Mexico and Central America

Slide Show of Belize * November 2006 * October 2006 *March 2005 * February 2005 * December 2004

November 24, 2006

Brother Don Averitt, Vilonia, Arkansas, has just returned from a visit with the brethren in Western Mexico. He traveled with Brother Alejandro Cisneros and sends us this report:

The efforts of Brother Alejandro Cisneros in Nogales and other communities in Mexico has been a bit vague for some time now. I was asked to travel with him recently for about two weeks to document the work he has been doing. I flew to Tucson on October 27. From there Brother Darrel Yarbrough was kind enough to take me to Nogales to meet Brother Alejandro at the border. I spent the next two days in constant Bible studies with the members in Nogales. The attendance during these studies at each location included visitors along with members of the Church. The average number being about fifteen to twenty. I was very impressed with the strength of this congregation. Their topics were often quite deep in the Word. I was asked to speak there on Sunday, there were over forty in attendance.

We left for Guaymas on Monday morning, arriving for a visit that afternoon with some of the members there. The loss of the building in recent years and the lack of interest in spiritual matters has taken it’s toll with the members there. Little interest was found for any future work in Guaymas. We left for the state of Sinaloa the following day. We began there by procuring a house to stay in which belongs to one of the members in Nogales. We have since been given a key and a promise that it is ours as long as we need it. However, upon our arrival ,no such key could be found . Very late in the night we located the key and upon opening the door we found the climate inside to be sufficient to bake cookies. We spent the night on the concrete roof along with voracious mosquitoes. They left us alone around four in the morning as it became too cold for their liking. The cold presented another problem as Brother Alejandro and his grandson Irbin had only a thin bed sheet to cover themselves. I was so impressed with Alejandro, he had no interest in the comfort of a motel, but rather preferred to sleep this way to save money for the needs of the poor. We awoke and hastily made our way some twelve miles to Las Flores, a village of about eighty to ninety people. We met Brother Faunstino there and studied for a few hours. He is very faithful and full of energy. He is about 85 years of age and was very excited to begin our visitation in the community. We began walking finding new prospects for study very quickly. I remember five individual studies that day, the people showing great interest in the Word. It became apparent over the next few days that this was a place of much opportunity. About two miles down the dirt road is another village called Culebras (snakes). We began to study with two families there with great success. By the following Sunday we had over twenty-four visitors to our assembly. The small town of Huicho is where the house is located for our use. There are family members there related to members of the Church in Nogales. It seemed the perfect place to concentrate future efforts as there is another faithful group meeting in Estacion Bamoa about twenty-two miles north of these villages.

The plan for the future was that Brother Alejandro should focus his efforts in the location that would afford the most opportunity for growth. After our return to Nogales I presented to the brethren in Sierra Vista and Tucson detailed maps so that anyone can visit these churches. Names of the brethren in Mexico and directions to their homes are now in their possession. The plan approved by the brethren in Arizona is that Brother Alejandro is to return to Las Flores January 15 through March 15. I agreed to return to Las Flores to see how the work is progressing at the end of this two month period, then pass on that information to the churches in Arizona for future consideration.

Please remember the work in Mexico as you approach our Father in heaven that He might bless the efforts that are made there. There “the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”

Your Servant,

Don

November 2006

Two weeks ago brother Alejandro from Nogales and brother Don Avaritt from Arkansas left Nogales, Mexico, for an evangelistic tour to Guaymas, which is on the coast, and then on down to the Los Mochos area. For the past two years, brother Alejandro has been working this area with very good success. I have spoken to brother Don three times while they were working among four churches. If it is the Lord's will, they plan to return this Thursday. We plan to meet here on Thursday night to give brother Don an opportunity to share with us his report of this work. He has already spoken to me about the good success they have had so far. We are anxious to hear his exciting report. Please pray for both of these faithful evangelists.

Bill Yarbrough

Cloud Nine Congregation

Sierra Vista, Arizona

October 2006

If money is to be sent for the work in Mexico, for brothers Alejandro Cisneros, Dana, and other needs and work, please send that money to the Cloud 9 Church of Christ, 10 Keating Street, Sierra Vista, Arizona, 85635, and the money will be delivered you direct. Money is needed at times in Agua Prieta, Guaymas, Nogales and soon to support brother Alejandro and brother Don Avaritt to take a long trip into Mexico where we have a lot of work going in the Los Moches area and other small towns. Then, too, there is the work coming up again in the Central America area.

