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October, 2006

Dear Helping Hands,

School has started, Praise God! 45 kids are a lot under feet. They are always hungry and they are never full. We now have 11 or 12 in secondaria. We have also had a blessing, 10 to 12 years ago they built a school building for the secondaria, but it was never used. So we have wanted it opened for several years, it is now open. Electricity has to be run and water. All those years of dirt cleaned up and the brush cleaned up. The teacher that brought this about is a good man and understands our position and what we are trying to accomplish. We have known him and his work for several years and believe he will do a good job with our kids. This is an answer to prayer for we were unable to home school 45 kids which was a serious consideration with all the problems we had at the end of school in June. Getting the kids ready and into school is expensive and we are down to our last 400 pesos for school supplies. Yes, before I could send this letter God took care of our school supply money. Our Friends in Kansas and a new group from Michigan.

Mi Leatha is in the states with our daughter Jennifer visiting our other kids and her leg is getting better and she looks rested. I visited in Tennessee with them and our oldest daughter early in August. Leatha had an appointment with Dr. Roberts in August and then she will return to San Antonio with our Son. I am in Mexico overseeing the home and getting in the way. Alejandro is growing in The Lord and is learning to operate the home. He is doing a good job at running the home and handling situations as they come up. He does much better than I when it comes to working with the teachers and discussing problems the kids have. God looked all over Mexico and decided that the best people for Betania Casa Hogar were Alejandro, Juanita, Fernando and Milly. If not He would have sent someone else. So I thank God for them. And there is much joy in my heart at the thought of what God has done here in Mexico in spite of me. Milly and Fernando followed the Lord in Baptism Sunday night.

These are good at the present time. I was told that some were having problems getting hold of me. Keep trying reliability is not very good here in Mexico. I sometimes have to connect to the internet several times just to down load one file.

Lupita was just seven when we opened the home and now she is a young lady. We had her quinsy (15 years) September the 9th and all you could see was red. Lupita’s last two names are Rojas Meza which literally translated means red table, so everything was red, bright red. Lupita’s dress was red her shoes were black , we could not find red to match her dress. Ms Juanita and Milly made the table decorations and the kids decorated the home and Fernando blew up about 150 ballons and we celebrated her birthday Mexican style. Over 150 people came to the home, Bro Oziel came from Freznillo and we had a birthday service instead of drinking and dancing, preaching and praying, which surprised a few of our guests but they stuck it out and several were saved. We counted over 10 and then decided God was doing the saving so we would just let Him keep count also. We bought two sheep had them dressed, the butcher cut them up and we made birria (beerea) a special meat dish here in Mexico, beans and tortillas.

Last Wednesday night we baptized 20 and Bro Hooks came and borrowed the baptistery and said he needed it for 3 weeks. Bro Steve showed up and wanted to borrow the baptistery and we had to tell him first come first served. For those of you who don’t know, we had a metal baptistery made a few years ago and we loan it out to sister Churches to use. It is used regularly.

Bro Bob
I Corinthians 15:58

And here is the Mexican again, we been so busy here at the home, kids are being growing lots and they been doing good at school, well there is so many things to say about how God has been blessed this place, first of all we get a new washing machine, a church in texas paid for it and we are glad for not to wash clothes by hand it is not really that we don’t like it but when you have 46 kids it get heavy, so thanks God for you that makes this possible. A Church from Michigan came down to Fresnillo with brother Jeremy and His wife to brother Oziel church and I went to translate for their pastor there it was a blessing to be there and help they also came to he Childrens home and brought some candie and shirts for the kids, this same church sent some help to buy school supplies for the kids, we also thank God for them then in September we had Lupita’s 15 years at the home and brother Oziel preached the Gospel and that night we had about 12 people saved, that was a blessing, it also some of our kids made decision concerning being baptized and the next week 20 went to the water, including my own kids, so now all my own children are baptized. Well the church it ready to visit people at the villages around here and pass out some tracks and invite people to church starting next 15 of October. We like to tell you all that help us to make these kids happy with your support and prayers, and to know we are so thankful for you and to God for letting you share your blessings with he kids.

We love you all.

In Christ
Hermano. Alejandro Juanita and Kids
Phil. 1:3-4

July 2006

Dear Helping Hands,

Whew! Time seems to pass so quickly. Our population at Casa Hogar stands at 51. Praise the Lord. We have 30 boys and 15 girls and six adults, Brian is two, his sister is three and then older siblings and moma is in Chicago. Yasmin and her sister Cynthia, Armando brother to Alejandro Padilla, Daniella, Carlos, Jorge…and it is hard for an old man to remember all their names. It is hard but we are having to turn down receiving any more boys. Some try to put pressure on us, “If you won’t take the boys you can’t have the girls”, that’s OK we don’t want to break up the family.

Bro Fernando and Milly are doing very well, they love it here. Fernando won’t throw anything away not even an empty cardboard box. He finds some place that will buy, sell or trade something for it. Both of them are good at helping the kids with their home work. Both Alejandro and Fernando play soccer and baseball with the kids. Our kids won first place in soccer and will now play in the regional’s. We were at a school function the teacher called me over and ask if I would have prayer with our school before they competed. I did but not too many understand English, but God does.

Mi Leatha is headed towards Lisa’s, our Oldest daughter’s for some much needed rest. Her leg is not doing well at all. She is going through San Antonio, then San Marcos visiting a couple of our other kids and then on to Knoxville. The last of July, Jennifer will make a trip back from Japan and we will have a get together somewhere in the good old US of A. Jennifer wants Leatha to return to Japan with her.

It will be July before school is out. Our kids have done well this year, a couple will not pass, but that is good considering that they have not attended school on a regular basis ever before in their life. We go to bed and get up at a regular time, we eat on time and we try to maintain an order in our life at Casa Hogar. That is quite an adjustment for many Mexican kids. Another adjustment is learning to eat real food. Most of their meals consisted of chips w/salsa, hot dogs no bun, pop and once in a while some sweet bread and Oh Ya, tortillas. Their bodies struggle to handle pancakes and eggs, biscuits and gravy, chicken soup, even the good Mexican dishes pasole, burritos give them problems.

OK let’s memorize Psalms One this month, “the whole thing?” yes it’s not hard. So I started to quote Ps 1, got through 3 and could not remember 4 let alone 5 & 6. Uh Oh, I’m in trouble now, the pressure is on. If I can’t do it how can I expect them to do it? Ksaundra, help me out! Ksaundra to the rescue. She quoted 4, 5, 6, in Spanish. We had memorized Psalms One 2 or 3 years ago and she had remembered. Then I realized I had quoted in English, she finished in Spanish and did not have to go back and start at verse one. Just so you will know, Ksaundra was three when we got her and she just turned 11 my how time flies when you are having fun.

Those that were knocked into the ditch are fine. Toñio is fine and has no effects from his jump and fall. Jorge is doing well, taking his medicine which gives him a fat face. The medicine that Marie Louisa is taking is handling her seizures. She has stopped openly fighting us and God has now sent her brothers and sisters here. God has answered her prayers. Ernesto was baptized and is considering a call to the ministry. The new ones some are getting saved and adjusting to a new life. Can you imagine how strange it must be to leave and environment almost totally void of God and without order and to be thrust into one where God is honored, talked about, sung about, prayed to and is an integral part of life. Where people love you and hug you. Where you eat regular and life is lived in an orderly fashion. You go to church, study the Bible every day and even memorize The Word of God. The possibilities are great and you all are a part of making it possible. Thank You. Sorry for the lateness of this letter.

I Corinthians 15:58
Bro Bob

July 2006

Dear Brethren and Helpers,

I am so thankful to the Lord for every thing He has been done to us this last month, First thing I have to say is that Bro. Shawn and Rod Hobson and a group from Snook TX. Came down and help us to put stools shower, sinks and urinary at the church and the ladies that came with them made curtains for the children’s home, It looks good and we enjoy by spending time with people that love our kids as God does.

A week later brother Doug Evans and his family with some ladies at their church came to spent time with our kids and help us to fix the upper control of our red truck which we use to get groceries for the home. That same week we get Two Girls from Aguascalientes, Jazmin and her sister Cinthia. Their mother brought them and by that time we had 38 children. Just a few weeks ago we get Maria Luisa’s brothers and sisters. After two years she is been praying for them. Now we are 45 Total.

They are doing fine, all of them, adjusting to the home and our rules and schedule and everything. They already in school, but the little one named Bryan, he is really something he calls Juanita Tia (Aunt) and Bro. Fernando Tia (uncle). Brother Bob (he don’t really have a name for him) and Sister Emilia Tia also. But he calls me Barney. I don’t know where he get that name for me but he calls me that way all the time. They came eating seconds and sometime thrice. You know when all your little life you had nothing but cheetos and coke is a kind of strange to see a plate fill with real food and not have that many. They are doing well and we all are getting ready for festival what finish school year. God has been good to us, providing every thing we need, but the most important thing he gave us every day is His word.

