3 jSALuaas! fromCENTRAL MEXICO &BAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSIONBILL
HOFF..,/FAMILYAPARTADOPOSTAL 57QUERETARO, QRO. 76000MEXICOPublished
QuarterlyTOM SCHNELLERw FAMILYAPARTADOPOSTAL 853QUERETARO, QRO.
76000MEXICOVolume 19, Number 1Spring 1988MATTER OF LIFE OR
DEATHAlmost two decades ago, the governor of the state of
Queretarovisited Spain. There he sawa religious procession that he
thoughtmight be Imported to Queretaro to augment tourism.Today that
event is alive and well and has been copied In many ofthe cities of
Central Mexico. It is the "Procession of Silence." GoodFriday
afternoon as the sun begins to set, the procession beginsfrom "La
Cruz" convent and winds Its way through Queretaro forabout
twomilesbeforeturningback toward thepoint of origen.The
Processionleavesa darkimpressionuponone'ssoul.lt isindeedsilent;
the only sounds are thoseofdrums beating out aslow thump, and the
soundof chains draggingfromthelegsofthose who make up the
procession. Leading the parade isamanon a mule dressed to represent
Pontius Pilate.Behind him, womenwith heavy black veils carry
symbols of the death of Christ: on onepillowa crown of thorns, on
another nails, another carries a bloodyshroud, etc. Then the
penitents come with chains on their anklesdressed as in the costume
of "Holy Office" or inquisition (which tous lookslike the uniform
of theKKK). They come in groups. Eachgroup dressedinrobesof the
same colon someIn white, someblack, others in somber reds, dark
greens, or deep blues. Upon theshouldersofmany are crossesmade of
roughmesquitetrunksweighing up to 60 pounds. They shuffle along to
the muffled thudof the drums. Between each groupofpenitents come
floats carried on their shoulders. They range from asmall cross
with a crownof thorns uponit, to ahugeplatformof mahogany (16X 20
feet)with alife-size cross bearing the figure of Christ. It Is
carried by noless than 30 men. Between every image of the crucifix,
there isastatue of Mary in mourning. {The message is clear: Christ
is dead,Mary lives).One's heart goes out to these poor men and
women wholookforfavorwithGodinphysical suffering, whentheGospel
says that salvationisby faith, notby works.The contrast Is to be
found in a group of 100 people on theSunday of Resurrection. On
ahill overlooking the city ofQueretaro, they have joy and express
it in song and in thereading of Psalms. They are members of four
churches inQueretaro. Theirsis assurance of a living, powerful,
andinterceding Lord. They know their celebration is to honorHim.
They believe that the Host is at the table offering the"Supper,"
and thatHeisnot on the table as adead sacrifice. How different,
andhow exciting to sing with them,"We Serve aRisen Saviour" {El
VIvel). BillWhat's Taking Place?Although we are working
inconjunction with several churches inCentral Mexico, we have
dedicated ourtime and talents toworking with the congregation here
inQueretaro. Recently, several things have taken place within the
church and we wouldlike to share them with you at this time.Baptism
of Eleazar1). BAPTISMS - As aresultof the VacationBible Schoolthat
took place last August here in Queretaro, one familyfrom the
"colonia" (neighborhood) started attendingnotonly the Sunday
morning services, but also the servicesthat take place throughout
the week. BiH and Tom beganto havestudies with Eleazar (the father)
onTuesdaynights. Karen and Erica (the two teenage girts)have
alsostarted studying God's Word as they have become
activeintheyouthmeetingsonSaturdayafternoons. OntheSundayof April
17, the two girls came forward and made apublic confession of their
faith and desired to be baptized.So,, immediatelyfollowing
the.church_servicesonthatSunday morning, we all headed out to the
campgrounds(where the baptisms take place) to witness thebaptismsof
these two you ngladies. However, before we began withthe baptisms,
Eleazar (their father) made a decision to bebaptized at that time.