March 2005

Recent communications with Brothers Gualberto and Toribio Camaal in Becanchen, Yucatan, Mexico have been very uplifting. Brother Toribio says that they baptized their father, a staunch Catholic and leader of the village, a few weeks ago and are delighted with the outcome. These brethren are tireless workers in the vineyard and are constantly relating how the Gospel continues to be accepted among the native Maya of their area. Many of you may not know this, but Toribio and Gualberto are both Mayans and are directly related to the builders of that same great civilization that we see depicted on the History and Discovery Channel's. This civilization was dominant from the 4th century B.C. to the coming of the Spanish in the early 1500s. During the climax of their civilization they developed a form of writing known as heiroglyphs; they were the first to develop the concept of zero; their calendar was unequaled until the advent of the computer; and they were brilliant physicians. Debauchery and evil brought them down. The need to perform sacrifices in order to satisfy their bloodthirsty gods and the destruction of their habitat, eventually led them into decline. The civilization disappeared, but the people did not. They now make up the nucleus of one of the strongest churches in Mexico. They have approximately 40 meeting every Sunday, of which 13 are members. Please pray for their father who is dying of cancer.

Brother Filipe Alamilia of Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico recently called and noted that all is well among the 5 congregations that are in his state. Brothers Filipe, David, Marco, Roberto and others are likewise very concerned with the growth and development of the church. They have no requests, except your prayers. These brothers are given a total of $50.00 per month to cover expenses in their travels to the various congregations, none of which is less than 4 hours journey from their home. Of course this is not adequate to cover all expenses, but this is all they want. They feel that it is their responsibility to supply the rest.

Brother Alejandro Cisneros of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico sends a regular update on his labors in the North West part of Mexico. He is currently laboring among 3 congregations in that area. He has Bible studies almost every night and the congregation in Nogales appears to be growing. Please continue to pray for him and the others that labor with him.

Brother Bol from the congregation at Ladyville, Belize has sent two emails of late. He notes that the work in Belize is definitely showing some promise. His recent journey to work with Brother Chun in San Antonio, Belize has proven to be very successful. These two tireless laborers visited some 3 congregations in the area surrounding San Antonio and convinced them to remove the class system from their services. He writes pleading that we return in April for extended studies on a variety of topics. We are encouraged with his enthusiasm and concern for obedience to the truth.

Brother Bol also notes that he would like to make another trip to visit a defunct congregation at Monkey River. Apparently their are members still in that town that do not have a place to meet or the leadership to direct them. They have not been meeting for the last two, almost three, years due to the lack of teachers. Brothers Bol and Chun plan to go and develop those that are there. This congregation is almost 5 hours journey for Brother Bol and 2 1/2 for Brother Chun. They realize the importance of developing from within a congregation and not allowing someone to come into and rule a congregation. Please pray for this work.

Our Brethren in Guatemala send word, through Brother Bol, of the need to return and visit with them. The villages that these congregations are in may be substantial. We have been informed that there are congregations all along the border from Guatemala to Honduras. These congregations are in need of teaching, Bibles and song books.

The Latino congregation has substantially grown within the last year, numbering over 20 members and many times over 40 in attendance during Sunday services. We understand that there are even more at their Bible studies which are conducted in the homes of the Brethren. We currently have five Brethren that speak, wait on the table, or take charge during the song service. They have all developed into competent speakers and are very inquisitive about the Bible. Periodically, they will come to our home for a Bible study in which we discuss problems and specific Bible questions. Brother Julio Barahona, of the Fayetteville Road congregation in Atlanta, teaches ever third Sunday and has grown considerably as a teacher.

We are certainly encouraged by the work in these places as well as other locations throughout the world. This is not an easy process, but it is very rewarding. Your support allows so much to be accomplished in the spreading of the Gospel and to the edification of our Brethren. Even though you may never visit among these Brethren, they know you and of your liberality and love toward them. We could not do anything without your prayers and support.

Dana R. Chandler

February 2005

I want to tell you all about 2 of our members from the Latino congregation in Wedowee, AL. Antonio and Eva Gonzales were recently featured in Farm and Ranch Living (Feb/March 2005 issue) concerning their work at a nearby nursery. Featured in a section about living in Alabama, they are shown working with the plants in the hothouses. These two are very important to our congregation and work very hard to help those in need around them. Our congregation (Latino) now has about 35-40 meeting every Sunday. They meet from house to house during their Thursday Bible study. They are all active in teaching and reaching out to their Latino community. They also communicate regularly with the congregations in Mexico. There are 5 brethren that take part in teaching and singing. Please pray for all of them.

