent we had 22 in our evening service. We can now count 4 families as a very real part of our work here. There is an excitement and they relate to each other as a whole. Last night several made comment of how they were going to follow up on the ones that were missing. A realization on their part that it is not just the pastor/missionary job to "provoke one another to love and good works".

So how did the day turn out. Resounding Victory there was no failure in the day.

NEWs

Just a little update on some new things happening here in the work. God has recently blessed us with several new visitors. Of course that is always a blessing and tremendous encouragement. We also have new prospects. There is a possibility of a new couple coming to work with us. The compassions of God are new every morning! La. 3:23


- We have a new family of four visiting our services, pray for their salvation.


- The neighbor in front of church was our newest visitor, pray for her salvation.


- The new neighbors on our block have committed to come, pray for their salvation.


- We see new interest in the Word of God everyday as we visit! Pray for souls to be saved.


- Bernardino and Fernanda Escalante are considering this as a new ministry. Pray for their decision.

Irvingh

New Family

Sister-still For Sale

Always Active

Bernardino y Fernanda

Never Drive An Empty Truck-Part One Of Four. See Below

I attribute to my Dad the saying, "Never drive an empty truck". In Africa our truck was always (over) loaded. Literally, on top of all of the supplies that were needed to be hauled for any trip were the African pastors and students that always accompanied our travels, a few extra passengers and my brothers and sisters. (Some day I will have to post a few of those pictures)

For the trip we took this past week we used the Tacoma to travel. As you can see it doubled as a route bus. There were only six in the cab and although you can only see nine in the back there were a few more extra small that cannot be seen. The other route was run by a 95 Mercury Villager and had 22!

The greatest payload of all is counted in eternal souls!



Overflow Crowd-Part Two of Four

Saturday and Sunday we were in Miquel Aleman (aka La Costa de Hermosillo / La Doce) for a mission's conference with Iglesia Bautista Maranatha, a mission work of Pastor John Perez and the Templo Bautista Sahuaro. The work is being started by Missionary Alfredo Ortiz and his family. They are in their fifth year working in this town mainly inhabited by various indigenous groups from farther south working the farm fields of the area.

Saturday seats were set up outside to accommodate the group that gathered to hear the preaching of the gospel. The children had their own class as well. Thankfully the weather was very pleasant. I had the privilege to share with these folks the Great Commission and how they can and need to be a part of their church's Faith Promise Missions Giving. The average salary for working ten to twelve hours in the fields is $6.00 U.S. dollars a day! I visited with one man who after 12 years now makes the equivalent of U.S. $.75 cents an hour for his 24 hour shift every other day. What a tremendous blessing to be able to meet such great people.

On a side note: The mission is hoping to build in the near future (I will be designing a 30' X 30' building for them). They also need an older full sized van (a newer one would be vandalized) for the ministry if anyone would wish to help.

The Family In Ministry Part Three of Four

Our family is a huge part of our ministry and each one contributes to the overall package. Personally I am this big, lumber-some lug but I have been blessed to have these beautiful flowers (Peggy, Abigail and Anna) adorn my life and so people can forgive or forget about me. Each of the family has a love for God, a love for others and a love for life. It is just such a blessing to be able to serve God!

Ministry Marathon. Part Four of Four

This past Thursday through Sunday it was our privilege to be in Hermosillo and Miquel Aleman for several services. Mexican missionary Alfredo Ortiz had invited me to preach a Faith Promise Mission's Conference for his mission work and his pastor, John Perez wanted to take advantage of my time and have me both teach in the Bible Institute and preach both free evenings (Thursday and Friday) as well as preach on Sunday evening.

I was able to teach six classes, preach once on Thursday evening, and once on Friday evening in Hermosillo. In Miquel Aleman I was able to preach once on Saturday night and then again on Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. We then return to Hermosillo that evening in time to preach the evening service with an emphasis on missions. It was a full but blessed time.

What an opportunity! What a privilege! What a great time! What a joy! Thank you for allowing us to do this.