Wednesday, December 20, 2006
[9:11 AM]
Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with you, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Merry Christmas Everybody, Let's jump right in and talk about "T" town today. The people have struggled so much in this area trying to get a work started and the local priest has worked hard to make it difficult. It has been as big as four families recently, but because of the pressure, the last couple of weeks the attendance has been very low. A man named Noe (Noah) from Zacatecas, felt the call to be a missionary so he's been living in "T" town for the past two weeks or so. He's been able to start two Bible studies with brand-new families as well as doing home Bible studies for one of the ladies who has been forbidden to come back to the church by her family. Not only her, but her husband and her children have been participating in the studies as well. Monday we had the opportunity to go down and show the "Jesus" movie there in "T" town. The local Christian leader and his wife, along with Noe had prepared a special treat called banuelos and a special hot drink called canela, because it's pretty chilly there in the evening. We were hoping and praying for people to show up, and boy did they! We had over eighty people come, watch the movie, eat and drink with us and stay for a gospel presentation. Thanks to the group that came down from Kentucky, they gave away over one-hundred thirty Christmas presents. Each present had a tract and a portion from the Vatican II statement that reads that they are supposed to accept the separated ones and not persecute them. Hopefully this will calm their fears as well as slow the priest down. Please continue to pray for this area of "T" town. This past week we had seven first time visitors come to the mission. Sunday there were five from a rancho about forty-five minutes away. All Christians, they asked if there was any way possible that we could start bringing them to church or help them start a new work in their rancho. Please pray with us that God will open doors and show us how we can help them. We had an encouraging moment this week also that we'd like to share with you. Lucia has been saved for about six months and she started coming to the mission about two months ago. She said, "I really enjoy the Bible studies here at the mission. I've been going to church and have had a Bible for a long time, but since I've started coming to the mission, I have been reading my Bible every day. Just a little bit every day, but some. Thanks!" What a blessing. She brings somebody new just about every service. Oh, that all Christians everywhere would have this desire. We want to say a very Merry Christmas to all and make sure that you're not like the inn keepers in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. Have a place for Jesus! The Benedicts Co-Laborers in Christ, Mexico Division
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Tuesday, December 12, 2006
[8:58 AM]
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. Hello Everybody, Praise the Lord, we made it safely to and from the border one more time. There we met a group from Kentucky who brought down thirty-six pews and lots of Christmas gifts for the kids in the different works here. There were a few issues at the border and it took a lot longer than expected to get them here, but everything made it. Thanks to all of you for praying for us. The group from Kentucky was able to spend a day in "T" town, the area with so much opposition right now. There they were able to meet with the believers as well as talk with a few of the locals outside of the church. Israel, the local Christian leader, was very encouraged by their visit. We want to thank them for all of their extraordinary effort in getting here and participating in this endeavor. We want to take this opportunity to pass on a few more prayer requests to you. Maria Antonia, one of the girls in our mission, has been told she cannot come to church any more because of her decision to follow Christ. She has a little sister, Luz, who also can't come anymore. Then, there's another lady in our mission, Elisa, who has been unable to attend because of persecution in her home. While this is sad, we know that persecution brings strength and spiritual growth. All the same, it's not fun when you're the one in the middle of it. Please pray fervently for these people. On a brighter note, the spirit amongst the church people is just incredible. We're getting ready for Christmas, and that includes our mission here. The mission has decided to adopt three families for Christmas. This means gathering food and presents for these people. It's an outreach plan, none of these people are currently attending, but they need help. It is so cool to see the people stepping up to reach out to their community. We have news of three huge blessings to pass on. First, someone is giving money to purchase much needed Bibles for the ministry here. Next, a special offering was taken to help purchase food for the hungry in our area. Please pray that we'll have wisdom in the distribution and that needs will be met. Also, in the blessing column, a church in Georgia has purchased a lap-top computer for us. We are so thankful for the generosity of God's people and the willingness to give to His work. For all of the regular monthly supporters, as well as those who send as the Spirit leads, we are so very grateful. And last, but certainly not least, the support from all of you prayer warriors as well. We can't do it on our own, and God has chosen each and every one of you to be a part of the team. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, for your faithfulness! The Benedicts Co-Laborers in Christ, Mexico Division
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Friday, December 01, 2006
[6:15 PM]
I Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Hello Everyone,
We made it back from the United States safe and sound. It was a good trip. We did have a few problems at the border, nothing too serious. Thanks for your prayers.
We need to take a few moments and thank some people. First of all, Tannehill Valley Baptist Church of Alabama. They gathered a bunch of food items, as well as many Christmas gifts for us to bring back. Also, thanks to Voncille Haney of Florida, who gathered up blankets to send down here. We also would like to thank St. Augustine Road Baptist Church of Florida for their unbelievable spirit of fellowship, as well as the love offering that they received for us.
We had a great time in the states and, thanks to Brother Paul and Brother Jim, church services went on as normal here at the mission. We praise the Lord that there are men who will step in when the need arises. Also thanks to Drew Collins, Brother Jim's son, who taught the kids classes while we were gone.
We came back to bad news from one of our missions. The local priest has really stepped up the persecution of the believers there. He excommunicated the believers from the church, and when that didn't stop them from coming, he threatened to excommunicate their family members. The family pressure is unimaginable, and many of them have stopped coming. One lady in particular wants to come, but her husband has forbid her. Please really bathe this area in prayer. We have a group coming down this weekend that will be working exclusively in that area, and we have a Mexican man, Noe (Noah), who will be moving down there for a couple of months in the very near future as a missionary. We're not going to write the name of this place because in the past people pulling up internet searches of that particular town have come across information of the believers and have tried to cause them problems. We'll just call it "T" town.
Please keep Steve and Jim in your prayers this weekend as they will again be traveling to the border. The group that's coming down to work in "T" town is also bringing Christmas gifts, pews, chairs, tables, etc., with them. Please pray that God will make the path clear to bring everything across without any opposition or delay, and that the trip will be uneventful.
The Benedicts
Co-Laborers in Christ,
Mexico Division
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