Prayer Letter - February 2021

 I’ve been sitting here counting my blessings, and trying to decide which ones to share with you. Probably the biggest, since my last letter, was the wonderful news that my grandson, Gabriel Sloan was saved on December 8. I’m thankful for my son, Philip and his wife, Liz for raising my grandchildren to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Of my forty-one grandchildren, 5 are in Heaven; thirty-four are saved. I trust the Lord that the two youngest ones will one day be saved. 

December 5 marked my husband, Tom Sloan’s, 16th anniversary in Heaven. He left behind a work that is growing under the leadership of Pastor Albino López. I don’t have a count of the souls saved in the past two months, but they are the total of those won to the Lord on soul winning, as well as regular church services. In the four years he has been pastor, new bus routes have been started, we have moved into a new building, and one of my favorite ministries God led him to start is our Christian School on Saturday’s. Since children are not allowed to attend school, due to the pandemic, they study online. Most of these bus children don’t have internet access, so they are bussed in on Saturday’s, and tutored by volunteers from our church. This is one of the most enjoyable activities of my week: attending the 9:00 opening service every Saturday morning, which includes songs and a message by the pastor; and then enjoying breakfast with these little children, before I go soul winning. The same vision my husband had sixteen years ago, has been passed down to our current pastor. And the unusual thing is that my husband and Bro. Albino never met.  But the love my husband had for Indian children has been carried on through the ministry he left behind. 

December 17-19 was the date of our Youth Conference. Although I’m not a teenager, I enjoyed playing the piano for the services; and participating in some of their activities, including soul winning at the park, and attending their Saturday night Banquet. At the close of the Conference, the front was lined with young people surrendering their lives to serve the Lord. Several were saved, including a young man from the church my son, Philip, pastors in Veracruz.

Thankfully, things are beginning to take on a semblance of normal. Although we have to observe certain restrictions, on January 27 we once again had our monthly Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast. Our last Breakfast was in February last year. Although several ladies we invited are afraid to attend public meetings, we had an attendance of 18 ladies, two of them for the first time. One lady is head of the women on the police force. She and her two teenage daughters have attended several of our church services. 

While I have thoroughly enjoyed being home for the past six months, I will begin my travels to different conferences, speaking to ladies, beginning in February. I don’t have to tell you the challenges I face with new regulations for passengers entering the USA. But I know the Lord will be with me. I’ve counted my blessings, now and I’m counting on your prayers.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - December 2020

 I have found myself throughout this year, groping for anything that feels normal. Besides the loyalty of my family and friends, what has helped to keep me focused is the fact that God never changes, and He is in control of everything from COVID-19, to elections. He has truly been my Fortress.

But I can’t deny, so many things have been “out of whack,” as my Daddy used to say. And this year’s annual Ladies’ Christmas Banquet was one of those. Instead of having our Banquet at a local hotel Banquet Room, and being served by waiters in white coats, this year’s Banquet was held in our church auditorium, and about 15 young men, some of whom sang in our men’s ensemble, were our waiters. They did a super job, singing and serving.

And the ladies in the church cooked the delicious meal. On the night of November 20, the night before the Banquet, we celebrated our first Ladies’ Conference, with sessions the next morning until noon. Close to one hundred ladies attended. Our theme was “who healeth all thy diseases;” in keeping with the 2020 virus from which many have suffered this year.  So for that reason, our special guests for the Banquet were ladies in the medical profession. There were approximately 15 of those ladies who attended, and a nurse was saved when Pastor Joel Herrera gave the invitation. 

Our Church has amazingly not shut its doors this year. At the beginning of the pandemic, our attendance had to be limited. But now, our services have been attended very well; of course, maintaining social distancing, and using face masks, and gel at the entrance. Souls have been saved during door knocking, and in the regular services, and  Pastor Albino continues to baptize almost every Sunday. Even as I write, plans are under way for our 7th annual Youth Conference, December 17-29. We are expecting around forty out of town young people to attend. There will be games, three good meals a day prepared by our ladies, lots of good preaching, and on Saturday, the 19th  the young people will go soul winning. 

It was my privilege, to be able to speak to in a virtual Ladies’ Conference October 9 and 10, hosted by Mrs. Brenda Booth. I was in Pastor Franklin Booth’s church in Panama five years ago. 

And again, one of my faithful supporting churches, Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, hosted a virtual Ladies’ Tea on November 3. Mrs. Debbie Parker asked me to join them and talk about our upcoming Ladies’ Banquet. To my surprise, these ladies meet every November, and pray for our Banquet. Is it any wonder souls have been saved every year? Thank you.

Sixty years ago, November 15, my parents, Dr. and Mrs. L.H. Ashcraft, my three little brothers, and I crossed the USA border into México as missionaries. And my life has never been the same. Although I didn’t surrender to be a missionary until seven years later, the church in Ixtapa (a work started by my son in law, Ulises Martínez) held a thanksgiving banquet in my honor on November 22, celebrating my sixty years on the mission field. To God be all the Glory!

Have a blessed Christmas. May we all remember to honor Him, Whose birth we are celebrating.

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - October 2020

 Things seem to have been taking on a feeling of normal in the last two months. I am slowly regaining my strength, and am happily able to drive myself to church and do my grocery shopping. 

But best of all, I am busy once more doing my ladies’ ministries. I really enjoyed speaking to a virtual teen girls’ meeting of the Mount Hebron Baptist Church, where my nephew, Jonathan Ashcraft is pastor. What a precious ministry!

