Celebration in Tzomoltãn

Celebration in Tzomoltãn continues....Family Life of Lafayette, The Vineyard of Lafayette and Youngsville Baptist also worked together on the footings for the foundation of this particular building. The church was built on bedrock that had to be broken out with sledge hammers near the pulpit area. Part of the team worked on this while others formed and poured the cement footings for this church prior to the arrival of the men from The Woodlands. The church is placed in the middle of an orange grove, so the fragrance is very pleasant here. The members torn down their old wooden kitchen and built it a few meters over to give more ground area around the church. Had a very busy week, but happy to report that we have 7 churches that are in the process of being completed with windows, doors and plastering! Currently there are 3 new mission churches that are also under construction.

Xunuch´

Xunuch´ was the village that was visited today. The little village was set in a valley. Walked through the city to the outskirts, and then down a walk path for 15 to 20 minutes to a beautiful site on the side of the mountain where the church is located. It was built in 2002 and all of the block, metal roofing and bags of cement were hand carried along this same trail. Upon arrival we were greeted by several of the church members excited at the possibility of having their building finished after several years. They have been using this facility without any windows or doors. The walls were not plastered, nor finished. Took measurements of windows and doors and went to nearby company and were able to place an order. Sand and cement were ordered to plaster the walls. The people were very thankful. As Russell was walking down a trail to the church, he wondered if in the US we would walk through town, then on dirt trails up and down a mountain to reach a place to worship our Lord in a church without doors or windows. These people do it every week and are thankful for what God has provided. Church Dedication: Thanks to the men from Quest of UMC The Woodlands dedication services were held in Tzomoltãn at 4:00 PM this evening. The funds were sent last fall and a beautiful church building was completed in November with a team of 17 great guys who put in long hard days and gave so generously. Most of the guys were out of their element with constructions (since they are Dr's., businessmen, pastors, and a variety of other professions), but they did a fantastic job and many of the Tzotzil people think it is the prettiest church in the highlands. Well, you guys may remember our dedication service at the completion of the work, but there is always another service with ribbon cutting and a grand fiesta that follows a few weeks after the project is finished. You thought that the services were long in the past; this was a two day celebration with singing, preaching and lots of food. Pine needles covered the cement floor and the outside entry. All the churches in Pastor Victorio´s area were invited and there were over 300 people there. Not everyone could fit inside the church. Pastor Gorge of San Fernando cut the ribbon. The church leadership, followed by a group of horn players, lead the procession into the church. The musicians played the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers." The tambourine choir from Tzabalho came next and then all the members. It was very moving and tears flowed freely. Pastor Mariano was on his knees before the Lord giving thanks for the great blessing of the building and of all the other benefits that come with knowing Him. The celebration continued on through the next day. It is an honor to be a part of these people´s lives and see their joy in serving our Lord together.

Puntito

Ryan Jordan and the youth from Church in the Son will appreciate this update! None of us will ever forget our experiences in Puntito last summer. Pastor Alex and Russell left early to drive there today, close to a 4 hour drive from Chenalho. Pastor Antonio, the leader of this area, met us near his village of Constitutiãn, and blankets purchased last week were distributed at 3 different locations. Measurements were taken of the windows and doors of the church in Puntito. Ate lunch there with the people. It´s still a poor, dirty community, but we always trust the Lord for nourishment and good health in spite of the conditions. Materials were ordered to plaster the interior and exterior of the walls from Pantelho (a good 2 hrs away). Visited a second location called Santa Lucia. This church had been there for some time. Were able to order the 2 windows and provide the funds to plaster the exterior of the church. We thank the Lord for all of you who have helped by providing the funds so we can help others. Russell spoke to Carlos. A friend Stephen from Missouri is spraying the sheet rock walls in the new church building in Tuxtla. This particular job should be finish in a week. Once again, the dedication for the new church is May 19.

baby Ayala

Congratulations to Luis and Nelly Ayala on the birth of their new baby girl today! We´ll give more info next week when we see the baby and proud family. Luis is the young man from Tuxtla that lived with us 11 years ago in the US. He has always remained as a close member of the family, and we call him our adopted son. It is just one of those relationships that the Lord orchestrated, and we have enjoyed many good times together with his family here in Mexico.

Today and the next several days will be similar in activities. The only difference is that it means traveling to other villages and checking on the condition of the church buildings of that area. It is all the same to us, but it makes a lot of difference if you are the pastor or a member of that local church. Russell and Alex are driving to Potobtic and Paz. Those from Abundant Life in Rayne will remember welding the roof on the building in Potobtic. They are needing windows and doors to complete the job. Crossroads Church will remember distributing Bibles there and in Paz as well. These were the first two churches we visited the week you were here. The church in Paz needs windows, doors and plastering. Hoss may remember standing in front of the church posing for a picture with one of the little Indian men. It looked pretty comical and both Tzotzil and Americans laughed together. Hoss was known as "el gigante" throughout all of the highlands.

