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Best News - September, 2009

Email: marknpam@gmail.com

 

Please accept our apologies for the long delay in getting more information to you.  This past year and a half has been very busy and sometimes difficult for us and our family.  After a quick and unplanned move away from Durango, we are now living and working in San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato.  We are excited about the new opportunities to minister and plant churches in mid-sized cities of the “Bajio” area of central Mexico.

 

Durango...

            We praise God for the work that is continuing in Durango.  Mark has been working closely with our missionary, Brother Jaime, and other brothers to help establish the church leaders with a sustainable income that would also reach out to the communities through an agriculture project.  This project has been ongoing over the past 2 years with a grant made possible by Baptist Global Response.  Over the past few months, several people have been baptized in the villages of Francisco Villa, Javier Mina, and Canatlan.  Please pray for the leaders of these churches and the new believers.

 

Guanajuato...

            After praying about where and how God could use us, God has led us to attack Satan’s hold on several cities in the state of Guanajuato through prayer and Gospel saturation.  Prayer walk teams have been invited to come to the state and work in some key areas.  Dolores Hidalgo is where we really wanted to begin our work, but God has not opened the doors there yet.  He has gently continued the push for a city several kilometers northeast of Dolores Hidalgo called San Luis de La Paz.  That city is wide open for the Gospel.  Continue to pray for sensitivivity to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in directing us to work where God wants.    

 

San Luis de la Paz...

            We had a prayer walk team scheduled early in the year to work in the city of Dolores Hidalgo, but the team was canceled due to the swine flu scare.  A group from Hillcrest Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas did a super job prayer-walking and distributing Gospels of John, New Testaments, and tracts in San Luis.  In the days that the team was here to work, several colonias (neighborhoods) were entered into and saturated with prayer and the Gospel.  Six people accepted Christ, thousands of Scriptures were distributed, and at least thirty people expressed interest in attending a Bible study. 

            Mark has since gone back to visit with the new believers and discuss a time and place to begin the first Bible study, which we pray will lead to a church plant.  Everyone he has met is very excited about the Bible study/studies that will be forming.  Please pray for the new believers and their discipleship in their new faith.  Pray the leader/leaders whoever they may be that God has already set aside to take on this work.

Los Rodriguez...

            An Operation GO team led by missionary Jim Repeto targeted Los Rodriquez, a village near San Miguel de Allende.  They also worked in key neighborhoods in and around the city of San Miguel.  Four salvations were reported and excitement and interest in several Bible studies were noted.  The church, Cristo La Roca Eterna, will target those areas and do the follow up and discipleship.  We are excited that at least 3 new cell groups are being formed from this outreach event.  Pray for the new believers and the new Cell groups beginning in these areas. 

 

Brother Cesar....

            After intense prayer that God would give us another “Jaime”, Mark was contacted by Brother Cesar in the city of Guanajuato.  After meeting with this strong man of faith, Mark is excited about working closely with Cesar as a team member for church-planting.  We are looking forward to a great relationship.  Please pray for this brother-in-Christ and our growing church-planting team.

 

Our Family...

             Jennifer and Aaron are now enjoying parenthood.  Josiah Aaron was born on July 27^th.  He weighed 7 lbs. and 5 oz.  He is now two months old and is finally beginning to gain weight.  The doctor was very concerned with his low weight gain and considered putting him in the hospital.  Please thank God for His intervention for this tiny infant.  Pray for Jennifer and Aaron that God would continue to give them wisdom and strength as they continue studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

            Andrew is in his final semester at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.  He has already made application to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to begin studies in missions in January.  Pray for Andrew as he says “good-bye” to what has been his home for four years.  Pray as he makes the adjustment to seminary life.

Laura has now graduated from our homeschool, high school and is teaching English and science at a small private school that is sponsored by Cristo La Roca Eterna church here in San Miguel.  She teaches English and science to 4-5 year olds and is teacher assistant for the older preschool class.  Laura completed her application process to attend college at Mississippi College in August, 2010.  Pray for Laura as God continues to mature her and prepare her for life away from home.

            Jared, Jesse, and Michael are all doing well in homeschool.  We have had a great start with this school year.  Pray for Pam as she seeks wisdom to do all that is possible to prepare these three sons to be men of God.  Pray that God would open their minds and make learning flow easily.