Last week I was talking to one of the teachers at school about their teaching and learning system, that they just change, and we had a little argument about how important is memorization of their numbers and multiplication. And she said for them is not good to memorize until they need to solve a problem in the right time it comes. And then she said is too hard to teach to those kids that had problems in their lives and different abuses, so in the point I start to get mad. I call little Antonio (one of our little kids) and told him show her how hard is to memorize a whole chapter in the Bible, so he cuote Psalm 1 from verse one to six. And as he was getting close to finish I started to see her mouth so open, and so I told her, that’s how important is memorization in their lives, and by the way, he is not even in school yet.

We really are thankful to the Lord to let us see how he does things through the kids. She is been witness by the kids about the Lord. I am so happy and thankful for all of you that support us and help us to make our work with them and the church. We are ready to go back to work at the church in this next summer. Please pray so that God will give us the guidance and strength to keep building. We all want you to know that we love you and have you in our prayers. Thanks again and God bless you all. In Christ.

Brother Alejandro and Juanita
Brother Fer and Emilia
And 45 happy Kids.

I Cor. 1:3-4.

July 29, 2004

Dear Helping Hands,

Well I’m going to try to bring you up to date. We have been running pretty hard for several months. We have had problems with the e-mail for 6 months. Two internet providers have quit the business. Now we have to use Prodigy. They struck a deal with Telmex. So just maybe this will solve this problem. habmex@prodigy.net.mx

Alejandro spent some time obtaining his visa and passport and spent several dollars. We went to the Preachers Conference in Conway. He got to see the USA and meet preachers, enjoy our roads and learn.

Fast and furious, slow and relaxing we go. Hurry up and wait. This school year is over. It has been a good one. We have two graduating out of 6th grade and they are ready to go into secondary. Alex and Fabiola. Alex just turned 13 and Faby has been 15 since November. This bothers her, but she did not go to school until she came to the home. So she has worked hard to do 6 years in 4. They both realize the need for an education and want to attend an open secondary school. This means that they can progress more in less time.

The others have done well, but we have a couple of boys that try the patience of many people: Ms Leatha, the Maestro, Sunday School teacher, Ms Ginny, Juanita and Alejandro. I just sit and ask, “God how can so many boys be the same and yet they are all so different?” His answer…Ain’t Heaven gonna be great when y’all git here? (Some of you may not know it but I serve a southern God, check it out. The Bible says God came from the south.) OK you Theologs, it says God came from Teman. Teman means from the south.

We have 3 kids that are just slow and will probably take them several years just to complete the 6th grade. Kids are all the same. These just happen to speak Spanish and English. They gave up on me ever learning Spanish and out of pity learned English so I will have some one to talk to.

Alejandro and Juanita are doing fine. We broke them in early. We spent 3 months getting Alejandro his papers to go into the United States. We went to the Bible Conference in Conway the end of April.

I Corinthians 15:58

Bro Bob, Ms Leatha, Alejandro, Juanita and kids

June 29, 2004

Dear Helping Hands,

I guess I’m in a reflective mood; we just put the kids to bed. And after a few of Leatha’s lethal threats the boys have gone off to sleep. The girls were praying as we kissed them good night. Off to bed for us, we have so much to be thankful for. Our kids are not rebellious nor are they hard to control … they are thankful and helpful and loving.

I stepped in the back door a few days ago and memories flooded my soul. There were four tables full of kids … eating and talking, a family, a rather large family, but a family. I remember one table with all of us, no floor, no lights, no paint, no bars on the windows, no screens, plenty of water when it rained, mostly running down the walls and on the floor.

Now there are four tables full of kids and they can empty the table of food in less than five minutes. The old song says, ”show me where you brought me from (applies here) and where I could have been.” “Remind Me.” I stand amazed, what God is doing. Thank You, you have a part. Where would these kids be if it were not for God’s love and your care?

The mission we have started in the home is doing well we have had a high day of 60. Several have been saved, but having it in the home, it just doesn’t seem like Church to the kids and us sometimes. Alejandro teaches on Sunday morning. I preach on Sunday nights. The kids sing, we have testimonies, the Benedicts sing and Brother Steve has taken over the visiting and they come in with a van full every service.

Update on the Library: We have purchased some books on creation in Spanish. It is very hard to find good material in Spanish. But ICR has translated some of their very good material into Spanish and we purchased 9 or 10 books. Dr. Henry Morris, who founded ICR, always used the KJV and for over twenty-five years I have read his material.

Uh Oh! Time to go to the dentist. Now this is usually not a problem but given the fact that we have 30, this can take months. Some need 4 or 5 visits and some need only one. And you can take 2 or 3 at a time each week. This figures out to around 8 months to get them all to the dentist. So we start out with our newest ones, they need it the most. Gaby 6, Chulito 4 and Faby goes along for control and translation.

Into the office, Gaby runs and gets in the chair and says me first. She has a jaw tooth that is almost rotted away. A couple of shots and the dentist digs out the roots, it takes almost an hour. Gaby makes no complaints. Chulitos turn in the chair, one pulled not as bad, no complaining. We have now made three trips, two more to go for Gaby. On the first trip as we finish, Chulito pulls out all his money, 2 or 3 pesos and pays the dentist. Second trip Gaby looks up at me and says, “Are you going to pay him?” The dentist replies, “Father God has already paid the bill.” Thank God for people that care for little kids and want to do something.

We are almost at the end of another school year? Why, as I get older do things go faster? Yesterday was Christmas and then we jumped to June. I suppose one of these days I will turn up old. Say, do you remember in school how the teacher would have a favorite and we called them teacher’s pets? Well I believe we are God’s pets. He has done so much for us and we still see Him provide.

Now I know He uses people like you to do His work, but He puts it on your heart and without you we would be in trouble. We never want to take for granted the regular support, for it provides our daily bread. But then God orchestrates the sending of the other things. The peanut butter, chocolate chips, canned peaches, kidney beans etc. These things find there way here when groups come.

Bro Doug Evans brought some people from his Church and a Spanish Class that his wife Melissa teaches. These kids did a fund-raiser before they came. Bro. Mike, their supervisor, said it was the best they have ever done and it must have been, for they not only paid for their trip, they took our kids to town and bought them each a pair of tennis shoes and outfits. Thank you very much. And from this group, two have surrendered to go to the mission field. Bro. Doug preached in Spanish and we had several saved.

Then they came back with just his Church and the men did some work on the pickup and the van. New water pump and front oil seal. In January, when I was at their Church, I told them I needed a guitar. Bro. Doug offered his, but before he could get it, Bro Jeff gave me his Yamaha. Within just a few weeks, they both received new guitars. While they were here they got to listen as Gonzalo played for the services. Also, Alejandro has taught himself to play the guitar. Brittany, one of the teenage girls and daughter of Jeff, took her savings and bought 10 mattresses for the home.

I must tell you of one of the ladies that also came with Bro. Doug. She is Bro. Jeff’s wife and Brittany’s mother. Juan, one of our twins, saw her struggle with her crutches and said, “It would be good if you could have a chair with wheels and then we could push you around and show you the home.” Well they got her wheel chair out of the van and Juan pushed her around the home for the next few days, out in the field across the rocks, nothing stopped them from where they wanted to go. Friendships are not age restricted here. But I told you that to tell you this, the lady had an electric wheel chair, one of the real nice ones, but a missionary needed a chair, so she gave him hers.

In just a few days a group from Bedias will be here to put up a shed and spend some time with us. In July a group from Crystal Hill in Little Rock will be here to work on the sewer and do some painting. Bro. Eddie will take time from his busy schedule to come again in a few weeks. We are looking at property so we can have a place to have Church. We will have our second Youth Camp in August. And then school starts again.

Leatha and I made a trip the first of June to our Granddaughter’s wedding. It was a long trip and tiring but enjoyable. Chuck, our oldest grandson has graduated from Heartland and will be going to work in God’s service. Wayne our second son has retired and is now a professor at a college is San Antonio. Lisa’s husband, Randy, is now singing with the Blackwood Brothers. Tracy’s kids are growing up and the oldest, Jared, is getting married. Jennifer’s husband, Doug, just returned from a tour in Iraq and went back to work with the Air Guard. They are expecting our 15th grandbaby. It was only a couple of years ago we all were having a water fight in the back yard. If it was not for the fact of Eternity together, we might consider time to be a bitter enemy.

By now you are tired of reading, so thanks again, may God bless you all.

I Corinthians 15:58

Bro. Bob, Mi Leatha, & 30 kids
Hno. Alejandro, Sna. Juanita
Bro. Steve, Ms. Amber

March 12, 2004

Dear Helping Hands,

Again, muchas gracias are in order. I want you to know things are going very well. Many things are happening, so I will tell you of some of them. Our kids took tests. We are in the process of starting a mission here in Los Rios. We may have a solution to our overflow problem on the sewer. I have a new truck. My health is good. People have been here and people are coming. I had a wreck. Some of the parents have visited. Another Missionary is dropping by at times. We are planning our 2nd youth camp.

