Spanish Bibles

A couple of months ago, we told you about some friends of ours in Ensenada Mexico, who desired to reach out to their community and distribute Spanish/English Bibles. Several of you even surprised us with additional contributions to buy more Bibles! We have purchased and transported 50 down to Ensenada so far. The recipients have been blessed and have been intrigued to make further connection.

We were sad to pack up from the barn where Carol boarded her horse, and worked with so many others the last decade. But among other blessings, one of which includes another great private home/barn she now boards at, there were many discarded horse items from other boarders that were given to VOB, and donated to an awesome therapy ranch in Mexico that works with special needs children. The missionary nurse, (also a horse gal) at the ranch, was blessed to not only receive items they could use, but an abundance to trade with other nearby ranchers, for things they could use. We love making sure resources reach their intended destination! One thing I have learned…our friends south of the border are very resourceful!! There are just too many needs around the world, to let useable items go to waste.

Earlier this month Tony married his bride Danae. We have known Tony since he was small boy of 6 years old. He has served alongside of our team most of his life, always willing to work, and always smiling. He has only grown to be more kind, faithful, respectful and Godly. We were able to help Tony, and his now wife, complete their high school education with private school. And the plan is to get Tony enrolled in University as soon as he is ready.

We made yet another cross country drive from coast to coast. If you ever wondered, its 8 states, 2500 miles, 40ish hours of driving, stopping 3 nights on the road (we use to do it in 2 nights when we were younger) and oh so many things to experience. Even as many times as we have done it in the past 26 years living away, there really is a lot of beautiful creation to appreciate in our great country.

Our first order of business was to minister our nieces wedding, with Wayne’s family in North Carolina. It was beautiful and also amazing how perfect all the plans sorted out – even in the midst of unexpected Hurricane Nicole that downgraded to a tropical storm and came and went between rehearsal and wedding day for our outdoor wedding venue. Kaley and James, now the McNeils were blessed as were we to officiate their union in Christ. We quickly then had to drive on to Virginia (yes a ninth state) to help Carol’s mom return home from rehab after her hip replacement. We are praying full recovery from her recent falls. She has sure had a difficult year, one starting with her beloved husband going to heaven one year ago this month. We sure appreciate your ongoing prayers for Carol’s mom, and also for Carol’s continued pursuit of restored health. We hope to see a few of you back home if helping and being with our family over the holidays allows.

And thank you, as always, for supporting the mission of Worship and Compassion outreach. We hope to resume this mission at the first of the year and look forward to what God has for us to do in 2023.

Blessings, Wayne & Carol

Many of you may have been hearing about some recent violence in Tijuana, Mexico. For a decade or more, strife between the drug cartels and Mexican government has been rather quiet in TJ. Unfortunately, the reason behind that, is because the cartels were mostly in control. The recent stir is due to a greater presence of Mexican military, ordered by Mexico City, attempting to flush out corruption. Some recent arrests of high-level cartel leaders, have caused some of the retaliation of arsons and shootings, causing citizens of Tijuana to hunker down in their homes to remain safe. We have not been back across the border since this situation began, until we are assured it is under control and safe again. All of our colleagues, friends and families are safe. They report that the streets have been even eerily quiet. Very unusual in this densely populated city. These battles between cartel and government have continued strongly in other areas of Mexico over the years. It was only a matter of time before the shift to Tijuana, Mexico’s 2nd largest city and border-town, would also be challenged.

A local NPR article quoted “The drug cartels had flexed their power in Tijuana in a way not seen for more than a decade and reignited fear and debate over who is it that really wields influence in the country: the government or the gangs.” Read the full article at this link.

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/20/1118420516/mexico-cartel-drug-violence-tijuana-border

We had already been seeing more Mexican National Guard at customs, while declaring our trucks of food. This process has become a hassle once again, as a new administrator overseeing declarations is requiring different paperwork, and the usual red tape to acquire. Of course, both of these matters could use some prayer for our work in Tijuana to continue as it has been, for 15 straight years now. We continue to provide funds to our partners there for food, transport costs, and school sponsorships, as we administrate from this side of the border.

The last time we crossed the border, we took in cases of Spanish/English Bibles. A young couple we had been connected to through some hardship circumstances of their own, expressed a desire to reach out to the community where they live now, in Ensenada, Mexico. They desire to visit their neighbors, share their testimony in the Lord, but also wish to gift them with a Bible. They explained to me that they felt it was important to give a Bible that had both English and Spanish, as many they have met, desire to learn English. What better a way than to have them read Scripture, while studying a second language! We wanted to honor this important mission, and quickly purchased Bibles in bulk. I researched the best price as the dual language increases the average cost from $3 each to $10 each. If you would like to sponsor the purchase of more Bibles let us know. Perhaps you could even send a little encouraging message that we can translate and deliver, with the Bible. It is always a blessing to have a personal touch from someone they may never meet. And I assure you, that you, too will be blessed.

Also this past month we joined some friends, and remembered the late Keith Green who, 40 years ago, went to heaven with his 2 small children in a devastating plane crash. If you do not know about Keith & Melody Green, please enrich yourself with a quick google of their names. Decades of ministering to the lost through their ministry, Last Days Ministries, which we serve as board members. Melody has become a very special friend of ours the past 17 years. She has long continued to carry the torch they first started 46 years ago, for the poor, the lost, and the Body of Christ. A special remembrance service was held, where fans from all over the world either joined in person, or live stream, as we worshiped, shared stories, testimonies and the challenge for continuing to win the lost.

Wayne moderated the live stream chat as 700 others joined in, sharing their own stories of how LDM had introduced Jesus to them, and how they are serving the Lord now. It was a real honor to hear testimony after testimony. The Lord is faithful!

We appreciate your continued prayers for our health and our families’ health, as challenges continue. Also Carol is traveling to South Dakota September 29 – October 3 for a worship and prayer initiative on Sisseton-Wahpeton Reservation. Stay tuned for that trips report. Love Wayne & Carol