One of my most faithful supporting churches, Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, Pastor Zempel, has an amazing Zoom meeting every week for missionaries. It was fun to sit in on my first one in August, and be able to put faces to the people I pray for. Thank you for loving missionaries.

On a personal note, my 14 year-old grandson, Samuel , son of Philip and Liz Sloan, (missionaries in Veracruz)  enjoys woodwork as a hobby. He accidently fell and cut his eye and retina with a wood cutting knife, the night of September 11. Thankfully a retina specialist was able to perform surgery, and save his eye. He has undergone several surgeries, and in the words of his doctor, Graciela, “It was only divine intervention that his eye was saved.” His sight is slowly improving.  Thank the Lord for His divine intervention.

The church here is going forward. The Sundays since I have returned, there have been several saved. 

Next month is our annual Ladies’ Christmas Banquet.  Pastor Albino suggested to me last Sunday that we have a two-day ladies’ conference, November 20 and 21, ending the night of the 21st with our annual Ladies’ Banquet. 

This will be our first ladies’ conference. Although I have been a part of several ladies’ conferences in different parts of the world, it is quite different to go and speak, and enjoy the fruit baskets and gifts, and enjoy fellowshipping, and hearing other ladies speak; than it is to actually organize on. So PRAYERS, PLEASE!

This year, thinking of COVID-19, our theme will be “who healeth all thy diseases;” taken from Psalm 103:3 Our guests of honor this year will include ladies from the medical field…ladies who have risked their lives to save the lives of others. And of course, I don’t have to tell you the spiritual application that will be made throughout the Conference and Banquet. Please pray for wisdom, for finances, and especially for souls to be saved. While ladies’ conferences usually are directed toward Christian ladies, and certainly the majority attending will be Christians, we will be encouraging our ladies to bring lost friends and family members. Each session will include the Plan of Salvation.

Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting me and my ministries with your finances and with your prayers. I can’t wait to tell you how this event turns out, because you will have had a great part in it.

Your friend,

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - August 2020

 Home Sweet Home! There is no other place on earth where I’d rather be, than right here in my mountain valley home of San Cristóbal, Chiapas. After more than four “unplanned” months away from home, it was never sweeter to step on Chiapas soil, than it was the night of July 10.

Life is certainly full of “the unplanned.”  I consider myself a very healthy lady, except for minor aches and pains common to my age. But I’ve never been sick for so long…over two weeks…than I was the first few weeks after my arrival. My main symptom was severe fatigue. If you have ever experienced that malady, you know that it not only affects the body, but also the mind, the emotions, and the morale. After two weeks of being pampered by my daughter, Anna and her husband, Andrés; and my daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Ulises;  and with the support of my other six children, I began slowly to regain my strength. I am still limited in the physical work I can do. But this has given me more time to spend in my devotions in the mornings, and in the study of the Word of God. And I am even enjoying teaching virtual conferences and meetings with ladies and teen girls. Thank the Lord for modern technology.

At present, I am under the care of a cardiologist, who has recommended two other specialists for my recovery. 

The work here is continuing to grow, and the members are staying faithful, although  the death toll continues to rise. I was heartbroken to hear of the death of the young pastor, who brings his orphans to our Banquets every year. He died of coronavirus. Very strict rules are being enforced in stores, offices, and even in clinics. 

I have only been out twice for medical appointments during the three weeks since I returned home. I miss getting to attend church, and I really miss having my ladies’ Bible class, and our monthly Prayer Breakfasts. Hopefully this stressful time in our lives will soon subside.

Also, I miss having visits from my church family here. A lady from our church called me while I was in the States crying, because she missed me. She called several days ago, and said, “Get ready for a big hug when this is over.” I don’t want to disappoint her, but something tells me this will never really be over…better, but not over.

On a personal note, two of my grandsons graduated from High School in the month of June. Please pray for Steven Miller, Jr., and David Sloan, Jr., as they both are preparing for full time ministry.

Thankfully, you have continued to be faithful to my ministry: some through financial support, and many of you through your prayers. Thank you.

May the Lord bless and keep you healthy and safe during this pandemic.

Your friend.

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - June 2020

Greetings from Decatur, TX, where I am anxiously awaiting God’s opening the door for me to return home to Chiapas.  My original plans of March 23 were to fly home alone. But when COVID-19 hit planet earth, several people, including my children, advised me to wait until the epidemic crisis had subsided. 

My son in law, Ulises Martínez, and my daughter, Elizabeth also have been stranded between their return from Israel, and their return to Chiapas. Since things will undoubtedly be stressful in airport security, I decided to wait and return with them. I feel I need the guidance of someone wiser than I am in making this decision. My heart’s deepest desire is to return home as soon as possible. But we don’t want to get ahead of the Lord.

Our ladies’ prayer group in the church in Chiapas has been sending message after message of fatalities caused by the coronavirus. Mexico is about a month behind the USA as far as its being affected by the virus. So, like my son, David brought out the other day when he called me, and I complained about being homesick: “Mom, God is keeping you there, because it’s not safe to return right now.” 

However, for some interesting reason, I am able to stay busy with my ministry. I have had some new experiences, such as speaking at a virtual ladies’ conference of the Monte Abarim Baptist Church in Cuernavaca, México, the 4th-6th of May. Rosie Ramírez is the wife of Pastor Alejandro Ramírez, and this was certainly a challenging and new experience for me…just like the online live panel of pastors’ wives on May 29. We answered questions sent in by other pastors’ wives. 

I’ve also enjoyed joining Steve and Ruthie Miller on some of their deputation trips. 

