GENERAL UPDATE #3

Pardon the lack of entries! Up until the day before yesterday, we did not have internet access at the new house ever since we moved in on September 5th. So the following “general” entries were actually written several weeks ago as an update to my home church and are now modified to be posted here.

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Thank you for the all prayers and encouragement you have sent our way. After I sent the second update, I found out after the evening meeting that I could stay with the Mexican family an additional week. That was a very helpful answered prayer because it meant that we would not be quite as crowded for as long at the Reyes' house. After that, I was with the Reyes' family about a week and half before we then moved to the new house this past Saturday. [September 5th]. We value your prayers that the Lord would provide for the various needs of the household, including the completion of the kitchen.

The Lord also answered prayer concerning finding a low cost bed. We got a really good deal on a wooden frame with drawers and two nightstands that worked out to about $100 US. It is still being made at the moment, and we'll also need to find a reasonably priced mattress for it before it's ready to use.

Last week we began the translation work, starting with the book “Treasury of Bible Doctrine” edited by Precious Seed magazine based in Great Britain. Our method has been that when Marcus has a bit of “spare time”, he dictates a rough translation into an audio recorder, and I later transcribe it and edit it as best as I can. Then Marcus and other Spanish experts will look to examine the translation many times before the final copy. We desire to translate with excellence for the glory of God. Because it is a complicated book and I still have a lot to learn in regards to Christian Spanish terminology and also general language expressions, the translating process goes rather slowly. But I enjoy it very much and it is a very valuable learning tool. I would appreciate prayer for the continued development of my Spanish language skills that I might be able to translate at a faster pace. Two of the Mexican team members looked over my draft and said that it was very good, so that is encouraging.

Now for a little explanation of the teams and the usual schedule. There are eight of us who go regularly to Omiquila and Tepexpan, and about four others who also come with us to evangelize Metlac. Metlac is another remote village in the Sierra which takes about an hour and a quarter to get to. We park the truck and then traverse through various types to terrain to reach the houses. We usually cross a particular river. One time it overflowed and the team had to pass over one by one via horseback. When we go to Tepexpan and Omiquila over the weekends, we usually split up half and half and alternate locations. This allows for each person to break bread in both churches once every two weeks.

The typical schedule is as follows:

Sunday AM – breaking of bread and ministry meetings in Tepexpan and Omiquila
Sunday PM – gospel meeting in Orizaba
Monday – family day (rest day)
Tuesday AM and afternoon – evangelism (usually in Metlac) and team Bible study
Tuesday PM – ministry meeting in Orizaba
Wednesday AM and afternoon – team Bible study, evangelism and meeting in Tepexpan
Wednesday PM – ministry meeting in Orizaba
Thursday AM and afternoon - team Bible study, evangelism and meeting in Omiquila
Thursday PM – prayer meeting in Orizaba
Friday AM – team music lessons and practice
Friday PM – young peoples' meeting in Orizaba
Saturday afternoon and PM – travel to Tepexpan and Omiquila to encourage and disciple the saints there, also to stay overnight to be with them Sunday AM.


The team consists of four to six men (depending on the day) and five women. All of the men teach, and all of the women help out with the children's Sunday school and with the music (I've been playing my psaltery when possible, and am beginning to learn guitar as well).

The men:

Marcus – originally from NYC and later Florida, where his commending church is. He and Jennifer have been working here 11 years now.

Alejandro – 28 yr. old who graduated from college with a literature degree and then came to work with Marcus full time about a 1 ¾ yr. ago. He left his home (which is about 1 ½ hr. from here) to help with the various ministries and especially one of his favorite activities – evangelism.

Eder – 25 yr. old who got saved two years ago and left his job and family (from about an hour away) to work with Marcus full time about 1 ½ yr. ago.

Pedro – 28 yr. old responsible for his own mission 2 hrs by bus and then 3 hrs walking each way into the mountain on weekends and then during the week he is with us.

Alvaro – 59, and Vicente – 60, they both live locally and fellowship at another assembly. Their local church expressed interest in evangelism and did not know where to begin, therefore asked if they could send some of their men to work on the team and gain experience. They provide age and maturity to a team that averages 28 yrs. old. They get to learn, share their knowledge and experiences with their home assembly.

The women:

Olivia – 25 yr. old originally from an Aztec village, she is very valuable for her ability to speak fluent Nahuatl.

Amisadai – 18 yr. old who has been working with Marcus for five years. Now that she is finished with high school, she has even more time available to serve. She plays several instruments very well and is very good at teaching the Sunday school kids.

Marcela and Lorena – 18 and 19 year old sisters from another part of Mexico who just started serving here the month before I arrived. It is unknown for how long they will be staying to help, but they estimate a year or two. Marcela is particularly talented at playing guitar, and Lorena with violin. They also live with us in the new house.

Please pray that the Lord would also continue to provide for the needs of these team members, as each person is of great value and encouragement to us all.


Please pray also...

- for the spiritual growth and encouragement of the assembly in Omiquila, which is experiencing some difficulties.

- that those in Tepexpan and Omiquila would understand the Word of God preached to them, since some of them do not understand Spanish very well, and there are few who ever preach in their native language.

- for Jennifer and the baby boy that is due on Oct. 4th, and that the things of the house would be well in order to make it easier when the newborn arrives.