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"Chips Off The Old Block"
News From Marilyn Wood
Serving Christ through:
Spanish American Evangelism
3135 Forney Lane
El Paso, TX 79935
Volume VI Number 1
Fall 1987
Dear Christian Friends,
"He that dwelleth inthe secret place of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my
refuge and my fortress: my God; in him Iwill trust...Psalm 91:1, 2.
These and other verses of the Psalm are set in a beautiful musical
setting which wassung at my sister's funeral onJuly 6,1987.1 wish
you all could hear it; it's a song and melody that I'll never forget.
Several ofyou are aware that my sister, Nancy Roberts, had had
cancer surgeryless than two years ago. She had been doing well
though, and as late as Januaryofthisyearshowed nosignofcancer.
But in February she began to feel ill again and by April was
diagnosed as having cancer again. At the end of May she was given
1-4 weeks to live.
The family rallied around her, and we were all together through
most of June. Even my brother was able to get a temporary job
transfer to Denver and was able to spend some time with her.
Even though the last three months of Nancy's life were difficult
in many ways, there were lots of blessings, not the least of which
was the family being together. Another was she was able to stay
home. She and Maurice elected to go with the Hospice of Metro
Denver, so she did not have not enter the hospital. The nurse was
just superb, and we are really grateful for this organization. Since
she was home, her children were able to be around her all the time.
They shared a lot ofgoodtimestogether in those few short weeks.
We're thankful, too, that Nancy didn't have to suffer for a long
period of time. She died in her sleep on July 2, 1987.
Another blessing for me personally was getting to know more of
my Christian familysome I didn't know i had until this time.
Marsha's church, Gateway Christian Church in Aurora, Colorado,
became my church home away from home during June. I even
substituted for their organist a couple of Sundays.
We're so thankful for all the prayers that you have offered and
continue to offer for all of us. We know God has heard them and
is helping us all. In addition to my brother and sister and parents,
Nancy left behind her husband, Maurice, and four childrenPhillip,
11; Allison, 9; Sarah, 6; and Paul, 3. They are learning to adjust and
doing well. I find it hard to imagine how a non-Christian copes with
a devastating illness and death. It sure is wonderful to have the Lord
and my Christian family to lean on. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 means a lot
more to me now, too.
On July 8th I arrived back in El Paso and spent the next two days
in the office. Then on the 13th I went to Oklahoma City to attend
the North American Christian Convention, i used that week as my
"R &R" before getting "back in the groove" at work, it has taken
me awhile to get things done, but I am making progress.
July 27-August 7 was Vacation Bible School at Eastside Christian
Church. I was in charge of the music again this year. We had a very
good VBS. Our average attendance was 130 (for ten nights) which
is better than our Sunday School average attendance.
Work at Spanish American Evangelism continues to go forward.
Over 850,000 tracts have been printed so far this year. Over 600,000
pieces of literature have been distributed, and i have at least 65
requests sitting on my desk waiting to be taken care of. We're pro
cessing them as fast as we can. Unfortunately, we've been having
some problems with the post office in Juarez. Ed Weckerly has spent
a good part of his time the last two weeks trying to get everything
resolved so we can once again get a lot of material mailed over there.
Please pray with us that this problem will soon be taken care of.
We're experiencing several changes in the office right now, too.
Barton Morse, who had been with SAE since February of 1976,
resigned as the printer, effective June 30,1987. We miss him in the
print shop, but we do see him quite often, as his wife, Kathy, rents
our typesetting equipment for a typesetting business she has. Please
be in prayer for them right now. Bart fell over the Labor Day week
end and shattered his leg bone just below the knee cap. It will be
some time before he'll be able to walk on it.
We're also losing Alma Zuelli on October 17, 1987. On that day
she'll become the wife of Bob Blazek, preacher at the Christian
Church in Midland, Texas. Bob is a widower with three grown children
and five grandchildren, so Alma's going to have an instant family.
We are really excited for her. However, with her leaving that puts
an added burden on me because I'll now have the typesetting to
do as well as all the other secretarial work. (Bill Is doing the printing
that Bart did.)
