Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has been a number of months since we have updated you on our work in Tepic.  As many of you know, the increased violence in our state of Nayarit has been of concern for the last year and we have asked you to pray specifically for the situation.  This increase has continued in recent months, especially in Tepic.   For several months we have been wondering if we may need to relocate for the safety of our family.   Earlier this month our overseeing church in Toronto asked us to move temporarily to Guadalajara for a period of ten weeks, to see how the situation develops.  We have since found a small furnished house in the south west part of Guadalajara, and moved there two weeks ago. 

The church in Tepic up till this point has responded well to the situation, with many encouraging us to make this move.  I will be travelling to Tepic by bus on weekends to lead services, and have individual leadership training sessions with some of the men.  The mid-week evangelistic home Bible studies are being led by different men in the congregation.  While this has been quite an adjustment for our family, we also see the Lord’s leading in it all.  We are encouraged to see the work that is being done in the National Presbyterian churches here and I will be helping out in the churches here during the week.  They have been very welcoming and helpful to us.  Angela and the children will be attending a church that is only five minutes from where we are living.

 2 Timothy 1:7-9 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. . . . Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose in grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”  These verses have repeatedly come to mind as we have been shown our own weakness, and yet His mighty purpose and His all-sufficient grace at work.  Despite these unsettling times, God’s intentional plan for our particular work, and the work of His church throughout the world marches on unabated.  For this reason we do not need to fear, but simply trust that God work can and will continue to abound because of Christ, and not because of us.

This is what we have seen in the church in Tepic in the past few months.  For example, this past Friday and Saturday we held our bi-annual retreat.  Our members requested that we focus this time on strengthening their families and homes.  The Sunday beforTe I started the series from Joshua 24: 15, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  At the retreat we continued studying from Ephesians 5 studying “How to build a Christian home.” Everyone was very enthusiastic about the messages, workshops and discussions.  As it is in the States and Canada, our society is wrought with chaos and brokenness and there much need for teaching in this area.  Fellowship and testimonies around the campfire, organized games, swimming, and a fishing competition were also highlights of our time together.  The ladies of the church did a great job of organizing the food as well.  Plans are already being made for our next retreat in November.

• For increased commitment of several men in the congregation.  We are beginning a leadership training class with them. 
• Two families who have been attending the mission for over a year have asked to become members.  Pray for membership classes we will have with them.
• Our adolescent group that we have had the last few months has been enthusiastically attended by 8-12 young people.  Please pray that they would continue to take part.
• For our first YP campout April 13&14.  We had over 25 parents and YP camping out – both in our side lot and on our roof.
• Our study of the doctrines of grace in the Sunday school has been well attended and well-received.
• New families that have been attending regularly.

As we look to the Lord for leading for the future, we ask you to pray specifically for the situation here.  We ask you to pray for Mexico as a whole, that God would punish the evildoer, and bring peace to this nation.  Pray for the church in Tepic, that as we are away, our members and leaders more responsibility.  We know that it is Christ who builds his church and the gates of hell will not stand against it. (Matt. 16:18)

In Christ,

Richard & Angela Bout and family