Watch this 3 minute humorous video for a graceful ending:

In my last article I told you about our desire to give a doll to Maria and  toys to 2499 other needy children here in Chiapas during this Christmas season.

I repent.

I can’t in good conscious give Maria a doll for Christmas.

We gave Maria a Doll but she NEEDS some Shoes for her feet

You see, I just got back from a trip to some of the Indian communities. I noticed something that has always caught my attention but really stuck out to me this time.

Many children don’t have shoes.

Since it’s cold, rainy and muddy in many of these Indian villages this really impacted me.

In my last newsletter I wrote ““Your Gift Will Put a Doll in Maria’s Arms and a Smile on 2499 More Hopeful Children’s Faces this Christmas”.

How can we put a doll in Maria’s hands when she really needs shoes on her feet?

Many Indian families have several children and simply cant afford to purchase shoes for all of them.

When I asked the Indian leaders what they thought of the idea of purchasing shoes instead of giving toys to these needy children they smiled at me and said yes, this is definitely what our families need for Christmas.

Because the Children need shoes we wont be giving out toys this Christmas. (unless we have finances left over after purchasing 2500 shoes)

This week I’ll be ordering some inexpensive shoes for the Tzotzil and Tzeltal Indian children.

We’ll be giving out shoes to children from ages 1-14.

Help Us Put Shoes on Needy Children's Feet

Christmas Smiles in Chiapas

We’ve already programmed our Christmas special presentation. Each special day will include Shoes, perhaps a small toy if we have the finances, piñatas, candy, puppets and a special Christmas message. Each day we’ll gather together at least 5 churches in each location,

Here’s our Christmas schedule so far. We’ll add more communities to this list as finances permit:

December 15th- New Church dedication in Tzonjok, Cancuc followed by our first Christmas Presentation with the Tzeltal Indian. We’ll minster to well over 500 children this day since there are a lot of Tzotzil Indian tribes in this community.

December 16th- Pocoinichim. 2 large churches (including Takiukum)will meet here along with 3 smaller mission churches.

December 19th- Acteal. 11 years ago there was a great massacre in this town. We’ll be bringing a message of New life, hope and love to this community. The Zapatista town of Polum is 30 minutes away. Our church of over 250 people will be walking from Polum to Acteal to participate in this event along with 4 other churches.

December 21- Cholchihutal- This is a remote region of Chiapas. Several missions churches will meet with us this day. Pray for good weather since these Tzotziles will have to walk a long time to get to our central meeting place.

December 24- We’ll be spending Christmas Eve in the central Church of the Tzotziles in Chenahlo, Chiapas. In addition to bringing in Churches from las Limas, we’d like to do an evangelistic effort this day to reach out to the community by having each family invite a family to celebrate with us.

Christmas Day, December 25- Tzalhachin. Some of our largest and poorest Churches (Tzenembolom, Cruzton) will meet together for a day of Celebrating the Birth Of Jesus. How will you be spending Christmas? Come visit us.

Will You Help us put shoes on Maria’s feet?

We still don’t have all the finances needed to provide shoes for all the children which we expect to exceed 2500. We made these plans trusting in God to touch your heart to help provide shoes for these needy children during Chirstmas.

We’ll be working hard and traveling long distances to help provide shoes for these childrne’s feet and smiles on the faces of all the Indians we’re ministering to during Chirsitmas.

Will you help us help the children?

Make a tax deductible donation here. (Please specify that you want to make a donation for “Christmas Gifts in Chiapas”)  We could really use the donations before December 7th.

We appreciate you!

“Your Gift Will Put a Doll in Maria’s Arms and a Smile on 2499 More Hopeful Children’s Faces this Christmas”

We are nearing the Christmas season. What will you be getting for Christmas this year? Many Indian Children in Chiapas don’t know.  They’re really hoping for something, but not expecting to receive anything for Christmas.

Last year, thanks to you, we were able to give out 2100 gifts to some very poor children. That is HUGE and we never planned on doing such a big project because it was our first time to do so.

This ministry turned out to be a real blessing to many needy children last year in addition to encouraging 27 Indian Pastors and countless parents who really needed a little bit of Christmas cheer themselves.

Last year many children got a present for the first time in their lives and most of them had never got to even break a pinata.

One little girl’s maturity and courage was really inspiring.

One rainy day little Maria, who I calculated to be approximately 6 years old, was intently viewing the dolls that we gave out. It was obvious that she desperately wanted one.  However when we asked her to choose between the doll and the umbrella she surprised us by valiantly picking the umbrella. You see, she wanted the doll but she (and her mother) needed the umbrella. We gave her the umbrella and a few other little goodies and she quietly went back to her seat.

