A BRUTAL YEAR: 1952

1 Samuel 30:24

THE MEXICAN INDIAN MISSION BULLETIN

“For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.”


I am so grateful for my unsaved at the time, maternal grandparents who had the foresight to save every MEXICAN INDIAN BULLETIN from the first one in 1948 to the last ones in the 1960's, although somewhat battered, cut up, and pieced together, it has allowed me to catch glimpses of what transpired during Dad's and Mother's first years in Mexico through others.  It is very touching to think that Grandpa and Grandma touched and read those very same bulletins.  Even to entertain the thought that they could have been inspired by some of the stories to lead them to the Lord.

Grandma & Grandpa Wedgwood

After they came to the Lord, they became  ardent supporters and prayer warriors.

In a greetings to the Prayer Partners Everywhere:
"More than you can know, we do appreciate how you are holding the ropes for us while we toil in the dark mines below, seeking to rescue these lost Indians for Christ.
To realize that you are doing for us just what Aaron and Hur did for Moses gives us deep and lasing inspiration to do our best to bring these lost sheep home to Christ.
I wish I could impress on you the far reaching ministry which God has given you in praying for us.  I believe it is the most powerful agency God has placed in your hands and mine, that of intercession for the lost and for those of His sheep who may have lost fellowship with Him....we want you to understand how deeply we appreciate what you are doing for us.  You will remember what David said, "As his part is that goeth down to battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff."
When you and we gather about the feet of Jesus and He recognizes the ministry we gave Him on earth, and when He comes to tell us of the Indian souls who have been won, don't forget that you will share in a large measure in any reward given, for that is exactly what David was  saying.  As is our part in seeking those lost souls, so shall be your part when He comes to make up his jewels."  ~J.G.Dale, MIM bulletin Nov./Dec.1949

"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." — Nate Saint, missionary martyr

The year 1952 was a brutal year for the MIM.  There were days of discouragement and oppression from the enemy.  There was much sickness, loss of workers, both foreign and national in persecutions.  (Edith Van Reeds passing)EDITH VAN REED click here
"There have been times when we have felt that we could stand no more and yet, so close has been the presence of our great God through it all that we dared not complain.  We could only cast ourselves and our burdens upon Him and wait upon Him.  And so we look back, we can testify with full assurance that our Heavenly Father has indeed been "our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."
We rejoice in Him, knowing that all things indeed work together for good to them that love Him, even those things that cause the deepest pain."  ~MIM Year-end-Reflections by Bernice I. Ouren  Oct/Nov/Dec, 1952

 

Don Ricardo Garcia

Several Evangelists had been lost to the work, and some of them have departed on ungodly paths.
Dad's ministry companion of two years, DON RICARDO, was suddenly taken away to Glory.  (Sobering thought, Dad was not on this visit to that village that day.)A Veteran of the Mexican Revolution ~click here
"A prince in Israel has fallen."  Three nights ago, on Sunday, Oct.19, Sr. Ricardo Garcia, one of our outstanding evangelists, was holding a service in the little congregation of C--in the State of Hidalgo.  Two other evangelists were with him.
A mob of about thirty fanatics came into the service and announced, they had orders to kill all three evangelists.  They took them off to the woods, along the way drinking whiskey which made them more furious.
For some unknown reason, a soldier let one of the evangelists, Sr. Camilo Ruperto, free.
The second, Sr. Roberto Martinez, was stabbed and beaten, and fell over a precipice.  The next day he made his way to a village not too far away.

The third evangelist, DON RICARDO was in front.  They mistreated him a along the way, recognizing him as the leader.  When he fell, they kicked him.  They beat him, made fun of him, leaving him dead in the woods.  Evangelical friends nearby heard of this, took his body and gave it a decent burial, and advised us of what happened.
For 20 years Ricardo had been associated with us in our work with the Indians.
He was once a soldier, and had run the scale of sin to the last notch.  Then he decided to drown his wife in the river, and kill himself.  She escaped, and though he cut his throat, he did not die.  Another evangelist found him and brought him to Christ, and from then on like a flaming torch Ricardo had served the Lord.

Evangelist Camilo Ruperto,persecuted,threatened, jailed, former alcoholic, popular pagan dancer, turned aggressive Christian

He was well-known throughout our entire mission in the five states where we have work.
His love able spirit, his good common sense, and his unflagging zeal made him a prince in Israel.  His Home going has left a wide, wide gap and we are wondering if it will ever be filled.  We know that Moses goes and Joshua takes his place.  His passing has left the entire mission in mourning."  ~MIM Bulletin, 1952 by Dr. James G. Dale.

