Los Mochis, Sinaloa: We went to help the Fundamental Baptist Church in transition to Mexican leadership. It was a huge [...]]]> “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3

Los Mochis, Sinaloa: We went to help the Fundamental Baptist Church in transition to Mexican leadership. It was a huge blessing to get back into regular scheduled door knocking, preaching, teaching, music, etc. The church responded well, allowing us to minister to them, as well as loving and encouraging us. It was hard to leave them. In the Bible institute I taught on worship and the attributes of God. Many of the students told me that their prayer lives have changed as a result of putting what they learned into practice! Amen! One of the visits we made was a special blessing. I went with Bro. Roberto and his wife to visit her brother Enrique who had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had never allowed anyone to witness to him before but because of the circumstances I was able to give him the gospel. When I asked him if he would like to trust the Lord, he immediately knelt on the floor. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he called on the Lord to be his Savior! Praise the Lord!!

Our Plans: We prayed about staying in or near Los Mochis to work out from there, but we believe the Lord would have us begin another work in the state of Chihuahua. Please pray for housing, for souls to be saved and men that we can train. We’re looking forward to what the Lord will do through us!

Connie – Hospital Bill: Connie had her quarterly blood test and all still appears to be normal. Amen! We have been paying almost $900 a month for the surgery Connie had before we had insurance. We were to have it paid off by this November, but the hospital gave us the opportunity of paying it off in April for a 25% discount. By adjusting our budget, we were able to take advantage of it! The money we were paying to the hospital every month can be used to get us back on budget.

FM–2 Visas: During the time Connie was in treatment in the U.S., we lost our work visas and had to start the whole process over. There have been several setbacks and new requirements. We need them by July to avoid problems with other legal documents. Please pray that we can get them soon.

Family: Our daughter Bethany and her husband Kyle Martin are expecting a baby in October! This will be our fifth grandbaby! Amen!

Prayer: Transition & leadership of church in Los Mochis; Enrique – cancer; Our direction & move; FM-2 Visas; Bethany and baby

Praise: Good response of church in Mochis; Enrique saved; Connie’s health; Hospital bill paid; News of grandbaby

In His Service,

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

Los Mochis, Sinaloa: Missionary Jerry Collins felt the Lord leading them on to another ministry, and left the Fundamental Baptist Church in the hands of [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

Los Mochis, Sinaloa: Missionary Jerry Collins felt the Lord leading them on to another ministry, and left the Fundamental Baptist Church in the hands of a pastor and assistant pastor, men from that church. We have prayed for some time as to the Lord’s direction for our lives, and one of the options, at least short-term, was to assist in the transition from Bro. Jerry to the new leadership of the church in Los Mochis. No matter how much a missionary prepares the people for his leaving, it still takes them a while to adjust. So we are here for a couple of months to help and encourage them in the transition.  We arrived to a very warm welcome from the church. They continue to run right around one-hundred fifty on Sundays and nearly a hundred for the other services.  Twenty-five came out for door knocking on Saturday. Amen! I’m teaching their Bible institute classes, and there were twenty in attendance last Tuesday. Then on Wednesdays I am preaching about the crowns that Christians can earn, to encourage them to be faithful and keep serving.  Connie has helped with the music, worked in the nursery and is a big help to me with office work. It is great to see God’s leading and blessings!

Supporting Churches: Our supporters have been so faithful, for which we want to thank you. Please know that we pray for each church and pastor regularly. If you have any special prayer requests, we would be honored if you would allow us to pray with you about your needs as well! A couple of supporting churches have called during their Wednesday night service to let us know they are praying for us. What a blessing and encouragement!! We do covet your prayers for our safety and God’s direction in our lives.

Health Update: Connie continues to feel well, and is scheduled to have blood tests done the middle of March. Please continue to pray for her health.

Family: On January ninth, Caleb Benjamin Winter came into this world. He is our first grandson; the first child of our third son Joshua and his wife Kristin. That makes four grandchildren, and counting? God is GREAT!

Prayer: Our time in Los Mochis to be fruitful; The church here to be strengthened and encouraged; Connie’s health & upcoming blood tests; Safety, and God’s direction in our lives

Praise: Opportunities of service; Blessings of the church here; Connie’s health; Grandson Caleb; Faithful supporters – encouragement

In His Service,

“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Lamentations 3:25

Happy New Year!! We trust that all of you had a great Christmas. Praise God He sent His Son Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all! Thank you for your faithful support and [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Lamentations 3:25

Happy New Year!! We trust that all of you had a great Christmas. Praise God He sent His Son Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all! Thank you for your faithful support and also all who sent special Christmas offerings and gifts! God always supplies our needs and we so appreciate your part!

