It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Dear Reader,
      Winter is here, well at least where we are at present that is for sure, Indiana!! Friday after Thanksgiving we set out for Indiana to be present for the 11 churches we have scheduled to present our work in. It is exciting to be able to travel across the United States and be a part of lives around America, people with whom we share our lives. We drove half way stopping in Kansas City, Kansas to visit with Elyssa's grand parents, the Dominguezs. We enjoyed our time spent with them as they soaked in some Gabriella time. What a great blessing they have been and what love and support they have provided in each step of faith we have taken.  I truly have been blessed to have married into a family sold out to the service of God to whom I could look to as examples of men and women who have dedicated so much to Him.

Wanted a Turn at the Wheel
(Yes we are parked ) : )

Berne, IN

Roanoke, IN

        We arrived in Roanoke, IN late Saturday evening at the house of the Finton family. We have truly enjoyed this family who have been such a blessing to my family and have shown us such great love. They graciously allowed us to stay and homebase from their house while in Indiana and our time spent with them has been great! Sunday, we visited Pastor Doug Jackson at Three Rivers Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He allowed us to speak about our goals and dreams for the missionfield and we were able meet many members who welcomed us. That night we were able present in Faith Baptist Church, pastored by Travis Combest in Berne, IN. He gave me the opportunity to preach and many decisions were made that night. After church we were invited to spend some time with the Combest family, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them even more.

Elyssa and I Singing

     Wednesday night we presented our work in Roanoke, IN at Roanoke Baptist Church pastored by Pastor Mike Tarr. We were greeted and met so many great people who treated us with great care and support of what God has done and is doing in our lives. Again we thank God for the many times we have an opportunity to be encouraged by fellow Christians who want us to do great things for Him.
    Indiana has been a great place to be at, have already seen snow and are bundling up for another two weeks here. God has allowed so many open doors to present what His will is for our lives!!

Nothing Like Great Grandpa's Lap!

Encouraged By Other Servants

Children's Choir

Dear Reader,
    Young people are very special and we have been blessed with many opportunites to meet many while on the deputation trail. What is more precious than to see young people in many churches giving their talents and gift for the service of Christ. It allows you to look into the future and see not only a child but perhaps the next great servant of the Lord influencing many lives and making a difference. What will the future hold for them as they continue on this path in God's service? How much of a difference will they make in their lives? The opportunities are limitless!

     Missions Conferences are always encouraging, inspiring, and filled with fiery preaching! While Elyssa was home allow Gabriella time to get well from a small virus she picked up, a very close friend of mine, Kaalem Finton, accompanied me on this for this trip. We had another opportunity to be a part of a missions conference during the week of November 14th - 21st in Brownsville, TX. Pastor Victor Alvarez hosted the conference at his church and what a conference it was! We enjoyed seeing all the children singing in their costumes, each representing different countries, and the preaching as fiery as always.
    What a great opportunity to see another church on fire for God and a pastor dedicated to changing lives. Another great thing about mission conferences is the opportunity to meet other missionaries heading out to their fields and determined to spread the gospel to other lands. We have made many friends among them and have been encouraged by their stories of faith and strength through trials. To see how the Lord has worked in their lives and has brought them through many battles has been an encouragment beyond compare and a drive for me to keep going no matter what. Every one needs a word or an act of encouragment from time to time and this is what keeps each and everyone of us going for even a greater cause!

Singing For the Glory of God

   During this week we also were able to present our work in two other churches pastored by Roy Velez in Mission, TX and Noe Lopez in Weslaco, Tx. Each had great works and many young people who sang specials, doing fantastic jobs in giving their talents to God. Kaalem and I were also given some opportunities to be apart ourselves, as we were asked to sing and I was able to preach. What an exciting time for both of us to be able to see God work once again.
   We headed back home and arrived safely to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with our families and enjoyed each moment. My family and I hope that you also had a great Thanksgiving as we remember what we truly are thankful for in life! One of the many things I am thankful for apart from salvation, family, and friends is the chance to serve God with my life. Hope to encourage those reading that there is no greater reward or way to live than to give God your life to its fullest.
   Continue to keep us in your prayers as our next stop is Indiana!!

