Holmes- Missionaries to Mexico

Donald ('80) and Susan Holmes

Contact Information

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Holmes
P.O. Box 1582
Lemon Grove, CA 91946
Email:dholmes@ens.cablered.com.mx

Mission Agency

November 13, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. On the 8^th of November we had a special speaker at our mission church. Brother Jesse Garza, who is our field director, came to preach of us. We had 14 in church and before the morning service Brother Garza had the opportunity to lead Luis Alberto to the Lord. What a special blessing! Please continue to pray for Evelyn who is really close to being saved. We continue to do a discipleship class with Felix and his wife Paola. We are also doing a discipleship Bible study with Gabriela. We are also doing a study with some ladies on Friday mornings. Sunday we had a first time visitor come to church.

Also I have installed Skype onto my computer and have video capabilities. So if you want to contact me my screen name is donald.e.holmes and I am the one in Winamac, IN (even though I really am in Mexico).

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us. We will be back in the Mid-West from the middle of April 2010 to the middle of October 2010. I am already starting to try to schedule meetings in new churches. Pray that I will be able to fill the schedule and that we will be able to raise the needed support. If you would like to have us come, or know of someone that does, please let us know.

3. Open doors as we try continue to visit door to door in Sauzal.

4. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, Bety, Macrina, Arturo, Dora, Ana Maria, Doris, Chavela, Ricky Jr., Ricky Sr., Tereza, Rosa, and Evelyn.

5. Spiritual growth for Felix, Paola, Gabriela, Luis Alberto, and Gustavo.

6. Pray for a couple to help us in the new work.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

November 1, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We have finished our first month in the new church plant. We have had an average attendance of 8 with a high of 13 and a total of 18 different people come. Pray for Evelyn who is really close to being saved. We continue to do a discipleship class with Felix and his wife Paola. We are also doing a discipleship Bible study with Gabriela. We are also doing a study with some ladies on Friday mornings. Sunday we had a first time visitor come to church.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

3. Open doors as we try continue to visit door to door in Sauzal.

4. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, Bety, Macrina, Arturo, Dora, Ana Maria, Chavela, Ricky, Luis, and Evelyn.

5. Spiritual growth for Felix, Paola, Gabriela, and Gustavo.

6. Pray for a couple to help us in the new work.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

October 5, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We had our first service October 4^th. We had 6 in attendance. Pray for Evelyn who is really close to being saved. We continue to do a discipleship class with Felix and his wife Paola. Praise the Lord both Paola and Felix have accepted the Lord. We are doing a discipleship Bible study with them. We are also doing a discipleship Bible study with Gabriela. We are also doing a study with some ladies on Friday mornings.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

3. Open doors as we try continue to visit door to door in Sauzal.

4. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, Bety, Macrina, Arturo, and Evelyn.

5. Spiritual growth for Felix, Paola, Gabriela, and Gustavo.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

September 12, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. The work is going well. We have rented a room to start a church in. Lord willing we will be having our first service October 4^th. Our plan is to have services Sunday morning and Wednesday night at first. On Sunday night we bring them in to Pastor Luis’ church for the evening service (as they are our mother church. Felix and his wife Paola have been coming to Luis’ church, but when we start services they will be attending the mission church. We are doing a discipleship Bible study with them. We are also doing a discipleship Bible study with Gabriela.

The reason we did not take the offer of a room to start the church was there seemed to be something just not quite right. Well after we had our first two Bible studies on Friday morning Julieta called us and said she moved and told us a lot of things about Bety (the lady of the room we were offered to rent). Them told us not to even go back because Bety was not interested. I told her I would go talk to Bety and she didn’t like that! Well as it turned out Julieta was lying to us and was trying to take advantage of us. So praise the Lord for wisdom in that area. Now that Julieta is gone. We have rented the room and Friday we had four ladies in the Bible study. Gustavo continues with the Bible study and comes to Pastor Luis’ church once in a while. The doors are open in Sauzal. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

I am continuing to teach cults and religions on Sunday nights in Luis’ church.

Thank you for your prayers concerning my mother. She is now in an assisted living home and likes it! This is an answer to prayers!

Also thank you for your prayers for Susan and her health. Her blood sugar levels are still higher than they should be, but they are going down. Also thanks to Dr. Dan Luban we have made another change in our diet and in the last two weeks Susan has lost 4 more pounds, bringing the total to 74 pounds since she got off the diabetic medicine.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us. We will be back in the Mid-West from the middle of April 2010 to the middle of October 2010. I am already starting to try to schedule meetings in new churches. Pray that I will be able to fill the schedule and that we will be able to raise the needed support. If you would like to have us come, or know of someone that does, please let us know.
4. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.
5. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, Julieta, Paola, and Nemecio.
6. Spiritual growth for Juan Luis, Myra, Gustavo, Gabriela, and Felix.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

August 25, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. The work is going well. I Still have not been able to catch up with Arnufo. We are no longer having a Bible study with Nemecio and his family. They now go to the Pentacostal church which is over 25 miles away. They had not gone in over a year and the pastor just happened to drop by (amazing how Satan works) and call on them. We have been offered a place to have services. It will cost about $40.00 a month, but will need some fixing up. We are praying for the Lord’s will in this area. Last Thursday we were able to lead Felix and Gabriela to the Lord knocking on doors. Friday we took Gabriela a Bible. I asked her where she would go if she died right then. She answered “heaven for sure”. Not only that she told me that Thursday night she asked her husband the same question! Saved less than 24 hours and already witnessing! Also Friday morning we started another Bible study with Julieta, and two of her friends. We are planning, once we have a place to meet, to have Sunday morning and Thursday night services and then on Sunday night take them into Ensenada for the evening service as Pastor Luis’ church is the mother church. Gustavo continues with the Bible study and comes to Pastor Luis’ church once in a while. The doors are open in Sauzal. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

I am continuing to teach sects on Sunday nights in Luis’ church.

