William Randyle Ashcraft

What a big name for such a little bundle! He gave us a scare, arriving a little too early, however, he is just fine. He can be heard when he is hungry, his lungs work just fine! His Mommy is doing better than anyone expected. Stitches will be removed tomorrow from the cesearean surgery.

All the children love to watch him and take turns holding him.

Thank you for your prayers.

Family

Lauren's family left Guatemala City today returning to the USA. Gwen's leaves Chihuahua City tomorrow returning to the USA. I know both families have enjoyed having parents (and grandparents for Lauren) visit. Family encourages us. Family listens to us, cares for us, shares with us...prays for us.

The gift of family is a precious one. I praise God for the family He chose for me. I loved to have them visit us on the field. My Mom and Dad visited us when we were in El Barrial and when we moved to Cd. Jimenez. Once when they visited us, Bro. Carlos Demarest was there with a group. We had such a good time. At the end of the week, we received a phone call that my niece, Tammy, was very, very ill. I remember asking Bro. Demarest to pray for her to recover. He prayed a very sweet prayer for my family and for Tammy and he prayed that God's will be done. He prayed that God would give us strength in whatever we faced. I remember wishing he would have just prayed that God would heal her. I knew that whatever Bro. Demarest would ask, God would do it. And I was right. God's will was to take Tammy home to Heaven and God gave the strength to bear the loss.

Once, my dad came and went fishing with Lanny. They were gone for days. He had the time of his life! His happiest days were fishing. I don't understand why, but I know his mother was exactly the same way and I know that his baby sister; Aunt Clessie, is over 80 years old and still goes fishing every chance she gets!

My dad came when Rhyan hurt his head, he was there just when I needed him, to care for the family. My mom made clothes for all three of them, she quilted to give them quilts to keep them warm. Beverly was there with open arms (and a tongue lashing) when I felt I could not go on. Mary stepped in as 'Mother' to all three of my children when they came to the USA.

How I love Mom and Pop Ashcraft. I love them as I love my very own parents!

I cannot hope to fill the shoes of those before me. I can only ask that God will provide for those He has put in my path. That He will help me to be just exactly what He would have me be. My prayer is that through my weakness, He can be strong in my life.

I pray, one day, Lauren and Rhyan, Gwen and Randy, Rebecca and Jeff will have the opportunity to teach the next generations the value of family. The love of family, the strength of family, a Christ centered family.

As Dr. Wolfenbarger said tonight in his sermon; "Standing Firm on the Gospel", we stand firm because the Gospel has the power to make sons out of sinners; servants out of sons; students out of servants and saints out of students.

Roxana Garcia

I woke this morning thinking about the death of a tiny saint this morning. Little Roxana was a precious gift from God. I cannot number the people who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ because of Roxana. Never saying a word, never walking, never attending school, she affected the lives of all those around her; in Mexico and in the United States. I pray God will comfort her family. I thank God for allowing her to be part of my life.

Bro. Jose Luis read a letter from Lanny, then preached a salvation message, before asking for a show of hands for those who would like to be saved. Randy said he saw five hands go up in front of him. Bro. Jose Luis told him later that the hands looked like the hands you would see at a village service, there were so many behind Randy! What a glorious memory.

Pray for the family and for the souls saved.

Los Indios - Again

Lanny crossed the border into Mexico, yesterday. He hoped to be with Jason and Sarah today, but I am not sure he will be able to make it. Pray for him, this is a really quick trip!

Madison loves her new puppy! So far, so good.

New Puppy

Heading to Texas to get a new puppy! Madison is so excited! I hope she is still excited in a week!

Lanny is, once again, on his way to Guatemala. Jason, I think he has a package for you. Rhyan, I know he has groceries for you!

Pray for him as he travels.

US Arrival

Yesterday, I began the journey back to the United States, leaving Rhyan and Lauren in their beautiful little home in Guatemala.

The Lord truly blessed them with all their needs being met and lots of desires, too. I thank God for His guidenance in their lives, as well as Randy and Gwendolyn's. It is good to know that God is in control.

My flight was a direct flight, (thank you Rhyan!) and was not bad at all. They would not let Rhyan into the airport, which killed Rhyan and made me a nervous wreck, plus I had purse, laptop and two bags!! But it all worked out, I know Rhyan suffered more, wondering if I made it by myself or was sitting in the airport still! They gave me two papers to fill out while in line for my ticket, then sent me to pay for the security for the airport (I wonder if that would be not letting Rhyan in kind of security?), gave me more paperwork, sent me through another door; to security and on to my gate. Plane was delayed 45 minutes. I was very happy to realize I could understand everyone perfectly in both English and Spanish!

The pilot told us to look at the formation of the gulf below, you could see the Texas shoreline as we crossed into the US at Corpus Christi. He said, "Welcome to the United States of America, and a very warm welcome to the great state of Texas".

Arrival in DFW was just as nice. It took a while for my two checked bags to get down, Rebecca thinks they may have to go through X-Ray before you can get them, it did take a while, I was starting to think about joining others sitting on the floor! Through the last door, around a corner, and there sits Madison and Rebecca...and Rebecca had already located the nearest bathroom for me!

Lanny should be here today. Pray for us as we try to decide in what order to do all the many things we have to do!

Long Weekend

I left Jimenez at 4:00 A.M. on Friday morning for El Paso. I picked up Marco in Jimenez and Mayo in Camargo. Made it ti El Paso for lunch. Dropped off my trailer at Omar's house in Juarez. Left Mayo to meet his brother. Met with Tony's group for supper and got to bed after 11:00 P.M. Got up early and met group for breakfast and took them to the airport for their returne flight home. Did my shopping. Took Marco's laptop back to Best Buy ( again !!! ). Went back to Juarez and loaded my van and trailer with all of Omar and Cherish's things and left for Jimenez after lunch. Went through militaty checkpoint then aduana ( paid taxes ). Then almost ran out of diesel because of two stations being closed. Was stopped three more times before making it to Chihuahua. Once by Federales, once soldiers and once by judiciales. Was in a rush to get to Chihuahua because Marco was to sing at a consert to honor one of his teachers at the University of Chihuahua. Made it there 45 min before consert started. Did my shopping at Sam's for Gwen. Left Chihuahua after 7:00 P.M. for Jimenez. Broke down in Delicias. Alternator went out. Made it to an Auto Zone just befor it closed at 10:00 P.M. Bought a charger and disconected my alternator and let it charge until midnight. Made it about 60 miles and no more lights. Stopped at a toll booth after following a bus with my lights off for about half an hour. Charged batteries 'till about 4:30 A.M. then left for Jimenez. Made it home at 6:45 A.M. on Sunday morning. Took a shower and ate and started getting ready for Church. Led the singing and translated twice in the morning. No nap ( visitors). Led singing and translated in the evening. Made it to bed by 10:00 P.M. Up early and had van to shop by 8:00 A.M. Lots to do today.

I wouldn't trade what I do for anything in the world. I was able to take a young man ( Marco ) to cancel his visa at the border. We talked the whole way about how to better serve the Lord. I took a young pastor ( Mayo ) to visit his brother who had been in a car wreck... he is fine. I was able to meet with a group, and buy some clothes for my wife and soon to be newborn baby. Then help move a struggling young married couple to a place where the is a good church. I also witnessed to three mechanics during the night. Made it home to kiss my wife and children and worship on Sunday.

Why all this? Because He is worthy.

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11