Bajio Christian Mission

Honduras

February, 2004

One Year Completed...

We are delighted to have ten faithful students who have persevered through their first year of study at the Bible Institute. These young men have been diligent in the study of God’s Word and the training for ministry. They have had to make sacrifices in leaving families, familiarity, and even income to come each week and labor in learning the Truth of the Holy Scriptures. We are proud of them and very excited to see God’s work in their lives.

The students are currently on break. The school schedules in Honduras run from February through November. The young men will return to the Institute February 16th to press on in study and hard work. Graduation will be held next November.

Visiting Professors...

While Bill and Margy were away during the summer, Richard Gring came to teach the students at the Bible Institute. The students enjoyed his enthusiasm and love for the Word. He also spent extra time with them in the evenings working on their reading skills. Near the end of his stay with us, he gave all of us a scare as he had to be rushed to the hospital with chest pains. The Lord was in control, however, as he allowed Richard to undergo an angioplasty. Richard had 95% blockage in one artery, but the Lord spared him from having a heart attack and further damage. We thank God for Richard’s life and all that he gave to the students at the Institute.

In September, Professor Bob Kuest and his wife, Peggy, came to visit. They are college friends of Bill and Margy who travel around the world teaching the Bible. We were blessed to have Bob teach the students at the Bible institute for two weeks. Peggy also helped to teach the student wives.

Student Wives' and Children's Bible Study...

Margy and I go to the Bible Institute each week to teach the student wives and children. There are three wives and four children. We have been slowly going through basic Old Testament stories. We hope to give the ladies confidence in their knowledge of the Bible and the skills to teach other ladies and children in the churches where they and their husbands will minister.

Student Work Study...

Each day, I go to the Institute to work with the students after their morning classes. We primarily maintain the institute grounds as well as the adjacent soccer field. In this way the students learn to value the home that is provided for them and learn to care for it. It is also a way for them to earn the education they are receiving. I hope to provide them with skills that they can use in future ministries.

Wall Completed...

On July 8th, the students secured the last block in the wall surrounding the Bible Institute. We all gathered around and watched as the last block was laid. We then said a prayer thanking God for the campus and asking God to protect and watch over it as we seek to study and send out ministers of His Word. After the prayer, we had a nice celebration together.

International Christian Fellowship...

We continue to enjoy serving at the English church in town. We have shared the responsibility of leading the youth group every other week. We enjoy teaching and learning from these young people and developing relationships with them. Joy has been active in leading worship on a rotational basis as well as teaching Sunday School. Mark runs the sound system and helps in the translation of the sermon each week.

Trip to the United States...

Church Visits...

On October 16th, we went to the US for two and a half months. We scheduled to visit with our supporting churches and share what God has been doing in Honduras. We were able to visit Hazelwood Christian Church in Clayton, Indiana; Croton Church of Christ in Croton, Ohio; Woodlawn Christian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee; First Christian Church of Seminole in Seminole, Florida; First Christian Church of Kissimmee in Kissimmee, Florida; and the Portage Christian Church in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Lord granted us safety in travel and allowed us to demonstrate God’s work in Honduras through a video presentation. We want to thank each of you who hosted us on this trip. We enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones. It was a pleasure to worship with each of you. We also want to thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support.

In November, we attended the National Missionary Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a refreshing time of once again renewing old friendships and meeting so many whose hearts are devoted to the global spread of God’s Word. Mark enjoyed seeing two friends that he grew up with in Mexico whom he had not seen since leaving in 1992. Joy visited with missionary friends from Mexico whom she worked with in the summer of 1994. We enjoyed hearing a message from Max Lucado and music from Acapella. It was inspiring to see the present works around the world and the hearts being freshly touched for missions.

Family Visits...

As we visited churches, we were able to see several family members along the way. While in Florida, we spent a few nights with Joy’s cousin and extended family. We spent time with them in their home and did some touring. Joy’s parents were also with us in Florida to visit with family.

On the trip to and from Florida, we passed through Knoxville which gave us the opportunity to see Mark’s sister and husband and their new baby, Zachariah Mark. He was born September 22nd. He is very precious. We enjoyed holding him and taking pictures for his proud grandmother to show to friends in Honduras.

We do not often have the opportunity to spend the holidays with a large number of family members. This year we were richly blessed with special times with our families. These are precious memories that we hold dear to our hearts.

We were blessed to be with Joy’s family in Indiana for Thanksgiving. It was a thrill to be with Joy’s 96-year-old grandmother and share this time with her as well. We visited with Joy’s parents, sister, three nephews, aunt and uncle, two cousins, and grandmother.

In December, we made a trip out West to visit with Mark’s family. We stopped in Phoenix, Arizona to visit with Mark’s Grandmother Trout. We spent three very nice days with her. We took her to some favorite places that she does not have opportunity to visit often due to her failing eyesight. We then stopped in to see Mark’s Aunt Dianne and Tom in Ashfork, Arizona. They have a home with a beautiful view overlooking a breathtaking valley. It was a treat to stay with them.

We traveled on to Las Vegas, Nevada, where we were to celebrate Mark’s Grandmother Hoff’s 80th birthday on Christmas Day. We were blessed to spend a week with the Hoff family. Bill and all three of his siblings along with their spouses and children were all there to share in this special day with Grandmother Hoff. It was an unforgettable reunion.

While in Las Vegas, we visited with five friends from our college years who live and work in Las Vegas. It was a great joy to renew these friendships. We were also able to attend the two churches at which these friends minister for their Christmas Eve services.

We then returned to Indiana where we celebrated Christmas with Joy’s family on New Year’s Eve day. It was very nice to be with Joy’s parents, sister, and nephews once again and to celebrate the birth of Christ and bring in a new year.

Prayer and Praise...

Prayer PraisesÉ

We praise God for the 10 students who have completed one year of classes.

We praise God for the visiting professors, area missionaries, and church leaders who are willing to help in the teaching.

We praise God for the completion of the wall surrounding the Bible Institute campus.

We praise God for the new life, Zachariah Mark Mireles, He has given to Rebecca and Alfredo.

We praise God for His protection and His grace.

Prayer ConcernsÉ

Please pray for the students as they return to study.

Please pray for Bill and the other teachers as they teach the Word.

Please pray for the wives and children who have made many sacrifices to be able to come and support their husbands in this way.

Please pray for Mark as he works to maintain the facility and assign work-study to the students each day.

Please pray for the Fields’ family and the six youth that went to Guatemala with us.