Thank you so much for your gift. We deeply appreciate your sacrifice and pray that God will bless you with rich dividends.
Recently, we hosted Dr. and Mrs. David Teis and their daughter on a trip to Tlapa. Dr. Teis pastors the Liberty Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada. The people of the church sent a very generous special offering to the homes for special gifts for the children. We had a wonderful trip…imagine a group of girls that range from 5 to 19 years old…all but a few received their very first teddy bear. Each child had a gift basket that was brimmed with goodies. Group gifts of ping pong tables, baskets and soccer balls, as well as a volleyball set completed the haul. Four huge piñatas were broken, and the party lasted five hours beginning with a very special lunch.
In our staff meeting, the director of the homes told me of the heroic act of one of our female workers. A father from the mountains came to take his daughter out of the homes. He had arranged a marriage for Maria with an older man and was to be paid about $400 for the deal. Our staff member took the man aside and pleaded for the future of the fifteen year old. He was only convinced when she explained that his daughter would be worth far more to him with a good education. This common practice among the tribes is an abomination to God. He is saving souls and lives one at a time.
In July, I am to have my gall bladder removed. It has a large polyp on the inside and they fear cancer, if it gets any larger. I don’t want to be a burden and I chafe at the promised two weeks of inactivity, but I do covet your prayers for my surgery as well as the financial demands. We are already in debt.
In His love,
Mike Patterson
P.S. I am praying for $100,000 in funds for overdue projects for the homes; $25,000 has already been received and used. Join with me in prayer for this need. Many more Maria’s need our help.
