Greg Reed and Jeff Wilson

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank you for praying. We finished the two weekends in Mexico and the Lord greatly encouraged Tony Varela and the students at the Bible Institute. Jesus said "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. (John 12:32). The Risen Lord is alive and highly exalted and working in His flock in Tijuana!!

Jeff Wilson and I flew on 11/10 to teach at Tony's church, where the class would be held. After eating a quick burger at In and Out, we drove into Mexico. Tony had several errands to do. While we stopped at a hardware store, I was trying to read a verse in Spanish to Jeff--practicing my Espanol. Some lady walking by heard us, and stopped and rattled of something like " . .d.feklj  .ddf j.. ENFERMO " I caught one word "enfermo" and she held up what looked like a medical bill. I felt compassion; I know she wanted money, but she needed hope that money couldn't buy (ACTS 3:1-12); Jeff just sat in the front and let me practice my Spanish--I told her "No mucho tengo dinero ... Oramos ... Oramos... " I opened my wallet and showed her that I only had $3. I gave it to her, and then asked her if I could pray for her. (Jeff told me late that I didn't quite say it right ... Ask him what he thought I said ...). Anyway, she was in tears; and I entrusted her to the Lord Jesus. A quick scene in a busy city in Mexico ... God sees the broken-hearted souls and has compassion!

We went on to the church. That night we were both tired, but at least 20 people showed up, about 12 were men who were either pastors, ministry leaders, or Bible students. The Lord gave me freedom to speak about Christ as the Head ... How all leadership begins by bowing to Him and letting Him show us through His Word how to care for His flock. Jeff spoke in Spanish. It was wonderful to see him teaching in another language, as if he'd been there for three years. The next day was wonderful! We felt the Spirit assisting us. What joy to be used as "messenger boys" to convey the Lord's powerful Word. There were a few more that came that day. They were hungry! They ate up God's Words like we ate the tacos at Chapinas.  Everyone was taking notes. The questions were very specific. One student was convicted during Jeff's talk on being reproach, and this opened up a one-on-one time for Jeff to discuss more personal matters with him. Tony's back has been giving him a hard time. He was in great pain, but God gave him strength to translate during the day. Keep praying for him. Jeff didn't need translation. We ended with prayer and hugs.

God gave us strength and boldness to share God's Word on the second weekend as well. We emphasized the priorities of Christ-centered ministry on the Word, prayer, discipleship, and preaching Christ! Rhet Paro, a fellow seminary student came down with me. We had a few snags getting there. Missing our plane and catching a later flight is a whole story in itself.  I'll just go on record and say I take full responsibility. However, God's grace was abundant and we arrived in time for the Friday meetings. The Word was again received with great joy. I am always refreshed by teaching the Bible to those whom God has given a desire to learn. May the Lord strengthen these leaders as they go their respective ministries. Pablo and his wife came both weekends from San Quintin (a five-hour drive); Pray for his church of about fifty and his five leaders that he is training (Sergio came with him on the first weekend).

Pray for Tony's church, as he continues to pray for the maturing of leaders for the flock. Fernando ministers to the youth, and was there both weekends soaking up the Word. One of his "diciples" came on the second weekend (a fifteen-year old)--he was also eating up the Word. Pray for Ishmael that he would mature and fight the fight of faith as a young, unmarried man. Pray that he would have wisdom as he is helping Tony now. Pray for Bruce, another Bible student in Tony's church who worked all night, and then came and attended all day Saturday. God is raising up men for His church. On Sunday, Rhet taught a Sunday school lesson on justification; I preached and again God assisted. The church is small. But there were three or four new people that day. One had just been saved the weekend before. A young man, he had been overwhelmed with fear, and came last Sunday. Tony prayed with him, and he's back this Sunday. He told Tony he can't get enough of God's Word--he's been reading it every day. The Lord is calling and saving! God be praised for your partnership in the Gospel in supporting Tony. Pray for his back as he is in greater pain than I ever remember. However, he was still healthy enough to beat us in a game of "Settlers of Catan" in the evenings. I suspect the dice may have been rigged. Rhet and I had a hilarious time playing with his whole family--Alicia, Alison, Jonathan. We had a lot of laughs. What a blessing to have family all over the world. Thanks for your prayers!!

Love,
Greg