Don Ricardo on the trail

Don Ricardo Baptismal Service

Excerpts from a letter written by Don Ricardo, June 22, 1948 translated from Spanish:
Through this letter we greet you affectionately.  This month we have had very encouraging experiences.  It would be tiring to relate them in detail, so we will have to omit some things of interest.  At the beginning of the month we went to H--and were able to place three NT in a home there.
The people listened with much pleasure when we explained the gospel to them.  While we were preaching to them in the house of one of the villagers, the local priest passed by, and remaining standing on the street corner, listening.  After a long while he addressed himself to two men who were in the back of the audience and told them that they should not permit us to propagate our message and literature there because we were bad people.  One of the men replied: "But the first one who has deceived us is the priest."  Poor priest! and the man who spoke to him was an Indian!  The lady of the house where we conducted the service was not at all intimidated by the priest.

Don Ricardo

Ricardo & Marcia Garcia with daughter, Ofelia

On the 10th, we spoke to a man who on other occasions had paid no attention to what we told him.  This day, however, the divine light struck him in full and he was awakened and we believe he was truly converted.  He invited us to his village to speak to his wife.  We had prayer together before he returned to his home, and he himself prayed, surrenering his life to the Lord Jesus Christ....  ~Your brother in Christ, Ricardo and Marcia Garcia


"We share with you the following extracts translated from a report sent into the field headquarters by Ricardo Garcia, Aztec Evangelist of the Mexican Indian Mission.":

"Some of the brethren are suffering at the hands of the Catholics: one family in whose house we have sometimes gathered to teach them some hymns, and verses of the Bible, receive insults from the enemies.  When these brethren sing, stones are thrown at their house and many of the roof tiles have been broken.  They threaten to throw them out of the village, to force them to sell their lots and home, and they try to force the father of the family to drink whiskey.
The women with whom the mother used to drink bothered her very much but in spite of it all, the brethren remain firm in the Lord.
It seems that for the present the Lord is manifesting Himself with more power, for they not only listen with pleasure to the Word, but when we go to their houses of visit them, they are very grateful and give us little gifts such as an egg, little corn, beans, or some other thing.

Don Ricardo officiated at my baby dedication ceremony, Oct.9,1949 in Zapotitlan

One man asked us to go to his house to do a rosary, but when we explained that we only teach the Word of God, he said, 'Well pardon me.  I do not know how to say it, but what I want is that you go to my house in order that my wife, who cannot walk far, may hear."

Evangelist Luis Villanueva

Persecutions continued in 1951 also
While in route  to a day of prayer, Evangelist Luis Villanueva was attacked by a soldier with a knife.  The knife was aimed at his heart, but his arm deflected it and his life was spared.

Don Ricardo with this wife Marcia & daughter Ofelia

Even Dad's life was threatened.  He was advised to leave the country for a short period of time which he did, leaving us in Zapotitlan under protection of soldiers from the county seat.

This was also the year that Dr. Robert C. McQuilkin passed away.  He was closely associated with the MIM and everyone felt his enthusiasm.  He was the first chairman of our home council.





 

"LIVE SO AS TO BE MISSED."

Miss Edith Van Reed on a hired horse~photo taken while at Ediger post.

After an 18 hour trip from Laredo, The Transportes Del Norte pulled up to the Tamazunchale bus depot, on a late Sunday evening.  It was a hot, humid, rainy, soggy, summer night , July 24, 1948.
To their horror upon arrival, they found the three steamer trunks, their carefully packed five years of living supplies lying outside the bus depot in six inches of water.
  Dad said his heart sunk at that sight and immediately set out to quickly move them to their prepared living quarters.  The Lord graciously kept the precious contents safe and dry to his relief.
Miss Edith Van Reed, one of the nurses, had met them at the depot.  She was the first official person to welcome them as missionaries to Mexico.
Dad and Mother found themselves at 300  ft. sea level, along the Moctezuma River and between two mountains to spend a year in language studies.
   After eight months of intense culture and language emersion, they were given permission to move to the more favorable climate of the city of Puebla to await my arrival.
Miss Edith Van Reed’s life would intersect  with ours on several occasions, 1949- April 29,1952.

