According to Webster, the word "hello" comes from the word "hollo" which is defined as a cry of encouragement or jubilation.  So, let us say once again, HELLO!  We are glad to greet you and hope our letter is an encouragement to you. 

Last summer was a "red-letter" summer as Lupita and Peg took Christian, Nestor and Carlos to camp in July. They arrived at the terminal in Queretaro at 7:00 a.m. after a ten-hour bus ride through the mountains.  In spite of a "chatty" night, the boys were wide awake and eager to get to camp.  Brother Gil Calderon picked them up and since registration wasn't until 3:00 p.m., took them on a tour of the churches in Queretaro.  It was good for Lupita and the boys to see what our small group can one day grow to be.  The boys were particularly fascinated by the baptistry at one of the church sites.  The men of the church have built a cement tank outside the building, just large enough for two people to stand in - the baptizer and the baptized.  They stood and looked at it.  They walked around it.  They looked at it some more, then asked how it works.  You see, the only "baptistry" they had seen before is the Gulf of Mexico, which cannot be walked around. 

What an experience!  All three boys enjoyed camp and hated to see the week draw to a close.  The staff did an excellent job planning and carrying out an inspiring, fun-packed program. Nestor was selected "Camper of the Week" and received a scholarship for next year. Even Lupita and Peg got diplomas for their work in the kitchen. Magdalena Aviña was the head cook. What a fantastic Christian example Magda is! Both ladies were blessed by working with her in the kitchen. 

Most of the camp leaders  (teachers, song leaders and preachers) were campers we watched grow up, face and overcome the trials and temptations of life. It was both fantastic and fun to help in this camp week with so many former campers.  Praise God for their faithfulness! 

The CHRIST IN YOUTH conference was November  20-24.  Eight young people from our area attended. It was held in San Martin de Las Piramides outside Mexico City.  Our young people had never seen the pyramids of Teotihuacan, so along with the fantastic CIY program, they had the chance to see more of their own country.  The trip involved another 10-hour bus ride through the mountains to Mexico City then another 1 1/4 hours to San Martin.  We are becoming seasoned bus riders. But best of all, there were seven decisions made for Christ - five first time and two dedications to Christian service.  Praise the Lord with us! 

Fall classes at the University began on September 1st.  Between us, Peg and I have 75 students this semester. We will  be inviting those in my Upper Intermediate level to English Club at the house.  Two of them were in Peg's class when they were beginners.  We teach four hours daily from Monday through Thursday mornings; therefore we have classroom contact with them 16 hours each week. We are praying the Lord use our time with them to spark an interest in things of Eternal value and not only English. Of those making decisions for Christ in the preceeding paragraph, four were from our university English club. 

"Beware of Evangelicals! They teach that you must be saved and that salvation is only through Jesus Christ - not Mary or the Church." Elsa called to read me this warning from a book she bought at the Catholic book store while she was in Durango. I asked her what her definition of an "evangelical" was, then gave her a few Scriptures to look up in her Catholic Bible.  She came to the conclusion that she too must be an "evangelical"  because her Bible also says that salvation is only through Jesus Christ.  She is struggling. Pray for Elsa & Gregorio. 

Living in this humid coastal area has taught us more about the temporality of "things".  Things that lasted for many years in Mexico City wear out quickly here due to rusting and moisture absorption.  The washing machine, refrigerator and stove we bought three years ago all are rusting in spite of the regular "waxing" we give them.  We will soon have to sand and paint them - something we never had to do to our appliances before.  The bedroom set and entertainment center which had served us so well for many years in Mexico City are deteriorating here because the humidity causes the pressed wood to swell and crumble.  What a contrast between the things of temporal value and those of eternal value.  How grateful I am that our true riches are in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by either rust or humidity. 

I  have been deeply involved (sometimes bogged down)   in translating and teaching some great lessons shared with me by our son Kenneth last Spring. They have been very helpful in cementing the faith and knowledge of the small group of believers meeting in our home on Sundays. I have also been adapting another book for men's studies. Great lessons - a lot of work - but well worth it! 

