Wednesday, January 19, 2005
[12:51 PM]
Weekly Update
I Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in His sight.
Hello Everyone,
We’ve had kind of a slow week this week which was kind of nice. Some of our plans didn’t come together, but this allowed us to get caught up in other areas. We were able to cut some wood for our fireplace for which we are very thankful. The days here are nice; 60-70 degrees and sunshiny, but the nights and early mornings are COLD! The fireplace is our only source of heat as homes here do not have furnaces. We sure are thankful for the daytime.
One big blessing that stands out this week is that we were able to get some Creation/Science Evidence videos in Spanish that we hope to be able to use shortly. The teaching of evolution is not as prevalent here in Mexico, but it’s growing all the time. By the time they get to the University (those who go), all of them have heard the lies of evolution and most believe them. The Devil’s pretty slick, if he can get you to doubt the first pages of the Bible, it’s not hard to convince you that the rest of it is just some nice stories.
We have recently had the privilege, via the internet, to meet a young lady named Jennifer. She’s a sophomore at Romulus High School in Michigan and has recently been required to write a paper on her career choice. She’s planning on being a missionary, and asked us for some information, which we happily responded with. She’ll be turning in her paper on January 21st. This will be reviewed by many of the faculty. Because of the missions emphasis, she’s been able to include the Plan of Salvation. Please mark that day on your calendar and remember to pray for her as well as the people who will be reading the paper. It’s good to know that there are missionaries in our public schools back in the states.
We’ll be heading back to the states next month for tax filing, renewing visas, getting license plates, Alison’s ACT testing, etc. Please pray for our family during the next month, specifically for our finances, as we have quite a few out of the ordinary expenses. We’ve just discovered that Alison will have enough credits to graduate high school this year, so she’s in the process of searching the Lord’s will for where she will attend college in the fall. Thank you everyone for your continued prayer support.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ,
Mexico Division
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Wednesday, January 12, 2005
[3:29 PM]
Weekly Update
Psalm 105:4 Seek the LORD and His strength: seek His face evermore.
Greetings Everybody,
The Lord has blessed us with a brand-new opportunity. With the church going strong, and the people growing in the Lord, God has shown us the need to start a new work on the other side of town. We felt Him steering us in this direction for the past few weeks, and through many avenues we've seen His definite leading. We'll still be working with the children's home on an "as needed" basis, and look forward to the continued fellowship with our faithful group of believers. We will continue with discipleship classes in our home every Saturday night and we have every intention of assisting with the building of the church facility. With Brother Alejandro and Brother Bob in leadership there, we are sure it's time to move on. This is our approach to missions: To get a work started, to help in any way we can, and when it is self-sufficient and the leadership is in place, we can (with God's leading) begin a work in another location.
In this new work (starting the first part of March), we will be partnering with Brother Jose, who will act as Pastor. We both feel the time is right. Jerez is a large enough city to have eight or ten (at least) good, strong, Baptist churches and not be interfering with each others work. And there are so many people who are not being reached right now. As necessary as it is to give out tracts and John/Romans, it’s equally as necessary for those who make decisions to have a church available to go to and learn from. With limited transportation available, most people walk or ride a bike to church. In the future, we foresee God putting a work within a suitable distance for everyone in Jerez. Matthew 9:37b The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
While this is a little sad on one hand, on the other hand there is tremendous excitement. It's always fun to see God work, and being in on the beginning of a new work, you really see things happen. Please rededicate your efforts to pray for us as well as the new people that will be reached through this mission. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail them to us and we’ll be happy to answer them as best we can.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ,
Mexico Division
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Tuesday, January 04, 2005
[1:35 PM]
Weekly Update
Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
Hello and Happy New Year!
Yes, I know the above verse is talking about the Promised Land, but if God indwells us and has sent us here, I believe we can apply it to ourselves also.
What a great year it's been. We thought we'd take just a few minutes to reflect on the many victories God has given us this year:
- An average of 6 people per month saved.
- Since starting the Mission/Church in April, the attendance has grown to an average of 85 people.
- Three people have been baptized (and we expect more with warmer weather).
- The start of discipleship classes which have resulted in the visible spiritual growth of these new Christians.
- The opportunity to give away approximately 15,000 John/Romans, 5,000 tracts, 1,200 New Testaments, and 250 whole Bibles
(Isaiah 55:11).
- The ability to meet the medical needs to include CT scans, x-rays, the birth of a new baby, as well as other more common ailments.
- The ability to reach quite a few people with the Gospel by giving out food and clothing.
- God has used our web site as another outreach ministry.
- The privilege to work with other pastors in the area, providing them with “spiritual ammunition” as well as meeting some of their material needs to
include food, pots and pans, and most recently, a pulpit and electrical work.
- God has kept us healthy and safe while traveling many thousands of miles throughout Mexico and the United States this year.
These are just some of the highlights of the year for us as well as for you, our faithful partners.
This past week, we were encouraged with three new-comers to the discipleship class on Saturday evening. Sunday night we had the privilege of seeing the mother of one of our boys from the Children’s home receive Christ as her Saviour. And just as encouraging as that, Arturo (Margarita’s husband, a new Christian) was in the back giving his testimony to another unsaved man, trying to encourage him to accept Christ also. What a blessing!
We want to thank you for praying for Carolina (drunken husband/taxi) this past week. Her husband was going to stop her from going to discipleship class Saturday, but Jose was able to talk to him, and convince him that she should come. When Sunday rolled around, he gave her no problem. Please continue to pray for her, as well as the other people that make up our congregation. Please pray for us as God continues to lead in ever-evolving endeavors in our lives.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ,
Mexico Division
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