Dear Friend,

      Regardless of our station in life we all have something to be thankful for. Tomorrow we will celebrate Thanksgiving with our family, extended family and friends. It is an annual event that we look forward to all year. By the time this letter arrives in you mail box it will be over. Does that mean my thankfulness has also ended? Most certainly it must not! To be thankful is a matter of will not emotion. While we can always find something that we don't like, we must find things daily for which to be thankful for. Thanks moves the heart of God.  I sat in the home of a precious family just last night who have so moved Pam and me. This family of 4 came here with nothing, from the worst of the violent cities along the border of MX. The first time I went to their home (2 months ago), was to take them some much needed "stuff." They were sleeping on the floor, living without beds, furniture, and indeed even very much food, yet they were so thankful to be here and out of the violence of Juárez. This whole family of 4 makes a living working at McDonald's. They speak very little English, but are overjoyed to have a job, even if at McDonald's.  After tithes, offerings and taxes, they make very little per hour, but have no complaints.  They invited us to their home to give us an offering. This family is a lesson out loud to all of us who have so much.

      If you ever get a chance, go visit a car junk yard, you will see the rusted out dreams of yesterday. Those cars were someone's goals, who thought, "If I just had that 1982 Cutlass!" Look at it today, just scrape metal, the former owner now needing something new. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with you wanting something new but remember, happiness will never be found in the abundance of what one possesses (Luke 12:15) but in the treasure of your heart. True joy is buried within and the shovel of thankfulness will dig it out. May we find the will to be as Paul instructed in 1Th 5:18  "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. You want to walk in God's will; you can start by being thankful.  "Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."  

     I'm thankful for my brother in law Randy Lott, who in 2002 started taking flying lessons, which inspired me to hear the Lord ask me, "Do you still believe you will have an airplane someday; isn't it time you learn to fly one?" In just a few days I will be loading that airplane with coats and clothes  as I once again head back to Mexico. It will be my great pleasure to leave money with Javier for the purchase of Christmas presents for the children at Wings of Hope. To see the smiles on their faces is always a great reward. Salutation, it is because of your help that we are able to help others. I am so thankful for you.

     May you always have a grateful heart and enjoy this beautiful season with friends and loved ones. Until we meet again, 

Blessings and Peace be unto you.    

Jim &Pam Stockdale        

June 2010

We have just returned from another great trip to Mexico. It was a journey filled with challenge and triumph! Thank you for everything you do to help us do our job! Your partnership is beyond value!

Our speaking schedule took us to Athens, TX and Abundant Harvest Church. Pastors Marc & Angela Jones were great hosts and received us so warmly. After a great Sunday morning service with them we departed in the afternoon for San Antonio, TX to pick up two passengers.

When we were in Mexico near the end of February, an interesting thing happened. In route we flew directly over San Antonio, TX and as we were passing over that sprawling city I commented to Pam that "We really need some contacts here in this beautiful city." The second day after arriving in Mexico, Javier told me he would like to introduce us to a Pastor friend of his, staying at the same hotel, visiting

here from...you guessed it, San Antonio, TX. Just two doors down from our room this man comes out of his room and hears us speaking English to each other. He says to himself, "This person is from the U.S." and about that time he sees Javier, Pam and me talking. After an introduction and brief visit I told him about my recent comment to Pam and our need for a contact in San Antonio. He told me if we ever have the chance, to come and see him and on this trip we took him up on it. He and a young man from his church picked us up at the San Antonio International Airport, took us to supper, to our hotel and then to his home to meet his family. They took such good care of us and even picked up our guests the next day at the airport terminal, what a great blessing they were to us. It amazes me how God is always listening to our hearts cry and ready to open doors for us. Doors that he opens always lead to blessing.

We arrived in Saltillo Monday afternoon and just 4 hours later Jerry & Ann Jett from Harvest International Ministry arrived. They were both such a blessing as were Maribel and Kara. We visited two of the feeding centers and were treated to a marvelous program at each. If you haven't seen the video from this trip you can do so by going to www.youtube.com and in their search box type: LAM Update May. You can select the video from the list and I know you will enjoy it. Pass it along to friends and family for their enjoyment too. If you do not receive the email updates you can sign up for them at our web site and then you will receive the video updates as well.

