2012 Summer Newsletter

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Daniel White Family

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Aug 20, 2012, 7:37:41 PM8/20/12

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Dear Praying Friends,

As I sit down to type this letter, I am encouraged and yet discouraged at the same time. I am encouraged because of some wonderful things happening on this side of the river, and yet I am discouraged because of the terrible things continuing to plague Mexico and how some of those things have crossed the border and are becoming a real problem on this side.

First for the encouragement. In the past several months we have had three people accept the salvation of the Lord and be baptized, and several new families have been attending services on a regular basis. We still only have 4 core families that are "members" and that includes my family. Average attendance is about 25 - 30 people and 8 of those are my family. However, I am encouraged by the 3 new families that have been visiting now for several months. We also started a Spanish class and I am encouraged by the people who have been attending. Our men's and ladies' Bible studies are going well and the spiritual growth of the people is wonderful to see.

Please be in prayer for our first annual Sportsman's Banquet that we will host this coming Friday night, August 24th. Another church in Bulverde, TX is partnering with us to host this event. They are providing the meal, the speaker, while our church is providing the facilities, the clean up, and the follow up. The speaker will be talking about hunting and fishing and then bring a gospel message. Our idea is to reach out to the unchurched "sportsmen" in the community that are either lost or just "out" of church. We already have a lot of excitement in the community and many men are committed to attend. Please pray for the preparations that are still being done, pray for Paul (the speaker), pray for the men who will attend, pray for our follow up efforts, and pray that this event will be the catalyst to turn our church around.

Now please bear with me for a moment as I explain what is happening concerning Mexico and US border towns. Mexico is still in an all out war with the drug cartels. It is bullets, bombs, grenades, and RPGs; it is a war zone. Mission teams crossing into Mexico do so at their own pearl. Additionally, the cartels are watching and following the mission teams, marking every place that they visit. Once the mission teams leave, the cartels go to the churches and the orphanages and demand their "cut". They know the Americans have left monies and supplies, and the cartels take what they want. Sadly, mission teams are endangering the very people they thought they were helping.

Despite what the government and the media says, our border towns are not safe; violence has taken hold of our cities and we are experiencing violence like never before. Right here in Eagle Pass drive-by shootings and execution style murders are becoming more common, along with the kidnappings and forced drug smuggling. Drug related gang violence is on the rise and a few months ago someone broke into our home. I believe we came home and startled them away, so they did not steal a great deal. Please pray for our continued safety.

Finally, a word of gratitude for those who have continued to support us financially, Thank You. Without your support, we would not be able to have our ministry here. I am the only person on staff and the church is barely able to pay me a part-time salary and pay the bills. So we appreciate your continued faith in our ministry and in us. Thank you.