May the blessings found only in Christ continue to rain down on you all. Things are continuing to progress for us here in El Paso. We got moved into the church house the first week of June and are slowly getting accustomed to the house. It looks like I'm going to have to learn about septic tanks out here! Since the house was never finished, we are also trying to get all the holes plugged up to discourage bugs from entering. But overall it is going well, and this house is still much more comfortable than some of the homes in the El Paso/Ju�rez area (if you could call them that). All in all, we are richly blessed.

It was especially meaningful to have services in our home and then to share a meal. There's something dynamic about that experience that, unfortunately, cannot be attained in any church building (no matter how big the kitchen - har har!). The family here is really bonding through diversity and adversity as we strive together to spread the message of the good news of Christ in this community.

We have a new member to our group named Rodney. He is in a half-way house in Horizon City and is searching for a job - please pray for his success. We are also concerned for one of our members and her family. Chayo was baptized last year before we arrived, but her husband has yet to give his life to Christ. However, they had been coming pretty regularly up until recently. We haven't seen as much of them lately and it concerns us. Plus, they have changed phone companies and it has been difficult to contact them. We did see them this past Wednesday and it was good to know they're still alive! Please pray that the bond will remain strong there, and that Chayo can be a positive influence on her husband and kids.

I don't know how much all of you know or remember about Mayela, our dear sister, but summer has brought changes on her family as well. Being alone and trying to work to provide for her family, she was concerned about not being able to have enough money for babysitting during the summer months. However, with our new living arrangement, Romie and I will be paying much less than we previously were and will be able to provide for her during this time. I know I had asked Parkway for help with this, but once we realized how finances would work out with our family and the church we decided to go ahead and help her. I know that whatever funds you would have set aside to give her can now be used once again for the spreading of the gospel there in Lubbock. In fact, I know that God has already found someone there in Lubbock to whom your gift can go and that it will be for his glory (I know because God has an "uncanny" way of doing things like that) - it's simply a matter of Him bringing that person to you, whoever it may be.

As many of you already know, my father passed away May 8th, and our family was deeply saddened by this loss. But the greatest joy I have is that I know he was a godly man who always strove to spread the gospel wherever he was. He suffers no more, but is doing what he always wanted to do - singing praises to our God and Savior! Please pray for my mother during this time, that God may use it as a means of bringing her completely into his service, to devote her life totally to Him. Thank you for all your prayers for us already.

I miss you all deeply. I am reminded especially of the bond we have in Christ during Juneteenth! What a blessing to know that God has brought together people of all color, race, and ethnicity under the headship of Christ! Know that my heart goes out to you during this time, and I long to see y'all soon. May his love continue to unify the saints into eternity.

We look forward to receiving the clothes and hygiene products that you have been saving for us, and especially of getting a visit from Sonny and Jencie. You know that you are all welcome at any time to come down and see us, and we would love to hear from you by phone, e-mail, or letter!