Edith Van Reed

Knowing the Spanish language well she endeared herself to all who knew her.  She was a very joyful, pleasant person to be around and everyone at the Hospital in Puebla knew her or of her. She made friends everywhere, inspired, and encouraged those around her.
 She was at the hospital when either I or my first brother were born and she was later assigned to our remote village of Zaptitlan to assist Dad and Mother, teaching first aid, hygiene, and child evangelism for a time.
At other times she assisted other fields, like Tantoyuca where she helped establish a Home for Girls.
She was always willing to do her best for the Lord in spite of all the legal restrictions put on the missions nurses at the time, seeing so much need of, and longed to do but not able to do.
Sadly, on April 29, 1952 “Upon  her arrival at the hospital, in Puebla, the doctors and nurses noticed she was tired.  During examination in the hospital  her heart failed…and she passed into the presence of the Lord.” (MIM Bulletin July/August/Sept. 1952~ Dr.James G.Dale)
The great Scotch, McChenye used to say “LIVE SO AS TO BE MISSED.”  Miss Edith lived that way.

“The trip took 7 1/2 hours on horseback without being able to rest at all by walking a little because of the awfully muddy roads.  It was the second time that I have been on a horse and the first time in 6 years.
We had to take the long way around because the rivers were impassable along the regular trail in the woods.
My big straw hat was a help sometimes to protect my face from the branches but one time a branch suddenly appeared and smacked me in the face…”  (Quote from Miss Edith)

EDITH VAN REED, R.N.

1918-1952

PEPPER PLOTS -CREEPY THINGS-ROYALTY

I spent most of my childhood days(when not at missionary school) romping around the mountain filled with pine trees, spaces of winding paths and trails, open windy patches and random spots of neatly hoed corn rows, hot chili pepper plots, and coffee groves dotting the country side.  One day gleefully sauntering through a pepper plot, the path ran right through it, I picked one and bit in to a very hot chili pepper.  No water and a bit far from home, I kept scraping my tongue with my sleeve.  I believe that is when and where I developed a distaste of the hot and spicy.

THE TEMAZCAL, Steam bath, used by the Indians for relieving tired muscles, etc. One Indian is kneeling by the fire place, the other is standing by the rock entrance to steam chamber

  The town center below and the cottage-like-huts with spirals of smoke also dotted the mountain side,

each one with a temascal, a type of sweat lodge, steam bath used by the indigenous Aztec and Totonoc people.  The entrance looking like an oven.  I found them dreadfully creepy and smelly. Built of rock and cement. You couldn’t stand in them and there is hardly room to sit and yet pregnant women enter them before and after delivery where they were attended by midwives.
"The mother perhaps lying on a straw mat on the dirt floor hut, other members of the family fast asleep on the other side.  Seated the midwife, whose only obstetric education  is that of folk lore and practiced experience. However she is confident of her methods.   They unearth the scissors and string,  Dry the infant with rags lying near by, the cord is cut and tied.  A few drops of lemon juice in the eyes and perhaps a few other gross things are done."  (A shorten, edited version from one of the nurses in a remote village, MIM Bulletin)

 

Becky, at 6 months

A far cry from my 1949 entrance at the Hospital, Latino Americano in Puebla city where one was pampered and Mother was allowed to stay ten days where she was treated like royalty as if she were at some resort.  Dad’s quote “…the hospital stay for Betty and Becky was fit for a queen.”

At the hospital with mother

  Dr Meadows, considered one of the best of doctors in the country, thought it best to keep young missionary mothers who were going out to remote villages some extra time to regain their strength.

Dad with Becky in Zapotitlan

One of the nurses trained at the hospital was Edith Van Reed. (Her story to come in future blog)  She was a very special nurse and a special friend to Dad and Mother those first few years in Mexico.LIVE AS TO BE MISSED: Edith Van Reed click here

IN THE HANDS OF GOD'S CARE

UNDER HIS CARE
In a peculiar way, my mother who never intended to be a “nurse” by default had many opportunities to minister to the physical needs of those who brought their ill loved ones to our house.

Mother

By observation and sheer necessity she learned much from the nurses assigned to Zapotitlan.  When we moved to Cuau, closer to a clinic, the nurses were assigned other remote posts with other missionaries and mother became the “go to Sra. Ediger’s” for minor medical issues.  Don Lorenzo would take the more serious ones in the Jeep or Land Rover into Puebla if available.
I recall my mothers' day being interrupted  many times.  On one occasion an anxious mother rushed up to our house (I was about 10) carrying a toddler in her

 rebozo (shawl).  As she unwrapped the child, the eyes were rolled back and he was limp. Mother took a look and I took off.  I do not recall what transpired next, however, the child may have ingested some poisonous mushrooms.
Mother in turn taught others her limited nursing skills.

