Notice to readers:

We no longer maintain this blog because of our transfer to another position. Please contact the IMB at http://www.imb.org/main/default.asp for information or resources.

Thank you for your interest.

Mike and Sue Monroe

STUDENTS BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE LOST AND JESUS CHRIST

They had only a week, but seven students from The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, were able to distribute 4,640 gospel packets on and around the campus of UNAM, Mexico City. Assisting their effort were four members from the Mexican Baptist Church, Ministerio Estudiantil, plus missionaries on the field. This project helped student leaders of MIES (Ministerio Estudiantil) continue with the work on the UNAM campus.

"What a week," shares IMB missionaries David and Pam W. "It was a blessing to be able to experience the love of Christ shared in so many innovative and uninhibited ways. The students were such a 'breath of fresh air' and reminded us of our early service in missions as college students with our BSU director, Tom Hearon. The students were willing to do anything to bridge the gap between the lost and our loving Savior. The English Club held daily at the 'Islas' was one of the platforms used to bridge this gap."

CATCHING THE VISION

"Early on, the students realized they needed to treat each moment as a spiritual battle. One day they traveled thru the city using public transportation and visited the Colonias of Tepito and Merced. Here they not only witnessed the real spiritual battle that is before us, but also reached out in love to the homeless both spiritually and physically by sharing testimonies and serving a hot meal. The hope is that this trip opened the eyes of the students of Summit to how the Lord can use them both locally and internationally," David says.

WHY WAS THIS TRIP SUCH A SUCCESS?

David explains: "Being able to have the freedom to work with a group like this was the key to the success of the week. For the first time we had to just give out the Gospels in mass as the students entered or exited the campus and at metro stations. We held the main work of evangelism later on when we invited students to English clubs, sports, or a coffee/concert. The students of Summit were flexible enough to witness on impulse and in quiet moments one on one. Their willingness to do all these things, and allow the Spirit of Christ to work thru them, made the difference in the week."

Contact us for opportunities to serve in the American Peoples Affinity with our workers. When you allow God to use you to help build His kingdom you experience opportunities of a lifetime.

God is in the business of changing lives

A discotec in the Bonit Juarez area of Mexico is the location of a small weekly Bible study by brother Gilberto – a precious man of peace. When First Baptist Church of Wauchula, Florida, sent six workers to Mexico City to assist Verna, an IMB missionary, they had no idea that the Lord would touch their own lives in a wonderful way!

"Two of the team members were of Mexican descent so it was an emotional week for both of these women to revisit their homeland and to reach out and touch Mexicans with the Gospel. Friendships were instant. The women spoke perfect Spanish and were a wonderful asset to the group, said Verna."

"Other team members forged the mountains cheerfully and overcame the fears fostered by United States newscasters. They were excellent volunteers and terrific Spanish learners. This group hopes to become a SC Church, continuing service in Mexico City. They were a great encouragement to Mexican Baptists. They left with a desire to pour their lives, resources, time, prayers, and Great Commission work into the people of Mexico City, all for God's glory. I hope Wauchula, and Pastor Smith, is ready for this group. They developed a Great Commission call during this short-term mission trip, and fell in love with the Mexican people while using their language and talents. They have so very much to offer ministering in our area of the world. This will be a powerful group to watch, declared Verna."

Verna went on to say, "Literally, every team member, both Mexican and those from the United States, had their own personal story of God's grace and mercy to tell and share this week. The group learned to pray specifically with more compassion, more sensitivity, than they thought possible. They experienced the pain of others, those lost and those that knew salvation, but grew ever so much this week through being on mission with God."

"As the Mexican Baptist strongly shared their faith leading some to Christ, some U.S. team members experienced sharing the Gospel that led to salvation for the very first time – I do not think it will be the last, said Verna."

Verna explains, "The volunteers met Mexicans that worship the dead, Mexicans that are drug addicts, and Mexicans that love Jesus as Lord and Savior. They saw firsthand that God is in the business of changing lives, making all things new for His glory. Never have I seen God so at work in the lives of the Mexican people as I did this week, followed by His awesome work in the lives of the U.S. team members."

