Visiting Those That Are Prisoners

¨Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me,¨ Matthew 25:36.  Walk a mile in someone else´s shoes.  We´ve all heard that wise saying before.  We should take what is says seriously because it really means something rather significant.  We should remember that the men and woman in drug and alcohol treatment centers might have done horrible things to get where they are, they might even deserve all the chastisement they are getting, several times over, but God is still not willing that anyone should go to hell, ¨The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,¨ 2 Peter 3:9. 

Thankfully, the Lord understands the human condition and all its frailty much better than we do.  Plus, He experienced all the temptations we´ve faced, only He didn´t sin.  Not one of us has resisted sin unto death, only Jesus ever did that, ¨In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood,¨ Hebrews 12:4.  So, we should almost always be moved with compassion to reach out to these men and women that for one reason or the other, gave in, gave up and let sin take over their lives.

¨At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!,¨ 2 Timothy 4:16.  We need to let these men and women know that despite all their failures, God still loves them and that Jesus can still save them.

God also asks us to, ¨Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body,¨ Hebrews 13:3.

I wish to thank all of you that help to make this ministry possible.  Each month I try very hard to make sure that we, together, are following the Lord´s words.  Evangelistic ministry and outreaches are important because that´s how we reach other people, getting the Word out there, singing songs, passing out Bibles and Scriptural Tracts is all part of what lets others know about salvation, by grace and mercy, through faith in Jesus Christ.

God Bless All of this missions partners.  Together, we are making a big and eternal difference.  Thank You!

Working As Unto The Lord

The Bible is quite clear about the motivation behind our good works.  Of course, our good works don´t save us, but they do express the presence of Jesus in our hearts, minds and lives.  Good works are crucial in Christian service. This is especially true in the giving of our time and our money.  God´s Word says, ¨Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,¨ Matthew 5:16. 

Let me tell you that Team: Casa De Dios, lives this verse every time they come to visit Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission.  Plus, all that they do glorifies God in the most obvious and generous way possible.  They leave this ministry better off when they leave than when they found it.  ¨And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men,´ Colossians 3:23.

Working together we have the great opportunity to contribute both time and money to do some worthy Christian works of love.  The Apostle Paul said, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver,” 2 Corinthinas. 9:7. 

With all of this I can honestly say, what this and most of the groups that visit the mission base do, “Is for the Lord!”  Amen to that.

Thanks For Sharing In Our Agape Feasts

Biblically, the Love Feast or Agape Feast was a noteworthy aspect of the friendship and love of the young church.  Being that the initial followers of Jesus were Jewish, eating together was thought of as a highly intimate and very important part of friendship and eating together was probably a tangible demonstration of their compliance to the Lord's decree to love one another, ¨A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another,¨ John 13:34.  This special meal served as a useful example of the koinonia or communion that characterized the church´s early years.  The New Testament speaks about the Agape Feast (agapai in Greek) in Jude 1:12.  In the book of Acts 2:46, it mentions that the early Christians ate their food, “with gladness and singleness of heart.”  All of this and other texts like, 1 Corintians 10:6, indicates that this practice was widespread and common among the earliest believers.

I know that Christians like to go out and eat after services.  It used to be part of my weekly activities when I lived in the United States.  And, living in Mexico I´ve found that Mexican Christians are just like American Christians, we all like to eat after services.  I would love to do this after every service where I teach, sing and share the Good News, but I can´t do that.  Because it´s way to costly and very difficult to do that on a regular basis.  But, with your help, we can do it more often.

Here in this photo is a real bounty of rich, delicious and yummy blessings.  These goodies just came to the base through some very special and caring friends.  And, I thank them for thinking of us down here.  Rest assured, these boxes will be turned into Christian fellowship and warm friendship.

Thank You and God Bless You for taking part in our Agape Feast here at Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission.

All Sizes Of Groups Are Eaglery Welcomed

Visiting groups come in all sizes, shapes and forms.  Here is a small–sized band of co-laborers made up of some people from Team :  Casa De Dios and Ruth and her children from Nueva Jerusalen, near Tecate, BCN, Mexico.  It´s always a joy to have these both-sides-of-the-border assemblages come to the mission base because they allow me to see how much working together is making an impact in the hearts, lives, minds and souls of brothers and sister on both sides of the Mexican-American boundary.  God Bless Our Unity!

