Update #5

10.21.09

Things have been progressing both at home and with the mountain work. We are continually thankful to the Lord for his protection of Jennifer and baby Caleb, who is now two and a half weeks old. During the time that Jennifer was housebound, the girls took turns staying home to do the cooking and to look after things at home while the teams went into the mountains. Both mother and baby are doing quite well and Jennifer is glad to be more active by the day. One thing they need prayer for though is that they can get sorted out Caleb's birth certificate and/or passport requirements in time to be able to travel with him when they visit family and their home assembly in Florida in November.

We are also quite happy that the phone and internet were installed a few weeks ago, as that has allowed me to progress faster with the translation work. We are aiming to translate as much of Randy Amos' book The Church as possible before I leave. Due to some of the changes in wording that comes with translation, Marcus will be making a revised English version that he wishes to show Randy Amos when they see each other in December. We would appreciate prayer that we can reach this goal amidst our full schedule.

On the frontlines in the Sierra work we would appreciate prayer that we would be constantly well-prepared in giving God's Word to the people, and that we would have His wisdom when we encounter those of a popular cult here called The Light of the World. Some encouraging things have been happening in Tepexpan over the past few weeks. During the door-to-door work, a few people have accepted Christ, and there are five men who've already been attending the meetings that desire to be baptized.

Also in Tepexpan, there is an eight-year old boy who has enthusiastically begun helping me to translate the Old Testament when we visit on the weekends. His mother and aunt have also been helping. Since they speak both Nahuatl and Spanish, they are able to translate from the Spanish into the Nahuatl. When we come across a word that they don't understand, I and another team member explain it. When I brought Genesis 1:1 back to Marcus, he said it was very good. At this level, there are many good things about this method of translation. 1) We are getting to know the people better and have closer fellowship with them. 2) They are learning the Bible verse by verse as we explain it to them. 3) It works well in teaching me the language. 4) The text can always be revised later to be as close to the original intent as possible, and meanwhile we can have verses that they will understand better in their own language.

The Lord has also blessed everyone's prayers for the growth of the Friday kid's club here at the house. The last two Friday's we've had about 10-12 kids here. In the back yard, work has begun on building a little wood house just for the kid's club work. We pray for the salvation of these children and their families, and also that our testimony in the community would reflect Him.

We also usually go door-to-door once a week in the surrounding neighborhood. Last week, I spoke with a woman named Lourdes who at first didn't seem interested in anything we were saying, but by the end was listening intently and even asking us to repeat the verses we were reading. I look forward to visiting with her again and need prayer to speak His Word with grace and truth.

For a few days last week, the household grew to 15 people with the arrival of a family from Texas who is seeking the Lord's guidance as to whether to move here permanently for farming work, although they would like to help in what they can in a local church. They also have four little children approximately the same ages as the Reyes' kids. They are now staying at a house nearby, and for this visit will be here about a month. Their names are John and Verid McHaney.

Back home, Mom is doing somewhat better. She can drive short distances if she needs to, but can't walk for very long and is still not cooking, as far as I know.

It's hard to believe I only have four weeks before I will be home and seeing many loved ones again! Please pray that I will use the time wisely, and that the Lord would give us all wisdom in future preparations.