Dear Faithful Partners,

From hearts full of love and appreciation we send you New Year’s greetings. We pray that you will move into the flow of God’s river in this new year, reap a harvest of souls and have a fountain of joy flowing from your spirit.

The first week in December we started up the Christmas programs in southern Chihuahua. It was a wonderful time. The expressions of joy, surprise, and delight made it worth it all.
On the way to Batopilas we shopped for candy and chips for the goody bags. On the rim of Batopilas Canyon Calvin pulled over and said (to Barbara), “It’s your turn to drive.” Most of the time that’s not unusual as we take turns driving but I had never driven into the canyon. There's a good section of the road pictured at the left. I have a whole new perspective of the road. I never realized how rocky, rough, and narrow it was. But the main road doesn’t even compare with the road climbing up the side of the canyon to Yerba Buena. It’s a road where four wheel drives (and Barbara) fear to tread.

The first morning we were in Batopilas the church people helped prepare the gift packages. We did the program that afternoon in the Batopilas plaza. Their young people added dances and music for the children to follow along with.  It was really fun. The following day we did the program in two remote schools and visited and gave gifts in a small Tarahumara village. It rained all day but that didn’t stop the programs. Here is a picture of some little ones who hunkered under their desk to watch the programs.The third day, for the first time, we took the Christmas program to the Tarahumara village of Yerba Buena. It’s a tiny village but it has a government boarding school there for the students from the surrounding area. There are 86 students. They sent out runners to nearby houses to invite the people in. They all loved the program and warmly invited Pastor Luis to return and minister any time. As far as we know no one has ever preached the salvation message there before.

The majority of the Christmas programs will be from December 15th- 24th. We will give you a full report in the February newsletter. Pastor Luis will be doing programs in 5 more towns. There will be 4 teams going out in the Navojoa area, 7 churches doing programs in the Cumpas area, Bob is taking a team to Villa Hidalgo and for the first time into a new area south of Tepache where a new road has recently opened. Centro Evangelistico in Agua Prieta is sending out teams and we will be going with the De La Parra’s into the Sonora River Valley. Wow! What an army going forth! Praise the Lord!

Thank you for your support and prayers. We love you.

In His Fields,

Calvin & Barbara

This is what happens when you
go down too fast.
Thank you for your prayers!

El Shaddai Graduation

Praise the Lord another generation of 18 students from Agua Prieta has graduated from El Shaddai. In addition to their classroom studies, Bob and Miki have taken them on mission outreaches for practical hands on ministry experiences. Hallelujah! More workers in the kingdom!

Batopilas, Chihuahua Progress

Pastors Luis and Miki Maulas are doing a wonderful work. They went into Batopilas seven years ago to start the first Protestant church in the area. They faced unbelievable attacks; from drug dealers, witchcraft, and religious zealots. It was a dark, dark place. They have not only changed the spiritual atmosphere in Batopilas, they are affecting the entire region with the Gospel.
   They have been going to Satevó (7miles, 1 hour drive) every Saturday to have services in a home. Almost all of the children and many adults are attending.
Here is a picture of the children’s classroom. They are planning to start construction on their new church building as soon as donated land is confirmed. Pray with them toward that end.
   They also minister in numerous other communities. They recently made a journey into an area they had never been in. The people there recognized them as the pastors in Batopilas and warmly received them and prepared a meal for them.
   Their present projects and prayer needs are:

• $ for dirt bike or 4 wheeler for remote evangelism.
• $ for construction of new church in Satevó.
• Flood control retainer wall on Batopilas property.
• Sunday School rooms for Batopilas church.
• $ for completion of pastoral house in Batopilas.
• Honest, non-drug related jobs for men.

 

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You will find information about Missions Trips, Christmas Outreaches and Vacation Bible Schools from previous newsletters by clicking on the Evangelism link to the right under the Main Menu.