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MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS (PART 4)
This year we celebrate a Golden Anniversary of ministry (1972 - 2022). Following are a few opportunities we have had over the years. One of our largest and most memorable groups of visitors came to us from Morris, Illinois - Morris Christian Church. Nate (then youth minister at Morris Christian Church) and I (David) began planning in 1995 for their summer 1997 visit. Their main objective would be to help construct 16 church benches. This was way before Home Depot came to town and quality wood was hard to come by. We worked with a local carpenter who bought all the wood planks. He planed them and then stacked them in his shop for over a year and half to dry properly. As the summer of 1997 was approaching our neighborhood carpenter cut all the necessary pieces for each bench. For an entire week we had an assembly line church bench factory. No screws or nails were needed as all the lumber was cut to fit perfectly with wood dowels and tongue and groove cuts. As the benches moved along they were assembled, sanded, stained and varnished. Proud to say that the benches are used to this day and have kept together perfectly. Thanks, Morris for a job well done and making an eternal investment in the lives of those who attend the Ontañon Church of Christ. Vacation Bible School is another highlight we will mention. The facility has held some remarkable short term mission groups to help oversee this ministry outreach to the inner city children. One, now grandfather, has mentioned to us several times how as a child he still holds dear his first ever VBS craft from 1992 and has watched his children encounter that same experience of meeting Jesus for the first time. It has not always been easy. We have had to overcome being robbed several times, beaten more than once, spit on, called some pretty ugly names, taken to court for simply preaching the gospel, doors slammed in our faces when evangelizing, we had to hide Bibles to get them into the country in those early years, even had to meet as a group of believers behind closed doors, all because we were called Christians. Through it all the ministry grew stronger. We've met the needs of homeless people in need at mid-night to see they had blankets and food in the winter time. One such lady we met during our "Daily Bread" time when we went with groups to pass out sandwiches and a drink: Her response was a simple "God bless you. How did you know I was hungry?" That was payment enough! In our neighborhood there is a lot of gang related graffiti on the walls of businesses, homes and abandoned buildings. They say if your home, in our case the church and mission building, have no graffiti on them is because the gangs respect you. For 50 years, no graffiti has ever been on our walls. Once Sheri was walking back from the open market with some strawberries she had purchased. One gang boy nicknamed the (ardillo) squirrel tried to rob her of her goodies. She said "You will absolutely not do that to me". In shock, seeing a little white woman saying that, the young boy soon became a friend to Sheri and came by the mission often just to talk to her and he did receive a piece of fresh strawberry pie later. This same young boy told me where I could find the church sign that was stolen from the front of the building. Of course I knew by the way the squirrel was acting he had done it as he said he could steal it back from those who had taken it and return it for just a few pesos for his work. My reply was just bring it back and I would buy some of those bracelets that he made by weaving silk threads together. A friendship was made and a trust that lasted for many years. When Jorge passed away on February 23, 2001, all our church friends were there to help comfort us, but the entire neighborhood from all around came out. All of our neighbors and special gang related friends made by our relationships of trust and love. Hundreds of people touched by VBS, food, clothes bazaars, hospital visits, water during drought times, even prison visits. They were there when we needed a friend to lean on. Emanuel Mexico Mission is all about meeting the needs of others. For fifty years we have faithfully done our part in sharing the gospel in a number of ways. When we were most in need, we saw first hand how serving others can come back to you in the most unexpected ways and by the most unexpected people. All because you share Jesus with everyone you meet even if they try to steal your strawberries. Next month we will continue to share our 50 years of history. We will talk about education needs being met, mariachi bands, hymn books and more interesting facts. In the meantime, rest assured that your gifts and prayers continue to meet the needs of others in the inner city of San Luis Potosi. Jose, David and Sheri This year we celebrate a Golden Anniversary of ministry (1972 - 2022)
