^{Spanish Missions Bulletin}

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

September  2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

We praise God for the safety He provided when we traveled as a family to see friends and supporters, some of whom we had not seen in over ten years.  It was a blessing to fellowship with them, but also to make new friends.

Literature Ministry

Literature is provided to the native missionaries (whom we support) and to others who have a need.  While we were out of town, a call came from Brother Joel Olazaran of Brownsville, Texas, on the US/Mexico border.  Brother Olazaran received support when he began a new church; he now helps to export Bibles and literature.  He advised us that the supply was depleted and had requests for more.

At about the same time, through God's grace, a call came from one of our providers.  The Lord supplied over 2500 lbs of literature.  These consisted of 400,000 gospel tracts, 50 Bibles, several hundred New Testaments, and several hundred John and Roman booklets.

Vacation Bible Schools

The reports from different schools are great!  The attendance at one was 70 children daily and 50 were saved.  Brother Arguelles, Pisa Flores, Hidalgo, who lives at the peak of a mountain, reported 80 in attendance and 20 saved.  Brother Arguelles, assisted by Brother Martin Santos, Chapulhuacan, Hidalgo, held a youth camp with 150 in attendance and many made decisions to serve the Lord.  Teresita Hernandez, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, reported 60 in attendance and 15 saved.  Brother Isai Toledo, San Juan Del Rio, Queretaro, wrote that seven-year-old Marco Antonio and nine-year-old Adrian memorized more than 15 Bible verses each and won the grand prize of a Happy Meal from McDonald's!  Brother Toledo said the hamburgers lasted a few minutes, but the Word of God would last for the rest of their lives.

Pastors' Conference

There was disappointment among the pastors when they heard it will not be financially possible for us to hold the Pastors' conference this year in Leon, Guanajuato.  Some plan to attend a similar conference in nearby Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Nine churches being planted at this time

By the grace of God, nine new churches are being planted, some in cities, some in villages, and one in the mountains.  The work is not impeded in spite of economic difficulty, which is worse in Mexico.  The people learn to live with less and continue to evangelize.  One of the ways they raise money is by making and selling tamales and "pan dulce" (Mexican sweet bread).

Board of Directors' Meeting

Our annual Board of Directors' meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 7th at Canaan Baptist Church in Covington, Georgia.  Pastor Scott Caudill and the church family have graciously offered to host our meeting.

Family News

 Mary is taking some dual-credit college courses in this, her high school senior year.

David is being home-schooled this year.

Karen is actively looking for caretakers to work with David and his therapists.

Pray for me as I present the ministry in new churches with the purpose of raising support for the missionaries and for others asking for help. 

Below is a list of pastors serving in Mexico asking for help:

Pedro Saucedo RDG (Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua)

Juan Yepez R (Colonia Villas De San Juan Leon, Guanajuato

Genaro Acosta G (Colonia Paseo De La Joya Leon, Guanajuato

Lazaro Hernandez C (Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Ramon Jimenez (Zapopan, Jalisco)

Arturo Sotelo (Jiutepec, Morelos)

Ruben Hernandez C (Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas)

An heir of God in Christ,

Joel Silos, D.D.