January 2006

This year is off to a wonderful start! Russell has been in Mexico and had the great privilede of bringing two children to have clef palate surgery in Atoyac by a team of surgeons from the US.

Missionary Larry Myers and his wife Mary Lou are the founders of the work that we are associated with in Mexico. Several years ago we all worked together in Atoyac, Guererro. Tom and Deanna Shaffer were and still are the medical missionaries of Latin World Ministries. www.latinworldministries.com

It was with great pleasure that we were all reunited in January along with the wonderful team of medical professionals that God has sent to help in this region for the past several years. There are many reports to give concerning the medical campaign, but the Jan-Feb Newsletter for Mexico Outreach is to report on the 2 patients we brought in from the state of Chiapas. The above pictures feature them along with their family and Pastor Carlos. We are amazed and so thankful for the team God has set in place and appreciate medical professionals who have such big hearts in helping the needy!

JAN-FEB NEWSLETTER

Mark 10:13,14 "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'"

LATIN WORLD MINISTRIES

Enclosed is a photo of 2 children - Gabriel 3 months and Jose 13 years along with Russell and Pastor Carlos. (This was in the mail out newsletter. It was the same as the above photo.) In January these 2 boys and their parents were brought from Tuxtla, Chiapas to Clinica Betel in Atoyace, Guererro - a 36 hour round trip/2000 kilometers.

The annual January medical/dental team headed by Dr. Russell Romero (plastic surgery, Lafayette, LA) and Dr. Jerome Smith (general denist, Lafayette, LA) returned to Atoyac for a week of showing God's love and compassion to the poor and needy through their medical services. Their teams of other doctors, nurses and dedicated staff of volunteers consisted of 30 people mostly from the Lafayette area.

Dr. Russell Romero changed the looks of baby Gabriel and has given him an opportunity to live a normal life. Jose's needs were mostly internal, since he had recived some surgery in past years by a Mexican surgeon. Dr. Romero was able to construct a palate for him (used skin from inside Jose's throat).

Thanks to God for meeting the needs of the children and for friends like you who made it possible to bring them to Atoyac!

Upon our return to Tuxtla, 25 family members were waiting for Gabriel, his 16 year old mother and 21 year old father. It was a wonderful time of celebration and also a true witness to this family of the goodness of God through the kindness of strangers.

Truly, I have seen through this experience "that such is the kingdom of God."