Following are a few opportunities we have had over the years. Many don´t realize that the ministry actually began in a tiny village town called, San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, now a popular tourist town and retirement village. It then moved to Salines de Hidalgo in the state of San Luis Potosi, then to the missionary children´s home, farm ministry of former missionaries Ted and Wanda Murray. There they lived in the former horse barns converted into a children´s home to care for the many children now in it´s care. Finally in 1977, they began renting a run down one story home in the inner city of San Luis Potosi and later purchased that same property with a major remodel of the current site in 1987. All during those first years it cared for orphaned and handicapped children and was fundamental in working with the Murray´s and other missionaries in the area to establish the Bible College (Colegio Cristiano del Centro) in 1974. Since the ministry was located in the inner city it soon began providing activities for the neighborhood. Inside the mission it held a children´s home, handicapped ministry, day care and after school care for children. They started 3 churches inside the ministry and one outside the city limits from 1977 to 1991. In 1992, the Ontañon Church of Christ was established inside the children´s home with one promise to the families in the neighborhood that it would not move outside of the area. We have had the opportunity to build and establish churches in the states of Oaxaca, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Coahuila, and San Luis Potosi all the while caring for hundreds of children. Do missionaries take mission trips? The answer is yes and we have taken many of them over the years inside the country of Mexico. One such trip was for 2 weeks with 15 boys camping out on the ground. Our snacks were from mango trees, and banana trees throughout the trip. We visited a family camp where the boys sang and enjoyed the wide open air classes and cooking. From there we visited other villages where we sang and preached along the way. On another trip Jose and I traveled deep into the forests of Oaxaca, to a tiny village only accessible by vehicles with 4 wheel drive. The village was called Las Flores or some called it Las Maravillas. After hours of traveling the rough, rocky and slippery trails we entered into a paradise of fruit and vegetables grown by all the area farmers and villagers. Grapefruit the size of a soccer ball and mangos were in abundance as well avacados. We arrived with Bibles in hand, toys and a message. The little village seemed deserted but soon we found a little boy who said he would ring the village bell for everyone to come in from working in the fields of coffee and bananas. Just like that in the middle of the day they all put down their hoes and shovels and we had a church full of children and adults. Everyone sang with so much joy and truly worshipped and listened to the Word being preached. These humble and happy people were like no others we had ever met. Since its beginning, the ministry has had only two directors, 1972 to 1991 and 1991 to present. Two forwarding agents with the same dates all to which can be accredited to the ministry´s success for the Kingdom. Jose is our first full time Field director (2018 to present). An interesting event happened in 1999, when we began to accept inner city street boys into the home. Jose, our now field director, came to us at the age of 10 from living alone in the streets from ages 6 to 10. He showed us where he was living alone in the main downtown park and soon we opened up a soup kitchen for dozens of homeless children in that area. Food and clothes were their first need but soon we found ourselves helping drug addicts, prostitutes, and homeless children with the gospel. Sheri would sit on the sidewalk with a Catholic Bible and her Bible and simply share the gospel message. They were fascinated that two Americans would take the time to sit with them, feed them, hug them and even pray with them. They adopted us as Mama Gringa and Papa Gringo. After weeks of meeting their physical needs we began a Sunday afternoon service right there in the downtown slum area of the city. The response was overwhelming from the children and adults in this area of the city. The kids just loved singing and were preparing a Christmas drama when the police came and did a raid of the area, they tore down everything and closed our door to the kitchen. They put several of the children that they could catch in jail and took our visas with strict orders to never open up the ministry kitchen again. We never told many about our visas and the restriction that was written on them. It clearly stated we were not allowed to perform religious work or be ministers in a church. Crazy as that seems we had our soup kitchen just a half block away from the main police headquarters in the city. The police didn´t like the fact the kids were getting cleaned up, reuniting with their families but mostly because the police were known to use the kids to traffic drugs and prostitution. This was our 2nd confrontation with the law over our visas for doing religious work during our first 20 years in Mexico. The first time we were under house arrest close to a year until we received our visas back with the main Immigration director telling us, "we need more people like you helping us but if you do more religious