She very politely looked at her friends dolls… never saying a word. But as I gazed at her my heart also went out to her. “What a mature little girl”, I thought.

Our gifts were numbered since we had plans to give them out to so many needy children.

Without drawing too much attention I picked up a small doll and edged over to little Maria. As I handed her the gift her face lighted up. .

The expression of joy on her face was worth it all.

Although I was tired from all the travel I also felt blessed to be a part of little Maria’s excitement. She never expected to get the doll. This is just one of the many children we ministered too who are just like her.

Share the Christmas Smiles and Excitement

You may not be able to be here in Mexico but you can be a part of the excitement. Last year’s Children’s Christmas ministry put a smile on the face of a lot of great kids just like Maria.

This year we’ve discovered more tribes and isolated communities that are really poor and have NEVER had a Christmas present in their entire lives. It would be great to give even more gifts than we did last year.

Can we give Maria another doll and minister to 2499 more kids during Christmas 2009?

You tell me.

If we spent $10 per child we’d need $25,000.
Earlier, I asked you what you are getting for Christmas. Now I’d like to ask you what you are willing to give to help out a child who may not receive anything without your financial contribution

This money doesn’t go to me. This is a lot of work for us, but it’s worth it.

“I’m asking you to give the best tax deductible donation you can today.
I know times have been tough for some over the past year.  But that’s all the more
reason to prove to God and yourself that you’re a giver who truly cares about
the hurting.

God gave His best (His own Son) as your Christmas gift.  What can you do?

Can you give $20, $100, $500, $1,000, or even $10,000?”

We’d like to raise funds for this project by December 1st. You can make a tax deductible donation here. (Please specify that you want to make donation for “Christmas Gifts in Chiapas”

This content is from our November 2009 Newsletter.

Download it in pdf format: November 2009 Newsletter (127)

Thanks and God Bless

I’ve updated this article here: I Can’t Give Maria a Doll For Christmas!

Ever wonder where the term “Holy Smoke” comes from?

Some say it’s from the movie “Holy Smoke”. Some cigar fans like the term. Others say, It’s a religious term describing burnt sacrifices in the Old Testament. Still others say that it is sacrilegious and is mocking God. It’s closely related to “Holy Cow”, an expression of surprise or a slang term.
Being here in Chiapas and working with the Indians (mostly Christian) the term “Holy Smoke” forms a new meaning… at least for us.

Anyone that has been anywhere near one of the Indians knows something… They smell like smoke.
The Indians live in the mountains and cook with wood. However there are no chimneys.
The Indians usually have a fire right in the middle of their home to cook with. This also heats up their house when it’s cold. Even the Indians who are fortunate enough to have a kitchen don’t have gas stoves. They simply have another hut with a fire in the middle of it and call it a kitchen. Even if you were to give them an eclectic stove they wouldn’t use it. They prefer cooking with wood and they’re use to all the smoke.

The information contained in this article is available in pdf format from our July, 2009 Newsletter. You may download it here:

July 2009 Newsletter (106)

Speaking of Smoking…

Jude 1: 22-23 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” That’s exactly what we’re doing.

During the month  of July, 2009 we were privileged to start 3 new churches:

• El Triunfo, Juarez Chiapas -Our new Pastor in Juarez caught the vision and just opened another mission in this town. Smoking!
• Buena Vista, La Rainza- Located in Zapatista Territory- A beautiful view and a great new Church- That Smokes!
• Motozintla, Chiapas- After very little persuading, Our Pastor located near the Guatemala border in Huitzla just started a new mission and already has 50 people attending- Holy Smokes!

Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” Rev 19:3

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Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. Ps 18:7-9
But the wicked will perish: The LORD’s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish – vanish like smoke. Ps 37:20

Thank you for helping our ministry to “Smoke”!

Just in case you’ve been following the news and are wondering about us.-

There is a big scare with the swine flu. All the schools are closed here where we live.. People are wearing face masks and all the stores are out of vitamin C.

We want to let you know that we are ok.

We have been traveling to many different churches this week with a musician from Chile.
Today we are in Juarez Chiapas starting a new Church using a concert to draw new people to the new work.

We are canceling the rest of the tour after today because the Mexican government has prohibited public meetings because of the epidemic..

Tomorrow we will go back to our house . Thursday we will be with the Tzeltal Indians with a another New Church plant.

Thanks for your prayers.

Today is Resurrection Sunday. Friday gone. Sunday’s here.

Christ is Risen!

Today we’re celebrating New Life.

I’ll be in a small Indian Community today sharing a simple message on why I believe this is the most important holiday of the year. This celebration is the foundation of our Christianity.

It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming

You may be interested in Dr. Tony Compolos Audio of the classic sermon found on his website

Here’s a goof video ( not the original) on Sunday’s a comin:

If you ‘ve been living a lot of sad Fridays. Take Hope! Sundays here.

