News,  Plans, and Updates for 

June through December 2006

 

  • COLOMBIA; September 2005
  • The Soacha Church and the overflow into the street
  • The church in 1984

·         Pastor Israel Roncancio and his wife Adriana were with us here in the states during the month of October. It was busy as we visited many churches in different cities and locations. The mother church Grace missionary Bible Church has now grown to three hundred on Sunday mornings. They wish to stay that size so are taking those that attend from far reaches of Bogotá and transplanting them back into their areas to start new churches. They now have two new functioning churches, one in Soacha in the western part of Bogotá, and one in the north. Israel and Adriana have rented a home in the north and are now full time there with around seventy attending. Two of the mother church elders are heading up the church in Soacha and have about eighty attending. In Soacha, the church meets in one of the elder’s home and the garage is the sanctuary. It is so full that they open the large doors and some are seated out into the street. Unbelievable! They also have other Bible studies in other parts of the city and the radio ministry is still ongoing after these many years. Grace Missionary Bible Church has a Bible Institute and there are about fifty men studying. The Lord is doing a great work with these folks in Bogotá.

 

·         CUBA, December 8-18, 2006; 

·          The Christmas program at the camp church in the valley of Yumuri

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·         Children’s meeting at Betania Church in Remedios

While in Cuba in December of 2006, we were able to rent a van and visit with the Betania Church in the town of Remedios. It was quite a trip, leaving on Wednesday morning from Matanzas and arriving in Remedios in the early afternoon. I desire not to drive in Latin countries because of the problem presented if involved in an accident. The van was a government vehicle and I asked for the camp director, Lazarus, to do the driving. The government agency told me that it was not permitted for a Cuban to drive their vehicles. So I resolved myself that I would need to drive.When we passed through the town where Alian Gonzales (you remember him from Janet Reno’s days) lives, we passed a larger rental agency, so we pulled in. In speaking with the manager, he informed us that he was in charge of the other agency where we needed to rent the van. We explained our situation and apparently he liked Lazarus and me so he gave Lazarus written permission to drive for us. The Lord intervened. In the afternoon, the group worked with the children and around dinnertime, did a formal program with the children, which were over one hundred. There were many results. Then as we were setting up for the evening service, the men of the church were attempting to set up a video projector to project music and words onto the wall. It was a feeble attempt on their part. I had taken my video projector so I set it up for them to use for the evening. After seeing how nice the projection was, they were excited to use it for the evening. I got some deer type eyes from Alexis the pastor, so the Lord prompted me to leave the projector with the church; which I did. The projector is a vital tool in our ministry a Brother and his wife stepped forward to replace what we had given. We thank the Lord for his provision and for the response of those who are prompted by Him. There is much more to tell but this space is limited.

 

  • Leon, Mexico 2006 
  • The Leon church in the AM service 
  • After being with the Leon church in September of last year, they are rte          questing that I soon return for another conference, but longer. They begged me to extend my time with them last September but it was impossible. They are a great family of believers and are very open to the teaching of the Bible. I was able to take various items, including study books, some clothing, and many wordless book items, which were furnished by our home sending church. They have been kind enough to furnish wordless book pencils, bracelets, and felt books for each of the trips overseas. Thank you for praying for the trip and for these dear Saints.

 

·         UNITED STATES 2007; 2007 is now here. As usual we have a number of church meetings and missions conferences as well as a March trip to Cuba. Some of the church meetings that are planned are new contacts and we are trusting the Lord that there will be response to reaching those who have never heard. Thank you for praying for our ministry during this current year.

  • HEALTH UPDATE 2007; We have been doing quite well. Still there are problems but not unusual for our ages. We are working in the Florida area during January and February and the milder climate has been a help.   

Praise the Lord that we have increased some in the amount of monthly support we receive. We have been low since losing some supporters. We are currently about sixty five percent of the mission recommended amount so we would ask that you lift us before the Lord in this regard. 

We asked you to pray for two of our very good friends and helpers to the ministry; Jim Krumm of Chillicothe, Ohio is now with the Lord and his wife Mary is adjusting to the loss of a dear husband. Pastor Pete Rubel of Festus, Missouri had a cancerous tumor on his kidney removed and is currently under added treatment..