work like this again just do it more quietly please". Trying times, but many street children were reunited with their families. Sam Stone, then the editor of the Christian Standard, wrote us "If you saved just one child your time and efforts were worth it". That one was Jose our little miracle boy who lived under a bridge and became a Christian at the age of 12. He learned to play the guitar, loved to sing in church, graduated from Bible College and now is our minister of the Ontañon congregation and field director for E.M.M. That alone is a miracle worth remembering. What better person to lead the ministry into the future than Jose. He has said many times if he hadn´t been accepted into the home at that time he would not be alive today. He confessed at an early age he consumed drugs to stop the hunger pains, slept with dogs to keep warm in the winter under the bridge, stole and begged for his daily bread. February 4, 1999, is a day Jose says he found more than a home he found a family and Jesus Christ. Jose had the reputation and still tells the story of being the absolute dirtiest child we ever received. Fifty years of building, establishing, teaching, preaching, providing, sharing, feeding, saving and loving the most unwanted and forgotten of Mexico. Providing for children who were abandoned, abused and neglected to preaching and establishing churches in remote areas. Jesus was there with us all the time, Emanuel, God with us! The story will continue next month as we remember where we came from in order to better share the future ministry of E.M.M. Thank you for listening to a missionary tell a story of how God has worked miracles for over 50 years. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Field Director of E.M.M. David and Sheri DeBolt Directors of E.M.M. All gifts are tax dedutable. Donations can be made out to: Emanuel Mexico Mission Mailing address: 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46770 MEETING THE NEED OF OTHERS - PART 2
This year we celebrate a Golden Anniversary of Ministry (1972 - 2022). Following are a few opportunities we have had over the years. We have housed and hosted over 2,000 visitors. Most were Americans, but we have also housed people from Mexico, Korea, Japan, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Honduras, who enjoyed the comforts of our home. There have been groups as large as 50, and as small as a Dad, Mom and children. We had visitors who endured 911 with us. We have had Christmas, Easter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Break groups. We have had High School, Bible College and University campus groups. We've helped Bible College students do their mission internships with us. We hosted a group of Grandmas all over 80 years young. The mission itself has taken mission trips to help families in need. There we planted corn and beans on a hillside and covered ourselves with banana leaves when it rained. We´ve walked miles to evangelize in places very few have ever seen. The mission has provided countless VBS programs, camps, church dramas, puppet shows and church choirs. The mission provides each Easter season a special sunrise service and endless amounts of Church dinners that last all day. The mission housed over 100 when we were twice in charge of the Mexico National Christian Convention food service. Over 1,000 meals were made each day in our 3 kitchens. We have held church leadership seminars, wedding receptions and funerals in the mission. We have held weekend youth retreats with the most in attendance of 160, from a 3 state youth conference. Housing, meals and worship were all provided by the Ontañon Church of Christ and the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission. Our centrally located ministry is home to all the area Christian Churches for prayer services, planning committees, youth events and Bible Studies. The mission has found us in the streets passing out food and blankets to the homeless, providing shelter to homeless children, attending a homeless shelter's Christmas Eve meal to give a simple plate of food for a smile in return. We have taught for over 20 years at a nearby Bible College. No pay, no travel expense for our work, but a deep satisfaction to see young people hungry for the Word, as they in return will go into all the world. The mission has buried one of its own and to grieve with many who have lost loved ones. Church families, homeless families, desert families, mountain families, inner city families all have received the loving message that Jesus is their eternal hope. We have driven far, broken down many times on the highways, been given a meal and shelter when we most needed it. God has led us to mechanics in the mountains and in the desert and even to the inner cities. Emanuel - God with us, through every moment and every situation. The mission vehicles have done their share of service. Major repairs included: motors, clutches, shocks, tires, batteries, brakes, electrical systems and many front end repairs due to the streets and roads of Mexico. We have worked together with other missionaries, churches, children's homes in the area to simply meet together, to love, to sing, to laugh, to cry, to pray