Wisconsin team

What a week! There are seventeen men here from the snowy state of Wisconsin, right in the ninety degree winter of Oaxaca, Mexico, and are they ever sweating it out! They have come on a unique mission and have surely found much more than they imagined they would. They flew down with several extra bags of wonderful tools. Customs allowed them to go through without any additional tax and we praised God for their safe travel and favor in customs. They carried those power tools, those socket and screwdriver sets all the way here thinking they were going to get to use them, then donate them. It is questionable they will use a single one of them this week. But they are using the leather gloves they brought. Yessiree!!! They are moving real estate this week and those gloves are protecting those serving, giving hands from many a blister. There may be a few other blisters obtained this week but let me start over in another direction.

Wisconsin team getting started



Block moving line







There was a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center opened in Puerto Escondido about two years ago, Mission Horeb. The founding family had moved here from other cities where they have established at least two more centers and have left them to be continued in capable hands. Victor, the father/founder of these centers, has found Roca Blanca to be an added advantage to the men in his work. After men go through their drying out and training at the center, he has been able to send some of them to a year of bible training at the Victory Mission Bible Institute on the Roca Blanca campus. Those that have received that training, have gone on to be the most successful at turning their lives around. (His son, Eduardo, has also graduated from the Bible School and is now one of two youth pastors for the high school students on the RB campus; a new position begun this year that is seeing amazing results.) Seeing the earnestness of Bro Victor and the young men from this Rehab who are going through the Bible training, Roca Blanca wanted to encourage them by partnering with them to see them well established.

They are making the blocks by hand and drying them.  Over 1,500 blocks were also donated from Christian businessmen here in Puerto Escondido.  PTL!!!

The rehab is currently renting a small location and are at more than full capacity. The men in this rehab have very industriously been tearing apart pallets and making their own cement blocks for building the housing and facilities on the current location. It is reminiscent of a miner's camp from pictures and stories that have been told, and it has been adequate except in space. A nice piece of mountain-top property was donated to them to build on. They have been making more blocks and gathering more pallets and boards in preparation to someday build on that new property. Now, it is happening even sooner than they expected. The men of Wisconsin have come and are putting money, heart, and hands to the cause. They have come from the snowy winter to the blazing sun to dig a mountain of dirt. A backhoe prepared some of the mountain top, separating it, leveling it out into two large terraces of dirt. The team, along with the Mexican rehab men, have been digging foundations for a kitchen, a bathroom, and a septic. The team has been learning the art of manually making cement blocks. They have dug some of the holes required for the footings where the tabernacle will be erected and helped make the cement to fill those holes, again by hard, manual labor. Cement has been mixed by hand for the mortar and carried to where three Mexican men are quickly building a wall for the kitchen. When the one retaining wall is up, more digging will be required to bring the dirt down level for making the floor. More real estate to turn over; much more than they bargained for or imagined, don't you think? But, they are cheerful, as energetic as they can be, and certainly bringing lots of smiles to all the natives. There are two or three of the Americans who are conversing with the nationals in Spanish and making for a closer, more bonded relationship. It is spectacular to watch the joy of the Lord at work among the brothers/the Bride of Christ.



Missions pastor of Life Church Germantown, Wisc.- Kevin





Patio breakfast at the hotel







Italian dinner at Franco's



John & I have been involved in more ways than we imagined too. Just before we began our journey to come to Mexico this October, two people generously donated pop-up canopies to the Roca Blanca medical clinic to be used on their outreaches in the villages where there are no facilities for setting up. We were so excited to bring those and see the surprise and smile on Sister Laura's face when we presented them. We have seen an even bigger smile on her face since she has seen them put to use in a recent outreach. She said she was amazed at how quick and easy they were to put up. I expect they will now become an ongoing "need". But then, realizing we were going to be helping the Wisconsin team to work on an open property several miles out of town, we ask Laura to please allow us to borrow her new canopies and she graciously loaned them to us. What a lifesaver they have been. They have provided shelter for both lunchtime and rest; a wonderful respite from the blazing sun. John has helped in preparing the project and then has been required to use the truck for hauling luggage when they first arrived, hauling blocks from the old to the new location, and hauling cement bags. Our wonderful gift from the Lord (the truck) has hauled around 5,000 lbs. up a very steep, sandy incline to the new building site more than once but, without any struggle whatever. We again praise the Lord and rejoice in His gift that is helping to advance the Kingdom here in our Mexico location. Wow! It reminds us that God sure knows our needs more than we ever could. We have both helped serve food to the men while at Roca Blanca and again at the Puerto hotel where we moved to so as to be closer to the building location. I have been challenged to serve breakfasts on a front patio at 6am for three mornings. There is no kitchen but two nice tables and a few chairs have been set up by the hotel. They have generously allowed us the use of one refrigerator next to the patio to keep perishable food in. So, we have served breakfast camp style and again there are no complaints from the team. They are patient and enduring. We heard them excitedly sharing with one another new and wonderful things the Lord was teaching them through this week's experience. We all enjoyed the refreshing coolness of the swimming pool for a short half hour some evenings before we loaded up and head to the Italian restaurant in town. One Christian brother, Franco, provided the evening meals with great gusto and not too short a sermon to top it off. That in itself was a unique experience, to go to a restaurant and be unable to leave until the owner finished his sermon.