Let’s celebrate New Life together

We recently passed out almost 500 Children’s Bibles in Tzotzil.

The Bibles were donated by the American Bible Society of Mexico.

These children’s Bible include the Gospel of Mark. Coloring pages, stickers and a dvd with  with both Spanish and Tzotzil languages. The dvd is great since illiteracy is a major problem with the Indians.
Tzeneembolon is located about 2 and a half hours from us.:

View a map of Tzenembolon
View Larger Map

View a Video of ,e and a Tzotzil Pastor Explaining how to use the Materials (Spanish and Tzotzil spoken)

View a Video of us passing out the Materials To children

View a Video of the Children with the Bibles

View pictures:

View more photos (click on the photo our ministry team):

I just recently ministered at the beach in Puerto Arista, Chiapas.

Several Churches were invited. There were baptisms, seafood and lots of sunshine.

The beach here has no large hotels or modern structures but we did manage to secure a very nice place to meet.

We also invited the Tzotzil Indians. 18 of them got to see the beach for their very first time.

Hope you enjoy the video and the photos:

Today , March 2oth, marks the fist day of spring.

Spring is a great season… It’s always been one of my favorite times of the year.

Some of the words that I think of when I think of Springtime is:

• Fresh
• Vibrant
• New Beginnings
• Sunshine
• Joyful
• planting (crops, flowers, churches, etc)
• I especially like the word “New”

For the next 4 days we  will be celebrating Spring with an intensive ministry schedule.

Many of you have asked for me to give you a heads up when we are in heavy ministry times so that you can pray for us.

Here’s our schedule for the first 4 days of Spring:

Friday, March 20-

Today I’m ministering in an all day Bible College with the Tzeltal Indians. This is our second sessions for 2009. The Tzeltal Indians are located in Cancuc, Chiapas.
View Larger Map

Saturday, March 21

Tomorrow I’ll be giving out close to 500 Children’s Bibles in Tzotzil. I’ve  asked the American Bible Society to help us with Bibles in the Indians native languages.  These children’s Bible include the Gospel of Mark. Coloring pages, stickers and a dvd with  with both Spanish and Tzotzil languages. The dvd is great since illeteracy is amajor probelm with the Indians.
We’ll be ministering in Tzeneembolon.
View Larger Map

Sunday March 22

Sunday afternoon I am doing a campaign in las Magaritas with the Tojolabal Indians
View Larger Map

Monday, March 23

, Bible School with the same group of Tojalabal Indians from Las Margaritas

Thanks for your prayers. I hope your spring plans are s as joyful as ours.

The Tzeltal Indians live about an hour and a half from us in Cancuc Pozo Chiapas. For a long time I have admired the bright colors of their clothing as we have ministered to them providing relevant teachings, evangelistic campaigns and now even a Bible School which started in February.

On February 20^th, we finished a full day of teaching and prepared for a nightly service in the village. The Pastor quietly pulled me aside and told me to go to a small wooden hut located outside of the church building. “A Family has something that they would like to give you” he said.

This was not the first time I had received gifts from the Tzeltal Indians. They’ve given me coffee, handmade bags and even livestock. I was honestly expecting another rooster to add to my ever growing population of chickens at my home in San Cristobal.

Was I ever surprised as the women pulled a beautiful Tzeltal Wardrobe out of a small plastic bag; it was just the right size.

“We want to give you this as a token of our appreciation for faithfully bringing us the Word of God each month” the family explained.

“I thought to myself, “I couldn’t possibly accept such a large gift. I know very well that the Tzeltal Indian wardrobes are very expensive.” In fact, they are worth more than $200. That’s well over a month’s wages when you consider that the average Tzeltal makes less than $30 a week when work is available. Most of the time, the Indians barter crops, animals, coffee and clothing because currency is scarce.

I considered the time involved in making such a beautiful piece of clothing- even longer than a month. I was reluctant to take the gift but I knew that I would offend the family if I didn’t. What’s more, I didn’t want to rob them of a blessing by not allowing them to give.

I accepted the gift.

“We are so thankful that you visit us each month, your ministry has changed our lives” they explained.

What a reward. Their words to me meant so much. I felt honored as I walked away with the wardrobe in hand, thanking God for the privilege to be a missionary to the Tzeltal Indians in Chiapas.

Luke 6:38 states that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I may have received some nice clothing and a pat on back but I feel even more satisfied to be able to share Gods Word with people in need.

You may download this month’s newsletter in pdf format:March Newsletter (100)

I want to thank you. Because of your prayers and financial support we are able to take the word of God to tribes like this Tzeltal family I just described. Thanks for helping us to help others!

Serving Christ Together,

Greg