and to encourage one another. Proud to say in the past 31 years we have fully paid for 2 vans and 3 cars, all due to generous and loving supporters. We never took out loans or incurred any debts Bought the church property debt free beside the mission and most recently did a complete remodel of the open patio of the mission, all done by a generous church offering. Fifty years of ministry, fifty years of triumphs, fifty years of obstacles, large and small, but in the end we can say with confidence, Emanuel. Meeting the needs of others is not about what we will receive in return. It is about giving all you have and more at times. It is about a grateful heart. Fifty years of meeting the needs of children, youth, adults and families in the inner city and so many other places near and far from home. From our last update we have received enough to purchase the much needed Bibles the ministry needs and Jose was able to help lead a 3 day weekend retreat of 130 youth as their worship leader. Currently the van is back at the mechanic shop for more clutch and brake repairs due to the mountain trip taken last month to Oaxaca. Our Golden Anniversary story will continue all year. With your help we will continue meeting the needs of others. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Field Director of E.M.M. Ontañon #910 Barrio: San Miguelito San Luis Potosi, S.L.P. 78339 Mexico David and Sheri DeBolt Directors of E.M.M. 6389 S. 500 E. Markle, IN 46700 All gifts are tax deductible. Donations can be made out to: EMANUEL MEXICO MISSION Mailing Address: 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46714 MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
This year we celebrate a Golden Anniversary of ministry (1972 - 2022) Following are a few opportunities we have had over the years. The mission helped pay for an emergency cesarean section of a mother and child in need. The father knew he could not repay for the operation instead he built us 2 desks, 2 doors and a wall for the office. The mission helped pay for a little boy's open heart surgery. Even though they could not repay, they made sure little Danny was in VBS as soon as he recovered. The mission helped cover the cost for many campers each summer. Even though their parents could not afford camp we rejoiced with them when their child accepted Christ. We have helped hundreds of children who were abused, abandoned, neglected; and families who were torn apart by drugs, alcohol and even imprisonment. We´ve housed drug addicts, street children living alone and migrants who were headed north only to turn south towards home when they heard the Gospel preached for the first time. One such boy was Rito. A lost soul searching for a better life became a baptized believer while in our care. Most recently Jose has been asked by the Mexican Immigration officials to help with the new influx of Haitian refugees and others to San Luis Potosi. Many have decided to stay and make their home here in the inner city. Jose said what he needs most at this moment are more bibles. The mission has helped build an adobe church, a bamboo church, a mountain church, an urban church, a country church and even an inner city church called the Ontañon Church of Christ who is celebrating 30 years of ministry (1992 - 2022). The mission was found in hospitals, cemeteries, court rooms, jail cells, rehab facilities, school rooms, villages, house churches, rivers, mountains, patios, dirt floored huts, churches without a roof, walls or doors and even fancy tiled sanctuaries. We have driven for miles and miles to remote destinations, walked for hours, slept on beds made out of palm trees, been to places and ate foods that no one ever heard of. All to meet the needs of others. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, there are stark contrasts of life events that have happened or will happen to us all. The writer sums it up well by saying, "He has made everything beautiful in its time". One such life event happened to Jose recently when he had to make a quick decision all on his own. A family very close to us lost their daughter to leukemia. The mother also is suffering from a brain tumor and parkinson´s disease. They came several months ago to the city for treatment for both daughter and mother. The father was searching for a way to safely return to their remote mountain top village some 24 hours away. Without hesitation Jose offered them what they needed most at that moment. He drove non-stop for 23 hours and got them home safely in time for the funeral. Jose was able to make something beautiful in its time while staying on visiting the family and the Church of Christ of Zaragoza, Oaxaca, where the family are members. Tired and exhausted from driving the day before Jose rose early on Sunday to prepare for his sermon. In the mountains they have church services at 7a.m. every Sunday. Singing and rejoicing in the Word can be heard by every child, youth and adult. Poor mountain people and all they could afford to repay Jose for what he had done for them was a plate full of food to send him on his way. Jose said, "my cup runneth over". Meeting the needs of others is not about what we will receive in return. It is about giving all you have and more at times. It is about a grateful heart. You give because you are blessed. In return we are able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. Fifty years of meeting the needs of children, youth, adults and families in the inner city and most recently to a small remote mountain top village far from home. With your help we will continue meeting the needs of others. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Field Director of E.M.M. David and Sheri DeBolt Directors of E.M.M. All gifts are tax deductible. Donations can be made out to: Emanuel Mexico Mission Address: 2950 E. 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46714 March 2022 Thank you