Piedad Luiz ,my nanny (left), Maura, Ed's Nanny, Celia & Aurelia

The illnesses of the children were frequently presenting themselves in stomach disorders due to lack of cleanliness on the part of the mothers.  They had difficulty grasping the concept of cleanliness and using clean/boiled water to drink.
Mother would patiently teach our maids and nannies the importance of good hygiene.  As a precaution, she would periodically administer to us kids the most disgusting, horrible tasting parasite medicine I have ever tasted.
No matter how disguised, we would most often vomit that first doze.  It was a putrid orange substance with disgusting  results.
I was not allowed to run around bare foot as parasites can even enter the body by traveling through the bottom of feet.  I have memories of the Mexican rural who ran around bare foot most of the time on occasion digging out a parasite with a hot needle.
Just like the nurses, Mother always carried around an arsenal of the latest medications and knew how and when to administer them along with a prayer.  She could give shots with the swiftness just like those nurses.  In those days one could stock up on medications  at the pharmacy without prescriptions.

BABY SISTER, Emily R.

My sister, a baby at the time, nearly lost her life to malaria.  The mosquitos got through the netting the night we camped out on a remote airfield waiting for the plane to come the next day.MOSQUITOS & MALARIA trip to Mecatlan CLICK HERE
Tommy broke his leg due to my negligence.  I was about 10 and he was a toddler.A BROKEN LEG Click here
Nathan, a pre-schooler, was violently ill with dysentery after having consumed a frozen popsicle made with dirty water. 

NATHAN

On this occasion Mother was in Ixtepec while my Dad had gone to another village and there was no way to contact him.  Mother happened to have her arsenal of the latest and best medication and Nathan pulled through.  We give God all the praise for the healing and the wisdom that was given to my mother on those occasions.  I am sure there were many other occasions not mentioned.

DAD & MOTHER

How we praise God for the many other instances not mentioned, showing His love and mercy and constant presence, protection through out our lives.  In light of all the modern conveniences of today it is hard to comprehend that yes, we really went through all those past events.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS?

The Bell Tower in Zapotitlan, in 1949 & now.

While we lived in Zapotitlan across the street from the tower from 1948-March 1954 and then in Cuautempan through the 1960's the bell tower rang constantly for 48 hours in honor of deceased children (Oct.31) and then the next day (Always on Nov.1) to honor the adult family members that had died, It was DAY OF THE DEAD day.
In Cuautempan we could hear the bells resonating across the valley below.
 In Mexico while I was there, it was mostly celebrated in the rural areas - or countryside, towns, and villages - by indigenous people. Indigenous means those people who have lived there a very long time. Each of the towns or regions may celebrate the day in a slightly different way. For example, some towns may celebrate the day by going to the cemetery and preparing a feast at the gravesite of a relative on the eve of Nov. 2. And the custom of altar-building may differ from one state to another.  It has now morphed to more elaborate celebrations and even spread to other countries.  Almost as if to create another holiday
.  These Bell Towers and the Catholic churches were about 400 yrs. old in the 40's.  They really are quite magnificent to look at.

On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs,  and reminisce about their loved ones.   Food is brought to the cemetery. 

 During Dias De Los Muertos holidays while I was in Mexico,  it was common while walking up a wide trail to come upon a path leading up to a tiny hut.

A typical Indian Home, one of the nicer ones.

  At times, curious to find out what was at the end of that path, I would follow the trail of orange/yellow marigolds leading up to a small clearing amongst a  tall corn field to find a tiny hut up on the hillside.  According to tradition the bright petals from the marigolds help the dead find their way back home for a visit.  Inside those hut homes would be an altar with food and flowers.

The Catholic Church and Bell Tower in Cuautempan view from our house

 The days leading up to the holiday, each family creates a beautiful altar, sometimes referred to as an "ofrenda", or offering in their home. The altars are carefully decorated and covered in gifts. The altar  is lovingly decorated by all family members with pictures of the loved ones that are being remembered and picture of the Guadalupe.

