^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

Rev. Joel Silos, Director
P.O. Box 40398
San Antonio, TX  78229-1398
(210) 615-1945

February 2004

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, The Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." 

 John 1:14

Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you for praying for us.  Karen, Mary Elizabeth, David, and I are very grateful to the Lord for the churches and friends who sent Christmas gifts and offerings.  These represented much encouragement and made the season complete.

 Board Meeting

We praise God for Canaan Baptist Church of Covington, Georgia, and Pastor Scott Caudill, who graciously hosted our annual Board of Directors' meeting November 7, 2003.  We were joined by dear friends who have been faithful prayer-partners for over thirty years.  The ladies of the church were kind in providing a meal for us.

Yucatan, Mexico

In January 2004 we traveled to Yucatan, Mexico, where blessings awaited us.  We visited with Brother Felipe Nery Canche Dzul, his wife, and his children in Valladolid.  They continue faithful in the Lord's work.  Please remember them in prayer.  It was a blessing to attend the Sunday morning and evening services at Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in Puerto Progreso.  Brother Rodolfo Pacheco Dzul is the pastor.  

From the 12th to the 14th we held a conference in Telchaquillo.  Brother Francisco Pat Coba and the members of the church were encouraged to continue in the faith.  Pastor Isidro Ontiveros of Leon, Guanajuato, preached messages for the purpose of the edification of the local church.

New Church, Santa Casilda, Michoacan

Bible School graduates, Juan Antonio Orta and his wife, Berta Berenice, feel led of the Lord to begin a new work in Santa Casilda, Michoacan.  Iglesia Bautista Jezreel of Colonia San Felipe de Jesus in Leon, Guanajuato is their sending church.  Brother Leonardo Urquieta not only is the pastor, but also Berta's father.  Please pray for this young couple and their two small children as they face the challenges involved in their calling.

Prayer Requests

Native Mayan Francisco and Wilma Coba and their family have worked faithfully for the Lord in the small town of Telchaquillo.  Not only are the hears of the people in that area stony, but also the landscape.  Besides winning souls, the building is evidence of where the Cobas also invest their energy and hard work.  The yard is cleared of rocks and brush.  The neatness of the church building and surrounding yard sparkles like a jewel.  Yet, the Cobas live in a two-room house with a leaky roof (consequence of the last hurricane that went through the area).  They do not have a bathroom and Mrs. Coba has to draw water from a well that is on the adjacent property.  She has to draw water for cooking and drinking, and enough to wash for a family of six.  When asked what is the greatest need they have as a family, Mrs. Coba answered that it is a house with a bathroom.  After questioning, we found that $4,000.00 will build a two-room block house with a bathroom.  They already have a property which Brother Coba inherited from his father.

Rodolfo Pacheco Dzul of Puerto Progreso, leads and encourages the pastors in the area.  He has been sick since September of last year.  The doctors have had a difficult time diagnosing his illness that has affected his skin (boils on his body), and muscles (fatigue to the point he was spoon-fed).  They prescribed so many medicines that these made the levels of toxicity extremely high.  He preaches when he is able to get to church although he should avoid being in the sun (which is difficult as the weather is tropical).  The doctors say he needs six months total rest.  They are amazed that he has survived this long, and that he is not wheel-chair bound.  Praise the Lord!  Please include in your prayers Brother Pacheco's family.  It consists of his wife, Hilaria; teen-age daughter, Abigail; nine year old son, Joshua, and baby son, Nathanael. 

An heir of God through Christ,

Joel Silos, D.D.