MISSION SERVICES ASSOCIATIONFor office use only:

Date Sent:

PERSONAL FILE FORMDate Rec'd;

Information from this form will appear In Horizons and other infor- This form is prepared to help you give accurate background informa-mation formats published by Mission Services Association. tion about yourself and your mission work.

•Please type or print clearly *Do not abbreviate

'Please do not write on this form anything other than that requested. Attach extra sheets for additional information you may want to provide.

This is not an application form, it is not an official form endorsing you and your work. It is simply a worksheet designed to help us publicizeyour work that may help produce new friends for you, prayers and financial assistance. If any questions seem too personal or seem offensiveto you, please feel free to leave them blank.

Date: —

(Month Day Year)

Name In fullSpe/f out all names First/Name

LyyA' AssistM/^/e Name LssfName

Complete address on field: ^(Number - Street - /C'fy • Sfafs - Zip number - Country)

^Phone number on field: Case of Emergency call #:

Ask for:(First - Middle - Last name and address)

Your complete address while In USA: .(Number • Street - City - Sfafa - Zip)

^ ^ QfLo'̂ s(Number '• Street ' City ^ Stale - Zip) '

Your USA phone number: area code phone number ^^' /

Name and address of Livinglink church or churches:

Number & Street(Full name ot church)

City State Zip

Number & Street(Full name of church)

City: State Zip

Names and addresses of other sponsoring churches whose elders recommend you:

Fin-ii-Number &street 3oljche(Fullname ol church) ^

City: aATLmx- 3,3,^ 2ip

^ Clx^/u '̂hNumber & Street

6 2^7 D. li^ S+.(Full name ol church)

City: LLState

/a/ Zip

Please send letters of recommendation from the elders in

your sponsoring churches which will encourage other

churchestosupportyourmlssionary work. Certainly the

words of these elders will help to convince others

regarding the worthiness of your mission work. Please

help MSA to spread your news through HORIZONS by

sending these elders' letters from your sponsoring

churches as soon as possible. MSA will be happy to help

you contact these elders if you will send the full

addresses of the churches.

Please sketch a map directing visitors to your location on the mission field

Recommendations by Christian Leaders: (List names here and enclose a copy of each letter.)

'̂̂ N^n^: ViQck. Number &Street ACity: State \JA Zip

City

Number &Street Hcb/eState "A" Zip

Place of Birth

Date of birth _

fNumCer S Street)

(MorAh)

fCity

(Day)

State /A/ Zip

(Year)

(Add date of arrival and naturalization date(Mortlh) (Day) (Year) (Month) (Day)

(Year)

Where baptized?

City

if applicable.)

O.ArfL/K-p

Date /

State

On an extra sheet please describe any details regarding your conversion which you might care to mention..

MARITAL STATUS:

Married ^ Single Divorced Widowed

Please give the complete name of your husband or the maiden name of your wife

Date of marriage li? , /^/ V" Where married? (LAjt/vtj

C3 '\a.n

(Month)Ih) (Day) (Year)

Who solemnized your wedding? QibList children by full name giving the place, birthday, month and year in the order of your children's birth days. (If your

children have been adopted please indicate.) In case you are single, please list your brothers and sisters by name in

this space.

Name Place of birth Month, Day Year

^ IT L- S-

Please list places of previous Christian service and what service you did as a brief career summary. Giveapproximate dates:

Place Position .Service , Dates .-[7^.Qy CKrtyWCk^ /U 'tn'-sfei- V^/VtjlUnvft. Ck /A/ ^ ^ ^^

(/k}) ^"7 • ^ Pv, , ' y £' I a >,\

EDUCATION (high school and later):

.... Degrees granted and dateName of school Location Number of years y^ist honorary degrees)(3^2^/>M / '̂ ^ C4fLm:lL ^ t9i)3

Lincoln Ck- Lu^'tn . ^ I ^ 7Scru-jU '̂ %, Se/n ^M ^ ^)S"J

What influenced you to become amissionary? —0"^ ^/YUSSt^f L-&^d.'ylc^i -h iW|? y^j -/jw;se ox 4 '̂eU>

What is your purpose In missions? Or what do you hope to accomplish on the missionfield?

Your own explanation in some detail might be influential in leading others into full-time service. (Use extra sheets ifyou need more space):

k^iie.iLslu^ -tP- '̂huu . /n /yi^-jxio

Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties on the field:

Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status?Evangelist Bible College Teacher Bible Reader Public School Teacher Pilot.Homemaker Doctor Nurse Social Worker Music Teacher Radio

ministry Radio follow-up Christian Service Camp Linguistics Maintenance ofmission equipment Maintenance Benevolent Office Work Production of BibleCorrespondence Courses Production of Christian literature in the National Language VillageEvangelism ^ Name other:Languages you know (fluent/non-fluent)

PARENTS;

Father's name and his home address: f 7f!i» ^ • (FitH • Middle • Leal name)

XLiving Deceased _ Number &Street

City R̂tatP I^ Zip phoneHis occupation Is he a Christian? Yes f ^ No

What positions of leadership has he held in the local church? ^ ^

What Christian service does he now do?