Javier & Mily's house is nearing completion now and is only lacking the final coat of stucco on the walls & ceiling. Then the fixtures will be installed and they can move in. It is still several weeks from completion but so much closer than before. The two upstairs rooms will give them the room they have needed for so many years. Even with the added space of two rooms and bathrooms, their house is still very small for 5 people. It is just more evidence of the dedication and devotion these wonderful people have to the work of the gospel.

Jerry preached a powerful message on Wednesday night entitled "Facing and Conquering Our Fears." After his great message we were all ready to storm the gates of Hell armed with nothing but a squirt gun! At the conclusion of the message the altar filled with young and old, seeking a divine touch from God.

We Love you,

Jim &Pam Stockdale

Greetings in the powerful name of Jesus! As we prepare for one of the most celebrated days of the year, Easter, I want to remind you of a very important fact. As a believer, resurrection day means so much more than the commonly celebrated day to attend church, hunt Easter eggs, buy new clothes and have dinner with Momma & Daddy. It is the day that our savior, Jesus the Christ, defeated death, hell and the grave by openly triumphing over them all. Colosians 2:14-15 says, "He canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with it's binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross. (15) And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession." The greeting used by the first century church was simple. When meeting a fellow believer one simply said, HE IS RISEN! The reply was, HE IS RISEN IN DEED! There were no thoughts of Easter eggs or the latest fashions. Their primary and single minded purpose was to continue growing stronger in him, who was risen indeed!

Construction is well under way on Javier and Mily's house. (that is the correct spelling for Mily's name) As with many construction projects there is a certain amount of tearing out of the old before the new can be added. Isn't that much like our own lives. Doesn't the bible say something about "Old things have passed away, and behold all things have become new?" Well some things are certainly passing away and others are becoming new on the Argüello's house! To God be the Glory! We are so excited for them!

As you may remember, we are planning the 2nd Annual Ride For Hope. The dates for the ride will be October 10-20. As before, we will depart the Tuscaloosa area on Sunday afternoon for an overnight in Jackson, MS. Last year's ride was so memorable and any of you who enjoy motorcycles, serving others, and want to be a part of a missions trip, start planning now so you won't miss this great opportunity. You will need a passport so get yours ready now. October will be here before you know it.

In May of 2000 I made my first mission trip to Latin America by visiting Cuba. It completely changed my life and the life of my family. Part of getting ready for that trip was getting a Passport. On March 5th of this year that Passport expired. I thought about the many trips I've taken these last 10 years with it and looked at the stamps on it's pages. It has now expired and can no longer be used as legal identification. Each of us comes with an expiration date that only the Lord knows. I knew when I came out of Mexico on Feb 26th that I could never use it again. I had no regrets, for I have used it to travel to many parts of the world. I look forward now to the new one which will arrive in just a few days and to the places I will take it. When my body reaches it's expiration date, I want to be able to say to the Lord. I have no regrets. II Tim 4:7-8 says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. (8) Now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing."

Jim &Pam Stockdale

I am happy to report to you that the airplane is airworthy for another year. Thanks to John Hudson and the great people at Grace Aviation we are in the air for another year. John is also Pastor of the 2nd Baptist Church in Kingstree, SC who graciously received me while I was there. Even though there was plenty of work to be done, it was done with a merry heart and all is well. It was a busy trip this year with a different speaking engagement nearly every night. I was excited to share in 3 meetings on Sunday and even had a chance to talk to a Motorcycle group on Monday night. Some of them are hoping to join the 2nd annual bike ride this year, which once again will be lead by Larry Biggers. They have aptly named the trip, "Ride for Hope." It is scheduled for the middle of October. If you're interested it will follow a very similar schedule as last year, a minimum of a 10 day ride. The distance makes it impossible to do an enjoyable ride any quicker.