Dana R. Chandler

Our recent trip to Mexico and Belize was another wonderful success. We witnessed the power of God throughout our journey. It would do us all well to realize that we are to do his will, even though we plan for ours. Indeed, we are nothing more than clay in the hands of the Master Potter (Jeremiah 18:6).

During our journey from December 10th through the 18th, my companion Danny Abercrombie and I traveled by car from Cancun , Mexico to the Southernmost part of Belize (almost one thousand miles). This may not sound like a great distance, but their roads are mostly like our county roads in the south. There are potholes, many speed bumps (called topes) and little towns that hinder your driving time. To add to that, there are military checkpoints and police stops along the way, which further delay your trip. Finally, there are some fantastic scenery and the occasional oddity that causes you to stop and take photos. But, one of the most delightful stops included a roadside fruit stand that sold nothing but pineapple. Fresh pineapple is hard to describe, it is so much better than that which you can buy in the store. It has a sweet, succulent flavor that literally dribbles out of the corners of your mouth. Danny can attest to how good they are.

Our journey to Belize included our regular stop at the household of Brother and Sister Filipe Alamillia. This family is very dedicated and strong in the faith. They informed us of the status of the 7 congregations that they worked with and everything was positive and uplifting. It is so good to have brothers and sisters that are so dedicated to the church. For those of you that know about their daughter Patty’s illness, she is doing much better. The surgery was a success.

We continued on to Belize and met with the church at Ladyville. Sunday morning service was uplifting and informative. Brother Danny structured his lesson around our previous discussions and provided some further insight to the congregation there. Though they are small, they are completely converted on all topics. Their understanding about Sunday School, the second supper, the pastor system and divorce and remarriage, is better than some members here in America .

Furthermore, Brother and Sister Bol informed us that there may be other congregations in Belize that we can work with. We were already aware, through a previous visit, about the possibility of a congregation at San Antonio in Southern Belize , but Sister Bol said that many within her family were members and had not been meeting together for over two years because they had no one to teach them. She said that her family lived in a place called Monkey River Town , which is two hours off of the main road, but that could change if there were heavy rains. This made their road almost impassable. We decided during this trip to keep to our original schedule and visit the church at San Antonio . It is best not to spread yourself to thin, develop a congregation completely before you travel to another. The reason is simple, if the congregations are not firmly established on a solid foundation, then they will not properly develop and may even fall away (Matthew 13:3-18). Establish the congregations that you can, before moving on, and they will help to convert others.

The congregation at San Antonio is larger than the one in Ladyville. They have 25 adults and 15 children in attendance every Sunday Morning. There is an evangelist working at this congregation and four other congregations in surrounding communities. Brother Chun is 45 years old and a tireless worker for the Lord. He is very interested in studying the Bible and looks for every opportunity to study. Brother Chun is aided in his work by Brother Cowo. Brother Chun can be reached at:

We were very pleased with his work and his decisions to stand against the Sunday School and Second Supper.

Bother and Sister Bol will be traveling to San Antonio in January to visit with Brothers Chun and Cowo. They will close their two week journey by visiting in Monkey River Town . Their intentions are to further strengthen the brethren in San Antonio Village and to re-establish the church at Monkey River Town . Please keep them in your prayers.

Your generous support, both financially and prayerfully, have aided us tremendously in our labors among the brethren in these and other areas. We use your support to aid the brethren during times of illness, provide songbooks and bibles, pay expenses when they are traveling and general benevolence towards the poor. Recently, we used funds to purchase a communion set and a study Bible for the church at Ladyville. Other money went to pay for a sisters electric and water bills (she is a single mother with 4 children that makes less than $100.00 per month as a house maid). Still further money went to make valuable copies of Spanish materials to be used by a variety of churches in Mexico and Guatemala . Two boxes of song books and two boxes of bibles were sent to Guatemala to be used by churches familiar to Brother Roberto Diaz (another faithful and tireless evangelist in Guatemala ). Aide was given to a family whose mother was receiving cancer treatment. We do not use your support frivolously and spend it with the utmost concern for the Gospel’s sake.

Thank you again for your help and support. May God bless you and keep you all in the upcoming new year.