2004 News letter!

Mexico Trip 2004

Dear Friends in Christ,
On June 23rd we left from Pottsville and headed west! Twenty-three days and almost 5,ooo miles later we have a lot of stories to share. I hope this letter will bless you as much as we were blessed on the mission field.

On June 27th we were honored to visit Overcomers church in St. Louis, Mo. We were truly blessed by the worship time we had there. After the church service we passed out some of the children’s bags to the little children there. Pastor Melvin’s wife Thelma liked them so much that she also enjoyed getting one. What a blessing it was to be with all the lovely brothers and sisters there.

June 28th we arrived at the Atwood’s farm in Walnut Grove, Mo. We set up the puppet stage and Larry went with Mike to pick up the 55&1/2 lbs bags of dry milk (14 in all) to take to Mexico.

June 29th Karen and I started to pack the gifts for the children in Mexico. We packed 20 bags in all. Larry and I packed all the goods into the motor home. Larry also had to do some minor repairs to the storage compartments. Later that night we got to visit with some friends from PA. Gary and Andrea Fehr, who had moved out to Springfield a few months earlier, spent some time with us while we were in Springfield area.


June 30th We had been invited to speak at Fresh Oil Ministry in Springfield, Mo. The Praise and Worship was a wonderful time in the Lord. Larry ministered the word of God and Elizabeth was accompanied by John Weaver and sang a special. After services Gary took us to the Assembly of God M.A.P.S. RV headquarters. Thursday morning we were blessed to meet and pray with some of the wonderful people who work there.


July 1-3rd we spent traveling south through Oklahoma and Texas. We arrived in Westlaco Texas Sat. We were hosted by Tom and Shelia Shidler who also were our guides and interpreters. Saturday night Larry and Tom picked Shana Atwood up from the airport and our mission team was complete.


July 4th Independence day for us was spent in Reynosa, Mexico. We started the day by driving across the boarder, and into a small boarder town and met up with Chris and Deana who are the “Build Mexico” missionaries. From there they took us to meet the pastor of Iglesia Metodista De Mexico A.R. He could not speak English and we could not speak Spanish. We had to rely on an interpreter to communicate. The pastor was a very sweet spirited man who had the joy of the Lord on his life. Shana taught the children’s Sunday school class and Jimmie Lu gave a testimony on how she came to Christ in the Adult class. Before the church service began the pastor was kneeling to pray and Larry joined him. There was a language barrier there but not a spiritual one. Praise the Lord! Praise and worship began and even though we could not understand the language we were still blessed. Larry ministered the word of God. It was a little different speaking with an interpreter but God’s love was shown. We opened the alter and almost the whole church came for prayer. After church the people began to greet us with smiles, handshakes, and even a kiss. We then were taken to a family’s home for a meal of tamales, beans and lettuce. They had made homemade tamales for their guests. The children were offered a special frozen treat that resembled freeze pops here however they said it didn’t taste the same. The families in this community by our standards are very poor. They build their homes out of what ever wood they can find. When it rains in this community the streets flood and most of the homes are flooded. So a home made of wood will after time become rotten or infested with termites. Chris and Deana are building concrete homes for some families. We are feeling the Lord lead us to build a home with them. We will be putting a team together to go sometime in March/April. (Details will follow). We had the opportunity to do some shopping and we bought the piñatas for the next day and family camp. That night Shelia, Jimmie Lu, and the children all stuffed the piñatas. The team also prepared the things to go in the next day.
July 5th Again we arose early and headed across the boarder. This day was especially important to get a green light in as we were bringing in a lot of toys and clothing for the orphanage and Praise the Lord we got right in just as He promised us we would. We got to the Casa Hogar Corazon Grande A.C. orphanage and were greeted by some children and the missionaries, Gator and his wife who run the orphanage. The children of this home are not adoptable they all have one parent but certain circumstances have given them the right to be in this Christian run facility. As we were setting up the puppet stage and getting the gifts ready some children from the street began watching us through the gate. When we were all set up they brought in 17 children for a fun time. Three children had returned home. We started out by introducing everyone and playing some games. Shana had put together a game with squirt guns and shaving cream. The object was to clean your partners face. The winner received a water balloon set for a prize. Then Jimmie Lu passed out the bubble gum for a bubble blowing contest. The winner of that got a bucket of bubble gum. The children really had a fun time and so did a few of us grown ups. Shana and Jimmie Lu then put on a puppet show. Equipped with a camel, a yellow bird, and a few other fun characters they shared a message about God’s love. After they show Shana led a Salvation bracelet project with the children. I was surprised at how well the children knew the Word of God. Then it was piñata time. The children had a lot of fun with the Sponge Bob piñata we filled with candy and toys for them. Our time at the orphanage was very rewarding. We ended our time with the children with a group photo on the jungle gym on the grounds.
We then were taken to see a home that Chris and Deana had helped to build. Then we were treated to an authentic Mexican meal at a street restaurant. It was very a very different experience to what we are use to being “Mexican” food. We truly understand what God has called us to do while we were there and when we once again return. Graces to all our new amigo’s that helped make our first mission to Mexico such a success.
July 6th – 8th we made our return trip back through Texas and Oklahoma into Springfield Mo.
July 9th and 10th Disciples Fellowship’s yearly family camp in Houston, Mo. Friday night we set up camp and began a time of fun and good Christian Fellowship. Mike and Karen’s children’s band led worship and Pastor Melvin Parker was the speaker. What a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. I just know that many people’s lives changed forever that night, including my own. After services everyone enjoyed some swimming and fellowship.
Saturday morning was another time of great worship and prayer time. A few of us had the opportunity to sing and share testimony. Saturday night we drove up to Licking, Mo. and prepared for services the next day.
July 11 Larry enjoyed an adult Sunday school class led by Delmar Miracle and Jimmie Lu helped out in the children’s class. Larry got to be a part of the worship team for praise and worship. Jimmie Lu was able to share some testimonies of Mexico and Larry ministered the Word of God. We then enjoyed a bar-b-que at Pastor Everett and Lottie’s home. We then headed for a little R&R.
July 11th through the 13th we spent at Merimac State Park. There we camped next to a wonderful couple that does a lot of outreach ministry. How God takes care of us?? His ways are higher than ours.