            Emily is also doing great and is making great strides in learning and discipline.  She turned four on September 10.  She is an incredible joy and blessing.  Pray for Emily as she daily learns new things about God.        

Best News

 

San Miguel de Allende...

We are now settled into our new home in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato here in Mexico.  We are getting to know the area, people, customs, worldviews, etc.  We have been going to the town of Dolores Hidalgo (a town just north of San Miguel about 30 minutes) to get to know the town and make contacts there.  Pray for us as we develop relationships with those around us.  May our lives be a testimony of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  

 

Targeting Northern Guanajuato for a Church Start...

We have 2 Prayer-walk teams coming who will target Dolores Hidalgo.  One Operation GO (Gospel Outreach) team is scheduled for May 2 – 10.  The other team is with the Hopeful Baptist Church in Virginia during the week of May 16 - 23.  We plan to totally saturate Dolores Hidalgo and other villages in the northern part of the state of Guanajuato with prayer.  We are in the process of making a solid church-planting strategy that includes: 1.) Prayer Saturation.  2.)  Gospel Saturation. 3.) Direct Evangelization. 4.) Church planting.  Pray for the state of Guanajuato.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would be moving and working in the hearts and lives of the people.

 

Mark...Studying...

Mark finished reading "Organic Church Planting" by Neil Cole and would like to implement many of these principles, including his "Greenhouse" ideas into our strategy.  Pray for us as we develop strategies for church-planting in the towns of Guanajuato.     

 

Cristo la Roca Eterna...

     We have been attending the Cristo La Roca Eterna (Christ the Eternal Rock) Church here in San Miguel and cooperating with them, working together and making plans for a church start in a nearby town.  Pray for Mark as he seeks a "Timothy" to train, mentor, and assist with church-planting in Dolores Hidalgo. 

    

Durango...

Mark spent 4 days in Durango visiting the brothers and the work.  We are excited that even in the midst of violence and persecution (the drug wars) the work is growing.  We plan on taking leaders from Durango and Guanajuato to the IMB-sponsored mobilization conference in Guatemala in April.  Pray for our Fraternity of Churches in Durango.

 

    Ministry Team...

A team with Mission Mobilization International worked here this past week.  They do tactical training, working with military, police, fire fighters, and are involved in disaster relief.   All of the team members have extensive law enforcement experience and have a passion for sharing Jesus Christ.  Along with the training, the Gospel was presented and other topics, including police ethics.  We praise God that 150 of the officers prayed to receive Christ.  All were given New Testaments or Gospels of John.  Mark had the opportunity to assist with the training exercises and get to know the officers.  Pray with us as we decide how we can do follow-up for discipleship and use the relationships established in our church-planting efforts.

 

Family News...

Andrew is now a senior at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.  He has had a very tough year.  This has been the first time in his life that he has been without family nearby.  Jennifer graduated last May and left the campus.  Yet, we can see much maturity in him.  God is certainly preparing Andrew for a special work.  Please pray for Andrew during this difficult time in his life.  May God grant him patience and wisdom during his final year in College. 

 

Jennifer and her husband, Aaron, are expecting a baby in July.  We are excited about that.  They are both attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans.  They have already contacted the IMB to begin the process to become missionaries.  If you have any good names for grandparents, we are looking.  Pray for Jennifer and the health of her baby.  Pray for them as they prepare to enter the mission field.

     

Laura is preparing to graduate from High School in June. We are making plans for her graduation ceremony.  She plans to stay home a year.  When we go home for Stateside Assignment in Aug. 2010, she will enter into Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, near Jackson.  Pray for her as she prepares to leave home and makes plans for college. 

 

Jared, Jesse, and Michael are enjoying (Mama’s description, not theirs) some solid home-schooling without sudden moves or packing and unpacking.  School has finally settled down into a near “normal” routine.  Pray for Pam and the children as they continue to homeschool.

 

Emily continues to be a sweet, loving, intelligent, and precocious 3 year old.  She is such a blessing and we thank God daily that He allowed us the privilege of being her parents.  Pray for Pam as she homeschools 4 children with a very active toddler to care for at the same time.   