Happy Valentine´s Day!

We are pleased to be able to announce the engagement of our son, Jordan, to Mindi Wallace. Many of you have met them and know we are very happy about this. Congratulations to both of them! We received a call at midnight to learn of this announcement. Of course we were waiting for a call and could rest better having heard the news first hand. It was a perfect occasion to announce their engagement. Earlier that day in Chiapas, things were very busy with visiting the churches of Oxinab and Linda Vista. Pastor´s Jose and Augustine accompanied Russell and Alex that day since these two churches are under their supervision. Oxinab has outgrown their facility as well. We were given a photograph showing proof of a building overflowing with people and with a request for the needed materials for expansion. The front will be taken down. Block walls and roofing will be added and a new area of slab poured. We had distributed Bibles to this congregation last summer and really fell in love with this group of people. Their warmth shows a genuine Christian spirit, and it is easy to see why they have grown so much in number. The day continued with a meeting in Linda Vista in the area of Pastor Augustine. The building in this little village doesn´t have plaster on the walls and is without doors and windows. A commitment was made to help with this need and measurements were taken. The members of the church will hire the laborers or do the work themselves. Once again we like their initiative to do what they can. It is a very positive experience when we can work together. A meal of chicken and beans was served in a little hut nearby. For those of you who have traveled with us on these back roads to similar little villages, you know first hand that it is impossible to purchase construction supplies in one location. There are no Home Depots, and normally it involves purchasing materials from several different supply companies in various towns. So, cement was purchased in Yabteclum for the job in Linda Vista, doors and windows were ordered in Chenalho for Linda Vista, Oxinab, and Bachien and tomorrow the block and roofing will be ordered in San Cristobal and delivered to Oxinab. Yes, it was a very busy day, but not too busy to get dressed up and drive to San Cristobal to enjoy a nice evening meal together on "el dia de amor."

About 20 members from the Chenalho church came with us to Bechien today. This is the little village at the top of the mountain that you can see from the facility in Chenalho. Some time back they used their own money to pay for an extension to the building. Growth is a good problem to have! In addition they have been diligently working to build another building for their kitchen. This will be the typical wooden building, but the only difference is that it is on the side of a mountain, a little more challenging. We will help them in purchasing a couple of windows for the new addition and with the purchase of some paint. It is good to see people making every effort to do what they can and not depend totally on the American help. Pastor Alex preached in the Tzotzil language, the ladies´ choir from Chenalho provided special music and we had a nice meal together in the pastor´s house following the service. It is always an interesting experience to be in the homes of the people of this area. The one large room served as the living area and the bedrooms. Instead of a closet like we are familiar with, each family member had a section of rope hanging from the ceiling with their clothes thrown over it. Even though their material possessions were very minimal, it was obvious that this was a very orderly household. It was a long climb uphill to return to our vehicles, but the exercise was good for us.

Pastor´s Carlos and Alex along with 3 other workers went to Crozto´n to weld and install the roof on the church in this village. Everado´s son Guillermo joined them. It is good to see the young boys getting early training in the various aspects of the work.

Spanish class ends

Spanish classes for Charlotte ended today. We can highly recommend the school for anyone interested in studying Spanish. Of course one week doesn´t make a significant difference, but every little bit helps in learning another language. We took the afternoon to explore around San Cristobal a little more. Their is an enormous amount of history to learn about this city and the surrounded areas. It is one of the most interesting places we have ever worked in Mexico. It was nice to have a few extra hours on a beautiful afternoon to just enjoy life in Mexico. Pastor Carlos came up to Chenalho tonight to prepare to leave early in the morning for a job.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to a dear friend of ours and the work here in Mexico, Bud Campbell!!

The pastor´s conclude their class sessions today. The 6 leaders from the Indian areas will divide several hundred blankets and bring them to their people. In addition to this donation, we have an opportunity to finish some existing church buildings with a very generous offering that was given last month. Russell met with the 6 leaders and each one have selected a church they would like to see completed with windows, doors, plastering interior and exterior of the walls, and a paint job. Next week he and Pastor Alex will travel to these locations and view the projects personally. Materials will be purchased to complete each job and then we are believing for American teams to come and help the local people here to finish their buildings.