I want you to know we have some very smart kids and this is not just a proud parent speaking. I attribute this first of all to God and his blessing upon our kids. Second, to the memorizing of scripture. This puts you in charge of your mind instead of allowing your mind to be lazy. The benefits are then spiritual and in every day life. Third, we have a good breakfast every morning. This prepares their mind for learning. Fourth, it helps to leave the home with a good, happy attitude in the mornings. The Maestro says we have some champions. If this is so, to God be the glory, and to those of you who have invested in the future of some pretty rough kids, known as street kids, abused, on drugs, and mean, but most of all loved by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have a few kids placed with us by the DIF (Mexico’s DHS). Berenice’s dad wants her back with the family. She wants to stay with us and we want her. He has a bad reputation. Known to have threatened his aunt with a pistol. Plays in a roving band in the local cantinas in Zacatecas. We had our first meeting in over a year at the DIF headquarters. They made arrangements for the police to be standing by. He looked at me like “gringo I can pull my knife and cut your throat.” He had the knife in his belt on his right hip. The meeting lasted for two hours. They finally convinced him that they were in charge and he could do nothing. Berenice stood her ground. She was staying with us. We resolved the issue giving him visiting rights.

Berenice, bless her heart, stood up and said, “Dad, I am a Christiano and that she wanted him to be saved.” The room was in awe; they did not know what to say. The DIF declared they were neutral. There is freedom of religion in Mexico. Daddy declared he was Catholico. We headed for a visit to the Casa Hogar. Daddy had not seen where she lived. He saw the place, walked with his family to the lake, talked to Alejandro and took a handful of material on how to become a Christian. When he left, he shook my hand, gave me a hug and called me amigo with tears in his eyes. God softens hearts, changes lives, because a little girl prays for her father and family every night. Please join her in prayer that her family will get saved.

We are planning for our 2nd annual youth meeting in August. We had 100 last year. We counted everyone including the burra and the dog. Our theme will be: ”Following Jesus - Staying Right With God.”

Now if I can just do this myself, I can write it down and tell others. We have a couple of more churches to invite this year plus the others, so we should have a good camp.

O yeah, I had a wreck. Ksaundra, Gaby and I headed to town for water. A farmer parked on the right hand side of the road, opened the gate to his field, and had gotten back into his truck. I came around the curve, did not see him in his truck and as I passed he turned left from the roadside and knocked us into the ditch. And as always, God’s timing is perfect. The place where he hit us allowed us to go straight into a 6-foot ditch without turning over. Messed up the steering and tore up the fender, grill, headlight and bumper. First accident in Mexico in over 5 years. Maybe that is a record. No one hurt.

Several of you have seen to some of our special needs. Brother Osborn, Pastor of Victory Baptist sent us $500.00 for library needs. We have at this time purchased two encyclopedias, math flash cards, word flash cards and alphabet cards. We have Aesop’s fables in Spanish, Tom Sawyer and Little Women. We are looking for other good books to put in our library. Bro. Eddie wrote Library Fund? I didn’t know we had a library fund. We do now!

When the group came down for the Bible Conference in Freznillo, several gave us money for the kids. Silver Valley in Harrison, Arkansas sent Ms. Stromlund with $500.00 for us to spend on the kids and the home. Away to town we went. Mi Leatha and Ms Juanita, spent and spent and spent. A package of new socks and new underwear for each of 21 boys. A package of new socks, underwear and other articles for each of the 8 girls. Sweaters alike for the 4 older girls. Sweaters alike for the 4 younger girls. New light jackets for each of the younger girls. Wow they look good. The boys did not want to model their new things. We also bought a kitchen cart, 5 dozen glasses and some kitchen utensils. Yep, you know it, money is all gone. Time for you ladies to go home, fun time is over, back to work.

Back to see the doctors in January. Good report. They said if you get close to Conway come and see us, otherwise you are free to go. Thank God and I’m glad that “came to pass”. Bro. Doug Evans, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist, ask me to come and speak there after my doctor’s appointments. On Saturday nights they had a prayer meeting and asked me what we needed. I told them we did not need anything. They said, “No what do you need?” I said, “Nothing.” “I can use several things, but there is nothing I need.” The discussion proceeded to my pickup. It had 275,000 miles on it. The overhaul job did not do well. The wreck had not yet happened. The prayer meeting progressed. They prayed, “God give Brother Bob a truck, not just any truck, but one he wants.” Then they backed that up with a check to use as I choose.

Leatha and I looked at a lot of pickups and SUV’s. I tried to buy one but was turned down. Bro. Eddie said the place to buy was in San Antonio. That was where I was going anyway. I researched on the Internet for SUV’s, The best one for the money was a Mazda. World Car Mazda gave me $800.00 off for being an old man. I told him I was married to an old woman. (I will still pay for that one at home) He did not give me $800 for her. They sold it to me for $500.00 less than I thought. The payments are the same as Ms Leatha’s Social Security. They took the down payment and I have a new SUV.

We nationalized the Mazda pickup so it does not need to be brought to the border anymore. It will stay at the home and be used to gather groceries. By the way Alejandro fixed the fender, etc. painted it and it looks good. The front-end shop replaced most of the bent parts and we are doing fine. It took me three days to get the paper work and all the things necessary to bring the new one to Mexico, but God blessed and we are here.

The Benedict family, recent missionaries to Jerez, have expressed a desire to just be a blessing to the Home. They have been. We had been having trouble with a hot water heater and had replaced several parts but nothing seemed to work. Bro. Benedict and his father came and fixed it. For several years we have had problems with the septic tank and have tried several times and several different ways to fix it. Bro Benedict said, “when my father gets here I will ask him, he’s smart on things like this.” I thought, OK, everyone’s dad is smart, but it is nice that he thinks about his dad that way. Hey, his dad came up with a way to fix it. He is smart. The Benedict’s have 7 kids. They go to the park and play soccer, then witness to the people there. They have been feeding several Mexican kids at mealtime and pass out tracts and food, just to help and reach them for Christ. I like and appreciate people that just want to be a blessing and to be a help to others.

Yes, we have started a mission. We meet at the children’s home. We talked to the kids and they liked the idea of starting a new work. We discussed with them that God blesses churches that are involved in missions. It was time for their allowance. We give them 25 pesos a month. It is very little money, but is a great tool. At the time of the discussion, they had not yet received their monthly allowance. We did not want them to feel obligated or to have money at the time of our discussion. So they decided that we should have a missionary and support him with 500 pesos a month. We sent our first check to Bro. David Abbott this month.

We are talking to a man in California about a piece of land. It is 168 ft. long and 83 feet wide and has some useable buildings on it for $8,500.00 dollars. On Monday afternoon we gave them their allowance and they got together and decided to give money for the missionary out of their allowance. They all put in 5 pesos, some more and a few less. Now I have no idea how God will handle this but I was proud of them for making a step by faith, because they do not really have a way to support a missionary.

We have good attendance and faithful people at our services. We average over 30 and had a high day of 49. You say but they have to come! Yes, but very few would if they were not here. So again you have had a part. We need your prayers about property.

Well this turned into a long letter, but it was necessary to get in everything I needed to tell you. Thanks again for your support.

I Corinthians 15:58

Bro. Bob, Me Leatha, Alejandro, Juanita, 21 niños, 8 niñas, a dog and one burra.

January 2004

Christmas was early, Christmas was on time and Christmas was late. We had Christmas early with the group from Bedias Baptist and lo and behold we have a new sofa and futon to sit on instead of hard old plastic chairs. The stockings were full with candy and money for each of the kids. Then we had Christmas on time, we read the Christmas Story, discussed the meaning of Christmas, had prayer then each one of the kids delivered a present to one of the other kids and we had one of the most enjoyable Christmases we have had here. After Christmas the group with Hands Across The Border came in and we had Christmas late.

These kids are now spoiled and think this is the way Christmas should be every year. To all of you who had a part, Thank You very much. You really did make this a great Christmas. Several sent and some of you left extra money, there are always extra expenses at Christmas. Your thoughtfulness in taking care of our needs is greatly appreciated. You made this Christmas so it will not be a burden after the New Year!

We are in the process of starting a mission in La Gavia. I say in the process because we talked to the man that owned what we thought would be a very good place to start a mission. He agreed to rent us the building. Plans were made and we showed the building to every one that came. I gave him two months rent, shook hands and we talked about making improvements at our expense to his building, and then we left. I mentioned to Alejandro that I hoped that no one talked him out of this. Alejandro said, “No”, why would they and why would he listen. Yet a week later in drove a pickup with a bunch of kids inside, bringing back our money and said the man had to go back to the states and couldn’t rent us the building. My thoughts, liar, God curse the place, then I came to myself, God change his mind and don’t let him sleep till he does. Now that I got that out of the way, God you know what we need and we will wait on You, but sometimes it is hard not to be angry.