 

 

Mark and Pam Best                                                                                    San Miguel de Allende

International Mission Board, SBC                                                              Guanajuato, MEXICO

Acts Alive Team                                                                                        marknpam@gmail.com

The Americas Affinity Group                                                                 USA Tel:  (936) 622-3415

                                                                                 Ministry Web Blog:  www.actsaliveteam.org

 

Below is the latest update of "Best News".  Please share this with your friends and family.  We would love it if you would print it up for your church bulletin board or as a handout.  As always, we appreciate so much your prayers.

Mark and Pam Best and Family...

 

Best News

Acts Alive Team – Guanajuato, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende marknpam@gmail.com

Guanajuato, MEXICO www.actsaliveteam.org
US Tel:  (936) 622-3415

 Christmas Greetings to all from San Miguel de Allende, MEXICO in the state of Guanajuato!

Our Move... Your missionaries, Mark and Pam Best and family, have moved from the state of Durango, Mexico to San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato. We will continue an on-going relationship with the Work in Durango and the Brothers there. We are excited about working in towns and villages in the northern half of the state.

After leaving Durango, we made a whirlwind tour of several cities throughout Mexico looking for God's will for a place to serve. After reading verse 6 from Acts 16 about Paul's "Macedonian call", we read that the Holy Spirit would not let Paul go to Asia. Then they tried to go into Bithynia but the Spirit did not permit them. Isn't it interesting to know that there are some places we are NOT to go, even when our motives are right? God will lead and direct our paths if we will let Him. We believe He has done that. The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man [family] are ordered of the Lord.

More than five years ago on June 1, 2003, we arrived in Mexico from Guatemala and then traveled to Durango. We had a clear direction from the Lord and we knew we were to go. We didn't know all of what God was asking of us. We didn't know all it would cost. Our whole life has changed since that day. We are so glad we listened to the Lord and went. We look back and see how God has blessed us and the Work. We thank Him for the privilege of being a part of what has happened in Durango, the growth of the churches and leaders. And God is continuing to move there....

Holy Anger... As our family left Durango, the Brothers in the churches became angry. Not angry at us, but at the situation of their city in such spiritual disparity. They are determined to take a stand against all the evil associated with the drug war. Jaime G., our National missionary, seems to be spearheading much of the energy within the churches. A couple of weeks ago an event was held at the city dump area where missionaries from another agency feed the homeless people. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place and more than 70 people prayed to make Jesus their Savior. The names and addresses were noted and as a result of these conversions, plans are being made for 7 new house churches in formation. In Canatlan, two new churches are being planted in nearby villages. Many of the Brothers say they are experiencing revival.

                We are excited to see what the Lord is doing in Durango. Please remember to pray for the believers and leaders who are on the front lines in Durango.

More News from Durango...Jaime is working with the Regional Baptist Convention in Torreon to partner with the Work in Durango. The Baptist Seminary there is planning on having students do church planting in the corridor that passes by the town of Nazas and on up to Rodeo.
 

Jaime and Mark plan to meet with a Pastor in San Luis de La Paz (Brother Alberto) here in the state of Guanajuato.  He is a recognized National missionary with the National Baptist Convention of Mexico, the same as Jaime.  Mark went last week with Jaime to deliver a water well drilling machine to Oaxaca. It turned into a real blessing because the Baptist Seminary there is in need of another water well dug because they are running out of water. They had a great trip and met with several of the leaders in the National Baptist Work

Guanajuato... Most of what we will be doing in the next few weeks and months will be to getting

to know the physical area in which we are now serving. We will spend a lot of time getting to know the people, the culture here, and, searching for God’s will in where to begin. We need to develop a strong prayer strategy and to invoke the help of US churches in preparing the soil for the Seed. Please pray for safety in our travel around the area. Pray for Mark and Pam as they seek God’s will for their new ministry. May every step be guided by God’s hand.

Family news...In case everyone doesn't know yet... we are going to be Grandparents!  Jennifer

and Aaron are pregnant.  Please write and tell us what your grandparents are called or what you are called as a grandparent. We are trying to come up with that special name.

Emily (3 yrs old) suggested that Mark be called “Jelly King”. Anything better out there? Please pray for Jennifer’s pregnancy, Aaron’s patience and care of her.

Andrew is doing well. Our move caused him and Jennifer a lot of stress as contact with their parents was very limited. They are much better now that communications are back up and running. Please pray for Andrew as God continues to prepare him for His service.

