Hoff William Margy 1976 Mexico

THECHALLENGE79

"^tocieUm

Published Bi-Monthly

FIELD ADDRESS

Mr. & Mrs. William HoffApdo. Pcstal 57C^ieretaro, Qro., Mexico

FORWARDING AGENTS ADDRESS

Mr. Sc Mrs. Richard BakerStar Route Box 909 EBuckeye, Arizona 85326

2

February 1976

MORE EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM!

In my short experience I have seen several missionaries who have spent their entire livesin the Lord's work, but who have only one or two churches to show for their arduous labor.I am not criticizing them; they have worked hard. But perhaps by use of proper techniqueswe can achieve more with the same labor.

Traditionally, we have gone into an area, gathered together a small group of women andchildren and begun to preach. Many years later we may still be preaching and the churchbe so weak that it still is unable to meet without us. The problems are obvious; we haven'twon men who will carry on with or without us, and we can only be in a few places a week topreach, so our outreach is limited.

Several of us in Central Mexico have been concerned about the problem and have been looking for solutions. This past summer at camp we were privileged to have Woody Philipsteaching the S.W.I.M. group. As we spoke with him, we began to see some great possibilitiesin a program being used in Honduras. This program was very intjgigsting, so Norm wrote formore information.

The basic idea of the program is that we,--ghbuld^-^ch others to teagj)/" By so doing weexpand our possible outreach many times. Tho^ Tiii\otK '^^ j___jdiL>-We^t^ch, in turn are toteach others to teach and so on. The program rs obedience oriented; the student who willnot obey the commands of Jesus (be baptized, partake of the Lord's supper, win others, etc.)is dropped as he is useless. The students" or Timothies are always married men who showleadership in their community. Under this plan I would never go out to preach but I wouldteach the man who is the first link in the teaching chain.

Our interest in the program was so great that Norm Dungan, Richard Atkinson, and I wereplanning a trip to Honduras to see the program in action. The trip would have entailed alarge cost and at least two weeks: but fortunately, the Lord provided another way to learnabout the program. In December a worker in the program was returning to the U.S. He madearrangements to spend several days with us and gave us a short seminar on the program andthe materials they are using.

In February we are going to have a one-week seminar on the same kind of program by brotherEd Matthews from Abilene Christian College. He has devoted years to the preparation ofmaterials for programmed learning.

If we can institute this type of program here, it will be of great help in evangelizingthe 50 million people of Mexico.

WE GIVE THANKS:

that there were 50 in attendance for the Spanish Christmas program here on December 22nd.

that the Joaquin Renz family now have their permanent resident papers and live in Cuernavaca.

that camp construction continues and plans are being made for two weeks of camp this summer.

ICHRISTMAS PROGRAM *75

The last few days have been cold here In Queretaro. We finally bought a little heaterthat uses propane so now we can be comfortable rather economically.

We enjoyed the Holiday season but were glad when it was all over. I made quite a fewcookies during December and gave most of them away as gifts to our friends. Christmasmorning we opened our gifts and watched Mark play with his new toys. Some neighbor kidscame to see what Mark had received so I gave them all some cookies. We left at noon forthe Dungans where we enjoyed dinner with them along with the Sholds from Tulancingo, andan American lady that lives here in Queretaro.

A couple of weeks ago we took Mark to the doctor for a check-up. He was declared in goodhealth. He weighed 20 pounds and was 30 i.nches tail. He was inoculated against measles,mumps, and rubella. He has a mouth full of teeth and sure suffers when he cuts each one.His favorite toy is still a ball. He has learned the word "hot" and to blow on his food.The other day he walked to within 2 feet of our new heater and blew at it.

CONTRIB UTORS (NOVEMBER-DECEMBER)

Mrs. G. W. Brandon Athens, Ga.M/M Richard Baker Buckeye, Ariz.M/M Orville Daemmer Phoenix, Ariz.Mr. Ben Hoff, Sr. Atascadero, Ca.M/M Ben Hoff, Jr. Atascadero , _Ca_^_M/M Robert Legg Lemon Grove, Ca,Mrs. Lizzie McCreary Long Beach, Ca.M/M W. T. Merrick Phoenix, Ariz.M/M A. J. Schurr Acme, Pa.^I/^^ Richard Shine Las Vegas, Nev.M/M Kenneth Stewart Long Beach, Ca .M/M Ralph Suiter Parker, Ariz.

