Goldfuss update (November 18)

Dear prayer partners,

This last week has been unusually difficult. We covet your prayers at this time.

First of all, Mike spent much time this week with a family whose father had left them. We first had contact with this family the second year that we were here. So we have known them for many years, but they only visited our church two or three times. Praise the Lord that the father has now returned home and the wife has accepted him back. Two of the grown up children are really suffering--and are having problems with forgiving their father. Please pray that they will begin attending church as they promised and that they will see their need of a Savior.

Second, on Friday, we were saddened and shocked to find out that someone has been stealing money from the church offering. More than 30,000 pesos has been taken. The amount was equivalent to about $3000 US Dollars. We are unsure exactly who could be at fault---whether it was someone inside our church or someone who lives very close to where we meet. The church people were understandably very saddened by the news as the amount for next year's rent had already been met AFTER we had spent money to remodel the new Sunday school rooms. We were so much farther ahead of any other year even during this economic recession. We were also looking forward to using our excess funds to further the Gospel. Therefore, this is a great disappointment to many. Yesterday was extremely difficult.

So many of you are very tender to any needs that we have had in the past, yet we would really like to make it clear that this is in no way a plea for funds for our church. We however DO need your prayers so that the people can see the Lord working through them in this situation. They have done such a beautiful job on their church and have given so faithfully. We are confident that the Lord will give the grace needed to see us all through this seemingly devastating time---and make us better for it.

Mike gave a very soul-searching message to all of us on our hypocrisy and how we all need to be willing to forgive whoever has taken the money because we are ALL capable of any sin. We are praying that the Lord will bring that person to repentance. If no one has returned the money by next week, Mike is planning to lead the church in assuming that the culprit is outside the church so that we are not consumed with accusing our brethren. We will then ask the Lord to deal with that person. I ask you to remember 5 things when praying for this situation:

1. That the Lord will bring the person to repentance.
2. That we as a church will wholly forgive and love the repentant person.
3. That we will not speculate or mentally accuse anyone.
4. That several young families who are struggling to work two jobs to meet their needs (literally working 7AM to midnight) and taking time off for the Lord's house will not become bitter.
5. And that three new families that have been very faithful in the last 6 months will not become disheartened and leave the church.

Mike and Mikey left at 3 AM this morning to accompany Jon and Andrea Crocker to the border to renew the car papers. Please pray for a safe trip and that the Lord will encourage all of their hearts as they travel and listen to messages.

As for us: Cristi, Carissa, Matthew, Cheri, Cara, Bekah, and I are all holding down the fort doing school.

Thank you so much for praying!

In Christ, Faith