Our kids made a very good showing at the track meet. Alex, 1st place on long run (12,000 meters, I think maybe 1200). Gonzalo, 8,000 or 800, 1st place. We have three that will participate in a Chess tournament. La Gavia won first place in soccer and Fabiola was the star. The last game and the other teams best player decided to pick on Fabiola and those of you who have been here know how tiny she is. The girl got mad and hit her in the mouth and she was bleeding, she got a napkin and continued to play. The girl kicked her and she limped the rest of the game. I told her play the game you can hurt tomorrow, she did. They won two to nothing. Fabiola has a good testimony at school and the teacher explained to the other kids and some of the parents that in Mexico they have freedom of religion so it’s OK for people to believe as they choose. He has also shown an interest to her in what we believe. Fabiola’s first grades in secondaria were all 10’s and one 9. The 9 was in Spanish, she got a 10 in English.

The last few days of October I started having some chest pain. Rather than give into it I walked it off, but it kept coming back and got somewhat severe. I knew what it was and really thought maybe God was going to allow me to go home. Ms. Leatha and Alejandro did not think it was time because I was still needed at the home. So they called Dr. Unzicker, he has the children’s home in Aguascalientes. He came and drove us to San Antonio.

Our son drove us to Conway where I had an appointment with Dr. Roberts the next afternoon. Dr. Roberts put me in the Hospital, had Dr. Steely run a test and scheduled heart surgery for Monday. Sometime in the past few months I had had a heart attack and the backside of my heart was damaged. I do not remember a time of having severe pain, but we really don’t have time for those things, they interrupt the schedule. Monday Dr. Chauvin operated and did three bypasses. Now, except for the annoying pain in my chest, I actually enjoyed the time in the hospital. I had a team working on my behalf and I was part of that team.

Thursday morning, the Doctor decided I could leave the hospital and I shuffled out the door slowly. Two weeks till the next appointment, We miss the kids. When can we go back? Slowly I eased into a walking schedule and was up to one mile every other day. Finally two weeks are up, back to Dr. Roberts, I’m ready to plead my case. The Doctors had indicated it would be several weeks maybe months before even thinking about going back to Mexico.

Sometimes I think Doctors enjoy pulling out the staples. But men don’t cry, not even when they put their foot on your chest to get good leverage on that last staple. Just kidding Doc! I said, “Dr. Roberts, I would like to spend Thanksgiving with my son in San Antonio and then go back into Mexico the first week of December.” Dr. Roberts said, “I think that will be OK, I will talk to Dr. Chauvin.” We go to see Dr. Chauvin this afternoon. A few last minute instructions on medicine with Dr. Chauvin and we are out, on our way to San Antonio, so happy we didn’t even say our goodbye’s. Now folks that had to be God’s doing, not to take away from the Doctors, I mentioned the team; well God was on my team also.

The turkey was exceptionally good this year, with some of the family and the day was enjoyable. Thank you God for Thanksgiving. I hope the kids are doing well. Just a few more days and we will be able to go back. Now I will tell you that it is not the best thing in the world to travel long distance after heart surgery, traveling vibrates the heart and it is still upset from being disturbed. Oh yes, in the middle of all this Leatha and I had a wedding anniversary, our 44th. Wasn’t much of an anniversary for her, but we have each other. I usually do more teasing than praise, but the Bible says a good wife is from the Lord and it is so.

I leave for a Doctors appointment in Conway in January and will mail this letter in the States, Part of the deal in coming back to Mexico so soon was that I make my January appointment. My, but it was good to get back home we all missed each other. Sometimes it is difficult being torn between two families and between two countries. God understands and makes the difference.

Lost one and gained two. Emamuel, folks came and took him home. He was much better here, but his parents had told him they would not leave him with us for long. He was to be with us till he was 18, but the parents said otherwise. So the boy never settled it that this was his home and never made the change. But God sent us two more. Gaby is 5 and she is a sweetheart and loves the home, we have warm water for our showers. She has her own bed; you can have seconds if you are hungry. In less than a week her little arms go out for a hug, you see she found out hugs are great to get and great to give. Chuy (Chewy) her brother is 3½. Mi Leatha put him to bed, gave him a kiss and told him she loved him. He said, “no you don’t, you make me take showers.” Big eyes big smile and all boy, he got his first spanking in two days, and his mouth washed out with soap on the third day. Has learned in less than a week, “no” is not in his vocabulary of English. God is Great and God is Good, always has been, always will be.

Thank You! Your help makes it all possible.

I Corinthians 15:58

Bro. Bob, Ms. Leatha, Bro. Alejandro, Ms. Juanita, 29 kids, a dog and one burra.

December 2002

Dear Helping Hands,

What A Great Christmas! My how God did bless. Starting in November, I realized that because of all the extra expenses, Christmas was going to be rather slack this year. So I started talking to God about our sad plight (translation, complaining). At the end of November, we had to go and renew our papers. So we were in San Antonio for more than a week at Thanksgiving. Our daughter-in-law talked with her boss who owns a Mexican Advertising Agency in San Antonio and the employees took our kids as a Christmas project.

We crossed the border with the truck piled high and the first person we ran into was a big official of the Aduana. The usual conversation took place. Do you speak Spanish? Not much, do you speak English? Let’s see what you have? We have gifts for the children at Casa Hogar. The Agency gave me a letter in Spanish and English, so I handed it to him. Are you Robert Nicholson? Yep, in my best Arkansas English. Casa Hogar Betania? Yep! How many kids? Twenty-one, right now. OK, what’s in this bag? That is for Alejandro. This one? Cosas por José. What’s in this box? A foosball table for the kids. Well you better get them to them. A free pass! A green light at the checkpoint and we are on our way home with a full load for Christmas. Christmas will be great again this year.

One week after we get home, Shawn, Duane and Mike show up from Bedias Baptist Church in Texas. They are three men bearing gifts. I decided that because it is Christmas not to put in the jokes. We unloaded backpacks full of underwear, socks, sweat suits with jackets, tennis shoes and other things for the kids. Chocolate chips, raisins, marshmallow crème, peanut butter for Ms Leatha to make candy with. Now if you were to doubt God’s interest in these kids, Friday Leatha, Juanita and Fabiola packed and resized the items for each of the kids. Yep, you guessed it. To the child, there was the right number of backpacks and gifts, exactly. Not over, not under, exactly.

The Shiloh Baptist Church in Harrison, Arkansas bought a Deluxe, Deluxe set of washer and dryer for the Children’s home. Hands Across The Border brought them to the border, Bro David Abbott got them across the border and I picked them up in Rio Grande and brought them home. On December 12th they were put into service. Thank you very much. This has lessened the workload considerably for our ladies. But we had a problem. We do not have water pressure, except for gravity flow from a tank on the roof and it was not enough to activate the switch and fill the washer. It is a front loader so you could not fill it with a hose. We would need to pressurize our water system. God already knew that and had the supply there at the right time. So Mike and Duane knew how to pressurize the system. A pump, pressure switch, some hose, fittings and a couple of hours and we were in business. Then they handed me a stack of 100’s peso bills. “And running over, good measure, pressed down……” Hmmm…Malachi was right the windows of Heaven do open.

Bro Eddie and kids from Conway will be down for New Years, bringing supplies and gifts. Thank God for you regular supporters, for with out you the extra would not be extra but would become a necessity. You regular Helping Hands make the joy of the extra possible.

Now, God has sent a young Mexican man and his family to help with the work. He was saved through a tract, and has started following the Lord, is growing rapidly, speaks both languages and is translating one of my study books so his wife will also grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we were talking to a mother about giving us her two boys, he had done most of the talking and translating. The mother gave to us her children. Back in the truck, with the kids in tow, he told me he knew this was what God wanted him to do. A few weeks later, most of the night in prayer and Bible reading for him and his wife, they knew God wanted them here at the Home. Part of the decision making process, his wife told him, “I will follow you”. My heart was thrilled at this testimony and the power of Almighty God in the hearts of his own. They will be here in January. But they could not wait so they are here now.

Now I’m trying to convince God that I was just talking to Him, not complaining and this is my apology on paper. These are God’s Blessings given to a people He loves, the children. “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” Ms Leatha and I share in these blessings because we watch over some of God’s children. The joy and rewards will be yours, because you had a part in bringing the blessings of God to the children of God. Have a great New Year and may the blessings of God be upon you all.

Bro Bob, Ms Leatha, Alejandro, Juanita and Kids
I Corinthians 15:58

November 2002

Dear Helping Hands,

The “Quinceñera”, Fabiola’s 15th birthday, as I stated before, was almost like a wedding without the groom. It started months before with getting ready the gown, shoes, attendants etc. First, was the service at the Church. She was seated in a chair facing the pulpit. There was singing and prayers. The men of the church gave their admonition to her and there was the preaching to her by Osiel from Freznillo. Then she was presented with a Bible and a ring. She then knelt in prayer as the preachers and men of the church prayed for her and her life before God. Four were saved during the service.

