October 09

Have you ever considered yourself an enabler? Well, neither have I but it occurred to me this morning that we are just that. Through your partnership with this ministry we are enabling scores of children and adults to survive another day in an environment that is daily claiming lives. We enable children to escape the cold by providing warm clothes and hot meals. We enable them to hear about a better way and the hope of eternal life . You and I are enabling souls to discover that someone cared enough for them to leave his throne and come to offer the unattainable. Wow! Aren't you glad to be enabling someone? You are truly a world changer and are leaving a global footprint!

Pam and I have just returned from Mexico by motorcycle. What a trip it was. We were joined by some long time friends as well as some new ones. Thanks to Pastor Larry Biggers & wife Janet, from Northside Chapel, for planning & organizing the trip. We traveled over 2400 miles together with no incidents or major problems. Clark Goetting, Bill Berry, and Jeff Bagley helped make the trip a success.

They all sacrificed their time, effort and money to go with us. Upon arriving at the feeding centers, each of them were smitten by the love they felt from our children. At each place we visited we made commitments and investments that show that our love and concern, is more words. At Tanquecito we worked on lighting, and painting. Again, enabling children to enjoy the best we can provide. From Tanquecito we went to a new location called Loma Linda. In English, this is Pretty Hill. However, there is nothing pretty about it outside of the needy children and mothers we found waiting there. Again, enabling more children to find a new hope We committed to invest our time, effort and money into them by opening our fourth center in Saltillo.

From Loma Linda we visited Omega. As did Tanquecito, they blessed us with a beautifully rehearsed program that showed their love and gratitude. Each of those who came with us were in tears as the children, many of whom were crying as they worshipped God, sang, danced, and spoke with us. They presented us with rocks which they had each found, washed, painted and signed. Pam will put them in her garden so that she can pray for each child by name as she walks and prays. (Something she does daily) Unknown to Omega, a couple of months ago Pam asked me if we could bring rocks from Saltillo with the children's names on them for that purpose.

I had not mentioned the idea to anyone. Is God great or what? Again, we committed to close the windows and doors there by starting with 3 windows on the north side of the building. By faith, we will complete all the windows and doors before winter. Once again enabling the children to have a warm place to enjoy their worship, lessons and meal.

So, as you can now see, you and I are enablers, but don't fear, we are in good company. I recall the words of Paul "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry...And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1Ti 1:12-14) Jesus himself is an enabler and it is by his grace that he has enabled us, to help others succeed! Thank you so much for your help!

To see a video of this trip go to http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6267830/16265760

Blessings,

Jim & Pam

Dear Friend,

I have been sitting here in my office reading over some old newsletters I’ve written through the past few years. I came upon the letter I wrote for Aug of 2005. It was the letter about visiting Saltillo for the first time and meeting Javier and Millie and their family. Little did I know then what would develop over the next few years. I know that God ordered my steps on that first visit. I can still see the tears in the eyes of the Argüello’s the first time I told them about our desire to help children. It seems like only last year we began… I received a letter from a dear friend and mentor last month who also works in Mexico, and he was asking God for 8 more years, to do the work he is doing there. At that time he will be 80 years old and will have been in MX 40 years. Wow! Larry Myers you are an inspiration to all who know you! I only need 30 more years to catch up! I began thinking about all the changes he’s seen over the years and how many young strutting peacock missionaries he has seen who were going to change things and do it better, yet with the patience of Job, Larry has stayed faithful to his vision and call to build churches and people. One at a time he has built congregations and buildings all over Mexico, while the strutting peacocks got tired and moved on to something that paid better or was the latest fad.

You and I are building our legacy now. Together, each time we feed one more child, preach one more message, or help one more person find their place in life, we are putting another piece of history in place, at which we can someday look back at with joy to have made a difference in so many lives. I fully expect to someday participate in ordination services, business grand openings, and attend college graduations for children who have passed through our doors. We aren’t just buying another meal for these kids; we are opening a door of hope and a way of escape from the vicious cycle they are trapped in. To make a positive change in someone’s life is a powerful and serious thing. We are thankful to God for having been given the chance to make a difference.

By the time this letter arrives in your mail box, Pam and I will be in Mexico. Today is Wednesday, July 22, and we are leaving on Friday morning. We have one student who is coming for a week and will arrive on Sunday. We will be there and ready to receive her when she arrives. She will spend the week with us and help with us with the feeding centers, work in the youth group, and have some classroom time with Pam and me. She will be there to get a taste of Missions and what it could mean for her life. She will be making some big decisions in the next few years and we want to have a positive influence on those decisions. This will be the first LAMP student, although in an abbreviated course. We will also be taking a dear lady from our Hispanic group who has worked with us on many occasions before and will be a HUGE blessing to Pam in the area of translation. Pam and she are a great preaching team and I will be able to set back and listen to some fine preaching.