We praise God for these three whohave decided to followHis son,
Jesus!> The Martinez familyKaren, Erica, Sarah, Eleazar
andDeizy2). MID-WEEKBIBLESTUDY- Until recently,
thelocalcongregationmet as a whole only once a week. The menmet
togetherfor a prayer and share time onMonday mornings
andthewomenonWednesdayafternoons. TheyouthmetonSaturday afternoons,
and the churchmettogether to worship on Sunday mornings. Many felt
thatthis was not enough, including the church leaders. Moretime was
neededfor in-depth Bible studythat buildsstronger leaders, more
equipped teachers, and moremature Christians. Therefore, a mid-week
Bible study wasbegun and the response has been encouraging.
Presently, wearestudyinganoverviewof theBiblewhichwllinclude an
emphasis ondoctrine-essentials toreceivmgChrist. Together, the
membersarestudyingandevenmemorizing scripture.Everyoneinvolvedis
growing andthe churchis becomingmore united as awhole.* Enjoying
Hot Dogs andIce Cream3). YOUTH GROUPS - The youthgroups "siguen
adelan-te"(continuemovingfonA^ard)as the older group (high-school
& collegeage) recentlymet together withtheyounger (ages 10-13)
in a Saturday afternoon filledwithactivities. There were around 30
who attended that afternoon as we all met together at the soccer
field carrying ourSoftball bats, gloves, etc. andpreparedtoengagein
agamethatsomehad neverplayed.Afterwards,we mettogether at theHoffs
house for a "fiesta" of hotdogs andice-cream. It was anall-American
afternoon. Theonlything missing was the apple pie. Tom^ Relaxing
After the GamePERSONAL GLIMPSESSpring is the hottest time of year
in Queretaro. About 15miles south ofhereisabeautiful swimming area.
Duringthe Easter vacation our family went for about 2 1/2 hoursone
afternoon. The water was warmbut the air was
cool.WehadagreattimeintheOiympic-sizepool.Markand Billjumped off
the 15-foot divingboard just before weleft.OnApril 21st,
Bill'sbirthday, wereturnedinmore favorable weather. The water wasa
little cool but the sun waswarm. Anhour after we arrived, the water
for the slide wasturned on. Our whole family made many trips up the
stairsthendownthe slideinto therefreshingwater. What anenjoyable
time we spent together! It isn't often that we canhave such fun and
relaxation.We spenta largepart of Easter vacation(two
weeksinMexico) refinishing doors and closets andputtingbaseboards
in the downstairs of our house. After being here for51/2 years, our
house still isn't completely finished, andthe major thingleft to
doisfinish the woodwork.Rebecca at Study ^*- Mark with
"Blondie"Rebecca is on a Scouting trip as I write this. She was
morethan alittle excited about going.I am glad the weather iswarm.
She is the captain of her volleyball team at schooland had to make
alarge poster saying, "Marlposas" (Butterflies)
onIt.TheSchnellersandourselvescelebratedJovita's69thbirthday
onMay1St. Sheisapoorer lady who
residesinthechurchbuildingsinceherhusbandpassedawayayear ago. She
has been eating Sunday dinner withus formanyyears.
Rebeccawrappedher gift, coloreda signwishinghera happybirthday,
andblew upballoonsforher.Mark passedhisKarate examlast night and
now has hisblue belt. He will be finishing his studiesat home soon.
Wehopetoget himintoa summer class, possiblyin computers. HeIs also
looking forward to summer camp.Hope to see you at
theNACCinCincinnati in July.MargyBothers or Blessings?Life on the
mission field is what Iconsiderto be acombina-tionof bothers
andblessings. It is acombinationin thatwhat at one moment may be
perceived as abother,maylater be perceived as a blessing (and vice
versa). Attimes itis "bothersome" toraiseachild on themissionfield.
Onthe other hand, it is also a blessing to be able to raise
oursonDavid hereinMexico. He will probably grow up withthe distinct
advantage of mastering two languages (withvery little effort). He
will be able to enjoy the traditions andcelebrate the holidays of
both cultures. Best of all, he willnot beexposedtomuchof
thenegativepeer pressureyoungpeople today are facing in theU.S. We
suspectedthat it was easier to make the "right choices" as a teen
inMexico, andlater our suspicions were confirmed.The other day at
the grocery storeI was waiting for Davidto
ridethecoin-operatedhorsewhentwoyounggirlsapproachedme.
