2012 - Newsletter Archive
(Click on a month to expand or collapse the text)
-December 2012-
Dear Friends and Family,
Another year has passed. It was incredible reviewing last year and all that the Lord did! With wide-eyed amazement we realized each goal set and prayed about at last year's business meeting was accomplished. Isn't God good? This year's goal is to pursue and train the next generation. our theme is boasting in our weaknesses that God may show Himself strong. Our focus will be set on visiting the area far from the border in Front Line Mission's La Costa District. The concentration throughout Mexico and India is to encourage the pastors. Will you partner with us?
The world needs a Savior. Imagine the anticipation as God's people waited centuries for the Messiah. The earth still groans. Many people still have not hear, have not seen, have never experienced the presence of our Lord. But...what celebration when the Savior arrives, when eyes are opened, His power is manifested, and revival breaks out! That's happening in Mier. Sunday School was at 10:00 A.M. God moved mightily until 3:00 P.M. There was only a small break before evening service at 3:30 when the Lord began to move again. The sound of worship filled the streets and people hurried in so as not to miss a minute in God's presence. Throughout Mexico God is moving. God is raising the dead. In La Costa a newborn baby died; after 20 minutes of prayer, the Lord raised the child. The Lord is healing, restoring marriages, and even bringing life from death. Brother Antonio held funeral services for his sister-in-law. At the cemetery his niece rededicated her life to the Lord. Because of these testimonies, the church of God is growing!
In Michoacan Brother Lolo held special services for the anniversary of the church in Cortijo. What a time of fellowship for all the pastors in the area! He, Prudencio, and Raul meet weekly for prayer and see great results. Raul's church is growing. They just finished special services for the women of the village. Pray that God will prosper each pastor!
- News from India -
Praying for the sick is a huge part of Front Line Missions India. The people cannot afford doctors or hospitals! During street evangilzation they stop on each street to pray for the sick. Every month's report is full of testimonies and prayer requests. There is still a need for $2,500 to purchase additional land for expansion at the McSorley Orphanage. the orphanage also needs extra money this month for their exchange of Christmas gifts and a special meal. Your help is appreciated!
Love and Prayers,
Rodriguezes and Karen
-November 2012-
Dear Friends and Family,
I love checking things off my list! Thank you for a great response last month; all of the money is in for Cresencio to purchase land for a church. The land is bought. They are already clearing it and have set up posts and a tarp for a temporary meeting place. He said the congregation broke into laughter at the news. Isaias is also $1,000 closer to building a new church in Tecolote; and Juan has a shofar in hand. Isn't God good?
Jerry and the Mexico pastors are home. Their strength was renewed and their lives were impacted. Juan shared the message of believing God for every need with his congregation when he got home. Antonio said that he came home with new vigor and virtue. While the people prayed from him at one conference, he had a vision of his hand turning white; a white fire continued to flow down his body. What a wonderful time they had in God's presence!
Never grow weary in well doing! one of the members of the last work crew that Jerry took to Michoacan stopped and prayed for a woman on his way to the store to buy a soda. She had never been to church before and there was a language barrier; but God healed her! She is in church now; she has accepted Christ as her Savior and consequently three more converts are in church. There are also four new converts in Matujeo and three in Chaueto. God continues to work amongst all the pastors. Prudencio and Raul began meeting for prayer every Tuesday. they found out that Bro. Lolo had a fissure on his lung and decided to spend their hour of prayer with him. On his next doctor's visit; the water was drained and they confirmed that the fissure was healed. Continue to pray for all of the pastors; they are valuable!
Recently the Lord has laid Brother Simon on my heart. He is an old timer from La Costa. Jerry called Josue for the monthly report; when he asked about Simon, Josue said he had just talked to him and that he was still working hard and was well. I would like to bless Simon this month; he rarely asks for anything. Let's see what we can do.
Josue always has miraculous testimonies. A man was scheduled to have a toe amputated. They prayed, and God kept ten toes intact. A mother went into premature labor. The doctor said that he could save only one - either the mother or the baby. They prayed and both mother and child were in church to testify. At my birth the doctor gave my dad the same ultimatum... God's will prevails!
There is never enough room to give God enough praise! Happy Thanksgiving!
We love you all,
Rodriguezes and Karen
-October 2012-
Dear Friends and Family,
Jerry was home for two days before heading out with pastors from Mexico to attend various conferences in the States. He'll be gone the rest of the month while the Lord helps us girls hold down the fort. "
"It's all about the kids", the pastor left India saying. Time didn't allow the completion of a fence, but funds were left for it. Every waking moment was filled visiting and ministering in the school churches, orphanages, and feeding programs. As with the March trip to India, a harvest will continue to come! In March, we prayed for several pregnant women. Apama and Srinu asked us to pray for a safe delivery for Mama, but the Lord gave a Word concerning the birth of a healthy baby. When it was time for delivery, the doctor said that there was no heartbeat; the baby was dead. But, the couple stood on the Lord's Word to them. Jerry saw the healthy baby...very much alive!