Pam and I have been busily preparing for our next trip to Mexico. By the time this letter arrives in your mail box, Lord willing, we should be there. We plan to leave home this Friday (Feb 19) headed for Garland, TX (Dallas) to be with a dear church, Iglesia Sobre La Roca. They've been partners for many years. This year during our visit I will give them a full dose of Santiago (James) during the Spanish service and Pam will deliver an encouraging word to their English congregation. (They are a Spanish speaking church with an optional English service) This is one of the few churches we visit (in the U.S.) that during their main service (Spanish) there are not enough seats. People will be standing around the walls, excited to be there. The building will seat 300-350. Pastors Gabriel &Betty Morales have done an incredible job. I'm so excited about sharing the book of James with them. I had an opportunity to share it while in Kingstree, SC also. I love each time.

I am now well into James Chapter 2, learning it in English this time. As the Word grows inside of me I can sense God being able to communicate his will more and more. It is a powerful weapon! I am hoping to be ready to do an English presentation by June of this year. The next 3 months will pass whether I learn it or not, what a great investment into my own life. What greater gift could I give myself? I challenge you to take a few verses and learn them until you can quote them during your day. When stress and pressure start to push you around just start quoting the Word. It doesn't really matter what it's about, everything takes a back seat to the Word of God. You will be amazed how much better your days will pass if you just take a Gos-Pill.

Lord willing, Javier and Milly's house will be under construction by the time you receive this letter. I am so excited that they are going to receive the two new rooms and bathroom to their home that they have been patiently waiting on. The law of sowing and reaping is not a U.S. law, but rather it is a law in the Kingdom of God. Milly & Javier sowed seed in faith believing for this day and now we are so excited to be a part of their harvest. Did I tell you that the addition is already paid for? When we began to talk about those rooms being added and when they started sowing, we didn't have the money in our hands to do the work. Now, thank God the money is here! It is so exciting to be a facilitator in the hands of God! Thank you for helping us help others!

Happy New Year!

If 2010 passes as quickly as 2009 did, maybe I should start by saying Merry Christmas. It will, after all, be here before we know it.

This month has passed quickly. For those of you who receive the email update (if you don't but would like to receive it simply go to www.latinamericanministry.org and sign up for it) you saw

the video of my most recent trip to Saltillo with long time friend Jerry Jett. Jerry is founder and President of Harvest International Ministries. (The video is attached with this posting) He was a great blessing on the trip and was blessed having been there. His love and genuine concern for our work was evident through his ministry's participation and partnership.

Pam and her father, James Lott, spent many hours cutting, sanding, and varnishing small crosses to give each of our children in Mexico. I was able to take them on this trip and personally put them around the necks of many of the children. They seemed to be truly grateful.

The little girl pictured here had a cross of her own which I saw her playing with during the presentation of the new ones. After lunch was finished and the children were leaving, she came up to me and said she wanted to give me something. I opened my hand and she placed her little cross in it. It had a metal ring attached to it so I put it on my airplane keys to remind me to pray for her. Her name is America.

The windows are being installed in Omega even as I write this letter. I am truly thankful to all who helped pay for them. We are now starting on the 5 doors and believe that before winter is over we will be able to close and lock them to protect the few possessions they have.

In January of 2009, Millie gave a special offering in faith and wrote a small note to herself reminding her that she had given that offering as a seed for their house to be finished. (she told me this after I told her what I'm about to tell you) While we were there Jerry asked me what he could do for this Pastor and family who have been so faithful to the call of God on their lives. I quickly told him we had been hoping to complete Javier & Millie's house with the two bedrooms and bathroom that they had started years ago but had never been able to complete. Without a moments hesitation he said, "consider it done!" When I told Javier and Milly, they were so excited. That's when Millie told me about her seed. I tell you this, simply to remind you, what you have given in faith as a seed, don't stop believing in God's ability to, not only repay you, but to go far beyond. No farmer sows a field expecting to only recover his seed. James said the farmer sows, and patiently waits for the rains & harvest.

I hope you will plan to make a trip to Mexico with us in 2010. We hope to be there many times this year, Lord willing and would love to have you with us. Blessings and peace in all you do in the Kingdom of God this year.

To all our partners, you can expect your 2009 donation statement in next month's news letter. If you need it before that time, I would be more than happy to send it to you early. We are truly thankful for your support this year.

If you would like to sponsor a child for $30.00 a month you may do so through our on line secure payment link which uses PayPal or you may mail your check to: Latin American Ministry, 8317 Meadowlake Dr. W, Northport, AL 35476

Your Friends, Jim and Pam Stockdale