Mission Letter Update

God Hold Us In His Hands

Dear Reader,
    The Lord has been very good to my family and I while we have been on the deptuational trial. It was a big step for all of us but a step that we were able to make with the faith in knowing God would supply all of our needs.
    It is truly amazing how faith works, stepping out into a whole new life with some concern as to how it will turn out, making sure that your family will be taken care of, that doors will be opened allowing you to do what you have felt God has called you to do,but continuing to remind yourself that GOD IS IN CONTROL. This has been proven time and time again as many churches have allowed us to present our burden for our ministry, Reaching the Next Generation, in their services. what a privilege it has been to meet many pastors who are fighting the fight against Satan and many people who have a deep love for God. God has taken care of ALL our needs and we are grateful to all those who support us have played such a major part so far in our lives and ministry.
    Since we have begun our time on the road we have seen many people saved, through the opportunites that I have been given to preach many have surrendered their lives to God, and we have been in a large amount of churches!

As of the Month of June:

Number of Salvations - 104

Number of Churches  - 39

Number of Surrendered Lives - 173

Support Precentage - 25%

Working together for the
Cause of Christ

Love beyond Compare

    Our next stop is Indiana! The Lord has opened opportunity to be in close to 12 different churches and share with them our burden. We are looking forward to being able to go and pray that we continue to have safe travel and good health, especially our new born, Gabriella.

    She has been such a joy to have around, making us smile with her many faces and expressions. It is truly amazing how the miraculous life of one child can affect the lives of so many. She has done her part in drawing crowds while at churches and has done her part even when weeks have been long. I thank God also for a great wife who has given her all with a new born and being constantly on the road. Thinking on all of this I can truly say I have been blessed more than I deserve.

Follow us on our blog at: http://www.rtngzapatafamily.blogspot.com/

PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS



     Our goal is to give deputation one more year in hopes that we could gain our support and be in the field by January 2013. We pray that God will continue to bless our efforts that we may make a difference in many lives to come. In the mean time, we look forward to being apart of the lives even now as we go from church to church presenting our work. Faith and the prayers of those who care for us are what we need to continue on in the Lord's service. 

Surrendered Lives



J FRANK NORRIS



BILLY SUNDAY



LARRY MAY



LESTER ROLOFF



JOHN R. RICE



GREAT MEN OF THE FAITH

SERVING GOD WITH SURRENDERED LIVES  



MIKE WELLS

BOB GRAY SR.

Dear Reader,
    A life surrendered is a life that is given totally to God and His service. Many men in the past and the present have given their lives and dedicated them to the cause of Christ and the love and guidance of others. What an honor it is to have been able to be under the preaching of some of these men and to see how they have been able to influence others with their lives. Now who will carry on their work into the future? Who will take what they have started and what they stood for, for many years to the new generations to come? Could that be you?

                                          Pastor Roy Carrizales, of Iglesia Bautista Libertad in Houston, TX, is another one of the great men of God today. Pastoring a great work in Houston, Pastor Carrizales and his people hosted a missions conference beginning on November 7th and ending Thursday night, November 10th.  What a great opportunity and a motivating experience it was to be a part of this conference and be able to present our work. We were loved on by all the church members as they served us with such kindness and happiness. They sacrificed their homes, time, food, talents, and much more to make the week a week to remember. We felt greatly cared for and honored as they treated each and every missionary with respect and admiration. The preaching was fiery, the music spectacular, and the lord worked in a great way! Pastor Carrizales is doing a great work with the spanish people and influencing many to serve God with their lives! There were around 30 missionaries present along with about 30 pastors. Each night the altars were filled and the auditorium packed out, giving it a great exciting atmosphere!



