Update December 26

Merry Christmas from Acatlán de Juárez, México:

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Mat 2.21-23

Its been a little quiet around here this week – at this time of the year many people take advantage of the extended vacation time and go to the beaches, or visit relatives. But we have had good services and are expecting good things in the services tomorrow.

We had a wedding last Saturday – two of our young people “tied the knot.” Noemi and Manuel. Pics below. Weddings are always a good opportunity to share the Gospel with people that do not know the Lord.

Speaking of weddings and “quinceañeras” (15th birthday celebrations for the young ladies) – we had one not long ago – and Eloisa was there. Pic below

Eloisa lives in California now – but in the first year of our work in Guadalajara she heard our Agua Viva program and got saved. She was “of age” and so, though her whole family was against it, she came to our church, got baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.

He mother was epileptic – had frequent, hard seizures. He father and two younger brothers were alcoholics. Eloisa stood against the family opposition and persecution, praying for her family.

All of them came to know the Lord as a result! Her parents are in Heaven now, but her mother was healed and the men of the family delivered of alcoholism. Her brothers married two of our young ladies and have strong Christian homes, now.

God’s grace in action! The Savior was born in Bethlehem, ministered all over Judea and Israel, went to Calvary and died for our sins, was buried, but the grave couldn’t hold Him. He arose and lives today to change people’s lives and bring peace where He is crowned Lord.

Have a blessed Christmas season and a prosperous and victorious 2011. Psalm 65.11

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragements.

In His Grace,
Roger & Linda

Update December 19

Christmas Greetings from warm and sunny Mexico!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9.6

What a mighty God we serve. Isaiah 6 starts out in a dark and desperate situation, but God has the answer - to all the world's problems! A Child! A Son!

What a special privilege we have - to tell the world (from our neighbors to the ends of the earth) that the Child was born in Bethlehem. The Son was given - for the sins of the world!

What a thrill to see the reality and power of it in the transformed lives of those that receive Him!

We have a wedding this afternoon and then the regular services and activities tomorrow as this year winds down to it end! MAN! It went fast! (I'm practicing writing "2011" already.)

I am attaching our December Good News from Mexico. We appreciate SO MUCH your prayers for us and the Lord's work here. And for the drug war situation all over the country.

Linda has been MUCH better this week. Not all the way out yet, but coming. Thanks for praying for her, too.

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas. (I'll tell you "Happy New Year" next week.)

In Him,
Roger & Linda

Update December 12

Greetings and Celebration Blessings from Acatlán de Juárez, México!

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145.7 (NIV)

Here in our area we are celebrating 5 people coming to the Lord last Sunday and 12 baptized in the Holy Spirit.

We are celebrating a blessed and anointed missions conference, and the response of the people – to give, pray and go. About 8 young people expressed a sense of calling to a full time missions service. (Remember when, growing up, we called it a call to special service?)

An OBU friend tends a classmates email news bulletin. She shared an exciting website. I hope you’ll look at it. www.greatcommission2020.com

We also celebrated water baptisms last Sunday. Pics below.

Last week I showed the Herrera family’s prayer card in place of the Missions Week banner. I know they’d appreciate your prayers. Here is the banner.

Linda is improving, PTL. We're celebrating that, too! Thanks so much for your prayers.

I preach tomorrow at both our Trece Center church and the downtown center.

People ask if we are safe. We are in God’s will – the safest place on earth. But your prayers ARE appreciated – for us and ALL God’s people here in Mexico.

Have a wonderful day celebrating with the saints in His House tomorrow.

In His Love,
Roger & Linda

Update December 5

Greetings and blessings from Mexico -

We are in the middle of of our annual missions conference here in Guadalajara at the downtown (Angulo) center church. Bro Fernando Herrera is our missionary this year. He and his family have been serving in north Africa - and had to leave that Muslim country due to heavy persecution. Now they are returning to Africa - this time to Mali.

Our conference banner is pictured below.

I am sending along our November Good News from Mexico prayer letter.

God bless - Have a joyful day in Father's House with Family tomorrow. And please remember to pray for us.

In Him,
Roger & Linda

P.S. Linda seems slightly better - but still with ups and downs. Thanks for your prayers for her.

Update November 28

Greetings and blessings in Jesus,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Linda and I were blessed to have our grand daughter Heather (Ripley) and her husband David with us at Thanksgiving. Heather cooked the whole meal and it was good! They left this morning and we miss them already. We trust you had a blessed Thanksgiving time with family and loved ones!

We had 2 people come to the Lord last Sunday at the Angulo Center (church) and another lady at the Estadio Mission church.

We have a baptismal service tomorrow – our Tapatio Center had one last Sunday. (Pic below)

The youth from several congregations celebrated a congress at the Angulo church last Saturday. About 500 filled the auditorium and the Lord touched many lives. (Pic below)

Our pastor in Tepic informed us this week that the governor of their stste (Nayarit) has asked the churches to pray – the violence and bloodshed from the drug gang wars have taken asevere toll on innocent victims. The governor’s name is Ney Gonzalez. Please pray with us, will you?

The US Consulate here has warned the US citizens against traveling in many areas around us – some we have works and ministry. So your prayers are very valuable for us, our workers and people.

Radio mail has been good – especially from the Tepic area. We are in our 44th year of broadcasting the daily “Agua Viva” 15 minute program. May the Lord continue to bless it and use it to bring life, hope and faith to our listeners.

We celebrate missions week starting Thursday. Fernando Herrera from Mali will be our missionary. Please pray for this event, too.

Again, we thank you for praying. (And please continue to pray for Linda – the battle continues against the infection and coughing.)

Have a great day with God’s people in His House tomorrow.

In Him,
Roger & Linda