^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

May 2003

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 

 II Corinthians 8:9

Dear Friends in Christ,

Karen and I praise God for His mercy and grace.  We also give thanks for safety during my many hours of travel, in Mexico and in the states.

Family News

David just recently has begun reciting the ABCs and can count from one to ten.  This is a big accomplishment for him and it brings us joy.  Mary Elizabeth received a superior rating in choir and in playing the violin, the flute, and the piano, at her end-of-year recital.  We praise God for this blessing on Mary's constancy in studying and practicing.  In the fall, she will begin her 6th grade studies as Karen continues home-schooling her.

This spring, Karen planted a vegetable garden.  However, a raccoon seems to be enjoying the "fruits of her labor."

Camp Directed by Pastor Isidro Ontiveros

Leon, Guanajuato

April 14 to 18, 2003

The theme "Cambiando el Rumbo de Nuestra Generacion" (Changing the Course of our Generation) was based on the first chapter of the book of Joshua.  Beginning in February, Pastor Ontiveros started looking for a ranch on which to hold camp.  Twice he praised God, believing he had found a suitable site, but due to lack of finances, he had not.

With less than two weeks before camp was to start, with a special offering from a lady in Tennessee, Pastor Ontiveros finally did secure a site.  It was two hours away from Leon in an area without an evangelical witness, past the town of Cueramaros and past the small village of Tres Vias (Three Roads).

Beginning April 7, the Bible School students began working long hours clearing the fields of cacti and mesquite trees.  Water and electricity were non-existent in the newly cleared campgrounds.  Driving from San Antonio, Texas and arriving in Leon on April 13, we were on time for the evening service at Iglesia Bautista Betel with Pastor Ontiveros.  The service began on time and gradually the building filled until there was standing-room only.  The building has been renovated and enlarged in order to house the budding Bible School.

The spirit in the evening service was animated and one could sense the excitement about the camp that was to start the next day.  After the service, some of the Bible School students piled into the bed of a pickup and headed to the campgrounds.  Many of the church members had already spent the weekend there.  On Monday morning, we watched as people arrived early: a few had suitcases, many brought their belongings in trash bags, and some wrapped their clothes in blankets or thin mattresses.  The young men loaded everything on top of the old bus in which they were to travel.  First, they placed the suitcases, next the boxes and some bags, and finally the mattresses.  Then everything was tied with rope.

When we arrived at the campsite, we were amazed to see many pup-tents and lean-tos.  There were blankets strung across ropes fastened between trees and anchored with rocks.  The bathrooms and showers fashioned out of cardboard and plastic sheets were rustic, yet, no one complained.  Since this was a family camp, children were everywhere and some babies were crying.  There was much rejoicing as people greeted each other.

Some families erected their tents close together in a circle and covered the center area with a tarp.  This area served as a kitchen as everyone was to do their own cooking.  Water was hauled for cooking and bathing and any other need.

Meals were provided only for the young people who were there without any family.  For them, dormitories (tarps held up with ropes strung from tree to tree) were set up in separate areas.  For some, only a piece of cardboard was between them and the hard ground.

Groups were formed of twelve young people and a counselor.  Each group had to stay together during Bible class, game time, and mealtime.  Morning and evening services were held.  Temperatures were pleasant, but the slightest wind produced clouds of dust.

Some twenty persons from the small village of Tres Vias came to the services out of curiosity.  Three families from the larger town, Cueramaros, also attended the evening services.  They all expressed wonder as to how so many people could be so happy without liquor or cigarettes.

The impact on the area was such that the town of Cueramaros, on their own initiative, sent a garbage truck, a welcomed gesture.  A water truck with twenty thousand gallons of water came twice daily.  The driver asked for only $200 pesos (approximately $20.00) a trip.  What a blessing!  Water was limited to one plastic bucketful daily per camper for bathing.  And, oh yes they were given a cup with which to pour the water on themselves.

Dozens of professions of faith were made throughout the week (no one kept count).  One young man who was living a life offensive to God, was converted.  A goat-herder, tending goats close to the playing fields, was led to the Lord by one of the Bible school students.  Many young people, and even some young couples with children, surrendered to full-time Christian service.  Approximately fifty persons plan to register for the fall semester at the Bible school.

Francisco Javier Ornelas (a.k.a. "Pancho"), a graduate student, had already felt called of the Lord to begin witnessing and holding services in Cueramaros, living in his car if need be.  Pray for his endeavors.

Since camp, the young people from Tres Vias have been calling the Bible school students wanting to continue meeting.  The students will begin going on weekends to witness and, hopefully, to start a mission.  At the end of the week, the people from the area thanked Pastor Ontiveros for holding the camp there.  They invited him to return next year.

The cost of the camp was $3,000 to set up and $3,000 for food.  This averaged to $6.00 per person.  Ten pastors and their churches attended.  Registered were 300 young people, 120 men, 150 women, and 180 children.  Many more people came on Thursday and Friday when stores and businesses closed for the remainder of the holy week.

Thank you for praying for the camp.  The Lord blessed mightily!  It is with praises to Him that I share this account with you.  Lord willing, we hope to attend again next year.

An heir of God through Christ,

Joel Silos, D.D.