Each month we are grateful and humbled by your monthly gift that allows the ministry to continue. You are a vital link in our outreach to the inner city needs of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This past month Jose said everyday people from the neighborhood and other local churches came to the mission seeking advice, prayers, bible studies, food and to hear the Good News. As I write this note, one of the boys (Joni) who we raised (2008 - 2019) just informed me that his older sister passed away this morning. She had been struggling with cancer for some time. The entire family has been living in San Luis Potosi to be with his older sister so she could receive the medical attention she needed. Joni, as some of you know, comes from a tiny village in the remote hills of Oaxaca, Mexico as Joni´s father is a coffee and banana farmer. Jose is with Joni´s family at the hospital to help comfort and to share that our facility is available for them. We are to be witnesses to those who hurt. Joni asked for prayer and said he feels so alone. I just reminded Joni that he is not alone, God is with him now more than ever, his family needs his witness as a believer along with his father´s faith. Because of Joni´s faith he witnessed to his father who was baptized April 2014, and together they can share the peace and hope that only God gives in times like this. Small moments such as these are how your support can comfort and bring understanding to those that grieve and celebrate with those who know who holds the future. This year, 2022, the Ontañon Church of Christ will celebrate 30 years of faithfully preaching and teaching the Gospel to the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Has it been easy? No, but we continue because we answered the call to, “go and make disciples”. Thirty years of struggles, thirty years of challenges and thirty years of victories. There have been many baptisms and many times to share in the celebration of life. In the coming months we will share more how your support continues to change lives. Thank you. Jose, David and Sheri MINISTRY TOOLS OF MATTHEW
The facility of Emanuel Mexico Mission is a ministry tool straight out of the book of Matthew. For over 50 years, it has helped children, youth and adults. For the past 30 years, it has housed the Ontañon Church of Christ, another place for children, youth and adults to come and hear the Gospel preached. Because it is located in the inner city that provides us with many challenges and opportunities to serve those that are living in poverty, overcrowded housing, gangs, drug related needs and the like. But that does not detour us from sharing all that God has blessed us with. Food, water, clothes and medical needs are just a few examples how we help our neighbors in need. When the city cuts off our water supply to the inner city, which happens many times throughout the year, our neighbors come to us for this major need. We have two large underground water tanks and three roof top tanks. Enough to supply us all during those tough dry desert months. We provide clothes through our annual open door bazaar and food drives give us the opportunity to meet face to face with those in need and simply lend a helping hand. We help with medical needs in the neighborhood. One great example was the past two years as we provided housing to families and individuals in need of special housing during the Covid crisis. We housed several infected individuals and families that needed a safe clean place to quarantine. The facility is large enough to house individuals separately but at the same time continue to maintain our church services and give Jose a secure place to live within the mission. We provide medicines when the opportunity is there and take people to and from doctor appointments when necessary. Another tool of ministry that we provide is outside the facility and with that we need our transportation tools. A 2003 compact Chevy and 2015 VW van keep us safely on the move . The ministry has been involved in the teaching opportunities of Colegio Cristiano del Centro (Central Christian College) since its conception in 1974. Jose is no exception to that rule. This semester Jose is teaching three classes: Hebrew History II, Apologetics, James and I and II Peter combined. He was struggling each day to take his computer and TV screen to his classes for teaching purposes, Tuesday through Friday. But thanks to the Shining Light class of the Markle Church of Christ, Markle, Indiana, and