TheysaidtheyheardmespeakingtoDavid inEnglish and asked me if I was
an American.I toldthem thatI was and that Tom andI were
missionaries herein the city working with young people their age. I
askedifthey also lived here. They said they were
foreign-exchangestudents from the U.S. and they were really
enjoying theirtime in Mexico. I asked if they thought it was easier
to be ateenager in Mexico than in the U.S. They both agreed thatit
was much easier. They said they were not nearly as pressured by
their peers to do those things they knew werewrong. Then one girl
said, "your little boy is lucky that he isgrowing up here". She was
almost right. He is not "lucky",heis "blessed" to begrowingupIn
thisforeignculture!Even though we mayat times feel bothered, we
areblessed to be raisinghim, with God's help, InMexico!God bless
and keep you! ToniDavidPlaying onHis ScooterSEE YOU SOONWe hope to
seemany of you at the North American Christian Convention
ihCincinnati (July 5-8). Lookforusatourdisplay onthe second floor
by the workshop area.JULYPRAISE the Lord for; Eleazar Martinez and
his two daughters who werebaptized April 17. the 24th wedding
anniversary of Ai and Mary Gonzalez on February 29, the 18th
anniversary of Bill andMargy onMarch 21, and the 6th anniversary of
Tomand Toni ohMay 15. the uplifting time of fellowship at the
missionaryreunion. the Conalva, a national men's convention held
inSaltilio. This year's topic:Brotherhood Unity. the Resurrection
Day service which broughttogether 100 people from the local
churches.PRAY for: the quick arrival of the papers for the land
wherethe church plans on building. the Santos family who are facing
severe economical, marital, and spiritual problems. (The
father'swhereabouts are currently unknown). God's choice fora new
director of theNationalBible Institute in Queretaro.
HumbertoRamirez (formerBible Institute president) who. will
bededicatingfulltime toa growingministry in Santa Rosa Jauregui
starting thisFall. Rebecca Hoff's health as she has been
continually battling infection over the past
severalmonths.FROM:BAJIO CHRISTIANMISSION, INC.c/o DON& PAT
KING5886 SOUTHU.S. 27ALEXANDRIAKY41001 1ADDRESS
CORRECTIONREQUESTEDHt. iiiiAifiServing inNew
WaysReturningfromfurlougha yearago, Billfoundthat thechurch
(Jardines delaHacienda)had found someone toreplacehim as an adult
Bible school teacher. So he startedtwostudieson Christian
servicewith men in thechurch. Not having to teach Sunday morning
has allowedhimtoparticipate in othercongregations in the
area.Recently he has shown films and preached in a
campaignin'Irapuato; filled thepulpitin Santa Rosa Jauregui,
andserved as translator forJimViers, the director ofM.E.N.
(asJimvisited some of the evangelists and preachedin theCelaya
church). Thelocal churchisbenefitting becausethey are doing more of
the work that was once left to themissionary, andbecause
theteachingisstrengtheningmen of the church. BillGrowing
TogetherThe annual MexicanMissionaryReunion(theweek of March
14th)brought a timeof addedlearning, warmfellowship,and spiritual
growth forover 100missionaries inMexico and Honduras.Sam Stone
(editor ofChristian Standard) broughtus many stimulatingthoughts
and sermons,ahd Dr. Eleanor Daniel(professor at CincinnatiBible
College) shared tipsconcerning home schooling on the n\lssion
fieldand Christ^^^ediMCfttipnin the churche^/,>^ jni, ;6 OSam
Stone with newlyreceived Mexican Sarape.^ VtTy AuJLijLSALUOaS!
fromCENTRAL MEXICO &3 3-3"crBAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSIONBILL
HOFF.^rf FAMILYAPARTADOPOSTAL 57QUERETARO, QRO.
76000MEXICOTOMSCHNELLER.rf FAMILYAPARTADOPOSTAL 853QUERETARO, QRO.
76000MEXICOPublishedQuarterlyVolume19,
Number2Fall1988Julio'sbaptismGOOD NEWSIn the last couple of months,
the Queretaro congregation hasbeen blessed by the addition of new
members through Christian baptism. The first of these was Julio
Moraies. This is thestory ofhis obedience to theLord's command.
Julio was adown-on-his-lucktaxi driver. For some timehis
economicconditionhadbeendeteriorating.
Hishealthhadfollowedthesamepattern. Onedayhe stoppedtobuyacol