 The other children are also adjusting well. The move was stressful and caused a few tears as they were not allowed time to emotionally prepare for the quick pullout from Durango. Please pray for our children as they adjust to a new life in a new city with new friends and experiences. We pray that they will see the hand of God in every step we take.

Again, we are so excited that you are partnering with us in our ministry. We covet your prayers. We would welcome a visit, phone call, or email anytime. We also thank you for your continued support of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support missionaries around the world.

Mark and Pam Best and Family

Acts Alive Team

San Miguel de Allende

Guanajuato, MEXICO

marknpam@gmail.com

US Tel: (936) 622-3415

www.actsaliveteam.org

 

 

BEST  NEWS

July –August, 2008

 

Greetings to all from soggy Durango, Mexico...

We are in our rainy season here and this year we have had LOTS of rain and LOTS of mosquitoes.  Dams are in danger of breaking and flooding homes near.  However, we discovered that the most urgent problem right now is mosquitoes.  A local Pastor said all his children are sick from mosquito bites and many of the neighbors.  Warnings are out that we may have many cases of malaria and dengue fever.  Please pray for these villages and those that are ill.  Pray that we can effectively respond to this crisis in love and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Disaster Relief...

Tuesday, September 1, a disaster relief team from SBTC-Texas will arrive, mosquito netting, screens for windows, fogging machines, and insecticide to try to get relief to the affected, mosquito, infested villages.  Pray for travel mercies for this team and that they will be successful in treating mosquitoes.  

 

Mexico National Convention...

This past month our family went to the National Baptist Convention of Mexico in Oaxtepec, Morelos. We spent the week attending seminars, and meeting with various convention leaders as representatives from the Mexico Mission (IMB).  Our national missionary, Jaime Guerrero, drove our 15 passenger with 10 brothers (representing 4 of our churches) from Durango to the meetings. 

 

Partnership with Torreon Seminary...

At the Convention, Mark and Jaime had a positive meeting with the President of the Baptist Seminary in Torreon and the Vice-President of the Laguna Convention in Torreon.  It was a step to increase our partnership with the seminary and convention and to begin plans for a working relationship involving students doing practicum in church-planting in the state of Durango.   Jaime and Mark will travel next week to Torreon to further this dialogue.  Pray for Mark, Jaime, and the leaders of the seminary as they plan to use God’s new leaders in Durango.

 

Violence in Durango...

In the past few months, we have seen violence on the rise here in Durango.  Many murders have occurred, both from the police force and from the drug cartels.   Pray that the violence would cease and that the peace of Christ would reign in the hearts of the people.  Pray that we can work freely throughout the state without being in harms way.

 

   Canatlan...

Brother Johann is leading the church there to minister to the seasonal apple-pickers.  Every year during apple harvest, the Indigenous men and women come down out of the mountains to work in the apple orchards.  The government provides housing for these temporarily displaced people.  First Baptist Church of Canatlan has been given permission to come in and provide a spiritual outlet for these people.  The brother and sisters in this church have been providing Christian concerts, movies, and evangelism.  Pray for the Indigenous apple-pickers that accepted Christ in Canatlan.  Pray as we begin to disciple them and that they will carry this Gospel pack to their villages in the mountains.

 

Vicente Guerrero in Mourning, Again...

The Pastor of the Baptist church in Vicente Guerrero died suddenly last February.  A few days ago his son, who had been in training to become a Pastor died after a lengthy bout with Lupus.  We just received word that his younger son died suddenly.  The family and church is devastated.  Pray for the church and community during this time of extreme grief.  Pray especially for this mother who has lost her husband and two sons since February. 

 

Family Issues...

Mark's Mother has had a lot of serious medical problems and continues to lose mobility.  She has decided to have a hip replacement surgery sometime next month.  This may be a risky surgery as she is in poor health.  Please pray for Ethel Best and all of Mark’s family as they support their mother through all of her health issues.

 

Jennifer, now married, and Andrew are now back in school.  Andrew is continuing his studies at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.  Jennifer and Aaron are at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  They are currently living in a hotel until a married student apartment comes available.  Please pray for Andrew as he is attending for the first time without his former room mate Aaron (now his brother-in-law) and sister Jennifer. Pray for Jennifer and Aaron as they search for a job and housing. 

 

Pam and the rest of the children, except for Emily have returned to homeschooling.  Pray that Pam will continue to have patience and be completely guided by the Lord as she teaches and trains these children to be servants of the Lord.