July-August 1999
Dear Praying Friends,
Greetings from the rainy mountains of Mexico! Today is June 24th and known in Mexico, as John the Baptist Day. This day marks the beginning of the rainy season. In celebration, the people throw water on each other. People can be seen carrying buckets and squirt bottles full of water. When returning home for the evening, we were ambushed by four little boys. We stopped and let them squirt us. It really made their day. True to the tradition, it rained today. We were speaking with one of our Indian families about their corn crop. Because it has been so dry, their corn is only about four inches high after almost two months since planting. They are not sure if they will have a harvest. The water supply has been so low this year, that some homes in our town haven't had water since February. When you go without water, you realize how necessary it is, and really appreciate it when you have it.
Our family is doing well, but these last two months have been very difficult. One thing that has been heavy on our hearts is our 18-year-old friend, Miguel, and his relationship with the Lord. We had the privilege of leading him to Christ, but have always felt like we were in a battle with Satan for his life. A few weeks ago, we felt like we had lost the battle, when he began spending time with some old friends that were never a good influence. He was really mixed up, and began drinking with them. We tried to encourage him to live for the Lord. He said he wanted to live right, and have a better life than the many drunks here have. Two days later, without even telling his mother, he left to work in an apple orchard ninety miles away. Our hearts were broken over him, as we hoped and prayed that his time away would be a positive thing. Just yesterday, we spoke about him with Pastor Iehl, from our home church in AZ. And last night we were saying how much we were concerned for him and missed him. Then this morning, the Lord encouraged us, by bringing Miguel home. We had a good time visiting with him, and look forward to being able to continue ministering to him. Please pray for Miguel and many others like him, who face extreme social pressures, and for us, as we work with them. When you invest yourself in others, you hurt for them when they are hurting. It can become emotionally draining, but God is in control, and we trust He will do the work in the hearts of our people.
Another emotional adjustment we are making, is having Jessica, our oldest daughter, away from home. She believes that the Lord would have her major in Spanish and missions, and of the colleges that offered Spanish, thought Pensacola Christian College would be where God would have her attend. Needing to work her way through school, it was a real blessing when she was offered a job at the college for the summer to help with tuition. She also received a Christian service scholarship, which will help a lot. We are very thankful for her sterling character and desire to serve the Lord. But, for Dad & Mom, it's tough. She seems so far away. If you would like to adopt a young "missionary kid," you would be a real encouragement to her and her parents. I know she would love to receive a card or letter from you. She can receive mail at: Jessica Chambers, c/o Pensacola Christian College, 250 Brent Ln. Box 576, Pensacola, FL 32503
Even with all of the ups and downs, our ministry continues to move forward. Our Bible services have been a blessing as we see people embrace the things of God, and begin to understand Bible principles. Several individuals, who have been attending regularly, are people who had been invited by others and we had not worked personally with them about their salvation. Realizing that they were unsaved, we have been teaching about salvation in Christ. We watched as they began to understand what Christ did for them, and their need to trust in Him. You could see in their faces, as they began to lay aside old beliefs and come to Christ. What a blessing it was! During a time of invitation last week, eight souls trusted Christ as Savior. We praise the Lord for what He is doing, and for you, and your part in this ministry. We greatly appreciate the privilege you have given us to serve with you, here in Mexico, and to see your prayers and support making a difference for Christ.
We look forward to God doing great things in the future. Our work visas have been approved and we now have full legal approval to do the work of the Gospel ministry in the mountain area. PTL! We want to expand our work into the outer villages in the near future. We are thankful for your continued help in the establishment of a mission base. We finally received our first load of beams for the roof of our house last week. We desperately need the facilities and will continue to work as we can throughout the rainy season. While waiting for the beams, we have completed everything else possible, including windows, plumbing, and a partial perimeter fence. Also, we now have the footers completed for the activity building and the foundation started. Lord willing, we will begin adobe walls next week. Please pray that God will provide the needed funds to get these buildings up, under roof, and ready for service as soon as possible. Thank you again, for your continued faithfulness.
Sincerely, For Souls Who Have Not Heard,
The Chambers
