Hermosillo, Mexico

Written by Marcus & Alison Cain

Over the past few months, the assembly in Hermosillo has had both joy and sorrow. Early in June, Elia was called home to glory at the age of forty-one. For almost two years she suffered patiently, without complaining. What caused her the most sadness was the fact that she would leave behind two daughters and her husband, all unsaved. The wake was held in the hall and, over the course of three messages, around seventy-five unsaved people heard the message that had brought her such peace, back in 2007.

Three months later, to the day, Pedro was called home to glory. He had been away from the assembly for a year before starting to attend again in June. He was very thankful for the care and interest that the believers showed over the last months of his life, before leaving earth's scene at forty-nine. We had the opportunity to preach the gospel to a large number of unsaved people, including all his family.

This summer we had a week of children's meetings in two different spots. In the mornings there were meetings in an outreach hall in the south of the city, with excellent attendance. The evening sessions were held in the hall and, although many were invited from the neighbourhood, there was not the response we desired. Edgar and Raquel Roseyon, from Puerto Vallarta, were with us for the week, and the assembly greatly appreciated his help.

In August, the assembly held its first Bible exposition in the hall. The theme was God's Creation. There were invitations given out to friends and neighbours of the believers and we also used a loud speaker in the neighbourhood, near the hall. Again the response was not as large as we would have liked but we were glad to see some interest.

It has been encouraging to see some growth in the young men in the assembly. Some have a real burden for lost souls and helpful in the preaching of the gospel, both in the hall and in the outreach work in the south of the city. We pray that God will preserve them from this present evil world.

I have had the opportunity to work more with Shad Kember over the last few months in different parts of the country. Last November he and Duncan Beckett visited Iguala, Guerrero, three hours south of Mexico City, and saw blessing in salvation. Believers from the West Phoenix assembly have relatives in Iguala for whom they had been praying for a number of years. There are now several believers, a few of whom have been baptized, and others expressed their interest in this step of obedience. We visited early in July, along with Alison and a young brother from the Hermosillo assembly, and returned the end of August for another week. Meetings are held in six different homes, with good interest in the gospel and the believers showing interest in teaching from God's Word. Shad has been making monthly visits with different brethren but what the work really needs is for someone to live and work among the people. Yours prayers that God will call someone to this new field are greatly valued.

We also have visited Guasave, Sinaloa, a city of over 300,000 souls. Last year a lady, from this city, made a ten-hour round-trip bus ride to attend two conference meetings in Ciudad Obregon. She and her family, along with a few more we met on this last trip, have attended a number of "Christian" churches over many years and been left confused. Three visits have been made and we are trying to visit at least once a month. It is a six-hour drive from Hermosillo to Obregon, where Shad lives, being the half-way mark. There are several small towns near Guasave where we have contacts, and have had one house meeting. Your prayers for this part of God's vineyard are also appreciated.

There are many other places in Mexico where there are open doors but the workers are few. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest."

We are glad to have the family all back under the same roof. The boys, Isaac and Samuel, spent the summer in Canada, working, and the girls, Madeleine and Evelyn, spent a month with their grandparents in Nova Scotia. Alison and I were able to visit Tepic, where we used to live, for a week while they were gone. The assembly there needs our prayers as well.