On our last trip, we prayed over the land across the street from the McSorley orphanage. It was way over-priced! I felt the Lord said to meet with the owner and make an offer, but we left before the meeting could be arranged. Everyone said the number I had in mind was impossible. Recently, the owner, a Hindu man, was in severe pain and came to the church for prayer. god healed him! "Your God is powerful and a healing God", he came back and testified in church. He has offered to sell one third of the land for $2,500. His original asking price was $20,000. Eventually they would like to build a dining hall and rooms for girls and widows. I packed a suitcase of clothes and shoes for the orphans not knowing the quantity I'd packed or if the sizes were right. But, by the grace of God, everyone received something.
What accomplishments since our last trip! The "overflow church" is still overflowing. Jerry left money to build on, yet there are still many needs. They think big. Fortunately, we serve a big God! They asked for the money to buy land and $16,000 to build a dining hall and rooms; I asked if they could buy a temporary tarp for a temporary shelter to eat under. They agreed and said it would cost $100. I don't know if they think too big, or if I think too small, but I do know that I feel small and amazed every time God accomplishes something greater than I ever imagined.
- Mexico -
Bro. Cresencio is evanglizing a new area in Atoyac with 15 new converts. He has been offered a piece of land for $833 to build a place of worship. Bro. Isaias has been working in Tecolote, and God has been doing great things. Some have been healed instantly and others testify that their health has improved since coming to Christ. They also want to build a church. Bro. Juan is having prayer every morning and evening here on the border. People are being drawn to God. He wants a shofar (costing $75) to blow as a call to worship and to warfare on the front lines of the border.
"I can hear Papa leading us in worship", my Olivia said after I told her about my dream in which I was preparing a meal for the extended McSorley family. Tables were everywhere. When the meal was ready, I went to tell my dad who was getting dressed. "Are we getting dressed up for this?" I asked as I entered and saw him putting the finishing touches on his tuxedo. "Of course.", he replied. "Is everything ready?" I told him that my niece, Annie, was putting up the last tables. She had to set them up in the hallway because there was not an extra inch anywhere! Dad instructed us that before we ate, he wanted to lead us in devotions. To my surprise, he began to sing instead of the expected prayer or reading. The glory of God fell!
Is everything almost ready? Are we dressed and ready? Have we gathered our families to worship? I'm ready for the feast, aren't you?
Thank you for helping us go to the poor, the orphans and the widows to call them in to the family of God. We couldn't do it without you!
Love and Prayers,
Rodriguezes and Karen
-August 2012-
Dear Friends and Family,
What a fantastic Vacation Bible School turnout! Juan expected 20 the first day and had 50 and 75 by the end of the week. Wonderfully, God moved Vikki to gather craft supplies that Jerry took into Mier which met the demands of the extra children. The children and some parents have continued coming to church.
Mier has been hit hard by cartel wars. Brother Juan deliberately hit the streets inviting the un-churched to "Night of Miracles". The altars were filled! Juan's daughter went home late after service and fell asleep quickly. She was awakened to a fresh smell of fish. The Lord began to speak, "Prepare! The nets will be filled with fresh fish." They are expecting their miracle.
Brother Isaias also had 3 days of tent meetings in Alti-plano District, baptismal service, and 80 in his Vacation Bible School. Brother Josue continues to testify of the Lord's healing power in Atoyac. Two men received their miracles: God healed one of cirrhosis and another of throat cancer. Miraculous!
There have been miracles in India too. Padma has been widowed for 10 years. She moved into the McSorley Orphanage with her son and has been the cook. Since Jerry baptized her in March, she says that her life has changed. "God has done a miracle.", she testified. Miraculously, a relative came forward to marry her. She and her son now live happily in their new home.
Brother Kumar and Sister Kuti regularly have home prayer meeting and see many miracles. They prayed that Shankar's son would receive a seat in college. He did, and God provided the funds! They also prayed for a boy who had pain and swelling in his legs. Doctors could not help, but God healed him! We have also received the good news that the members of the congregation have made donations to the orphanage; this is a huge answer to prayer! We taught hard about the blessings of giving during our March trip.
We thank God for you and your prayers! Please, pray for Manga. She is suffering from swelling in her liver. Also, pray for Seluva Kumari (70 yrs. old) who has broken her left hand. They both are trusting us to pray. Brother Antonio needs $100 to repair his vehicle. All the pastors and their families, orphans, and widows need to be upheld in prayer. Jerry and I need your prayers too! The India trip is on for September at $1600 per ticket. We need God's direction! On a personal note...our daughter Olivia is now engaged. We thank God every day for her miracle! We are praying for you. May you receive your miracle.
Love and Prayers,
Rodriguezes and Karen