January & February 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us
to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:18
Mission conference: The middle of January, the “Iglesia
Bautista Semilla Preciosa” had its annual Faith Promise Mission
Conference, and it was a big success. Bro. Arnulfo Nieto, a Mexican
missionary, preached exactly what our church needed. The promise was
about what it was last year, but with the crisis, it is an increase. We
had several lost visitors every night, and although none were saved,
they heard the gospel. Amen!
February
13th: We had a special time for our couples, with a special
dinner at a local restaurant. We invited another church to join us,
and their pastor, Bro. Enrique Giesbrecht preached to us.
February
14th: Our teens invited the teens from all of the churches
in the area to celebrate the love of Christ, and had 75 teens in
attendance, and 3 saved. Amen!
Construction: A member of a church in Chihuahua
donated his time and came over and laid the ceramic tile in the new
auditorium. It really looks nice! We are now getting the inner
dividing walls in for the bathrooms, nursery, office, etc. We would
like to have the building useable before turning the church over to
the new pastor.
Pastor: The church called the new pastor, the middle
of February. We had prayed from the time we started the church, that
God would give us the man who should pastor the church. We didn’t
realize God’s will in the matter until we made our plans to take a
survey trip to know where the Lord would have us go next. We heard
about Bro. Gonzalo Garcia, who had taught in a Bible institute and
worked in churches and an orphanage. He had never pastored, because
he didn’t feel qualified until he was married. Two and a half years
ago he got married, and the Lord led us to him through a mutual
friend.
When we secure housing
for their family and get them moved we will be turning the church
over to them. Please pray for a smooth transition, and for the
church to win souls, grow, and go forward for the Lord.
Visitors: We have visitors in the services most every
week. Please pray for their salvation, and for those who get saved
to follow in believer’s baptism.
Our
Plans:
Since our survey trip, we have been praying about several cities
here in Mexico to know where to go and start another church. We will
need to go on a furlough to raise more support, as we have lost some
supporting churches due to the crisis, as well as everything is more
expensive.
If you would like for us
to be in your mission conference or to preach in your church, we
will be available starting in July.
FM-2
Visas:
Our Mexican work visas have been in the renewal process for some
time, but we are seeing progress. Please pray that we will get them
soon.
Prayer:
People to be saved; Construction; New pastor & church to go forward;
Our furlough, additional funds; Next place of service; FM-2 visas
Praise:
People saved; Successful Mission Conference; New pastor; God’s
faithfulness
In His Service,
Ron & Connie Winter