I often tell people about how much talent there is in the body of Christ, and how it all works together for good and of what an impact we are making in this area of Mexico.  And, it´s all true.  Leviticus 26:8, ¨Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.¨ The more we work together the bigger is our victory for the Lord.

It doesn´t matter if your group is small and mighty or huge and powerful, it all works together for good, because we are being called mutually according to His purposes.  ¨And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,¨ Romans 8:28.

Don´t ever think that what you are able to do is too small to make a real difference, because that is not the truth.  Every drop of water that hits the surface of the ocean, makes a splash and leaves its mark.  A lot of little rain drops actually made all the oceans, lakes, streams and rivers.  You are always part of the big picture and a significant measure in the greater good of this mission´s outreaches.  And, that´s for sure.

It is never too early to set a date for your next or first visit to Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission.  You are needed and what you have to offer is vital and important.  Just let me know as far in advance as you can when you´d like to come and I´ll leave a light on for you.  Your help, talent, prayers and support is always needed.

Ministry To The Little Ones Counts Big

Not every thing that takes place on the mission field is hard labor and extremely difficult, as you can see in this photo.  Some activities can be quite fun and enjoyable.  Here Ruth and Tracy help a few children to color in coloring books and also to draw on the cement with big pieces of tinted chalk.  Whether just a few or a whole bunch of boys and girls, and regardless of the ages, playing with kids, teaching kids and just being with them, is an important part of any ministry. 

¨But Jesus said, ´Allow little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven´,¨ Matthew 19:14.  Adults, parents, even grandparents and family friends, can prevent or get in the way of the little ones from coming to Jesus.  By making bad comments about the church or displaying aversion about church activities or simply by not getting up and going themselves, children learn to have a bad attitude about church and don´t learn about Jesus.  They learn to dislike church by watching dad and mom´s cold and indifferent attitudes towards God.  Their communication and expressions teach them what to think about seeking God. 

In Mexico, so few children come to the services, simply due to the fact that most men don´t attend church, except for weddings and funerals.  Also, both men and women are often too disconnected from their older children that they really don`t care what they do, nor where they are.  All-too-often, I see children of four to five years of age, walking all over the streets of San Vicente and no one is alarmed or out looking for their young ones. 

So, any time mission visitors want to do special activities with the area´s children, I am all for that.   

Sadly Witch-craft Is Everywhere

(Regreso Al Ser Amado)  Return to your loved one.

(Rompo Las Cadenas Del Fracaso)  I break the chains of failure.

(Proteccion A Ti Y A Tu Negocio)  Protection for you and your business.

(Limpias)  Cleanings.  (Not talking about cleaning your bathroom.)

(Endulzamiento)  Sweetnesses, or how to make someone fall in love with you or how to get an old lover back from someone else.

This sign is a new one, which was recently posted on an electric post just outside an OXXO store (Like a 7-11) where I often stop to get a bottle of cold tea for the road.  Of course, one knows that this type of mysticism takes place all over the world.  And, we must also understand that this sort of wicked religion has existed since early biblical times.  So, it´s nothing new to anybody that it´s here and it´s not only found in Third World Countries like Mexico, it´s a worldwide spiritual dilemma.

Starting in 1 Samuel 15:23, (NAS) "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry," we begin to see what God Almighty thinks of witchcraft.  God begins by speaking of foretelling and insubordination as evil and demonic idol worship.  Which are never good things for us to be involved with.  Insubordination is like being defiant against God, deliberately ignoring His Word and His will for your life and for the human race.  It´s like wanting to be a god and denying the certainty that there already is One True and Powerful God that is in control of every aspect of the known and unknown Universe.

Simply explained, the sin of witchcraft means that you want and desire to be a spiritual "mover and shaker," getting your own or someone else´s will done, but without submitting to, or considering the will God for your life.  Witchcraft is rebellion, coupled with a desire to take control of the ´game,´ of life.  You aspire to be an important spiritual player that makes things happen your way.

Believe me, satan repackages witchcraft to fit the modern world all the time and makes it even appear to go along with Christian values and sophistication.  But the fundamental nature is always the same.  For example, the question of abortion is just the same old idea of sacrificing children to the deity of sex, personal gratification, convenience, money, lust, and self, without commitment and consequence to anybody, especially not to God.  Hard to swallow?  Perhaps.  But who else would call human beings just pieces of non-viable clumps of tissue with no usefulness?  Only satan could come up with that one.  Psalm 106:37-38, ¨They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.¨

 If we blend certain ingredients in a glass of something, if we eat a special aromatic plant, if we arrange candles in a certain pattern, if we gaze into a crystal ball, if we turn over tarot cards, if we " interpret " the stars, if we speak a certain saying, or mantra, if we crave to have secret knowledge, if we sketch certain signs, then malevolent and horrible spiritual forces could come into play.