September 20-23 are the dates for the National Missionary-
Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Bill and Rosa Baker and I will
be leaving El Paso on the 17th and arriving there sometime on the
18th. We'll have the Latin American Plaza there, so if you plan to
be at the convention, be sure and come by the Plaza. Rosa and
Iare playingthe piano and organ for the evening sessions. I'malso
doing a workshop on how to get along together on the mission
fieldespecially the married and single women. Betty McElroy also
has a part in it. At this convention I'll pass on my secretarial duties
to Ron Key, associate minister at the Valley ViewChristian Church
in Dallas, Texas. Next year's convention will be held in Dallas.
Another event occured in August which added to our sadness.
My mother's oldest sister died. She was a single woman and lived
alone. It is especially hard to take as it happened about six weeks
after Nancy's death.
With both my aunt's death and Nancy's death coming so close
together and less than a year after we had our family reunion, it
makes the time we spent together last summer that much more
precious.
I continue to participate in church activities at Eastside. I will once
again be leading both the children's choir and the adult choir.
Rehearsals have just gotten underway. We're looking forward to
another good year with both of them. Jeanie Sparks will be myassis
tant with the Eastside Angels. And I'm planning on asking one of
the adults who has choir directing experience to help with the adults.
Mysupport continues to be about the same as last year. But with
Alma getting married very soon, I'mgoing to have a problem. I need
to find a roommate or raise additional support or both. The apart
ment I share with Alma Is large and relatively inexpensive consider
ing what new ones cost. I would like to stay put, but I will need to
have an additional $200.00 a month to do this. Even so, with this
additional income I would still be under the limit set by the trustees.
We have no one in mind to come and take Alma's place at SAE,
so I have no one in mind to replace her at the apartment. Please
be in prayer with me that this might be taken care of. I'm really in
the spot where Ican't afford to move (deposits for a new place plus
utilities would cost close to $200.00 and new apartments would have
higher rents and not as much room), and I can't afford not to.
Ido want to thank all of you for your prayers for me and the ministry
of Spanish American Evangelism. This has been especially true
during the past few weeks. I ask that you continue to do so. For my
supporters your help is greatly appreciated, more than words can
say. Paul's exhortation to the Phillppians seems very appropriate:
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your con
cern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no
opportunity to show it. Iam not saying this because Iamin need,
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or inwant. Ican
do everything through him who gives me strength.
"Yet it was good of you to share in mytroubles. Moreover, as you
Phillppians know, in the earlydays of your acquaintancewith the
gospel, when Iset outfrom Macedonia, not onechurch sharedwith
me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even
when Iwas in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when
I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for
what maybe creditedto your account. I have received full payment
and even more; I am amply supplied, nowthat I have received from
Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an
acceptable sacrifice, pleasing toGod. And my God will meet all your
needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Phil.
4:10-20.
In Christ,
Marilyn Wood
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"Chips Off The Did Block"
News From Marilyn Wood
Serving Christ through:
Spanish American Evangelism
3135 Forney Lane
El Paso, TX 79935
Volume VI Number 2
Winter 1987
Dear Christian Friends,
The calendar says it's that time of year again, but it doesn't seem possible.
Even the weather here has been unseasonably warm. But as you know, one
only has to drive down the street or go to the store to be reminded that
Christmas is just around the corner.
These last three months have been busy onesespecially now that there
are only three of us working full-time here in the office. Things are going well,
and we thank God that we can serve Him in this ministry.
When I last wrote, I was getting ready to go the Missionary Convention in
Memphis. Bill, Rosa, and I made it without any trouble. The convention was
excellent; the sermons were very good and developed the theme in a
marvelous way. One of the main reasons I like conventions is the chance
to be with friendsespecially ones I haven't seen in quite some time. I shared
a hotel room with Joyce Freese from Puerto Rico, Kay Kendall from Detroit
(She and I have known each since we were in grade school, and our parents
have been friends since before we were even born.), and Carolyn Barricklow,
friend from OBC days. We had a great time of fellowship. My roommate from
San Juan, Meredy McClenahan, was also there, and we got a chance to visit,
too. She Is now serving as the girl's dorm mother at Lincoln Christian College.
