Bill Baker, 07:26 AM 1/14/99 -0600, Update from the Baker's!

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From: "Bill Baker" <bbaker@delrio.com>
To: "AL Visser" <aIvisser@juno.com>
Cc: "Bill and Carolyn Eagan" <KPCV21B@prodlgy.com>,
"Belinda Landry" <heavnlybodies@juno.com>,
"Bart & Kathy Morse" <bkmorse_99@yahoo.com>,
"Barbie and T.J." <tjbarb@juno.com>,
"Baker, Thomas (Thomas Or Tom), CCARE" <thomasbaker@att.com>,
"Anita Pacheco" <skeeter@email.kcc.edu>,
"Amy Lau" <alau@nechristian.edu>, "Alvin Kuest" <AKuest@aol.com>,
"Alfredo & Lupe Jose" <josegao@mail.giga.com>,
"Albert Schmid" <AlphaAv@aol.com>
Subject: Update from the Baker's!
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1999 07:26:04 -0600
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Dear Friends and Supporters of the Baker Family,
This is a rather lengthiy update, it recaps the progress the Lord has made
through us In our ministry in Dei Rio. i pray that you will enjoy and be
enlightened by It.
Rosa and I picked Dei Rio specifically because the work of the Independant
Christian Churches was very weak that area. Just 60 miles away in Eagle
Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico, our brotherhood has numerous
ministries, a Bible College, an orphanage, several evangelistic ministries
and approximately 20 churches.
Four years ago, we saw potential in Dei Rio/Acuna for the work of the Lord
but, the potential was hidden very deep. God opened doors and we were able
to relocate easily.
We were able to find and finance property easily.
Del Rio had no independent Christian Churches. There were two weak churches
which were affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. Acuna had a small
struggling Christian Church which had history of problems.
I began working on re-establishing a publishing ministry. Through my own
efforts, we made progress in developing the physical facility needed fbr a
printing ministry. But the Lord did not open that door. I kept knocking, but
it appeared to me that in order to get that door open. It was going to be on
my effort alone!
it was then that the Lord began opening other doors for us. I was given the
opportunity to serve as interim pastor at Dei Rio Christian Church, one of
the Disciples of Christ Churches in Dei Rio. Rosa and i continued to work
with First Christian Church, the other Disciples of Christ Church in Dei
Rio. At one point in working with both churches simultaneously, I even had
dreams of getting both churches to reunite their efforts!
Printed for Mission Services Association <mlssion_services@c...
Bill Baker, 07:26 AM 1/14/99 -0600, Update from the Baker'sl
Tliese two churches had a veiy bitter split many years earlier. We were
seeing growth in twth churches. InNovember of 1995, both churches were
scheduled to vote to leave the sciples of Christ on the same day. One vote
was taken, the other was postponed and has yet to be taken.
Following a unanimous vote to leave the disciples, First Christian beganthe
struggleof becoming an Independent Christian Church..
Thedoor openedto a newministry inAcuna. IIbund a small nucleus which
was stmggling to becomea newChristian Church and beganworking and
encouraging them intheir ministry. "They wereworshiping in a pallet,
cardboard and tar paper roomabout 12 X18 feet in size. We have now
relocated them into an unfinished concrete block building which has two
stories a functioning bathroom and a dream ofevangelizing Acuna for Christ.
During the annual meeting ofthe Christian Churches, we werethe only new
independent Christian Church congregation inall ofMexico to receive
certification under Mexican as an official churchi
The church in Acuna sent it's minister (Mario Lara)to Scottsbluff, Nebraska
to be a missionary to the United States! (Thanks to funding bythe Nebraska
Evangelistic Accosiation) He has begun services and the prospect of
establishing a permanent work inSpanishthere is very promising. The
church in Acuna continues to have around 40 in services.
The school situation in Del Riowas deplorable. We had an opportunity to
placeboth FrancesandCaleb ina struggling private Christian School. The
school was Insuch bad shape financially that It could not find a church in
Del Rioveiling to take it over. It had been in three different rented
facilities (all churches) and had created hard feelings with each ofthem.
We were able to start school this fall in our own facility, and are now
debt-free.
First Christian Church is experiencing growth which has been describedby
miraculous by many of those who have heard of our story.
The Lord is moving. We went through a period oftime inwhich the attendance
dropped to 10orless. Anew minister, Frank House, was hired andthe
turn-around was completed.
Today attendance is averaging about ICQ to 110at First Christian, we are
experiencing regular conversions andbaptisms. The ministry ofthis church
is taking off in areas inwhich we could only have dreamed3 or 4 years ago.
As a result of the flood inAugust of 1998, we have been given the
opportunity to constmct several houses for some ofthe members ofthe
congregation in Congregation inAcuna who lost everything In the flood. We
have five houses started. We recently ran intoa problem purchasing block.
