July 6

Dear Praying Friends,

      We are happy to be back at the border after a long but wonderful trip with Horacio and Lupe Gonzalez, our pastor and his wife from Monterrey. Little has been said of their difficulties, but they finally admitted that their neck muscles had relaxed on the trip, relieving some of the stress of living in Monterrey. They have run into several of the blockades, but managed to get around them by alternate routes. The reality of their situation really struck home as they shared different stories from some of their deaf. They are willingly serving the Lord, but it is taking a toll on them. They are presently on the bus back to their home in Monterrey.

     Before DBFA (see below), we met Debi Duryee in Missouri and we took Horacio and Lupe to see the production "Noah, the musical." We are not usually interested in "tourist attractions," but felt that this production might change their lives. We interpreted the parts that were not obvious from the production (dialogs, songs, etc.) but both Horacio and Lupe stated that it changed their lives, and certainly their attitude towards Noah, to SEE his life unfold in front of them. If they would ever have see any kind of teaching on Noah, it would have been through a DVD or other media and probably in cartoon format. They had never seen something that literally made the characters come alive. Horacio is already working on several messages from the life of Noah. It really brought the fire back to their eyes.

     On our way up, we stopped to see our home church in Andalusia, IL. It was good to see all the folks again and to be accepted so royally for the Sunday services. The deaf ministry continues which the Lord allowed us to start in 1973. Many are now with the Lord, but how good to see that He continues to bless that work. 

     About January of this year, I was asked about attending the Deaf Baptist Fellowship of America (DBFA) in Chicago. We knew it would make for a tight schedule, but we saw that it could be worked out. We met Horacio and Lupe in McAllen, TX and all of us drove to Chicago. We saw many longtime friends and realized that many of us are getting older. Our dear friend, Dr. John Clark, started the DBFA in 1981 and we were privileged to attend the second one in Dayton, Ohio. This year marked 31 years of existence for DBFA. We have been invited to speak at several of them and have always enjoyed attending a meeting where we can spend time with the deaf leaders of America. Gary taught a workshop each day and had Horacio teach the final day. We were able to pick the brain of America's best in deaf ministry and share what God has been doing. A very heartfelt "thank you" to Mark Coleman and his crew at Bethel Baptist Church in Schaumburg, IL for making this possible. It was full days and wonderful blessings seeing how God is working in many parts of the world as well as being able to share our ministry with others.

     We now have a couple of days at the border before our flight takes off for Guadalajara. Maybe, we can relax and recuperate from a quick 3,200 mile trip. We just are not the same people as 10 years ago.

     Thank you for caring and keeping us before the Lord in prayer. We certainly understand Horacio and Lupe expressing their stress at just living in Mexico right now. Please continue to pray for our country of service and those who are faithful Christians and who are suffering along with the general public.

Gary & Ann