Bartillo, Mexico Missionary Newsletter

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Sharing the Gospel in Baratillo, Mexico

R. J., Anna Lee, and Charity Moss
"The history of missions is the history of answered prayer." Samuel Zwemer On March 1, la Iglesia de Baratillo (our church) hosted a medical clinic. Doctors, nurses, and staff donated their time and equipment to help the people here in the valley. They provided free check-ups, free pediatric care, free dental services, free eye exams, medicine, and even free haircuts! Many people showed up for the available services. Stations for each medical service were set up in various locations in the church.

A note of thanks to all of the people who help support our work here in Baratillo. Without you, this work would not be possible. You are a part of this ministry and we are grateful for the prayers, love, and support you are providing.

We were very thankful for the services this medical group provided and were glad that the people here were benefitted. Areas were set up outside for the people who were waiting to be seen. Many people from the surrounding area came to benefit from the care that was offered. The children enjoyed the horseback rides that were available, as well as games. Although it was a medical event, it had a festive air to it and everyone, even those waiting for care, seemed to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie.
On January 15, Benjamin J. Moss (our son) married the love of his life, Bekah Dixon in Canton, GA. We were grateful to be able to be home for this special occasion and are so excited to have a new daughter in our family. Please remember them in your prayers as they begin this new adventure together.

It was a very busy day for everyone, but was very rewarding. Afterward, we shared a meal with the doctors and others who participated in this event.
Although we have experienced great joys since we have been on the mission field, we have also experienced tremendous loss. R.J. lost both of his younger sisters this year. Kathy Garland died in June of cancer and then Pam Watkins died just after Christmas due to the H1N1 virus. Then, Howard Collins, Anna Lees father, died during the Thanksgiving holidays. Both R.J. and Anna Lees mothers are not only dealing with these losses, but they both have severe health issues. Also, both Kathy and Pam left husbands and families of their own behind. Please remember them, as well as us, in your prayers.

Shoes in this area cost families about a weeks wages for one pair of shoes and many of the families cannot afford to buy them. This Christmas, Talking Rock First Baptist and HEDGE, a home school group in Woodstock, as well as several individuals helped provide shoes for the children here in Baratillo. The children have been so happy having new shoes and this has been an opportunity to show how God provides for their needs. The shoes have been such a blessing for these families. We are truly grateful to everyone for their generosity and support for this community.
The story of Alberto
R.J. had to have some dental work done and God provided a dentist to work on his teeth in Saltillo, MX. During R.J.s first dental appointment, it was determined that he needed a couple of crowns and more extensive work than we had originally thought. After his 2nd visit, I was talking with the wife of the friend who had introduced us to the dentist, and I mentioned that R.J. had another appointment with Dr. Alberto the next Thursday. She said, Dr. Alberto? Who is that? I replied, That is the dentist who came with your husband to visit last Sunday. You know - the husband of Sara, the lady who attends our Bible study. She replied, Saras husband is Ren, not Alberto. Why do you think he is called Alberto? R.J. was sitting next to me, and he said, His name is on the door. She then replied, Well, he may have that on the door, but we only know him as Ren. Later, Pam Richardson was talking with me and also wondered why R.J. was calling him, Alberto. I told her the same thing. So the next week I went with R.J. to try to help him translate since none of the Richardsons were able to go with him. When we got there, R.J. again entered and said, Hola, Alberto which he had been doing for the last few visits. The dentist just smiled. I said, R.J., his name is Rene. He replied, No, it is Alberto. See, his name is on the door! and he pointed to a hand-written sign taped to the door of the building. The sign said, Abierto which means Open in Spanish, as in Open for business! When I told the dentist what R.J. had thought, he shook with laughter over R.J.s linguistic mistake. I bet he thought that explained a lot! Or maybe he just thought R.J. was calling him that because he said open wide so much!