I am so thankful we can return to church again, although we are still practicing social distancing here at Immanuel Baptist Church. 

Will life ever return to normal? Yes, it will. But it will probably never be the same. I have lived through two such experiences in my life: we have all lived through 911. And although things finally returned to a semblance of normal, it was definitely a “new” normal. Remember getting to walk your passenger right up to the gate, and waving good bye to them as they boarded their plane? And the Zapatista uprising in 1993 left our little corner of the world in devastation. And yes, even that rebellion finally calmed down. But it’s never been the same. We are still…after over 26 years…experiencing enormous changes that never returned to normal. The Indians have become more aggressive, and roadblocks are a “normal” part of our “new normal” lives.

God has so graciously provided a lovely house where my children and I can find refuge until this storm passes. And I am grateful. I constantly remind myself, sometimes through tears, that God has me exactly where He wants me to be. Please pray that if it is His will, I may soon return home, where my heart is.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - February 2020

Greetings from the beautiful city of Xalapa, Veracruz, where my son, Philip and his wife, Liz and their four sons live. I’m enjoying family time with them, and also with my brother, Tommy Ashcraft, and his wife, Emily. But the purpose of this visit is to participate in a three-day conference in the Calvary Baptist Church which Philip started. This is my first conference for the year, and several more lie ahead of me. Thank you for your prayers.

Our Church continues to grow, and souls continue to be saved in all of our ministries, including door to door soul winning, conferences, youth banquet, and even at our Christmas dinner. 

God also used the wedding of a precious couple in our Church, Diego and Eloisa, to reach two very special families: Sunday morning after the wedding on Saturday night, the bride’s parents were saved. And that evening, 32 people made professions of Faith, including Pastor Albino’s  parents, and some of his siblings. 

At our Youth Christmas banquet several young people were saved, and 5 surrendered to full time service.

At our Church’s Anniversary conference, there were also 2 more saved. 

At our Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, January 29, two precious ladies were saved. One of these ladies is mother to three autistic children. Please pray that Yulissa will grow in grace, and for wisdom in raising these special children.

One of my favorite ministries is my ladies’ Bible study on Thursday evening. One lady who attends is a Tzeltal Indian. I was encouraged last week when she told me she takes her notes back to her village, gathers her family, and teaches them my lessons in Tzeltal. What a blessing!

I love my life and my ministries. And it is through your faithful prayers and financial support that I was able to report the blessings God has poured out the last two months.

Enjoy serving the Lord to the fullest.

Your friend,

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - October 2019

Maybe it’s my age, but I realize more and more how urgent is my responsibility to get the Gospel to everyone; and how important my ministries are. Especially, if you work with children, never take for granted your ministry. The morning of August 16, I received an urgent message from our pastor’s wife: “Please go to the church as soon as you can. Maryorli passed away early this morning, and we want everyone there to meet the family.”  You would have to know the customs here to understand the urgency of her message. Pastor Albino was a funeral director before becoming pastor of our church. So he frequently gets requests to help with funerals. He was going to Maryorli’s house to pick up her body, and the family, and drive them to the church, where a service would be held in her memory.  After Pastor Albino preached a Salvation message, several people were saved. 

Who was Maryorli? She was a 9 year-old girl who was saved in our July 22-26 Vacation Bible School. Three weeks later, she was in Heaven. I don’t have to describe the devastation of her parents. Can anything be more heartbreaking than the death of a little child? But from her father’s testimony, she had planned to be baptized. He said she would line up her little cousins in their patio after Bible School, and teach them the lessons she had learned. Then she very dramatically would give the invitation with, “If you don’t get saved, you’re going to hell. I’m saved, and I’m going to Heaven when I die.”

And she surely did! Praise the Lord for the army of men and women and young people who invested in Maryorli’s life, through the workers on the bus route on which she rode; through the Vacation Bible School workers, and for the lady who led her to the Lord when I gave the invitation that day. Your labor is not in vain!

My soul winning partner and I recently knocked doors in a neighborhood near the church. The lady who came to the door was the maid. The lady of the house was gone. So I witnessed to her. She said she was working, but was interested in getting saved. I respected the fact that we were speaking to her on time that she was being paid to do housework.  She promised me to read the tract I left for her, and after work, she would accept the Lord. I told her, “I’ll be back next week, and see if you kept your promise.” When we returned the next week, the lady of the house had just driven off, and Hilda was reluctant to open the door. I plan to return tomorrow, and as often as needed to make sure she is saved.  

Excitement is at an all-time high around here, as we are only a few weeks away from November 22, and our 21^st Annual Ladies’ Christmas Banquet. As always, finances are always a big issue. But I told the ladies last week: “This Banquet is an adventure to me. I can’t wait to see how God is going to provide the money for every area.” He always does, and I know He will do it again this year. Everything invested in this event…money, time, prayers, and work…are worth it all. We see ladies saved every year, whom I will see in Heaven someday…

…just like I’ll see Maryorli!

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - August 2019

My travels for the year have ended. And although I love my home here in Chiapas more than any other place in the world, I’ll have to say that I made some pretty special memories during my travels from February until July. 

Even though I’m not always here to be involved in all the activities of the church, Pastor Albino continues to lead the work, including people being saved and baptized, and new ministries started, and new bus routes begun. 

