A newsletter of the ministry of Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes and Rick Barnes, International Ministries/ ABCUSA Missionaries relating to la Convencion Dios Con Nosotrosof Baja California, Mexico

"Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy for unto you is born today in the city of Bethlehem a savior which is Christ the Lord"

As I sit to think about the Christmas season, I am reminded by how many times the angels start their greetings with those words, Fear Not!: The shepherds in the field surrounded by angels; the teenage Mary as she deals with changes in her body and her destiny that would terrify even the most experienced of women; The confused bridegroom, Joseph, as he tries to decide how to deal with his predicament, fearing for the safety of Mary and her reputation.

I am also reminded of the old television series, "Touched by an angel", where she greets many of her charges with the greeting, "Fear Not" and the reminder that God loves you. Surely fear is a constant companion in our lives whether we like it or not. Sometimes it serves the purpose of raising our senses to the point in which we can defend ourselves when endangered. Other times it paralyzes us and clouds our judgment as we try to find our way.

As I read the greeting again, I ask myself, where do I need reassurance from the heavenly messenger? What am I afraid of? Many times I fear failure and other times I fear success. Will I be able to do what God has called me to do? There is a sense in which I am like the man who is asking Jesus to heal his son and he says, "I believe, help my unbelief". The Christmas season reminds us that there are many real dangers in life, there are many reasons to fear the choices we have to make as we journey but that we don't have to make those choices alone. A savior, a redeemer, the incarnate one has arrived and his life will guide us and help us conquer the fear in the journey.

Let me share my fears with you so that you can help me pray and so the fear is balanced with faith in the resurrected one. I fear for our church planters, pastors and young leaders as they strive to reach out to their communities and deal with frustration, fatigue and mixed results. I fear the polarization and mistrust created by the Mexican electoral process and the economic consequences this may have on everyday people. I fear that we may not have the answers or the resources that our leaders need from us so that we can help them along the way. Yet at the same time that I fear these things I know that I serve the sovereign one who holds all things in his hands and will supply me with what I need. I believe, help my unbelief.

• Please pray for Ramon and Alma, Jesus and Johanna, Gilberto, Moisés, Darío, Juan José and many other leaders of small churches and missions.
• Please continue to budget us into your mission giving. I want to ask anyone who is interested in supporting our ministry to target 50% of the gift for our ongoing support (salary, benefits, etc.) and 50% for projects/work funds.
• Please pray for a healing and cooperation between the Mexican political factions.
• Please consider becoming a partner with one of our mission churches.
• Please continue to pray for our family.
• Please pray and see if you can help our churches with a donation. Contact us directly by e-mail to get a list of specific items needed.

On the family front…

The kids continue to amaze us with how much they are growing in so many ways. Aida has celebrated her 16th birthday. She has been quite involved in SEVAPA, which is a drama class that extends her day an extra period every day. She is in the rehearsal routine for "The Wizard of Oz," and is doing very well in school, including an AP course in European history. We are taking a deep breath, as visions of part time jobs, driver's license, and college are all dancing in our heads right now.

Richie who is 13 is now about as tall as Mercy, about 5-5. I am relieved for him, because I started High School at less than five feet tall, not a very pleasant experience. We also give thanks to God that he is doing well after a challenging fall. After school began, he started developing headaches, and getting very "woozy." The pediatrician was quite concerned, and sent him to a neurologist. The neurologist was also concerned, and wanted a follow up appointment. In the meantime, one of our friends suggested having his eyes checked, and sure enough, that seems to have been the solution, to the point where the neurologist doesn't want to see him unless his headaches recur. We are very grateful!

Joshua who is 7 is now a Cub Scout and in a pack where he is one of the founding boys, and mom and dad are both very involved as well. He continues to bloom at school, where as well as the usual reading and writing, he did a report and we did a diorama having to do with the Navajo tribe.He is now the proud owner of a dwarf hamster, Nibbles, which teaches him a bit more about responsibility.

So often in the struggles to make sure that homework and chores are done and rooms are physically passable, in the bicker-banter between them, the ophthalmologist and orthodontist, and the busyness of life, we can be tempted to forget how important our children really are. When we take a deep breath, and stop and consider, we realize they are really gifts from God to be treasured while we still have them.