May-June 2000
Dear Praying Friends,
Once again, it is a blessing to share all that God has done in our lives and in the lives of our people. Seeing Him work through your faithful prayers and support is a tremendous encouragement. In past weeks, God has shown Himself strong, extending our ministry far beyond our own abilities, and we know that it is because of your prayers that He is working in such a mighty way. We count it our privilege to labor together with you in the work that God is doing.
Our family is fine and involved in a very busy schedule. The challenges seem to become greater and the days shorter. Along with Bible services, building projects, legal papers and people issues, we just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Along with that, our daughter, Bethany, turned fifteen, which is a big event here in Mexico. Some friends planned a special get-together for her and it was a wonderful time. Then this week, our son, Isaac, turned eighteen. Living on a foreign field, kids are often short-changed, so when a pig roast was suggested, we thought it would be a great idea. But, being city folk, we needed help. Several friends pitched in to organize everything, and it turned out to be a time we will never forget. Jessica, our oldest daughter, is working hard at college, and we can't wait to see her when exams are finished. We want to thank you for helping make her training possible. She is majoring in missions, with a minor in youth work as well as the Spanish language.
The ministry continues to be a real blessing! As you may remember, we were concerned about an attack from opposing forces and how it might affect our legal status. But God cleared the way, and when we requested permission to extend our visa to live and minister in Mexico, we received a good report from the government, and were granted permission to petition for an extension. Praise the Lord! Along with that good news, we received word that the police had recovered the money stolen from our mail over a year ago. This month it was returned to be used in the ministry. God is Great!
Another blessing came with the return of Miguel our young Indian friend. He had trusted Christ a year ago, under our ministry, and was a struggling teenager. Because of our hash winter climate, he went to Mexico's west coast to work. He seems more mature, has been faithful to our services and has been a big help to us. Please pray as God continues to work in his life.
Working to serve people in so many ways, we rejoice to see God doing things in many areas. But, the one thing, which is foremost in our thoughts, and prayers, is that God would save souls. Recently, it has been wonderful to see Him work in this way. Several weeks ago, during a Bible service, we were working together to memorize John 3:16 as a group. We were to bring a message later in the service, but as we began to explain the significance of the verse, hearts seemed to be touched in a special way. The Spirit of God brought an unusual quiet over the people, even the children. It was obvious that God was working, as the people seemed captivated by the truths being shared. We abandoned the plans for the rest of the service and spent the entire time focusing on God's love for us, and what Christ did for us on the cross of Calvary. We felt compelled to offer a public invitation, and thrilled as four ladies, Monce, Angelita, Irma and Irene trusted Christ as their personal Savior.
Then, just last week, with the cup of our joy running over, there was a knock on our door at 10:00 at night. It was a man with whom we have been witnessing and praying for over the course of two years. His name is Mart�n Carrasco, and has been used by God countless times to be a help and encouragement to our family. We count him as a dear friend, but were broken hearted that he did not know Christ as Savior. In the past, we had clearly presented Christ and answered numerous questions. He didn't reject Christ, but neither would he take the step of faith to turn from sin and put his trust in Christ. It had been some time since we had spoken at any depth about the things of God, wanting to give God time to work and praying that the day of salvation would come in Martin's life. We always invited him to our services, but he never attended and seemed to want to avoid the whole issue. Recently, God has really been working in his life and that evening at the door, he had in his hand a Bible that we had given him two years earlier. We didn't even remember that Bible, but he had it with him and said he wanted to learn about the plagues that God brought on Egypt, and where he could find them in the Bible. Our hearts jumped with excitement as we invited him in, realizing that probably, his real question was, will you lead me to the Lord? Smile. We told him where to read about the plagues and began to talk about Christ. We spoke at great length about sin, repentance and salvation. When we asked if he was ready to put his faith in Christ, he said he was and there in our living room around midnight, with great sincerity, he bowed his head and prayed with us, putting his faith in Christ and asking God to save him. Praise the Lord! We had prayed and prayed for Mart�n, asking God to protect him and give him a chance to come to Christ. It is impossible to put into words how spiritually encouraged we are over his salvation or how grateful we are to God for drawing him unto Himself. That night he started a new life in Christ, and the following Sunday, he visited our services for the first time. Thank you, for investing yourselves in this ministry and for allowing us to invest ourselves in Mart�n's life, to see him saved and to disciple him.