On June 7, I arrived in Jackson, MS, and although my luggage didn’t until the next night, it was wonderful to be greeted by my son in law, Jason and daughter, Sarah and their 6 children. It was so special getting to join them as they visited several churches, raising support to return to Mexico as missionaries.  Please pray that they will soon have their support raised, and be back on the field. During my visit, Sarah invited me to speak to a group of Hispanic ladies with whom she has worked during the last few years.

As tradition has it, for 12 years I have been honored to be a part of the Hispanic Family Conference in Bartlett, IL, with Pastor Elmer Fernández the week of June 17-21. I taught six different ladies’ sessions, and as always, was challenged by the teaching and preaching.

My last trip of the year was a very unique one: I flew to Monterrey with my daughter, Anna, to attend the wedding of my brother, Tommy Ashcraft, and Emily Knight. My sister in law, Brenda, passed away in April of last year, and the Lord has provided a wonderful helpmeet for my brother, and a very sweet sister in law for me. Emily has lived at Mount Hebron for several years, and is very involved in the ministry. I am happy to have her as part of our family.

I enjoy going soul winning with our ladies, especially when someone is saved…like my neighbor just around the corner. Several years ago, I took a new convert with me, and we went downtown soul winning. I won an older lady who was a shop keeper to the Lord. Later I asked Dali what she thought about witnessing. I could tell she wasn’t too happy. She said, “You have to be very bold.”

That was five years ago. Yesterday afternoon, I ask her to give her testimony at our ladies’ Bible Study. She told about winning her husband’s 90 year-old grandfather, and 89 year-old grandmother to the Lord. She brought a friend with her, who is unsaved. Right there in front of everyone, she witnessed to her, and urged her not to put off Salvation. And she thought I was being bold! Dali is a cancer survivor. Two things her plight accomplished: she appreciates the small things in life; and she has become very bold in her witnessing. I thank the Lord for Dali.

My daughter, Anna, recently won a 9 year-old boy, Kevin to the Lord, as they were returning from Music Camp. He lives in her town, and he was ready to be saved. 

One of the most fun times of the year for me is our Vacation Bible School, during the month of July. The children keep me feeling young, as I teach, and play my accordion for the songs. This year, the church took care of organizing, financing, and providing lunch each day for the children. We had a high attendance of 247, and 30 professions of faith, including several mothers who attended with their children. Sunday there were close to 300 in attendance for the closing ceremony. 

Sad, but thankful to the Lord, I told my daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Ulises, and their four children in San Francisco, CA, good bye over the phone from my home here Tuesday night, as they boarded a plane that would take them to Tel Aviv, Israel. After a 15-hour non-stop flight, they landed safely Wednesday afternoon. The fact that they are so, so happy to be “back home” gives me joy. Although it doesn’t keep me from missing them, I’d rather my children be on another continent, in the center of God’s will, than an hour from here, and out of His will. May God give them  many souls for their labors.

And may He bless you with fruit for yours, as we serve Him.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - June 2019

“There’s no place like home,” has never been truer to me than it has in the past few days. The months of April and May found me, for the most part, away from my beautiful mountain home. But I will say, I made some mighty precious memories, and lots of new friends! God is so Good to me!

It was my honor to have been part of the Ladies’ Conference in the Montecito Park Baptist Church,  Pastor Ezequiel Salazar, in Ontario, CA on April 5^th and 6^th. I enjoyed speaking twice to the huge audience of ladies. And Mrs. Miriam Salazar as always, was the perfect hostess.

I returned to Chiapas on the 8^th, and instead of coming home, Ulises and Elizabeth Martínez drove me to Ixtapa, where I enjoyed a few days with them before coming home. I covet your prayers for them, as they are planning to return to Israel shortly. I am managing to spend special time with them between my travels.  I attended a Bible study that Ulises started in the home of Claudia Fierro, a single lady who works in Israel. She attended our Banquet last year. She and her family are Christians, and although she has already returned to Israel, her family invited Ulises to hold Bible studies in their home.

Now for a Mimi Moment: my grandson, Thomas Gregory, the son of Andrés and Anna, was saved on April 14, after my granddaughter, Sophie, Ulises and Elizabeth’s daughter, gave the invitation in her children’s class. The following Sunday, Ulises baptized him. I don’t know if a 6 year old can be filled with the Holy Spirit. But I have never seen an adult rejoicing like that little boy did during his baptism. I pray the Lord will use his life in a very unusual way.

Then on May 1, I flew to Orlando, Florida, where Karina Armendáriz met me at the airport, and drove me to the beautiful 5 bedroom-house that would be my home for the next 5 days. I was there for a ladies’ conference, the 2^nd – 4^th. I was honored to speak 5 times. But the special thing about this conference, and the reason for my huge home away from home, was that my daughter, Sarah Knabb, and her husband, Jason, and their 6 children would be sharing it with me. Sarah was also one of the conference speakers. Because they are doing deputation to return to México the first of next year, Jason spoke the following Sunday for Pastor Jorge Armendáriz, and presented his burden for Quintana Roo. 

Upon my return home, I spoke at our Mother-Daughter Banquet here in my church. I was happy to see one of our former First Ladies present, who was saved a few years ago.

Two days later, I drove a group of ladies from the church to a town about 45 minutes away, and spoke at another Mother-Daughter Banquet. 

On May 14, my daughter, Anna, and her daughter, Debbie and I flew to Mexico City, where a young man from the Mount Abarim Baptist Church in Cuernavaca picked us up. Pastor Alejandro Ramírez, and his wife, Rosie, treated us royally. There were about 300 ladies who attended the three-day conference. In one of my invitations, I noticed one of the ladies in the church speaking to a girl who raised her hand for Salvation. I was honored to speak 5 times, including the ladies’ Sunday school class the following Sunday. And once again, the Lord provided family time, with my daughters, Anna and Ruthie, and my daughter in law, Liz, Philip’s wife, who were also speakers. Debbie participated in the special music.