"It was an exciting week. We showed the Jesus film at the discotec on Thursday afternoon and 30 people came – the fruit of the week in the flesh. I believe this is just the beginning of how God will use a discotec to reach a community for Jesus, thanks to the faithful surrender of the life of Gilberto to be used by God for His glory. Thanks be to God for the determined lives surrendered by six faithful Christians from Wauchula who came to be God's servants this week," exclaimed Verna.

Would you be willing to allow God to use you as He did these workers? Contact us and we will guide you to missionaries who are praying for workers to come to assist them in evangelizing the lost. Time is of the essence. Millions die every day without the saving grace of Jesus. Get involved and allow God to work through you to make a difference in the harvest fields.

THE FORGOTTEN!

"The Tarascos are carpenters who make and sell furniture along roadsides in the city. They set up tents and live and work out of these modest dwellings," says David and Pam, IMB field missionaries. Team leaders Garry Morrison and Lucas Randall led the volunteer teams that came from Iglesia Bautista Hispana La Roca, Greenville, South Carolina, and First Baptist Church of Marshall, Missouri, to work with our field personnel. Our missionaries share, "Both churches did such a wonderful job ministering and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. They traveled more than any other group we have ever hosted and ministered to many homeless and others who society chooses to ignore."

Besides working with the Tarascos, one team met a family that hosts a house church each Friday. The church leader asked the group to visit Zula (another small pueblo about ten minutes away) to see if God was working there. If He was, they wanted to encourage His work. It was well worth the effort because the team led a family of three to Christ. The missionary and leader of the house church followed up on this family and confirmed their decision.

A national household invited one group for a meal. The volunteers were delighted when the gracious hosts invited them back to hold future meetings. The missionary states, "This gesture is such an incredible testimony to God at work!"

Randall's teams shared the love of Christ through songs, activities, food and sharing the Word of God to these humble people. During the week, they helped serve a meal to the homeless in Tepito and hosted a mini-VBS with the Tarasco. In addition to this, they assisted the Boyters by distributing over 1700 Gospels in San Pablo Altlazalpan and in Colonia Nopalera.
Praise Jesus!

Come to work in the harvest fields of the American Peoples Affinity and allow God to give to someone else through you. It is a simple thing, really. Begin the process by contacting us at the address below or at the blog addresses. We are anxious to talk with you. Take that first step and share your heart with us and we will connect you with someone on the field who has a multitude of hearts that need Christ!

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. May God bless your life as you consider ministering to others as He has done for you.

NOT AN ORDINARY PRAYERWALK BUT A PRAYER MARCH

Missionaries David and Pam W. are praising Jesus for a recent team from Fleming Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia, that came to work with them and a Mexican Baptist Church, Iglesia Filadelfia.

Winston and Cheryl Collins, of FBC, put together a team that truly had servants' hearts. When the Collins' had to return home for health reasons, this did not deter the vision of the team. They regrouped and continued without grumbling to finish the task.

David and Pam say it best,"This group of six rose to the occasion and bent beyond being flexible this week. We commend them for staying to continue with the project. They did a great job distributing Gospels, working at a homeless shelter down town, and cleaning up a park. The team adapted well to changes and did anything extra we asked of them. Each team member was sensitive to the needs of others and demonstrated the love of Christ through both their words and actions. I know Winston and Cheryl, and their church family, are very proud of this team."

PRAYERWALK

"Sunday's service was very exciting with incredible music and words of encouragement by the pastors. After worship, we ate a nice meal and got ready for the 'Prayerwalk.' We think this is where the tone was set for the week. This was the most exciting Prayerwalk we have ever taken part. It was not an ordinary Prayerwalk because it was a Prayer March! We paraded down the streets of La Cebada holding a Mexican Flag up front with two pastors playing their guitars. Tambourines were banging, people were singing and praying…right thru the Tiangis! It was an experience we will never forget," states David.

CONCERT IN PARK A SUCCESS

One afternoon, the team assisted churches in cleaning the park. "This was a great way to show the families of Barrio 18 love in action. Numerous bands, drama teams, dancers and rappers all shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. During the invitation, many people came forward for prayer," exclaimed David.

