Mike and Mary Wallace to Mexico
Dear Pastors, Friends & Family, June 1, 2020
Things have changed since we last wrote. We had planned to start our furlough in May, but because of the coronavirus and the possibility of international travel restrictions, we found ourselves confronted with a decision. Flights were being canceled, and there were rumors of border closures. We received calls from many asking of our plans, so we decided to leave that very day. Boy was it chaotic. We opened our suitcases, threw stuff in, bought the plane tickets, and left for the airport. Our deacons hired a local mover to take our things to the church, and I told our landlord we were leaving. My head is still spinning, and I am still looking for things that were probably left in Mexico. The only move that will be faster than that is the Rapture!
We arrived in the U.S. with no transportation for furlough, so we prayed and went to look for a car. At a car dealership, we found a good used one that was listed “accidentally” (or providentially?) at the trade-in price instead of the retail price, so they had to honor the price. We plan to turn around and sell that next year to help buy another 15-passenger extended van for the next church plant (though these hold almost triple that in Mexico).
We need to always be soul-conscious, so when we spent two separate days with the young salesman named Matthew, we witnessed a lot him. As the deal was finalized I said, “Matthew, you have done all you have to do for me to have this vehicle. Now, I have to decide whether to accept it or not. Matthew, Jesus did everything needed to pay for your sins, so you don’t have to go to Hell and pay for them yourself. But the decision is yours; what will you do with Jesus?” Matthew said, “I want to accept Him as my Savior,” and he did; right there in that Texas car lot.
“…safety is of the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31 Back in Mexico things are bad with Covid. Sanitation and hygiene practices are bad there to begin with. The government isn’t testing much and the people are going on with life with hardly any safety precautions. The hospitals are over full, many laying in the halls and the basements full of bagged dead, un-embalmed bodies. The crematory has bodies stacked high and can’t keep up with the demand. How glad we are to have an effective gospel witness and “hope” in Mexico City through our church - Hope Baptist Church. Thanks for your prayers, support, help, and encouragement that makes this possible. Most businesses have been shut down there, but the cartel still requires their “protection tax.” And those that don’t pay the cartel, pay with their lives as the cartel remain in business. Though “stay at home” orders exist, people ignore it, and the last two months have had a record number of murders. Most all of our church people have lost their jobs, so we have sent money for the deacons to buy and distribute basics like beans, rice, etc. When our church is able to re-open, our teachers and preachers are ready, but for technological reasons, I currently do three services by video weekly and send it to them to watch in their houses. Some larger families that live together additionally have “mini-church” and some of the young teens are getting experience preaching
Along with regular ministry things, I have been helping to write some gospel tracts in Spanish. I also plan to begin writing again for a teen devotion book. I have my master’s degree in Bible, but I intend on using my furlough to prepare myself more with an advanced local church program. Like in Mexico, here in the U.S. we pass out tracts wherever we go, often taking time to canvas parking lots at stores. Our son, Stephen, graduated in May from Christian college. Though his graduation was cancelled, we had our first official meeting in Florida around that time. Pray for my mom, as she recently had surgery for breast cancer and will begin chemotherapy and radiation. Please also pray for my father-in-law’s health.
“We are “... your servants for Jesus’s sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5.
Bro. Mike Wallace & Family in Mexico City
Bro. Mike Wallace
PO Box 908
Donna, TX 78537
Ph#: 330-419-0520
Email: www.mexico-missionaries.com
Things have changed since we last wrote. We had planned to start our furlough in May, but because of the coronavirus and the possibility of international travel restrictions, we found ourselves confronted with a decision. Flights were being canceled, and there were rumors of border closures. We received calls from many asking of our plans, so we decided to leave that very day. Boy was it chaotic. We opened our suitcases, threw stuff in, bought the plane tickets, and left for the airport. Our deacons hired a local mover to take our things to the church, and I told our landlord we were leaving. My head is still spinning, and I am still looking for things that were probably left in Mexico. The only move that will be faster than that is the Rapture!
We arrived in the U.S. with no transportation for furlough, so we prayed and went to look for a car. At a car dealership, we found a good used one that was listed “accidentally” (or providentially?) at the trade-in price instead of the retail price, so they had to honor the price. We plan to turn around and sell that next year to help buy another 15-passenger extended van for the next church plant (though these hold almost triple that in Mexico).