Wednesday evening was spent at the Rehab center in a worship meeting followed by a special appreciation dinner. The mother/founder along with her helpers have provided some wonderful meals throughout the week but they went all out for that one. We had pozole-chicken and hominy in a tomato/onion/garlic/chili powder soup with trimmings of chopped lettuce, onion, or chilis to add to it. The service was delightful too. The men worship as wholeheartedly as they work. They give everything one hundred percent. The American men have exclaimed over and over again about the amazing passion for worship that these men show and the amazing work they accomplish.

This team of Americans are REAL troupers. They have sweated, strained, had the belly ache, ate strange food in strange places, slept on rock hard beds with flat little pillows, and kept such an enthusiasm and excitement about sharing the love of Jesus here in Mexico. We are proud to have met them and sure hope to see them once again; maybe next year, same time, same place even. God bless the short term mission workers. May He give the vision to full-time ministry too, both at home and abroad.

Pictures:    Mixing cement (top left) and digging septic (top right);

Septic is filling up...w/men (bottom left)

There were a couple more families who were here with us through their donation of two pop-up canopies. Those have been true lifesavers this week. They were set up at the property to give shade for the lunches and for the rest times and they were very much appreciated. I (Joyce) spent several hours under them one of those days and I was reminded again of how much a blessing they were. Thank you Mr Spohn and Mr Leonard for your loving generosity.

The end of the week will see the team staying one night in beautiful Huatulco, the lovely resort town closest to the airport from where they fly out. They will have one day for relaxing and shopping before they rejoin their families in the cold, blustery north. It has been a good week for everyone involved and we praise God for another opportunity to serve Him and remind you that you are a part of all that happens. Rewards await you, along with us, for all the work that has been accomplished here because of your encouragement, your communication, your financial giving, and your prayers. Blessings on every and each one of us, in Jesus' name.

This is the first service in the new tabernacle and the large group of men who worked together five days to make it happen.  In addition, they built a septic, and began the kitchen and bathrooms.  Later dormitories will be added, made mostly from recycling used pallets. 













House Hunting HGTV Style

Number one did actually pique our interest because it is a private dwelling, has its own well, structures ready for the necessary facilities, and good ocean breezes. It is a concrete house with a tiled roof over a porch. The rooms would be sealed off from bugs easily entering in the night. The bathroom was a good walk from the house so it would never present any odorous problems nearby, just a watchful eye along the path for scorpions and spiders, especially those huge, hairy tarantulas. It has an open, concrete holding tank for water so you could dip all you needed for showers or flushing the toilet. The kitchen sink is in another place a little closer to the house. It has the same open concrete holding tank with about a 20 gallon water capacity, and a separate countertop space to the side that would hold dishes or laundry items while washing them. The well has its own bucket or a small pump could be purchased to bring it up a little quicker. A little paint to brighten it all up and some grass seed on the clean dirt would make it a sweet home. Everything looks possible but would take a larger amount of money to prepare than we want to invest. We can invest in housing, or we can invest in language school.

Number two is a painted set of two separate rooms, each having their own front doors but equally sharing a nice front porch. It sits high enough above the road to get good breezes. It even has the tiled roofing that insulates from the heat. Surviving the heat is a must. The ceiling would need to be supplemented with netting to keep the bugs out but netting is readily available. There are a few rustic, used pieces of furniture that could be rented cheaply and would be most helpful until we could replace them, yesterday. The yard is full of flowers, turkeys, a wormy pup and cat, and enough extra space for John to park his truck. There is no bathroom or kitchen except the ones available in another house just down the hill at the Andersons. But hey!, they would probably share.

Number three is the ONE! It is modern, with indoor facilities, two patios, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a fenced yard. You can rent the large stove in the kitchen for a wee bit extra and there are real cabinets in it. Wow! It is well painted, bright orange/red, inside and out and looks very clean. But, another family is living there till Nov 15th and then the owner may want to move back in. Who knows how long it would be available because the owners might come back from the States (quite unexpectedly) and need to live there. Hm! Can we take that risk? It is really nice in comparison to everything else in this little fishing village.

That leaves number four. Let's see. There is an American family of four plus one (that makes five, but not all are American) living there until they possibly leave the end of February. The house is almost finished and almost modernized. The main part of the house has an eat-in kitchen room, a living room, and a large bedroom with attached bathroom. In all the rooms, there are very nice sliding glass windows with screens, topped with arching round windows. The metal doors and windows both have tinted glass that detract the sun. The kitchen is the least finished with a rough, newly-made cement countertop held up by mortared bricks. It has no cabinets or shelves. The floors are all beautifully tiled in large terra cotta tiles. Attached, but with separate entrances are another bedroom, a toilet room, and a shower room. That belongs to the two young men of the family and their live-in buddy. Gabi. The family are in Spanish language school and Gabi works in the guest house at the Base. That looks a little too full, doesn't it? We will only be here till March, one month longer than them.