On the way home from Memphis, Bill had arranged a speaking date with
the church in New Braunfels, Texas. After arriving there on Friday night, Rosa
called home and found out her father had suffered a stroke and was in critical
condition. So she and Bill decided to go on to Eagle Pass after speaking in
New Braunfels. I caught the plane in San Antonio on Saturday and came on
home. 1didn't have time to call anyone and let them know I was coming, so
it was quite a surprise to everyone when I showed up Saturday afternoon.
In my last letter I mentioned that Bart Morse had fallen and broken his leg.
I'm happy to report that he is doing well. He gets around on crutches and
is able to start putting some weight on his foot. He's also swimming and using
a stationery bike for exercise. It will be some time yet before the leg is
completely healed, but the bone has started calcifying, and he continues to
improve. Bart and Kathy thank everyone for their prayers on Bart's behalf.
Alma's wedding to Bob Blazek on October 17 went off "without a hitch."
My folks were able to come down for the wedding, and I was so glad to have
them here for the few days. Also, Joyce Freese came out for the wedding.
She and Alma were next-door neighbors in Puerto Rico. Bob and Alma are
making their home in Midland where Bob is the preacher of the Christian
Church.
As I mentioned earlier, things are going well at S.A.E. Nowthat Alma's gone,
my work load has doubled, and I've really gotten behind. But in the last two
weeks I've made quite a bit of progressespecially in taking care of literature.
We're still way behind in that area, but I'm finally to the place where I can
write the people and let them know we haven't forgotten them and that we
do plan to send them tracts and/or New Testaments as soon as possible.
Bill has really been working on getting tracts printed. The total for the year
so far is over 970,000 tracts printed. He plans to print another 70,000 in the
next two weeks. Last month we didn't make much progress in printing as the
press decided to break down. We've had it for 9 years, and this was the first
time it had quit completely. It didn't take long to get it repaired, so we were
soon back in business.
As for distribution of literature, we are up to over 655,000 pieces for the
year. The problems with the post office in Juarez appear to be resolved, and
we thank the Lord for that. I intend to have several boxes ready for Ed to mail
next week. The next obstacle is the money needed for the postage. We're
also checking into sending large quantities by train. Samuel Guzman, minister
of the Iglesia Cristiana, is helping us witb this.
Many of you have heard, I'm sure, about the devaluation of the peso. As
of this writing, it is now over 2200. That means it takes 2200 pesos for every
dollar. Just six years ago it was 27 to 1. Because of the devaluation prices
are raised which makes the rate of inflation in Mexico very high. Many of their
goods and services that were cheaper than the U.S. counterparts are now
the same or even higher. Because of the devaluation it makes it harder to
plan on how much money we'll need for the postage, but it is important. Our
reason for existence is getting the Word of God into the hands of Spanish-
speaking people throughout the world.
As you know, I'm quite active with the Eastside Christian Church here in
El Paso. I'm happy to report that things are going great there, too. We're in
the middle of building a 2-story educational building. The outside work is
almost completed, and we should be able to start using it sometime in
February. We can hardly wait! Attendance for Sunday School is running above
100 consistently. Our worship services have over 165.
Both of the choirs are doing well. Sunday, December 13th, the Eastside
Angels (children's choir) and the Sunday School children will be putting on
the musical, "Angels Aware." We're doing it for the morning worship service.
The following Sunday, December 20th, the adult choir will be presenting
the cantata 'A Christmas Tapestry." We did this one three years ago, but there
are so many new people in the church and the choir that it's like doing a
new one. It's one of the prettiest cantatas I've ever heard, and I know
the congregation will enjoy It.
On the 21st I'll be heading to Denver to spend the holidays with my
family once again. Ihaven'tbeen backsince my sister's funeral so I'm
looking forward tospending some time with my nieces iind nephews,
as well as the rest of the family.
I also want to give you an up-date on mysupport. So far, there has
been no significant Increase In mysupport, but the Lord does supply
my needs. Last month I was onlyabout $30.00 short of being able to
payall my bills. So farthis month I'm short ofwhat Ineed, but Icontinue
to trust the Lord for my needs. If any of you could help In this area,
please let me know. I do thaok all of you for your love, support, and
prayers. They are deeply appreciated.
I want to take this time wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and
a wonderful year In 1988 for the Lord.
In Christ,
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