Glendale Christian ChurchP.O. Box 415Glendale, Arizona 85311Address Correction Requested

The Christian Church Atascadero, Ca.Buckeye Christian Buckeye, Ariz.New Hope Christian Columbus, Ind.First Church of Christ Flagstaff, Az.

_, Christian Church of Hopwood Hopwood, Pa.Vegas Valley Christian Las Vegas, Nev.Pleasantview Christian Li:ibo(\, Oh.'.oDominguez First Christian Long Beach, Ca.First Christian Phoenix. Ariz-Lake Mount Church of Christ Rogers, OhioFirst Christian VJestminster, Ca.Christian Women's FellowshipTolleson, Ariz.

Mission ServicesBox 177Kemptonf Ind, 460^9

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FIELD ADDRESS

Mr. & Mrs. William HoffApdo. Postal 57Queretaro, Qro.. Mexico


Mr, & Mrs. Richard BakerStar Route, Box 909EBuckeye, Arizona 85326

Published Bi-Monthly June 1976

The Encounter is-bur new Bible correspondence course which offers its students an encounter withthe""" ^0'rd"Jesus Christ through a study of the Bible. These courses have proved to be very successful, and the series is now our standard material. The original series was written by missionariesin Chile. When the first copies were received here, it was felt that the Chilean Spanish, and illustrations, would need to be changed in order to use them. Also paper is more expensive here so achange of format was desirable. But we all recognized the great strength of this series of courses.They were developed as a unit planned to lead an unbeliever through a study of God's Word, and bringhim to the point of accepting Jesus in the waters of baptism.

Last year the revision was begun. It has involved about six different people who have re-writtenvarious portions. We have added an extra course and eliminated some material. Each course mustpass the careful scrutiny of many people, who seek to make the course perfect; in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and in the clear expression of ideas. Once we are satisfied with the content of thecourse, it is sent to Renz, missionary in Cuernavaca, who sets the type. His co-worker, PaulChaverria, does the illustrations, and layout art. The finished product is then ready to print.

There are seven courses in the series. The first teaches that to know God's will for our life wemust read His Word. It is called "Knowing the Bible." The second is called "The BibleHuman orDivine?" It teaches the origen of its scripture and that the whole content of the Scripture is theGood News.

The third, "The Theme of the Bible," teaches that there is one theme through the whole Bible,Jesus Christ. The lesson is built on the idea that the Bibleteaches that someone is coming, that someone has come, andthat that someone is coming again, then shows that that someone is Jesus. The fourth course, "How to study the Bible,"shows the student how to read the Bible. It shows how todistinguish between verses and chapters and how to find individual books. It also tells the story of "how we got ourBible in Spanish." (The first Spanish translation was in1280, long before our King James Version).

The fifth course is "Why do they call me a sinner?" It isa course which deals with sin, and God's punishment of sin,death. The sixth course "The World has a Hope," tells thestory of how God's grace provides for salvation through thesacrifice of Jesus Christ. The seventh course a "l:s "How canman respond to the grace of God?" The answer is clearlytaught to obey his commands concerning receiving Jesusthrough repentance and baptism.

Previously we sent our work to a commercial printer, because the small press which Bro.^ob Wright has cannot produce the quality printing we wished to produce. However,the Lord has just provided an opportunity for the purchaseof a Multi 120 from a denominational mission. They weren'teven asking for a down-payment. So Bo^_has purchased it. Atpresent we owe $720 , but the press is well worth this considering that it is legally imported into Mexico.

CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION

A concentrated effort was made the third week inMarch to accomplish as much as possible on the cha-pel at the campgrounds. Steve Shold, missionary in^Puiancingo, Hidalgo stayed at our home during thatweek. Each morning at 7:00 a.m. Norm, Steve, andBill left for about 8 hours of work. Pouring thecement floor and laying block was the major jobs ofthe week. Norm, Steve, and Danny Wright are shownin this picture. Since this time another work daywas spent putting up trusses. The sheet metal ispurchased and now ready to be put on. we are looking forward to two great weeks of camp in July.

FAMILY LIFE

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who arecalled according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28. it was difficult to understand this passagein the light of losing, another baby. But we put our trust in God, and even though we don'-tknow the reason why, we do believe this promise. After a couple days of rest, I was almostas good as new.

April was a month of many visitors. And almost everyone that came had car trouble. Billworked on six different cars during the month and some of them twice. A couple of the carsinvolved major repairs. But Bill is always happy to help a fellow missionary.