So, which one did we choose?



The boys moved into the front room, the front room furniture was moved into the parent's bedroom, and we moved into the boy's room that had the outside, separate entrance. We'll use the attached shower and toilet room, both with their separate outside doors, and share them with the boys as necessary. That makes our choice Number four! We'll share in using their kitchen and washing machine. The stove is sitting outside so looks that will be no problem to use as needed too. We will definitely worm the tiny pup and kitten and shoo away stray turkeys or chickens as needed. They will enjoy our big truck to haul groceries and whatever up that rough, steep hill. Oh, I forgot to tell you about the road up to the house? It will jar your teeth right out of your head so hang on tight and come see us.....after the other family move out and we have all four rooms!

Life on the mission field,

John & Joyce

Graduation, Students, & Post Graduates

Every Tribe and Tongue of Oaxaca




Roca Blanca hosted a pastor and women’s conference simultaneously, Wednesday through Friday. Jill Stafford, director of Victory Bible Institute International, and Pastor Pam, of Indiana shared together about walking in the authority and power of Jesus Christ. It was a tremendous encouragement to many of the ladies. Joyce overheard Jill talking through Linda, the Roca Blanca Bible school director, to the various pastors present and was especially exhilarated by their conversation. Jill was telling them that she and her husband had studied results that showed one year of spiritual training/discipleship in a Bible school was equal to twenty years of learning gained while attending Sunday church meetings. It propels people forward in their walk with Christ in a dramatic manner. This stirred the attending pastors to share testimonies of what they had seen in their first attempts to hold Bible schools in their local church bodies. Wow! One told of two girls who had received Christ the same day. One attended Bible school, one didn’t and the difference in their spiritual walk with Christ was astounding. Another told of how their students were mostly young people and after they had finished their one year of training, they immediately went out, evangelized, and gathered others into their church so that their youth group was exploding to double and triple its size. Others told of students who following their graduation went out and actually began new churches in neighboring villages, sharing the lessons that they had been taught. They were glorious testimonies that touched every heart that was listening. God’s Word is SO powerful and active. Makes you wonder why every church doesn’t have its own Bible school program. Most of these churches are beginning with video classes four hours each Saturday with a goal of two years to complete them. This is a new project that will put the Light of Jesus Christ in more places, more quickly than ever before. Praise God and let the Bible schools be multiplied every year until all the tongues and tribes of Oaxaca have heard the Good News!

Panixtluaca graduation

November 7th, we had the privilege to attend the first Bible School graduation at the church in Panixtluaca. They had a growing church of four hundred and for this first graduation ceremony, the house was packed. We started out at 4am to reach there by the opening at 7am. Yes, they actually start church services here as early as 6 or 7am, finishing before the morning breakfast at 10am. It was a cold morning, in the low 60’s, and we wound around and around going up the mountains then down the mountains in the dark. Sections of road were missing off the sides after the monsoon rains had washed them away but usually boulders or signs marked their absence. One stretch remains unpaved so we crawled along for about thirty minutes at 10-20 mph. We arrived with ample time. They took us inside and blessed us with a hot drink and dry bread. The hot drink was Atole, a national favorite, which consists of water, cornstarch, and sugar. It was a wonderful service celebrating these first fifteen students. Sister Linda shared a word from Joshua 1:1-9 with them then invited us to pray over each student. That is always a great joy for us and we accepted quickly and gratefully. Then, we were asked to join her on stage to pass out the certificates. That felt rather awkward but perhaps we’ll get enough practice to become more comfortable with that. it’s a great honor to bless each student as they walk through that line receiving acknowledgment of their achievements.

After the service, there followed a breakfast meal of BBQ’ed beef, salsa verde, spaghetti noodles (they really like pasta around here), and Big homemade tortillas that most every attending lady brought with her from home. It was a delicious meal that satisfied every hunger pain we ever thought we had. It made the trip home a rather sleep invoked one but we were so thankful for how the Lord had prospered them to give in this manner. And we continue in thanksgiving for the churches that are blessed to celebrate new disciples, trained to “go into all the world and make new disciples”. That makes Ephesians 4:12 come alive. “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”

Speakers/Teachers/Trainers
It must be the season for speakers/trainers because they are overlapping right now. We have a couple here training pastors that have previously graduated from Bible school, to be pastor/leader trainers. They have been giving two weeks of intense training to these people. They travel all around the world training leadership in every area of their lives, both personal and ministry oriented. We are excited about the incredible work going on here at every level of need.



There is a retired surgeon here with Laura to do simple surgeries at the clinic. We haven’t checked back with him yet to see what all is happening but he was telling us this is his third trip here and upon arriving in town, one man he didn’t remember, simply grinned at him and lifted his shirt, exposing his scars from a surgery. In that was greeting and connection.



