^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

March  2008

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We thank God for this New Year and for the many miles of traveling mercies provided up to now.

In January, we visited pastors in the states of Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Queretaro, Mexico.  Plans for camp March 17-21 in Leon, Guanajuato, were discussed in a meeting with Bro. Isidro Ontiveros and ten other pastors, most of who have previously been supported by Spanish Baptist Missions.  We announced to the pastors that through our Mephibosheth Ministries, Spanish Baptist Missions would pay for people with disabilities and their caregivers to attend camp.

In travel the next two days, we met with new pastors in different cities who asked for help with expanding their outreach.  Pray for God to give us wisdom as to whom to support so that churches would be planted and people won to the Lord.

Huichole Indians

Since there are areas without vehicle-accessible roads to the Huichole villages in the mountains of Nayarit, we had gone into Mexico with the purpose of buying a horse or donkey for Brother Carlos Mata to use in the work.  Upon arriving in Tepic, we stopped at a roadside restaurant to have rotisserie chicken and freshly made tortillas.  Delicious!  Then we proceeded up a mountain to the small town of Atonalisco.  There we met Pastor Antonio de la Rosa Jimenez, director of a Bible school which trains Huichole pastors.  Brother Antonio's grandfather was won to the Lord by an American missionary many years ago and he became the founder of the work.  After his grandfather's death twenty-five years ago, Brother Antonio became director.

We found that Brother Mata had not continued in the work.  Brother Antonio then expressed a greater need: a property on which to build a church in the village of La Trompeta.  The people attend the services there in Atonalisco and after the evening services, walk home in the dark along the railroad tracks.  Lately, some have been killed by the sugar-cane-laden trains.

Upon hearing of the need, we consulted with other pastors and made the decision to give Brother Antonio the $700 which had been designated toward the purchase of the horse.  He also received a box of Bibles, a box of tracts, and a tarp.  Brother Antonio and the church are planning a Missions Conference June 3-5.  We would like to return to the area for the conference, if the Lord so leads.

San Juan Del Rio, Queretaro

Our trip included an unannounced visit with Brother Isai Toledo Flores who labors in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro.  He holds services in an enclosed patio on the side of his rented house.  Everything was as neat as a pin, but a strong wind was blowing and threatening to blow off the tarp roof!

In a previous letter, Brother Isai had asked for help to buy materials to build more benches.  We had forwarded a designated offering and  he had already purchased the materials.  Recently, we talked to him and he said the benches were finished and were filled in every service.  Praise the Lord!

Brother Isai led us to where he and the church want to build.  We knelt and prayed on the land and placed the matter in God's hands.  The need is $5,000 for two lots.

Family News - Prayer Requests

David is helping with chores at home by loading and emptying the washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher.  Vacuuming and mopping the floors are the next skills he is learning.  At the same time, we are dealing with some behavior problems.

Mary is planning to go on a mission trip to Barbados May 22 to 31.  The group will be singing and doing puppetry skits to present the gospel.

Work to repair the damage caused by the kitchen fire in October is still not complete.  The cabinets and floors are not finished.

Because of "accidents", Karen and I are trying to replace the old carpet in David's room with linoleum.

Continue praying for my sister Becky.  Chemotherapy is taking its toll.

My nephew Nathan Paul, a Marine, is recuperating from head trauma suffered in Iraq.  He is at Camp Le Jejune in North Carolina and has been assigned light duty.

I have located a more fuel efficient vehicle to use in deputation.  It is a 1998 Tiger GT motor home, on a mini van chassis, that would cut gasoline costs in half.  The owner is asking $24,000.  I am praying for the Lord's will to be done.

An Heir of God through Christ,

Joel Silos, D.D.