Misión Montana Vista

Montgomery Family Newsletter July-October 2006

 

            “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.” Just as Paul loved and appreciated the church in Philippi, so to, I love and appreciate all of you. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving holiday, I couldn’t help but include all of you in my thoughts and prayers over Thanksgiving.  I hope that today you’ll give thanks to our God and Father for what He is doing among us.

            As I look out my office window at the dry, dusty desert, it is hard to imagine that just a few months ago many places in the area were several feet underwater! Many of you heard about the flooding that took place here and contacted us about how it had affected us. Thankfully the Montana Vista area is on a relatively high spot so it experienced only a few problems with all the rain. Alicia and I personally didn’t have any problems at all. Other regions here did not fare so well. Thankfully our God even used these difficulties for His glory by allowing us to meet people in the area. We provided disinfectants and cleaning supplies to families who had suffered water damage in their homes. While we are waiting to see how God uses some of these seeds, I recently got to see some fruit from this small act of love. Just a couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from a woman who was crying and asking for advice on how to help her son who is suffering from drug addiction. Of all the people in the world, she chose to call me even though she had seen me only once and was a member of a different religious group in the area. It is amazing to see what God can do with a little bit of Clorox and some concern! Please be praying that God will help us see even more fruit from these labors!

            In September we were blessed to see the baptism of Pedro Armendariz. Pedro is the spouse of one of our other members, Vero, who put on Christ in May of last year. Just as he was being baptized, Lonnie—my coworker here—made a fitting comparison with the apostle Peter.  To his friends and family, Pedro is known as “vilo,” meaning “vile,” because he has had quite a temper. Lonnie mentioned that just as the Lord changed Simon’s name to Peter (the rock)—and consequently his nature, we believe the Lord can change Pedro’s nick-name of “vilo” back to Pedro and make him a “rock” in the church here. I do really ask for your prayers for him as he grows into his “new” name and leaves behind the old man.

            In October Alicia, Bethany and I traveled to the Ft. Worth area to see some doctors who specialize in her illness. It amazes me that I could travel over 2,000 miles and never leave the state of Texas (unfortunately bigger is NOT always better!). I decided that while I was in the neighborhood I would visit the church in Maud. It was so good to catch up with friends and family. Thank you again for your hospitality, encouragement and love! As far as Alicia’s health is concerned, she continues to struggle, but we are seeing slow improvement, thanks to the Lord and your prayers. She remains rather weak but is gradually being able to do more and generally feel better. Please continue to ask for God’s grace as we learn to persevere and grow through these trials.

            I also ask that you continue in prayer for the current studies that we are involved with here. They are a mixture of evangelistic studies and maturing studies for young Christians—Alfredo, the Carbajal family, Francisco and Gloria, Everisto and Graciela, Lupe and Vero, Pedro C., and Pedro A.. Also continue to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to raise up laborers to send into the fields!

 

Your co-laborer for the Lord in El Paso,

Kevin, Alicia and Bethany Montgomery