their bi-monthly gift we were able to provide Jose with a new ministry tool, a projector to better teach his students who are eager to learn. The projector will be a great asset and ministry tool at the college but also in our church classrooms, camps, VBS and other children's activities. God has given us the ministry tools we need to share the Gospel in a variety of ways and it is our responsibility to use them wisely. With that being said we are very proud to say that 100% of all gifts given to E.M.M. goes directly to Mexico and the opportunities we have to share the Gospel. Jose receives his salary and medical needs through the ministry. We maintain the facility with your funds. Autos are kept in the best possible condition at all times and our evangelism opportunities are unending. There is a food expense column which provides food for those in need. We have two part time staff members who diligently work to help in the office and with maintainence and cleaning of the facility. Matthew 25:35-36 In a nut shell, we are simply following Christ´s example of sharing with others in need, feeding those that need fed, a cup of water to those that thirst, help provide shelter when needed, praying with the sick when they need a helping hand and we have been in the prisons as well visiting when called upon. Thank you for helping us be the Ministry Tools of Matthew to the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Jose - Field Director David and Sheri - Mission Directors Emanuel Mexico Mission 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 76714 "WELL DONE, WELL DONE"
The following is a missionary tribute to my father who served unselfishly with us as a steadfast and quiet voice cheering us on for over 30 years as we served on the mission field. An American farm boy and farmer, a Korean war veteran who fought on the front lines as a Tank Platoon Sergeant of the 73rd Heavy Tank Battalion, a successful salesman for 60 years, a father of three boys, a loving husband for 69 years, and a missionary dad who once told his doctor, "I´m too busy for this operation, I have missionary work to do." Needless to say, he missed his last trip to Mexico and followed his doctor´s orders. That was my dad, Floyd W. S. DeBolt, who passed away at the age of 93, on January 10, 2022. He loved living the country life, he served his country with honor and we never missed a Sunday going to church including Sunday School, no matter how bad the winters would get. He proudly served as a church trustee and church deacon at the Markle Church of Christ, Markle, Indiana. The small 40 acre farm that he loved to till and harvest was a place for all our city cousins to spend their summers helping us walk and hoe the fields, bale straw and bale hay. His success as a salesman was well known as he not only sold furniture, he sold with confidence the product he was selling and with every sale he made a friend. He once took his 3 speed on the column, 1963 Chevy pickup to Joplin, Missouri. He loaded up his truck to take Dick and Eunice and their 3 little boys so Dick could study at Ozark Bible College. Twenty four years later, he would load up his truck once again and help his middle son and their family of three little girls as they began their missionary journey at Cincinnati Bible College and later to Mexico. He never complained, never said when ya coming home. There were many a tear shed each time we left to go back to serve. We knew he was proud but we also knew down deep inside he was hurting as we boarded each flight. He taught us to live with no regrets and that we´ve done as we said our final goodbye that early January morning in his home at River Terrace. Thank you dad for teaching life´s most basic skills on that small plot of ground near Zanesville, Indiana. For serving with honor and dignity your country during war times. For making each one of your boys work as you did at Sears Roebuck and Co., by saying, I want more for you but at least you will have learned how I provided for our family". You and mom were a team for over 69 years and you both taught us the joy of giving to missionaries that visited our church each year. You would say, "take the quarter you earn each week and give it back to God." "Well, done, well done My good and faithful one Welcome to the place where you belong Well done, well done My beloved child" (words from the song, Well Done, by the Afters) He recieved full military honors on January 14, 2022. An American flag was draped over his casket, he recieved an honorable 21 gun salute for his military service, Army taps were played in his honor and his great grandson, Alexander David Lobo, who is now serving in the military, helped fold the American flag that covered his great grandfathers casket, Honor where honor is due. I truly believe that missionary parents sacrifice much more than their missionary children. They sacrifice time not spent with their children, grandchildren, holidays with empty chairs at the table and special family gatherings throughout the year. They sacrifice their time making sure their children are not forgotten by the churches that support them. They sacrifice their personal income. Dozens if not