Wednesday, June 28, 2006
[1:01 PM]
Weekly Update
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Hello Everybody,
Well, by now all of you have heard about Alison and Juan Carlos getting into the university here in Zacatecas. Praise the Lord, and thanks so much to all of you who have been praying concerning this. She should be starting school the second week of August. There are so many other miraculous things that God ordained, that it would take several pages to go through all of them. Praise the Lord!
Yesterday we were back in Fresnillo for Bible studies and finishing up the rest of our "door knocking" follow-up. Jessica, who we talked about last week, had brought in a visitor to join in the study. We were also able to start two new studies. One of our new students is planning on attending church tonight with the pastor that we took over to introduce.
We have a special prayer request for you. There's a man named Ramiro that has been to church a few times and he really needs to get saved. He's been in and out of alcohol and drug rehab, and his estranged wife and a couple of his kids are faithful attendees. A couple of years back we told you about a lady whose drunk husband told her she wasn't going anywhere, especially to church. She waited until he passed out, then packed eleven people into a Taxi and made her way to church. That is Carolina and Ramiro. What a blessing it is that he's decided to visit with us at our little mission.
Tomorrow, we'll be heading down south for our Bible studies. Out of the seven original home Bible studies, we are down to two. That seems discouraging, but they are ready and excited to take the next step of actually going to a church service. The other Thursday study about forty-five minutes away is also going well. The local priest is stirring up the people, but they're not letting that slow them down. They're looking to rent a building to start an actual church. Remember to pray for them also.
Thanks again for all of the time you spend before the Throne of God on our behalf. You all are a blessing to us.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ
Mexico Division
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Friday, June 23, 2006
[3:30 PM]
Weekly Update
Greetings Everyone,
Things have been a bit hectic here as normal. We had to make a quick trip up to the border last Wednesday to get paperwork done and that sort of thing. Everything went very well, there one day and back the next. No flat tires, no flaming alternators, no nothing!
Last Wednesday evening, we had our normal Bible study except that we had a bigger crowd than normal for prayer meeting. We had a good study and as I dismissed the people, one our young ladies raised her hand and said that she wanted to be baptized. Her name is Blanca and she'll be seventeen next week. It was really exciting for us because we haven't been talking a whole lot about baptism.
What we had been talking about was giving. We are going through the discipleship material and talked about tithes and offerings and God's promises of blessings to those who are faithful in this area. We just started having an offering jar available in the back of the church for those who wish to give. The offering that we received over two weekends was about ten times what we expected. The average income here in Jerez is about $40 per week, and the folks that we are ministering to are below the average income level. What an unexpected blessing it was to count the offering and find that we almost had enough to pay the monthly rent for our mission building. God is good!
We are still doing Bible studies in Fresnillo as well as trying to finish up the rest of the "door-knocking" follow-up. One of the Bible studies is with a young lady named Jessica. We were a little bit disappointed last week when we showed up and no one was there. There was a window left open so we slipped a Bible that she had requested onto a chair and left. This week she not only was there, but invited her married sister to join the study. She also told us that she would be inviting her neighbors for next week. Her first study she had no idea that Jesus was the Son of God. We're not sure that she knew that God was anything but a swear word. She's got a long way to go, but praise the Lord she's on that path. She needs Jesus! Please pray for her and her neighborhood.
For those of you who have been down here in the last couple of years, you'll probably remember Alicia. She's our eleven-year-old, most faithful person in the church. She was baptized in January and is amazingly one of the spiritual leaders in the church. We've started a Sunday School contest where they can earn toys or school supplies by attendance, scripture memory, and inviting others. She has distanced herself from the pack. Last Saturday for discipleship class she brought three new visitors. Every service she's asking for more memory verses. She lives in a terrible area, but she's a great kid and such an encouragement to us. Please remember to pray for her.
Thanks to all of you who continue to support this ministry here. Your faithfulness makes the work here so much easier. God Bless!
The Benedicts,
Co-Laborers in Christ
Mexico Division
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Thursday, June 08, 2006
[8:50 AM]
Weekly Update
I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Dear Friends,
Sorry it has been so long, but things here have been crazy. In the last update we mentioned our Sunday School picnic. We had a good time here with that with the exception of a little rain. It seems that maybe the rainy season is going to be early this year...
Our first week of Bible studies in Fresnillo was very disappointing. We only had one study of the nine who were scheduled. Yesterday was a bit more rewarding, we had two! Sometimes it seems like we work so hard and so little is accomplished. We just have to keep in mind that it's God who gives the increase.
Our studies down south are dwindling a bit. It appears that the organized religion here is putting great pressure on those who were having studies. They, not being saved or at the very best baby Christians, have no experience in dealing with that type of persecution. The result has been, for the most part, canceling the studies.
Alison and Juan Carlos will be testing Saturday to see if they'll be able to get into the medical school here or not. Please keep them in your prayers. Also please continue to pray for the attendance in our studies and our little mission here in Jerez. Pray for us that we will have continued endurance.
The Benedicts
Co-laborers in Christ
Mexico Division
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