Friday, November 14, 2008

Thank you so much for caring. I love having you for friends.

Thank you for praying for Kirt's mother, Helen/Little Grandma. When she was admitted, she was not expected to live more than a couple of days. She has wanted for a long time to move to her heavenly home, it's just that the transition is very hard both for those who are in the process of moving and those left behind. I have called her several times, she has told me that she's not in pain, and she's been perfectly coherent. We've enjoyed sharing loving and upbeat conversations in which she shares that she's been praying for the Mexican and Huichol churches here. She is going home from the Casa de la Luz Hospice facility today. It is going to be a difficult move because she has developed a blood clot in her right leg that could easily become dislodged. Assuming everything goes well with her transfer home, her prognosis is still less than 4 weeks.

As for an update on Victor; it turns out that Victor's legal name is Vicente. It's amazing what you learn when you start asking for documents! The results of the MRI indicate that he needs surgery to implant a metal plate at the site of the fracture. Many of you have asked about getting involved tangibly with the expenses, and some already have. Before I say more, I want to make it very clear that these prayer requests and updates are not for the purpose of requesting financial support for Vicente, but they are intended to give specific answers to questions I have received and also to give pertinent information so that you may pray for those specific needs.
Also, before I say more, it is important that you know that a while back Vicente was involved in some activities that were harmful to both his testimony and that of both churches, at La Bendición and at Zapote de Picachos. He has been forgiven for that sin, and the first time he has been back in fellowship with the congregation was at the anniversary celebration at Picachos where the "accident" happened.

The brothers from the 2 churches I already mentioned are following our Savior's example and reaching out to show mercy at its finest, rallying as if they were the human authors of 2 Corinthians 8 to show their abundance in their extreme poverty, overflowing in a wealth of generosity to him, both in love and money. Gumersindo continues to head up the job of jumping through bureaucratic hoops to get the materials necessary for the surgery. The hospital and surgeon's fees have been completely underwritten; at this point, we are in the process of getting the metal plate, pins, and screws that will be implanted in Vicente's back. The cost of these surgical materials is the responsibility of the patient. Gumersindo has been to every government office requesting assistance, and $11,400 of the total $26,000 has been covered.

It has been important that we stand back and observe the local body respond to the need as they are able. The Tepic church is having a part, as we should, the *Kirt Mellberg Memorial Fund has had a part (through the Tepic church channel), and the Huichol brothers themselves have taken out a no-interest loan for the balance from the fishing co-op of which are members. That will have to be paid back during the next 6 months.

This is one of the most difficult challenges for me of working alongside people in extreme poverty (in physical, NOT spiritual terms); helping them learn to rely on the same Heavenly Father Who so abundantly meets our needs, and not replacing that personal relationship between them and Him with the supply of the "Great White Mother," but being available to come alongside and share the burden. Thank you for praying for the characters in this difficult chapter (including the "Great White Mother" who would love nothing more than to wipe away all the pain in her own power).

*The Kirt Mellberg Memorial Fund was set up at Pastor McKeown's (NVBC) request. After Kirt's memorial service we had in Scottsdale, he requested that 10 interested individuals or churches represented at the service volunteer to commit to contributing $50 per month for 1 year to a special fund for unexpected needs or needs that would be a heavy burden for the Tepic church in the Huichol ministry (like finishing the buildings in Los Aires and in Zapote, for example) as they were taking the baton and running with the weight of the newly acquired job of church leadership and while I waited for God's direction. At that time, I didn't even realize I would be returning to continue serving in Tepic; actually, I didn't realize it would be an option! So that's how the fund got started. At the end of the year, after I had returned to Tepic continue working here, I wrote thank you's to the 10 contributors and included an unbelievably long list of all the things that, by God's grace alone, the fund was used to accomplish. I made it clear that God had supplied more than I ever expected, and the 1-year commitment was up. Two of those who were involved in establishing the fund have continued to periodically send offerings to the fund, so that's why it still exists. From the very outset, I didn't expect it; I didn't ask for it; and I didn't think there was a need for it, but apparently our Father did. So as needs arise, He supplies. It's pretty simple; and quite frankly, I'm still the most amazed of all!

Saturday, November 08, 2008


The brothers from the village of La Bendición were helping the brothers from Zapote de Picachos in their community corn harvest so they will have enough to share for their next big church anniversary celebration, and one of the men up the hill felled a tree which tumbled down on top of another brother, Victor. Long story short, Victor is in the General Hospital with a fractured L2 in his back. Gumersindo, from La Bendición, is taking charge of getting everything (including documents, and that's NO small feat!) he needs for surgery; they've already done 5 pre-op tests, but they have to have an MRI before they can do anything else. The catch is that it costs 3,700 pesos, not covered by state medical for Huichols, so we're working on getting those "ducks in a row" so they can go ahead with the test.