Deuteronomy 18:14, (NAS) "For those nations, which you will dispossess, (they are those which) listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so."

Leviticus 19:26, (NIV) "Do not practice divination or sorcery."

As we educate the people that are reached though the work and outreaches of Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission (Holy Faith Ranch) and the base church, El Camino Agape, (The Way of Love) hearts and eyes are opened to the truth of the teaching of God.  People´s lives are changed and souls are saved.  The work to do is huge, but together, we are making inroads into the deepest and darkest parts of the human mind and soul, setting the captives free.  John 8:36, ¨If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.¨

I Thank God for your continued help and support of this ministry.  A lot has been accomplished for Him and much more still waits to be done.

Ministry Using Movies

Life without movies would be boring.  At least I think it would.  Some other people think it we'd be better off without any cinema.  Whatever your position and whatever your reasons, moving pictures can be a real and viable evangelistic tool for any ministry to use.   

Here in Mexico, I deal with people that speak a lot of different languages, Mixteco, Zapoteco, Maya and of course, Spanish.  (Among many others)  And, not everyone ministered to by Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission can read and write.  (Or speaks Spanish)  The one great equalizer is the seventh art, the film industry.  Movie theater can show a whole audience, despite language barriers, a message from the Bible that everyone in attendance can understand.

I know that many church people and Christian organizations used to call Billy Graham incredibly harsh names when he started producing Christian movies for evangelistic purposes.  However, he stuck to his ideas and made many, many wonderful, faith-based and Christian-oriented movies during his active ministry years.  One of my favorites is the 'Hiding Place.'  This production tells the story of Corrie ten Boom and how she and her family helped saved Jewish lives during the Second World War.  A very bearing and powerful Christian movie, to-say-the-least.

Therefore, I have chosen to use movies in all my outreaches and evangelistic endeavors and certainly at the Bible School.  Simply because, they are too effective to ignore.  They are so spiritually valuable I feel it would be foolish not to use them in ministry.  Everything from films for children to those with heavier Christian themes for older people.

In this photo are two new movies that I just bought at fifteen dollars each in Mexico, ‘Circle of Vice,’ and, ‘Half-baked: not cold, not hot, just lukewarm.’  These will first be shared at the base’s church El Camino Agape and then at the mission’s other outreaches.  I know the Lord will use their messages to help touch the hearts and souls of those that view them.  He used a donkey once, I believe He can use these films, too.

Also in this photo are a couple of packs of guitar strings.  I use a lot during the year.  I break a lot during the year, I should say.  But, break them or not, for best tonal quality, they should be changed every-so-often.  Now, I do not change them weekly, as that would be too expensive to do.  But, when really needed, I do replace them.  I don’t mind what brand they are or gauge, (though with my all thumbs fingers, I prefer medium gauge) the only real detail is that need to be strings made for acoustic-electric guitars.

If you are coming to Mexico and could help supply, strings or Spanish language Christian movies, DVD or VHS, it would be a real blessing to have your help.  Things in Mexico are usually two to three times more costly than they are in the USA.  So, if God speaks to your heart and you want to bring some with you or send them to the U. S. mailing address, thank you, thank you, thank you.  God Bless You All.

Welcome Home Ruth-Ann

¨Therefore said He unto them,¨ ´The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest´, ¨ Luke 10:2.

                                          (Ruth-Ann and me in front of her day care facility)

Sad to say, but this is probably the one Bible verses that is most ignored by modern churches.  Hardly any teaching on it is giving in our local places of worship encouraging missionary mindedness.  Yet, it seems that Jesus expected missionary work to be a vital and important part of the believer´s life.  The truth is that there are so few of us out here, ones that have given up family, friends, jobs and former lives going to work in some times out-and-out awful places.  Often, with very little help, earthy reward or financial support.  As I read the New Testament, I can see that it has always been that way.

 In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, the Apostle Paul’s writes a long list of arguments in favor of supporting missionaries.  In the Holy Scriptures this is probably the strongest defense of fully supporting missionary outreaches that there is.  Truth is, we really need more supported missionaries than we now have.  Church support and individuals giving support to missionary outreaches is biblical, and the Apostle Paul approved of it.