It is such a blessing when a team comes to serve alongside missionaries and national pastors in an effort to reach this area of the world with the Gospel. They distributed over 7,000 packets in just one week, and there are now at least 17 new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Think how many are still waiting to hear the Truth. Respond now by contacting us today.

Doors Open Wide for God

FEELINGS OF UNCERTAINTY TURN INTO FEELINGS OF JOY

IMB missionaries, Jack and Sheri T., share with our readers how God answered prayers when a team from United States traveled to Mexico to evangelize. They explain:

"We began the week with feelings of uncertainty. Violence had created an atmosphere of fear and distrust in the city of Tijuana, and we were unsure how the people of "Hacienda de las Delicias" would accept our team. Truthfully, we doubted we would have a good number of face-to-face conversations with those living in the neighborhood."

"Several days before the project began; we visited the area and prayed over the homes and families within the community. On that same day, the pastor of 'Iglesia Bautista Vidas con una Misión' made the difficult decision to cancel our evening activities because he felt that it was just too unsafe."

"Our prayer partners joined us in praying for the area, for safety and for open hearts. As always, the project began by prayerwalking and we again prayed over every person living in the community. God not only answered those prayers, but amazed us as well! Although the community was fearful, He used that fear in a positive way. Because of the uncertainty that these families face, many recognized the need within their lives, and God moved them to seek the answer as to how they can fill that need."

DOORS OPEN WIDE TO THE WORD OF GOD

Jack and Sheri go on to say:

"It was a joy to see doors tentatively open to strangers, and then open wide to the word of God. As follow-up visits began, and Bible studies were scheduled, God showed us repeatedly that He is still in control, and even in these difficult times, He is reaching out to those who seek Him."

Praise God for His faithful intervention with this team and the neighborhood where they evangelized. Over 3000 families now have the Word of God in their homes and are involved in over 70 home Bible studies. Uncertainty turned into blessings for the national seekers and for volunteers from Porter Memorial SBC, Lexington, Kentucky.

Contact us for opportunities to sow seeds like this team. IMB field missionaries have a multitude of neighborhoods that have no church presence. We need and want your assistance in reaching our Mexican brothers and sisters.

A Block Party for Jesus!

We encourage you to read the following story from missionaries on the field that explains how God used a small church in Mexico to open doors for the Gospel.

"Iglesia Bautista Betuel has a vision to begin cell groups throughout the colonia of La Gloria. Their prayer is that cell groups will reach out to this lower economic area and provide hope to those living there through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Because this was an indigenous project, the national church assumed all responsibility.

As the church began to plan how to begin their follow-up for the saturation project, they decided an afternoon and early evening block party would be helpful. They wanted the neighborhood to know who they were and meet them personally.

We often joke about the number of dogs versus people in Mexico, but we truly believe that in the colonia of La Gloria the dogs are the majority; most of which run free. With this in mind, a veterinarian (who is a member of the church) decided he would donate his services and the medicine to vaccinate dogs and cats living in the community. His objective was to open doors and help build relationships.

When the Gospels were distributed, an invitation was included for residents to bring their pets to the cancha where we held the evening activities. Additionally, two cosmetologists donated their services to provide free haircuts, and we planned an evening movie.

Unsure of what to expect, the church members waited anxiously for the festivities to begin, but they had nothing to fear. The owners of sixty dogs and cats arrived at the cancha with their pets to have them vaccinated. We collected contact information from each owner. Besides vaccinations, the cosmetologists gave countless haircuts. At the end of the evening, the people of the community were in awe that the little church they never knew existed wanted to help them in so many ways, with no strings attached. For those who questioned why the church would do this, we told them, "Because Jesus loves you and we want you to know we love you too."

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  Please pray that the work of Iglesia Bautista Betuel will lead to new cell groups.
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  Pray that the nationals who accepted the Gospel will understand the Word and reach out to Him.
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  Pray God's message will spread to the entire area of colonia of La Gloria so the residents can learn about the One who will give them eternal life.

If you feel God leading you to join the work in the American Peoples Affinity, please contact us at the address listed below.

Mike and Sue Monroe
masmonroe@yahoo.com
954-675-7198
American Peoples Affinity