Thank you for your prayers concerning my mother. She is now in an assisted living home and likes it! This is an answer to prayers!

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us. We will be back in the Mid-West from the middle of April 2010 to the middle of October 2010. I am already starting to try to schedule meetings in new churches. Pray that I will be able to fill the schedule and that we will be able to raise the needed support. If you would like to have us come, or know of someone that does, please let us know.

4. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

5. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, Julieta, and Nemecio.

6. Spiritual growth for Juan Luis, Myra, Gustavo, Gabriela, and Felix.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

August 3, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. The work is going well. I Still have not been able to catch up with Arnufo. We started a Bible study in the home of Nemecio. We had to change the day to Saturday morning because of Nemecio’s job. Also we are looking for a place to have services. We have been offered a room and also offer help in finding a place, but so far nothing concrete. Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom in this area. We are planning, once we have a place to meet, to have Sunday morning and Thursday night services and then on Sunday night take them into Ensenada for the evening service as Pastor Luis’ church is the mother church. Gustavo continues with the Bible study and comes to Pastor Luis’ church once in a while. The doors are open in Sauzal. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

I am continuing to teach sects on Sunday nights in Luis’ church.

Thank you for your prayers concerning my mother. Tomorrow she leaves the nursing home and goes to an assisted living home! This is an answer to prayers!

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

4. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

5. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, Brandon, Jose, Manuel, Lupita, and Nemecio.

6. Spiritual growth for Juan Luis, Myra, Gustavo.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

July 24, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. The work is going well. I Still have not been able to catch up with Arnufo. We started a Bible study in the home of Nemecio. His whole family was taking the study, but now Nemecio has started working and is not able to be in the Bible study. Also we are thinking about finding a place to have services. We have been offered a room and also offer help in finding a place. Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom in this area. Gustavo continues with the Bible study and comes to Pastor Luis’ church once in a while. The doors are open in Sauzal. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

Pastor Luis has asked me to teach sects on Sunday nights in his church.

Please continue to pray for my mother Barbara Holmes. She is out of the hospital and into a nursing home. Pray that she will soon be able to go home and that she will fully recover, if it is the Lord’s will.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

4. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

5. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, and Nemecio.

6. Spiritual growth for Juan Luis, Myra, Gustavo.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

July 6, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Sorry for taking so to get this out. I had a problem with my back and was not sitting very much. I am fine now and back to Normal (well at least physically). The work is going well. Arnufo is working and I have not been able to catch him to see when he wants to have the Bible study. Mayra’s husband would not let her have a Bible study, but Mayra introduced us to her uncle Nemecio. Lord willing we will be starting a Bible study in Nemecio’s home this Thursday at 4:30 Pacific time. Gustavo continues with the Bible study and comes to Pastor Luis’ church once in a while.

Pastor Luis has asked me to teach sects on Sunday nights in his church.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

4. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

5. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, Agustin, Julio, Arnufo, Diana, and Nemecio.

6. Spiritual growth for Juan Luis, Myra, Gustavo.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

June 10, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Last Saturday was the graduation for the Bible Institute in Tijuana. There were two students that graduated. Susan and I teach there once a week. This is what some of the students that we have taught are doing that have graduated from this Bible Institute.

1. Francisco Villalpando – Assistant Pastor in Tijuana and teacher in the Bible Institute.
2. Andres Racicot – Starting a church in Tijuana and teacher in the Bible Institute.
3. Angel Parra Fierro – Pastor in Tijuana and teacher in the Bible Institute.
4. Mario Nungaray – Evangelist and teacher in the Bible Institute.
5. Gustavo Amador – Teacher in the Bible Institute.
6. Javier Gutierrez – Starting a church in Tijuana and teacher in the Bible Institute.
7. Virginia Gutierrez – wife of Javier and teacher in the Bible Institute.
8. Ismael Nungaray – Teacher in the Bible Institute.
9. Miriam Chapa – Teacher in the Bible Institute.
10. Brenda Altamirano – Teacher in the Bible Institute.
11. Damian Ojeda – Director of a Bible Institute in Ensenada and Assistant Pastor.
12. Luis Valenzuela – Pastor in Ensenada and teacher in two Bible Institutes in Ensenada.
13. Perla Valenzuela – Pastor’s wife and teacher in a Bible Institute in Ensenada.
14. Pastor Reyes and wife – Missionaries to Chiapas, Mexico.
15. Pastor Ciro and wife – Pastor in La Paz, Mexico.
16. Flavio Hernandez – Starting a church in Manadero, Mexico.

These are just a few of the ones that Susan and I have had the opportunity to teach.

On the 17^th of June I will be having a Bible study with Arnufo in Sauzal. Also pray for Myra who wants to have a study, but has to talk to her husband first. Her husband’s name is Julio. Pray that he will let her take the study and even want to study also.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

June 5, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. This last week has been a super good week. On Saturday, Susan and I were knocking on doors in Sauzal and we had very good results. We had three or four families that listened to the presentation of the plan of salvation. One of them, Juan Luis, started by saying that he had just started classes with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. So I asked him if he believed what the Jehovah’s Witnesses believed. He answered, “Like what?” My reply was that Jesus Christ before coming to the earth was called the arch angel Miguel. He said, “They believe that? They have not told me that!” (Not really believing that the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that). So I asked him which book they were using for the study and he said, “What does the Bible really teach” (In Spanish of course). So I told him to go get it. He did and I showed him in the book where they teach that Jesus was the arch angel Miguel. He said, “I don’t believe that!” To make a long story short I was able to witness to him and he accepted the Lord as his Savior. Pray that he will stop studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and start studying with us. Then this last Tuesday we were calling once again in Sauzal Jose Luis was helping me. I told Jose Luis that the next house was the last one for the day. Well at that house we met Myra. I started witnessing to her and she said that she was going through some rough times and that she knew that God had sent us to her that day! After witnessing to her she bowed her head and accepted the Lord as Savior, with one of the sweetest prayer that I have heard in a long time. What a blessing. She is going to talk to her husband about having a Bible study. Continue to pray for open doors in Sauzal.

