Nayeli

You may know that Nayeli was found this week and we were able to love on her once again. She is a naturally beautiful girl. It was very difficult to leave her behind again. Continue to pray for Nayeli and that the Lord's will would be done in her life. Pray that God will change her mother's heart so she will be free to be adopted. The next two years are critical in Nayeli's life. She has no supervision at home and freely roams the streets with girls much older than her who are not a good influence.

Pray that God will protect her mind and her body. Pray that God will give her a heart for Him.

Arrived in Round Rock

It's 11:20 p.m. and we have just arrived at the Hampton Inn in Round Rock, Texas a short time ago. As usual, the itinerary is shot! Also, as is every year the construction project takes a wee bit more time than Ken, the optimist, thinks. Our construction team worked until 11:30 p.m. last night trying to finish the cabinet installation. They had to return to Pedro and Maria's house this morning and work several more hours installing the rest of the plumbing for the sink and the washer and dryer.

By the time that was finished and we loaded, it was nearly 11:00 a.m. We drove to Daniel and Irma's house to see the work that had been done there, present Daniel with tools that had been donated, and had a prayer of blessing on their home and their ministry within the church. We then moved to the church. By the time we arrived there Maria already had a load of laundry going in the kitchen. We prayed together in the kitchen, hugged, and parted once again.

From there we moved on to Zapata for a late lunch (2:30 p.m.) and then to Laredo for a speedy shopping trip. Supper was in San Antonio around 8 p.m. tonight and then on to Round Rock.

We are very tired, but satisfied that God continues to use us in the life of this church. Hopefully we'll be on the road between 8:00 and 8:30 in the morning and roll into Sheridan by early evening.

We'll be excited for good water pressure and our own beds!

Report

At the men's fish fry last night 35 men were in attendance. Ken Bragg gave his testimony and Hosea also gave his testimony. The men listened as Bro. Pedro shared the gospel. Three fish were caught and the man who won first prize is not a Christian, but is interested. Please pray for him. The church fried fish, and our church provided the prizes and the drinks.

Today there were 47 children in the nursery, seventy women, 33 in the girls ministry and 18 youth. At noon today their church fed our church and Peggy King would not eat it until she knew what it was.

Work is just about complete at Daniel's house, but there is still much work to be done at Pedro's house. The cabinets are being installed and everyone is helping with the painting.

Pedro has moved tonight's activities to the plaza. Please pray as we have no sound system or plans of what to do. We are just going to the plaza. Also pray for the work to be completed on Pedro's house.

Everyone is staying well. This afternoon Pedro took some of our people to a town 30 miles away to pray for the city because Pedro's church wants to go on mission there.

Everyone has been encouraged by the notes and gifts from home. We will leave to come home tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.

What A Wonderful Day!

God has blessed us today with wonderful attendance, the people of Guerrero have really responded to God's call. Tonight we are serving water melon and expect a large crowd.

Gail Dameron reported that there were 35 babies in the nursery today...she said it seemed like 1,222!! Maria brought enough clothing for each child to receive a new outfit and wanted us to try the clothes on the children. Have you ever tried to dress a moving baby...much less 35 in the same room? Orin said he thought being on the construction crew was easier than nursery duty.

The construction project is going slowly and Maria is questioning whether the project can be finished by Thursday. We are confident that God will finish the project and that great progress will be made Wednesday.

Continue to pray for us and the people of Guerreo. Your prayers are appreciated. Many of you have heard us speak of the little girl named Nayali. She is here with us again this year and responding well to everyone. There are so many needs. Pray that God will touch the lives of these people and that they will respond to His call.

Border Crossing Prayers Answered

Praise the Lord! For the very first time in 5 years, we crossed the border with absolutely no problems. Every car and trailer got a green light with no inspection.

My new cell phone beeps when there is an e-mail. The second we crossed the border my cell phone beeped. I knew then that the prayer chain was working!

Tonight we are supper at 8:10. Also tonight Peggy King taught her group how to make the Vacation Bible School crafts. We also had a Prayer Walk tonight made up of approximately 50 people. We stopped and prayed in front of Reyes' house and prayed for him. The Prayer Walk had a police escort.

Your prayers are appreciated. Continue to pray that God will do a mighty work this week.

Falcon Heights

We made it! The group has made it to Falcon Heights with no problems! Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for us as we cross the border into Mexico within the next hour. We covet your prayers that God will open the border for safe passage. As you may be aware, it has been raining a lot in Texas and Mexico. Pray that the streets will be dry so the people can get to us and we can get to them. We will post another message as soon as possible. Again, thank you for your continued prayers.

It's a First

We made it safe and sound with no flat tires, and everyone arriving at the same time! This should go down in mission trip history!

The weather is cool from the recent rains. We are settled in to the motel for the evening and look forward to God giving us another good day tomorrow. We'll post as soon as we have internet access again.

Paige Dixon

Paige just called. She is now in UAMS emergency room with her mother again. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Team Schedule

A brief schedule of the team is as follows.

Sat., July 7

• 6:00 a.m. Leave Sheridan
• 6:00 p.m. Arrive in San Antonio.

Sun., July 8

• 8:00 a.m. Leave San Antonio
• 11:30 a.m. Arrive in Laredo, Texas
• 3:00 p.m. Arrive at Falcon Heights Baptist Church
• 4:00 p.m. BORDER CROSSING--PLEASE BE IN PRAYER
• 5:00 p.m. Worship Service in Guerrero
• 7:15 p.m. Prayer Walk in Guerrero

Mon.-Thurs.