Opportunities for Ministry: I’ve had several opportunities to preach, and we’ve had a part in other church services. We have knocked doors, made visits and handed out tracts. In Los Mochis, a young woman came to church after a tract and invitation were left on her door, and she got saved after I preached on Sunday morning! Amen! A man from Guanajuato knocked our door looking for work, so he not only got paid for washing our car, but he also heard the Gospel and got a John & Romans. We’ve also had opportunity to witness to friends and neighbors again.

God’s Direction: We have been looking at some areas where there is still much to be done in spreading the gospel and for New Testament Churches to be started. We have mostly been looking in the states of Chihuahua, where we started another work, and in the state of Sinaloa. We might also have a short-term opportunity to help a missionary in transition as he leaves, and a man from the church takes the reins. We’re looking forward to relocating and beginning again soon. Please pray with us as God directs our paths.

Anáhuac: Pastor Eduardo Orozco and the Precious Seed Baptist Church that we started are doing great, for which we are thankful. We attended their Christmas service, and there was a great spirit and several visitors. Praise the Lord!! They invited us back for their New Year’s Day service the next week. Gabriel and Teresa, whom we won to Christ several years ago, were celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary and renewed their vows. What a blessing to see them and their children serving the Lord! Amen!

Health Update: Connie’s blood counts still appear to be in the normal ranges. Praise the Lord!!

Christmas: We were especially blessed to have our daughter, Bethany and Kyle, our son-in-law, come visit us for Christmas! She had him enjoying “real” Mexican food by the time they left.

Prayer: Opportunities to witness & compassion for the lost; God’s direction for us; Connie’s health

Praise: God’s provision for our salvation; His constant protection and provision; Pastor and Church in Anáhuac doing well; Connie’s continued good health; Having family with us for Christmas

In His Service,

Southbound: We’ve been asking the Lord to allow us to go back to Mexico, and here we are! Amen! This was the first time we ever took a full year’s furlough, and then with the [...]]]> “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Psalm 31:3

Southbound: We’ve been asking the Lord to allow us to go back to Mexico, and here we are! Amen! This was the first time we ever took a full year’s furlough, and then with the time that Connie was in treatment for leukemia, leaving friends and family in the U.S. was especially hard. We were able to spend a few days with my family in Colorado, Connie’s family in Missouri and
Oklahoma, and with each of our four kids and their families before heading down to Mexico. We also reported back to a couple more supporting churches, preached in a mission conference in Missouri and presented the ministry in a church in New Mexico on the trip down. God was so good to bring us back to Mexico with no problems!

Mexico: We arrived in time to celebrate Connie’s birthday, which she enjoyed! We have come back temporarily to the area where we last lived to get back into the Mexican culture and language. A lot has changed in Mexico since we left. We will be traveling out from here to look at other cities, as well as seeking council from other pastors and missionaries, to know what areas might be the best to go to, and that have the greatest need for the gospel. We are praying and fasting to know where the Lord would have us start another church. Please pray for God’s direction and our safety.

Anáhuac: We were encouraged by the unity of the Precious Seed Baptist Church that we started. The members kept preaching, teaching, giving and working together for several months without a pastor. Shortly before we got here, the church called their new pastor, Eduardo Orozco. The Sunday before their new pastor got here, the church allowed me to preach to them. I challenged them concerning their pastor and family, to encourage and help them, follow his leadership and pray for him to have wisdom to lead the church to move forward. The Orozcos are originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, and have been working with Missionary Jerry Collins in Los Mochis, Sinaloa for the last three years. We were able to help the church fix a few things on the house they are renting for them, as well as encourage this young family and get to know Eduardo, his wife Miriam and two small girls a little bit. They are talented; he plays several instruments, and she plays piano. This is his first pastorate, and they are excited to get into the work! Please pray for God’s blessings on the Orozcos and the church as they work together to reach this area for Christ!!

Contact Info: We can be reached in Mexico by our internet telephone or email. We won’t have an address in Mexico until we get moved to our new place of service.

