MISSION UPDATE 7.29.08
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from Greg Wilke 7.29.08 

A TRIP TO MEXICO

Well what can I say…? I went to Mexico a month ago now.   We prayed and prayed if the trip would be possible. It was my desire and petition before our Lord for three weeks to be able to make a trip back down. The three days prior to the deadline to leave on the trip were full of answered prayers and surprising adventures in getting a new vehicle ready and filling it up with supplies.

 We were able to mobilize a few of the brothers in ministry.  In other words, we were able to help them get ready and encourage them for action. Alfonzo has started to lead the meetings in Toltecas and his future son in law is helping lead worship. Jose Valdez has really come along side of us with the youth outreach.

 A big old television, DVD player and Christian movies that were given to Uriel and he is showing them in Toltecas.  Some good quality clothes were sent down with me. We were able to employ Perla, age 20, to manage the distribution. 13 five gallon buckets for making water filters were sent, and Uriel is now assembling the filters that will be a real healthy help to some new families. Cases of powdered milk and other food was also sent to our ( your ) poor brethren. Some of the weight equipment that we have purchased for an outreach to the youth is now in the care of a single brother about my age.  

Salvation Testimony

A lady named Rosario that we once witnessed to years ago has committed her life to Christ.  This last month Alfonzo traveled out to Rancho Esperanza with his sister from the city of Culiacan. They were going to this remote village to buy goat cheese.  We had held outreaches in this village a couple of times and showed an evangelistic film right at this ladies’ home. Please be praying for Rosario.

ESTUARY TRIP

 TRIP DETAILS

The events of the week prior to the trip were amazing to me as our amazing God allowed the funds to be given for the gasoline, tolls, and a new van that was sponsored. This 1988 Dodge van, with 175,000 miles, came with some needs that ended up being one and half days of trips back and forth between the Auto-zone and a few mechanic shops, and the smog inspection station. Finally we got it to pass on the 4^th try, and all went well at the DMV.  

 
Marianne followed me to the border to get our little car checked out and put the new van visa in her name.  Our times together lately have been a renewing of the ministry that first brought us together. We have always had a heart to serve Our Father in some way together, especially in the harvest field.

Marianne and I met a man named Israel was who was selling burritos at the inspection station called Kilometer 21. We testified of our faith in Jesus to him, and then later he came back up to me to swap phone numbers. I could sense that Our Father was drawing him to Jesus. He listened and agreed to many truths that we looked at together there in the parking lot for over ½ and hour. My trip had not even really begun, and doors were wide open to preach the gospel. I have called to check up on Israel and hope to visit him soon at his home in Nogales.

 
It was tough to be going alone. I have made this drive back and forth for work, from Tucson to the house in our little village, but to go down with this big van, alone, was difficult.  For seven years we have been making this drive, and yet God is still coming up with new things! Marianne really wanted to go along with me, but she had just returned from her trip to Korea, being 17 days away from our children. Levi had wanted to come, but he was on swim team. Because the finances were not for sure, I was not able to invite long distance Elders or partners to join us either. My all time best boss for the last decade let me take the time off, but didn't want to go along, and my close elder and mentor in Marriage here in Tucson really wanted to come, but couldn't. It turned out that Jesus wanted this to be a special time where Petra and I were able to serve together through the weekend, and have the long drive back up to Tucson, as a special time alone.

This last time that I was able to serve with the brothers in the fellowship in Toltecas, was a privilege. Our meeting went well, Alfonzo preached, and I directed the meeting and led the worship. Uriel normally leads the meeting, but he has been working a lot. It is a real joy to hear that this month the believers are now starting to assemble and gather when we are not there. 

 THE MECHANICAL PARTS

 We were able to pull our horse trailer up here to Tucson. We have only used it to haul animals twice ,  once  for our foster son Ramon’s pony, and once to transport our ostriches. The rest of it’s’ service with us has been for moving our household to Mexico in 2001 and for storage ever since. We found a way to trade some tools to Beto and Margarita, for their car wash business, to get all the rust spots repaired and give it a fresh coat of white paint. What for?  Well….we were going to sell it in Mexico and use the funds for the lot that we want to buy as an outreach for the High School. When it did not sell, option “B” looked like Gods’ will. Why not, “Tow it up here to Tucson and use it for a tool = work and clothing = ministry storage unit?”

We never realized how heavy duty and strong our old dodge maxi-van was, until we tried a few other ½ tons, both Fords and Chevy. That old tan van, with the rack and signs on the top, pulled the horse trailer loaded down to Mexico twice and our other single axle hauling trailer, loaded like a hay stack. The new van did well, and barely got the horse trailer up here, empty, and like the last couple of vans, it will be able to pull our small trailer to Mexico with clothes and household goods.

