Prayer Letter - June 2017

Greetings from Israel!

I could write a book about all the things I have seen, learned and felt these past two and a half weeks since our arrival in this beautiful little country!  In 2008 I spent five days here with my son, David. There are still precious memories I hold dear to my heart from that visit.

Actually, my second trip here began on May 12. I flew from Chiapas to Chicago, and enjoyed a wonderful weekend with Pastor Gerardo Andrade, and his wife, Bethsaida. I was invited to speak at their Mother-Daughter Banquet on the 13th. One of the ladies who attended was saved after I spoke.  I enjoyed teaching her in the ladies’ Sunday school class the next morning.

Monday, I flew to New York City, and Tuesday afternoon met my daughter and her family at the airport. It was a happy reunion. Four months ago they left their home an hour from mine, and started deputation. The purpose of this trip is to let God speak to their hearts, showing them His exact plan for their lives and ministry here. And here we are, less than a week away from our departure, and I have been amazed, and at the same time comforted at the people with whom God has put in their path…six key men who know first-hand how they need to prepare to serve the Lord and His chosen people here.  I use the word “comforted” because I was invited to join my children on this trip so that I could see where they will be living, their lifestyle, etc. A few things still worry me, but the comfort I have felt outweighs my lack of faith. God will provide and God will protect. I have given my children to the Lord.

When we fly back to New York City on the 8th, I will have been here for three weeks…long enough to see, learn and feel unforgettable sights, facts, and emotions.

The first of April, it was an honor to speak twice to ladies from each of the two congregations my son, Joel pastors in New Mexico. I have come to love Living Water Baptist Church.

During my brief opportunities that I have had to connect to the Internet, and receive messages from home in Chiapas, I am thrilled to report that during my absence a man was saved, who is the husband of a lady who accepted the Lord in my ladies’ weekly Bible study several years ago.  Also the daughter of one of the faithful ladies in our Church was saved. This past Wednesday at our Prayer Breakfast, there was a record attendance of 37 ladies, including 13 women from the police force, and the mayor’s wife. The best part, though, was that when my daughter, Anna, finished speaking and gave the invitation, a lady was saved.

Our ladies continue with their hospital and nursing home ministries.  I could speak also of the 2 young people Pastor Albino recently baptized; and the progress of the church building the men are working on; and the completion of a semester at Bible college of two of our young men.

Sometimes I think I must be God’s pet.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - April 2017

If you were to walk into our church on a Sunday morning, you probably wouldn’t notice her. She would look like the other Indian single moms who attend our church.  What is so special about Micaela? She has raised three daughters and a son alone, who faithfully serve the Lord. Her son attends Bible College, and one of her daughters is the wife of our pastor.

But what I would like to tell you about Micaela is her love for the lost…especially for the people in her native village. She rides the bus there often, and gathers family and neighbors in one of the houses, and shares the Gospel message with them. Several of her family members have been saved.

Recently Micaela received a phone call at 2:00 a.m. from her nephew who was suicidal. Our church had been praying for him. He called to say, "I don't want to die; I want to live. But if I live, I need Jesus. Can you help me find Him?" Micaela led him through the plan of Salvation and he said, "Tía I'm kneeling in the street, and praying for Jesus to come into my heart. I'm giving my life to God."

So why do I love working with ladies? There are those saved in my ministry who will possibly never attend a church service, or become pastors’ wives. While my desire is to see every one of them serving the Lord, my joy comes from two sources: I have done what the Lord wants me to do, and the rest is up to the Holy Spirit. And they will have a home in Heaven when they die. But at the same time, like my husband would say, “I’m looking for another Micaela.”

In the month of February, I was invited to teach ladies in two different sessions in a conference at Mount Hebron in Monterrey, where my nephew, Jonathan Ashcraft is pastor. What a joy it was to spend a wonderful week with my brother, Tommy, his wife Brenda, and their children and grandchildren for the first time in several years.

On March 3, I flew to San Francisco, and participated in the Pastors’ and Workers’ Conference of North Valley Baptist Spanish Church where my son, David is now pastor. It was an honor to speak twice to different ladies’ sessions; I also gave my testimony on Sunday morning, and my daughter in law, Jolene, asked me to speak to her college ladies’ class the next morning.

On to Fallon, NV on the 10th, I enjoyed playing for the services of the Victory Baptist Church mission conference, where my son in law, Steve Miller is pastor. It was one of the best mission conferences I have ever attended, and their Faith Promise went far beyond what they had set for their goal. On Sunday morning, Steve baptized a family of four…the result of their bus ministry! That night, Steve asked me to share my testimony. What a joy it was to teach the ladies in Ruthie’s Thursday evening Bible Study.  It goes without saying, that both in California and in Nevada, I enjoyed getting to spend time with David and Jolene, and their 5 children; and Steve and Ruthie and their 8 children.

I am writing this from Chaparral, NM, and am having a wonderful time with Joel and Margaret, and my two granddaughters. I really have to move fast to keep up with them and their different ministries here. Lord willing, I return home to Chiapas on April 7.

I don’t know what else the Lord could do to show His love for me!

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7