hundreds of letters written each year always sent with love. Countless stamps and mailings for the ministry are a labor of love not a burden. The list is nearly endless in the love and sacrifice they give. I´ll close with a few lines from a song called, Nothing to prove by Phillips, Craig and Dean "So many things I learned from you ´Bout life and love and play But I learned more by how you lived Than what I heard you say Saying live with no excuses Live with no regrets Laugh a lot and leave this life With nothing left unsaid Make this world a better place Don´t be afraid to cry When it´s finally time to say goodbye There´s nothing´ to prove, nothing´ to lose Nothing´ to hide I only wanna live my life Half as well as you To leave behind what I recieve Is all I wanna do" Thank you dad for giving your very best to the Lord, to your family, to your country, to your church and to the many who you never met but were touched by your love and generosity. I´m sure there were many to greet you that early January morning and many more will some day say, "Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was saved." (words from the song, Thank You, by Ray Boltz) "WELL DONE, WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL ONE WELCOME TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU BELONG WELL, DONE, WELL DONE MY BELOVED CHILD" Emanuel Mexico Mission David and Sheri DeBolt - Directors Jose Manuel Gonzalez - Field Director  The following words are the titles of each month´s letter written along with a brief summery of 2 months combined. Enjoy.
January - Victory in Jesus Febuary - Multitasking Missionary "We pass on the baton to a new generation of leaders." March - Thy Will be Done April - I have learned.... "Teaching children, Jesus loves them." May - Let the Little Children come to Me June - Teaching by Faith "Teaching and preaching, our mission purpose." July - A Time of Celebration August - Virtual Celebration "New ideals and new goals as souls are won to Christ." September - Generosity Fulfilled October - Thank you for your Service "Fulfilling the Great Commission as new leaders are taught." November - Your Missionary at Work December - Nativity - Navidad "The doors of the mission are once again open as we celebrate the birth of Jesus." As I read over the words written each month along with their titles, there is a common thread that ties together each month. Faith. Faith that continues to support the ministry it was built upon. Faith that allowed us to teach, preach and share the Gospel in new ways. Faith that supported us during financial difficulties and the pandemic of 2020-2021. Faith that will continue to support the ministry to bring the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Many people measure success in different ways. As missionaries we don´t look at success with our eyes focused on the past or present but dream of the future, "Fix your eyes on Jesus". New people were won to Christ during 2021, that was our success, but it does not mean that our job is finished. As we close out 2021, we see that each and every monetary need was completely met even though the inflation rate grew more than 7%+ in Mexico during the year. Lives were touched by your generosity and lives were won for Christ by your prayers. This is our purpose and it was accomplished. January 2022 we will present the future of E.M.M., with its needs of course, but more importantly the work yet to be accomplished. The New Year will be a land mark year for the ministry in the inner city. 1972 - 2022 Fifty years of ministry to the inner city´s needs of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. C.D.N. - E.M.M. Under two different names but the purpose never changed: share Jesus. 1992 - 2022 Thirty years for the ministry of the Ontañon Church of Christ. Under the leadership of two different missionaries/ministers but with the same purpose and common goal: share Jesus. There have been countless children, youth and adults helped in the past 50 years and there have been many souls washed white as snow through the ministry of the mission and church. There is only one person to thank for all that has been accomplished, God, for the strength given us to see that His ministry continues in the inner city. By mid January, a financial report of 2021 will be available to those that desire one and a proposed budget of 2022 by the board of directors of E.M.M.. We will be cleaning up our contact lists both physical and electronically. If you are interested in continuing to recieve information about the ministry please advise us as your name may be dropped. We don´t want to leave anyone out in all that God is doing through the ministry of E.M.M. Serving with you as your Field Director, Minister, College Professor, and Friend. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Serving with you for the past 31 years as Directors of E.M.M. David and Sheri DeBolt Address: 2950 E. - 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46714  Nativity - Navidad
