I wish I could tell you that
the past two months have been the most wonderful ones of my life. I could,
except for the heartaches they have brought: the death of my dear friend,
Peggy; a five year old diagnosed with leukemia; a telephone call from the wife
of a man who just walked out on his family. I just returned from visiting a
young mother who was saved four years ago after attending our ladies’ Christmas
banquet. She and her husband travel to Mexico City on the bus twice a month for
her chemotherapy. But Dali loves the Lord, and she loves the lost. Several
weeks ago, during one of her hospital stays, she sent me a message asking me to
send her the Scriptures of the plan of Salvation. I did, and the next day she
sent me a picture of her and the lady she won to the Lord, who is also a cancer
victim. Oh, by the way, my Thursday ladies’ Bible class was started in her home
because of her desire to see her lost friends saved. Will you please pray for
my precious friend?
On September 19, my husband
and I would have celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary. He is in
Heaven, but he was in my thoughts that day, and my mind went back to the
romantic candlelight ceremony that made me Tom Sloan’s wife! His passion was
taking in young Indian boys, winning them to the Lord, and training them for
the ministry. Joel Gregorio, was one of
those boys who lived with us, was saved, surrendered to the ministry, married a
wonderful young woman, and has started several works about 5 hours from here.
They came to San Cristobal a couple of months ago, because of some
complications during his wife’s pregnancy.
On August 27, Zaremi gave birth to their third child, born two months
prematurely. The doctors told Joel that his wife would probably go into a coma
during delivery, or have a stroke. Joel wept as I hugged him, and tried to
comfort him. Imagine his joy, when the nurse came out after baby Gabriel
arrived, and told him his wife was awake! The days following were ups and downs
for both Zaremi and their little boy. Five days later, there were several
complications, and we thought she wouldn’t make it. Hundreds of prayers went up
for her all around the world. I believe God was moved, because two weeks later
Gabriel and his mother were finally home together. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS
FLOW!
On the day of Gabriel’s birth,
there were 3 people saved during our ladies’ monthly visit to the Nursing Home.
It was my joy to lead Don Manuel to the Lord!
In the month of August, I was
honored to get to speak 9 times in a three-day ladies’ conference in the little
town of Zumpango del Rio, Guerrero. What royal treatment I received from Pastor
Mario Clemente and his wife, Noemi! This is a village work, and unpaved roads
led up to the little church building on a hillside. I fell in love with those
precious people! I also got to fellowship with Missionary Nathan Patterson, and
his wife, Apolonia and their three children.
After my return, I spent a
week in Ixtapa, and it was such a joy to see how the ministry of Ulises and my
daughter, Elizabeth has grown, not only in attendance in the churches, but also
to see the new works that have been started since my visit in December. The day
they came for me, during lunch, Ulises gave me the surprising news that they
have surrendered their lives to be missionaries in Israel. While I have mixed
emotions…no mother enjoys being separated from her children…I feel honored that
God chose my children to minister to His chosen people. Please pray for them,
as Ulises is preparing men to take over the works that he has started, and as
they do deputation. And pray for me!
Excitement is at an all-time
high, as November 18, the date of our Ladies’ Christmas banquet is rushing
toward us. What started out as a burden that God put in my heart 17 years ago
to reach ladies in prominent positions, has blossomed into a delightful
ministry involving almost every member of our church. I couldn’t do this
without them, and although God receives all the glory for the ladies who have
been reached, humanly speaking, I couldn’t do this without you…your prayers and
your financial support.
A special feature on the
program will be recognizing Baby Gabriel, and 9 more precious little ones whose
lives God has spared, including a baby who underwent open-heart surgery. The
mother of another one of these babies was told shortly after delivery that he
would not survive. Distraught, she asked to be left alone. She told the Lord,
“I’m going to stop asking you to save my baby. I give him to you right now. And
if you choose to take him, I’ll
keep on believing.” Is it any wonder that this is the theme for
this year’s banquet? Oh, by the way, God spared her baby’s life.
Have a good time enjoying
God’s blessings today, and just “keep on believing!”
Your friend,
Billie Sloan
Nahum 1:7