It has become almost impossibleto purchase cement blockinAcuna. "The
largest plant has the capacity to make 10,000 block a dayand has it's
entireproduction purchasedfor the next three months.
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Bill Baker, 07:26 AM 1/14/99-0600, Update from the Baker's!
Thereare a lot ofsmaller "momand pop" builders in Acuna, but the quality
varries widely. They havebeen requiring that we pay for the blockin
advance and then pick up the blocks while still "green". Ifwe don't get
them picked up ontime, they end upselling our block to somone else.
As a result of this, we have purchased a small block-making machine. Once we
make 2,500 blocks, our initial investment will be recovered. I havetalked
to the leader of one of the "card-board cities" and we are working out an
arangement which will build more houses. Since we don't havethe funds to
build 10,000 houses, we are goingto offer the equipment and materials to
men who need blocks and can work. They will receive 2 blocks for every 10
blocks they make. Ourtotal costs will be less and we will be helping those
who genuinely want to better their ownsituation.
In closing, let me take some liberty vwth Paul's statement in I Corinthians
16:8-9:
But we will stay on in Del Rio until God leads us elsewhere, because a great
door for effective work has opened to us and there are many who oppose us.
PLEASE KEEP OUR MINISTRY IN YOUR PRAYERS!
May the LordRichly Bless - Bill Baker
E-Mail bbaker@delrio.com
Web-Site httD://www.delrio.com/~bbaker
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 420926, Del Rio, TX 78842
Phone 830 774-1543
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Bill Bake>, 09:48 AM 4/10/99^-0400, <Autofrwd>Update from the Baker's!
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:48:18 -0400
From: "Bill Baker" <bbaker@delrlo.com>
Subject: <Autofrwd>Update from the Baker's!
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From: "Bill Baker" <bbaker@delrio.com>
To: "Rob Halvorson" <rkhal@delrio.com>
Subject: Update from the Baker's!
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 08:25:12 -0500
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Dear Friends:
We have just sent back our fourth Short-Term missions team In 5 weeks. Spring time is aiways busy with us
in Del Rio. This year was no exception. The groups we have worked with In Acuna were from, Enid, OK;
Craig, CO; and Grayson, KY. In addition to these three, we assisted a group from Ozark Christian College
in arranging and transportation for a teaching seminar in Nuevo Rosita, Mexico.
The Lord Is indeed blessing our ministry along the border in both cultures! Here Is a quick run-down of some
of our recent developments:
HOUSE CONSTRUCTION (Benevolent Relief in Acuna)
Two families are now living in new houses which were built as a result of funds received for benevolent
evangelism following the flood in August. Four additional houses are under constmctlon and two of these are
ready for the roof.
THE NEW CHURCHIN ACUNAIsexperiencing grov/Ing pains. Since the loss of Mario Lara last fall, there
has been a struggle fbr leadership within the men of the church. My philosophy of missions will not allow me
to assume dictatorial power In the church so It Is interesting to see how the local men are dealing with
leadership problems. I am striving to provide as much guidance as possible while still allowing this newwork
to be a Mexican church. We have completed the floor fbr the new auditorium. Blocks are being made and
the wails for this addition will be going up next week. As funds and manpower are made available, we hope
to be able to have it seniceable by the end of May.
Printed for Mission Services Association <misslon_services@c...
Bill Baker, 09:48 AM 4/10/99 -0400, <Autofrwd>Update from the Baker's!
THE MINISTRY IN DEL RIO with First ChristianChurch continue to amaze and encourage everyone
involved. Rosa is in charge of coordinating the entire music program. Baptismare almost a weekly
occurrence and attendance is averaging 130 since the first of the year. Our Resun'ectlon Day sen/ices were
diffsrent. Rather than a resurrection drama, I did the Sermon on the Mount from memory in costume. (The
picture is on the WEB-SITED We were celebrating the teachings of a risen Savior (even though the Sermon
on the Mount was early In the ministry of ChristDFor the main worship service, Rosa directed a
Resurrection Drama which took the place of a traditional sermon.
AMISTAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (a local Christian high school in which Billserves on the board) will
become a part of the ministry of First Christian Church as soon as the papenArork is completed. This is a
win-win situation for tx)th the church and the school.
It is exciting to see what the Lordis doing and even more exciting to look to the future as we consider the
possibilities of what he can do to continue to expand His ministry in the "Land of Amistad". (Land of
Friendship)
Our WEB-SITE has been completely revamped. Ifyou have not visited it recently, you will find many new
features, including current updates with pictures of our work teams. Duringthe visit of the team from
Grayson, we were able to baptize two team members in Lake Amistad!
May the Lord continue to Bless and please keep us in your prayers!
May the Lord Richly Bless - Bill Baker
E-Mail bbaker@delrio.com
Wetr-Site httD://www.delrio.com/~bbaker
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 420926, Del Rio, TX 78842
Phone 830 774-1543
AutofiwdUodate from the Baker
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