We need to always be soul-conscious, so when we spent two separate days with the young salesman named Matthew, we witnessed a lot him. As the deal was finalized I said, “Matthew, you have done all you have to do for me to have this vehicle. Now, I have to decide whether to accept it or not. Matthew, Jesus did everything needed to pay for your sins, so you don’t have to go to Hell and pay for them yourself. But the decision is yours; what will you do with Jesus?” Matthew said, “I want to accept Him as my Savior,” and he did; right there in that Texas car lot.
“…safety is of the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31 Back in Mexico things are bad with Covid. Sanitation and hygiene practices are bad there to begin with. The government isn’t testing much and the people are going on with life with hardly any safety precautions. The hospitals are over full, many laying in the halls and the basements full of bagged dead, un-embalmed bodies. The crematory has bodies stacked high and can’t keep up with the demand. How glad we are to have an effective gospel witness and “hope” in Mexico City through our church - Hope Baptist Church. Thanks for your prayers, support, help, and encouragement that makes this possible. Most businesses have been shut down there, but the cartel still requires their “protection tax.” And those that don’t pay the cartel, pay with their lives as the cartel remain in business. Though “stay at home” orders exist, people ignore it, and the last two months have had a record number of murders. Most all of our church people have lost their jobs, so we have sent money for the deacons to buy and distribute basics like beans, rice, etc. When our church is able to re-open, our teachers and preachers are ready, but for technological reasons, I currently do three services by video weekly and send it to them to watch in their houses. Some larger families that live together additionally have “mini-church” and some of the young teens are getting experience preaching
Along with regular ministry things, I have been helping to write some gospel tracts in Spanish. I also plan to begin writing again for a teen devotion book. I have my master’s degree in Bible, but I intend on using my furlough to prepare myself more with an advanced local church program. Like in Mexico, here in the U.S. we pass out tracts wherever we go, often taking time to canvas parking lots at stores. Our son, Stephen, graduated in May from Christian college. Though his graduation was cancelled, we had our first official meeting in Florida around that time. Pray for my mom, as she recently had surgery for breast cancer and will begin chemotherapy and radiation. Please also pray for my father-in-law’s health.
“We are “... your servants for Jesus’s sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5.
Bro. Mike Wallace & Family in Mexico City
Bro. Mike Wallace
PO Box 908
Donna, TX 78537
Ph#: 330-419-0520
Email: www.mexico-missionaries.com
The Owens Family to Bulgaria
Dear Pastor and friends,
Much like all of you, we have been affected by the measures the government has taken because of the pandemic. Churches here for the most part were not required to close their doors, and so far we have been meeting without incident. However, the city was closed off at all entrances, and check points set up, making it difficult to bring the family. They are only letting in people that have proof they are going to work. Fortunately, Shannon and I have been able to get through for the services with a document from the church. Things are still very unpredictable and we are praying that we will be able to continue meeting. The panic and fear created by the news media and politicians has given us an opportunity to reach more people and the church has been packed for almost every service for the past 6 weeks. People have been listening more intently than ever before. We have seen 11 people accept Jesus as their Savior and 3 follow the Lord in believers baptism.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our missions conference as all flights in and out of Bulgaria were cancelled making it impossible to get our conference speaker here.
My recovery from spine surgery is going extremely well, thanks to God and his answer to your prayers. I do still have some numbness around the incision and swelling if I am on my feet too long, but nothing out of the normal or unbearable. I am feeling better by the day.
Please continue to pray for the young couples that I have mentioned in my previous letters. We have seen a very encouraging boom of visiting young couples over the past few weeks. Just last Sunday evening we had 5 new visiting young couples in church. Also, Mladen has stepped up and started teaching our junior church, and Martin continues to preach on a regular basis.
Thanks so much for your faithful prayers and support.
Serving for Jesus,
The Owens Family
PO Box 1861
Pacifica, CA 94044
Ph#: 410-202-8845
Email: owensbulgaria@gmail.com
Much like all of you, we have been affected by the measures the government has taken because of the pandemic. Churches here for the most part were not required to close their doors, and so far we have been meeting without incident. However, the city was closed off at all entrances, and check points set up, making it difficult to bring the family. They are only letting in people that have proof they are going to work. Fortunately, Shannon and I have been able to get through for the services with a document from the church. Things are still very unpredictable and we are praying that we will be able to continue meeting. The panic and fear created by the news media and politicians has given us an opportunity to reach more people and the church has been packed for almost every service for the past 6 weeks. People have been listening more intently than ever before. We have seen 11 people accept Jesus as their Savior and 3 follow the Lord in believers baptism.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our missions conference as all flights in and out of Bulgaria were cancelled making it impossible to get our conference speaker here.