July 13th we drove over to High Ridge to do the evening service at Disciples Fellowship there. Once again as I stated before the Praise and worship time was just wonderful. Elizabeth and Larry did a special song and Jimmie Lu ministered the word of God. We had a miraculous alter time one lady was healed and many lives were changed. It was so good to visit with Pastors Keith and Pat Hemmingway. We were able to share a lot of what God had done in Mexico.
Homeward bound!!!! We arrived home on July 15th. The things we were able to deliver to the Mexican people are as follows. Diapers, sanitary napkins, baby scale, 20 gift bags of toys, 101 personal care bags, 45 hand sewn children’s bags, a case of Spanish new testaments, Spanish bible tracks, 20 bags for the orphans that included socks, underwear, sandals, clothing, a stuffed toy, crayons, coloring books, and a personal care bags,14-55&1/2lbs bags of dry milk, and most importantly, the loving salvation message of Jesus Christ.
I want to take a minute to share a story of God’s protection with you. We were leaving San Antonio, TX, headed to our destination for the night that was just on the other side of Waco, TX. We decide to get of the interstate to get some supplies we no sooner got off the exit and our right front tire blew out. You see we were traveling the speed limit which is 75mph in Texas. Had we not got off we would have been in a terrible accident. Larry immediately through his hands up to God and said “Thank you God, Thank you Jesus”. God had protected us. Not only did He protect us He also guided us to the right place to have new tires put on. We went to a Sam’s club where we are not members. The man working in the tire area waved the membership fee sold us a the tires for a good price then mounted and balanced them in the parking lot and was very nice to us. God protected and provided for us.



We have a lot of stories to share. We would like to come and share our photos and testimony at your church. To schedule a date for us to come you can call us at (570) 544-3982 or email us at fivefold_5@hotmail.com
We really appreciate all of you who gave into our ministry and for those of you who prayed for us.





Thank You
Five Fold Ministry