PRESENTING WORK



ELYSSA'S AND GABRIELLA'S
SMILES WINNING THE HEARTS OF MANY



ORCHESTRA

ADULT AND CHILDREN'S CHOIR





Wait On The Lord

Dear Reader,
    Living the missionary life has taught me many things, one of the most important lesson is waiting on God. One hard task to do is to be patient and wait on God's timing in matters of life. Even in things that perhaps seem small, I have seen that God blesses them more when are are patient. Timing is everything and not only in the ministry but in each individual life as we strive to be quick in every endeavor we pursue. Isaiah 40: 31 states, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

 October 30th we traveled  into Arlington, TX, not too far from our hometown in Seagoville! We were scheduled to be in Iglesia Bautista La Fe pastored by Pastor Bernardo Bernal for their Sunday morning service. We were given an opportunity to present our work to the church and its kind people and I was able to preach. After services we spent some quality time with the pastor and his dear family as they took us out to a nice lunch in a Chinese restaurant. We were encouraged by their kindness and were able to encourage them as well as their teenage children in their service for God with their lives. We left on our way home to prepare for evening service that night and were excited to have had yet another opportunity to present our burden to others .

I was called by Pastor Velez of Iglesia Bautista Fundamental in Mesquite, TX who we had previousl presented our work for. He asked if we could return and if I could preach. What an honor to have been asked to return and preach once again. God laid a sermon on my heart called, "Spots of a Christian Life", on the subject of how the world does all it can to brand us or stain us with the spots that will identify us with them. We are commanded to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and therefore should take great care in what we allow to influence our lives. One spot though small has a way of disorienting the appearance of the enitre piece of clothing. Sin has this same affect on a Christian life as we continue to sin with little thought as to the influence it is having on our lives, our appearace to others, and the influence we may be having on them.

That night many decisions were made and the altar was filled! What a great privilege it is to travel and preache the Word of God. We are looking forward to what God has for us as we continue on in His service.

"SPOTS OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE"

Dear Reader,
     The promises of God are blessings we are able to cherish and carry with us even as we go about our daily lives. How comforting it is to know that we are promised a home in Heaven through our faith in God, this being the greatest promise of all. We know that wherever we go God is there to help and guide us through every trial and circumstance life puts in our path. These promises are what keeps us encouraged and strengthened so as to be motivated to do more in our Christian life with the opportunities God has allowed us to have. Eternal promises are promises that will last longer than time itself.
 

Wednesday, October 26th, I had the privilege to be able to preach in the service of Iglesia Bautist Fundamental pastored by Pastor Danny Oritz. Was definitely an exciting time as we were able to be a part of their service and see the kind people there once again. Bro Rios did an excellent job in translating for me and really appreciate all he did to represent Bro. Ortiz while he was away. I preached a sermon entitled: "How important is YOUR life".  I had preached messages before on how life is valuable and following God; however, many time we can turn ourselves away from the importance of our own personal lives. Many make the mistake letting another surrender to their life to Christ, and refraining from seeing how God could use thier life. It is not how importan is your children's life, husband's life, wife's life, pastor's life, other's lives, but how important is YOUR life?

The altars were filled as 25-30 people raised their hands making decisions to see their life as valuable to God. Many surrendering to give God more of their life rather than sit by idlely watching others serve from their hearts. It was encouraging to see the fire appear back in many of their lives as well as mine, when realizing that each life has true meaning and that it is not over until we are home in Heaven. Young or old, while on this earth God has a plan for us if we simple allow Him to put our life into action in His service. How important is YOUR life? Can you do more for God while there is still time or are you satisfied with what has been done already?

DADDY PLAY TIME!!



Safe In Our Father's Arms

 Dear Reader,

      Throughout our travels thus far, we have truly experienced the meaning of the phrase, "Safe In Our Father's Arms". Although we may not be able to see God, as Christians our faith has allowed us to rely on our Heavenly Father who embraces us each and every time we ask Him. With every step of the way I have seen how God has protected my family and I from harms way and has placed a hedge of protection around us while on the road. It is truly a great feeling to know that when all else seem to fail, we have a Father who is there to catch us.

