Goldfuss update and prayer letter (December 18)

Dear Praying Friends,

We are making this a prayer update and an official prayer letter at the same time for those who do not receive our email updates.

The church seems to be moving forward in some areas---where others areas seem to be painfully slow.

1. Mike and Morgan left the house at 6 AM on Monday to go to three hours west of Mexico City to Michoacan. A man there who was saved in the States is very interested in beginning a Bible study in his home. His family doesn't appear to know much about the gospel but they have offered their home for services. Another missionary contacted us about another man in the area who may be interested in joining this Bible Study. If any of you have people in your churches that have family members near Zitacuaro, Michoacan---we would love to have them as contacts. Morgan is very excited about this opportunity and will begin going over there on Sundays starting in January. The only sad thing is that he will be gone all day on Sundays. We will miss him, but we are happy how the Lord is leading him. He was going to begin a teen Sunday school class, so now we need to replace him. There are two good possibilities for that position.
   Although the potential for a new work was wonderful, the trip was very eventful---they ran off the road once, got stopped by the corrupt police in Toluca, got lost a couple of times, and saw an accident that I'm sure they will never forget. It was a tractor trailer vs. a lady who was crossing the street on foot. Unfortunately, the lady did not win. It was a reminder of how temporary our times are on this earth. Please pray that these thoughts will not plague their minds.
2. Last Thursday night, our neighbors (from Holland) about two football fields length up the road were bound and robbed at 1:30 AM in the morning. The thieves filled up the neighbor's own car with valuables and drove off in their car. On Monday night, the same thing was done to some new neighbors right across the road. The owner there is the coach for one of Mexico's soccer teams so he is a high profile man. We now have police cars outside our front gate---all night long. They are writing down when we leave and return---supposedly for security sake. If you lived here you would know that that is not a comforting thought. I really hate to write that---but it is true. The police are notorious for planning these types of things also. Mike has said that the kids are not to go out the front gate by themselves. We have calmly explained to them what they are to do and not to do if people break into the house. (I could really see Mikey and Cristi taking forceful action---and getting themselves into bigger problems). Just preparing them has really calmed things---and they slept fine. Mikey and Matthew are planning traps for the criminals---oh, the adventure. Mike reassured all of us that our hope is only in the Lord. He alone is our only true source of protection.
3. There may be several people coming our way from the States to help. Pray for those to work out in the Lord's perfect plan and timing.
4. Victor LaBelle is a former missionary kid from Mexico. He has been moved here by his company--- and his family joined him in our services this past Sunday. He played the piano for us which was a real blessing. Please pray as the family gets adjusted to the newness of Mexico. Our kids tried to welcome them and make them feel at home by helping to translate the services.
5. While new opportunities may be moving forward, some of our regulars just seem to be very apathetic. It is like 1/2 of the church is excited to move forward---while 1/2 is coming later and avoiding Sunday School altogether. We are trying to finish the other side of the church to use for more Sunday school classes, and we need everyone's help to begin classes for the many children that we have.
6. Sra. Gloria and Sra. Maria need special prayer for their health. They are so depressed that they cannot attend services. Please prays for these ladies.
7. We do miss Melissa. The Lord has moved her to a different ministry this next semester, so she won't be able to be back with us for second semester. But, we are very happy that her desire to is serve the Lord. Pray for her as the Lord directs her paths. She is seriously considering full-time missions.
   

Soooooooooooo this is a commercial message for anyone who would like to come for any amount of time from January through April to help with homeschooling. If you could help or if you know of anyone else who could help, please let us know.

Any of you who receive this before Christmas, we trust that you will have a very blessed and Christ-centered Christmas. We trust that in spite of all the upheaval in the world at the moment that our focus will be continually fixed on our one and only real Treasure, Jesus Christ.

With much love and gratefulness for your daily prayers.

Faith for the family