One of the men in the congregation is facing some real problems. Every time there is a problem in his home or at work, rather than draw closer to those who love him and want to help, he pulls away and hides. I mention Paco to you so you can pray for him.  We love him.  Satan wants to destroy him. Help us through prayer so Paco will have victory and God will receive the glory. 

Problems affect us in different ways. A family we had worked with a while back with no apparent results, has had their own problem. Norma went to Irma for help; Irma said the Lord has the answer and invited her to the Ladies' Bible study. Norma liked it so much she started attending Lord's Day services and inviting and bringing her children, her sisters and their families - about ten in all. They all are interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and His plan for their lives. The problem still exists, but now they have Someone to help them through it. Please pray for this extended family. (Last minute note: Four of these adults have made decisions for Christ and three of those decisions at the CIY conference were their sons'.) 

These problems remind me of what Hudson Taylor said, "It doesn't matter how great the pressure is. What matters is where the pressure lies; whether it comes between me and God or whether it presses me nearer His heart." There's a lesson here for all of us. 

We received word from Alfredo with letters from some Bible Correspondence students.  There were letters from Mexico, the U.S., Chile and Cuba. Some were rejoicing, some asking for spiritual help. We would like to share all of them with you, but that would require that this epistle become a book, so we will only share excerpts from three this month. 

"I'm very content with the course you have sent because I am learning about the Bible and I want to learn even more.  I also want to tell you that my wife, son and I want to be baptized.  We believe in Christ and want to yield our lives to Him."   Eufemio Pacheco Pinacho from Tamazulapan, Oaxaca  

"The book 'The Schoolmaster' is rich in helpful information for the Christian.  The studies I am receiving also are helping me immensely in my spiritual growth and will be a help as I get out of prison.  A few days ago I signed the papers concerning my release.  If God wishes and grants me life, I'll be out in five months.  Thank you for hearing my call and responding to me in this prison.  I thank God for opening wonderful doors through you - doors to a beautiful future for my Christian life."  Jesús Adrían Galicia Mejia from California.   

Juan Gabriel Ramirez Caudillo, recently immersed, writes from Guanajuato: "When you wrote to me, my life was a mess.  I had even contemplated suicide. I was in such a state of depression.  I was without purpose, love, girlfriend or hope.  I felt life wasn't worth living, but now I have hope because I am a CHILD OF HOPE!  Now I know that Christ died for my sins and took my guilt, offering Himself as the sacrifice to save us.  Your letter brought great blessings, because it produced fruit.  It made me think and turn to the Bible.  I am no longer afraid or depressed.  If I die, I know He'll save me.  Now I want to carry on the work of Christ so many more can believe as I do.  I would like to receive more material like you have already sent (tracts and New Testament) to help me grow.  They continue to change me."  

The Bible correspondence school began in November  27 years ago. Since then thousands have come to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, over 100 students have entered full-time Christian service and over 100 new congregations have been planted throughout Mexico. Praise the Lord for these results. 

DENS OF INIQUITY ASK FOR LOWER FINES   SO THEY CAN PAY A YEAR IN ADVANCE! This was the headline that blared at me on the front page of our local paper this morning.  It seems several of the city's "vice" centers, went together and requested lower fines for breaking the "2:00 a.m. closing", "solicitation of services" and other related laws, so they could just pay up a year in advance and not have to worry about the police bothering them every time a complaint was registered.  As ridiculous as it sounds, is it really any different from the attitude of many people toward sin?  We like to keep our pet sins and ease our consciences by writing an extra check to our favorite charity, church, or government official, hoping to chalk up enough points on God's roster so He will just wink at our devilments. (If He won't, maybe at least the politicians will - and they'll deal with God later.) Not so, brother! The price of sin is still death, and only the blood of Christ can wipe out our debt.  He paid in advance that we might live lives free from guilt and condemnation.  The owners of the "dens" want to enjoy the "fruit" of their vices although the law opposes them.  How much better it is to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit, against which there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) 

The Mormons are the fastest growing cult in the area.  Our neighbors are Mormon, and are some of the finest people we know.  They are very earnest, and provide meals for the young, clean-cut missionaries as they "work" our neighborhood.  We have prepared a special sheet showing the contrast between the book of Mormon and the Bible.  I noticed their "elders (?)" talking to other neighbors yesterday afternoon, so last night I went to visit them, too.  We had a good talk, and I left a sheet with them. They asked an interesting question about omens, which allowed me to share some about Christ. 