So teachers are coming and going, overlapping some according to their area of specialty. Some are teaching the graduates, some are teaching the students. A speaker that is currently working with the students is Iva Mae, Duane’s sister. She has a helper, Anna, and two trainees with her. Their ministry is on inner healing and they are teaching in the mornings and then doing prayer and counseling till late evenings. Please lift them in prayer as this is a very needful ministry but a very tiring one as well.



We praise God for the advancement of His kingdom in Oaxaca. We are thrilled with every little part we can be involved in. Soon, we hope to begin Spanish classes so we can participate more fluently and effectively…in their own language. Those classes are $275 each/monthly so we ask your prayers for the additional finances to accomplish that. It is a great privilege to be here in God’s grace and timing. Thank you for your loving support that makes it possible.

The Duenos-Landlord

Landlord’s dog....Paloma (little dove).   We call him Peanut (Cacajuate).


We told you when we chose the fourth place and moved into our house (room), we would be worming the dog. You need to see a “before” picture or you will never believe the “after”. Of course, you will need to wait some time for the after. This pup’s name is Paloma (meaning, Dove) and although he looks totally pathetic, he thinks he is something pretty big. He races out to the dusty road and puts up his biggest squeak until they disdainfully pass on by. Then, he trots back to his house with a cocky jaunt and twitch of his tail. There are three cats that live there and they are now being wormed as well. We’ll skip on worming the chickens and turkeys but we are thankful for them since they effectively keep the bug population down. We have the really big ones here, you know. There was a baby tarantula a the door the other night. Scorpions are more normal than rare. Roaches, monster beetles, mosquitos, you name it, they have it in Mexico! So, we appreciate the bird population around our place and the good care the landlord’s take of not allowing them on our doorsteps.



Landlord couple

We have the sweetest landlord couple. They are proud parents of twelve children, some of which visit from time to time. They are very helpful and resourceful. There is plenty to be learned from them. The uncle climbs to the roof every morning to check the amount of water then hooks up the portable pump to whichever tank (tinaco) that needs to be filled. The aunty makes yummy tamales and brings to all of us…that is five at the Anderson house and two at ours. The best tamales were corn and they were a bit sweetened. The outside shell is ground corn but they were also filled with corn. Hm! Good. We are introducing them to all the American sweeties we bake and sometime, it will be interesting to introduce them to Indian food. Now, that’s a thought for sure.

All her food is still made over an open fire. Recently, during our Halloween, they celebrated the Day of the Dead (good name, huh?). Aunty and a daughter or two baked an enormous amount of little bread loaves, some shaped like people or animals. They were all baked in the huge bee-hive , stone oven. Wonder how some pizzas would taste baked in it too?


We took their gas cylinder into town to be filled. That is why they weren’t using their little gas stove. Now, she is proud that John has worked the rust and crude off it and it is firing up nicely. Can you please fix our truck too, John? Grin Thankfully it just seems to need a recharge on the battery so it should be running soon. Some things are easy. Some are not.

Growing Mascots & Marriage Conference 2

Several of you have asked about the German Shepherd puppies. They are growing a lot. They now have a pen with their portable cage still in it to help them transition. We are in the process this week of finding a couple of boys to help feed and care for them. They will be able to continue the care when we are on outreach trips or busy as we were during the recent marriage conference. Here is a picture of them at 15 weeks.

This was the second marriage conference on the Base. We had six pastor and wife couples. They arrived looking tired and rather apprehensive. I heard one almost backed out because they weren’t sure what would be expected or put on them. However, their many comments were nothing but appreciation and gratefulness as they were leaving. The marriage conference sprang from the heart of Charles and Eli Norton.

It is a new teaching to the pastors and it amazes them what God has to say to them about the importance of their marriage. Topics included: priorities, what a man/woman needs, importance of the marriage covenant, communication, etc. Free times are given daily that involve homework with questions they need to ask one another. Many gifts are given: the book, The Five Love Languages, flowers, fruits, tortillas clothes, and a larger home gift. Wonderful meals and coffee times are arranged at the lovely hotel on the Base and the pastors are each given a gorgeous room to enjoy for the weekend. Class also includes a renewal of vows and promises, and communion between each couple. At the last meal, they cut a large wedding cake and have pictures taken. Every small detail is lovingly arranged by the Nortons.

We, and the Olsons, help out where we can with baking, room arrangement, giving out gifts, and supporting in prayer. Another newly married couple, Lalo and Lesli, led the worship times. It was a fun, uplifting weekend and so thrilling to see those dear pastor couples renewed, refreshed, and invigorated with the Good News they were carrying back to their people that marriages are important; that the Church will only be as strong as the marriages of the families within it.