       Sunday, October 23rd, we were able to be in the service of Pastor Ross at Open Door Baptist Church. It was truly an honor to meet Pastor Ross and to be able to hear him preach a fiery sermon on "Heaven or Hell, What Will It Be?" Many were saved and baptized as the excitment was high! We were able to present our work and sing there in the service and thoroughly enjoyed our time spent there with the members of Open Door.
     That afternoon we headed to lunch and prepared to return to be able to be in Open Door's Spanish church. As we walked into the doors again we were greeted as before with kind smiles and welcoming hand shakes. We headed up stairs and began to meet many of the people there under Pastor Mendoza. Many young people greeted us and welcomed us in. Service began and we had the opportunity to present our work and burden for the ministry. After the presentation and with the help of an interpreter I was able to preach a sermon, "Turn Up The Heat".

In Daniel chapter three we are able to see the story of three Hebrew young men who stood for Christ inspite of the worlds threats. In fury the king commanded the furnace to be turned up so as to condemn these men to a fiery death. Even though bound and cast into the fire, God intervened and they lives were used as a testimony to change the hearts of all those present. As Christians we too have a fire in our hearts to serve God but when that fire begins to die down and our excitment becomes dim, we allow the world to get ahead and consume us as well as those around us with their spreading flames of evil. Satan will stop at nothing to consume as many lives as he can into the world and the evil it contains. We can fight back keeping ouselves on fire for God and turning up the heat in our own Christian lives.
    The altars were filled and 25 people raised their hands surrending to keep their fire for God high and giving their lives to Him! Was a very exciting time and enjoyed meeting many of the people and teenagers while signing Bibles and talking with them.

PREACHING TIME

MRS. STEVENS AND ELYSSA
(Mrs. Steven's 93rd birthday that day!)

ALTAR FILLED

Reality of God

Dear Reader,
    I often wander how a person can go through life without belief and without faith in God, the One who created us and the world we live in today. If we just simply step back and think about the magnificence of creation, our very existence, and the wanders that life brings we cant help but acknowledge the God who created it all. Many times when people state their difficulty in believing in God's existance, my heart begins to hurt for them never having the opportunity to feel that love, the peace, and the comfort in knowing that God is there for us. What is most important is that we all have the faith in knowing we have a home in Heaven through our faith in God.

Wednesday, October 19th, we had the opportunity to be in Victory Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas! It was great to meet up with Pastor Bolton yet again and his sweet wife who took great care of us while we were there. We were able to present our work, sing, and then was time for preaching. God had laid a sermon on my heart intitled, "God Knows", a simple truth, yet carries a great power in time of hardship and trials. It is hard to face everyday struggles and problems, many times feeling as though there are too large to carry; however, we tell ourselves God knows. Those two words can give us the comfort  and the drive it will take to get through any battles we are faced in our lives and in our Christian service for Him. God knows each and every one of or needs, He is there with for our failures and success, our ups and our downs. The Lord did a great work that night and hearts were encouraged!

        After returning home that week we had planned on taking pictures for updating purposes. We have a been able to set up at home and take our pictures there, allowing us to take our time and have fun doing it together. This time we invited my good friend Saint, a young man from Thailand presently enrolled in our college at Parkside, to be the photographer. We enjoyed ourselves as we spent time with Saint and took pictures as a family! Gabriella has truly been a joy and an encouragment to us and we are very happy to have been blessed with such a beautiful little girl.




PICTURE WITH MOM AND DAD!!








"AS PRETTY AS MY MOMMY!!"





DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL!!