Prayer: Connie’s health; Direction and safety; Precious Seed Baptist Church, Pastor Eduardo Orozco and family

Praise: Connie’s continued good health; Opportunities to serve; Safe travels; Faithfulness of the church in Anáhuac – new pastor

In His Service,

“…we…do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“…we…do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Colossians 1:9c-10

Ministry: We are finalizing things in the U.S. for our return to Mexico. We have reported to a few more churches, filled the pulpit in others and God continues to give us new support!
I brought a charge at a sportsman’s clinic with Fellowship Baptist in Lincoln NE. I have been fixing and doing maintenance on some of the equipment at Midlands Bible Baptist in Bellevue, as well as visitation for the church. Praise the Lord for opportunities to witness.
I also worked some at West Omaha Baptist on their new store-front building. The devil has sure been fighting them through city inspectors, etc.; surely the Lord is going to do great things with them. They need to move into the new building soon. Please pray for Bro. Doug Robertson and the church.

Health Update: Connie finished with physical therapy for her “frozen shoulder.” She still has pain but the doctor believes if she will continue stretching and exercising at home, she should regain complete mobility in a few months.
She had another blood test and the counts are still in the normal ranges. Amen! The oncologist wants us to fax results of periodic blood tests done in Mexico, to alert us to elevated white blood cell counts.

Mexico: As God continues to bless, we will be going back to Mexico later in October! Amen!
Please pray for direction to know the area where the Lord wants us to plant another church!

Address Change: We have left the Omaha area and our dear friends at Midlands Bible Baptist Church in Bellevue, NE. The Lord used Pastor Dave and Sandy Lydick and the church to be a great encouragement and blessing to us through our time there! We will sure miss them.
Please note our new temporary address from which mail can be forwarded to us. We will let you know when we have a new field address. You can always contact us by e-mail, or check our website for updated info.

Prayer: God’s direction in Mexico; Connie’s frozen shoulder, leukemia – complete healing;
Doug Robertson & West Omaha Baptist

Praise: Faithful supporting churches; Connie feels well; Blessings of Midlands Bible Baptist Church;
Returning to Mexico; Opportunities to preach, witness & serve

In His Service,

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5

Health Update: As of July 5, Connie’s blood counts were still in the normal ranges! She does still have leukemia, but it seems to be dormant for now; what an answer to prayer!! She will still [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5

Health Update: As of July 5, Connie’s blood counts were still in the normal ranges! She does still have leukemia, but it seems to be dormant for now; what an answer to prayer!! She will still need to continue with periodic blood tests. She has also had increasing pain in her right shoulder, which an orthopedic doctor says is “frozen shoulder.” She is beginning physical therapy that will teach her how to continue exercises at home.

Ministry: We have decided that the blood tests and exercises can be done wherever we are, so we’re making plans to go back to Mexico! Amen! We need to finish reporting to a few supporting churches, secure insurance that will provide medical coverage in Mexico as well as in the U.S., see the orthopedic doctor again, and wrap up everything in Omaha. In the last couple of months I preached at a preacher’s fellowship meeting and at a couple of other churches, with First Baptist Church of Del City, OK taking us on for support. Amen! Connie spoke at the Mother/Daughter banquet at Midlands Bible Baptist in Bellevue, NE. I have also worked on vehicles, equipment and buildings at Midlands Bible Baptist and West Omaha Baptist churches. We attended the 33rd anniversary at Midlands BBC, and 50th anniversary of Wyldewood Baptist Church in Oshkosh WI; the first independent Baptist church that Connie’s family attended. We asked that you pray for Bruce. He and his wife Lisa have come to church but still are not saved.

Anáhuac Mexico: The Precious Seed Baptist Church we started is now without a pastor. Some of the men in the church are sharing preaching responsibilities until the Lord sends the right pastor.

Prayer Update: Bro. Doug Taylor, assistant pastor of Midlands Bible Baptist Church, went home to be with the Lord May 12. He is greatly missed! Please pray for Kelly and children, ages 16, 13 and 11.

Family: The last couple of months have been busy. We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. Our daughter Bethany and Kyle Martin graduated from Heartland Baptist Bible College in May, and were married in June. It was a beautiful wedding! We are glad to have Kyle in the family!! On July 2, Ella Rose was born to our son Andrew and wife Shana and sisters Hannah & Julia.
(We have a 4th grandbaby coming in Jan.!) God has sure blessed our family!