New Roca Blanca Mascots

I have recently had the fun of participating in the purchase oftwo German Shepherd puppies to take to Mexico. Our watch dog on the Roca Blanca base, is getting old and is not quite doing the job any more so James Olsen and I were praying about getting new watch dogs. The monies came in and some pups were advertised. We went to look and found the answer to our prayers. Duke and King will be making the long travel back to Roca Blanca with us. King will remain on the campus while Duke will go to the home of the Kershners in the mountains.  Thank you for your support given in many ways to fill many needs.    John

Supporters of all kinds...

Workday supporters…

What a huge encouragement we received recently from some of our supporters. They gave us a workday here at the home place. With John unable to do anything the first two months we were home, it seemed the summer was spent and chaos still reigned in the barn. A big white van drove up with the Richards family and they piled out with happy faces and helping hands. Everyone unloaded the barn and then the men constructed a loft for storage on which many heavy building materials were piled. The ladies and children raked and piled leaves, burned old wood, made concrete to set a new clothesline, and kept us running to find more things to do. Mom & Papa Spohn came the same day and a new workbench and clothesline pole were cut and welded and a wonderful big family meal was prepared for everyone to eat with cold drinks served all day as needed. Mom spent extra time repairing the trim on the patio table umbrella. (Behind, you can see the tent set up that we are taking to Mexico.) In all, tt was a lot of hard work so that after two days, John & I were sore and tired but happy and encouraged. Thank you dear family and friends for your uplifting fellowship, food, and work. You have lifted our hopes and strengthened our feeble knees.

Prayer supporters….

We are being so encouraged by the number of people that have been responding and making a commitment to pray for us while we are away in south Mexico. There have been 13 so far, but several include others in a larger prayer group. We found an old list of prayer supporters when we were in India and were so surprised to find we had several for every day of the month; at least 40. We need that kind of prayer coverage to minister effectively in Mexico. We need people who can’t be there in body but are willing to be there in the Spirit, in prayer. We hope to hear from more of you that you will join us in partnership through prayer.

Giving supporters…..

We have giving supporters who have donated various items. One self-inflating mattress had been given for our camping trips in the mountainous medical outreaches. We're still looking for a second one.

We are excited about the possibility of surprising our dear Sister Laura, director of the Victory Missions  medical clinic upon our return. We have had someone donate money toward a portable canopy for the outreach clinics where there are no buildings to use.

Chain saws and tools have been donated for the building projects that are ongoing.

Four new tires were purchased for the truck from offerings given by two different families wanting to advance the kingdom work. Still need an oil change and air-conditioner repair. John isn’t thrilled about the air changing intermittently from cold to hot on his side.

Several have faithfully and consistently given their financial support for the time we were at home resting and preparing to return to Mexico. How we praise the Lord for those who believe in us and what we are...called of God to go wherever He needs us, for as long as He needs us. Looking back over the years, we can see He has not called us to remain in any one place as He has some, but has called us to go different places to accomplish a specific job and when that is finished, He leads us onward. What a privilege to be part of the Body of Christ, advancing the Kingdom of God to every tongue, tribe, and nation at such a day as this.

We head for Mexico October 3rd or 4th with our dear friends James and Cassie Olsen also of Springfield, Mo. We are slightly delayed in our return there because our church family has blessed us with a free registration to the Ladies’ Conference September 29th-October 2nd. Thank you JRA! We plan to go to Mexico fired up, refueled by the Lord Almighty to do great and wonderful things.

Home for the summer!

We arrived home safely, June 22nd, excited to see our place again. It was overgrown with six foot weeds in the enriched soil of the flower bed that hugs the front wall of the house; the front yard was a wild meadow full of pretty flowers. Only the garden seemed to remain bare and open. A neighbor had cut a path with his weed-eater to the front door, allowing a narrow passage way. The chopped weeds had pasted themselves to the door and dried there. We looked inside cautiously and were wonderfully surprised how lovely everything was, just as we had remembered it. Our daughter had cleaned and swept. We felt fully welcomed. We unloaded, unpacked, and dropped into bed to sleep…for two days. Seriously, we could hardly do anything before we would be dropping off to sleep again. We were more exhausted than we even knew.
John had developed a blister on his leg the day we left Mexico to return home. Three days of hard travel caused his leg to be swollen and feverish just below the knee. The previous flesh-eating bacteria had erupted again. He fought it with everything he knew and cried out to the Lord; He sent forth His word and healed him (Ps 107:20). It was three weeks before he could walk on it again, and several more weeks before his strength was returned but it was healed to return no more. While he could do no work, and little else, he was blessed to be able to visit all his family on his birthday. A week later, we spent a day with my family, celebrating my brother’s short two week rest period at home from Afganistan.

There are three weddings of nieces and nephews to attend during the summer: two in our home town and another in Kansas City. We have some pics to share of those. There was a joyful reuniting with our church Life Group and other friends at the Sunday services.