We decided to take a short vacation so on SundayMay.9,th,we took Mark out to the Wright'so^hanage where he spent the next 3 days. The following morning Bill and I left for MexicoCity to see the "Holiday on Ice" show. We really enjoyed the day. The following morning wewent to Cuernavaca where two fellow missionaries prepared a small display in pictures forus. Our forwarding agent will send it out when display material of our work is requested.After spending the night in Cuernavaca we returned to Queretaro.

Mark had thoroughly enjoyed himself during our absence. He had picked up a couple morewords in Spanish. Now he loves to kick the ball and say "goal." He hears it all the timehere due to the popularity of soccer.

CONTRIBUTORS (MARCH-APRIL)

M/M Kenneth Stewart Long Beach, Ca.M/M Thomas Gallagher Palm Desert, Ca.M/M Ralph Suiter Parker, Ariz.M/M Richard Shine Las Vegas, Nev.Mrs. Lizzie McCreary Long Beach, Ca.M/M Ben Hoff, Jr. ---^^Stascadero, ca.Mr. Ben Hoff, Sr. Atascadero, Ca.M/M Richard Baker Buckeye, Ariz.Mrs. G. W. Brandon Athens, Ga.Women's Study Group-

-Flagstaff, Az.The Christian Church Atascadero, Ca.


Lake Mount Church of ChristFirst ChristianDominguez First Christian-Pleasantview ChristianOrviston Christian Church-

"Vegas Valley ChristianChristian Church of HopwoodFirst Church of ChristNew Hope Christian -7-Buckeye ChristianVanderbilt Church of ChristChristian Women's Fellowship-

-Rogers, Ohio-Phoenix, Az.

Long Beach, Ca-Lisbon, OhioOrviston, Pa.

-Las Vegas, Nev,-Hopwood, Pa.-Flagstaff, Az.-Columbus, Ind.-Buckeye, Ariz.-Vanderbilt, Pa,-Tolleson, Az.

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FIELD ADDRESS

Mr, & Mrs. William HoffApdo, Postal 57Queretaro, Qro., Mexico


Mr. & Mrs. Richard BakerStar Route, Box 909EBuckeye, Arizona 85326

2

"And when they were come, and had gathered the church togetherthey rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that hehad opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." Acts 14:27.

In these few words Luke describes Paul's return to Antioch andhis report to the church there. Since that time every honorablemissionary has sought to give an accounting of the work God hasdone through him to each of his supporting churches.' Sometimesthis is done through written reports but sometimes it must be donein person.

August 23rd we left Mexico to report to some of the churches who support the work here.We had spent long hours planning the trip which would take 2 months and cover about 8,000miles. After planning a prospective itinerary, we wrote to 20 individuals and churchesasking for speaking dates. A few changes were made along the way.

As we dropped out of the mountains of Mexico to the coast, we arrived into hot, humidweather. It was then that we discovered that the air conditioner in the truck was notworking. The next day's drive was very hot. Later I discovered a slow leak. Thus, it wasnecessary to add freon until a permanent repair could be made.

Our first visit was with the Clinton Looney family who live in Harlingen, Texas. BrotherLooney was one of the founders of "Dulces Momentos." We discussed the radio program andour part in the production of material for Latin America. At the same time we looked forways to economize in the production of both our radio programs such as buying our tape andsupplies together to get better prices and avoid duplication of equipment and efforts. Hisson produces a program that is heard in other areas throughout Latin America.

Our next stop was in Houston where we spent two days. On Sunday we fellowshipped withboth the English and Spanish speaking groups of the church. The Spanish-speaking group invited us to show slides that evening so we did and they graciously gave us the largest offr-ering we were to receive on our whole tour. It was a pleasure to worship with these groups.

We then travelled on to Baton Rouge where the Lord had a surprise waiting for us. Theformer minister had moved and the parsonage sold so we didn't have any contacts there.After spending the night in the mud and rain, we decided to drive by the church on our wayout of town. There were several cars in the parking lot so we pulled in to say "hello."We were received like royalty by a woman's fellowship and invited to speak on Wednesdaynight. We stayed in the home of the L. E. Wallace family. (He has contributed many arti-cules to the "standard").