Prayer: Connie’s continued good health, healing & shoulder; Preparations for returning to Mexico; Bruce & Lisa salvation; Pastor in Anáhuac; Taylor family

Praise: Connie’s blood counts normal; Returning to Mexico; God’s provision; Opportunities for service; Liberty Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, AR paid a month’s hospital bill; God’s blessings to our family

In His Service,

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

Sending church: First Baptist Church of Milford, OH brought us home for a long weekend, to show us their love and that they are praying for [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

Sending church: First Baptist Church of Milford, OH brought us home for a long weekend, to show us their love and that they are praying for us. They really spoiled us – it was quite overwhelming and humbling for so many to let us know they are praying for us daily, and for their outpouring of love and generosity. Thank you First Baptist and Pastor and Mrs. Duttry for expressing your love and concern for us! What a blessing!!

Health Update: Connie saw the doctor April 5, and she said that the blood counts are all back in the normal ranges. In fact, Connie is doing so well that she doesn’t need to see her for three months.
Praise the Lord! The doctor still believes she has leukemia, but until it causes the blood counts to change or Connie feels worse, they will not continue with more treatment. We are still praying that the Lord will heal her. Meanwhile, we are taking some nutritional cleanses to help clean toxins from the body. Please pray with us to know God’s will; if the blood counts are still normal in three months, whether He would have us make plans to go back to Mexico then.
Connie has had opportunity to do some things that she seldom gets to do. She enjoyed a ladies retreat in St. Joseph, Mo, and we went to be with her mom and dad to celebrate his 83rd birthday!
During these three months, our daughter Bethany will graduate from Heartland Baptist Bible College and get married. We are also expecting another granddaughter from our son Andrew and his wife Shana. Thank you for praying for her pregnancy, she is doing better! Amen!

Ministry: We had the privilege of participating in the Mission Conference here at Midlands Bible Baptist Church in Bellevue, NE. Their new Faith Promise goal exceeded their giving from last year by about twenty percent!! We also preached at the conference at Calvary Baptist Church in Seward, NE, and upon having a good increase in their Faith Promise commitment, they voted to take us on for monthly support! Praise the Lord; He continues to bless us with new support! Amen!!
We have had the privilege to fill the pulpit in a couple of churches as well as preach a home-school chapel, take teens to a youth rally, work with visitation, sing in the Easter cantata, and do several maintenance projects here at Midlands. What a blessing to serve our great and mighty God!!

Prayer: Connie’s health – healing; God’s will as to when we go back to Mexico; Bethany – graduation May 12 & wedding June 18; Shana’s pregnancy (due in July); Continued prayer for Bro. Doug Taylor

Praise: Generosity and love of FBC, Milford; Connie’s blood counts normal; God’s provision and opportunity for service.

In His Service,

See enclosed letter from Midlands Bible Baptist Church (pdf)

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” II Corinthians 5:14,15

Ministry: [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” II Corinthians 5:14,15

Ministry: Praise the Lord, we have been busy! Although we have not called for meetings, we have been in a couple of Mission Conferences, and still have more scheduled!

At one conference I had the privilege of teaching Sunday School and preaching in Spanish, and there was a teen saved in an English service. Amen!

I preached at two couples banquets, and filled the pulpit in some other churches.

Praise the Lord for His mercy, goodness, and grace, which would allow us not only to know Him but also to serve Him!

We continue to have many opportunities to hand out tracts and witness. Please pray in particular for Bruce, who allowed us to present the gospel to him, but because of his Church of Christ background he just wasn’t ready to accept Christ. He is very interested.

Health Update: Connie continues to feel well, but does get pretty tired. She had blood drawn the other day and the results are about the same as a month ago. Most of the counts are in the normal ranges, but there are still things that puzzle the doctor. Please pray for Gods healing and for Him to be glorified.

We also want to give an update concerning our financial status. Most of you know that when Connie had her spleen removed, it cost more than $45,000 and we didn’t have insurance. Many churches and individuals sent special love offerings to help. Thank you!! We have paid off the bulk of it and our monthly payments should have it completely paid off by the middle of 2012. Amen! The insurance we have now is paying 100% after the deductible was met. Praise the Lord, He is so good!!

Though we don’t know all of the reasons, we know that God has a purpose for allowing Connie to have leukemia, and for us being in Omaha temporarily. To God be the glory! We sure appreciate your prayers! We’re still praying that we can get back to Mexico soon.

