Misión Montana Vista

Montgomery Family Newsletter January-March 2006

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,
This morning in bible class we read Ephesians 1:16 where Paul really expresses my feelings for you. "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." The way you continually bless our lives is truly remarkable. Knowing that I have an entire army of individuals who love and pray for us gives me courage, perseverance and fidelity to the task before me. Thank you dearly for your part in this cosmic battle against spiritual forces. Don't stop praying because the Lord Almighty is answering.

Here are some of the highlights from the first quarter here in Montana Vista:

English/Bible class continues to move forward. The Lord has opened the heart of one of the students who has begun coming regularly to the Wednesday evening study as well! He is so amazed that we actually teach the Bible and allow people to ask questions when they don't understand. If only everyone could have such a searching heart! Please keep all of these students in your prayers, especially Alfredo.

God has opened up several doors for other individual Bible studies too. Some of these studies come from people from the Dispensa, while others come through members here who are introducing their friends and family to Christ. Again please pray especially for the Carrillo family and those at the study in their house, Adrianna, Francisco, and Alex.

One individual study has been particularly noteworthy. If you remember from the last newsletter that Marta was baptized into Christ in November. Immediately following her baptism many members of her extended family (who live in the same house with her) began persecuting her for her new beliefs and life. To help build her up, I began studying with her and another sister in Christ. Recently she wrote the following, expressing her joy in Christ and gratitude for coming to know Him, "I used to doubt the existence of God, but now . . . I know that God exists and that he'll never leave us!" Considering all she has been through that is quite a statement! The studies with her are continuing, but the Lord is not finished in that household yet. Her husband, Pedro, was anything but interested in anything remotely religious. He would hardly even speak to us when we would come to study with Marta. BUT, the Lord is amazing. Since the beginning of the year Pedro has changed dramatically and has really opened up to the message. In fact, he is now with us on Sundays when work permits and is studying with me during the week. The Lord has done extraordinary things in his life and now Pedro is seriously considering committing himself to the Lord in baptism! Please take both Pedro and Marta to the Lord in prayer.

During the last few months the Sunday morning services have also been a point of encouragement on several levels. For one thing, we have had some new faces around the place. Most of these are being invited by different members of the congregation, which is another level of encouragement to me. These members are seeing themselves as responsible for the development and growth of this church, rather than just saying "That's something the preacher aught to do." Due to this attitude and activity we had a record Sunday in February of 37. Praise God! May he continue to add to the church those that are being saved.

On a personal level, I would like to continue to ask for your prayers for Alicia's health. I know that many of you remember her daily, and for that I would like to thank you. Please pray that God will give us wisdom as we seek direction on how to treat her. On a happier note Bethany is doing great. I can't believe it but she'll be turning 4 in less than a month. I'd like to close with one of her recent Bethanyisms—that is, one of the adorable things she says on occasion. In a Bible class last year one of her teachers described heaven like the castle in Cinderella (one of her absolute favorites at the moment). Since then she has been excited about going to heaven and keeps saying "it's taking too long to get to the castle." I couldn't agree with her more! God bless you all, and may we get to see each other in the castle very soon!

In Christ,

Kevin, Alicia and Bethany Montgomery