Mother's ftnt^Roatden name(Firsi • Middle - Laai name)

Living Deceased Number & Street

r^ity ^State Z\p-h2S2d PhoneIs she a Christian? Yes ^ No Her occupation If employed outside thehome

What leadership positions or Christian service has she rendered to the local church?

Do you have relatives in mission work? Yes No

If so, please list their names, location, kinship and details on a separate sheet with a brief explanation of theirmissionary activity.

FORWARDING AGENT:

Name

INGACtNl:

Xe/fA / r^f 6^ds.s(First • Middle - Last name. II applicable, tiat both Mr. and Mrs. loll names.^

Number and Street. /?^ / A6i- , City

State Un Zip ^2-^2-/ Phone ^Where attend church? CkU^-hii^Number &gtrppt^^ WA '̂h iei^eilkcAty state zipWhat duties are performed by the forwarding agent?—^

Should money be sent to the forwarding agent only?

Does the forwarding agent receive asalary? In what form should funds be sent? (jJ^C^Please give the full name of the mission: —v/nXLDoes the mission have official tax exempt status? ^

Please give details of HOW checks should be written to this mission;

If funds are to be sent directly to the missionary on the mission field, please explain the details of HOW to do it, so wecan give your explanation to HORIZONS readers and others who may Inquire

Mission Services Association Is depending upon you to keep her informed regarding your missionary activity.Thanks so very much; you are the BEST source for your information we know, so you are a vital partner.

If you have additional Information that you think will be helpful to the staff of MSA In preparing news stories about

your ministry, please feel free to send it. MSA Is depending upon you. Thanks.

For office use only;

PERSONAL FILE FORMDate Sent;

Date Rec'd: ' I'B

Information from this form will appear In Horizons and other infor- This form Is prepared to help you give accurate background informa-matlon formats published by Mission Services Association. tion about yourself and your mission work.

•Please type or print clearly *Do not abbreviate

•Please do not write on this form anything other than that requested. Attach extra sheets for additional information you may want to provide.

This is not an application form. It is not an official form endorsing you and your work. It is simply a worksheet designed to help us publicizeyour work that may help produce new friends for you, prayers and financial assistance. If any questions seem too personal or seem offensiveto you, please feel free to leave them blank.

Date: 1 .{Month Day fwr)

Name in fullTmSpall out all names first Name Middle Name Last Name

Complete address on field: CqClImu!^ ,(Numtar • Street • City • State • Zip number • Country)

Phone number on field: In Case of Emergency call #: /4y

Ask for:(First - Middle • Lest name and address)

. % fKcittx fili' £fios$ ^ I(Number • Street • City • State • Zip)

•hone niimhRr 7^/3^

Your complete address while In USA(Number • Street • City - State • Zip)

Your USA phone number: area code lii phone number

Name and address of Livinglink church or churches:

Number & Street(Full name of church)

City state Zip

Number & Street(Full name ol church)

City: State Zip

Names and addresses of other sponsoring churches whose elders recommend you:

C.lvjU.'̂ 'dd-ir^ ClX\A^(U^ Number &Street ^0'2>(Fuii name ol church) ^ ^ ^

City: Q&ft-'n-L- State Zip

^ CiMU<r Number & Street(p^l id.

(full name o! church)

City: State//t/

Zip

Please send letters of recommendation from the elders In

your sponsoring churches which will encourage other

churchestosupportyourmissionary work. Certainly the

words of these elders will help to convince others

regarding the worthiness of your mission work. Please

help MSA to spread your news through HORIZONS by

sending these elders' letters from your sponsoring

churches as soon as possible. MSA will be happy to help

you contact these elders if you will send the full

addresses of the churches.

Recommendations by Christian Leaders: (List names here and enclose a copy of each letter.)

Name: Number & Street

City: State Zip

Please sketch a map directing visitors to your location on the mission field.

Name

City _

Place of Birth

Date of birth _

(Number & Street)

(Month)

{Add date of arrival

City

3(Day)

(Month) (Day)

Number & Street

State

CAit/y)

(year)

State

and naturalization date(Year)

Zip

Zip

(Month) (Day)

(Year)

Where baptized?

if applicable.)

Date 5^7City IT State Zip_62£M

On an extra sheet please describe any details regarding your conversion which you might care to mention..

