Dear Fellow Helpers

Dear Fellow Helpers: Today we write one of those letters where we urgently ask for your prayers. Yesterday, as we started Sunday services, I received a phone call from one of my brothers. It was one of those calls that you know will come in life. My nephew Tony took his life Saturday evening. He was the only child of my sister Margaret. He was thirty years old (I think). One never thinks that those things can happen in one’s family! Some of you might remember that my sister was involved in an auto accident a few years ago where she was the guilty party and a man was killed. She has had a very difficult time dealing with that and now this heartache is added. Margaret and the rest of the family are very committed Catholics. I have had several opportunities that the dear Lord has provided to present the gospel at family funerals. There are additional prayer needs to mention. Recently our son and daughter arranged the details of a trip to the US at the end of Sept. to celebrate Luke and Jason’s fortieth birthdays. Part of the plan included a trip to Santa Fe N.M. to see my ninety one year old mother and much of the family. We have scheduled a side trip to see Shelley’s sisters in Phoenix. Shelley’s sister Sherrie is in very bad health and her husband suffers from Parkinson’s. Shelley’s brother and one of my brothers have had severe medical issues also. As we age it becomes complicated with families that are not saved and us living so far away in a foreign land. I pray for another opportunity to present the gospel during this heart wrenching situation. I have been preaching for over thirty years and it took many years for my family to accept me as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ. The dear Lord has, in the past, opened the door to present the Gospel to my family and friends that are present at funerals. I pray for that opportunity again. It is important for me to be there for them, but, most of all, I must preach the Word of God to those I love most. That is God’s command to us all and it is why my wife and I are on the mission field. At this time we don’t have enough facts to determine a specific plan, but the thought is for me to go without Shelley for a few days. As for the works here we rejoice that we have had a few new visitors. Tamara came a few weeks ago from a town close by and we are praying to have a Bible study with her and see if we can get others saved and added to the church. Luciana and Veronica have been coming from Neuquen with one of our members. I have visited with one of the men in Veronica’s family and pray the Lord will open a door for his salvation. He owns a car so it would make it ideal to get those families to the church here in Plottier. Carlos has come with another family so we are encouraged that several new people are visiting. As always we thank you for your prayers and support. For many years you dear ones have been there for us and we know that you will be praying for us in this time of need.

Blessings to you all,

Bro. Joe and Shelley Martinez August 21, 2017