Seven years are up, WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO WITH THE BODY? As Jeff and I walked through the cemetery, we noticed several empty tombs with the head stone painted over. These gaping holes in the ground were waiting for new occupants as the rental had run out on the former occupants, and family members had not renewed the contract for another seven years. Old, rusty coffins were piled in mounds waiting for disposal. They looked like props from a horror movie. It was a different experience for Jeff, who was used to well-kept lawns in perpetual care cemeteries. It was good for me to see things through Jeff's eyes. I saw things that through the years my eyes had become accustomed to and no longer really saw. Our time together led to some blessing filled talks about cultural differences and Christ-centeredness. It really doesn't matter whether my body is placed in a grave where people will be able to read my name and wonder about me 100 years from now, or if a spot is rented for seven years, then my bones are burned. I'll not be there in either case, for my life - real life - is not bound to this body, but rather to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The women will finish the study on GRACE in about a month. We hope to consolidate the current men's study and the ladies' study into one midweek Bible study, to make another day available for new study groups. The study with Refugio, Norma and family is going well. Norma, especially, shows a great deal of interest. Refugio also enjoys the study time, but has a hard time refusing friends' invitations to a bit of "refreshment" which often leaves him groggy. Jim is trying to establish a friendship with Refugio, which will give him a healthy alternative to being with drinking buddies. 

We will be beginning a NEW ENDEAVOR on August 8th. Maria Elena Gutierrez will be coming to live with us for a year. We have known Elena since she was about two years old (she's 20 now) and have been "grandma and grandpa" to her and her brother and sister since she was three. Elena is an engineering student in Mexico City and has decided to take a year off to deepen her walk with the Lord. She asked if she could come for a year of discipling, before returning to the university. We are preparing four basic courses for this year. Each geared to deepen her walk with our Lord. She has a good basic knowledge of the Bible, so rather than reteach what she knows, we will concentrate on deepening her intimacy with the Lord, so she can stand firm wherever, whenever, and in whatever circumstance. Elena will be a real blessing in the youth group and Bible School, as she improves her teaching skills under Peg's tutorship 
 

TWENTY-SIX MAN HOURS of preparation were needed for the TWO HOUR Passover/Ceder meal we celebrated with 20 Christians in April. What a blessing to go step by step through the Passover meal, recognizing God's teaching about His Son and His mission through this tremendous, five-sense object lesson. A lot of work, but worth it all!

GOD BE WITH YOU, ALEX. Alejandro Duran finished his year's internship with us the end of May. Since Alex enjoyed the beach so much, but rarely got to go, we planned a "farewell" party on the beach for his last Saturday here.  We will miss Alex, but his zealous sharing of the Word will remain with us forever. Our prayers go with Alex as he enters another field of service for the Master and finishes his schooling.

Peg is finishing her first year at the American School of Tampico Language Institute as coordinator of the adult department. She works part time, and has really enjoyed the challenge. This job has provided us with the additional blessing of major medical insurance for both of us. Her premium is covered by the Institute, and mine is only $50.00 per month through their family plan. We thank God for His provision. 

NEW HEART - OLD BODY: Our Nissan had a "heart transplant" in June. We hadn't planned it, didn't want it, but as often happens, we had no choice.  As Jeff and I were making a quick run to the border, we ran into trouble.  About 40 miles south of Reynosa, the engine blew. We caught a  ride on a passing bus into Reynosa, and got a tow truck to haul our sick vehicle into the mechanic's shop. It was going to take about a week to get and install a new engine, so Jeff and I crossed the border, took care of some business, then returned to Tampico on a bus. The next week I went up alone to bring the car back. Our Nissan's new heart cost $1,500.00 (dollars). Phew!  Oops! News Flash!  A bus just rear-ended us returning from a Bible study. We're fine, but no transportation during repairs. 

ILLEGAL ALIEN: When Jeff and I crossed the border, Jeff turned in his tourist papers, which is the correct procedure. When we returned, we were going to get his new permit at the bus station. The module was closed because the agent had gone home sick. No problem, we were told, we could get the papers at the 26 km. checkpoint. But at the 26, the agents waved the bus through and didn't give us the opportunity to get his papers. So.... Jeff arrived back in Tampico, a true wetback; an illegal alien. We went downtown to the immigration offices twice, but couldn't get anyone to take care of us. The business administrator of the Language Institute went down with some paperwork from the Institute, and did us the favor of checking on what we would have to do to get Jeff legalized. To make a long story a bit shorter, he would have to fill out a lot of forms, file claims, submit notarized explanations, then they would decide what to allow. He would be fined a minimum of $100.00 and probably more. Plus, there was no assurance the whole procedure would be finished by the time he needed to leave Mexico. So, we took another bus ride to Reynosa, leaving at midnight.  We arrived in Reynosa, crossed the bridge, had breakfast at Whataburger and crossed back over into Mexico. Jeff told the immigration official that he needed a permit for just three weeks, as he would be returning to the U.S. the end of July. They gave him a six-month, multiple-entry permit! We walked to the bus station, and were back home in Tampico at 6:00 p.m. What a trip!  Or trips; my third in thirty days! 

COMPUTER  CRISIS (AGAIN). It was so much easier to do without computers before we had one!  Does that make sense? Now that we have a computer, when something goes wrong, it seems to affect many areas of our life and work.  We do our stateside banking through our computer modem.  The banking company upgraded their service for added security, which meant we needed to buy Windows 95 to be able to use the service. On a border trip, we bought the Windows 95 and a 56k modem. We brought them back and installed them in late March. Guess what! The modem wouldn't work! After weeks of frustration as we tried every combination and resolution available, we took it out and reinstalled the old modem. It worked, more-or-less, during the months of April and May. In June we decided to tackle the modem problem once more, and installed the 56k again. Still "No go!" We removed it and reinstalled the old one we had used in April and May. Nope! It wouldn't work even "more-or-less" anymore. Fortunately, we had an even older model in the back of the closet. We pulled it out of retirement, installed it and it's working fine! Goes to show that older equipment, like older people, can often be or have the solution to some difficult problems.

THREE BEAUTIFUL BRIDES have marched down the aisle to join their hearts to three handsome young men in the last three months. Alisa and Alejandro got married in May. Ibonne and Juan were married in June. Keila & Miguel were married in July. Keila was the first one to call us "grandma and grandpa" 25 years ago, then Bonny, and later Alisa. Oh how we love these lovely girls! Pray with us that their marriages will truly reflect the love of our Savior.

SARAH ELIZABETH HOSKEN joined the family on March 3rd in Columbus, Ohio.  She is beautiful, sweet, cheerful  and brings such joy to her family. Big brother, Matthew, loves her dearly, and is proving to be an ideal big brother. Congratulations Jim & Debbie! We ask you to rejoice with us. God is so good! 

A CUSHION  OF  PRAYER  is surrounding Ken and Jodi Hosken thanks to E-mail.  On Monday, July 12th, Jodi, our nurse daughter-in-love, was drawing a blood sample. Upon resheathing the syringe, she accidentally pricked her finger.  The patient's blood sample proved HIV positive. Several more samples have been taken, and all of them are positive. Jodi has begun preventive treatment and counseling with a Christian counselor. We ask you to join the hundreds who are praying for Jodi, asking that God will protect this young family from any evil consequences from this accident. Ken and Jodi are expecting their second child in December. Ken is in his last year at Ozark Christian College, and they plan on entering the youth ministry  in Mexico when he graduates. 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1.    "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust .  Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart'."  Psalm 91:2-4. NIV