Gifts of  flowers, candles, and more may be placed on the altar. Each item has symbolic value. Some of the deceased's favorite foods,candy, and special pan de muertos,

Tradtional Pan De Muerte

a bread and other items may also be included to honor their memory.  This holiday used to be exclusive to Mexico during the time I lived down there, and mostly celebrated in the rural areas - or countryside, towns, and villages - by" indigenous people. Indigenous means those people who have lived there a very long time. Each of the towns or regions may celebrate the day in a slightly different way. For example, some towns may celebrate the day by going to the cemetery and preparing a feast at the gravesite of a relative on the eve of Nov. 2. And the custom of altar-building may differ from one state to another."
There was much feasting, revelry , and superstition and finding drunken men sleeping it off in the middle of the trail or continuing on up the trail in a drunken stupor and a song.  Rounding a bend of the trail and finding someone sprawled out in the middle or side can be very unnerving to a young girl

On the other hand, significant events to celebrate life of one who was taken prematurly, a young man in his middle 20's, a promising Christian worker.  Dad does not remember his name but God knows. And what person would want to come back to visit if he is in the presence of Jesus celebrating and enjoying the richness that has been offered us.
( We think that this event occurred in 1961.)  
ETERNITY IS A LOOOOOOONG TIME TO BE WRONG!

Funeral Procession in Cuau

The Cemetery in Cuau

Grave side activity

Grave side activity

The finishing touches of the tomb stone

Preparing the resting place.

Tamping it down

The finishing touches

The Tombstone

One of the reasons for sharing these photos was it showed so much of the culture and clothing worn by the poor in those days. 

THE SECOND TIME IS BETTER ~1964

I have an affinity toward celebrating.

I always get excited at finding stories such as the following.  I love celebrating. I love the significance of this day , DIA DE LA BIBLIA, a day set aside to honor God’s Word, was celebrated once a year in the churches around Mexico( while I lived there in my earlier years,) encouraged by the Mexican Bible Society.
Celebrated as another harvest/thanksgiving  day with tamales, chicken soup, mole poblano, and Mexican fried rice, and tortillas.
The church services included a lot of singing and music, and recitations of portions of scripture.  The older young people would recite whole chapters while the younger reciting according to their age.
Everyone was encouraged to buy a Bible if they did not have one, to read it, to memorize it.  Those who were illiterate would put us to shame in the large portions memorized.


“THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT”

  Ps. 119:130 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

One of the most interesting accounts of the power of the Word came from Mexico, John T. Dale who recounted the following about Don Margarito, an Aztec Indian who lived way back up in the remote mountains.
He led a very wretched life.  He was a typical Indian who drank and was vicious with his own family.  He came to Tamazunchale one day because he heard that there were those there who were selling a book, which he heard was the book of the devil.

But his condition was such that he felt that even the devil might have something to offer that might be advantageous to him in his wretched condition.  So he came to Tamazunchale and bought a Bible and went back.

He could read fairly well.  He started reading from Genesis right on through.  He read the Bible through in fifteen days and nights.  Then he said to his wife,  “Now this book is not the book of the devil for there are too many things that speak of God, I am going to read it through a second time.”
He did so in a fifteen day period, and then he said “No the second time is even better.” “ I’m convinced that this is God’s Book.  I’m going to read it through the third time”
In the month and a half, he read it through three times.  All that time of course his crops needed to be harvested and his sons insisted that he needed to be helping but he would not turn it loose.
At the end of the time he said “No this is God’s Book.  Now we are going to live according to the rules of this book.”
“These things (idols) have to come down because you see we should not have any images of gods of any kind.”

Don Ricardo~Evangelist

Some time following the extensive reading of the Word and the subsequent change in the life of this Aztec Indian, another native believer DON RICARDO, our evangelist, visited this village and sought to establish a meeting place.  ~Dr John T. Dale  Jan. 1964

Dr. & Mrs. John T. Dale (Louise)

Dr. Dale was asked later when in his opinion, God brought life to this Indians life to which he replied “My own guess would be he accepted Christ even before Don Ricardo came to visit. 
The change in his life observed both by the family and the entire village would support this contention, beginning the first week of January 1964  The following story was gleaned from someones Grace Journal In Lives Transformed by the Christian Director of Christian Service Dept. at Southeastern Bible College.

Just as a post script to this story:  Each year but not always, the Missionary Conference was held in Tamazunchale.  It was a highlight of our year.  One day I spied an open door and peeked in.  Wide-eyed with awe, I saw thousands of books lined on the walls of Dr. Dale's  library.  I had never before seen so many books in one place.
One day my friend peeked in the window of that library and noticed Dr. Dale walking back & forth-head bent down low. "Daddy, what's he doing," I asked. "That's the way Dr. Dale prays, Honey. He falls asleep if he sits down & he wants to stay awake. He prays for every one of us every day by name & each of our special needs." ~quote from my MK sister S.