The girls returned home on Saturday, but I stayed until Sunday afternoon, when a couple of young men from Iguala picked me up, and drove me two hours to the Faith Baptist Church. I was invited to speak  7 times in their two-day ladies’ Conference. I have not stopped talking about that amazing work since I returned home. The young pastor, Pastor Ivan Sotelo, and his beautiful wife, Eunice, have four precious children. They have taken in three more children, who are siblings. Their parents are serving time in prison, and to rescue them they took them into their own home. They call them “Daddy and Mama.” 

On the plane coming home, I sat beside a very friendly lady. I discovered that she works in government, and was returning home from a meeting she had the day before with our lady mayor. I invited her to our ladies’ events, and she has kept in touch through texting. 

During my absence, our church here had a three-day conference. Twenty people were saved, and another 20 came forward for special service for the Lord. 

At our Prayer Breakfast May 29, there were three ladies present from the police force; one of them accepted Christ; another one was at church that night.

May God fill your life with amazing unexpected blessings!

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - April 2019

Greetings from the state of Nevada, where I am enjoying a visit with my daughter, Ruthie, and her husband Steve Miller, and their 8 precious children.  I enjoyed attending the Victory Baptist Church yesterday, where Steve is pastor. I was fed spiritually through his teaching and preaching; and then rejoiced with them as he baptized a young couple, who are “on fire for the Lord.”

My ladies’ ministries, which I love, keep me busy, and often on the go. 0n February 2, I enjoyed taking a road trip with my daughter, Anna and her family. We were invited to speak at a ladies’ conference in a church about 2 hours away.   The pastor’s wife, Xiclaly was the perfect hostess, and I was so touched by their faithfulness, although they meet practically in the open, with only a fence for walls. The Conference was crowned with three ladies being saved when Anna gave the invitation. 

What a happy reunion I had with my daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Ulises Martínez, and their three precious children on February 5, when they returned from Israel.  Five days later, I went for a visit to Ixtapa, and got to teach their ladies’ Sunday school class. I am amazed at how the work has not only remained faithful, but has grown by leaps and bounds during their absence. They recently ordained two more pastors. The purpose of this visit was to attend the baptism of my 6 year-old granddaughter, Emily. The pastor whom Ulises trained, baptized an Indian man who is 111 years old. His testimony was translated from his dialect to Spanish. When the pastor asked him where he was going when he died, he raised both hands and said, “I’m going to walk on streets of gold.” 

Their desire is to return to Israel in May. Please pray that the Lord will provide the visas they have applied for, and money for their plane tickets.  Thank you for your prayers.

February 18-21 I was invited to speak to two different ladies’ sessions in the Fires of Evangelism Conference at Mount Hebron near Monterrey, where my nephew, Jonathan Ashcraft is pastor.  He was also my soul winning partner on Wednesday, and he won 2 men to the Lord. The last night of the conference 37 people surrendered to serve the Lord. 

The day after I returned home was our monthly visit to the Nursing Home. There were two precious people saved. 

March 1, I traveled to California, and spoke to the ladies in the Hispanic Conference in the Church where my son, David is pastor.  I was asked to share my testimony on Wednesday night. 

Then I traveled to Dallas. Joshua Baptist Church, Pastor Gene Wolfenbarger, has supported me for almost as long as I have been a widow. March 9, I spoke at the Ladies’ Conference in their Spanish Church, with Pastor Jorge Franco. When I gave the invitation, a precious mother-to-be was saved. 

That afternoon, my daughter, Sarah, and her four daughters drove me to Gainesville, where Pastor Omar Vera is pastor of the Hispanic Fundamental Baptist Church. The next morning I taught the ladies’ Sunday school class, and again that evening. Pastor Vera spoke with me after the evening service, and their church is going to pay the plane ticket for our Banquet speaker this year. “Thank you, Pastor!”

I am so thankful for the blessing of being able to mix ministry trips with time with my children. Once again, the Immanuel Baptist Church in Decatur, TX, hosted our Family Reunion this year. Pastor Horton, and his precious wife, Joyce and the members outdid themselves, providing not only lodging in their beautiful “Mission Mansion,” but since it was Spring Break, we were also able to use the Christian School Facilities. “Thank you, Pastor Horton!”

From there I traveled to Chaparral, NM, as I do every year, and enjoyed family/ministry time with my son, Joel, Margaret and Alyssa. This year was a little different, because Desi is in Bible College in California. She is an excellent student, and her family is adjusting very well to her not being home. I was honored, not only to be able to play the piano for the services of Living Water Baptist Church, but also I taught twice: to the Hispanic ladies, and to the English-speaking ladies. It was so special for me to get to attend their two different nursing home ministries. I am amazed at how different Nursing Homes in the USA are to those in México. The people are just as precious. But it seems that the elderly people in the USA are more familiar with church services, and many of them have been Christians for years. It delighted me to see them clapping and lifting their hands when they get happy during a song. 

I do not know what God could do for me more than He already has done, to show His love for me every single day! I’m sure you will agree.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - December 2018

I’d better jump right into this letter. So many exciting things that have happened over the past two months. 

