Latin American Ministry

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