The pastor´s joined the congregation in Chenalho for a mid week service. It was moving to hear all those strong voices singing praises to the Lord. Pastor Everado, Carlos´brother, preached in Spanish and Pastor Octoviano interpreted the messsage in Tzotzil. They made a great team. It is wonderful to see so many of the pastor´s and leaders growing in ministry and responsibility. Their is no way that Bro. Carlos and Pastor Alex can handle all of the work since it is growing rapidly.

Today when Russell was purchasing more blankets in the market of San Crisitobal, the store owner questioned him about difficulty traveling in the mountains. The vendor stated that 3 times last year he was stopped by Zapatistas wanting money in order to continue on the highway. We have been told by others living here in Mexico that they know God has sent us because of the favor we have in this country. They say it is not natural. We thank God for His continual protection and ask that you continue to pray for us and the work of the ministry here.

The pastor´s classes continue and so does language school and all the errands we are running today. We are also checking into internet access for our house in Chenalho. It seems the prices are becoming more reasonable, and it would be a lot more convenient since we are limited to only using this service in San Cristobal and Tuxtla. Russell will be purchasing more blankets today.

We thought we had left Mardi Gras in Louisiana when we came to Chiapas. But Carnaval de Chamula is being celebrated today and looks very similar to the folklore style Mardi Gras of Mamou and Iota. The costumes here are even a little more elabrate. It is a Chamula custom and people were driving to San Juan Chamula by the truck loads this morning. Literally, the truck loads! Many of you have seen them. They transport people standing up in the back of a truck like cargo, but it doesn´t seem to bother the people here at all. They appreciate their means of transportation.

Pastors have been arriving for the week of intensive classes. It is always a pleasure to see them again. It gives great opportunity for fellowship and coordinating future trips to their villages. The May medical trip on horse back has been confirmed and Pastor Antonio is anxiously awaiting your arriving to help his people. What a physical challenge that trip is going to be!

Charlotte has enrolled in the Jovel Language School in San Cristobal for morning classes. For those of you who know Paula Rice, it is the same school she attended while living here. Russell purchased more cases of Bibles in Tzotzil de Chamula language and delievered them to the pastor of Palestina. We were informed of the lack of availability to purchase more Bibles in Tzotzil de Chenalho and will probably have to order them directly from the American Bible Society in Mexico City. Also each day Russell is purchasing a truck load of blankets with the $2000 that was given for this cause. It will probably come to 4 truck loads. Thank God for this extra help to these people during these cool nights in the mountains.

Sunday morning service in Chenalho is always a treat for us. We so love these people and know that God is pleased with their pure hearts of worship. Even though so much of the service is in Tzotzil, we always benefit from being in the presence of the Lord that can be experience here in Chenalho. Little Larry quoted a Scripture during the special music time. The ladies choir sang a beautiful version of Trust and Obey in their dialect. It amazes me how true to the melody and harmony these old hymns have remained in this part of the country since no one actually reads music. Pastor Alex always preaches an anointed message to his people and the church was very full.

How were your superbowl parties? We were able to borrow a satelite connection and watch the game. A little added blessing to stay in touch with the world back home.

Russell and Pastor Alex enjoyed planning for the next couple of weeks. Chenalho will host a pastor´s conference this coming week. It is always an exciting time when all the pastors get together and study God´s Word. It is the form of Bible college training that is offered in this area for the churches we have been associated with here. Due to the difficulty of young people leaving their homes and families for several years of study, regular semester schedules are almost impossible. Most have to stay and work the fields or help with the family´s means of making a living, whatever that may be. Or sometimes, students could only stay for half a semester and then would return home. This present system seems to work, where pastors come for intensive training and then return to disciple their own people. It keeps pastors encouraged and studying continuously and everyone in their congregations benefit as well in the long run...We have learned to adapt to what works in each given area. We do not have interent connection in Chenalho, so we will update when access is possible.

After running many errands and preparing for several days in Chenalho, we arrived around dark. It always feels like we are home at last. Pastor Alex and his family send their greetings. Alex´s little sister, Hilda, had her 15th birthday last Tuesday. In the Mexican custom, it is a celebration that looks similar to a wedding, but without a groom. It is a very important event in the hearts and minds of the people all over this country.

Arrived in Tuxtla on the regular 5:15PM flight from Houston on Aviacsa. Many of you have flown that same schedule. The only difference this time is that most everyone in Tuxtla was wearing a jacket when we drove through town. Never have we seen that in Tuxtla! In fact we wore our winter coats to VIP´S that evening for dinner. Pastor Carlos gave us a tour of the new facility for Torre Fuerte. The church building is absolutely beautiful and the construction is ahead of schedule. It should not be a problem to complete the project by the dedication May 19th. We´ll post pictures at that time for you to enjoy.