Dr. John T. Dale went Home on May 18, 1998 at the age of 92 and Mrs. Louise Dale went Home on Nov. 22, 2007 at the age of 94. They are both buried in the Tahlequah Cemetery

HOSTING THE ANNUAL CONVENTION ~ March 24, 1969

CUAUTEMPAN HOSTS ANNUAL CONVENTION   ~ by Loren and Betty Ediger

Much prayer and planning had been made for the success of the UNION OF MEXICAN EVANGELICAL CHURCES,  When Monday afternoon of March 24th arrived,  all those in charge had eyes glued to the road down the valley to catch first arrivals.

A Street in Tetela ~Dad said one of those buildings was the post office (this slide I scanned could have been reversed so Dad is not recognizing it.  This scene was at the corner of the main intersection that took us straight through town to get us on the road into Cuau  (slide scan)

Some of the delegates, workers, and missionaries arrived in a truck previously chartered by the committee.  Some brave enough came in their own vehicles.  Those who felt more comfortable left their car in Tetela (to some the road from Tetela is known as a "rabbit trail".  Tetela being the end of the gravel and previously traveled, paved highway from the outside.)
The Land Rover made several trips also.

UIEM Convention in Cuauatempan ~March 1969  Dad & Mother next to back right row.  Tommy in first standing row with light hair.  And yes Dad said they all crammed into that church.

From several directions around Cuautempan believers came on foot as well as those who came later in the week.  Some had walked all day through dust and heat to attend the opening service.  Most didn't have the slightest thought that shortly they would be walking through rain and mud.

TETELA ~ Coming in or going out street~ The Land Rover far down the street. (slide scan)

The usual welcomes were given by the local Pastor and the Municipal President, after which missionary Don Harris gave a stirring evangelistic message.

TETELA

Rooms and straw mats were assigned to the visitors, as a dense fog and cold spell settled in on the valley.  Apparently the Lord did not see fit to grant us good weather as the sun refused to shine after that first Monday.  Those who came from hot country were particularly uncomfortable.  The local believers brought out the charcoal warmers to warm cold hands and feet. (many were barefoot).  Every available cotton or serape and blanket were lent by the believers.
In spite of the gloomy weather the Lord blessed the Convention in a very special way.  Brethren, Don Harris, Gilberto Hernandez, and Laurence Engleman gave daily Bible lessons and discussions on the theme "THE CHURCH".

Meals were served under the plastic canopy.  One of the sessions held out side. (slide scan) If you look closely you will find a chicken strutting around hoping to avoid detection.  She might be on the next menu.

Various choral groups brought special numbers which enhanced the services.  Although there were no open professions of faith during the evangelistic meetings, many unbelievers were present for the first time and we feel the seed of God's Word will bear fruit.

FELLOWSHIP TIME  (slide scan)

The climax of Christian fellowship and unity was felt on Sunday when we gathered around the Lord's table.  A quiet, reverent spirit of expectancy was felt as the congregation waited upon the Lord.  This seemed to be a time of preparation for the business sessions.
We praise Him for His guidance during that time and the anticipation it held for all of us in the Lord's work....

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The spiritual highlight of the year among the churches was the annual convention, when delegates, Christian workers, and missionaries from the Mexican Indian Mission from the various posts meet together for a week of Bible conferences, prayer, discussion, encouragement, and fellowship.
It was considered a precious time and is always met with anticipation.  Cottage prayer meetings were held for several months prior.
It took much planning, under Dad's supervision to prepare for a convention in our village, with no community facilities.  Homes were prepared to make room for the 150 invited guests.
Expanding on the theme of THE CHURCH, the daily considerations of the significance of the church in the following categories,  The Character of the Church, The Ministry of the Church, The Resources of the Chruch, and The Future of the Church.
As in our generations today,  they also had the same concerns, troubled times, the experiencing of materialism and self-seeking positions, with resultant factions and divisions, and spiritual lethargy.  ~ Edited  and added to by Becky with gleanings from the MIM bulletin and conversations with Dad, especially to add captions to the photos in more detail.

(It has just dawned on me that this event of major importance in Dad and Mothers life occurred after some of us siblings went to the US to begin J.H. and H.S .  I have alluded to it one of my previous blogs.)