Then, there was work, sweat, and tears…that is as in old clothes tearing from the strain of it all. The yard has to be divested of stumps so others can help us keep it mowed after we were gone. There must be twenty-plus stumps in the yard. We have dug, chopped, burned, and cut them with a chain saw; whatever seemed appropriate for the size and hardness of the wood. We borrowed a swisher, a big weed-eating machine to hack down the meadow that was our front yard and prepared it for mowing. We had construction materials and tables to move, or remove. Welcome home? They are not yet conquered but definitely diminished.

Spanish books were brought home for studying through the summer but they don’t seem to be getting opened too often. Too many people to see, places to go, and things to do.

We attended a wonderful missions conference with the people of Mexico and Roca Blanca in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Victory Christian Center the first of Aug. We were encouraged and inspired by the experienced missions teachers, and enveloped in the fellowship of missionaries from around the world. Sharon Honeyman, Joyce’s cousin, opened her home to us while we were there and we had a lovely visit together.

This is August and we plan to head south again the end of Sept. Please keep us in prayer that we will complete those things that are necessary for our return to Mexico. Please pray for us to know how to prepare for our return. We are in question as to our housing there which brings up more questions about what to or what not to take with us. Please pray for John’s health that he will return to full strength. Please pray for us to receive the Spanish language as a gift from God. Please pray we can be a blessing to the people we work with (missionaries and base staff). Please pray for the harvest of many precious people among the Indian tribes there. As you read the Word daily, when you find a scripture that reminds you of us, please pray it over us. And please, send us your prayer requests so we can pray and help bear your burdens.

Graduation day and homeward bound

Graduation day…was on a Friday morning but the whole week was busy with preparations for it along with many extra chores. A number of cakes were ordered for last meetings together so Joyce was baking up a storm, and then made some cookies for the travel home. Our truck was in big demand to haul something almost daily. We hauled two mattresses: one for the hotel, one for a affianced couple preparing their new home. We hauled a new air-conditioner and washing machine for the hotel plus the hotel cook and her weekly groceries for the next incoming team. In between all the hauling, we were opening the coffee shop early mornings for our guest speaker of the week, packing to leave, cleaning up the space we lived in, washing clothes, and trying to attend as many meetings as possible. Our speaker was named Moses. He was 78, an eighth grade graduate with an honorary doctorate from a teachers’ university in China. He had traveled 98 countries of the world teaching and preaching, and was full of love and life and plenty of stories. He was such a joy to be around and gave some sound teachings along with encouraging prophetic words from the Lord for each student that was graduating from the Bible school. Friday, we had to have our suitcases and picnic stuff packed in the truck in preparation to leave from town after the graduation. We transported a few people into the graduation ceremony and left in good order. It was a terrific graduation service full of worship, prayer, and rejoicing. On our way out, John was stopped and hugged by a number of the fellows he had worked with. We left feeling blessed to have been a part of their lives for these short five months and with hopes to see many of them again.

Our trip home was full of experiences. We set out to travel 140 miles the first night to Oaxaca City. It took us six hours to reach there as we traveled round and round, up and down the mountains, usually at about 20mph. We were thankful to arrive and unwind. We had rooms booked in a 17th century building that had originally been a convent and then a prison. It had thick stone walls and a big inner courtyard but was beautifully remodeled to make a world class hotel. The people flowing in and out were very Caucasian looking but spoke Spanish as though it were their mother tongue. That was very confusing till we realized these were mostly people of the original Spaniard descent. We had been living and working mostly among the Indian people with their tribal dialects, some villages of which have been integrated with shipwrecked Haitian slaves several generations ago. There was a very sharp contrast and it gave us a bit of culture shock that first night. The surrounding area was cobblestone streets and quaint old buildings and cathedrals of Spanish architect. It would take a camera to adequately show the beauty of the setting. One of the Bible school students had family there and had traveled with us. Her family blessed us with a delicious seafood meal at their restaurant the next day before our leaving. So, we got a late start and a late ending to the second day.

At our second destination, we stayed in a hotel next to a Sirloin Stockade. We wanted someone to pinch us and make sure we were still in Mexico. The following morning, we wanted to pinch someone else for the highway robbery prices they charged for the morning buffet. It was an elaborate buffet, complete with a chef that would make fresh omelets to your liking, but help us, $15 a plate for breakfast?

The third day we had two exciting ventures. John had often prayed, asking the Lord to keep air in our tires until we reached home again. We heard a big explosive sound and slowly made our way to the side of the highway. We were moving at 80mph now, along good toll road highways that cut through mountains, bridging large gaps rather than winding around and around them, and they also bypass several large cities. We slowed down to pull off on the side and saw that our tire had blown off the outer tread but still was holding air. PTL!!! John was taking out the spare when another truck pulled up behind us. Out hopped three orange angels and took over the entire job while we watched in happy amazement. They were a highway assistance crew dressed in orange jumpsuits. With all the hundreds of miles for them to cover, how they came to be right there, at that exact time, seemed very amazing to us. He was so glad for the help. We happily shared our homemade cookies with them and exchanged big smiles and handshakes before we were on our way once again.