My recovery from spine surgery is going extremely well, thanks to God and his answer to your prayers. I do still have some numbness around the incision and swelling if I am on my feet too long, but nothing out of the normal or unbearable. I am feeling better by the day.
Please continue to pray for the young couples that I have mentioned in my previous letters. We have seen a very encouraging boom of visiting young couples over the past few weeks. Just last Sunday evening we had 5 new visiting young couples in church. Also, Mladen has stepped up and started teaching our junior church, and Martin continues to preach on a regular basis.
Thanks so much for your faithful prayers and support.
Serving for Jesus,
The Owens Family
PO Box 1861
Pacifica, CA 94044
Ph#: 410-202-8845
Email: owensbulgaria@gmail.com
The Williams Family to England
January/February 2020
Dear Revival Fires
As 2020 began, the church turned its attention to a new theme, “Authentic Faith.” Hebrews 11 has been our text and guide as we have looked to some “Heroes of the Faith.” God has used this to teach and strengthen our faith.
In January, we had a funeral for the mother of one of the men in the church. We thank the Lord that she was saved, and at the age of 99, she went to be with the Lord. This was the first funeral we held at the church, and everyone came together to encourage and love this family. The Gospel was preached, so please pray that the seed sown will be fruitful in hearts.
The church surprised me for my 40th birthday in January. A surprise party at the end of the service, with thoughtful and generous gifts, was such a blessing. God has blessed us with a great church that loves the Lord. I thank God for the lives that are being changed by the Gospel here!
In February, a Couples’ Retreat was held in Glasgow, which is about 2½ hours away. It was several days in length and a wonderful time away, learning and growing in marriage through Bible teaching. Pray that God continues to grow this needed ministry. Marriage is becoming easier to end here with recent bills (one is called “No-Fault Divorce”) being proposed in Parliament, and there needs to be a revival of the Word of God here in the UK.
Over 10,000 homes have personally received a John and Roman in Skelmersdale. Over half of the city has been canvassed. Several have contacted the church through this. Pray that souls will be saved.
Holly has been given the opportunity to attend a women’s counseling course for missionary wives this coming October. It is designed to teach her how better to work with women who are arriving on our field from various cultures. Missionary wives are not required to pay, but they ask that she try to help them raise funds for her place. The cost is $550 and includes complete room and board and all course information. The flight is an additional $150. If you would like to sponsor her, please get in touch. Even if you can’t sponsor the whole cost, any donation would help. If you can’t give, she would appreciate your prayers for the funds.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord.
Because of Jesus,
Justin, Holly, David, Jonathan, Nathan, and Samuel Williams
Dear Revival Fires
As 2020 began, the church turned its attention to a new theme, “Authentic Faith.” Hebrews 11 has been our text and guide as we have looked to some “Heroes of the Faith.” God has used this to teach and strengthen our faith.
In January, we had a funeral for the mother of one of the men in the church. We thank the Lord that she was saved, and at the age of 99, she went to be with the Lord. This was the first funeral we held at the church, and everyone came together to encourage and love this family. The Gospel was preached, so please pray that the seed sown will be fruitful in hearts.
The church surprised me for my 40th birthday in January. A surprise party at the end of the service, with thoughtful and generous gifts, was such a blessing. God has blessed us with a great church that loves the Lord. I thank God for the lives that are being changed by the Gospel here!
In February, a Couples’ Retreat was held in Glasgow, which is about 2½ hours away. It was several days in length and a wonderful time away, learning and growing in marriage through Bible teaching. Pray that God continues to grow this needed ministry. Marriage is becoming easier to end here with recent bills (one is called “No-Fault Divorce”) being proposed in Parliament, and there needs to be a revival of the Word of God here in the UK.
Over 10,000 homes have personally received a John and Roman in Skelmersdale. Over half of the city has been canvassed. Several have contacted the church through this. Pray that souls will be saved.
Holly has been given the opportunity to attend a women’s counseling course for missionary wives this coming October. It is designed to teach her how better to work with women who are arriving on our field from various cultures. Missionary wives are not required to pay, but they ask that she try to help them raise funds for her place. The cost is $550 and includes complete room and board and all course information. The flight is an additional $150. If you would like to sponsor her, please get in touch. Even if you can’t sponsor the whole cost, any donation would help. If you can’t give, she would appreciate your prayers for the funds.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord.
Because of Jesus,
Justin, Holly, David, Jonathan, Nathan, and Samuel Williams
