^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

October 2006

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.              I John 1:7

Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you for praying and supporting this ministry.  The annual meeting of the Board of Directors is November 3, 2006 in Covington, Georgia.  Please join us in praying that everything said and done will be for the honor and glory of the Lord.

Last month we were able to visit Brother Julian del Angel Arguelles who ministers among the Huasteca indigenous in the mountains of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.  One of his supporting pastors, Brother Canerino Martinez of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, accompanied us.

The last ten miles of our trip over a mountain pass 2300 ft in altitude, took 2 1/2 hours due to a landslide and large boulders blocking our way.  It took five men to move one of the boulders so we could proceed.  Now we know why they use donkeys or horses!

At the top of the mountain, where the road ends, Brother Julian has started a church.  How we praise the Lord that there is now a gospel witness in that area for there are many people on the mountain who need the gospel.  It was a privilege to deliver Bibles, tracts, and hymn books.

Upon arrival, we learned that Brother Julian had gone to a village on the other side of the mountain to visit a new convert who was gravely ill.  In that area the closest phone service is in a community down the mountain so it was not possible to let him know of our visit.

Though it was late evening, Brother Julian's sisters prepared for us a delicious meal of soup and hand-made tortillas hot off the griddle.  Early the next morning word came that the sick man had died and Brother Julian was going to conduct the funeral.

It was amazing to see how a church building is being constructed on the side of the mountain!  Rock has to be hauled and most of the work is done by hand.

Besides the church, Brother Julian believes in camp ministries.  He and the men of the church have built two dormitories and cleared the land to have nice campgrounds.  They hold camps in the summer-time for men, women, and children.  Pastors and their congregations from nearby towns attend.

Please remember Brother Julian and his wife in prayer.  They have five children, among them a 15 year old daughter who has chronic health problems.

On our return trip we attended the Wednesday night service in Abasolo, Tamaulipas, with Brother Pablo Cerda.  The service was held in the yard next to his house and began while it was still day-light and continued after dark.  The head-lights of his truck provided some light.  About thirty people were present with great spirit and much enthusiasm.  We were glad to be there.

Urgent Prayer Request:

Pastor Isidro Ontiveros of Leon, Guanajuato, asks prayer for 7 year old Raquel who had a foot amputated six months ago due to bone cancer.  Raquel is the daughter of Pastor and Mrs Uvaldo Acosta.  The cancer has become aggressive and Pastor Acosta is asking specifically for prayer that, although he has turned the matter over to the Lord, he would not become bitter.

Pray for us.

Joel Silos, D.D.