In English or Spanish, Nativity or Navidad the meaning is the same, the birth of Jesus Christ. The miracle message that our Savior, our Emanuel came to be with us. As I look around the house there are many reminders of this magical time of year., The tiny vintage Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from Christmas past. Colorful ceramic Christmas trees decorate the kitchen as well as the living room and let´s not forget to admire that once a year tradition of seeing grandma´s hand painted ceramic gingerbread house on display. There are snow globes that sparkle as the pretend snow slowly drifts down over there unique Christmas scenes. Pine scented candles send that once a year Christmas aroma throughout the house. Then there are the four very unique Nativity scenes. Let me describe each one. One was a gift from last Christmas. A beautiful one piece scene of the Nativity with the words to that classic Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World" on one side. The entire scene is embedded in an antique looking Bible scroll. Another is of a tiny wooden stable with miniature figurines standing each in its proper place while looking at Jesus in the manger. Then there is a very special one that took years to make just perfect. A large wooden stable with a rustic roof and each year a new ceramic figure was added to this beautiful Nativity scene from an open market in Mexico. Large palm trees over look the manger and the shepherds with their flocks looking at the new born King. Finally the forth Nativity is made of a very special wood and came from a very far away place. Rustic in its design. Simple and unique in the way a carpenter designed and hand crafted and carved each piece. It´s from Israel, Jerusalem to be exact and made from the very trees that Jesus traveled through, olive trees and probably as a child he too carved wooden figures. Unique indeed. A hand carved manger and Jesus placed in its fold. Coming from the very place that God came to earth in the form of a baby born and placed in a manger, in the city of Bethlehem. God our creator came to live with us and was placed in a lowly humble stable. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God in all his glory and infinite love came as a child and they named him Jesus. Our Savior and Lord We truly thank you for sharing in so many different ways during 2021. Many gifts were given so that the true meaning of Christmas the Nativity could be shared all year long here in the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Children, youth and adults were touched by your generosity. Countless individual and families were ministered to through the ministry of Emanuel Mexico Mission. The list seems endless, but to put it all in one word, that would be, Nativity or Navidad. We celebrate the message of Christmas everyday with everyone because of the birth of Jesus Christ. Born to simple folk, lived his youth as a carpenters son, stepped into ministry with twelve unknown and unlearned men that would later turn the world upside down, all because of his birth in that lowly humble stable. God came to earth and with that he brought us the greatest gift of all, Salvation. We celebrate the Nativity at E.M.M. just like many of you. There will be Christmas carols sung at church and share gifts to those less fortunate that us. The Nativity story from both the Gospel books of Matthew and Luke will be read. The kitchen will be filled with the wonderful smells of a Christmas Eve midnight meal that will include Christmas punch and of course what Mexican Christmas meal would not be the same without a variety of warm delicious tamales and atole. Every manger scene helps us to remember the very true meaning of Christmas . The glorious way that God came to earth. Thankful, blessed and knowing that Emanuel means, "God with us" and indeed he truly is. Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas Thank you and may God bless your Christmas beyond belief this year. We are truly blessed by your gifts and prayers so we can share the Nativity - Navidad to an inner city and beyond. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 Wishing your the very best this Christmas season and New Year with all its new opportunities. Jose Manuel Gonzalez David and Sheri DeBolt  Patience is a virtue, especially if you are a missionary in Mexico. Now after a year and 8 months of quarantine, Covid restrictions are being lifted here in the state of San Luis Potosi, and city of San Luis Potosi.
Good things do happen to those who wait. Especially during the time of the pandemic Jose was able to be there for the neighbors who faced Covid head on and was there for them, praying and visited with precautions. Many came to ask for prayer and he unfortunately visited those who lost loved ones to Covid. November also was a new beginning as the church at Ontañon was able to reopen to all their normal church opportunities to serve others. This time of Thanksgiving we need to especially be thankful for Faith, which had sustained us through many trials, Family, which have continually prayed for us, Friends, who encourage us, Finances that continue to bless others in need and Food whether it be a taco or turkey we can share with others in need. We are Thankful for Patience that has brought us through this past year. Jose, David and Sheri |
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