Gustavo continues to do well in the Bible study. This week his lady friend Abimelech joined the study. Pray that she soon will be saved. She is very close to salvation.

Also please pray for my mother Barbara Holmes. She fell at home and is in the hospital. No bones were broken, but after the hospital she will have to go to a nursing home for a while. Pray that she will fully recover.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.
3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Esteban seems to be starting to come around.
4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us. We will be back in the Mid-West from the middle of April 2010 to the middle of October 2010. I am already starting to try to schedule meetings in new churches. Pray that I will be able to fill the schedule and that we will be able to raise the needed support. If you would like to have us come, or know of someone that does, please let us know.
5. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.
6. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, and Agustin.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

May 27, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Gustavo continues to do well in the Bible study. Today he told me that he burned all of his rock CD’s. Susan and I still attend Pastor Luis’ church while we call in Sauzal. Saturday morning we had several opportunities to present the gospel while knocking on doors in Sauzal. Pray especially for Johana. She goes to the Catholic church, was baptized in the charismatic church and is not saved, but is very open.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Esteban seems to be starting to come around.

4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us. We will be back in the Mid-West from the middle of April 2010 to the middle of October 2010. I am already starting to try to schedule meetings in new churches. Pray that I will be able to fill the schedule and that we will be able to raise the needed support. If you would like to have us come, or know of someone that does, please let us know.

5. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

6. Pray for the salvation of Fabiola, Abimalech, Johana, and Agustin.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

May 18, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Gustavo continues to do well in the Bible study. Sunday morning he came to church with his “wife” and daughter. Susan and I still attend Pastor Luis’ church while we call in Sauzal. Sunday night Fabiola came to church with her “husband” and daughter. That was a blessing as I had been inviting them for years. Of those who came for the first time on Sunday, only Gustavo is saved. Pray that they will soon be saved.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Esteban seems to be starting to come around.

5. Open doors as we try to start Bible studies in Sauzal.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

May 7, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Gustavo continues to do well in the Bible study, pray that he will soon come to church. He works all night so this is tough for him. As for the threat of the swine flu virus Dr. George Sooley sent me an interesting link http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx. We are back to calling and having Bible studies once again. Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the Sword conference will be held. Pray that souls will be saved and that lives will be changed for the honor and glory of the Lord.

Prayer requests:

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 28, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Our Thursday night Bible study has been canceled. Susan and I assume that we can chalk that up to the local Catholic priest by what the family said. Gustavo continues to do well in the Bible study, pray that he will soon come to church. He works all night so this is tough for him. Today we did not go to Tijuana as they canceled classes because of the swine flu outbreak. All schools have been closed until the 5^th of May. Also with the flu outbreak we have decided that we will have to postpone knocking on doors until this has been cleared up. So far I have not heard of a case in Ensenada. Pray that we will be protected in this area!

Prayer requests:

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 22, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. This week was a week of answered prayers. On Saturday morning Susan and I went to Sauzal to knock on doors. The second door that we knocked on we were invited in and invited to have a Bible study in their home. That was the first answer to prayer. The Lord opened a door for another Bible study in Sauzal. The second answer to prayer was that Pancho came to church on Sunday morning. Pray that he will continue to come. The third answer to prayer came when church was out. I walked out the door and there was Gustavo. I had lost contact with him because he had moved. As of right now we are knocking on doors in Sauzal Thursday and Saturday mornings. Thursday night we have a Bible study in Sauzal, Friday morning we have a Bible study in Sauzal, and Friday afternoon we have a Bible study with Gustavo. We still are teaching in Tijuana on Tuesdays. Wednesday Susan has 8 piano lessons.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Esteban seems to be starting to come around.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 14, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. On Thursdays we continue to knock on doors in Sauzal. On Friday Susan and I had our Bible study with Ofelia and Julio. Continue to pray that the Lord will give them understanding and open their eyes to their need of salvation. Julio seems to understand a little better. Pray that the Lord will open more doors in Sauzal. In the last two weeks I have seen Pancho and Maria. Both told me that they were going to come to church, but as of yet have not come.

Last Wednesday Pastor Luis and Perla went to Mexicali with a group of youth for a youth conference. Eleven youth went and two were saved at the conference. Praise the Lord! When God works, Satan works also. When Luis and Perla returned home they found their house robbed. The thieves stole around $700.00 of church money. That might not seem much to you, but here that is a lot of money. I tried to encourage Pastor Luis. All in all God has a reason for this. Pray that Luis will not let this get him down and that Perla will feel safe in her own home.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Both are coming to church, but Esteban still has not gotten his heart right with God.

