WBA in Mexico

Sent: 3/16/2008
Subject: Report WBA Mission Trip to Juarez with Praise

Dear Prayer Partners:

Our mission trip consisted of working with a different church (Iglesia Bautista Azteca), with a different location and different people that where we had worked before. Our numbers had decreased fro over 30 to eight. Our team consisted of Jose Cano (translator), his wife Corina (our cook), from East Aztec B. C.; Julie Mitchell taught ages 4-7, Marybeth Sage taught ages 8-12;, and Milinda Jones taught crafts (all from Gateway B. C., Stanley James from Church Rock B. C. did construction and fed the kids their snacks, Duane Ellsworth organized sports and did construction. Duane and Durk are from Wingate B. C. Durk taught the older youth and did examinations for the medical clinics. Our greatest concern was only having one translator for five classes in VBS and medical clinics daily. At some point we ask ourselves would we go with one translator yes or no? We had committed our way to the Lord and we had no peace in turning back. We were reminded by the scripture where Joshua was told four times in Joshua Chapter 1 to "be strong and courageous". The Lord faithfully sent at least 8 each day to match and double our numbers. My translator from the sponsoring church was Jose (Pepe) who came to know the Lord in prison in the USA in Lubbock, TX. In all he served 14 years. During those years he became a Christian and learned to translate the gospel message from English to Spanish. He so looked forward to this opportunity to do it again in Mexico for his own people. Our classed fist started with 14 students and built to eighty. The children for the most part were not familiar with the gospel. They were responsive to the music and message----the younger children especially. We recorded the middle age group (ages 8-12) to have 16 decisions for the Lord. Ages 13 and above had 6 decisions to follow the Lord. They were ask to let Jose know if they had decided to pray the sinners prayer and follow the Lord. The first to respond was Ricardo who came up after class saying hermano (meaning brother). His translation of the message was correct and immediate. Please pray for the church leaders and members as the follow-up on these decisions. They have purchased land but have not attempted to build a building before they establish relationships and follow-up on these believers.

A second part or our work was medical out reach in the new work area and the area around the existing church were done. There were seven clinics in all and 145 patients were seen. My Translator for this work was Jose Cano. The clinics naturally took a sufficient amount of time for Pastor Juan Rigor and church members to begin to establish relationships and to begin to share the gospel message in a different setting than VBS. Probably over 200 Rex's were filled saving the patient / family finances to the credit of WBA (Western Baptist Association) who supported the effort financially so others could be reached with the gospel on Easter Sunday and the following week. We rejoice to serve the risen Savior who first loved us. The Lord willing we will return in summer of 09 to continue to help again in this church start.

Respectfully submitted and
To give Him the Glory,