We are visiting with a lady who is dying of cancer.  She has had repeated surgery to remove tumors from her brain.  The current tumor is very aggressive and the doctors give her a month.  Isn't that a strange way to say it?  The doctors actually "give" her nothing.  God gives time.  Time is His gift to us.  Please pray she will trust Christ with what's left of her life here that she might have LIFE with Him. 

Flor, a professor at the University, was talking with us the other day, and said she would like to have a Bible Study in her home.  She is trying to figure out when she can do it.  She teaches from 8:00 to 2:00, then from 5:00 to 8:00 during the week.  She takes extension courses in her field; prepares classes, and does her homework as well as cares for her home and baby. On Saturdays she does the shopping, pays the bills, etc., and Sunday is dedicated to her husband and baby, along with preparing lessons for the coming school week.  We are going to suggest she take the Bible Correspondence Courses (but we will give them to her directly).  She can study at her leisure and we will provide encouragement. 

While looking up "Pythons" on the Internet, we came across a sad article about "animals' souls, animal angels and other 'spiritual' attributes of our pets". Hmm, while we love our pets and do our best to give them adequate care (even the python we inherited from our son), these New Age philosophies which make animals created by God to be equal to humans made in the likeness of God Himself tend to turn my stomach.  When you find a protest against destroying unhatched blackbird eggs and a march to legalize abortion of human babies reported on the same newspaper page; it confirms what we have already concluded about our nation's twisted value system. 

Hurricane Pauline nearly wiped out the southwestern coast of Mexico. The beautiful port cities of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Acapulco are total disasters.  Our hearts ache as we watch the news and see the devastation. Perhaps all this hurricane means to many in the U.S. is a change in vacation plans, but to those affected, it means a great deal more.  We talked with Benjamin and Mireya by phone this morning.  They live in a high rise mostly occupied by successful business people who have always been very proud of their own ability to forge ahead.  All of them lost their businesses to the raging wind, rain and floods of hurricane Pauline.  They, who before would hardly nod their heads in passing, now openly hug their neighbors and other survivors.  The pride in their eyes has been replaced by anguish and despair.  The neighborhood had a meeting last night, to see where things stand (there was no drinking water - the stores were charging exorbitant prices for any available food - family members are still missing - the terrible stench of decaying animals in the mud river - the health hazards, etc.). One neighbor said, "I had everything under control; I was master of my destiny, and now look!" Ben and Mireya  (his business was also damaged and their apartment flooded) shared the hope they have in Christ with those present.  Mireya shared with a woman who lost everything - home and business - the value of having eternal riches stored in heaven and the danger in making money or possessions your god.  In the twinkling of an eye many people's "god" was destroyed. Ben & Mireya encouraged their neighbors  to put their trust in the only Eternal God. - There have always been natural disasters: hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.  We pray that in these moments of intense suffering, as people recognize their own helplessness, they will turn to the Only One Real Source of strength and help - God. 

You may have noticed that we have a New mailing address. Our P.O. box number is 450 as you will see in the "publication box" on page two (Not included in web version - Email us for the address). We also want to advise you that after 17 years of faithful and very excellent work, Roger and Joan Clark are resigning as  our Forwarding Agents. You may continue to send your contributions to the Madison Ave., Grand Ledge, MI address until new agents are found, trained and a new address is available. 

Don't forget to look for us on the Internet.  You will find our web page at: hosken.com/mccc or http://www.hosken.com/mccc. Our son Jim provides us a web site through his computer consulting company in Columbus, Ohio. 

Christmas is quickly approaching.  May you be filled with awe as you think about God's incomparable Gift.  Because of His Gift, we can also thank Him for each of you.  Without Christ, our lives would never have touched. Remember, "Christ became one of us, so that we could become one of His." May this Christmas message  encourage you to share it now and throughout the New Year. "¡Señor les bendiga ricamente!" (May the Lord richly bless you!) Phil. 1:3-6.