4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

5. Youth conferences in Mexicali this week. There are 10 going from Pastor Luis´s church.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 6, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. This last week was a little slow. On Thursdays we are knocking on doors in Sauzal. We covered around fifty houses with no results. On Friday our Bible study with Ofelia and Julio was canceled because they had to go to the doctors. Continue to pray that the Lord will give them understanding and open their eyes to their need of salvation. Pray that the Lord will open more doors in Sauzal. Saturday in calling with Pastor Luis we saw 4 people come to know the Lord as Savior. There were 10 of us knocking on doors and passing out tracts. This week I was a little discouraged because we have not seen many results in door to door calling in Sauzal, but then the Lord brought to memory that we are not commanded to have result, but we are commanded to go and that we will reap in due time, if we faint not!! HAVE YOU PASSED OUT A TRACT TODAY?

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Both are coming to church, but Esteban still has not gotten his heart right with God.

4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

5. Youth conferences in Mexicali this week. There are 10 going from Pastor Luis´s church.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 2, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. These last few weeks have been very good. We have started a Bible study in the home of Ofelia and Julio. Pray that the Lord will give them understanding and open their eyes to their need of salvation. Ofelia and Julio live in Sauzal. Ofelia and Julio live in Sauzal. Pray that the Lord will open more doors in Sauzal. Sunday we brought 22 people to church in our van with four new visitors coming from knocking on doors. Pastor Luis is doing a great job in the church. Sunday morning we had 47 in church not counting the children in children’s church.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. Both are coming to church, but Esteban still has not gotten his heart right with God.

4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

March 27, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. These last few weeks have been very good. We have been working in the church doing whatever we can to help Luis and Perla until the doors are opened for the starting of a new church. We have started to knock on doors in the area of Sauzal. We have found two families that have shown interest in having Bible studies in their home. We will be having a Bible study in one of the homes this Friday. Pray that the Lord will open the doors in Sauzal to start a mission and that He will send us a couple to work with. On the 17^th of March, Pastor Gary and Marty Burns from Danville, Illinois came to visit us. We had three days of special services and the church was packed for each of the services. On Sunday morning to people accepted the Lord as their Savoir. Sunday morning after the morning services we had a baptismal service at the beach. Six people were baptized Manuel, Mirna, Jose Maria, Josuana, Elvira, and Jesus. It was a special blessing to see Jesus baptized.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficulties in their marriage. They are back together, but still need your prayers.

4. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

March 10, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. This week was a good week. In my Bible study with Gustavo, he accepted the Lord as his Savior.

We continue knocking on doors in Sauzal. Pray for Domatilia and Ophelia. There is a possibility that we can start Bible studies in their home. We hope to start this week if at all possible.

Next Tuesday Pastor and Mrs. Gary Burns from First Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois will be here for a week. We will be having special meetings in Pastor Luis’ church on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday after the morning service we are going to the beach for baptisms.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban. They are back together and Esteban is attending church, but still needs to get things right with the Lord.

4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church. The couple that we are interested in working with want to start on their own and then maybe later they will be interested in working with us. So we are going to start calling in a new area called Sauzal. It is about 10 miles from our house in Ensenada.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

P.S. I am sending this through my Mexican server. If you get it twice please let me know. I wish I could add if you don’t get it let me know also, but that would be impossible.

March 5, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Susan continues to lose, she has now lost 69 pounds, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Sunday was a busy day. Sunday morning we had a great morning service. Six people were saved after the morning service.

Last week we started knocking on doors in Sauzal. Pray for Domatilia and Ophelia. There is a possibility that we can start Bible studies in their home. Another point of interest. There is an abandoned church close to these homes, Never Know!

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and is very faithful.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel.

7. That the Lord would bring in the support that we need.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

P.S. I am almost done with combining my update lists, so if my e-mail updates stop coming please let me know.

February 24, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Susan continues to lose, she has now lost 67 pounds, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Sunday was a busy day. We had a potluck after the morning service. Then after that I had a Bible study in the home of Gustavo. He is not saved but is seeking and is very close to being saved. Pray that he soon will be saved.

Praise the Lord that Felix has been faithful in church. Also Sunday morning Juanito, Edgar, Nique and his family were in church. They had not been in church for a long time.

On the 14^th of February Josuana and Jose Maria were united in marriage in a civil marriage along with over 500 other couples. That was a blessing. Josuana and Jose Maria were living together before they were saved and now have made things right before the Lord. Also Esteban was in church. Esteban and Yesenia are back together. Pray that God will continue to work in Esteban’s heart. I still am battling a cold so pray that I will get over it. In the next couple of weeks we plan to start knocking on doors in Sauzal, which is about eight miles from our home and the church where Luis is pastor.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and is very faithful.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel.

7. That the Lord would bring in the support that we need.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

P.S. I am almost done with combining my update lists, so if my e-mail updates stop coming please let me know.

February 9, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 83% of our support and need around $750.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter and thanks to those who have raised our support and who have took us on for support. Susan continues to lose, she has now lost 66 pounds, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Praise the Lord for Sunday. One of the new families brought their parents to church. Also Sunday morning the church had a baby dedication. Praise the Lord that Felix, Antonio, and Reina were in church for the second straight Sunday. Also Esteban was in church. Esteban and Yesenia are back together. Pray that God will continue to work in Esteban’s heart. This week I have been battling a cold and had to miss calling on Saturday morning. We did have good visits knocking on doors on Thursday morning.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and is very faithful.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

February 4, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and is very faithful.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

January 27, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and is very faithful. Sunday Esteban came to church both in the morning and in the evening. He seems to be coming around. Continue to pray for him.

4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church. The couple that we are interested in working with want to start on their own and then maybe later they will be interested in working with us. So we are going to start calling in a new area called Sausal. It is about 10 miles from our house in Ensenada.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Raul, and Angel,

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

January 14, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and Esteban comes every once in a while. He is interested in his freedom and not his obligations as a husband and a father.

