MISSIONS
Encouraging and empowering the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission. Matthew 25:35-36,40
Ruben and Lety Geytan & the Tlapaneco Ministry
From: "Hickman Ewing"
Subject: Ruben Gaytan & the Tlapaneco Ministry
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:04:54 -0500
Brothers & Sisters who pray for the Tlapaneco ministry,
1. Thank you for praying for the Bible School mission trip. It went well, with the large team visiting 8 villages ? giving testimonies, preaching, sharing one on one, and showing the Jesus Film. It was a great encouragement to those villages with few believers. Two of our full time missionary girls ? Soco Larios (in Brasil) and Florida (in Tapayoltepec) were especially encouraged that the team came to their villages. Rachel Mudder, from the USA, went with the team and was privileged to have the opportunity to share the gospel with a lady, who prayed to receive Christ with the translator. Please pray for spiritual fruit and follow up in all of these places.
2. Annual Conference. The annual conference for the Iglesias Cristianas Tlapanecas (ICT) [Tlapaneco Christian Churches] is taking place right now in El Llano [Thursday, April 21 ? Easter Sunday, April 24]. This conference is held normally each year between Palm Sunday and Easter. Believers come from all over the tribal area, many walking great distances. It is expected that 400+ people will attend. It is a time for worship, instruction, and fellowship. Many are in villages where Christians are a small minority. To worship and fellowship with a large group is a great encouragement. There will be sessions and services altogether, with teaching from a pastor from Ruben?s church in Mexico City. There will also be separate sessions on Friday and Saturday for men, women, and children. Please pray especially for the women?s team from First Evangelical Church of Memphis TN, who will be teaching Bible to the women 7 times, and doing crafts with them in the afternoons. This team consists of: Crickett Keeth, Margo Varela, Mary Ewing, Barbara Flanagan, Suzie Davis, Lou Householder, Dana Phillips, and Sabra Coble. All of the teaching has to be translated into Tlapaneco (Mephaa) from Spanish, as many of these women do not read or speak Spanish. Pray for clear communication and for the love of Christ to be shown despite language and cultural differences. Please pray for their travel to and from the mountains. Pray for spiritual fruit in and from this conference. In April 1993 (18 years ago) this annual conference was held in Tlacoapa. It was Mr. Lemley?s last visit to the mountains in this life, as he went to be with the Lord in June 1993. Ruben & Lety (not married until almost 4 years later), and Abel sang ?Because He Lives? on Easter Sunday morning.
3. Rachel Mudder - will be at the conference. Pray for comfort for her in the wake of the sudden death of one of her cousins in the USA this week. Following the annual conference she is scheduled to go to Barranca Pobre for two months to work with Pastor Timoteo and the church there. Pray for her adjustment.
4. Future events. Please pray for the Bible School and its students that they will finish the school year strong in May and June. The annual pastors conference is due to be held in Tlapa in mid-July. Please pray for the planning and funding of this conference. The ICT Board is also scheduled to meet with the TIM Board during that time in Tlapa.
5. Ruben & Lety Gaytan - Eliseo & Sarita. Pray for wisdom and strength for Ruben and Lety in the ministry. Pray for Eliseo & Sarita as they grow and learn.
Blessings, in Christ,
Hickman Ewing, for Ruben & the Tlapaneco Board