MARITAL STATUS:

Married Single Divorced Widowed

Lyn^Please give the complete name of your husband or the maiden name of your wife

^ ^^ Where married?Date of marriage(Month)th) (Day) (Year)

. /UinL<.(<YC.Who soiemnized your wedding

List children by full name giving the place, birthday, month and year in the order of your children's birth days. (If your

children have been adopted please indicate.) In case you are single, please list your brothers and sisters by name in

this space.

Name\ r icii..Place of birth Month,

7

Day Year

7f

Please list places of previous Christian service and what service you did as a brief career summary. Giveapproximate dates:

Place Position

EDUCATION (high school and later):

Name of school

C-CjiuyK /cc^ . //, $ cLocation

•iyhfyiX'-

Service

Number of years

Dates

Degrees granted and date(List honorary degrees)

What influenced you to become amissionary? ^ J''Crim—ryuS^L^y^ ~jyLLpK̂ —

Ci^lcci lu.i^ -(n '.U

What is your purpose in missions? Or what do you hope to accomplish on the missionfield?

Your own explanation in some detail might be Influential in leading others into full-time service. (Use extra sheets ifyou need more space):

1/ I ... . A y- ^ .. . ^ A . ^ r !

^il lie LJZrfiXlH.Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties on the field:

Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status?Evangelist Bible College Teacher Bible Reader Public School TeacherHomemaker Doctor Nurse Social Worker Music Teacher

ministry Radio follow-up Christian Service Camp Linguistics Maintenance of

Pilot.

Radio

mission equipment

Correspondence Courses

Evangelism X Name other:

Maintenance Benevolent Office Work X Production of Bible

Production of Christian literaturp In the National Language Villageauction of Christian literature m

Languages you know (fluent/non-fluent)

PARENTS:

Father's name and his home address:

Living

-^0itAl ne 'id-e /2^. tFirat • ^ Middle. » Leal namep~^

)(. Deceased Number &Street — '̂̂ 0f^ —nity ^ RtatP — Zip PhnnP " 3^4His occupation lt.-cA lg gChristian? Yes NoWhat positions of leadership has he held In the local church?

What Christian service does he now do?

(^Jt/zidinjzMother's full maiden name

(First • Middle • Last iteme)

Living Deceased Number & Street —

City ^ State 7rp

Is she a Christian? Yes No — Her occupation If employed outside the

home

What leadership positions or Christian service has she rendered to the local church?

Do you have relatives in mission work? Yes No

If so, please list their names, location, kinship and details on a separate sheet with a brief explanation of theirmissionary activity.

FORWARDING AGENT:

Name

AGENT:^ , A , ^^;lt ! m- ^/Loss

(FIrat • Middle - — Last name If applicatle. Halboth Mr. and Mrs. lull namea.)

Number and Street ^ Q-^^y ^ ^State ^7^^— Zip PhoneWhere attend church?

[Full named'

Number & S„«s£SSIkfeU!i» ^ ZipWhat duties are performed by the forwarding agent? —

Should money be sent to the forwarding agent only? —

Does the forwarding agent receive asalary? In what form should funds be sent? ^/l ^c jC-.Please give the full name of the mission: ^(LO-H \/iyA.Does the mission have official tax exempt status? ^

Please give details of HOW checks should be written to this migRinn-^fv^SF Ch^shkl^n(I.CL. V» V^

If funds are to be sent directly to the missionary on the mission field, pleaseexplain th^detailsof HOW to do it, so we

can give your explanation to HORIZONS readers and others who may inquire

Mission Services Association is depending upon you to keep her informed regarding your missionary activity.Thanks so very much; you are the BEST source for your information we know, so you are a vital partner.

If you have additional information that you think will be helpful to the staff of MSA in preparing news stories about

your ministry, please feel free to send It. MSA is depending upon you. Thanks.

Rick, Terri, and Jonathan Absher, after three short-termmission trips, have made a commitment to full-time missionservice with Una Esperanza Viva (A Living Hope). This work wasestablished in 1981 by Brenda Vartenisian Gutierrez and islocated in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Juan and Brenda aresharing the Gospel in this city of 600,00 and its outlying areasthrough the nine churches and one Christian Service Camp theyhave served or started.

Spiritual nurturing and prayer partners with Juan and Brendawill be a primary area of service. Other significant areas ofservice for the Absher's will include: leadership training, men'sand women's Home Bible Studies, providing transportation,preaching, teaching, and working with the short-term missiongroups who visit and serve with Una Esperanza Viva.

Rick was born September 12, 1945 in Evansville, Indiana, butmost of his growing up years were spent in Carmi, Illinois. Heis a 1979 graduate of Johnson Bible College. Rick has served asa new church evangelist and in established churches. He has alsostudied at the Southern Baptist Theological and Lincoln ChristianSeminaries.

