GENERAL UPDATE #4

The following is from SEPTEMBER 30th

It gives me much encouragement even to write this fourth letter, because with it comes much gratitude for many answered prayers. We are all part of the same Body, and when one member rejoices, we can all rejoice. We are first and foremost thankful to the Lord, who always knows the needs of His children and is able to supply all His riches in Christ Jesus.

In addition to an extremely generous and timely financial gift, the Lord has blessed us in other ways by answering our prayers:

1.Another American missionary who often works with us recently returned from a trip to the States, and brought back with him three sets of the Betty Lukens feltboards (a prayer request I mentioned in the first letter). This will be very useful in helping to communicate the Word of God more clearly to the Aztecs.

2.We are all very happy that the kitchen is now finished. It is easy to take for granted having a sink, countertops, cupboards, etc.

3.I also found a very comfortable mattress for about $90 USD. The couch was comfortable enough for a month, but the bed is much nicer.

4.My Spanish skills are improving more noticeably. I have been thinking in Spanish considerably more. A few Mexicans have also told me that I am speaking a lot more fluidly, and that even the accent is improving.

Other news:

1.A few weekends ago the team went to a town called Tequila to study the Word of God with Aztecs from various nearby mountain towns. It would be fairly comparable to the New England Regional Bible study that is held at my home church. It is a particularly encouraging time for everyone to be able to gather together, since this mountain region is one of the most persecuted in Mexico.

2.Since the time we have been in the new house, the phone line and internet still have not been installed. This has affected two main things: 1) It has made it very difficult to keep connected with home, and 2) it has slowed down the translation work considerably. There is a very good online dictionary that I use as I translate, and it is the most efficient method of looking up words and phrases. We are taking a break from translating the book Treasury of Bible Doctrine, and today we just started on Randy Amos' book The Church, which is a much simpler text to translate and will go much faster.

3.The team has begun a weekly Friday kids club at the new house for nearby neighbors. It consists of songs, a gospel presentation, memory verse, and games. It usually takes a little while to get a new kids club started since at first not many people know about it. The first week we had one kid come, and the second week there were two. It will probably grow faster once it spreads by word of mouth and the kids bring their friends. It is also good that both a mother and grandmother have stayed to watch, and heard a clear gospel. Please pray for the growth of this kids club and for the salvation of the those who hear the gospel through it.

4.Jennifer is due to give birth this Sunday, so the baby could come any day now. Please pray for a smooth delivery and the transition to having our ninth member of the household. Marcela, Lorena, and I also need prayer in this upcoming time that we can be very attentive to the needs of the house (specifically helping with the cooking).