We made it to the border on Sunday afternoon and we saw overhead that there were long lines waiting to go across. It was 106 dgs and the air conditioner froze up while we were idling and waiting. We were looking for Bridge #2. A policeman pulled up alongside us on his motorcycle and reminded us to buckle up. We had just left the vehicle inspection office and in our getting separated from the Olsons, we had forgotten about buckling up. The police began to ask for John’s license when we explained our confusion and apologized for our lack in buckling. He forgave us, went into the intersection, and detained all traffic while he motioned us to do a U-turn and head back the way we came. Wow! That was a big surprise. So, we found the right direction but we crept along every block trying to find which one turned onto the second bridge. A man behind us honked at us. We motioned him to go ahead but he stopped alongside and asked if we needed help then preceded to lead us straight to the bridge we needed. Two more angels sent to aid us along our way. We felt truly guided by the Lord and made our crossing without complications to find the Olsons on the other side in Laredo…at a Wal-Mart parking lot. We pushed on to Austin, Texas for the night and arrived in Springfld, Mo. on Monday afternoon with grateful, happy hearts. Its always good to be on the field where God sends you, but there’s never anywhere to compare with home. Thank you dear supporters who prayed and payed for our safe return. We have plans to be home a couple months before heading south once again. Hope we see many of you in our short stay here. God bless you each and every one.

Weekend to Amuzgos

Can you imagine what it would be like to be visiting in the only Christian church in a town of 20,000, and with it being only seven years in existence? Can you imagine such a church being of 200 members, many of them people over sixty-five years of age, and so thrilled to finally know the One true God and His Son, Jesus Christ before they know Him in eternity? Can you imagine being the daughter of a man who was a drunkard for many years but who now, knowing Jesus for four years, is a loving, godly father? Can you imagine how her life has been transformed in just a few short years from a struggling young lady, hoping to make a decent life for herself with her Business Adm. degree, one among many, many youth, to now being a believer and an assistant administrator of a growing missions base? All these are realities; dreams come true because God reigns!




We visited the Amuzgos village with an excitement in our hearts because when we first met Socorro, (Soco to us) the newly appointed assistant to the administrator of Roca Blanca missions base, we connected in the Spirit, with a great love for one another. As we grew to know one another, we realized that our hearts and visions were the same and we could benefit one another and the Kingdom of God by helping and encouraging one another in those visions and dreams. Socorro (which means “helper”) is from a farming community that lies nestled in a high mountain valley where they grow corn (maiz) as a primary crop along with other vegs and fruits and raise the typical farming animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens. The majority of their women embroider for many hours a day making the most beautiful dresses of bright colors mostly on white or cream fabric. They are made with intricate designs of flowers, animals, and people and often include strips of ribbon or ric-rac. It is amazing to see them laboring over dirty fires and sweeping dirt floors and streets in these gorgeous, light fabrics. How they stay so clean shows many hours of care for their clothes. The men commonly are wearing the western clothes but still often carrying their machete throughout the day as it is their weapon and tool for all things. Who needs a shovel, a pick, a chain saw, a fruit peeler, or scissors? A man with a machete can do many, many things, and they work hard every day with it to carve out a living for their families. However, alcoholism, hopelessness, and godlessness has many of them in bondage; slaves to sin and destruction.



The church of Amuzgo is a growing light to the people of this small tribe that are found in a few villages along the coastal mountains. It all began about ten years ago when a man from their tribe, working in the USA, found Jesus and heard the call to go back to his own people and share the Good News. Bro. Alex and his friend, Bro. Luis, returned from good businesses and good lives in the States to birth a new hope, a new dream, a new life in Christ. We were blessed to meet them, spend time in English conversation with them and their families, and to rejoice in spiritual fellowship together this past weekend of June 4-6th. We carried Soco and her sister Vero back to their village where we received an open-hearted, loving welcome from her family, her friends, and her people. We walked many dusty roads and mountain fields with her and her father, listening to their dreams that were being revived from years of loss through alcoholism and defeat. We walked the streets of the town meeting and greeting people everywhere we went. We enjoyed the best Mexican home cooking we’ve had since coming here in January. Sunday, we went to their new church body and were received with great kindness and respect as farmers and as missionaries. John gave a testimony and message on the bigness of our God. The pastor interpreted in both Spanish and the native Indian dialect which was tonal and fascinatingly different than anything you would expect to hear in Mexico. The older generation still communicate only in their old tongue so it was necessary for him from time to time to speak in both languages to the people. Some of those from the older generation were so enthralled with the testimony and Word of the Lord that they stood the entire time John was speaking. Imagine such hunger, imagine such eagerness to hear the Word of God, imagine standing for an hour of worship and another forty-five minutes of someone speaking about answering the “call” of Matt. 28:18-20!!! When the pastor gave invitation to “go forth”, it wasn’t only the young people who came but the oldest, shortest people of the church. Many of these older ones had stunted growth. Their hands had short stubby fingers from hard labor; their feet had toes splayed apart and with little or no arch from years of walking barefoot or in hard, leather sandals. They were the most amazing and responsive people, boldly willing to be anointed for preaching the Good News to others with the signs and wonders of miracles and healings to follow them. Out of the sixty some people in attendance that Sunday, there were about twenty people who came forward and they touched our hearts deeply as they gathered to be prayed over and again later as they surrounded us to pray over us and send us forth with the prayer that we would come again. How astonishing to realize there are still people who have never heard about the wonderful salvation of Jesus. What a joy to know God is still at work to reach all people, all tongues, all nations for His glory and His Kingdom. To God be all the praise.