We held the reception at the Children’s Home and over 150 people showed up to help us celebrate. It is expected and we complied with a full meal of chicken fajitas, salad, drink, cake, etc. We ran out of food and ended up serving hot dogs and chips. The only down side to the Quincy was that her parents did not come. Despite the hard work, there was rejoicing and a sense of satisfaction. God had blessed and He was honored. These memories will remain and a young lady will treasure them for a long time.

We have been working on the rest of the floor, putting down tile. I have had the tile for the boys’ dorm on order for 4 months. We now have tile in the front room. In fact, the workmen finished laying the tile one hour before the Quincy started and we did not have time to even mop it to get it ready. People and friends came to help. Chico and family bought the refreshments. Raul fixed and paid for the meal. Alejandro and family came a day early and stayed the night to help us get ready. Folks, how can I tell you lives were changed over a birthday party? For since that time, Alejandro and his family have been coming and helping with the kids, playing with them and reading the Bible, explaining it and praying with them. They have asked for an active role in the home.

The home is beautiful. As we finish much of the work on the building, itself, it is becoming a dream realized. No, we are not through with the building or the things that need to be done outside, no more than we are through in the lives of the kids. They are growing in all ways. Spiritually forward and backward, up and down, they struggle. They succeed and they fail. They win some and lose some. But little things tell you they are growing and growing well and just maybe, one day God might have some men and women fit for His use.

I was asked to go to St. Luis Potosi to speak and do a Gospel magic presentation for a youth meeting. We met David Abbott at Wal-Mart in Zacatecas and then we followed him to the meeting. It seemed like we drove a long way. Brother David helped me get a room at a motel. This motel you rented for 8 hours and had to have someone with you or you could not stay. So, I asked if it was OK if my wife stayed with me. In the morning, clown outfit and makeup on, I presented him with a tract. I think they are still scratching their head and wondering what we were. We had a very good meeting, around 200 people, and I heard them reminisce about when they only had 5 or 6 from each church.

Memories flooded back of bygone days when fundamentalists met in storefronts and struggling teen departments only had 5 or 6 and a youth meeting only turned out 20 or 30. Then, as we grew, the teen meetings with several churches turned out 500. Those were good days. And today there are good days also and one day we will look back and the memories will come and we can say those were good days too. God’s work will always go on someway, somehow and somewhere. He allows us a choice to be involved with His work or not. I thank God and you for your involvement in His Work.

We have some new children. The authorities brought us a young girl they got from the streets in Zacatecas, her mother had run off with another man to the United States and left her and the rest of the family. The father is an alcoholic and was abusive. So Berenice decided to leave. She loves it here and she is a sweetheart. From day one, she has tried to be helpful. A little bit of a tattletale, she whines a little as she tries to fit in and the others resist. I will go with the authorities tomorrow to where Berenice’s aunt lives to get papers on her so we can have her here permanently. They cannot find her father or her family so the authorities will give us the papers through her aunt.

Coming home the other day after buying groceries, I saw standing in the doorway of what appeared to be a hog pen, a couple of dirty ragamuffins with big eyes and the opportunity of nothing before them. As I drove on by, God spoke to my heart and said, “There are some for you.” So I went around the block and they were gone. A couple of days later, Alejandro and I went by and there they were. We stopped and started talking to the mother. We set an appointment and the next day she came and looked at the home and that day gave us two of her children. Martin, big eyed and almost always smiling, has a slight hint of mischief. Make that a little more than a slight hint. And his brother, Cruz, shows signs of a nine year old that has had to be the man of the house and bring in what money he could. All are adjusting well to the home, are eating well, and are in school. We are delighted.

The other day a man showed up at the gate. He was a reporter for one of the papers in Jerez. He wanted to do a story on the Home. I told him we did not need the publicity and this is the children’s home and they did not need to be exploited. He said that was not what he was after, but that Berenice’s article was in the paper (here in Mexico children’s names are not kept out of the paper) so he wanted to do this article as a follow up. I had Alejandro talk to him and we ask him to do a report honestly and not try to make things look good or bad. I should have paid the man. We got a full page in the paper with pictures of the home and kids and a very good and well-written article.

We also have a Mexican family that has come to help for a while, maybe longer if things work out. There are six in this family: Julio, Pati, Julianna, David and two nieces, Alicia and Gabriela. So now we total 19 kids and 5 adults. Make that 4 and ½ adults; I never wanted to grow up.

Ms Leatha is teaching some local ladies English. Now if they ever go to the US, they will be in for a surprise if they go anywhere but Arkansas. Ms Ginny is teaching English in the school at Los Rios. South Arkansas English is worse than North Arkansas English.

At 11:00am today I will do my Gospel Magic at La Labor. Then next week we will go to Laredo to renew our papers. Oh! By the way Merry Christmas. I just realized this will also have to be our Christmas letter and I guess our Christmas present to you will have to be our new kids, hope you like them.

Bro Bob, Ms Leatha & Kids & Kids & Kids
I Corinthians 15:58

September 9, 2002

Dear Helping Hands,

Wow, are we having a summer? I really don’t know where to start to tell you. All of the kids passed this year and will go to the next level in school. This is in spite of the problems we had with a new teacher. At the end of the year they put in a different teacher and he had no experience and I’m not sure he had any training. We would send the kids to school before 8:00AM, as usual, and he sent word he didn't start school till 8:30AM. He would leave and go to town and leave a student in charge. Some days the kids would be back home by 9:00AM. Many days they just went outside and played. So we brought the kids home the last 6 weeks and taught them here. We started the school day with prayer. The children did not know the pledge to the Mexican flag or the Mexican National Anthem.

It was a joy to watch Ms. Leatha teach in English and the kids respond in Espanola. When it came to working in their books, she would have an older student read the direction to the younger kids and then make them do the work. Hey it worked.

The older boys are helping the local farmers plant and take care of their cattle. There are three good men that are allowing the boys to help them. They don’t make much money, but they are learning. These men are giving the boys a burra (female burro), a burro and maybe a colt.

Fabiola has been to camp and is now in a youth meeting, starting at 6:30 each morning and ending at 10:30 at night, for the week. Oh yes, Fabiola followed the Lord in baptism two weeks ago. It was her decision. Those of you who know, this is a real commitment for the Mexican people.

Juan is still training the “Black Stallion” and the other boys have stick horses and swords. ZORROS ride again. This seems to be our birthday month. We have 6 birthdays. I took Juan and Ernesto to town to get them hats and belts for their birthdays. We stopped for tacos. They each had five. While there, an old beggar lady came by and they each got out a couple of pesos of their money and gave to her.

We have had visitors these past couple of months, both Mexican and American visitors. Bro. Eddie has been here 2 or 3 times and will be here one more time this summer. First he brought a young man from Alabama to stay and help for several weeks. Bro. Eddie came back and took Trey home and left a replacement named Natalie. She is from Missouri and in just two days Trey trained Natalie in the art of washing dishes. Being very intelligent, she picked it up quite quickly and she brought unusual skills of her own that she has been using, sweeping, mopping, hiking to the mountain and sleeping.

One highlight was when we had a crew of four come from a computer business In Jerez. They enjoyed meeting the kids and seeing the home. While they were here, the kids gathered around them and showed them their home and in the process asks if they were “Christianos”. Their boss, a Christian, told me that they asked in a way that made it a suggestion. Praise God! One of these men is dating a Christian girl from another village and she had been witnessing to him. God works His work and it is great to be a part and to see progress in the kids.

This boss, Alejandro, is the young man that was saved a while back, through a tract. He is growing and coming to Church. His wife has been saved and they are planning baptism in December. But, his sister called and told him if he would return to Guadalajara that she would give him a house. His in-laws came for a visit and do not like it that he has taken their daughter and grandchildren out of the catholic church, so they want to take his wife and children to see the Pope when he comes to Mexico.

The other night I had an appointment to see a lady and needed a translator, so Alejandro went with me. As we concluded our business, I asked if we could take The Bible and show her how to be sure of Heaven. She agreed, and as I neared the end of the plan of salvation, Alejandro took over and explained it to her and she prayed and trusted Jesus.

Doug Evans, Melissa and kids came for a visit. Bro. Doug and Melissa were Missionaries to Mexico for several years, but had to return to the states for medical reasons. He has been pastoring a church in the Memphis area. Melissa is the daughter of Missionary Thomas Beard.

Brother Eddie brought a couple from Monterrey, who had worked in another Children’s Home several years ago. They wanted to get back into this type of ministry and feel led that this is where God would have them be. So around the end of August, they will return here to begin their work with us. This is an answer to prayer and is just what we need. Bro. Eddie also brought something else we needed, enough money to put the rest of the tile down in the girls bedroom and to tile the boys dorm. What a difference this makes in the workload of Ms. Leatha. Our thanks to Churches in Texas and Missouri and those of you who provided this blessing.

