A baptism full of thanksgiving

Dear Friends,

Ramona and I wish you a very sacred time of Thanksgiving; an act of humble faith in uncertain times and a reminder of the one who holds us in the palm of his hand.  We are grateful for many things, not the least of which is you and many others who support American Baptist International Ministries and our work in Mexico with your prayers and generous gifts.  

Baptism of Matias Perez              

It seems like I always say that our days are packed with more activity than I might have thought possible.  Last Saturday, after 7 hours in the classroom we drove three hours to Yajalon where we spent the night, waking up early the next morning for the 90-minute drive to the small community of Emiliano Zapata for a worship service followed by a baptism.  The rain and winds and cold were relentless but many folks had come and lots of food had been prepared and so the baptism went forward in the muddy creek.  It was a joyous time despite the weather as I had the priviledge of baptizing four young people who were born after my first visit to Zapata 19 years ago; kids I've know all of their lives.  Ramona and I spent the night and returned to San Cristobal early Monday afternoon to finish preparing for an intensive course on youth ministry that would begin that evening.  

Now as I write, my desk is piled high with the materials I'm using to prepare for my Saturday classes and this evening's final youth ministry class.  The end of the semester is fast approaching with two conferences in the works and a vacation full of study and church visits to promote our extension program.  Our teaching load at the Mayan Intercultural Seminary will be lighter next semester but we are hoping to increase enrollment in the distance learning program, spending more time on the road.

Six months into our return to Mexico we are feeling sort of like we never left.  California seems a long way away, even though we miss our children and grandchildren terribly. Skype is a good connector and they are all well.  Ramona will be with our California family for Christmas while Chuck will remain in Mexico visiting churches and writing.  

Ramona visiting with women in the dining room in Zapata   

As you pray for us ... grace and concentration  and inspiration in the preparation of Bible materials for our indigenous churches.  Please continue to pray for Eloy Martinez, as he battles leukemia.  Pedro Cruz is slow to recover from leg injuries suffered in a landslide as he was working on a retaining wall at his church in Pueblo Nuevo.  That church also needs resources to finish the walls and prevent further slippage to the hillside.  The church in El Jardin has been waiting for years for a concrete floor and resources to plaster the church interior.  The small congregation in Juan Sabines purchased block to build their sanctuary but doesn't have the resources to pay for the delivery costs.  Thank you for asking God to meet these needs.