We regret that we are unable to provide pictures of this trip and these people as our camera has been missing for about three weeks. We will make effort to post pictures of the Amuzgos during a later visit this year.

Sea Invasion

We had one exciting day as we watched the ocean waves pounding and pouring over the embankment of the beach.  It spilled over into the fishermens' boats, toppling some of their palapa shelters, causing their boats to be overwhelmed.  It took 8-9 men together to move their boats back away from the rage and grab their nets inland.  The swimming palapa fell, stray catle looked like they would be stranded on a small strip of ground but they were finally hurried off into safer ground.  Its pre-rainy season and the ocean is shifting in anticipation.  The overflowing water has all disappated, and the ocean has regressed but continues to pound so that the fishermen are not going out for fishing.  God is a magnificent creater of power and beauty and awesome things.  Behold the glory of the Lord!

Korean team

It was an unusual trip in most every way. From the Seoul Korean Baptist Church of Houston Tx. came a group of ten Koreans (that Church for the tenth time). Among them were two doctors, one chiropractor, three hairdressers, and four who worked among the children. They flew in on Saturday, spent the whole evening preparing their gift bags, and hit the trail early Sunday morning towards the mountainous district of Ixtayutla.


For John, it was the fourth trip for hauling luggage and food up the mountains since our coming in January. Thank the Lord again for a wonderful big truck that can bless so many, many people. John had been given Ps 124 for this trip by his brother and he prayed that as they were leaving. He would surely need it.

They arrived and set up camp in El Mosco and were rained on the first night. The tents were quickly moved in under the church roof; John slept in the truck. Medical clinic was open for business and the patients flowed through. The hairdressers began cutting and trimming hair when they could find a willing participant, and before long they had a line of young people. The children were given bible lessons with games and songs.

The second day, the ministry was repeated in Pueblo Viejo; the third day in Ixtayutla City. In Ixtayutla, John was crawling along slowly through the town. A small baby boy ran out towards the truck and his momma screamed and grabbed him back to safety in the nick of time. The father was yelling that he was going to get a group and come after us with machetes. John had seen and heard none of this as he was focused on watching forward, leading another of the vehicles in caravan. After passing through the town, he stopped and people who had been riding in the back bed of the truck came around to tell him what had happened. Usually, he was told, a complaint would also be made to the police and a big fine paid to soothe the feelings of the people. Yes, there was no actual accident but, the fear and anger was as real as though it had happened. The Lord’s Word given was prayed several times and was at work in and through the situation. (Psalms124) Nothing came of the threats as God miraculously intervened. God is with us as a mighty Awesome One.

They returned Wednesday in the late evening and went out again Thursday to a nearby village to repeat the different ministries. The medical team believes they saw 150 patients in those three places. The hairdressers wore out three clippers while cutting the hair of 40-50 per day. The childrens’ workers gave away lots of candy, prizes, photos, and made many new friends.

Friday, was their day to go souvenir shopping in Puerto Esc. for long hours in the hot, humid weather but, when they returned, they set up for sushi making and a few extra haircuts. They had brought all kinds of good Korean food and the sea provided the fresh fish that made the sushi that much more special. What a trip for a group of people who were all 50-80 yrs old.

Marriage Conference & Mother's Day

The first Roca Blanca Marriage Retreat was held May 7-9th and it was a success! Charles and Ellie Norton hosted and taught most of it…together. They did a super job. Only four of the eight invited couples were able to attend but everyone of those four were noticeably blessed and excited about making it a reoccurring event. Gifts were in the rooms every day such as: flowers, candies, the Love Language book in Spanish, and embroidered heart pillows. The Fireproof film in Spanish drew many comments the next morning in review. The final lesson on the marriage covenant was followed by each couple taking communion together and renewing their marriage vows. The final meal ended with a wedding cake which each couple cut together while having their picture taken. Every detail was carefully prepared and executed in a loving manner and every couple was so thankful for what it had meant to their marriage. It was especially a blessing to John & I as we watched the pastors enfold Charles and Ellie in prayer and confirm their new endeavor to enrich the marriages of Mexico.

Mother’s day is a BIG celebration in Mexico, at least it was in Cacalotte, the small village Roca Blanca is neighbors with. It follows on the Monday after the USA celebration. John & I weren’t able to attend but we viewed it through our friends and wanted to share a piece of it with you. There were games, gifts, music and dancing, and food until wee hours of the morning. Those mothers sure had a magnificent party.