Shawn Hobson brought down another group of eight from Bedias Texas. They brought paint and equipment with them. They painted the boys dorm and bathroom and would have painted the outside of the home, except it rained most of the time they were here. I wish we had waterproof paint.

Now, for one of the funniest things that has happened here. At this time of year the cactus put out a fruit at the end of the leaf, called a “tuna”. The kids and Mexican people think these are a treat and they eat them all the time. The kids just pick them and remove the stickers and eat them. Bro. Kent from Bedias (now straighten up, no Texas or Aggie jokes) took off the stickers to eat one. Then, he sucked the juice off his fingers and got the stickers in his tongue. Late into the night, magnifying glass in hand, they picked stickers off his tongue. (I have pictures) Thank God for Youth directors, adults and teens that want to know more about the Work of God in Mexico. If you happen to go through Bedias, Texas, stop and see old prickly pear tongue.

We are busy getting things ready for our first Quince años (15th birthday) for Fabiola, one of the most important events in a Mexican girl’s life. They usually have a band, beer, alcohol, dancing, etc. We will have a special Church Service and a meal afterwards. It will be a very special time for her, her friends and family. The church in Bedias Texas bought her a special doll for this event. Leatha and I bought the ring and Raul will cook the meal. Leatha is busy sewing and planning. It is like a miniature wedding without the groom.

We want you to know that we are never bored here. There is always Something new. We want to thank you for your prayers and God’s answers. The workload has lessened somewhat and Leatha is able to get to some other things that she has wanted to do but time did not permit. Thank God for visitors and helpers and support and prayer and you.

I Corinthians 15:58
Bro. Bob, Ms. Leatha & Kids

May 14, 2002

Dear Helping Hands,

We are into our hottest time of the year, where we are in Mexico. The nights are cool, but by 9am it is hot, and Americanos sweat. Our kids are doing well, growing physically and spiritually. They enjoy Bible stories and learning new Bible songs, even in English. They are also learning to memorize verses. They get excited learning new verses each month and see who can learn it first. But they are also like American kids and complain about how many verses they have to learn. While I was teaching a class at Church, I needed to quote some verses of Scripture, so I asked the kids to quote them for me, they promptly stood up and quoted Eph. 2:8-10 for me. Humility is a fleeting thing. It doesn’t stay around, especially when you need it. So it left me for a few moments, as my heart swelled with pride.

A mother came after her son. He ran and hid under the bed, scared to death that we were going to let her take him. Not on your best day! Not without a fight! We loaded up the van and headed for Raul’s. It turned into a stalemate. So the police showed up, about twenty of them, 6 pickup loads of police. This is embarrassing. The Comandante said, “give the boy to his mother.” But as we tried he would scream and hold onto us. Leatha gave the boy to a police officer and told him to give the boy to his mother. He could not. The boy would not turn loose and continued to scream. Down to the police station and before the Judge, we stood and explained each of our stories for about an hour. I told him that we did not steal this child. He was given to us and that when we picked him up they threw him into my pickup. The mother called me a liar. I then told how she said she would sign the papers later and she declared that she did not, because she wasn’t there. While we were before the Judge, Leatha lined up the kids outside the station on the sidewalk. Some were afraid they were going to lose their brother. One officer, who could speak a little English, questioned the kids. “Do they beat you?” Etc. Etc. He then asked how we managed to communicate with the kids. Leatha asked him what he wanted to know and she in turn asked the kids in English and they answered her in Spanish. This amazed the police. The Judge awarded the boy to us. Prayer works.

The “Black Stallion” came back with his rider and as they rounded the corner of the home, the stick horse stumbled and fell. While lying on the ground, in pain, Juan reached over and smacked the horse for falling with him. The imagination of a child never ceases to amaze me. We also have a new invention called “Dippity Doo Shoes.” The boys, while getting ready for something special at Church, realized they should polish their shoes, but there wasn’t time, so they used Dippity Doo hair goop on their shoes.

My friend Chico invited me to come and do a Gospel Magic presentation for Mother’s Day at Palmas Altos, the school where he is the principal. The Madre Dia is one of the biggest celebrations in Mexico. They have fiestas and celebrate all day long. Ms. Ginny came in early so Leatha and I were able to go. We gave the Gospel to some frowning and some smiling Mexican mothers and their children. We also gave out over 60 tracts and another 20 as we passed through villages and stopped for some children who wanted to see the clown. Later that evening we went to La Gavia and Los Rios, to the schools for Mother’s Day presentation, which lasted from 6 to 10:30, when we left. After we left they started the dance and drinking on school property that lasted till after midnight. This brings to our minds the fact that we do live in the world.

Fireworks at five in the morning? Each Rancho is expected and does a religious fiesta once a year. They shoot off a giant bottle rocket (these things look like a half stick of dynamite) starting at five and continue sometimes for several hours. I have yet to figure out what fireworks have to do with worship except it comes to mind that maybe they are trying to wake their god up to listen to them for it shakes the heavens for miles. They drink and dance for several days. Another thing, is that we have 6 Ranchitos within just a few kilometers of us and they each celebrate during a different month of the year and the celebrations last for a week. So we are entertained several weeks a year.

We no longer have access to buying carpet wholesale, so we have to put down tile. Tile is expensive, but it lasts for twenty or thirty years. To tile the girls bedroom runs between 1200-1300 dollars. We have tiled the girl’s bano, the study hall and half of the girl’s bedroom. This cuts down some of Leatha’s hardest work. Little by little and step by step we are able to do the finishing of the home. Many of you who have come down are aware of the work needed to keep this place in shape and to continue to make the improvements. Please keep us in your prayers.

The boys rushed in the other morning saying, “Hermano Bob, there’s a rat in your truck.” “What?” Out we went, and the dog was frantic. So, halfway believing and half not, I opened the hood. Whooping and hollering, away they went, the dog fighting the kids for the rat. The only loser was the rat.

Brother Eddie told us we have a washer and dryer on the way. Praise the Lord! This will be a great help to the ladies. I know they get tired of the washboard and the old washer without a wringer. We have worn out three Mexican washers and have repaired them twice. Thanks. Thanks a lot.

We cannot express enough, our thankfulness to God and to you faithful supporters, both financial and prayer. Yes, we have rough times, times when we are discouraged and times when things just go wrong. But we prefer not to give the devil credit, because God is able to do more, and abundantly more, than the devil. So please, we need your prayers.

Bro. Bob, Ms. Leatha and Kids

See pictures of the children and visitors at Bethany Children’s Home. Click Here: 1 & 2

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust each of you are enjoying His multiple blessings. We feel so blessed with His daily provisions and protective care while so many others are suffering from floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

We got the computer out of the shop again and wanted to send an update before you forget us. The last of August and all of September went by so fast with outfitting and getting all the kids enrolled in school, and in the midst of that, an accident which sent 8 to the hospital. The boys went to the open range area to check on the horses and then were chasing jackrabbits in the pickup when it fell in a hole and roled over. Abram ran over two miles to the Home to tell me, saying that the truck was on top of one of the boys. I arrived at the site 15 minutes later to find the pickup on it's side with Juanito pinned under it. Five year old Kevin had serious head injuries with part of his scalp torn loose. Several thrown from the pickup bed had contusions and possible fractures. I did what little I could while waiting for the ambulance, putting Kevin and the others in the van, comforting Juanito, and evaluating injuries. Finally the policemen and onlookers were able to lift the back of the vehicle up enough so I could pull Juanito free. One ambulance arrived and took the 4 most seriously injured while I took the others. At the highway we waited for other ambulances, but at least the paramedics were helping and all the injured were stable. After the ambulances left, the police let me go back to the home before taking me to headquarters as the one responsible. The officer who took me was an aquaintance of over 20 years and kept me outside until the medical reports were in. (I couldn't believe there were no fractures and Juanito was not paralyzed.) At 3 AM after all the paper work was completed, I joined Blanca in the hospital with the most serious ones. The other 4 were in another hospital. Six were release that afternoon. Juanito and Kevin were released a day later. Kevin is still rejecting the deep sutures as he is allergic to them, but should join the others as completed healed in another week or so. The State Health Department cancelled the bills. The only cost to us is the repair of the vehicle.

September 16 here in Mexico is like our 4th of July. We all went to Palo Alto, the county seat, for the festivities which included a special program of folk loric dances and singers, then the "grito" VIVA MEXICO followed by fireworks. The day of the patron saint of Santa Rosa is also in September, so we all enjoyed another display of fireworks. A couple other Saturdays we enjoyed the Lord's creation by picnicking in the country near large farm ponds where they could swim. This month started off with Sandra's 15th birthday on the 3rd. On Saturday, Blanca and Brenda made tamales. Some friends from the city brought a cake. Then Sunday she was recognized in church with special prayer and the whole congregation giving her the traditional hug and wishing her well. In the afternoon some other friends brought all the ingredients for a cake and showed the girls how to make it. Monday, her birthday, her classmates gave her the traditional soaking with buckets of water before letting her leave school. Now all the kids are looking forward to the town fair the week of the 22nd with rides, horseracing, cockfights, a chareada (Mexican rodeo) and fire works. Although we don't go to the cockfights, we enjoy the other events.

