^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

October 2004

"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.   I Corinthians 15:23

Dear Friends in Christ,

My family and I traveled on deputation the months of June, July, and August.  We praise God for the safety He provided.

We began our travels with a family reunion at my brother's home outside of Wilmington, North Carolina.  From there, we headed to the eastern states.  The Lord prepared the way and we presented the ministry in new churches.  It was a blessing also to visit churches and friends who have supported us faithfully through the years.

In Pennsylvania, we attended the wedding of Kim Martin was was the flower-girl in our wedding fifteen years ago.  Mary Elizabeth played the violin at the reception.

Professions of Faith

During our fiscal year, September, 2003 to August, 2004, the native missionaries reported 1,598 professions of faith and 90 baptisms.  They conducted 1,164 services and 1,336 Bible studies.  Praise the Lord!

"El Evangelista" Bible School, Leon, Guanajuato

Classes have resumed with an enrollment of 12 students.  The cost of operating the school is from $300.00 to $400.00 a week. 

Among the students are:

Three young ladies

One single mother with a two-year-old daughter who has spinal problems      and cannot walk

A married man with ten children who has even sold his bicycle (his mode of transportation) to pay some bills.  He is a Sunday School teacher and is a bus route captain

An engineer and his wife who have two children

Another couple with three children and a baby on the way

Single young men

The students have one goal in mind: to prepare to serve the Lord full-time.  Pray that they will reach their goal.

Board of Directors

We Gratefully wish to acknowledge the many years Pastor Merrill H. Coram of Thomasville, Georgia served as a Board member.  He has resigned due to health problems.  Brother Coram always was faithful in praying and supporting Spanish Baptist Missions.  Please pray for him and his wife.

Our annual meeting is scheduled for November 5th 2004 at Canaan Baptist Church in Covington, Georgia.  Pastor Scott Caudill will be hosting our meeting and the ladies of the church will be providing a meal.  We covet your prayers for this meeting.

More Missionary News

New Candidates

Two young couples, Bible School graduates, have applied for monthly support.  Rogelio and Yessica, who have a seven-year-old daughter, are laboring in Balanca in the state of Tabasco.  Pablo and Carolina Cerda labor in Abasolo, in the state of Tamaulipas.  They have two daughters, five and three years old.

Please pray that the men will find a job to provide for their families' needs.  To their knowledge, they are the only fundamental Baptists in the areas, however, there are many false sects.  Please uphold these two couples in prayer, that the Lord would supply $150.00 monthly support for each.

Annual Camp

Please pray for Pastor Isidro Ontiveros, Iglesia Bautista Be-tel.  Their annual camp is held the week before Easter.  Every year, close to 1,000 attend.  The cost is $13.00 for the week which includes three meals daily.  Most of the people are unable to pay, so the church has to raise money to cover the costs.  Pictures of this year's camp can be viewed on our website.

Felipe Urquieta Colonia San Felipe De Jesus Leon, Guanajuato

The church sold the original building and bought a larger property in order to expand due to rapid growth.  The men have built block walls and the services are held under tarps and plastic sheets which rain and wind have torn.  The Sunday school classes meet in whatever shade is available.  The church suffers persecution from the surrounding neighbors who disrupt the services in different ways and during the week they steal the building materials.  Please keep Brother Felipe and the church in prayer as they reach many more people with the gospel.  Also, please pray for Brother Felipe's wife, Blanca, and their four children.

Family News "Silos Family Prayer letter"

From Karen Silos:

Words cannot express our gratitude for you who prayed and supported our family and thereby enabled us to attend the special-needs camp.  Two weeks before the designated date, David came down with a stomach virus.  On the first day of camp, David was doing well and I shed tears of joy.

At camp, our two volunteers were Steve and Kathy Redington.  They did a great job with David from 7:45 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. (with a two-hour break during the day).  Joel and I had a great time going to worship and special-talk groups.  Mary and David were in their age group.  They were busy with Bible studies, games, singing, climbing, swimming, paddle boats, and much more!  We were together for meals and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with others who are facing similar challenges.  Thank you for all your help.  We wish you could have been with us.  God is so good!

On September 21, 2004 David started public school and loves it.  He has a great teacher and three para-professionals.  Please keep them in your prayers as they teach David and potty-train him.  We have yet to get him to ride the school bus. 

Mary Elizabeth turns 13 in December.  Please continue to keep Joel and me in your prayers as we parent her and David.