As we were visiting churches in our pre-field work, we usually were asked about the weather (people assumed it was hot here!). Well, it been cold enough for there to be a ton of snow since we've been here. At 15-17,000 feet that is! The later-than-normal rainy season has been dumping loads of snow up on the volcanos, making for some very pretty views. Down here in the lowlands, at 7,000 feet, we just get rain, and lots of it. Since we came back from Tacoma on September 24th, it has probably rained all but one or two days. Remember how we said it usually just rains for a few hours in the afternoons or evenings? That's correct, but when it rains cats and dogs for several hours, that's a lot of water! Some of it seems to end up in our garage, but that's not too big a deal.

It was exciting to return from our time in Tacoma (Tim's sister's wedding was wonderful) and see a bunch of new faces at church on Sunday. The Magallones, leaders in the church, had held a retreat and as a result several young ladies are now attending church. Some of them had come before, and others are new (I think, but so are we!). Some are believers, and we don't know about others. It's exciting to see young people coming, engaging in the life of the church, and also committing to weekly discipleship times with Victor and Marta. We didn't have too much time to let moss grow under us before beginning our work again, preaching, doing tutoring and class work at universities, and starting a couple of Bible studies. Tim started a study through Galatians this past Monday, and Barbara-Lee started a ladies' Bible study on Wednesday the 13th.

In one sense we are at a very exciting stage of ministry. We are really starting to meet people, and with every new person you think about the possibilities and wonder about what doors the Lord will open up. An example: Tim walked into the house where he's doing the Monday night study and there, much to his amazement, was a man he had worked with at the Volkswagen plant six years ago! It turns out that the house belonged to his mother. It is exciting to consider what God is doing and try to follow along.

We've noticed that we sometimes have a difficult time tracking with people other missionaries talk about (sorry!). So we're going to try to acquaint you with a couple people. We'll send regular updates on our interactions with them, so you can pray for them. Then, hopefully, you'll begin to feel some sort of connection to them and they'll become a bit more than just names in a prayer letter. Plus, we're kind of curious. How will God work if we have lots and lots of people praying for them? So, we'll introduce Maria and José. Maria is a freshman at Madero University. Tim is in her history of Mexico class, and has also done some English tutoring with her. One day she saw Tim studying Galatians for the Bible study and asked about it. That's always a wonderful door to be opened! Since then, she's had an interest in coming to youth group and the ladies' Bible study. She even called Barbara-Lee on Wednesday because she couldn't come (an unusual thing). José is an administrator at the school. Tim meets with him and another man (a believer) twice a week for English practice. One of the books we're reading is What's So Amazing About Grace, by Philip Yancey. Strangely enough, it's led to many witnessing opportunities. It's great fun to hear one Spanish speaker sharing the gospel with another in English! Please pray for these two. We're taking a risk--who knows if we'll still be seeing them in a few months--but if nothing else, maybe you'll get a glimpse of how we are working with people!

PRAISE
1. Many opportunities to meet people--more than we can really work on.
2. The new regulars at church.
3. We are moved--not quite settled--into a new house.

PRAYER
1. Our new Bible studies. Salvation for unbelievers (Galatians on Monday nights), growth for ladies (Wednesday nights).
2. Opportunities at the universities.
3. Our new neighbors.

Right now we have in mind a verse used at a missions conference:

1 Corinthians 16:9

"a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."