Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for your faithful support of Lonnie and myself in our efforts through Baja Compassion Ministries to serve the deaf in Mexico and the orphans in Honduras. Many of you have supported us since 1997 when Lonnie or I worked individually with Rancho Sordo Mudo, . . . wow.  That’s been a while! 

In 2003 we felt moved to start our non-profit ministry Baja Compassion Ministries, Inc. (BCM) At that time we payed our accountant to file the necessary paper work required for our non-profit.  We were told we could operate while we waited for our non-profit ID# from the government.  Year after year passed and we were assured again and again things were slowly moving forward.  Unfortunately it has come to our attention that the proper papers where never filed.  In essence B.C.M. has not received our non-for-profit entity status.  We are not able to provide BCM donors with a tax deductible receipt.

This breaks our hearts to say we are closing down all activities financial & otherwise under the entity of Baja Compassion Ministries.  However, Lonnie and I will continue to personally be involved in ministry and missions, doing as the Lord leads.

Should you so chose, you can continue to send support to Pastor Carlos and or Gaby Suarez directly yourselves the same way we have.  We’ve used a Wells Fargo service called “Express Send” and anyone with an account with WF can set this up.  There is a $5 to $6 dollar charge each time we use the service but typically by the next day Pastor Carlos or Gaby are able to go to a local bank and pick up the full amount of the funds with no charge to them.

Also, you can still send support for Pastor Carlos and/or Gaby Suarez to 

Angels of Love, Inc

c/o Robert Ordway

P.O. BOX 121754

Chula Vista, CA  91912

We apologize for any inconvenience.  And if you’d like more detail or have any questions, please call Lonnie at 530 414-6693.

Yours in Christ,

Michelle Pfingston

May Newsletter

Baja Compassion Doings

Church for the Deaf

Mexican sign language (LSM) is different than American sign language (ASL) - you knew that right? Pastor Carlos has finished teaching Galatians and is starting in Jonah.  He purchased DVD with Jonah in LSM to pass out to his congregation.  When you consider that many have difficulty reading (Spanish is their second language, after all) if they know how to read at all - you can see what a blessing this is!

Carlos with Presidential Candidate 

Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us to 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

    for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

    defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

Pastor Carlos has been following this command for many years now, taking an active interest in rights for the deaf.  Recently he was able to stand up with the Mexican presidential candidate, Kiko Vega, for the deaf community!

Lonnie in Mexico and Honduras

We recently were blessed with a productive trip from a trip to Tijuana, Mexico where we built a staircase and furthered the construction on the Disciples House at Paul Alvarado’s (with Spectrum MInistries) residence. Currently we are planning a trip to Santa Barbara, Honduras in June/July of this year.  Our plan is to help teach the older Orphans construction skills while leading  the visiting work group with their projects.  Please help us pray for the funding for this trip.

Baja Compassion Families

Pastor Carlos’s family ask for prayer about moving from their current home to something smaller, and if it is God’s will that He provide the finances for it.

Gaby has taken on the children’s ministry at the partnering hearing church - a huge responsibility. Nevertheless she continues to be a key interpreter and interprets for worship. services. 

 Also she asks for prayer for her next planned  mission trip to Cuba (January). She needs to raise $1500 dollars..  And she is trusting God to do so.

We, Pfingstons continue our behind the scenes work supporting Pastor Carlos - being facilitators to their service. while watching ways to minister at any opportunity.

From Gaby

Cuba

In the mists of prepairations for the mission trip to Cuba, and wonderously God has surprised me in this adventure! Of the total amount needed for me to go, I’m halfway to the goal! 

I'm super excited to see, as time goes by, my appeal to this trip. Thank you to all who in one way or another (prayers and financial support) have been helping me on this journey. If you have not heard of the vision for this trip, send me your email and I will get you more information. 

Allow me to remind you the trip is January 17-28, so that you can cover us in prayer during our stay and continue to cover us clear through our preparation for departure. 

  

Something that fills me with great joy is just to see the blessings of our Heavenly Father for the trip and for our lives. He is seen as the Deaf ministry grows, and as people are willing to support us. Jose Michel has in the last couple of years supported the ministry in videography. He records videos of the signed class and songs of praise in LSM. But last month God talked to him about serving the Deaf in full time ministry! So he left his job he had in Tijuana and moved back to Ensenada to follow His call and be obedient to Him. 

This is God’s answer to the prayers of my brother Charles to have an assistant and/or a male interpreter and who better than Jose Michel! He continues to support our video and interpreting needs. Although he does not feel 100% in his signing, that little seed with the desire to serve our God is bearing fruit in his life as in others. We hope patiently to keep seeing more people like  Jose to serve as volunteer in the deaf community and to continue reaching the lost in this area and to be discipled. If you have the desire to be part of this ministry as well, but do not know how to help because you may not know sign language, I encourage you to support our ministry through your prayers and financial support for both Carlos Suarez ( Pastor), Jose Michel (video manager and assistant to Carlos) or me (in charge of Deaf women’s ministry and Bible study).

