6465 - 99^th Way North # 17-B

                                                                                                Saint Petersburg, FL 33708-4569

                                                                                                Tel: 727-393-7846

                                                                                                mphilippi@verizon.net

                                                                                                mphilippi@mail.baptistworldmission.org                                                                                                       October 21, 2003

                                                                                                October 21, 2003

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you so very much for your prayers during this time of transition.  On August 24, our last Sunday in Guadalajara, the brethren honored us with a special farewell!  Meaningful testimonies were given, all of the choirs sang, special plaques and a lovely album of memories were presented to us, along with many other gifts, and a heart-stirring message was preached by Pastor Miguel.  These were all expressions of their love and gratitude to God and to us.  Afterwards they had a special dinner and a wonderful time of fellowship, with approximately 350 people in attendance.

Early Monday morning we flew to Tampa, Florida, and then drove south to our condominium in Seminole.  We are thankful for the Lord’s provision of such a lovely place to live and for the safe arrival of our belongings the following day.  Since we did not bring any furniture with us, we have been busy shopping and getting settled.  At the same time, we have been calling and visiting both English and Spanish-speaking churches, as we endeavor to work directly with pastors of local churches to have their members involved in home Bible classes with the unsaved.  Many are showing interest.  A Spanish pastor in Tampa wants me to begin next Sunday evening to teach his congregation how to hold home Bible studies with unsaved people.  Please pray that the Lord will direct us as we challenge pastors to consider this ministry in their churches.  Should you desire to have this ministry in your church, please contact us.

Through audio communications, using the computer, I am able to continue helping Pastor Miguel Camacho and Luis Canul, his assistant pastor, in their preparation for the Bible Institute classes.  Luis calls me every Tuesday morning via computer-phone to go over his lesson.  His call usually lasts one hour at a cost of only 1.2 cents per minute!  It is a joy to see God preparing Luis to become a pastor.  The brethren in Guadalajara are enthusiastically working with Pastor Miguel as they serve the Lord together.  It is impossible to fully express the joy we feel in receiving news of their enthusiasm, faithfulness, and progress!  Pastor Miguel Camacho and the Board of Directors have asked us to return to Guadalajara in March for a Bible Conference.  We look forward to this opportunity to minister to them once again.  Please pray for the church in Guadalajara, Mexico.

During our last week in Guadalajara, it was my joy to lead Gustavo and Erika, a young couple, to the Lord.  When I first met them three months prior, Erika had filed for divorce because of serious problems in their home.  As I counseled with them and we studied God’s Word together, God worked in their hearts.  One night as they were leaving, Dotty hugged Erika and said, “Erika, God truly loves you, and I do too.”  Several weeks later, Erika, with tears streaming down her face, told Dotty, “You are the only person who has ever told me that they love me.” (Not even her mother! How sad!)  We are thrilled that recent news from Guadalajara tells us they faithfully attend church and their discipleship classes with a church family.  What a joy to see their three children (10, 8, and 6 years old) receive help for their traumatized lives.  Please pray for all of them.  Gustavo and Erika are reaching out to other couples in need and are looking forward to the day when they will be able to have a Bible class to teach others through using the book, Becoming a Christian.

We have been notified that our address is in Saint Petersburg, Florida, not Seminole. We live in Seminole, but our Post Office is in Saint Petersburg.  We apologize for this confusion.  Our address should be changed to:

            6465 - 99^th Way North # 17-B

            Saint Petersburg, FL 33708-4569

Please pray for us as we desire to be used by the Lord to reach the lost for Christ and to encourage others to do the same.  Thank you so very much for your faithful prayers and financial support.  We love and appreciate you very much.  We are serving the Lord in new places, but with the same fervor. 

Sincerely in Christ,                                            

Myron and Dotty Philippi

Baptist World Mission                                        P.O. Box 2149                                   Decatur, AL 35602-2149