Dear Pastors, Churches and Friends,

February 1, 2018 (Dec. ’18 & Jan. ’19)

Greetings in Jesus’ Name from Mexico City.  We trust you all had a Merry Christmas and that your year ended well.  Thanks to those who sent a special offering for Christmas.  Not only are we in a new year, but the first month is already gone.  Last December was busy for us, and we had more people saved and baptized.  Mary spoke at a ladies meeting in December where multiple churches attended, and some ladies trusted Christ as Savior.  Afterwards, Mary was invited to speak at a much larger ladies conference that will be later this year.  We held our first wedding in December – actually it was multiple weddings.  Many of the newly saved Christian couples realized that (apart from what the culture teaches here) they needed to be married instead of living together.  So four couples were married at the same time. Visitors came, and several were saved. I wish I had space to share the testimonies of all who have been saved these last two months.  Heriberto and Maria de Jesús were married that Saturday.  They had been praying for his sister, Rosita, who was very religious.  They witnessed to her many times unsuccessfully, and she further said she would never attend a Christian church service.  Well, technically the wedding isn’t a regular service.  After the official ceremony, I preached the gospel, and Rosita was saved.  She even came to church the next day and testified how Jesus changed her life.  We are already planning more weddings for early this year.  On New Year’s Eve we had a special service with preaching, food, games, and prayed in the new year.  Many being new Christians testified that they had never spent New Year’s Eve in church.  Some testified that when they were lost, they were deceived and spent New Year’s Eve looking for happiness by drinking.  However, this year they had real joy.  Mary and I also celebrated our 30th anniversary in December.

Late last year, Paul Deem’s Directline Ministry donated Christmas gift bags, and another church provided the same.  We had a special day with visitors on January 6th – the Day of the Kings, with about 300 in attendance.  We always have to open the large vehicle doors at church for the overflow of people, but the street was full that day.  I joked with Mary and said we need to change the church name from Hope Baptist Church to Open Door Baptist Church.  Many parents were saved that day.  One night last month while we were working late at church, we received a knock on the door around 10pm.  A man said a lady died earlier that day, and all of the family was at the house mourning.  They were waiting to bury the body the next day, since they don’t embalm here.  He asked if I could come and comfort the family, so about 11:30 pm I preached the gospel to a house full of strangers.  Some were saved, and the following Sunday over a dozen from that family attended our church for the first time.

Mexico City and six surrounding states struggled with a massive fuel shortage last month due to the theft of gas by the cartels.  Along with that, the pollution has been terribly unhealthy the last few months.  I went to the doctor, and he prescribed me five medicines; thankfully I am getting better now.  He is a Jew, and I was able to give him a bilingual New Testament in Hebrew & Spanish.  I do have a few requests with which we would covet your prayers.  Mary’s digestive system is just starting to get better after 9 months, but she still has a long way to go to full recovery.  I have had very bad knee pain for over a year.  A MRI late last year showed torn cartilage and the doctor said I need knee surgery soon.  Lastly, we have agreed to a price for a small bus, but the owner is having difficulty finding the necessary documents to sell it to us.  Please continue in prayer with us for these matters.

If there is a person, couple, or small church group that would like to visit us for a mission trip this year, just let us know.  As missionaries, we are honored to be “… your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5.  Thanks for everything!

Bro. Mike Wallace & Family