  

And because God's mission is to reach all who are lost for them to  have eternal life and discover the wonders of God, Bible studies are necessary for both women and men. The goal is to grow and be able to respond to those human doubts they have. Pray for them to rekindle that fire in them; rekindle a fire to be fill with more of Him and less of the world, to see that the best weapon to overcome obstacles and problems of life is Jesus and not the things that normally the world offers. Pray our church set aside what hinders them and/or bothers so they receive His teachings. By this I mean to put aside the problems between them, and through His love can forgive one another.  That they fix their eyes on Jesus and not on those who have hurt them. 

Carlos and his kids Leilani and Jerimias

It may be that I am the least qualified person to do this, given my past; but because of that, I know the value of time spent in His presence/Word every day, that is why I urge you to support me in prayers.  Lets lift up this group of people who sometimes feel isolated by simply not being able to hear. Pray they wake up to the truth, and they can understand through His Holy Spirit, because He made them so special! May they not say “I'm still young, perhaps later” or “I will be ignored because I am deaf" -

-NO! They also are suitable for our Father’s gifts as any of us! You and I have the gift of encouragement through our prayers. And for those that have been causing dissension? May they be rebuked by His Word and allow that their spiritual eyes be opened to see their mistakes.

Obedience

For those who learned via Facebook that it had obtained a new job, this is short story.

   The day I inquired about working in the church Daycare they rushed to respond to me. I was concerned that I couldn’t take the job unless my daughter was accepted too.   After a few minutes I heard God said “Ask Me! .. And I ignore it. Hanging up the phone I said “This may be rushing you, Father, but come Monday, when I go to the interview, if you show me that work is for me -have them accept my daughter as well.” I went to the interview and it went very well!. I thought this was a doors God had opened for me and it pleased me very much, and I was very excited. 

My mistake ... ignoring that small voice that said “ask Me!”. God showed me otherwise, that this was not the place he had called me to.  He showed me I basically had the three ministries where I was to focus and care for; my daughter, my brother Carlos’s family and the Deaf ministry ( plus this trip to Cuba). For four days on the job I had no peace and God showed me in different ways that I had to leave. When I decided to quit and walk in obedience .... man! a great peace came over my life and that was a confirmation that I had been wrong about work. I was reminded to not  worry about anything that involving money, for He has been supplying everything for me since I turned to Him, and since I had my daughter in my belly He has given us even more! It is better to walk in obedience than not.... and in  a week ... pum! God surprises me with a tremendous amount of $! 

I never expected it and I had no idea He would do such a thing, then someone reminded me “this is the result, Gaby, of your obedience to follow the voice of Papi”. So friends and family, I encourage you to follow God, hear His call whatever it may be and do not fear because our Papa God gives everything and never forsakes us in ANYTHING (both materially, in the sentimental and spiritual ) Jeremiah 3 33.

PRAYER:

Margarita (center) returns to us after a stroke!

Suarez's family: that God will continue to guard and guide in our spiritual battle we face daily. Especially for children who have been attacked in one way or another in their lives with fear, illness and lies.

Also, Pray for Margarita who, since two months ago, we’ve had with us again after a seveir stroke. Pray God continues to heal her.

And the other petitions mentioned above.

Finally!

Praise report!

I asked you to pray for our deaf women's Bible study  and God heard!~

Here are a couple of photos of those that went to study. And according them, there were others who wanted to go but didn't make it; they were not Christian. And there is a new unbeliever attendee: Anna,  sitting next to Evangelina.

Thanks for the prayers! .. Praise the Lord!

Fransis, Evangelina, Anna, Gaby, Blanca, Vi

From Gaby's Heart

Prayer Request:


Pray for this Thursday (March 1),  after so long not having women's Bible study for the deaf, we will be starting again, and in this case Nancy and Francis are very excited about it, they even went to church and possibly Blanca would come. That would be super!   ; D

Nancy and Francis at the retreat

Blanca

The Deaf Women's retreat 2012

So we had all we could accommodate on our women's retreat! Every one in all stages of walk with Jesus.  We even had one lady who up to this time was a Jehovah Witness, another was attending JW meetings even though she knew the Truth.  

It was relaxed, fun and Michelle Bonsell spoke of "Dressing for Success"; first speaking of putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), then talking of clothing yourselves in humility and love (Colosions 3:12) and finally just a good needed talk of modesty . . . :-)

A refreshing time, a renewing time, a BLESSED time.

Thank you all who made it possible with your support, donations and prayers!

From Gaby's Heart

Gossip is a stronghold.  It’s been exhausting hearing a whole bunch of “he said” “she said” . . . 

But it broke my heart when I found out that because of gossip a dear lady was not coming to church.  She is too embarrassed to face those that were accusing her. 

And she came to deaf women’s Bible study on Saturday!  She was excited and so moved by the study that she was in tears.  She promised she’d be there Sunday.

She was a student of mine at Rancho Sordo Mudo, the school for deaf.  I’ve seen her love for God, her true devotion.

She knows Jesus, even if lately she hasn’t been walking in obedience.  I *know* Jesus is waiting for her to return to Him; lovingly, patiently.

It is satan’s plan to keep her from church. PRAY!