^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

May 2002

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, He shall be saved...."  

John 10:19

Dear Friends in Christ,

May this letter find each of you rejoicing in God's mercy and grace.  Karen and I thank you for praying for us.  We, as a family, are preparing to travel in the United States to present the ministry to pastors and churches.  There are more native missionaries and applicants for whom we need to raise support.

Family News

Mary Elizabeth received high honors in the state violin competition and a superior rating in the piano competition.  We thank God for the talent He has given her.  Meeting the needs of David Josiah's Down syndrome and autism is an on-going challenge.  However, we are encouraged by good progress reports from his occupational therapist.  Please pray for the Lord to give us wisdom as we rear our children.

Camp Meeting

Isidro Ontiveros, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Bethel, in Leon, Guanajuato, reported that of the 800 to 850 persons who attended the camp meeting in March 2002, twenty-two were pastors.  Thirteen churches were represented.  One hundred and five people accepted Christ as Saviour, and twenty young people surrendered for full-time service.  Two years ago, Brother Ontiveros began a Bible Institute with eight students.  This year, twenty-seven students attended.  Some of them had to sleep on the floor as there were not enough beds; neither were there adequate shower facilities.  Besides their studies, the students held tent meetings in different areas of the city.  Several more young people are planning to enroll for the fall semester.  Please remember Brother Ontiveros in prayer as the Holy Spirit brings him to mind.

New Representative in Mexico

Jose Luis Ochoa, pastor of Iglesia Bautista del Pueblo, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, has accepted the position of representative of Spanish Baptist Missions.  The church is home to a Bible school, Instituto Buen Samaritano.  This years graduation is June 2, 2002.  A reunion of the former graduates, several of whom are supported by our Board, is scheduled May 30 to June 2, 2002.  Over seventy pastors are expected.  It will be a special time of preaching and encouragement.  

In March and April 2002 my mother, who is my traveling companion in Mexico, and I delivered 500 gospel videos, 200 hymn cassettes, and many boxes of tracts to Pastor Ochoa.  (By God's grace, we got the green light-an actual green light-every time we crossed the border!)  These tracts, videos, and cassettes will be given to the pastors attending the reunion.  One can only imagine how the men will spread the gospel as they return to their fields of service.  Brother Ochoa requests prayer that the Lord will supply, not only travel mercies, but also their return fares.

Prayer Requests

God's power and His leading in our lives.

Travel safety in the United States and Mexico.

A dependable running vehicle.  (I praise God for $1,500 designated toward a vehicle.)

An overhead video projector to use in presenting the ministry.

Our Conference January 20-23 2003 in Telchaquillo, Yucatan with Brother Francisco Coba.

Missionary News

Hernan Flota May, Merida, Yucatian:  I rejoice in Christ and am happy to inform you that the Lord is helping us in the work.  New people are attending and there are seven more converts to baptize.  Glory to God!  Attendance has increased to 100.  The church is fasting and praying for souls who are lost and God is answering prayer.

Rodolfo Pacheco Dzul, Puerto Progreso, Yucatan:  We are doing well, thanks be to God.  He has richly blessed us in all aspects of life and we are fortifying ourselves so that we will be more useful in God's work.  The missions in Xcanatun and Caucel continue and there is revival in the hearts of our brethren but the enemy attacks, creating strife among some brethren, but by faith we know that we have the victory.

Fernando Salinas, Colonia Jacinto Lopez, Leon, Guanajuato:  The Lord has heard our prayer for better results in this area for the year 2002.  From the beginning services of this year, the Lord has shown His mercy toward us in answering the petitions that are on our hears.  We have observed the Lord opening the windows of heaven and He has showered us with blessings and we have determined to answer to His mercy.  There are many new families who are attending and the brethren are answering the call to disciple them.  The brethren demonstrate this with their actions.

Bernabe Huchim Tun, Huhi, Yucatan:  I am writing to inform you that the work at Huhi is doing well.  We are having regular attendance.  There were four saved and I ask prayer for them and the seven candidates for believers' baptism.

Leonardo Urquieta Glz, Leon, Guanajuato:  Many things have occurred in my life since my accident.  I am unable to run, jump, or carry a load, but I can read His Word and preach it.  Above all, I can speak to people about Christ and that shall continue as long as possible.  Praise His name and may He be glorified forever!  Amen!  This year there was much opposition to our camp but God allowed the camp to succeed for He knows the reason we organized it.  

Hugo Valadez Flores, Las Juntas, Jalisco:  Your prayers are coveted, as I have been praying that God would allow me visit the jail to talk with the husbands of two ladies in the discipleship program.  A week before visitation, some policemen beat my head against a truck and I developed a knot.  However, I am fine, thanks to the Lord.  Afterward, I was able to enter the jail and young people and adults who hungered for information gathered around to ask about God's Word.  Although attendance to the services, is low, the Lord has blessed the outreach program in the area.  

Ismael Flores Sanches, San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato:  We are grateful that the Lord has supplied a plot of land after having prayed for it for a long time.  Construction is underway on a building and with God's help, we hope to finish soon.

Asuncion Lopez Flores, Leon, Guanajuato:  We ask your prayers that God would give us the vision for His work.  I am comforted in the Lord that the brethren stand firm in their attendance of church services and that the newest converts are growing in Christ.  They are preaching to their relatives.  

Jose J. Valadez, Leon, Guanajuato:  The trials in our life have been transformed into blessings, praise the Lord!  He has sustained us and enabled us to see ahead.  We have begun construction of a new church building.  We are praying that God will continue to supply what is necessary.  The land where we are building is much larger and the corner location is a good one.

An heir of God through Christ,

Joel Silos, D.D.