May / June 2008
“Lift up your eyes and look on the fields…” John 4:35
Dear Pastor, Supporters and Friends,
We hope that as you read this letter that you are well and enjoying the blessings of the Lord. We are doing well and have been blessed beyond all that we could ask or think. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support without which we wouldn’t be able to represent you in Mexico! You may have heard of the increase of violence in Juarez since the first of the year (250+ murders) as the drug cartels and law enforcement officials are clashing in a bloody war. One young man killed had attended our church, but had gotten away from the Lord, we are not sure of his salvation although he did hear the gospel. We are not worried as we know that nothing is beyond the control of our God, but please pray for our safety.
PRAISE!! Roca Fiel Baptist Church: Carlos Chavira, Juarez, Chih. Pastor Josue Robles The Lord continues his blessings upon this work. Brother Jorge Berumen (mentioned in the last letter) has started a new ministry sponsored by the church called “Luz en las Tinieblas” (Light in the Darkness). It is a ministry focused in trying to reach drug addicts. This ministry is handling the Spiritual side of the treatments at a rehab center (2 hours each Friday). There have been 8 men taken to the center by Bro. Jorge and over 40 professions of faith. Two men that are recent graduates have been faithful to attend church for several weeks now. Please pray for this ministry – that souls would be saved and lives changed. You would probably be surprised to hear how many of these addicts have a “Christian” background. Some even pastors sons!
Praise the Lord, attendance here has been at capacity for the last 4 months! One of our Bible Institute graduates Bro. Filiberto (2007) and his wife Mari have decided to stay in the area and help us start a new church. We plan to start evangelizing in a neighborhood fairly close by in June and if all goes as planned to start holding a regular mid-week service in July. If the Lord gives the increase, we will try to start a Sunday service in September. We are looking for land and once we have a steady attendance of 40+ we’ll move ahead with a purchase (I may be calling on you for help). Please pray that the Lord will give us guidance and direction in this new church plant. Some seed families will likely come from La Roca Fiel.
Eleven men recently returned from a short term mission trip to Durango. They were blessed to see souls saved, and the land prepared for a building project. We love our people to go on Mission Trips because they always return on fire for God, better soulwinners and better givers. One of the men (Jesus) felt the call of God on his life during the trip. Pray that God would give him direction and that more would surrender.
PRAISE!! Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Gracia: Bermejillo Durango Pastor Ángel Luna. As you read this letter Lord willing we’ll be in Durango pouring the pad for the parsonage and dormitories for a planned Bible institute. This will be the first of 3 scheduled trips to Durango between now and mid July.
A Special thanks to Brother Joe Serrano and Valley BC, El Paso for donating 50 folding chairs, they have already been put to use. Brother Angel reports a full auditorium and good services in the ranch missions. They have regular baptisms and have recently started a Teen ministry that has a base of faithful teenagers attending. Pray for the evangelism efforts planned for the summer trips as well
PRAYER REQUESTS More Laborers, Wisdom, Direction, Strength, and Protection. Pray for our son Zach as he will be in Iraq until July 2009. Pray for our daughter Amanda who is pregnant with our 2nd Grandchild. Pray for the mission trips scheduled for this summer.
Looking for that Blessed Hope and Glorious Appearing!
Brother Tim, Miss Kelly and Leah Urling