My main distraction from the Home continues to be the church in La Dichosa. I enjoy preaching and teaching so much. The poor kids at the Home get tired of hearing me, though, since I give them a devotional almost every morning and mini-sermons PRN. But they are in different Sunday School classes and enjoy the guest speakers who preach. Next Sunday I will begin teaching a course on evangelism. It is good to see the church growning little by little and the hunger for the Word. We will be celebrating our 8th anniversary of the church the last Sunday of this month.

Know that we are so grateful for you who give and pray to make our ministry possible. We were so thankful there were no serious injuries from the accident and realize it was because of your prayers. Please continue to pray for God's provision and protection for us as we pray for God to bless and prosper each of you.

In His amazing grace,

Dr. Jim

Home address:
Apartado Postal 578
Aguascalientes, Ags.
C P 20000 MEXICO
E-Mail: minvid@acnet.net

General support:
ABC Missions
694 CR 3300 N
Fisher, IL 61843-9725
E-Mail: unzicker@prairieinet.net

Child support:
Children of Promise Int.
PO Box 200
Alma, MO 64001
E-Mail: kathiefagel@promise.org

Dear Friends,

Things here have been hectic as usual. We´ve been having trouble with communication by Email as many of our newsletters have been returned. If you didn´t get the last one with the list of children presently in the Home with their full names, ages, and year in school and would like one to pray individually for them, please let me know.

A couple weeks ago the village doctor came to the Home on her bicycle to advise me that Luis Angel had been sent to the clinic from school and had symptoms of acute appendicitis. I went to the clinic, agreed that it could be appendicitis, and took him to Palo Alto for lab tests. The lab wasn´t open so I had to take him to the University Hospital in the city. After spending all day with him there, we decided it probably wasn't appendicitis, and I got him back to the Home at 1 AM. We feel very blessed by God to have had no surgery and only 3 broken bones in the 15 years of operation of the Home. We attribute it to your prayers.

Usually the kids sleep a little later on Saturday and Sundays, but not the last two weeks. A friend gave us about 4 acres of beans that didn´t do well, but we had to harvest them. So all of us, except the 5 smallest ones and the cook got up early and were in the field so we could start as soon as we could see well enough. The Sundays we really had to rush to get to church. Here we harvest beans very differently than in the US. We pull up the whole bean plant, stack them in piles, then load them to carry them to where they will be dried and "threshed", which consists of running over them with a tractor or beating them with a stick to knock all the beans out of the pods. Then the pods and vines are moved (later to be given to cattle, sheep, or goats) and the beans are shoveled up and put into gunnysacks. Later when there is a wind, they are dropped little by little into a washtub from as high as one can reach to let the wind blow away the chaff, dust, and dirt. We still have to "thresh" half of them, but we now have enough beans to eat for a while plus some to plant next May. We thank the Lord for this unexpected provision.

This weekend will also be different as October 22 is the day Santa Rosa celebrated their patron saint with a fair including a parade, rides, horse races, bronco and bull riding. Although we don't participate in the religious part, all the school kids are practicing for the parade and have been saving money given to them by people in church and selling baked goods to have money to spend on the rides.

The 30th will be Halloween. Since it falls on a Saturday, the church will be celebrating their 8th anniversary in the afternoon. The regional monthly youth meeting will be in the evening to help the kids avoid the temptation of getting involved in activities of demonic influence. Hopefully, November will be "normal" if such a state still exists.

A couple years ago the governor put a cement covering on our cistern and poured sidewalks in front of the Home and some in the interior. Just before he left the governorship to take an office with President Fox, he called to see if there was anything else we needed as there were some funds left. . Blanca told him we needed to finish the wall around the Home. He left for Mexico City, and we heard no more until a large truck came with 10 tons of lime and 5 tons of cement. Were we excited! But the excitement was promptly squelched when someone came to check to see if the material had arrived and told us that we would have to buy the brick, sand, and rock and pay for the labor. Since we don't have funds for these, we were thinking what to do so the cement wouldn't get hard. But then last week another truck delivered 6000 brick and said they would be bringing another 16,000 this week. So we are now praying that the State will bring sand and rock and pay for the labor also as it did for the cistern and sidewalks.

We are so thankful for those of you who continue to pray and give even though our communication has been lacking. We depend completely on E-Mail since regular mail cost almost 80 cents per letter. With funds low, it is truly miraculous how God keeps us going. Pray for more supporters to take the place of those who have gone on to be with the Lord. May God abundantly bestow the blessings of His grace on each of you.

In His matchless grace,

Dr. Jim

Dear Friends,

Greetings from South of the Border. We are so grateful for each one of you who pray and/or give to keep our ministry going. We realize that we are completely dependent upon God who motivates you to remember us in prayer and give. We also realize that you will share in the heavenly rewards for everything we accomplish of eternal value. "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Matthew 10:42.

Even at my age, life is full of new and unusual experiences. Last Sunday Pastor Chuy asked me to conduct the dedication of a baby girl. After I agreed, he told me the single mother was not a Christian even though she has been attending services regularly for several weeks. While holding the baby, I gave a brief explanation of the Gospel, and asked the mother if she had accepted Christ. Her answer was negative. When I asked her if she would like to, she answered affirmatively but didn´t know how. So we prayed together in front of the congregation for her to accept Christ before continuing. After the prayer of dedication, all the congregation came forward to give the mother a hug while the baby girl (Araceli Michelle) was passed around. Please remember them in your prayers.

Unfortunately not all new experiences are so pleasant. Tuesday while driving back to the Home after dark with donated food supplies, I hit a big, black cow. It was crossing the highway with another one in front of it and a third behind so I couldn´t swerve either way. Even though I was able to brake and greatly reduce my speed, it came up on the hood. So now the Voyageur is in the body shop getting another hood, radiator fan, grill, and headlight. Fortunately the recently overhauled engine was not damaged. With the airbag blowing up in my face, I only suffered a bruise on my right arm. I am extremely grateful that I was alone. God has been extremely good allowing me to drive in Mexico 38 years without such an experience that almost all missionaries have during their first or second term.

We recently have had three new boys come to the Home. Carlos, soon to be 15 and in sixth grade, and Luis, almost 14 and only in second, are brothers. The story is that their father threw them out, and they were living with the pastor of another village church. DIF, the state authorities are investigating. Francisco was brought to us by his uncle. He became very rebellious while living with his mother in the state of Tabasco and came to live with his uncle. Since he didn´t get along with his cousins, they brought him to the Home. He seems to really like the Home, especially the horses, and is a good worker. We are expecting another 14 year old boy to come next week.

Other recent additions to the Home include a new foal with which the 4-year-old filly surprised us, two more Cocker Spaniels which I traded for an old electric saw, three turkeys, and 9 litters of bunnies. That brings the total dog population of the Home to 4 Cocker Spaniel females, one male, and the cook´s dog which appears to be a cross between a Manchester Terrier and a Dashund. The Cocker Spaniels have generated a little income with the kids selling the puppies. The colt is very cute, and we have already had an offer to buy him when he is weaned.

With prices continuously rising and support low we have been struggling financially. Please pray. Perhaps you have friends that would want to support the Home or sent support for a specific child.

Our prayer is that God will continue to richly bless each one of you.

Dios los bendiga,

Dr. Jim

For tax deductible receipts, send support to:

Child Support
Children of Promise International
P.O. Box 200
Alma, MO 64001

General Support
ABC Missions
694 County Road 3300 N
Fisher, IL 61843-9725

Dear Friends,

As Christmas is rapidly approaching and the end of another year just around the corner, our hearts are full gratitude to God for all of His blessings throughout the year, but most of all for Jesus, His only begotten son, whom He sent to bear our guilt so that we might be reconciled to him and receive the gift of eternal life. There will never be a greater gift in time or eternity. We are also very thankful for all of you who have prayed and/or given in support of our ministry. We are grateful to you for each soul saved, every Christian encouraged, every Bible class taught, each message preached, and all the children helped. Without each one of you our work for the Lord would be impossible.

Our special thanks go to a man and wife doctor team from Georgia who gave a Nissan Pathfinder and a pastor and his wife who drove it to the border, to my brother and his wife who in addition to handling our finances gave a Nissan pickup, and to a retired missionary and dear friend for over 35 years who along with his cousin gave enough for the trip to the border and duty and permits for the vehicles. They are now both in use in the ministry here in Aguascalientes, and it is so good to have dependable vehicles again.

