Tom Montgomery Update Letter

Mexico Missions Covenant Baptist Church P. O. Box 741 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Dear Friends, September 10, 2009 We recently had a big ‘scare’ with Pastor German suffering a potential heart attack. After two weeks of tests and confusion, the stress test seemed to show that it was just a false alarm. The eco-cardiogram indicated a ‘heart attack’... but the doctors say there was none. After some rest and further medical evaluation, German is doing much better. He continues to serve in our Cuautitlan mission, and is also a great help in many other areas. One of the men (Alejandro) who attends our mission at the mini-mansion (he has attended for 4-5 months) suffered the tragedy of his dad being shot in front of the whole family by a would-be robber, who also murdered a brother-in-law at the same time.... all in front of the children. Alejandro has reacted as well as possible to these sad events. It will take some time for all the ramifications of this to play out. The national wave of violence is expected to worsen as the poor economy and the drug war drag on. There was a terrible gas explosion in Perote (about 5 hrs from here) and 4 of the ladies who attend the church there suffered very serious burns. One of these ladies subsequently died, and another had one of her hands amputated. At present, the three survivors are still in the hospital. There were some underlying spiritual issues involved that may well have played some part in this situation. There is a severe drought and water shortage in central Mexico (the worst in seventy years). This has resulted in the water being cut off in most of Mexico City on some weekdays and most weekends. At the same time we have experienced two weeks of severe flooding in the city with the loss of hundreds of cars and damage to thousands of houses. In the midst of these events, we have had very good Sunday services with new visitors and contacts. More doors continue to be opened for the spread of the Gospel. Many folks who have downloaded audios from our Internet sites contact us seeking more materials. We have seen some progress in regard to the purchase of the mini-mansion, but the precarious economic situation has put things on hold for the moment. Our training Institutes in Nicaragua and Guatemala are progressing well. I will be staying over a few days longer on the monthly trips to Guatemala. This will enable me to spend more time in outlying churches and get a better understanding of how to help the pastors and workers. We don't like the travel dangers that this may involve, but this is the best way to help these men. I will be traveling to Guatemala the weekend of the 26-27th and Pastor Omar will be in Nicaragua the weekend of the 19-20th of this month. School has started up here, and our son, Luke, is back at the University (he lives at home with us). Mark has been on a roller coaster regarding his job status. He is in the final stages of the hiring process at Banorte, but Banamex is still trying to get him signed. The process for foreigners here is complicated and drawn out, and very few companies are hiring due to the economic situation. Carolyn is starting her last year of home schooling. Lissa as always, is busy helping everyone. We plan to make a short trip next week to visit the mission in Aguascalientes. This city is 5 hrs. north of Mexico City and is the geographical center of the country. The little mission there continues meeting each week with two of the Pastors who travel from the Irapuato church. We are always in need of your prayers. Missionary Tom Montgomery and Family