We have been in South Dakota this month and enjoyed a working vacation in Pierre. We were blessed to be with the Perryman’s and Tabernacle of Praise. This church and pastor have been a great blessing to our work and we thank them for their monthly support and their generosity while we were there.
Keep pressing on and someday we will look back at the many lives we have helped together!
Your Friends,
Jim and Pam Stockdale

May O9

It is so easy to focus on what the news media tells us is happening in our country but consider this. The unemployment rate in the US is only 3% higher than it was before we entered what the news media calls “the worst recession since the great depression.” Unemployment in the US is at 8.5 % currently. In 1982, unemployment was at 10% and home mortgage interest was at 17%. Today’s interest rates are at or near an all time low at just 4 3/8%. (Dave Ramsey) This is not a time to be fearful and afraid. One of the greatest weapons the Devil has always used against God’s people has been fear. How many times did God say “Fear not” to the nation of Israel? There are over 365 fear not references in the bible. That’s one for every day. You can count on the Devil to blow things out of proportion and try to make you fearful. The opposite of faith is not doubt, it is fear! Fear will cause you to do things that you would never do walking in faith. Perfect love casts out fear! The trump card over fear is the love of God. His love is too much for fear to handle!


So, if you want to make a statement in the face of fear, continue doing something for someone else out of the love of God that abides in you. I guarantee that you will feel faith rising up within you as you do, and you will soon overcome the trap that the enemy has set for you. It sounds to me like the Devil is up to his same old tricks, Fear tactics. Don’t believe it! Even if this was the worst time since the great depression, does that change God or his promise? A thousand times no! “Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and He is revealing through us the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2Co 2:14


I was blessed to baptize 3 new converts this month in Tuscaloosa. We not only get to work out of the country, but are also privileged to bring the good news to people right here in Alabama. Everywhere we go we find people in need of the love of God. We are sowing seeds into many different nations. We have ministered to people from Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, Cuba, Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Honduras, and even the U.S. What a small world it has become. We are endeavoring to make a global footprint.


These two little guys pictured here are bowing their heads as we say the blessing over the food about to be received. This is the highly coveted “private table” at the Omega feeding center. The children race to be the first ones to arrive and by doing so, get to be one of the two special ones who sit here. I was touched by their sincerity as the blessing was being offered for the food. Are you still grateful enough for the blessings in your life that you take time to bow your head and offer thanks for the food he has provided you?

The change boxes are still doing a marvelous job of collecting change for the children. Pam and I still go once a week and collect the money. It is long days spent on the road right here in Tuscaloosa, and then still more time counting the change but we are happy to do it to see the smiling faces on children who would otherwise not have a hot meal. If you are interested in helping us, we have a great plan to help your church or group raise money. Please contact me to learn more.
God bless you as you continue to give out of the love in your heart for the work we are doing. We value every partner and pray for you daily. May the God of peace keep you and bless you,

Your Friends,
Jim and Pam Stockdale

Lift

The law of gravity has existed on earth since the first day of creation. It is the force that holds everything in its place. Because of gravity, water stays in the oceans and rivers and not in the sky, rocks are either on the ground or falling back to the ground. Gravity keeps you and me from floating off into space. It really is a good thing. Although mans first flight was not officially accomplished until December 17, 1903, the law that allows it to happen has been here since the dawn of time. Air flowing around an airfoil is subject to the Laws of Motion discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. This air flow causes an equal and opposite reaction, as stated in Newton's Third Law and in this case, it produces lift. The law of lift for an airplane is really rather simple. Air flowing over the wing's upper surface accelerates as it passes along the shape of the wing. The result is a decrease in pressure on the upper surface of the wing which results in the phenomenon known as lift.
Ok...so what's this about? Each of us faces discouragements and setbacks in our lives, jobs, families, relationships, churches, ministries, etc. While the devil is busy attacking us and trying to pull us down, Jesus has made a way of escape for us. He gave us his Word. We can rise above our circumstances by using the Word of God as a law of lift in our lives. Are you speaking what you know is true, based on God's word? Or, are you repeating what the world is screaming at you? You can say "well our church never taught us to guard our speech" if you want to, but consider the following. For as long as gravity has held everything down, lift has been available, but unused by man until 1903. Birds have been using it since the fifth day of creation and would pay little heed to any warning from man that flight is impossible.
As I speed down the runway, in my airplane, at 65 mph you could race along beside me in your car screaming "it'll never work, it's impossible to fly!" At that point I have the option to believe you or to believe what I know to be true about lift. I can choose to speed headlong into the trees at the end of the runway, or I can pull back on the controls and soar off the same runway and over the obstacles looming ahead.

