Greetings from an increasingly hot El Salvador! This time of year brings the hottest temperatures of the year to our region. As many of you are still shivering from sub-zero weather, we are wishing there were an air-conditioned room in which to get cool. The ceiling fans are working overtime, and the cool iced water and tea keep us hydrated. In spite of the high temperatures and almost 100% humidity, the evening hours are cool, and we are able to get a good night’s rest.
God has been so good to allow us to see many souls saved during the first two months of the year. Our attendance in Sunday school has also seen an increase. There are several new families attending church regularly. Another great encouraging blessing has been the increase in the Bible institute enrollment this year. Twenty-two students are enrolled and attending classes. Eight are scheduled to graduate at the end of this school year in December.
I would like to tell you about one of the families that has started attending our church recently. Gerardo and Cristina are a young couple who have started attending in the last few months. They started coming to church on a Wednesday evening after Tammie knocked on their door while out soul winning that afternoon. After a few weeks, they were attending all services, and when the new semester started in the Bible institute, Gerardo enrolled to take classes. Both Gerardo and Cristina were saved before they started attending our church. They had been in several different churches, and according to Gerardo’s testimony, he had studied and researched many different denominations and had come to the conclusion that the Baptist church is the one that comes closest to Bible doctrine and practice. He had been praying that God would lead him to a good Baptist church. Six weeks ago Tammie started a new ladies’ soul-winning program on Saturday mornings, and Cristina joined
the small group. When her work schedule does not allow her to go on Saturday mornings, she seeks out a time when Tammie can personally train her and go out with her. They have a refreshing approach to their new Christian life. They actually want to obey God.
Another new couple attending our church has come from a church split that left them in the middle of the battle. The wife was very discouraged. Her husband started coming with their daughters to Sunday school, and soon the wife started attending. It has been wonderful to see them restored to Christian fellowship and to see them enjoying the services and participating wholeheartedly in the church program. They are very interested in soul
winning and evangelizing in the public schools.
Our main outreach efforts in the church are four weekly soul-winning programs and the bus routes. We do not actively seek to bring people to church from other churches, but in these two instances, I am thankful that Gerardo, Cristina, Juan, and Tatiana were able to find a fundamental, independent Baptist church in their city where they can bring their young children to Sunday school, Junior Church, and Wednesday night King’s Kids Club.
We are also excited about the results we have seen in bringing the Gospel to the public schools. Just last week 150 children and young people and 2 teachers from a public school accepted Christ as their Saviour when we went to witness to them in school. Active soul winning in public schools is a great open door here in El Salvador.
Please pray that our church van will soon be repaired. It has been in the shop since the end of December. The engine has been completely overhauled, and a rebuilt starter has been installed. Even so, the mechanic has not been able to get it going. The church van is a great help to us, especially in our soul-winning efforts and on the newest bus route.
Please pray with us and for us as we begin preparations for a pastors’ conference scheduled for September 21-24. We expect no less than 30 Central American pastors to attend. There is much to be done, and we desire that the Lord use us to be a blessing and encouragement to each one of the represented ministries.
We pray for you regularly and appreciate that many of you do the same for us. Thank you for the many cards and emails we receive that are a great encouragement to our family.
Joyfully in His service,
Henry Gonzalez
