2008 has been a record year for us in terms of the number of projects we have been able to complete and the number of people who have heard the Gospel. The first few years of drilling here in Mexico, we were fortunate to complete 3 to 4 projects per year due to the difficulty of drilling here in the immediate area (of Soto La Marina) and also due to financial constraints. But this year has ... << MORE >>

We hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday time with your family and friends; celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior and the many blessings he has given all of us. We had a busy but rewarding month of December. It started with the first two weeks of the month we went as a family down to the coastal area of Chiapas. We worked hard and much was accomplished. << MORE >>

The first week of August we made another trip to Chiapas. This trip was special for several reasons. First, we brought our friend, Isabel, from Soto La Marina with us to teach praise tambourine/dance classes to the Christian women in Nachig. They were eager to learn and asked me if I knew someone who taught classes; I immediately thought of Isabel. << MORE >>

     We, like many of you that have school age children, have had a busy summer full of activities with our kids.  Being in a foreign country and traveling as much as we do, doesn't leave a lot of time for our kids to just hang out and pursue their individual interests.  With our truck being broke down (for about 3 months now - that's another story), we weren't able to drill wells so we made the most of the opportunity to focus on our kids. 

     In the beginning of June, Audrey and I (Jessica) went to Lindale, Texas so she could attend a week ...<< MORE >>

We would like to introduce you to the newest additions of our ministry team. You have probably read about the Sanchez family multiple times in our other newsletters. Well, now they are working together with us drilling water wells and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With more and more opportunities opening up for us in Chiapas it was just a natural next step to find someone to help us continue the work when we cannot physically be there. Who better than the people we were able to bring the gospel to and also disciple them? << MORE >>

     Two years ago we went to a remote community in the Chiapas mountains named Chimix.  To get there we had to drive an hour and a half down a washed out curvy road, then up a trail (literally 4 wheel drive territory) and lastly a 20 minute walk down a trail to find this poor Indian community.

     Our first encounter (in 2006) with them was a memorable one to say the least.  Their water source was nothing more than a seep hole that was dirty and infected by all the animals that would get in the water.  They would use this water ...<< MORE >>

Persecution is not something we, as Americans, normally have to deal with; but for the Tzotzil Indians of San Juan Chamula it is an everyday concern. The area of San Juan Chamula has been a hotbed of turmoil for about 15 years now between the Christians and the traditionalists with their mix of Catholic and ancient Indian beliefs. << MORE >>

Here is a map of Chiapas and where it is located in relation to the country of Mexico. Sometimes when we talk about Chiapas we sound like it is a separate country. To us it really does feel that way. We wanted to paint a visual picture of where we are working, for those of you who would like to know more. << MORE >>

     God has been opening new doors of opportunity for us in Chiapas by putting us in contact with many new people.  One new contact was with a group of Baptist churches in Cintalapa, Chiapas.  They have a camp that is used for retreats (of all groups) by the 45 local churches in the area.  They regularly have large meetings there and were struggling with water.  Their hand dug well would run dry regularly and they need the water for cooking, cleaning and restrooms.

     Gabe drilled the water well with help from some of the local pastors and Christians.  It was a tough drill due ...<< MORE >>

     To say this trip to Veracruz was tough would be an understatement.  It's taken us a couple of weeks just to recover enough so we could write this newsletter.

     We started off the week with Audrey being very sick; vomiting, diarrhea, etc.  So when we got to Alamo, Veracruz we took her that night to the health clinic.  We found out she had parasites and amoebas.  Probably she picked that up on our last trip to Chiapas.  We started her on a round of medicine and she was feeling better the second day or so. 

     The drilling started ...<< MORE >>