Our Bible services are going well, but we desperately need more space. Recently we have been working to memorize the Books of the New Testament. On Easter Sunday, along with a film about the resurrection, and a special message, we awarded Bibles to those who could recite the Books of the New Testament from memory. We thought about just handing out the Bibles to everyone, and certainly don't want to withhold the Word of God from anyone, but wanted our people to value their Bibles. What a blessing it was to hear people naming the books of the Bible, who a few months ago didn't even know what they were, and to hold in their hands what they had never before in their lives possessed. The Word of God is Precious! Several received Bibles and we plan to keep working until everyone receives one.
With our ministry growing and new opportunities presenting themselves all the time, we are greatly feeling the need for facilities. The building project at the mission property is continuing and we appreciate your prayers and special gifts that are making it a reality. Please pray that we will be able to obtain the needed building permits for our activity building. A building permit is a new concept in our area and they are still working out the bugs in the system. They are requiring plans, which we have provided, but now they want them to be redrawn by their architect. He is working in several areas in about a 150-mile radius. We also need these plans to obtain more solid legal documentation for the land and to ultimately be able to obtain a deed. It is very complicated. Because he is the only one that can do the work, and because he is all but impossible to find, we are in a holding pattern. We have done all that we feel comfortable with on the foundation, even one wall, which doubles as a fence, until we have the permit. The local people say not to worry about it, and to go ahead, but we want to have everything as legally established as is possible in a near third world environment. While we wait for the permits, we are putting all of our available time and money into finishing the building, which will be our home. We plan on meeting there as soon as possible. Once we can move in, it will be easier to work while living on the property. Please pray that the permits will be issued soon, and for the expenses involved. The interior adobe walls should be covered this month and we will pour cement floors. Then, we will need sinks, toilets etc. It seems impossible, but looking at all that has been accomplished, it seems like a miracle, and we know that God will see us through. Thank you, for your part!
Along with our own building project, we have been working to help a sister church in a town 100 miles away. They have a building that lost its tin roof in a windstorm. It is a two-story building, and the lower floor was becoming damaged by water seepage. Last month, with the help from some dear friends in the US, we were able to raise money for materials. We met with a Christian engineer from southern Mexico, began the project and this week removed the scaffolding and forms from a beautiful new concrete roof. The church is very pleased and it is a pleasure to have a part in their ministry.
Prayer Needs:
-Yesterday, Hortensia, the daughter of one of our Indian families was shaking, had a high fever and her skin was covered with some sort of infected sores. It seemed very serious and we rushed her to the hospital offering to cover any expenses. The doctors don't know what it is. We started her on antibiotics. Please pray.
-Final approval on our entrance visas from Mexico City and the associated expenses @ $1200.00
-Completion of legal documents, plans and permits needed for the mission building project @ $300.00
-Energy and funding for completion of the mission building project's first phase @ $4,500.00
-Needed clutch repair on our car @ $150.00
-Colorful stickers or small gifts to encourage kids
(If you would like to help, send to: Chambers, PMB 177, 2200 N. Yarbrough Ste B. El Paso Texas 79925)
-Our new web site is under construction. You can meet some of the people mentioned in this letter in the Resent Activities section. Please post a message on our board or e-mail us to let us know of your visit. We don't have a telephone here in Mexico, but can read your comments on our next trip to the US.
Will you please continue to pray for us as God broadens our horizons and leads us into greater service? As you know, with college tuition, home school materials, building projects and expenses involved in obtaining permits and entrance visas, the last few months have been some of the most financially and emotionally demanding that we have faced. We are not quite recovered yet, but the special gifts that many of our prayer partners sent to help with special needs have made a big difference. Though we love it here, we are outsiders trying to fit into a foreign culture and discouragement is a constant challenge to overcome. Satan is always on the attack and sometimes we feel like it would be so much easier to live in the US. But, what tremendous blessings we would miss. We appreciate you continuing with us, and believe the greatest blessings are yet to come. You have been a great source of encouragement as we have seen God work through you to meet very real needs. We can tell when people are focused on us in prayer, and this past month it made a tremendous impact. We pray that God will richly bless you for your labor in the Gospel ministry.
Sincerely, For Souls Who Have Not Heard,
The Chambers
