Dear Pastors, Friends and Family,

June 1, 2023 (Apr. – May ‘23)

Greetings in Jesus’ Name from Mexico City! Thanks for your prayer for Mary as her intestinal problem is a bit better. In the last two months we have seen many saved, baptized, and discipled. Pollution, however, has been much worse these last two months limiting our driving at times due to increased restrictions due to emissions. The volcano, Popocatepetl, just 39 miles from us has made the pollution even worse, and with unusually strong eruptions of lava, ash, and gases, it has caused the international airport to close on several occasions. Alert levels are at high, schools have closed for children’s safety and evacuation routes have been announced like they do in the U.S. during bad hurricanes due to the potential of a dangerous explosion. We’ve had a few earthquakes, too, having to evacuate our apartment fast one night. All of this has helped people be aware of the brevity of life. Such was the case of 22-year-old Armando. As I sat beside him on the sidewalk, before witnessing, I said, “What do you think about the volcano here and others around the world, being so very active?” This got him thinking, and after sharing the gospel with him, he trusted Christ as Savior. He then said, “Now if I get blown away by that volcano, I know I’ll go to Heaven.”

In the orphanage ministry, there are three new girls, who are sisters ages, 4, 7 and 12. We are not sure how they became orphaned, but I am sure it wasn’t a good situation. Please pray that by sharing the love of our Father God with them, that their hearts will be softened and that they would soon receive Jesus as their Savior. In April, Holy Week was celebrated in Mexico, which usually consists of religious practices, some often extreme, that are not biblical. In a town not far from us, every year a large group of men volunteer to be crucified to a cross, but only one is selected. Others offer their backs to be beaten by priests until bloody as a form of payment for their sins, they think. We were excited to share the true gospel as to why Jesus came and died, preaching salvation to the lost. We had a few large gospel outreaches these last two months, once with well over 100 first-time visitors, with many saved and 19 baptized that day. One man who came named Miguel, was blind, and had to be help into the van and into church. He was so happy to see we cared. The good news is he got saved. It is so important to help people get to Jesus. He got baptized that same day and left seeing fine spiritually. The blessing now is that the first person he will see one day with be his Savior. At another big event, we had about 75 first-time visitors, with some saved. We also celebrated the Day of the Child and Mothers’ Day with many first-time visitors. What a blessing it is to see tears in people’s eyes during the invitations, and after church people come forward saying they got saved. We give every newly saved person a Bible.

Recently I witnessed to 25-year-old Ernesto in the streets. He confirmed to me that he was in a local gang, and insinuated that he was in the cartel, too, though they often won’t come right out and admit it. But praise the Lord after Ernesto heard about the judgement & his destination without Jesus the Savior, and the gospel, he trusted Christ as Savior. Mary witnessed to Rita while we were out and I very interesting thing happened that was sad, yet God used the timing for good. Mary had witnessed to Rita for some time. Rita was very open to the gospel but then asked Mary to wait while she took a phone call. When Rita got off the phone she said, “Two people I know almost died in a wreck.” Mary told Rita that is why salvation is so important. Rita then bowed her head and accepted Christ as Savior. She then hugged Mary, not once but twice, and gave her a kiss on the cheek, saying “Thanks.” Recently in a mountain village I met 26-year-old Jose. He was crippled but had no mental problems as he had good questions for me as I witnessed to him. His disability reminded me of the story of the pool of Bethesda in John 5:3 that says of many “impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting…” I believe Jose had been waiting and hoping for help some day. After I witnessed to him, Jose was helped & healed spiritually, by trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior. One day he will be walking fine down the streets of gold in Heaven. I wish I had space to share more salvation testimonies but in Heaven you will know.

We appreciate your prayer, support & encouragement and are grateful for the blessing you are to us, and many others on the mega-metropolis mission field of Mexico City. We pray for you. Thanks for everything. We are “…your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

Bro. Mike Wallace & Family