4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church. There is a couple that are just starting to start a church in one of the places where we were interested in starting a church. We have made contact with them and they are checking with their home pastor before they make a decision to work with us. We should know before the end of the year (Lord willing).

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Lydia, Raul, and Angel,

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

December 23, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 83% of our support and need around $750.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter and thanks to those who have raised our support and who have took us on for support. Just this week I received news that the landlord was raising the rent $50.00 a month. I though ouch we are already under supported and this is not going to help. I took it to the Lord and shortly thereafter I received an e-mail from one of our supporting churches telling us that they had raised our support $100.00 a month. That was a blessing. God does answer prayers. We are praying weekly for all our supporting churches and also for the churches that we have been in. Susan continues to lose, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Susan is down 63 pounds and feeling much better. I am really proud of her. Pray that she will continue to lose weight. My mother arrived on the 16^th and we have been keeping her busy. Last Monday Josuana accepted the Lord as her Savior. Thank you for praying for her! Saturday we had the Christmas drama with over 70 in attendance and saw 3 ladies accept the Lord as Savior.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Leopodo, Lillian, Raul, and Angel,

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

December 15, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter and thanks to those who have raised our support and who have took us on for support. Just this week I received news that one of my supporting churches raised my support $500.00 a year. That was a blessing. I also talked to the pastor of another supporting church, who is going through financial difficulties and can´t sent support. We are praying weekly for all our supporting churches and also for the churches that we have been in. Susan continues to lose, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Susan is down 62 pounds and feeling much better. I am really proud of her. Pray that she will continue to lose weight. This last week I spent in bed with a sinus infection. I had a fever for 5 days even on antibiotics! If the weather permits, mom flies in to be with us for 3 weeks.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.
3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment. Yesenia continues in church and Esteban comes every once in a while. He is interested in his freedom and not his obligations as a husband and a father.
4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church. There is a couple that are just starting to start a church in one of the places where we were interested in starting a church. We have made contact with them and they are checking with their home pastor before they make a decision to work with us. We should know before the end of the year (Lord willing).
5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.
6. For the salvation of Leopodo, Lillian, Raul, Angel, and Josuana

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

December 1, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter and thanks to those who have raised our support and who have took us on for support. Susan continues to lose, but I am staying pretty much the same though I am losing around the waist. Susan is down 58 pounds and feeling much better. I am really proud of her. Pray that she will continue to lose weight. Saturday we had 7 people out knocking on doors. We used our old van to pick up 8 people from the area where we are knocking on doors. A teen boy named Arturo brought his thirteen year old brother to church. Please continue to pray for Arthur Jr. and Concepcion. This next Sunday, Lord willing there will be a memorial service for Arthur Sr. in the church here in Ensenada. Susan is still in the process of cleaning the house A. M. (after mice). Hopefully she will be done before my mother comes on the 16^th of December.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Leopodo, Lillian, Raul, Angel, and Josuana

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

November 26, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter and thanks to those who have raised our support and who have took us on for support. Susan and I have hit a plateau in our weight loss, or maybe it was Susan’s birthday dinnerJ. So there was no weight loss this week. Saturday during door to door visitation we saw one saved and he came to church on Sunday. We used our old van to pick up 11 people from the area where we are knocking on doors. Please continue to pray for Arthur Jr. and Concepcion. The remains have been cremated and hopefully Sunday there will be a memorial service for Arthur Sr. in the church here in Ensenada. Susan is still in the process of cleaning the house A. M. (after mice). Hopefully it will only take her one more weeks. There was mice dung in everything! She has averaged around five batches of laundry a day.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

6. For the salvation of Leopodo, and Josuana

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

November 13, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter. Our diet is doing well. Susan has lost 56 pounds and I have lost 28. Saturday during door to door visitation we saw four people saved. Sunday there were 3 new families in church. Also Sunday Pastor Luis gave me the opportunity to preach in the morning service. Please continue to pray for Susan as she continues working on cleaning up the house. Thursday evening Arthur Sr. went to be with the Lord. Pray for Arthur Jr. and Concepcion as they deal with their loss.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.

2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.

3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment.

4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church. There is a couple that are just starting to start a church in one of the places where we were interested in starting a church. We are working on contacting the couple to see if we can work together to start a church.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

November 3, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter. Our diet is doing well. Susan has lost 49 pounds and I have lost 28. On the 10^th of October we started our long trip back to Mexico driving two vans. We are giving our old van to the church in Mexico. It is still running very well. On the 10^th of October we traveled to Normal, IL and spent the night at my mother’s home. On the 11^th of October we drove on to Des Moines, IA. On the 12^th we were in Emmanuel Baptist Church. On the 12^th we drove on to Elk Horn, IA and spent the week with Dottie and Morrey Knudsen. On the 18^th we drove to Fremont, NE. On the 19^th we were in Liberty Baptist Church. On the 20^th after speaking in chapel we drove to Fort Morgan, CO. The next day we stopped in Green River, UT. The next day we stopped in Barstow, CA. The next day we stopped in San Diego, CA. On Friday the 24 we arrived back home in Mexico. The man who was watching the house did a good job because nothing was missingJ. But his roommates (we have caught two mice so far) really left a super big mess. So Susan and I have to clean everything even before we can unpackL. That will take two or three weeks. We found the church in great shape. Pastor Luis has done a great job. Last Sunday after the morning service I had the opportunity to lead Jose Maria, Perla’s brother, to the Lord. Perla’s mother is already going out on door to door visitation. This Sunday, November 02, 2008, is the day of the dead. After the morning service we went out to the cemetery (most visit the cemetery on the day of the dead) and passed out over a 1,000 of Paul Levin’s tracts in 30 minutes.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well.
2. Pray for Pancho, Maria, Alejandro, and Blanca who have stopped coming to church.
3. Also continue to pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage and have separated for the moment.
4. Pray that the Lord will lead us to a national couple to help start another church.
5. That we would be able to raise the needed support. Pray that some of the churches that we visited that don’t support us will be lead by the Lord to support us.
6. Safety on the road.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

October 7, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter. Our diet is doing well. Susan has lost 36 pounds and I have lost 25. Sunday we had our last meeting in Indiana and now we have begun to pack for the long trip home.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well. Since we left they have one new family attending church.