New solar panels have been installed here at the camp. These have been a huge blessing and have saved so much on gas for the generator. R. J. and some of the Richardson boys have also been working on the cabins. One of the older cabins on which the posts were rotten, now has hand-hewn posts on it. It looks so nice! We are having a large camp with over 100 families attending in April and everything needs to be functional for that event. Please pray for this!

What does it take to make a dry desert into a productive fruitful land? Rain. Which is what we had plenty of here in Baratillo during the fall of 2013. The hurricane which affected much of Mexico has certainly changed our normally dry climate into a totally different one. Due to the heavy rains, our road was rendered impassable due to gullies being carved through the road and a couple of rock slides which had the road blocked. R.J. took the uniloader down the road to clear out the debris and, in places, carve out a new road where the old one was washed away. What does it take to change the dry desert of our hearts into hearts which bear much fruit? Allowing God into our hearts to work that His blood would wash us clean from the inside out. Sometimes, this cleansing means washing gullies through areas that we cherish and prefer not to have changed, but God, in His wisdom, knows that change is necessary to become what He desires us to be. Becoming pure in heart is a process, not a final product.

In Baratillo, some children have limited access to education. Therefore, we have began assisting parents in the education of their children through a 2 day a week program designed to help parents in this endeavor. Currently we have about 7 children who attend regularly, with others who come on occasion. Wildwood Christian Academy provided uniforms for the children of Baratillo as well as provided clothing for a Christian School in Saltillo. Other organizations , as well as a number of individuals, helped provide some of the supplies for the school. We certainly thank everyone for their help to provide clothing, materials, and books for the program.

Left to right front: Paco, Ana Sophia, Dyana, Ana Gabriel, Sarai. Back: Amrica, Alejandra, baby, Lupe, Charity, and Lupita.
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com /BaratilloMission Email us at Baratillomission@gmail.com

Charitys Corner We visited Doa Marina and she gave me two baby chickens. We brought them home, then Timothy Richardson and I decided to find some bugs and feed them to the chickens. Timothy found several bugs (I didnt get near them) and then he put the bugs in a big bin and set one of the chickens in to eat the bugs. Only then did we discover that baby chickens could fly By then it was too late! The baby chicken was running away. We bolted after the chicken, as well as the two dogs and four cats. It was a race in time! When we saw what was happening I clung to the dogs while Timothy ran for the chicken. Mom heard all the commotion and came outside to check on us. When she stared at us with wide eyes, she tried to process what was happening. As soon as she realized the chicken was loose, she ran for it! She chased the chicken, too until the chicken ran for cover inside a huge group of cacti. My mom and Timothy tried to work out a solution to get the chicken out without getting poked by the prickly cacti while I held the dogs back. But there was no use. The cats ganged up on the chicken and the chicken took off again running anywhere a cat wasnt. By then Dad came out and watched all the mayhem. I dont know who finally caught the chicken since I was still holding onto two big dogs. Everyone else was running in circles around the house after the crazy chicken. When they caught it and brought it to the cage, not only was there a live chicken but a topic for my grammar assignment, too.
Prayer Requests Anna Lees mother, Marie Collinshealth, and help with her medical situation. She may be having surgery in late March so keep her in prayer for that too. Pray for Janet Mueller as she makes decisions regarding Mom and her well-being. R.J.s sisters, Kathy and Pam, both died during this last year. Kathy had cancer and Pam caught the H1N1 virus and died unexpectedly from complications. Please pray for the entire family, especially Rex (Kathys husband) and their children, Josh, Lindsey and Lacey. Also, pray for Dwayne (Pams husband), and their children, Trevor, Haley, and Thomas. R.Js mother, Thelma James, needs prayer for health, as well as comfort for the loss of her two daughters. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we serve the Lord here in Baratillo. We thank all of the people who support us and our ministry through your prayers and finances. We couldnt be here without your help! Please remember all of our children in your prayers as well.

Vida Nueva Ministries Attn: R. J. Moss 1001 S 10Th St , Ste G-529 McAllen, TX 78501-5049