Sometimes a missionary can have a hard time writing a prayer letter because the “happenings of the month” may not seem very exciting. This letter is not going to be difficult or challenging. We are very excited about what God is doing here. I hope you are encouraged by this letter.
We are amazed at how God has opened doors to serve in ways we have never been able to before. We are coming in contact with people we’ve never had contact with before.
Oscar pulled up to the front of the church building during Sunday school a few weeks ago. He sauntered in and sat down in the back, asking if he could stay and listen to the lesson. We were delighted to have him. He stayed for the preaching service and after church told me how he had been looking for our kind of church. He was obviously excited about finding a Baptist church with sound doctrine. The next Sunday, he brought his mother, wife, baby, brother-in-law, and nephew. His wife Karen came to Christ on Sunday during the invitation.
On Friday, I received a text from a lady asking for food. We asked her to come to church on Sunday morning, and we would see how we could help her. I asked our church members to bring non-perishable food items on Sunday morning to be a blessing to this family. I was overwhelmed at the amount of food, cleaning supplies, fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, and powdered milk that they brought for a family they had never met. Jesus was glorified and lifted up. Rina, Ezequiel, and their three-year-old son (who loved the nursery) came and enjoyed the services Sunday morning, were showered with Christ’s love, and witnessed to. Ezequiel came to Christ; Rina was already saved. What a blessing it was to be used to be a blessing to them. They have continued attending church for over a month now. Praise the Lord!
Carlos walked in Sunday evening right before church started. He sat down and was greeted by everyone present. During the invitation, Bro. Roberto witnessed to him. He was already saved. He wanted to speak to me. He came because he was thankful to the Lord for answering a specific prayer request. He wanted to give a special thanksgiving offering. He gave $100.00, which is one-third of a month’s salary here! He has been a Baptist for many years, but the church he attended closed down because of the lockdown and has not yet reopened. He lives right down the street from our church and decided to come.
Last Thursday, 24 church members came to go out soul winning, and 14 people were saved. People are going out soul winning now who were not going out before the lockdown. I witnessed to a young man, Jonathan, who promised to come to church on Sunday. He is an accountant and said he was very interested in our church.
Our attendance is growing. We are not yet running our bus routes. Even though we are not bringing in kids on the buses, our attendance has reached the level it was before the lockdown. Only God could do this. We are so grateful for this encouraging aspect of the ministry at this time.
We are in the Hammond, Indiana, area now to attend the graduation of our precious daughter, Brenda Carol, from Hyles-Anderson College. She graduated last Friday from college with a bachelor of science degree. We are very proud of Brenda Carol. She is a reflection of her namesakes, Brenda Ashcraft and Carol Frye Tudor. She reflects her Saviour’s love to others and honors her parents. We admire her steadfast tenacity in staying in college and finishing well. Now we find ourselves in wedding-preparation mode, as she will be marrying AJ King on July 2 in North Carolina. We look forward to welcoming AJ into our family. God has poured out His blessings on our family.
We invite you to come visit the work in El Salvador. Your eyes will affect your heart. You will be challenged to do more for the cause of Christ. You will be a blessing to our family and ministry. If you would like to visit us, please contact me.
Thank you for your faithful prayers. We need them now more than ever. Thank you for generously giving through sacrificial offerings for the work here. Souls are coming to Christ, and lives are being surrendered to God’s will. We delight in seeing fellow Christians being restored to His service. Please continue praying for us.
Joyfully in His service,
Henry Gonzalez