2. Pray for Pancho who has left the church.

3. Also pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage.

4. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support.

6. Safety on the road.

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. October 12 – Emmanuel Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA

2. October 15 – Elk Horn, IA

3. October 19 – Liberty Baptist Church, Freemont, NE

From Freemont, NE we head back to Mexico.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

September 29, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. Sorry for not getting this out any sooner. We have been very busy and sometimes without internet access. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter. On a good note Susan and I have started a low carbohydrate diet and are both losing weight. Susan has got off all her diabetic medicines and is feeling much better. Susan has lost 33 pounds in two months.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well. Since we left they have one new family attending church.

2. Pray for Pancho who has left the church.

3. Also pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage.

4. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.

5. That we would be able to raise the needed support.

6. Safety on the road.

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. September 28pm - Calvary Baptist Church, Crawfordsville, IN

2. October 5 – Community Baptist Church, South Bend, IN

3. October 12 – Emmanuel Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA

4. October 15 – Elk Horn, IA

5. October 19 – Liberty Baptist Church, Freemont, NE

From Freemont, NE we head back to Mexico.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

August 25, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. We had 6 meetings in three states. We traveled a little over 1000 miles this month. We were in 6 churches in the month of August. All of them were in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter. On a good note Susan and I have started a low carbohydrate diet and are both losing weight. Susan has got off all her diabetic medicines and is feeling much better. Our meeting for August 31 was canceled so we will be able to go to church with Susan’s parents.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well. Since we left they have one new family attending church.
2. Pray for Pancho who has left the church.
3. Also pray for Yesenia and Esteban who are having some difficult in their marriage.
4. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
5. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
6. Safety on the road.

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. September 6-10 Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, IL.
2. September 14 – Baileyville Baptist Church, Baileyville, IL.
3. September 17 – Princeville Baptist Church, Princeville, IL.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

July 30, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. So far we have had good meetings in July. We have only traveled a little over 1500 miles this month. We are enjoying our “new” van. We were in 7 churches in the month of July. All of them were in Indiana and Illinois. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada. Things seem to be going well. Since we left they have one new family attending church.
2. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
4. Safety on the road.

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. August 3 Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, IL
2. August 10 Antioch Baptist Church, Antioch, IL
3. August 13 Berean Baptist Church, Beloit, WI
4. August 17am Calvary Baptist Church, Jefferson, WI
5. August 17pm First Baptist Church, Fort Atkinson, WI

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

July 17, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. So far we have had good meetings in July. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. Our vehicle search went great! God answered prayers. He led us to a 2000 Windstar minivan that has 46,000 miles on it. It has all the whistles and bells on it and also has great leg room. Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

Prayer requests:

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. July 20 First Baptist Church, Lewistown, IL
2. July 23 Calvary Baptist Church, Winamac, IN
3. July 27 Olive Branch Baptist Church, Linton, IN

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

July 7, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers, both Susan and I are much better. In the month of June we traveled almost 3000 miles. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. We will also be looking for another vehicle. We would like to buy a mini-van. We are not sure of the make and model. We need to check out which vans have a lot of leg room in the front two seats as Susan and I are both tall.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
4. For Susan’s health (bronchitis and sinus infection) and wisdom and guidance in other health issues.
5. Safety on the road.
6. For the purchase of another van.

Schedule for the next couple of weeks:

1. July 9 - Lighthouse Baptist Church, Lafayette, IN
2. July 13 – East Park Baptist Church, Decatur, IL
3. July 20 First Baptist Church, Lewistown, IL

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

June 11, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! Please continue to pray for Susan. She still is coughing, but her throat is feeling better and the pink eye is gone. I now have lost my voice somewhere between Lothian, MD and Elberta, AL. I hope to find it soon. My throat is sore, but seems to be getting better. We had a good day at Capitol Baptist Church in Lothian, Maryland. Wednesday we are in Berean Baptist Church in Elberta, AL. Then next Monday we head back to Indiana. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. We will also be looking for another vehicle. We would like to buy a mini-van.

Prayer requests:

Yours for Mexico,

Don and Susan Holmes

June 4, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! Please pray especially for Susan. I took her to the doctor again on Monday. The doctor says she has bronchitis, a sinus infection, and pink eye. She is taking four medicines for all of this. This is really hard as we are on the road for almost two more weeks. Pray that she will be able to get over this once and for all and that she will get over it soon. Of all that she has only the pink eye is contagious. We had a good day Sunday at Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. On Sunday the 8^th of June we are in Capitol Baptist Church in Lothian, Maryland. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. We will also be looking for another vehicle. We would like to buy a mini-van.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
4. For Susan’s health (bronchitis, sinus infection, and pink eye) and wisdom and guidance in other health issues.
5. Safety on the road.
6. For the purchase of another van.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