This is a missionary prayer letter, so you are expecting to hear about souls that have been saved: Number One at the top of my list has to be my 6 year-old grandson, Joshua Andrew Miller who was saved on October 7. I pray the Lord will give wisdom to Steve and Ruthie to raise him so that God can use his life in a very unique way. I know just as precious to the Lord is Gabriela, a nurse who was saved at our Nursing Home visit on October 27, when one of the ladies led her to the Lord. The next morning, Claudia was saved when I gave the invitation after teaching my Sunday school class. On November 4, there were 5 saved in the Sunday morning service, and the special thing about Miriam’s Salvation is that she is the Mom of one of our Vacation Bible School students. The following Sunday, 3 more precious souls were saved. 

I was honored to be the guest speaker at a local Baptist Church, where the ladies were celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their ladies’ meeting. 

I know I say this every year, but if you base our Banquets on the attendance, this really was the best one of the twenty. Although there was a record attendance of 129 ladies, what made this Banquet so wonderful were the 15 ladies who were saved following Pastor Alejandro Ramírez’ sermon. Please pray for the ladies and me, as we do follow-up work. I pray the Lord will use these ladies to win others. Among our special First Ladies, was a judge from a nearby town. This was her first time to attend. 

Two days after the Banquet, we drove to Ixtapa, where I attended the Annual Conference in the Church that my son in law, Ulises Martínez started. I was invited to speak to the Ladies’ that Sunday morning. The next evening after the last service, there was a Banquet…actually an annual event that Ulises started 8 years ago, thanking the Lord for my 58 years of living in México. I was overwhelmed as I was lavished with so much love and gifts, and bouquets from the ladies. Although Ulises is in Israel, the different churches he started continue to thrive under the ministries of the men he trained. 

One of the many joys of devoting our lives to helping young people is seeing them fall in love and marry. Esteban is a result of the boys’ home ministry my husband started years ago. He is such a fine young man, and faithful to the Lord. Anai was just a little girl when her family started attending our church. She works in the music department, and teaches children. They were married here in our church on November 23. I pray God will use their lives to bring others to Him. 

Although this is my Christmas prayer letter, since I won’t be writing my next letter until February of 2019, I have been thinking about all the dreams and plans I have for my different ministries next year. I hope your year will be full of dreams come true, and excitement as God helps you to achieve your goals for Him. 

Your friend,
Billie Sloan
Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - October 2018

Does your life sometimes seem humdrum…even your ministry? Well, I’ll have to admit things can get pretty routine for me. But then God does something which seems to add meaning to the ordinary things I do: like our ladies’ monthly visits to the nursing home. Sometimes I sit and watch as our ladies pour out their hearts into teaching these old people, and then serving them refreshments, and I wonder, “How much do they really understand?” Until something happens like it did last Saturday, when one of our ladies told me, “Don Anselmo died since our last visit.” Of course my question was, “Was he saved?” “Yes, he was.” I don’t have to tell you, that ministry has taken on a whole new meaning, and encourages me to just stay faithful. 

Our church is going full speed ahead. I can hardly keep up with all the plans our young Pastor Albino has, and his vision for the work here. We had a Big Day on August 5, and there were 5 people saved. A couple of weeks later another lady was saved. Our pastor also puts lots of time into the village work that my husband started many years ago. On a visit to Chalchihuitan where Indian Pastor Sebastian works, there were 23 saved in that meeting on August 24, when Pastor Albino gave the invitation. 

I love teaching my Sunday school class more and more every week. On September 9, a young mother was saved when I gave the invitation. 

God pampers me sometimes. I got to speak at the first Ladies’ Conference at Mount Hebron, in Monterrey on September 14 and 15, where my nephew Jonathan Ashcraft is pastor. His wife, Jenny, asked me to be the speaker, and what a wonderful time I had teaching over 100 ladies. I was honored to get to speak 5 times, including the ladies’ Sunday school class on Sunday. And needless to say, it was a special treat getting to spend family time with Jonathan and Jenny, and their 4 precious children. 

Now, I have saved the most wonderful news for last. Although this is a Mimi Moment, I know you will rejoice with me: my 6 year-old granddaughter Emily Ruth was saved at the Garden Tomb on September 7, after her Daddy, Ulises Martínez, preached on The Sound of the Trumpet, and then gave the invitation. Please pray for the Lord to use her life in a very unique way; and that God would bless the ministry of Ulises and Elizabeth as our ambassadors to Israel. 

I hope the Lord will add some spice to your routine today. 

Your friend,
Billie Sloan
Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - August 2018

You never know when surprise blessings will show up! Like getting to speak to a young Hispanic druggie about the Lord in Mississippi while out soul winning with my son in law, Jason Knabb’s church; and having Marcos listen to me; or getting to attend a concert at the end of a 4-day Music camp, and hear five of my grandchildren perform. 

 And then, there are the ones we pray for: like “Father, help me to be a blessing to the ladies where I will be speaking.” This is the prayer I pray everywhere I am invited to speak. Tradition, mainly helps me to look forward to the Spanish Family Conference in Bartlett, IL, near Chicago, where Pastor Elmer Fernández has invited me for the past eleven years. I believe the Lord answered my prayer during the 8 different times I spoke, including a Sunday school class of single Moms. But really, I am the one who is always challenged and blessed. The special thing about this conference, was getting to spend those days with my brother, Tommy Ashcraft. It is so rare that our paths cross during our travels, so this was a special surprise blessing. 

Our monthly Prayer Breakfasts continue to be well attended, mainly by lost ladies, but also by nearby pastors’ and missionaries’ wives, and ladies from our church. On July 25, when I gave the invitation, a nurse who was invited by one of the ladies in our church, was saved. 