On this trip, Jesus guided us to a good mechanic shop that gave us service both on the way down and on the way back up. We have been keeping with older vehicles that I can work on with the boys and its bearing good fruit, but there are some things like fuel injection service that we have not learned yet. I thank God for his help in finding good mechanics on both sides of the border. We still find openings to witness, both to the owners and the laborers in a lot of the business that we deal with.

BUILDINGS

The remodel is ½ finished that Alfonzo has started on his house. He has returned to his family for as long as possible, after working on new sub-division casitas in Tijuana for exactly one year. He lacks funds to finish the roof and walls. So they can have their third room, for dining and kitchen use, we are doing all we can to help him.

Ministry has multiplied for Alfonzo since he has returned. He has joined us in Toltecas with the approval of his Pastor at the A.G. Church in Sarabia.  He is also going up into the mountains to help Fabian.  We can send you details and photos of his house project if you request.

 
The meeting room at Manuel’s house in Toltecas is looking like a good thing to finish. One year ago there were problems that are resolved now. We have the columns up, and some materials purchased for the walls of this 20 X 25 ft room. The roof and floor need funding.

 
Our priority in reporting is to invite you to be praying for us and for the local brethren, this is not a plea for funds. We list these projects, or the “opportunities” to send clothes, or build wood cook stoves, ECT…only as an announcement to you that are praying with us that Our Fathers’ will can be done in the things that we are committing to him. We are grateful for the partnership we have had with those who have faith to be sponsors of specific projects.  Details are sent to those who request them.

 
We have been notified of the crucial paper work being done on the city lot we are buying in ejido Sarabia,  five miles from our home.  This week we received a fax, and a trip will be needed to make the payment.  I am sure that this quick work is a result of some diligent fervent prayers! I have put all of this out reach in Gods’ hands. It’s way too big for me, and that seems to be the special design that Jesus has planned for this new ministry. May there be a big blessing on those who are directly involved: Niko and his family who are the sellers, the community of Sarabia,  Alfonzo and Jose Valdez who are vital in communications and will most likely be a key team members.  May there be a special blessing upon all those who have committed to “pray through” for a clear title on this lot.  The goal is souls to be won to Jesus. So, if a building is erected on this lot, the classes, recreation, placticas ( discussion groups ) are all just means to reach the Junior high and High school students. Will you continue to pray with us for the steps that lie ahead us to be able to deliver the message of the gospel and share the life of Jesus with this next generation?

OTHER FIELDS

Titus has found an English teaching job in China. He has good friends there and is looking forward to learning Chinese. They will be living right in the heart of the ethnic Korean-Chinese area. (Please do not post this information on internet). Titus, Ruth and Demetrius will be in Oregon the month of August to visit relatives and friends.

 The school where Petra works needs to re-locate also. They have out grown their facilities. They currently pay about $1,000 in rent for the group home and the school building. They are praying for a larger location to buy. We are praying, that God’s best will be allowed for the children and families of the children that live at the school. A lot of ministry and evangelism flows from this operation, out to the families and extended relatives of the students, and also into the community in general.

RETURNING TO MEXICO

My hearts desire is to return once a month if possible. If we continue to stay here in Tucson making trips down in the summer months will be a lot closer than from Oregon.  

A possible trip is in our prayers the end of July, or the first week in August, and another one at the end of September.  If you’re interested in coming along, call me and let’s pray about it. By October 20^th we hope to be returning to our home to spend another season in the Southern Plains of Sonora.

Our guest house is open for families and teams that want to come and serve with us.  We will also consider accepting applications for “Real life Academy” which is apprenticeship training that goes from December till May.   G.W.

PRAYER REQUESTS

- For the Ministry in Toltecas to continue. 

- For the saints that are gathering in our village several nights a week for prayer.

- For the work that we need to get done here in Tucson, before we travel to Oregon in August and September. We will be seeing family and friends.  We are also scheduling places to share about missions, if you’re interested in meeting.  

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Greg  520-906-5744 (new AZ cell phone)

Marianne  520-907-9427

Titus  541-393-2010 This is an internet phone number. Let it ring a long time.

Judah  520-907-6596

Unreached Villages Inc. 541-347-1910

Addresses:

Website with photos and a blog: www.mexicofamilymissions.com

Marianne’s personal email: mariposa75(at)gmail(dot)com

Letters can  be sent to: PO Box 204 Camas Valley OR 97416

Unreached Villages Inc. PO Box 1848 Bandon OR 97411

Last changed: Jul 31 2008 at 10:38 AM

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