                                 (Ruth-Ann, back in her tiny office at the Huerta Day Care Center)

Some of us on the mission field, like me, do what we can to help raise finances to support our works, but that is very difficult and tiring.  I know that all too well.  So, please, I want you to know this in the depths of your hearts, I am so grateful and extremely thankful for all that you do to make this mission base work.  You must know, I could never manage this ministry all on my own.  God Bless You All for coming along side and making this your mission, too.

In these photos of me with Ruth-Ann Waterhouse, a long-time friend and fellow missionary, we are praising God for her return to missionary work in Colonia Guerrero, about an hour south from San Vicente.  Over the years, I have asked that we pray for her and her special needs, like housing and auto concerns.  She took sick an about eight months ago and faced several rather large health problems.  As we prayed and prayed for her, I could hear and see that God was doing a restorative work in her body.  Praise God, about a month ago, Ruth-Ann returned to her house in Mexico, her outreach to underprivileged children and her daycare center outreach and to her church and friends in Mexico.

I would also ask that we remember the poor and needy children at Christmastime.  Ruth-Ann works with about 30 children in La Huerta (Orchard) Day Care Center and it would be great to have extra gifts to help her bless her little charges.  The ages of her children are from 2-12, or so.  She would be so blest and happy to have your help.  God knows that the children under her care would be overjoyed to have a gift at Christmas.

                                   (Fellow workers and little charges of the Day Care Center)

God Bless You All as you consider the poor and needy of this world.  I do have a private mailing address in the USA where your gifts for Ruth-Ann and Rancho Santa Fe may be sent.  Just write me at ranchosantafemax@aol.com and I can send you the address to use.  Thank You, and I wish you all the very best Holiday Blessings, ever.

Needed Clothing Comes For Some Babies

My sincere thanks for the donation of these beautiful, clean, washed and nicely folded baby clothes. This is a wonderful and timely gift for so many little ones that, due to no fault of their own, have been born into very poor families. Your offering is unto the Lord, ¨And the King shall answer and say unto them, ´Verily I say unto you, Since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me´,¨ Matthew 25:40.

My own personal feeling runs something like this, if you give a can of formula, a box of diapers and/or anything else that makes the life of a baby better, happier, healthier or cleaner, God has got to be pleased with your contribution. ¨For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward, Mark 9:41.

Bless you, once and again, for remembering the tiny, helpless dependant babies of this world, you are the hands, heart and love of Jesus in motion to them and their families.

God Bless This Christmas

Christmas is on the way, in fact, as-they-say, it´s just around the corner. Later this month we go sliding past Halloween, then we hit Thanksgiving Day and ultimately slam in to Christmas and New years, all too fast. At the mission base and in our church and Bible School and outside community, we try to give gifts to as many small boys and girls as we can. However, we do like to give gifts to the older youth, as well. Here are a few examples of things that are great for the young ladies, 12 to 16. It seems to be easier buying things for the older guys, like soccer balls, baseballs and bats and model kits and clothing like shirts, socks and underwear. For the young ladies, buying appropriate gifts isn´t always that easy.

Dear friends, anything that the Lord might place upon your hearts to give, to bring joy and happiness into the lives of any of our children, of any age, would be a great blessing. Thanks for caring and for sharing. James 117, ¨Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.¨ 

Teaching Truth To The Little Ones

Proverbs 22:6, ¨Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

¨

Gleaning information from various intelligent sources, here are some facts that I think you might not have known about why Mexico continues to be such a poor nation.  One setback is that Mexico is a nation that can not get loans from the International Monetary Fund or from the World Bank, mainly because the Mexican government doesn´t encourage much private business development.
 
Another sad but obvious obstacle to economic growth is that there are millions of individuals surviving on about two dollars a day.  Try doing that at your home and at the same time sending your children to school.  If you can imagine, there are nearly 20 million Mexicans living in severe neediness.  And a full half of the nation´s population lives in the poverty level and for some of the most difficult cases, refuse is their daily food.  There are any number of factors causing this crisis such as individual indifference, lack of motivation, geographic situations and sad political issues.  

To begin with and most burning cause of scarcity in Mexico is the individual condition. This cause refers to conditions and uniqueness of poor people.  For example, the quantity of education, individual training, personal level of intelligence, quality of health, and in some cases, prejudice has had an influence on poverty.  First and foremost, it´s the lack of education that is the most significant factor that contributes to Mexico´s poverty.  There is very little access to good-paying jobs for non-educated people.