If you have ever heard of Bro. Jimmy Adams, I’m sure you will agree with me that he has a passion for lost souls. He was a blessing to our church here July 6- 7, as he conducted a weekend Personal Evangelism Conference. Having lived on the mission field in México, and traveling to many Hispanic countries, he is fluent in Spanish. I, for one, was challenged to be more faithful in witnessing. 

 Two days after our conference was one of the highlights of the year in my ministry: our Vacation Bible School. I certainly do not do half the work that is required; but I do get to lead the opening exercise, sing with the children while playing my accordion; and then teach a lesson, and give the invitation. After crafts and games, the children get another opportunity to be saved since we always end each day with a Gospel message preached by the Pastor, or one of the men in the church. This year I am delighted to report that we had 12 children over the age of 7 to come forward for Salvation, and twenty-six little ones who didn’t quite understand. However the teachers spoke with them, also. 

At our last monthly visit to the Nursing Home, two elderly people, and a nurse on the staff were saved. Another surprise blessing! 

A blessing? As a mother, not entirely. But for my children, Ulises and Elizabeth Martínez, and their 3 children, definitely! A dream came true for them on July 25, as they landed in Tel Aviv, Israel to serve the Lord as His Ambassadors. I miss those surprise visits from their little village, just an hour away from here. But I’m surprisingly being blessed by knowing that “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” and that they are fulfilling God’s will. 

I hope God has many surprise blessings in store for you these next two months. 

Your friend,
Billie Sloan
Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - June 2018

I’m sitting here in my office at home, and just changed my calendar to the month of June: time to let my friends know what has been going on…mission-work-wise…in my life the past two months. They have been busy ones, and there’s not much of a prospect of it slowing down for a while.

I returned home from my travels the first of April, and was honored to be the speaker for a Thanksgiving service for a lady who has survived a two-year battle with cancer. She was saved several years ago at our Ladies’ Christmas Banquet. 

Five days later, I flew to Monterrey, to attend the funeral of my sister in law, Brenda Ashcraft. While it was a blessing getting to spend time with my brother, Tommy, and his children and grandchildren, and my son, David, there was a cloud of sorrow that seemed to hang over us as we left the cemetery. But our comfort comes in knowing we’ll see her again someday in Heaven.

There is an Indian lady in our church, Micaela, who has a heart for lost souls. She recently accompanied her son in law, who is our pastor, and a group from the church to an Indian village, and taught a ladies’ class. I pray the Lord will continue to use her.

It isn’t often that I get to teach in English, but my daughter, Ruth Miller, invited me to speak at their Mother-Daughter luncheon in Fallon, NV on May 28. And what a special treat getting to see my friend, Cathy Flores, who also spoke, and sang.

From there I flew to Phoenix, AZ. Mrs. Esther Rubio, Pastor Steven Rubio’s wife, invited me to speak at their two-day Mother-Daughter Conference. I spoke 3 times, and taught the Ladies’ Sunday school class. Pastor Rubio also had me give my testimony that Sunday morning. 

Back home on the 7th and I spoke at our Mother-Daughter Banquet on the 11^th. I gave the Plan of Salvation and an invitation. Although no one was saved, I know the seed was planted.

Pastor Albino has baptized three converts in the past month, including a young lady who was saved in the Conference hosted by our church. The first night there were over 400 in attendance. Over 30 people came forward for Salvation. 

Pastor Albino was invited to preach to a group of people a couple of hours from here, and an entire family was saved.

At our monthly Prayer Breakfast last Wednesday, there were five women from the police force who attended. When I gave the invitation, one of them was saved. Thank the Lord!

A lady in our church here recently came up to me and said, “Sister, the Lord takes such good care of you.” And I couldn’t agree more. I’m not a pioneer missionary, but there are times that I must put myself at risk, knowing that I’m doing the Lord’s will, and that He will protect and provide. And He does!

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - April 2018

If you could have lined us all up on the same day, there would have been 46 of us. That was the number of my children and their families who attended our family reunion on March 12-19 in Decatur, TX. We had a wonderful time. Thank you to the Immanuel Baptist Church, and Pastor Louis Horton, who opened the mission house to us. Since it was Spring Break, we were able to use their beautiful educational facilities, complete with gymnasium, and kitchen. It was my privilege to teach the ladies on Sunday evening.

The ministry that my husband started back in the 70’s continues to flourish. Pastor Sebastian heads up the work in Chalchihuitán, and the men in the church here attended their Conference on February 10. Ten precious souls were saved! The next day, a family joined the Church here.

It was an honor to be able to participate in the Mount Hebron Conference February 19-22. Besides the joy of teaching three ladies sessions, I got to win a beautiful young lady to the Lord during soul willing after the morning session on Wednesday. And of course, the preaching was challenging. The “icing on the cake” was getting to spend special family time with my nephew, Pastor Jonathan Ashcraft, and his wife, Jenny and their 4 precious children; and then seeing 51 people lined up on the platform after the last invitation, surrendering to full time service!

The morning after returning home, the ladies and I made our monthly visit to the nursing home. We were saddened to hear that one of the residents, Dwoña Fulvia, had passed away. But what a comfort when one of the ladies said that she had won her to the Lord in one of our previous visits.

March 2, I traveled with Ulises and Elizabeth and their children to San Francisco, CA to participate in the Annual Workers’ Conference of the North Valley Baptist Spanish Church, where my son, David is pastor. I had a wonderful time teaching 2 sessions.