The phrase THE INDIANS ARE RESTLESS from the old cowboy and Indian movies very adequately describes the attitude here in the Home. With only one more week of school this year, all the kids are wondering what they will be doing during vacation - whether they will go with relatives or with people in the church, or stay in the Home. They are all giving us ideas of what they would like for Christmas and special things to do in case they don´t get to leave. Tomorrow we will be killing the fatted pig to celebrate Alicia's birthday. Then Christmas day we are planning a surprise birthday party for Blanca who complains that after staying up all night the 24th, everyone is too tired to celebrate her birthday on the 25th. With both of our full time workers Alicia and Fabiola leaving for vacation, we will be left alone with the kids that remain. You can imagine how much we are looking forward to it. PRAY FOR US DURING THIS TIME.

The government has just approved two projects for the Home for which they will pay 70 to 90%. One is for computers for the older kids with a satelite hookup for internet. We are hoping to get 5 new computers, a scanner, a couple of printers, and a copier. Making them available to other students in Santa Rosa for a small fee should pay the monthly fee of the Internet hookup. The other is for electric tools we have needed in the shops for making furniture, cabinets, doors, crafts, etc. The hitch is for us to come up with the remaining 10 - 30% while we are struggling to make ends meet just for the regular operating expenses. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD TO PROVIDE!

This week the state authorities asked us to keep a 15 year old boy who had run away with a 13 year old girl until their relatives could be located. The girl they sent to another home. We knew when we saw the boy that he was a vagabond - long hair, unshaven, earrings, and baggy clothes. I didn´t want to keep him, but couldn´t say no to the state authorities. Well, he only stayed one night before taking off as we had expected him to do. But to our dismay, he took one of the other boys with him, a boy that the state had also sent to us. We were all very worried for Alejandro as he is not normal. But the evening of the next day, the police called and told us to come pick him up in the city where the other boy had brought him to look for his girl friend. Quite an unusual event for us! We all at the Home wish you

Send Child Support To:
Children of Promise
P.O. Box 200
Alma, MO 64001

Send Regular Contributions To:
ABC Missions
County Road 3300 North
Fisher, IL 61843-9725

This year we only had 6 kids in the Home for Christmas. All the others went with friends from the churches, relatives, or to the Pan de Vida Childreńs Home in Queretaro for vacation. We are thankful for this "breathing time" and for all those who help make it possible.

Christmas Eve was spent with Blanca's relatives. She and her sister made 'pozole' and Mexican hot punch. Pozole is made with hominy corn, pork, and red chile. Raw diced union, sliced radishes, lettuce, oregano, cilanthro, and lemon juice are added after it is served. The punch is made with guayaba, sugar cane, tamarinda, oranges, cinamon sticks, and 'texocote' which is a little yellow fruit something like a persimon. It is boiled until the flavors of all the fruits are blended and served in cups with the pieces of fruit and cane. The kids played with their presents as the adults visited while the pozole cooked. It was well after midnight when the pozole was ready to eat, but it was really worth waiting for. It was the best pozole I had ever eaten.

JANUARY 10 A tragedy in the church in La Dichosa caused a delay in finishing this letter. The 19 year old son of Pastor Jesus Murillo had an auto accident. After being in coma in the hospital, he died December 30, and services were the next day. It was very difficult for the family as they had lost a 15 year old son four years earlier due to sickness. Also a 19 year old neice of a member of the same church was killed in another accident in another state at the very same time. So we along with the church and other close friends of the ministry ended the year 2002 in deep sorrow.

The joyful news for the year is my marriage to Blanca Natividad Chavez on November 23. The wedding was in the church in La Dichosa with all our friends from the other churches and missions attending along with all the children from the Home dressed in their new clothes that Blanca bought them. Blanca had worked side by side with me in the Home for over 3 years. She immediately caught my vision and expanded it. She has three children - Abel Alejandro who just had his 13th birthday this month, Jennifer Kimberly will be 8 in March, and little Michelle Juliette who will be 4 in July. Just before vacation, I adopted them. I cannot thank God enough for my new family.

Last Saturday evening we (everyone at the Home) attended church in La Dichosa. They surprised me by asking after we arrived to preach the first regular service of the new year. Sunday morning we attended the church in Crisotomos and from there went on to a wedding in Pozo Colorado.

This week was spent getting the kids calmed down and back into a daily routine again including school. Restating the rules, reorganizing responsibilities of the workers, and organizing chores and work assignments for the kids was also necessary. Tomorrow we will attend baptismal services with regular services and a pot luck dinner to follow.

Sunday we plan to attend the central meeting of all the churches and missions in Crisotomos. In addition to the regular services on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, next week I will resume my Thursday night pastors' and Christian workers' class in La Dichosa. The good thing about it is that I don't take all the kids to it.

I'm sorry I don't have time to write each of you, individually, who give and pray. But that doesn't mean that we don't appreciate you. Words cannot express our thankfulness to God for each of you. Without you our ministry would be impossible, and we remind you that you will share in the heavenly rewards for all that is accomplished through the Word that we preach and in the lives of the children of the Home. And we do appreciate hearing from you.

NEEDS: We urgently need more monthly financial support for this year. The 1979 Ford Maxivan needs to be replaced. Funds for finishing the medical office.

Please send donations to ABC Missions, 694 County Road 3300 North, Fisher, IL 61843-9725 for a tax-deductible receipt.

In His matchless grace,

Dr. Jim

Dear Friends,

September flew by without my getting an update off. It seems like only yesterday that we celebrated Independence Day on the16th at the Home with friends from Mexico City and nearby villages. And the children are still talking about the visitors from Fairview Baptist Church on the first. In addition to the usual blessings of gifts and games, the testimonies were very special. And we are so grateful for the digital camera. Hopefully, next time we can include pictures.

Chayo and Ceci didn't work out, but things are going more smoothly now that we have some help again. Juan Alberto and Magdalena with Marlet, their 2-year-old girl, came a month ago. "Beto" likes working with the animals and has taken the responsibility for them, which has been a tremendous help. He has just finished constructing a pigpen for a couple pigs to eat the table scraps and is starting on a corral for the sheep and goats. "Magda" has taken charge of the kitchen in general sorting the donations of food, cooking, washing dishes, and keeping the appliances, cabinets, and floors clean. Since she has lots of help from the girls, she also helps the kids with their homework. Marlet keeps Michelle company while all the other kids are in school, and both enjoy the other kids in the afternoons. We pay them $300 US a month with all their food and utilities. We are trusting the Lord to provide.

Last month we had two other additions. Chayo ran away from her adoptive parents. The police found her vagrant in Loreto, Zacatecas. She wouldn't tell them her correct name or where she lived. She just told them to take her to the Children's Home in Santa Rosa. She had visited once with a group from her church, and Blanca had befriended her. After locating her parents who took her in as a 4-month-old baby when her mother died, they agreed to let her stay and seemed somewhat relieved. Being older, they seemed quite frustrated with her typical rebellious teenage attitude. She is 14 and has entered Secundaria (Junior High).

Luis Miguel returned after being out of the Home for almost two years. Life was too rough on the outside as he had to work and couldn’t continue his studies. His tremendous change of attitude because of his maturing convinced us to bend the rule we had established to not accept anyone once they had left. He has already had a very good influence on his siblings Jessica, Hugo, Enrique, Erika, and Toño, and they are all glad to be back together again. He is ready to start Prepatorio (Senior High) but came back too late. We are still working to find a place where he can study.

Everyone else is fairly well settled in school. Blanca bought the last of the uniforms yesterday as some of the kids missed a couple of days for lack of them. Jessica is in the second year of Preparatorio. Hugo, Enrique, and Beto are in second of Secundaria. Alex, Erika, and Chayo are in first, and the rest are in Primaria. (None in Kinder this year). Please pray for these teenagers as they face so much peer pressure these days. Also pray for our first graders - Christian, Juanito, and Sergio. Jenny, in second grade, has some deep-seated emotional problems that hinder her from doing her best. Brenda, Sandra, and Laura are beginning to like boys and all have had problems with classmates because of it. Only the power of God through His grace can keep them on the straight and narrow way.

After preaching several times in a small village church, last month I was asked to teach a weekly class of Basic Bible Doctrines to a small group of pastors, evangelists, and Sunday school teachers there. This has been a real delight to me as each one is so eager to learn. They all admit having more zeal than knowledge. So far I have taught Dispensations, the Attributes of God, and the Eternal Security of the believer. The class always goes over two hours as there are always questions and comments relating other Scriptures. Please remember these Thursday evening classes in your prayers.

Harvest time is upon us. We will soon be harvesting the beans and corn planted in June, which appear to be slim picking. Last Saturday Blanca took the older girls on a fasting and praying journey with our church which included parts of three states where we have numerous missions. Pray with us for a greater harvest of souls during the coming months.

In His matchless grace,

Dr. Jim

Please send donations to ABC Missions, 694 County Road 3300 North, Fisher, IL 61843-9725 for a tax-deductible receipt.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man that was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his Root Beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a Root Beer. Again, the old man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon, eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was so he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the little boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? “He's got the most beautiful smile I have ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

Send this to people who have touched your life in a special way. Let them know how important they are. Have lunch with God!

Thanks for touching my life.

Bro. Eddie