CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2008

Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’ ”

The angel spoke to the Shepherds many years ago and gave this message that still holds true today! Many are still waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and are also waiting to experience the great joy that comes from knowing Him. We are doing what we can to share this message with those in the cities and remote villages of Chiapas. And you are helping us to make a difference!

Psalm 5:11 “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”

The lives of the children in the photos on the Christmas card have changed since the good news of Jesus’ birth has reached their communities. Their faces reveal a countenance of pure joy that comes from knowing Him.

Neh. 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

During these past months of negative headlines and tough economic times, we remind ourselves of the true joy that comes from a relationship with our Lord Jesus. We also think of the children of Mexico and of the many believers there who seem to be overflowing with the joy of the Lord. It is obvious that it is not because of their material possessions or a secured retirement plan, but due to a genuine joy that comes from deep within a contented soul.

We realize that the enemy is doing what he can to rob believers everywhere of true joy which is their strength. Choose with us today that your joy in the Lord will remain and that you will be strengthened this Christmas season by the beauty and wonder of the message and promises that are ours through our Savior's birth.

I Thess. 3:9 “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

It is with great joy that we serve the purposes of God among our dear friends of southern Mexico. “You” have brought such joy to these people and to us! And we cannot thank you enough! Also, we thank God for all of you who have contributed funds for building block churches, for those of you who have traveled to Mexico this past year and worked on these buildings, for everyone who contributed to the medical campaigns through your work and finances, for each Bible or blanket that you purchased and distributed and for all the smiles and hugs you gave showing the genuine love of our Lord. It was also with great joy that we helped to host the General Convention in Chenalho of over 5000 people, a youth conference and two women’s conferences. Because of your continued generous donations and your prayers for us and the work of the ministry, we can look forward to spreading the good news of great joy next year.

A new construction goal for 2009 is to add a much needed dining room to the missions facility in Chenalho and upgrade our small home style kitchen to commercial standard. The number of teams continue to increase each year and so do the events which could greatly benefit from these two projects.

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Have a Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Texarkana, TX Team Nov. 9-15

Women's Conferences Nov.7-14

There was a special touch of God’s grace at the Lady’s Conference in Chenalho this past November. A generous person had donated some money specifically to purchase blankets for some of the Indians. Keep in mind that these Indians live anywhere from 5000-7500 feet in elevation, and it can get pretty cold at night. Many of these Indians still live in mud huts and sleep on the ground at night. Blankets are a God-send, both to sleep on to block some of the cold from the ground, and to cover with.

Russell had found a place in San Cristobal where he could buy thick, warm wool blankets for about $7 each (U.S. dollars). When we went to buy the blankets, with the money donated and the price quoted, Russell could buy 157 blankets. They came in bundles of 25, so we had 6 bundles and 7 extra single blankets. Russell had a new pick-up with a camper shell, and he had never bought blankets in this quantity since he had this pick-up. When we started loading blankets in the back of the truck, we had to open up the sixth bundle and begin stuffing blankets along the sides, on top of the first bundles up to the inside of the camper shell, and against the back of the tailgate. When we had the last blanket and were about to close the back of the camper shell, I told Russell, “we found out that your truck can hold 158 blankets, because there might be room for one more, but there sure isn’t room for two more!”.

Russell had planned on giving one blanket to every lady who came to the lady’s conference in Chenalho, many of whom came from a good distance away. However, the turn-out was even larger than expected. That’s a good thing, but more blankets were given away than anticipated. On Friday, we went to Oxinam, another village about an hour and a half from Chenalho on very bad roads, and at much higher elevation, and had another lady’s conference for ladies who were unable to travel to Chenalho. At the end of the conference, Russell wanted to give out the last of the blankets to the ladies there. There were 47 ladies at this conference, and there were 47 blankets left! It came out just right! And I’m convinced that God had it calculated and under control all along! Just the right amount of money donated to fill the truck, just the right amount of space in the truck to hold the right number of blankets, and just the right number of blankets for the number of ladies attending. As I was thinking about this later, it dawned on me that the biggest part of the miracle was the 47th lady in line in Oxinam, the last lady. I’m sure she was wondering if there would be a blanket for her, whether we would run out, and what if she hadn’t been at the back of the line. But God loved that lady at the end of the line enough to make sure that she got her blanket, and that she knew that God had her in mind all along!

Report written by Jim Nichols, DDS

October Medical/Construction Team