May 27, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! Friday the 18^th of May we headed to Virginia. I was definitely no feeling well! The day before I spiced up my mother-in-laws chili with some Chipole hot sauce that I brought back from Mexico. Well I had a colitis attack on Friday. But praise the Lord by Sunday I was ok. Susan is doing much better, but still has her coughing attacks. She is taking some medicine to take care of her coughing spells. Sunday we had a great day at Rosesdale Baptist Church in Winchester, VA. There were 41 veterans and active servicemen and women in the service who were honored. Praise the Lord that after the preaching some decisions were made. Also after the invitation the church voted to raise our support $50.00 a month. On Sunday the 1^st of June we are in Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. On Sunday the 8^th of June we are in Capitol Baptist Church in Lothian, MD. We are at 81% of our support and need around $800.00 more support a month. We will also be looking for another vehicle. We would like to buy a mini-van.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
4. For Susan’s health (bronchitis) and wisdom and guidance in other health issues.
5. Safety on the road.
6. For the purchase of another van.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

May 21, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! These last few weeks have been busy. The 1^st through the 4^th of May we were in Berea Baptist Church in Bartonville, IL. The 13^th of May Susan spoke for the Lydia circle in Danville, IL. The 14^th of May we were in Prairie Baptist Church in Gibson City, IL. On Sunday morning the 18^th of May we were in First Baptist Church, Francesville, IN. On Sunday the 18^th of May we were in Lakeside Baptist Church in Lakeville, IN. On Friday we leave for Virginia. Sunday we will be in Rosedale Baptist Church, Winchester, VA. On Sunday the 1^st of June we are in Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. On Sunday the 8^th of June we are in Capitol Baptist Church in Lothian, MD. We are at 80% of our support and need around $850.00 more support a month. We will also be looking for another vehicle. Pray that we will be able to find one. Susan was diagnosed as having bronchitis last Thursday. She will be seeing the doctor again tomorrow.

Prayer requests:

1. For Pastor Luis and Perla as they lead the church in Ensenada.
2. That we would be a blessing and be used of the Lord while we are in the churches.
3. That we would be able to raise the needed support.
4. For Susan’s health (bronchitis) and wisdom and guidance in other health issues.
5. Safety on the road.
6. For the purchase of another van.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

April 30, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! We have been very busy since leaving Mexico on the 1^st of April. We arrived in Monett, MO on Saturday the 5^th of April and stayed with Susan’s brother for a little over a week. On the 14^th of April we traveled for Monett, MO to Normal, IL and spent the night at my mother’s home. On the 15^th of April we traveled to Francesville, IN to Susan’s parent’s home. On the 18^th we started our trip down to Alabama to meet with the Baptist World Mission board. We are at 80% of our support and need around $850.00 more support a month. We were there until the 22^nd and headed back to Indiana. We were there for a couple of days and then headed to Illinois. On the 27^th we were in our first supporting church in Chillicothe, IL. This Friday through Sunday we are at Berea Baptist Church in Bartonville, IL. Pray that God will use us during this time of furlough. Also pray that God will bring in the needed support. We will also be looking for another vehicle. Pray that we will be able to find one.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

March 27, 2008 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! This last Sunday I resigned my position as Pastor of the church and Luis Valenzuela Jr. became the head pastor. What a blessing to see Luis become the Pastor. Also three decided to be baptized. Lord willing, next Sunday they will be baptized. The three who decided to be baptized are Amalia, Jose Luis Lopez and his wife Mariela. Next Tuesday, Lord willing, we will be leaving for a 6 and a half month furlough. Our e-mail addresses will be tiasusie@juno.com or dholmes@baptistworldmission.org This is our schedule thus far:

Meetings 2008

April 18-22 BWM, Decatur, AL
April 27 – Calvary Baptist Church, Chillicothe, IL
May 2-4 Berea Baptist Church, Bartonville, IL
May 14 – Prairie Baptist Church, Gibson City, IL
May 18 – AM First Baptist Church, Francesville, IN
May 18 – PM Lakeside Baptist Church, Lakeville, IN
May 25 – Rosedale Baptist Church, Winchester, VA
June 1 – Fellowship Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, MD
June 8 – Capitol Baptist Church, Lothian, MD
June 11 – Berean Baptist Church, Elberta, AL
June 18 – Calvary Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL
June 22-29 Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Rockford, IL
July 6 – AM First Baptist Church, Knox, IN
July 9 – Lighthouse Baptist Church, Lafayette, IN
July 13 – East Park Baptist Church, Decatur, IL
July 20 – AM and early afternoon First Baptist Church, Lewistown, IL
July 20 – PM Princeville Baptist Church, Princeville, IL
July 27 – Olive Branch Baptist Church, Linton, IL
August 3 – Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, IL
August 17 – AM Calvary Baptist Church, Jefferson, WI
August 17 – PM First Baptist Church, Fort Atkinson, WI
August 31 - Southeast Baptist Tabernacle, Indianapolis, IN
September 6-10 - Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, IL
September 14 - Baileyville Baptist Church, IL
September 21 – First Baptist Church, Danville, IL
September 24 – Main Cross Independent Baptist Church, Charlestown, IN
September 28 – PM Calvary Baptist Church, Crawfordsville, IN
October 5 – Community Baptist Church, South Bend, IN
October 12 – Emmanuel Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA
October 15 – Elk Horn, IA
October 19 – Liberty Baptist Church, Freemont, NE

We will also be looking for another vehicle. Pray that we will be able to find one.