I can just imagine how they hauled Victor down the mountain from the corn field to the lake then boated him to shore, then taxied him 45 minutes from the dock to the hospital after the accident. A "simple" hike up the mountain is enough to put most of us in traction. Please pray for Victor; he's obviously in LOTS of pain, he can't move, and he's a 44-year-old father, husband and our brother; and please pray for Gumersindo, too. It is very important that they learn the steps of getting medical care on their own, and Gumer is working very hard at it.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

September/October 2008

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

“There is so little of happiness abroad that if we possess a full share of it we ought not to hide our light under a bushel, but let it shine on all that are in the house... the Lord himself has blessed us, blessed us greatly, blessed us individually, blessed assuredly; and because of this we sing unto his name.” C.H. Spurgeon

OANSA started up again the first Saturday in September. In the Tepic club, each leader is randomly assigned to a specific group for the year, and, I’m glad that again I was assigned to adolescent boys! I think they’re my favorites. As the past 30 years has proven, they certainly have enormous potential if at this age they hide the truth in their hearts. Please pray with me that God will continue to do great things with Fredy, Alexis, Luis, Cesar, Eduardo, and Waldo.

Anders Kirt got a new little sister; Elianna, a new little cousin; and Debbie and Kirt, a new grandbaby. Mara Kate arrived on September 12 at 5:15 AM. She’s a healthy blessing from heaven, a great thing the Lord has done for us, and we are glad and thank God for her safe arrival. May all three of them follow Jesus’ example and “grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”




Caleb could hardly contain his excitement as he opened the case that contained his new saxophone. He gently lifted it from the velvet liner as if it were still a dream. He snapped the strap in place, wrapped it around his neck and began reciting by memory the “do, re, mi’s” that correspond to each of the keys. It was pretty obvious he gone over their position hundreds of times in his dreams. He could hardly wait for class time at the school of music.

Thank you all who had a part in praying, networking, donating, transporting, servicing and even covering the expense of his classes at the school of music. Once again, the Divine Director has “done great things for us, whereof we are glad,” and we are anxious for the day Caleb is able to join the praise orchestra in the Tepic church.

See the whole Caleb/Sax story here and here.




The Huichol believers from La Bendición who relocated from the village of Guásima del Caimán celebrated their 3rd anniversary on October 5 as part of God’s family. They gave thanks for the great things they are glad God has done for them as they continue to grow and reach out to their unbelieving Huichol brothers in other mountain villages.


The 17th anniversary celebration of the Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Tepic is yet another great thing for which we are glad. The theme of this year’s activities is: A Church Conformed to the Heart of God. Pastor Phil McKeown from North Village Baptist Church spoke on Saturday night from Ecc. 9:4, “A living dog is better than a dead lion,” encouraging the body that it is better to be the least in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest out of it. Steve Evers, director of In Touch Mission International, reminded us in his message on Sunday morning that though we are immeasurably glad for the great things God has done during these past 17 years, our prayer for the next 17 years must be that we see this life from God’s perspective and plead expectantly; “God Make Me Bigger.”

September/October 2008

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

“There is so little of happiness abroad that if we possess a full share of it we ought not to hide our light under a bushel, but let it shine on all that are in the house... the Lord himself has blessed us, blessed us greatly, blessed us individually, blessed assuredly; and because of this we sing unto his name.” C.H. Spurgeon

OANSA started up again the first Saturday in September. In the Tepic club, each leader is randomly assigned to a specific group for the year, and, I’m glad that again I was assigned to adolescent boys! I think they’re my favorites. As the past 30 years has proven, they certainly have enormous potential if at this age they hide the truth in their hearts. Please pray with me that God will continue to do great things with Fredy, Alexis, Luis, Cesar, Eduardo, and Waldo.

Anders Kirt got a new little sister; Elianna, a new little cousin; and Debbie and Kirt, a new grandbaby. Mara Kate arrived on September 12 at 5:15 AM. She’s a healthy blessing from heaven, a great thing the Lord has done for us, and we are glad and thank God for her safe arrival. May all three of them follow Jesus’ example and “grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”




Caleb could hardly contain his excitement as he opened the case that contained his new saxophone. He gently lifted it from the velvet liner as if it were still a dream. He snapped the strap in place, wrapped it around his neck and began reciting by memory the “do, re, mi’s” that correspond to each of the keys. It was pretty obvious he gone over their position hundreds of times in his dreams. He could hardly wait for class time at the school of music.

Thank you all who had a part in praying, networking, donating, transporting, servicing and even covering the expense of his classes at the school of music. Once again, the Divine Director has “done great things for us, whereof we are glad,” and we are anxious for the day Caleb is able to join the praise orchestra in the Tepic church.

See the whole Caleb/Sax story here and here.





The Huichol believers from La Bendición who relocated from the village of Guásima del Caimán celebrated their 3rd anniversary on October 5 as part of God’s family. They gave thanks for the great things they are glad God has done for them as they continue to grow and reach out to their unbelieving Huichol brothers in other mountain villages.


The 17th anniversary celebration of the Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Tepic is yet another great thing for which we are glad. The theme of this year’s activities is: A Church Conformed to the Heart of God. Pastor Phil McKeown from North Village Baptist Church spoke on Saturday night from Ecc. 9:4, “A living dog is better than a dead lion,” encouraging the body that it is better to be the least in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest out of it. Steve Evers, director of In Touch Mission International, reminded us in his message on Sunday morning that though we are immeasurably glad for the great things God has done during these past 17 years, our prayer for the next 17 years must be that we see this life from God’s perspective and plead expectantly; “God Make Me Bigger.”

Quick Reference – November-December Prayer Requests:
• Huichol OT translation project
• Huichol NT - MegaVoice Mp3 player distribution to Huichol villages
• Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Tepic – increased vision and faithfulness
• Annual Tepic church community Christmas Celebration outreach

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