(That´s why selling drugs or working in the various in-country illegal professions is so attractive to the poor.)

The next cause of poverty has to do with topography.  For example, data shows that people who live in country areas far away from the cities are poorer. This is due to the lack of communication and transportation in remote rural areas. Though Cellular phones are helping, as are computers, still the poor can´t afford to download all the big, costly apps that the richer can easily do.  And, not all have electricity, nor phone service.  Because of this, the government can’t provide essential services such as potable water, affordable food, primary health care, and education.  Some people who live in rural areas are thoroughly cut off from the rest of Mexico´s social order.

Unless the Mexican government works on the causes of the poverty which are the individual condition, the geographic factor, and the political economy of the country, the problem is just going to get worse.  Nobody likes to see poor families eating out of garbage cans.  Mexico needs a new political economy designed by Mexican economists and politicians, people who are committed to Mexico and to the future of its society.  And, the children of Mexico need your prayers, visits and the gifts of school supplies. 

It would be impossible to say how many boys and girls have graduated from the Prepa (High School) here, but those that did it, did it thanks to you and your help, care and concern for them.  God Bless You For Caring and Sharing.  Amen.

Keeping The Wheels Rolling

We have a couple of used cars that work as church buses, carpool vehilces, and even ambulances.  Can´t tell you how many times we´ve had to rush women to the hospital to have their babies.  These autos get a hard work-out and they do take a beating. I try hard to make sure they are attened to when needed but even at that, they can really get down to the nubbings where there is almost nothing left to fix or repair as the whole thing is nearly worn out. Right now we are in need of a rare beast, an oil pump for a ´96 Honda Accord LX, 2.2 motor, 4 cylinders and it´s a two door. The car´s motor is still pretty good but as we all know, it can´t run without an oil pump. This car has brought many, many people to and from church in Ensenada and El Zorrillo and to the hospital and has been used for getting folks to and from other Christian events. If someone knows where we can pick-up one of these pumps, please, let me know. Good people are not able to come to church, as in their area, this was their only transportation. Pray with us for this need. Thank You and God Bless You.

(By-the-way, this is not one of our church vehicles.  It just seemed like it fit the article.  Thank God, our cars, however old they are, are not in that bad of condition.  Praise The Lord.)

Planting Churches Is Hard And Takes A Lot Of Time

In this photograph I am pictured in the base church, El Camino Agape, with a graduated student and his family and a few friends from a new church that we are starting to plant in Lazaro Cardenas, an hour and a half south of Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission.  

Pastor Jorge Roque studied with us a few years ago and has since been led to the San Quintin Valley, where he has done the evangelistic work to find a small and growing congregation.  They now have a property and are seeking the Lord to call forth visiting work groups that would come to help them raise up asmall building where this burgeoning church can meet.  Of course, they won´t be able to do this on their own, they will need our prayers and physical help.  

In the Bible, II Timothy 4:5, Paul admonishes his young protégé, Timothy, to "be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

Anyone interested in organizing a work-project group to assist this developing church, please, contact me.  I will put you in touch with Pastor Jorge and we´ll see what the Lord does to build this place.  In biblical terms, I believe that we are taught that when we join together the impact is multiplied far beyond just the addition of those who join together.  In God´s math, one plus one equals far more than two. 

Pastor Jorge doesn´t speak English, but I speak Spanish and would be glad to translate for your group and to help your combined efforts go smoothly.

Training up students and training spiritual leaders and Christian teachers and Bible-knowledgeable pupils is important and something that makes a difference as the one teaches another, reaches another and so-on.  However good and important that is, the main goal is to, through those that are able, plant new churches and to open up new areas for the work of God to continue here in Mexico.  Free and clear Christianity is hard to find and there aren´t all that many Christian churches in Mexico.  Remember, freedom of religion officially came to Mexico only back in 1993.  Almost twenty years, that´s a long time, but it´s not enough time.  Time is short and the laborers are few and there are just way too many people that, sorry-to-say, live Gospel-free.  

Paul's words to Timothy: "And what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others," II Timothy 2:2.

Let´s remember that God is not willing that anyone should perish.  And, that we are not in need of Crystal Palaces as places of worship, just simple, block buildings with very minimal touches to make it extremely useable.

Please, pray with us and work with us, should the Lord so lead.  Thank You and God Bless You, Too.