Dear Pastors, Churches, Friends and Family,

Greetings in Jesus’ Name!  Well, as winter nears, we are still having nice temperatures down here with today being 84 degrees.  With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas almost here, we are very thankful for all of those who give and pray for our family.  It would be impossible for us to do what the Lord has called us to do if other believers didn’t also answer the call to help, and for that we are very grateful.  We appreciate your generosity, sacrifice, and prayers.  Sadly during this holiday time of the year, there is much emphasis on materialism and commercialism.  There is a biblical truth, however, in Acts 20:35 where Jesus said, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  As recipients, we are truly blessed, but it is encouraging knowing God’s Word is true, that now and/or later, we all will be more blessed for our love and obedience to the Lord.  Amen!

We just experienced for the first time the big religious-pagan holiday here called “El día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead).  It is primarily in Central & South America, with similarities to Halloween (i.e., starts on October 31st, emphasis on death, etc.), but it is not the same thing.  Its origins are from the indigenous Indians.  During this time, there are a lot of festivities, worship of the dead, etc.  In these events, the people try to make light of death but they avoid discussing the fact of death personally.  Our desire for these dear people is that they understand that “the wages of sin is death” and the penalty for such is Hell.  The good news of the gospel for all, however, is that by the born-again experience, one does not have to fear death nor practice these religious pagan activities.

We were knocking doors recently on a dusty road in a colonial when we saw an older man in his back yard. After we shouted greetings to him, another man that we didn’t see before stood up with him.  It was a Jehovah’s (false) Witness. The man (Senor Gomez) had just lost his wife a couple months ago, and the JW just beat us to this home by ten minutes.  It was an awkward situation as Mr. Gomez allowed us to state our business, but the JW wouldn’t let us talk much since he was there first.  We left a tract and walked away praying that the Lord would protect Mr. Gomez’s mind from the false doctrine.  As we finished the block, we stopped back by Mr. Gomez’s house and saw that the JW was gone.  Mr. Gomez welcomed us, and when talking, we could tell he didn’t believe what the JW had said.  We asked him could we show him the truth according to “La Palabra de Dios (the Word of God)” and he gladly consented.  After a while, Senor Gomez recognized the truth of the Bible about salvation and was gloriously saved.  Hallelujah!  Satan and his crew are hard at work in these last days but Glory to God, the Lord is also busy drawing lost sinners unto Himself.  Praise the Lord!

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the world of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”  2 Thes. 3:1.  We pray for you, too.  We are your servants for Jesus’ sake (2 Cor. 4:5).

Bro. Mike Wallace & Family