December 2012 – January 2013
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd
Another year has passed; it’s hard to believe, as time seems to fly faster and faster. One year closer to seeing our Savior. I hope 2013 finds you faithfully serving the Lord wherever He has you. 2012 was a year full of challenges but even larger victories! I’m sure 2013 will hold much of the same. Could this be the year of our Lord’s return? I sure want to hear those words “Well done thou good and faithful servant”, and you? We thank you for your faithful prayers and support, which make this ministry possible.
PRAISE – Iglesia Bautista “Castillo Mio” – Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua – I am happy to report that a chapter in our ministry has been finished. On December 16th, 2012, we officially turned over this work to the national leadership of 3 men trained wholly or partially in our ministry – Hugo Luna (pastor), Joel Cisneros and Pedro Gutierrez. Brother Hugo was trained under Brother Angel in Bermejillo and Joel and Pedro are both graduates of the institute in Juarez. As you may recall this church started about 3.5 years ago in another area of Juarez. We were able to lead the church in purchasing it’s own property where they now meet. The church grew large enough to split off another church – Iglesia Bautista Esperanza Mia. We formed a Bible Institute as a ministry of this church and have had a total of 5 students graduate so far with more in the works. The church faithfully supports 5 missionaries in various parts of Mexico and even one in Africa! We saw over 30 people baptized in 2012. Soul winners are trained, and working each week. I feel by all accounts that the church has been established and now the nationals must take it from here.
The Lord started dealing with me close to a year ago that this time was fast approaching. In some ways it is bitter sweet. Kelly always says as soon as she finally knows who all the people and their children are that it seems like the Lord moves us somewhere else. In many ways it would be easier for us to stay in one place, but God called us to be missionaries not pastors. Just as the apostle Paul established several congregations so must we. This chapter has finished and we will now wait on the Lord as he shows us his will for the next chapter. Please pray for us that the Lord’s will would be revealed and most importantly followed by us.
PRAISE – Iglesia Bautista “Esperanza Mia” – Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua – We had the privilege of attending this Church on December 23rd for their Christmas program and dinner. They are just like our Baptist Brethren in the United States they love to celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Lord with Preaching, Singing, and Eating! What a joyous time we had. The building including the new addition was completely full. There were several baptized during December and many participated in the Lord’s Supper for the first time earlier that same day. Praise the Lord for the DeAnda family and their faithful service to the Lord. They are planning on starting an institute of their own this year.
PRAISE – Pastor Angel Luna – Please continue to pray for Brother Angel and his family. He continues to make progress in his rehabilitation but due to the of the length of the recover process that still lies ahead the decision was made for him to return to his home town near Bermejillo where he could have the help and support of his family. It became apparent to me that this was needed for Angel. Due to the infancy of the new church plant whose shepherd could not adequately care for them they will be turned over to another Baptist church near them. Brother Angel hopes to return to Delicias when he is recovered and in the meantime will do what he can to help Brother Lorenzo and the church in Bermejillo.
PLANS – Since we are currently seeking the Lord’s direction for the next chapter of our ministry we would like to report to some of our supporting churches and take a furlough in the immediate future. If you would like to have us report to your church, please contact me at 915-241-3233 or by email tkurling@hotmail.com and we will try to arrange a time that is good for you. Although we are not sure where the Lord will lead us, we are sure he will in His time. Please pray for us that the Lord’s will would be revealed and then followed by us.
SAVE THE DATE! Serve in the Juarez Project 2013! The dates are set; April 20 – 26, 2013 – will be a time when American and Mexicans partner to distribute up to a half a million printed “missionaries” on the streets of Juarez – please plan on coming and helping! I will have more details in the coming prayer letters, but why not save the dates so you can be a part of this exciting project!