• 9:00-11:30 a.m. All ministries (women's, girls', boys', VBS, daycare, wellness)
• 6:30 p.m. Worship Service at church
• 8:00 p.m. After church fellowship

Nighttime Emphasis

Monday night--Children's night (serve sno-cones)

Tuesday night--Youth night (watermelons)

Wed. night--Men's Fish Fry at Lake --ESPECIALLY PRAY FOR THIS TIME

Thursday night--Family Night

Friday, July 13

• 10 a.m. Leave for Laredo
• 5:30 p.m. Arrive in Round Rock

Saturday, July 14

• 8:30 a.m. Leave for Sheridan
• 5:15 p.m. Arrive in Sheridan

Continue to Pray

Continue to pray for those in our church family who have loved ones who are ill. Pray for Paige as she ministers to both of her sick parents. Pray for Bonnie's continued recovery.

Ready to Load

To my knowledge, the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted. Everything is ready to load. The team will meet at the church this afternoon to pack the trailers.

Two Days Early and Everything is Packed!

July 4 and most everything is packed, stacked, and ready for loading. That is a five year record!

Charles May

Charles is the one who called today to report about Bonnie. As well, he had his own report. Since I spoke with him last week both of his trucks have broken down and are in shops in separate towns. At this point it seems impossible that Charles will be able to join our group next week. He is very disappointed. Please pray that God will provide for his financial needs. Also, pray that if God desires him to be with us that a vehicle will be repaired in record time.

Bonnie Brabham

Bonnie is home from the hospital, but still is not feeling well. She has a severe sinus infection that has affected her ears and is on strong antibiotics. If she shows no improvement, she will undergo sinus surgery. Please continue to pray for Bonnie's health. At this point Bonnie is not planning on being with us in Mexico next week.

Bonnie Brabham

Charles May called tonight to report that Bonnie has been put in the hospital with an ear infection. Please pray for her speedy recovery so she may be able to serve with us in Guerrero. Bonnie's role in Guerrero will be to assist Beverly Bragg in preparing meals. Pray that God will restore her health.

weather

Please pray for weather that is condusive to (1) getting the jobs done effectively; (2) our health.

When it rains in Guerrero, the streets become mud pits. There is not enough pavement to move a vehicle around town easily. Rain would greatly hamper our ministry.

Border Crossing

We cannot assume that because we've been successful getting across the border the last 5 times that we will get across the border with ease this time. We cannot take this for granted. Please pray that God will show himself to us at the border.

Needs

Please continue to pray that God will meet our physical and financial needs of this trip. We're praying that God will provide to the penny what we need to accomplish the work.

Church Plant

Recently Bro. Pedro and Maria traveled to Mexico City to visit the Mexican Baptist Convention office. There they were given a map with cities near Guerrero who have no evangelistic presence. Bro. Pedro took Daniel to Paras, one of these towns near them so they together they would pray over the city. They feel strongly that their church should plant a church in that city. Daniel and his wife Irma are feeling God leading them to lead out in this endeavor. Already two families have come forward to say that they own homes in Paras and are willing for their homes to be available for Bible studies and outreach. This may be an area that our church could assist them in in the future. Please pray that God will give wisdom. Join them in praying about this.

van

Let's join the Guerrero church family in asking God to meet their need of a van so they can pick up people to come to church.

Reyes

Please call out to our Lord for the salvation of Reyes. Let's believe that God will do mighty things in his life. Pray together that we will see God at work in Reyes' life.

Lupita

Please remember to pray for Lupita today as she is undergoing a double knee replacement.

Growth

Six years ago a church building stood in Guerrero, but no work was present. Bro. Pedro and Maria Tobias felft called by God to this ministry. So they began with only a building. First Baptist Chuch, Sheridan entered on the scene the following year. The church was young with only about 30-50 adult believers and many children! We did all of the work that year, led Bible School and women's ministry, totally built a house, conducted a medical clinic with minimal childcare and led in evening evangelistic activities.

As the church of Guerrero has become stronger, each year we relinquish more and more responsibility to them. Whereas we totally led out the first year, this year the church in Guerrero has sole responsibility of the Bible School. Our role in VBS is only to furnish crafts, snacks, and a minimal amount of support in games. The women's ministry is being led by Maria's sister. We only supply crafts, snacks, and support. This year for the first time the Guerrero church will supply two daycare workers to work alongside us.

One of the most exciting areas of growth is in construction. One church member, Daniel, has the ability to lay concrete block and teach other men how to build. This year our church has supplied Daniel with money to buy concrete block to extend his house. Daniel is doing the work. We will assist him in adding a roof when we arrive. If the men's ministry in Guerrero can gain the needed supplies, this church will have the tools needed to do construction projects in their own city.

At first Bro. Pedro and Maria were the sole leaders. Now, they have discipled their members and the members are leading out in worship and some teaching responsibilities. A children's church has begun in the last year. The women's ministry meets weekly for Bible study and has grown to approx. 25. The men's ministry is growing. Each week men meet to gather, study, encourage each other, and pray.

Our goal is to enable Bro. Pedro and Maria to train and disciple the believers there so the kingdom will multiply.