I encourage you to dust off that bible you've had tucked away and embrace it as you would the Law of Lift if you were trying to fly...for indeed, that's what we are trying to do. I believe I can fly!
Blessings,
Jim

April 2009

From our growing family, we bring greetings to all of our dear friends.
Pam and I have been so busy this month. We are excited about the many things God is doing for us. Neither time nor space will permit me to share them all but here are a few things that are happening.
It seems God is always requiring each of us to step up to one more task. Let me share a brief story with you to explain our most recent one.
A year ago Pam had two dreams which we have pondered a good bit. In the first dream she was in a delivery room giving birth and both of our daughters were there as her coaches. A few weeks later March 08 she had dream number two: Once again she was in a delivery room and the doctor said, "I see 1, 2, 3, 4, and there could be more..." then she woke up.
One night, the week before Valentine's Day this year, Pam woke up thinking about those dreams and a way to incorporate youth into missions in some sort of training program. The next morning she shared her thoughts with me. As we continued to discuss it in the following days, we realized that we were talking about some sort of Intern program that would train young men and women for the mission field.
That very week we went to Iglesia Sobre La Roca in Dallas, TX on our way to MX. (It was Valentine's weekend this year) Pam preached in the first service and at the end of her message (having said NOTHING about interns), a young lady 19 years old came up to her and asked; "Do you have an intern program?" Pam brought her and her parents immediately to me and introduced them. It was an amazing coincidence. NOT!!! We have spoken 100's of times in the past 5 years and have never been asked this question. What are the odds?
We know that God is moving us to begin a mission’s preparation program. Since we will be preparing missionaries for work in Latin America, we will call it Latin American Mission Preparation, or LAMP.
This young lady is already preparing to attend. Javier is so excited about this new leg of LAM (pardon the pun). Unbeknown to us, he has been praying about an intern program for years. Please help us pray about the path we should choose for developing young missionaries. Also, we need a short slogan to accompany the name LAMP. Some suggestions have been made; “Taking the light to the darkness”, ”Shining a light in darknesst”, etc. Please send us your ideas. The winning slogan will receive a free gift.
If you or someone you know would like to attend the summer course (3 weeks), July 19-Aug 8, please contact us for more details. We also plan to develop a long term program which will be a nine month course. In this program you will have in depth language studies, bible studies, teaching/preaching skills, music, and many other areas of focused mission preparation.
Plans for a fall Motorcycle Mission Trip are well under way. We already have several people planning to make the trip. This is a great opportunity to visit the Feeding Centers and enjoy a cross country trip on your bike. The exact dates will be forthcoming but, the proposed time is mid October. The trip will be 10 days with stops in some beautiful places along the way. We will spend one night somewhere deep in Cajun country, two nights in beautiful San Antonio, TX. We will be in Saltillo, MX 3 nights and 4 days, just to name a few of the places we will see. You will get to see and meet the children in the feeding centers as well as attend a powerful church service you will not soon forget. We hope you will plan to join us for an exciting time.
Your Friends,
Jim and Pam Stockdale

March 2009

Imagine your life as a single parent, with little or no hope of change for the better. Your only hope is the Feeding Center where you and your daughter go for food, clothes, and teaching. Ironically the name of the center is Wings of Hope.  This is the story of such a young woman.  With her daughter Denise, Diana came to the center 3 times per week for what we offered. (Denise is the little girl that asked Pam, do you have Jesus in your heart?) She found more than food and tempora

l things. She found the love of a savior and in time, much, much more. 

A man, by the name of Jose Luis, was coming from the church that staffed the feeding center, to work with the children. In the process of time, his eyes feel on Diana, the single mother raising an 8 year old girl in a terrible place. Having lived a less than exemplary life style, Diana was not the perfect choice for most men, yet to Jose Luis; she was the woman of his dreams. A romance budded and soon hope came to life for them.  Jose Luis asked Diana and Denise to join his home. They were married in 2007 and soon after, they left Saltillo to work in an orphanage in 

Baja California. After serving for two years there, they have now returned to the place they were rescued from. Now Denise has a new little sist

er named Bitia, to keep her busy and a nice home to keep her warm and safe.

Today Jose and Diana are back in Saltillo working in the Feeding Center where their paths first crossed.  I asked Diana why they had returned, she told me, “In the orphanage, the children had everything they needed supplied to them, but here the children need so much more.  God has called us back here to work with these children who have so little.” I was so moved by what she said and am so thankful to have had a part in her future.       

Life has completely changed for Diana and Denise, (now 12 years old.) As a partner to this ministry, you too had a hand in this testimony.  We are all helping create tomorrow’s testimonies of success.

         This trip to Mexico was a busy one for Pam and me.  We were very blessed to once again visit our friends at Garland, TX. Iglesia Sobre La Roca is a powerful and exciting church that is filled with people who are hungry for the presence of God. They packed into a building, for two services, that is much too small for such a large congregation.  (This is a problem many Pastors would like to have.) I asked Pastor Gabriel, what is the key? He said, “Just love the people, and the rest will take care of itself.” They receive us there as family and we are so thankful for their love.  Their children received a special change offering which totaled $1460.00 and selected LAM as the recipient. We were once again blessed by their generosity.