Dear Reader,
     God has truly been a huge blessing to my life and the lives of my family. I have often wandered how people go through life without believing in the very existance of God and having the opportunity to go to Him whenever in need. How empty their life must be and how sad it is to see a life being thrown away. God has given us the life we live and it our choice wether to live it in His service recieving the blessings in Heaven or to throw life away to end our existance here on earth with regret and lost opportunities.

     Friday we set out for Harlingen, Texas, a good eight hour trip south of Dallas to the very tip and near the border of Mexico. We were scheduled to be in Central Baptist Church pastored by Pastor Matt Schumacher for their Sunday morning service. They graciously allowed us to stay on property of the church while there and also allowed me to be a part of their bus ministry! Saturday I was able to go out soul winning and lead four to Christ on the bus route meeting many children who attended childrens church there at Central Baptist. Sunday morning brought me the chance to ride the bus and help with the program singing and spending time with the children who rode to church with us that day. We were allowed present our work once again to the kind people there and I was able to preach, "To Lose is to Gain Through God".
    Sacrifice is hard to do at times when we are afraid to lose what the world has and give all to Christ. What we do not realize is that when we lose the worldly pleasures of this world we gain the treasures in Heaven that last for eternity! Yes we may lose what we think is valuable here on earth but we gain much more through God! Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

Harvest Baptist Church was our next stop, located in Edinburg, Texas! Pastor Dale Yontz allowed us to present our work and burden for the mnistry. What a great church of kind people and young people eager to know more about our college at Parkside Baptist Church. I was able to preach a sermon, "New Vision", based on II Corinthians 4: 18 "While we look not at the things which are see, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

    It is very easy to comprehend, follow, accept, believe in, or commit to those things that we can see with our eyes. It is those things that we cannot see that test our faith and loyalty to God. As a Christian we have been given a new vision, a new way to look at things through the faith we found in God. Our lives have new meaning as we now can see what God could do with and in our lives! Have we allowed this new vision to flourish in our lives and push us to do more for God or have we forgotten the vision that we have the opportunity to use?

   Many decisions were made as 10-15 people raised their hands, committing to use the new vision to see how God could use their lives in His service! What great opportunities we have had as we have allowed God to use our lives. We thank each and every supporter for their love and support allowing us to continue on this road to God's will in our lives.

God's Answers to Life's Questions

Dear Reader,
    Life brings many questions that many times require answers that are hard to find on our own. These questions soon become a concern in our minds and if we are not careful become the very cause of perhaps confusion, fear, doubt, anger, bitterness, and much more in our lives. The Bible is where we can turn to for the answers, given to us by God to be used for our benefit and those around us. The answers to all of lifes questions can be found in the very Word of God that we have the priviledge to hold.



JEREMIAH 17:8

      Emory, Texas is where we had the privilege of being on Wednesday, October 12th, at Bright Star  Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Jerry Jackson. We were able to meet his sweet family and very talented children as we were able to see how God had blessed them with musical talents and a wonderful zeal to be used of God! It was an encouragement to me to see the excitement in their voices as they asked many question and were able to get to know them very well. After presenting our field, Pastor Jackson requested that I preach. I was able to preach a sermon entitled "Root of You", a sermon on the heart of a Christian being the very root that keeps them alive in their Christian life.

Just as the very life and very source of existance in the life of a small plant is in its root giving it the means to continue on, so is the heart of a Christian not only to live physically but to live spiritually for the Lord. Many a Christian began as a young plant, determined to serve Christ with every ounce of strength and determination within them, but as the years go by Satan begins to attack our spiritual root, the heart, that soon begins to turn its loyalty to yet another. Without the health of the root this plant will die. A Christian whose heart is not totally given to God will soon begin to see the excitment and enthusiam he once had fade away and what could had been accomplished by God through him will be gone. We have to determine to keep our root, our heart, fed with the love for God and the determination to do more for Him with our lives, if we are to live our Christian life in fulfilment of God's will.
    As a family, I pray we do all we can to exceed expectations in the service of Jesus Christ. Accomplishing the unexpected is accomplishing the expected twice over!