Three days were spent visiting some of my relatives in Georgia, then we were on our wayagain towards Virginia. We stayed a couple of days with some very wonderful friends, the

Gitchell family. They have 4 children, a cat, and a St. Bernard which Mark insistedwas a horse. We took a break to see Williamsburg while we were so close.

Our next visit was with the Stephen Gohr family north of Scranton, Pa. Carolyne and Margyhave corresponded since sixth grade but this was their first visit in nearly 25 years.

One stop we made before visiting another church was with A1 and Mary Schurr. These people have been friends of Margy's family for many years. Our visit was very enjoyable.

Western Pa. and Eastern Ohio is the area from which we receive regular support. It was areal pleasure to visit these various churches and the many friends we have there. The churches we visited in Pa. were in Hopwood, Vanderbilt, and Grindstone. The churches in Ohioi^iGluded Lake Mount Church of Christ in Rogers and Pleasantview Christian Church in Lisbon.The growth in some of these churches was amazing.

Our last stop before heading for the border was in Barberton, Ohio. Our week and a halfsto^ here allowed me to do some minor repairs on the truck as well as purchase many thingsthat we are unable to buy in Mexico. We visited many of Margy's relatives in the area andspoke at the First Church of Christ and the Sheman Church of Christ in Barberton, alongwith the Clinton Church of Christ not far away. We then took the most direct route to theborder. It was great to arrive in Queretaro on October" 14th'after a "safe trip.

GOD'S SOLUTION

While we were in the U.S.A., I was asked about a problem that we had had with the chiefof police in San Juan del Rio. Not until then did I realize that although I had writtenasking for your prayers, I had never written to tell how the problem was resolved.

In July 1974, a young man was baptized in San Juan del Rio. He was happy to be part ofthe family of believers but his brother, the chief of police in San Juan, was very upset.First he threatened to kill me, then he began threatening the believers in San Juan. Helocked his brother up for nearly a week without food. Vicente Rico was at that time helping me with the leadership of the San Juan church, and he was running the Christian coffeehouse. One night as he was closing the coffee house, former missionary)and currently director of the language school in San Miguel, dropped by to see the coffeehouse. The police chief mistook him. for_me_. He_ and four officers.pistol-whipped Jack^andVicente. "" ----

We feared that filing a formal complaint would further antagonize the police chief, butafter much prayer, Jack and Vicente filed complaints. Jack, a legal resident, could filea complaint while I could not have done so due to my tourist status. No official actionwas taken against the police chief, but he suddenly stopped harassing the Christians inSan Juan. Then we personally went to the attorney general of the state, who assured usthat no further legal action would be necessary, and that we would be safe in San Juan.

I'm happy to say that we haven't had any more trouble in the past two years and that thechiefs brother still attends in San Juan. Thanks to your prayers the Lord saved thechurch there.

CONTRIBUTORS (MAY-AUGUST)

M/M Richard Baker Buckeye, Ariz.Mrs. G. W. Brandon Athens, Ga.M/M Thomas Gallagher Palm Desert, Ca.M/M Robert Gitchell Hampton, Va.Mr. Ben Hoff, Sr. Atascadero, Ca.M/M Ben Hoff, Jr. Atascadero, Ca.M/M R. W. Hoff Rome, Ga.M/M Robert Legg Lemon Grove, Ca.M/M Darryl Olson Phoenix, Ariz.M/M Al Schurr Acme, Pa.M/M Richard Shine Las Vegas, Nev.M/M John Stapleton Phoenix, Ariz.M/M Ralph Suiter Parker, Ariz.M/M Wesley Tottingham Atascadero, Ca.Buckeye Christian Buckeye, Ariz.First Christian Phoenix, Ariz.


Christian Women's FellowshipTolleson, Az.Women's Study Group -Flagstaff,Az.Women's Council-Dominguez Long Beach, Ca.The Christian Church Atascadero, Ca.Pine Flats Christian Clymer, Pa. .New Hope Christian Columbus, Ind.First Church of Christ Flagstaff, Az.Glendale Christian Glendale, AzJ ^First Christian Grindstone, Pa.Christian' Church "of HopwOod-=-Hopwood, Pa".Vegas Valley Christian Las Vegas, Nev.Pleasantview Christian Lisbon, OhioDominguez First Christian Long Beach, Ca.Orviston Christian Orviston, Pa.Lake Mount Church of Christ Rogers, OhioVanderbilt Church of Christ Vanderbilt, Pa,

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Hoff William Margy 1976 Mexico