Yours for Mexico,
Don & Susan Holmes

March 11, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! Sorry for taking so long to get this out. After the dedication I got sick and still am sick. I have been in bed since Thursday and if that was not enough my e-mails weren’t being send or received. For the dedication we had 30 out for Friday, 40 out for Saturday, and 65 out on Sunday morning. Best of all was that Sunday morning Amalia, Perla’s mother was saved. We had a great time of fellowship with Armando Flores from Rockford, IL. This last Sunday there were 48 in attendance. Pray that I will get well soon, and also for the scheduling of meetings for the time that we will be in the US.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors, I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

February 29, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for you prayers! We can actually say that the building is almost finished. The outside and inside is painted, the electrical work is done and it even works, the tile floor is in, the platform is carpeted, and we just have to put the curtain rods in and the curtains. All in all we had to borrow about $1,000 to finish the building on time. We still need a new pulpit and more chairs or pews. Tonight, we start special meetings with Pastor Armando Flores from Rockford, IL. We will be having meetings tonight, tomorrow night, and finishing up with the dedication of the building on Sunday morning. Please pray for the salvation of souls, especially for Perla’s mom, Amalia.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors, I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

February 14, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. We have been super busy with the construction of the building. We have finished the drop ceiling, put in the light fixtures, put one coat of paint on the ceiling, and a coat on most of the outside of the building. This week we hope to finish painting the inside of the building and finish with the electrical work. Next week we hope to tile the floor and finish painting the outside of the building. On the 29^th of February through the 2^nd of March we are having special meetings with Pastor Armando Flores from the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Rockford, IL with the dedication of the church on the 2^nd of March. Sunday we had over 40 in the morning service. Continue to pray for the salvation of Perla’s mother, Amalia, and Perla’s brother, Alejandro.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors, I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

January 24, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Sorry for taking so long to get an update out. We have been super busy with the construction of the building, programs and a little of everything. We have finished plastering the outside of the building and most of the electrical wires ran. We had hoped to finish the wiring last week, but Pastor Luis and Perla had their baby on Thursday. Hopefully we will finish all the wiring except the lights and fans tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers over the last few weeks. Sunday we had over 30 in the morning service. Continue to pray for the salvation of Perla’s mother, Amalia, and Perla’s brother, Alejandro.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife. The new baby girl’s name is Keren.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

January 14, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Sorry for taking so long to get an update out. We have been super busy with the construction of the building, programs and a little of everything. We have most of the outside of the building plastered and over half of the electrical wires ran. This week we hope to finish both of these jobs. Thank you for your prayers over the last few weeks. Sunday we had 38 in the morning service. Continue to pray for the salvation of Perla’s mother, Amalia. Last Sunday she was there Sunday morning and Sunday night. Also Perla’s brother, Alejandro came both morning and evening and his is not saved either.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife and especially for Perla’s pregnancy.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

December 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Sorry for taking so long to get an update out. We have been super busy with the construction of the building, programs and a little of everything. We have finished putting up the shingles, almost finished with the plaster on the inside of the building, built most of the platform (using wood from the roof of the old building, which saved us over $300.00 as wood here is expensive), and started to plaster the outside of the building. Thank you for your prayers over the last few weeks. Sunday we had over 50 in the service. We also had five first time visitors. Continue to pray especially for the salvation of Norma, and Isa. They have been coming to church for about two months. Also pray especially for Amalia, Perla’s mother. She has started to come to church on Sunday nights. Brian is recovered from his appendix operation, but his brother Cesar was operated on two days ago for his appendix. Last Tuesday my mother arrived from Illinois to spend three weeks with us. She was glad to get out of the snow and is now “suffering” 60 degree weather! :^)

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife and especially for Perla’s pregnancy.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

November 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. Sorry for taking so long to get an update out. We have been super busy with the construction of the building. We have finished plastering the outside of the building on the neighbor’s side. We have put most of the shingles on. We need to buy about 6 more bags. We have put the doors on and installed the locks. We also have been working on building the platform. Thank you for your prayers over the last few weeks. Sunday morning we had over 40 in the morning service. We also had two first time visitors. Continue to pray especially for the salvation of Norma, and Isa. They have been coming to church for about a month, but still are not saved. Isa brought her twin sister Iran on Sunday. Also pray for Jesus and Aurelio. Their mom isn’t letting them come to church while they are taking catechism class. Pray for Cassandra and Fabiola who have missed church for the last month. Also pray for Brian who had his appendix out at one in the morning on Monday. He is only 6 years old. Last week was an interesting week here in Ensenada to say the least. Monday morning Afredo, Luis’s uncle was shot at work in a hold up. Tuesday a helicopter fell during the Baja 1000 off road race. The Baja 1000 goes within 5 blocks of the church. One of the men that was killed in the helicopter was the head of a big drug cartel. The cartel stole the body so it wouldn’t identify him. Two police were killed when they tried to stop them.

Continue to pray for:

Pray for Luis Valenzuela Jr. and Perla our co-pastor and his wife and especially for Perla’s pregnancy.
Our six month furlough from April of 2008 to October of 2008. When I am not working on the building, studying for my sermons, answering mail, and knocking on doors I am trying to schedule meetings.
Growth for those who have been recently saved. Luis and Perla are giving discipleship classes to Noel, Jesus and Gabriel.
Pray for the expansion of the building. Pastor Luis Valenzuela Jr. is in charge of the building program.
Salvation for Amalia, Alejandro, Manuel, Inés, Juan and Josefina (Julio’s parents), Jesús (Teresa’s husband), Jesús (Gabriela’s husband), David, Lucia, Maribel (Kiara’s mother), Lucero, Gabriela, Norma, Isa, Angel, Arcadia and others
Baptism for Juan Jr., Noel, Christian, Denis, Pilar, Jose Luis and Mariela Lopez, Julio Cesar.
Pray for growth in our attendance especially for the attendance on Sunday night and Wednesday night.
Visitation on Saturday morning, Thursday and Friday nights.
Pray for more Sunday school teachers.

Yours for Mexico,

Don & Susan Holmes

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