Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, and his wonders among all peoples.
Armando is back in the pulpit after visiting his folks in Monterrey for the Holidays. What perfect timing! God never makes a mistake. We had been told that we were going to have visitors in a week or two, but we kept a "wait and see" attitude. After working in the deaf world for 30 years and the deaf world in Mexico for 26 years, you learn not to get really excited until you see them come through the doors. However, God still desire to declare His glory among the heathen. For approximately five years we sought to win the main deaf leader here in Guadalajara because he has so much influence among the deaf. He has been president of the deaf association and for years has been in charge of the education department. One of our young ladies got saved last year and has been working on them to come.
Let me interject a bit of history at this point. After rejecting Christ four or five times, he became our friend to our face, but bitterest enemy behind our backs. He was hard of hearing and so he interpreted the service for the deaf at the main Catholic church here. As some of the people got saved and changed their lives, he became more and more hostile. According to the deaf, he has announced in public meetings that we teach devil worship, that Gary has a mistress in town (during the time of the church construction when we were working 12 hours a day!!), that he would pay a group of thugs to beat Gary up, that he would have us thrown out of the country, etc. We have always responded in love and without saying anything about his "announcements."
As promised, yesterday he brought his wife and another lady friend and came for the whole service. He was very nice with us and with all the deaf and truly seemed to understand and enjoy the preaching, so much that he stayed a good while after and chatted with everyone. Armando is so clear in his preaching that there was no doubt he got another really clear dose of the Gospel. Since I have given so many details, I will not mention him by name, but please pray for "A" that he might get saved.
Another wonderful way in which the Lord continues to "declare His glory among the heathen."
We are planning this coming week to make a trip to Tepic, Nayarit. IT is slightly northwest of Guadalajara about two hours. We have been there several times, including another trip to try to reach the deaf. There will not be as many deaf because it is a smaller city, but one which until now has been unreached among the deaf. Pray for wisdom as we seek the Lord's leading and for boldness in presenting them with the Gospel.
Tepic is a city of about 1 million (Metropolitan area) and is at 3, 400 feet. It is located in the Sierra Madre mountain range just like Guadalajara. It is known as still being "quaint" and colonial. We have one American friend there and there is at least one hearing church there. The deaf have not had any formal education until somewhat recently, but are well established in the sign language. Their deaf association is linked together with Puerto Vallarta so they have been in good contact with other deaf communities, unlike the deaf in the Huasteca. Their education level is low, but they do have good language skills (for the deaf). Pray that we might KNOW God's leading and that He would touch our hearts for this city, if this is the place He has prepared for us.
Thank you for praying and supporting the ministry. God is still alive and working!
Armando is back in the pulpit after visiting his folks in Monterrey for the Holidays. What perfect timing! God never makes a mistake. We had been told that we were going to have visitors in a week or two, but we kept a "wait and see" attitude. After working in the deaf world for 30 years and the deaf world in Mexico for 26 years, you learn not to get really excited until you see them come through the doors. However, God still desire to declare His glory among the heathen. For approximately five years we sought to win the main deaf leader here in Guadalajara because he has so much influence among the deaf. He has been president of the deaf association and for years has been in charge of the education department. One of our young ladies got saved last year and has been working on them to come.
Let me interject a bit of history at this point. After rejecting Christ four or five times, he became our friend to our face, but bitterest enemy behind our backs. He was hard of hearing and so he interpreted the service for the deaf at the main Catholic church here. As some of the people got saved and changed their lives, he became more and more hostile. According to the deaf, he has announced in public meetings that we teach devil worship, that Gary has a mistress in town (during the time of the church construction when we were working 12 hours a day!!), that he would pay a group of thugs to beat Gary up, that he would have us thrown out of the country, etc. We have always responded in love and without saying anything about his "announcements."
As promised, yesterday he brought his wife and another lady friend and came for the whole service. He was very nice with us and with all the deaf and truly seemed to understand and enjoy the preaching, so much that he stayed a good while after and chatted with everyone. Armando is so clear in his preaching that there was no doubt he got another really clear dose of the Gospel. Since I have given so many details, I will not mention him by name, but please pray for "A" that he might get saved.
Another wonderful way in which the Lord continues to "declare His glory among the heathen."
We are planning this coming week to make a trip to Tepic, Nayarit. IT is slightly northwest of Guadalajara about two hours. We have been there several times, including another trip to try to reach the deaf. There will not be as many deaf because it is a smaller city, but one which until now has been unreached among the deaf. Pray for wisdom as we seek the Lord's leading and for boldness in presenting them with the Gospel.
Tepic is a city of about 1 million (Metropolitan area) and is at 3, 400 feet. It is located in the Sierra Madre mountain range just like Guadalajara. It is known as still being "quaint" and colonial. We have one American friend there and there is at least one hearing church there. The deaf have not had any formal education until somewhat recently, but are well established in the sign language. Their deaf association is linked together with Puerto Vallarta so they have been in good contact with other deaf communities, unlike the deaf in the Huasteca. Their education level is low, but they do have good language skills (for the deaf). Pray that we might KNOW God's leading and that He would touch our hearts for this city, if this is the place He has prepared for us.
Thank you for praying and supporting the ministry. God is still alive and working!
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