From there, we traveled to Dallas, TX on the 9 th to participate in the Spanish Mission Conference of the Fundamental Baptist Church in Gainesville, TX, with Pastor Omar Vera. I was asked to give my testimony the last night of the conference. After our family reunion in Decatur, I flew to El Paso to be with my son Joel, and Margaret and their two daughters.

I was able to speak a total of 15 times to different ladies’ sessions while I was away.

During my 2-week visit in El Paso, Joel and Margaret drove me to Lubbock, TX, so that I could be with my brother, Tommy Ashcraft and his family. I was looking forward to spending special time with my sister in law, Brenda, but on Easter morning, at 9:32, the Lord took her to Heaven. While our hearts are heavy, we know that her many years of suffering are over, and she’s in the presence of the Lord. Heaven just keeps getting sweeter.

Your friend,

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - February 2018

Lots and lots of changes have taken place in my life since my last prayer letter.  I'm sure you've already noticed a major one if you saw my prayer head.  While I tend to rebel against change, I'm sure the ones taking place in my life right now are for my good, and for the good of so many others.

My home Church, Windsor Hills Baptist Church, recently changed not only its location, but also its name to Higher Plain Baptist Church.  Please notice, also the change in the address and phone number.  But thank the Lord, my Pastor is still Bro. Tom Vineyard.  And our doctrine hasn't changed.

The church here continues to grow.  There have been people saved through our bus routes and regular church services.  On December 15 and 16 at our Youth Conference here, there were 12 young people saved.  A lady was saved when I gave the invitation in my Sunday school class on Christmas Eve.

Our New Year's Eve Sunday morning service was held on the property where our new church building is being constructed.  The men are working very hard, in order to have it ready to move into by May.  So, it looks like another big change lies ahead.  For 34 years our church, which was started in our living room, has been on our property.  I'm preparing myself emotionally for this wonderful change, which means progress in the Lord's work.

We had our first Ladies' Prayer Breakfast of the year on January 31.  The wife of our City Mayor was present.  Since she became First Lady of our town, she hasn't missed one of our Ladies' Christmas Banquets; and she almost never misses a Prayer Breakfast.  She has been attending some of our services, and is hungry for the teaching and preaching of the Word.  She was saved in a Baptist church, but attends another church with her husband. 

Our speaker for our Prayer Breakfast was my daughter, Elizabeth Martinez.  Please keep her and Ulises in your prayers, as they will be departing for the USA in a few days, and continuing their deputation as missionaries to Israel.

I will soon begin my travels for the year.  While it is an honor to be invited to speak to ladies in different conferences, my heart is here.  The only reason I ever leave home is the hope that I can be a blessing to other ladies.

May the Lord help us to keep our focus on Him.

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7

Prayer Letter - December 2017

Is it possible that another year is coming to an end? I hope you can look back over the past 12 months, the blessings and tragedies, the failures and victories, and pray as I do every year about this time: “Lord, help me to learn something through each of them.”

On October 12 I traveled to San Francisco, CA to attend a Mission Conference in the North Valley Baptist Spanish Church, where my son, David is pastor. My son in law, Ulises Martínez, was the speaker for that Conference. He and my daughter, Elizabeth, are doing deputation in preparation to go to Israel as missionaries. While I was there, I was honored to speak twice to my daughter in law, Jolene’s College ladies’ classes.

On the 19th, I flew to Portland, OR where my  friend, Cathy Flores met me at the airport.  I got to speak 7 times in their Ladies’ Conference, and after one of the sessions when I gave the invitation, a young lady was saved. An added fun part of that trip was getting to spend time with my nephew, Jonathan Ashcraft’s wife, Jenny, who was also one of the speakers, and their precious baby girl, Megan Georgiana. “Thank you, Lord for allowing me to mix family time with my ministry.”

At our last Prayer Breakfast of the year, on October 25, there was another lady saved.

I know many of you are anxious to hear the results of our Annual Ladies’ Christmas Banquet on November 17. One hundred ladies signed our guest book. My son in law, Ulises, did an amazing job as he spoke, and 6 precious ladies were saved when he gave the invitation…one of them the wife of a former mayor of our city. Thank you for your prayers, and financial contributions to this event!

November 20-22 found me in Ixtapa, where I participated in the Pastors’ Conference, hosted by the church Ulises founded. I got to teach 2 ladies’ sessions. On the evening of the 22nd, as part of the conference, there was a Thanksgiving Banquet…thanking the Lord for giving me the joy of living in Mexico for 57 years.  Although Ulises is no longer the pastor, an amazing young man whom Ulises won to the Lord and trained, has taken over the ministry there. Ulises and Elizabeth will be here until January, and then they will continue their deputation in the USA.

After teaching the last session of the ladies’ conference in Oregon, on Saturday, the 21st, I turned on my phone, and there was a message from one of my sons: “Dr. Vineyard just passed away.” I couldn’t believe my eyes. How thankful I was, as I remembered back almost 13 years ago, the day after my husband’s funeral. Two of my sons accompanied me as I went in for my appointment with him, just to get some direction for my life as a new widow. I was glad I was doing what he advised me to do: “Billie, put yourself at the disposal of pastors and their wives, to speak to wives and young ladies.” “Thank you, Father, for the life of Dr. Jim Vineyard.”

I am sending a tribute I wrote to my former Pastor, Dr. Jim Vineyard, written almost 11 years ago, just before his surgery. (Click here to read.)

Your friend,

Billie Sloan

Nahum 1:7