CROSSROADS

The Worship Service in English continues to grow and flourish.We're maintaining an attendance of 35-40 a week.Since July through September are the hottest months in La Paz, this is phenomenal!Usually most of the foreigners head north for cooler weather.So who's still here?We're attracting more people that live here full time, as well as a significant number of Mexicans who are either bilingual, or who wish to improve their English skills.Lissania has long been an active member of our fellowship in English.She plays the flute as part of our praise band.She invited a friend who has now been coming on a regular basis.This friend, also bilingual, came because she wanted to hear a woman pastor!She told Joyce that the first time she heard her, the stories in her sermon touched her heart.She's been coming for 3 weeks in a row and the second week even brought the refreshments for coffee hour!

The building we meet in also continues to look different every week.The sanctuary area is painted and also has a beautiful glass block window high on one wall.We have one Sunday school room for the kids who range from age 2 to 13.The kitchen and bathrooms are yet to be completed.Crossroads is right next to (in fact it shares a wall) with the home that we are renting.And yes, our house is still under construction!

Doug, who is a Canadian, has been attending Crossroads for over 6 months.For a long time he has had the vision of building a children's hospital in memory of his sister.He is exploring the possibility of building it here in La Paz.His desire is to have an ecumenical base of support from all the Christian churches in town.He is laying the groundwork to achieve this goal.We ask for your prayers as this vision unfolds.We think this dream could be a powerful way to bring unity among the body of Christ in La Paz.

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF LA PAZ

When we left for our home assignment last May, the school continued with classes, but they soon began to falter and attendance declined.Upon our return, David began to brainstorm with the pastors about what direction the school should now take.The decision made was to offer 4-week classes that occurred two nights a week.They felt that the shorter commitment would encourage people to participate and to stick with each course. Tuesday, September 21, the first class of this year was held.Over 40 people came!In fact, the classroom was full and people were standing outside the doors and windows to hear.David ran out to buy more chairs to accommodate as many as he could, but some still had to be turned away because there was no more room.It was decided that for the class scheduled on Thursday, all the chairs would be set up outside so that all could participate.Please pray that teachers and students alike will sustain this enthusiasm and desire for God's Word.

David is also teaching a weekly class for the pastors called FLET.FLET is a theological program out of Florida that is already in Spanish.Each student has a textbook and David facilitates a discussion on the theme for each lesson.The pastors can qualify for an Undergraduate or Masters degree depending on the courses they complete.This opportunity to gather and study weekly is bringing the pastors together in fellowship and unity.An outpouring of the Holy Spirit is once again moving among them.Pray that they will be faithful in their studies, as well as respectful of each other's ministries.

CHURCH GROWTH

As we have told you in other journal articles, all the Baptist churches in La Paz also have a mission.The First Baptist Church started a mission in Cabo San Lucas a year ago after several key families from their church moved there because of jobs.These families lived in proximity to each other and quickly realized that there were no Baptist Churches in their immediate area.So, they began a fellowship in their home, reaching out to their neighbors!The First Baptist Church organized a team and they begin to visit once a month to encourage this group of believers.Eventually, they purchased a lot and have a small building.This mission has grown to about 40 people and needed a full-time leader.The First Baptist Church just interviewed a potential candidate and have extended a call to this person.They are waiting to hear if he will accept.The church has also agreed to support his salary.

The First Baptist Church is only 35 years old.The other 4 Baptist churches in La Paz and the 1 in San Jose Los Cabos were started by them.Out of these 5 churches, each has a mission, 2 of which have now become churches (Casa de Oracion in La Paz, and El Buen Pastor in San Jose).What an incredible testimony to spreading God's Word!

THANKFULNESS

We are so thankful for each one of you!For your faithful prayers, your letters, and the financial gifts you send to support us.We're sure many of you have heard about the deficit International Ministries faces this year of 1.5 million dollars.The World Mission Offering needs to increase by 36% this year in order not to recall any missionaries off the field in 2005.We gave a personal gift of $500 towards the WMO this year, and have agreed to a monthly pledge in 2005 towards ABC's ministry around the world.We tell you this not to brag, but to let you know how strongly we believe in what we and our missionary colleagues participate in globally.We also believe that if we call you to sacrificial giving, then we need to model this type of giving too.

ABC missions is unique in that it forms partnerships within the host countries.We work side-by-side with our Mexican brothers and sisters.We don't tell them what to do.We come at their invitation, and partner with them to accomplish God's Kingdom work in their country.Our desire in Mexico is to train and equip local leaders so that we can multiply more effectively the spreading of the Gospel.

Please pray and ask God to clearly direct the amount you should give to the WMO this year.Don't just throw some change in the offering plate that Sunday.Be deliberate.This is an opportunity to change lives . . . how often do you really get to do that!

May the grace of God anoint your work wherever and however he has called you.

Your servants in Mexico,

David and Joyce Reed