Terri was born March 24, 1955 in Carmi, Illinois. She andRick were married on March 24, 1974. Jonathan is their only sonand he is 10.

Recommending the Abshers are the elders and preacher of theFirst Christian Church in Carmi, Illinois, as well as, the eldersof the Rushville (IN) Church of Christ where Rick has ministeredsince March 1, 1987.-

Rick and Terri will be residing at 322 N. Harrison Street,Rushville, Indiana 46173, phone 317-932-5478 until June 1, 1990.Funds for their living link and service support should be madepayable to First Christian Church, Una Esperanza Viva and sent totheir forwarding agents Keith and Pat Gross, RR 1 Box 261, Carmi,

'Illinois" 62821, phone 618-382-7439.

Una Esperanto. Viva(A Living Hope)

"Praise be to God and Father of our lord Jesus Qirist!In his great mercy He has given us new birth into aLIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christfrcm the dead" I Peter 1:3

Rick, Terri and Jonathan Absher have made a decisionand coTsnittment to serve the Lord as full time mission

aries in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Ihey have begunthe process of presenting the work in Mexico to areachurches, and will be working full time raising supportas of June 1, 1990. Ihe sunnier and fall months will befilled with canps, VBS's, and mission presentationsin various churches. They hope to be on the missionfield by January 1, 1991.

'o:

Mexico is divided into 31 states and a federalterritory v^ch is v^t gives it its formal titleESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS (United States of Mexico).

Mexico's flag is divided into three parts. Thegreen stands for independence, the \^ite for religionand red for union.

The basic unit of money used is called the peso.It takes 2,658 pesos to equal one American dollar.

Saltillo, once the capital of Texas is now thecapital city of Coahuila. It is located in the mountainsat an elevation of 5,300 feet and has a population of600,000.

DW-a.s

Ikia Esperanza Viva (A Living Hope) is a missionwork based in Saltillo which was started in 1981 by anAmerican, Brenda Vartenisian Gutierrez. Brenda marriedJuan, a graduate of Colegio Biblico, in 1983. Thisdedicated couple along with all of Juan's family haveworked faithfully for many years. Much progress is beingmade in Saltillo and its outlying areas in spreading thegospel among the Mexican people through the nine churchesand one Christian service canp they have started orserved.

Rick, Terri and Jonathan, after three short-termmission trips, have now made a coimittment to full timemission service with Iftia Esperanza Viva. This decisioncores after much prayer, sixteen years of marriage andten years in the ministry.

Dur

FAMILYRick, a 1979 graduate of Johnson Bible College,

will be using his experience and education in teaching,preaching, and leadership training. This will be accomplished through translators (Juan and Brenda) untilgaining a good carenand of the language. He has a startin that by the end of I^y, 1990, he will have ccnpletedtwo years of high school Spanish. Another area ofimmediate help will be in the transporting of churchmenhers to and from worship services and other churchfunctions. At this time Juan and Brenda are often on

the road 4-5 hours each Sunday providing this service.

Reporting to supporters, bookkeeping duties andhcme schooling will occupy much of Terri's time. Again,after learning the language the opportunities will begreater such as teaching in a Youth Group setting orparticipating with a ladies' Bible study group. Planshave already been made for a private tutor to assistthe whole family with their Spanish.

Another area of assistance will be helping withthe day to day activities of groups visiting Saltillo.Because of its location, Una Esperanza Viva plays hostto many short term mission visitors. Rick and Terriwill also be regular prayer and Bible study partnerswith Juan and Brenda.

Jonathan, 10, is looking forward to living inMexico. He hopes to contribute to the work on themission field in many ways. The language differencedoes not bother him. He discovered v^le visitingthere that kids can ccfftmunicate easily vhen involvedin soccer, football, baseball, etc.! Jonathan plansto continue piano lessons and use this talent vrtiilein Mexico.

SPECIFIC PRAYER NEEDS:

Prayer supportFinancial supportFunds for a 12 or 15 passenger vanAdequate and appropriate schooling for JonathanBuyer for our house in RushvilleSafety in surrrner travelingTrouble free entry into Mexico

Address until June 1, 1990:

Rick and Terri Absher

322 N. Harrison Street

Rushville, IN 46173(317)932-5478

Funds for Rick, Terri and the mission vrork should bemade payable to:

First Christian Church, Una Esperanza Vivaearmarked, Abshers

and mailed to their forwarding agents:

Keith and Pat Gross

R 1 Box 261

Carmi, IL 62821(618)382-7439

The Absher family can be reached through their forwardingagents after June 1.