Your Friends, Jim and Pam Stockdale

February 2009

Dear Friend and Partner,

This year will soon be history as we race toward the end of the first decade of the 2000’s.

I am always amazed by the difference in attitude of people. I entered a store a few days ago to collect one of our change boxes. A woman was behind the counter I didn’t know and blurted out as I exchanged the box, “I have a problem with that!” (With customers in line) I enquired as to what she meant and she began to tell me, “I’m a Christian, but I don’t think we should be helping th

ose Mexican kids when there are children suffering here.”

Of course the real problem she has is a prejudice in her heart, or illegal aliens, yet she was taking it out on children whom she has never nor indeed shall ever meet.

  The immigrant debate is one that will continue for many years I’m sure, yet does that somehow relieve our responsibility found in Psalms 82:3 (and many other references too) “Be fair to the poor and to orphans. Defend the helpless and everyone in need.” Interestingly, David didn’t specify which poor and defenseless to help, or which race.  I think they all qualify, it just depends upon us. 

Just a few minutes after encountering this hardened woman, the manager at one of their sister stores gave me a different comment. She said, “Yesterday a young boy came in the store, just old enough to read. He was reading the 

box and looking at the pictures. He handed me a 10.00 bill to pay for the gas his mother had bought, took the change I gave him and ran back to the car. In just a few seconds he was back with a dollar bill in his hand. The box was so full of change he couldn’t get the bill in. After working at it he looked up at me and asked, “Can you help me, I really need to give this dollar?” “I pushed a knife into the slot, and made a hole big enough for him to insert his dollar. He looked up at me and said, “thank you, I really needed to give that!”

  The manager was beaming with joy as she related this story to me.

 I pictured the little boy running back to the car and telling his 

mother something like this, “Mom, there is a box in there collecting money to feed hungry children, can I give something?” It didn’t matter to him if they were Mexican, Japanese, Indian, or American. He just wanted to help. 

Hunger has no prejudice. It affects the rich or the poor, black, white, red or brown. We are honored to have been given the assignment found in Luke 9:13 “…you give them something to eat.” When the Jesus makes 

something plain to you, it becomes a mission for which you will give all that you have to complete.

Thank you for your blindness to race, nationality, or political posture…we could never do this work alone.      

Your Friends,

Jim and Pam Stockdale

January 2009

Dear Friend and Partner,

            

It is impossible to visit a place of extreme poverty and be untouched by the need represented there.  Such was the case with Gary Bishop, who accompanied me to Saltillo this month.

 I was so blessed to have this new friend along with me and to see the impact that the trip had on him.  He not only shared the aviation, navigation, & communication work load that goes along with flying a private aircraft, but he also shared the joy of seeing our children.  He was truly moved by the experience and has already mentioned a return trip in 09.  

We arrived at Saltillo Monday afternoon, Dec 1^st. The airplane was full of boxes and suitcases with gifts for the children. These were unloaded and reloaded into one of our vans there and whisked off to Javier and Milly’s house for preparation for the Christmas party.  Our plans did not include being at the party, since that was held later in the month closer to Christmas day. 

            This trip was a busy one and we were on the go a lot. After being in the plane all day Monday, after a quick shower we headed to a home meeting. This was the first experience for Gary to have “Genuine Mexican” food. There is something amazing that happens when people break bread together.   Jesus knew this well kept secret and encouraged it.  An 

open and receptive attitude is the results of an evening dining together and I was asked to share a few thoughts before leaving.  I spoke about Jesus’ command that we make disciples. They are not born, or bought, they are made. It takes time, effort and money to do so. Once again we had invested all three into these fine people.

            We visited 

the Omega feeding center and were pleasantly surprised to see that the city of Saltillo is improving the area by paving the roads, installing water lines, electric poles and wires.  For those of you who have visited this area, you would not recognize it now. 

There is a new church building, the road in front is now graded and paved. I barely recognized the area. It’s amazing what the Gospel does to an area. We don’t take credit for the changes that are being made there but we do rejoice with our workers for what we are seeing done. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has a way of transforming people and places.

Before

We were blessed to be in all 3 centers on this trip. Each one is progressing nicely and doing the work we ask them to do. I was blessed to hear a powerful lesson in all 3 centers. This is extremely important to our vision. It’s not just a place to receive nourishment, but also to enrich and nourish the mind with the truths from Gods Word.

            2008 is now in the past and we must press on toward the needs and dreams for tomorrow. We pray for you and ask that you pray for us as we press on to do the will of God in our lives.

 

Your Friends,

Jim and Pam Stockdale

Latin American Ministry