Family: Bethany, our baby (almost 22), is engaged to Kyle Martin from Sarcoxie, Missouri. They will graduate from Heartland Baptist Bible College in May, and the wedding is set for June 18.

Please pray for our daughter-in-law, Shana, who is having problems with her third pregnancy.

Prayer:  Souls to be saved – Bruce; Connie – healing & God to be glorified; God’s will in our life & ministry; Bethany & Kyle; Shana & baby

Praise:  Ministry opportunities; Connie feeling well; God’s provision; Bethany engaged

In His Service,

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14.

Happy New Year! We trust you will have a wonderful new year and hope that all of you had a great Christmas, [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14.

Happy New Year! We trust you will have a wonderful new year and hope that all of you had a great Christmas, full of the blessings of God, spent with your families!!

Health Update: Connie finished her chemotherapy November 26, had another bone marrow biopsy December 28, and her follow-up doctor’s visit on January 4. The doctor said that the concentration of leukemia in the marrow had been around 80% before starting chemotherapy and that it had only come down to 70% after the chemo; not the results that we or the doctor had hoped for! The doctor wants to do monthly blood tests to monitor her white and red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets.
Her blood counts first need to stabilize, and when the blood counts get out of the normal ranges again, or if she feels sick, they will consider a more aggressive chemotherapy.
Please pray for Connie to be healed in the Lord’s timing, and for His will to be done!

Ministry: We had anticipated better results with Connie’s health, so that we could make plans to go back to Mexico right away. Although we make plans, God’s ways are not always our ways! We just want to praise Him for His faithful presence, His love, His provision, and that He will still use us in spite of our circumstances! Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
While we are here, we continue to help Bro. Lydick and the Midlands Bible Baptist Church with whatever we can. We have also had the opportunity to preach in five different churches; presenting our work, filling the pulpit, and reporting back to supporting churches. Some other churches in the area want us to come, and we have a few more supporting churches to report to.
Please pray for us as we continue to witness and hand out tracts that the Lord would use us to reach more people with the gospel.
Although we don’t know when the Lord is coming for us, we pray that He will find us faithful!

Christmas: Between Connie’s last tests we were able to go to Oklahoma and Missouri to spend Christmas with our three boys, their wives, two granddaughters, our daughter and boyfriend, Connie’s sister and family; and with Connie’s parents. What a special Christmas!

Prayer: Connie’s further treatment and healing; God’s will for our lives and future; Opportunities to minister until we can return to Mexico; Souls to be saved; Continue praying for Bro. Doug Taylor

Praise: God’s goodness and faithfulness; Opportunities of service

In His Service,

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:33, 36

Health Update: Connie is [...]]]> Dear Friends in Christ,

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:33, 36

Health Update: Connie is three-fourths of the way through her chemotherapy here in Omaha, NE. Her last treatment is scheduled for Friday November 26, the day after Thanksgiving.
She has done well and only had a few side effects the first couple of weeks. Overall she feels well, except for some fatigue. The Lord is so good!
We feel blessed that things have gone well, when so many others are quite sick with their treatment.
It is a lesson to us to serve the Lord to the best of our ability today because we don’t know what tomorrow might bring.
December 28 she will have another bone-marrow biopsy done and then an appointment with the doctor on January 4, to get the results of the biopsy, which will determine our next move.
Please pray that the treatments are effective. The doctor talks of remission, but we pray for complete healing. We are still praying that God will amaze everyone and that He will be glorified!

Ministry Opportunities: We pray before going for each treatment that God would lead us to the people we need to talk to or give a gospel tract to. Only one time a man refused to take a tract. Every time we go to the hospital, we meet people from all over the United States who don’t have the same hope that we have as God’s children. Please pray that the Lord would use us as we share the gospel with them.
Our heart’s desire is to be back in Mexico, establishing more churches. Until the Lord allows our return, we know that HE has a purpose and plan for us here.
We are trying to lend a hand at the Midlands Bible Baptist Church wherever we can. Pastor Lydick and the church have been such a help and encouragement during this time!
Please pray for Bro. Doug Taylor, assistant pastor here, who has had some major health issues.

Family: We have had visits from several of our family from CO, OK, and MO since we have been here. What a blessing!

Prayer: Connie – cancer treatments to be effective; For the Lord to be glorified now and in our future; People to be saved through our witness; Bro. Doug Taylor

Praise: Connie feels well; Visits from family; Opportunities to witness

In His Service,