Greetings in Christ and peace to all my brothers and sisters in Lubbock! We're finally moved down to El Paso. We got the last of our things the weekend of the 20th (which pretty much meant the motorcycle -- what a trip that was)! During this time we visited my dad, who is doing better. He is now in therapy for the pneumonia, and should have the operation within a week or two.
For those of you who may not know, I finally started my job working for El Paso Sun Metro (which is the bus and trolley system for El Paso) as the Education/Graphics Technician. If you want to know more about it, you can visit the following website http://ci.el-paso.tx.us/sunmetro/sunmetro.htm.
The family here is all doing well. Vivianna and Sonia are excited because tomorrow they go to their new school for registration. It will be slightly different for them this year because they will have to wear uniforms for the first time ever. Talon is enjoying his new home, and talks constantly about all his friends (one of which actually moved down here from Lubbock at the same time we did, by "happenstance.") Romie has already been quite involved with the congregation at Montana Vista, and met lots of kids after their VERY successful VBS (imagine 78 people in one house)!
It looks as if Kevin and Alicia have finally found a house here in El Paso, so in 2 more weeks, if the Lord wills, they will finally come down and begin working alongside us. Please pray for their travels. Also, please pray for our fellow workers Paul and Gloria Gonzales, who never tire of serving the Lord and reaching out. They are the steam in the engine with all their energy! Here is a picture of them, so you will know what they look like:
We are all getting accustomed to the heat here, but getting to know the people makes it more than bearable. Yesterday, the 29th, we had a baptism. Her name is Cuca Reyes, and she is now your sister in Christ! Here are a few pictures of here:
(sorry for the poor quality, I'll try to improve this as time goes on)
It was so difficult for us to leave the work there at Parkway, brothers, but since I've been down here there is no doubt that we are needed in El Paso. There are SO MANY people looking for hope here, and SO FEW workers reaching out to them here. I pray God can use our minuscule efforts to reap an enormous harvest here.
On this subject, I must apologize for leaving a bit of unfinished business there at Parkway due to my abrupt departure (I didn't really know exactly WHEN I would be moving down here). While there with you, I was asked to help direct the evangelistic efforts in that community. Although my efforts were pitiful at best, I was able to gather enough information to compile a list of those available for ministry. I will forward this list to Gerald, and I'm sure a much more qualified saint can carry on this work and bring it to the level of excellence it deserves. I urge you to reach out to the community there -- what an awesome field God has set before you! -- and may the Spirit of Christ be evident in all of your efforts in that neighborhood, that the name "Parkway Drive Church of Christ" will continue to be synonymous with "love." Praise God for all of you. We miss you dearly and already long to be home in heaven with you, singing "Hard Fightin' Soldier" and "Well I Feel Good" in harmony with your beautiful voices. Marana tha!
In Deepest Christian Love,
Lonnie Tapscott and Family
