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.¨