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10 ,979ALuaas!THE BILL HOFF FAMILYAPARTADO POSTAL NO.
57QUERETARO/ QRO. MEXICO
THE NORM DUNGAN FAMILYAPARTADO POSTAL NO.QUERETARO/ QRO.
MEXICO
fEWS OFThe [HRUEnCE OF CHRIST IN CENTRAL MEXICOPUBLISHED
QUARTERLY VOL. 10, NO. 4 MARCH, 1979
AND That's The u/ay |t VA/asPerhaps It is not yet too late to
share with you a capsule summary of the scope
of the work of the Bajio Christian Mission in 1970 and the two
missionary families.Since their return in June, Bill and
Marge Hoff have been involved in the following:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Leading the English church services.Teaching in the Spanish
Bible School.Transporting people to services.Teaching 2 classes at
a Bible Institute in a city 120 miles north.Calling in Queretaro (1
day a week).Calling in other towns (1 day a week)Preparing radio
programs and delivering tapes monthly to 7 stations.Functioning on
the camp committee andassisting in camp.Assisting local and
visiting missionaries with mechanical and
electronicproblems.Substituting for Norm at Universityand in
Spanish teaching.Handling finances for radio ministry.Transporting
people to monthly youthrallies in area cities.(Marge) Helping with
correspondencecourse grading and mailing.(Marge) Teaching;English
Bible School
The Dungans' primary activities havebeen in the following
areas:1. Xieading the Spanish congregation.2. Calling 1 night per
week in town.3. Teaching 1 night per week in town.4. Sponsoring
Spanish youth work.5. Overseeing correspondence - course
work (350 new students in 1978).6. Managing the Mexican
non-profit or
ganization (president and bookkeeper)7. Teaching 15 hours/week
at university8. Handling Social Security bookkeeping
for 3 Mexican evangelists.9. Working with the leader of a
congre
gation 2 hours from Queretaro.10. Acting as treasurer for
A.C.E.school
in town (where Heather attends)11. Supply preaching for a
congregation
40 miles west of Queretaro.12. Serving on the csunp
,committee.13. Writing courses for and promoting
Leadership Training materials.14.- (Mary) Helping with
correspondence
course grading and mailing.15. (Mary) Teaching:English Bible
School
NOTEWORTHY ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THE MISSION WAS DIRECTLY
INVOLVED:1. Can^: 2 weeks, over 250 campers, 15 baptisms.2. Youth
Rallies: 5 participating churches, 40 youth, monthly meetings.3.
Evangelist Assistance: Supply 5 Mexican evangelists with teaching
material, audiovisuals, transportation for baptisms, area
gatherings, etc., names of correspondence-course students for local
follow-up.4. Promotion of cooperation and growth among the 5
evangelists and 13 congregationsin the area through seminars and
courses stressing the need for lOCAL LEADERSHIP. SND
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m PSRSOMAL GUMPSSSNovember found us on the way to
the border to obtain new visas.As Bill's sister and
brother-in-law now live in San Antonio, weextended our trip so that
wecould visit with them. Mark hada great time getting to know
hisaunt and uncle better. We helpedthem move into their
newly-pur-chased house. It was a joy tospend Thanksgiving with some
ofthe family. It was cold andrainy during most of our visit sowe
were glad to return home.
Mark was very excited aboutChristmas. He had a great morning. We
were invited to an American home for Christmas dinner.There were 13
of us that sharedin food and fellowship.
Many days during the months ofNovember and December were spentin
looking for another house torent. It became very discouraging, as
they were either toosmall, too expensive, too farfrom town, etc.;
but finally onDecember 30th we decided on aplace. The first week of
Januarywas spent in moving. Our newhouse is smaller than the
last,but in many ways we like itbetter. A small building willsoon
be constructed outside tohouse the tape equipment.
Bill has begun teaching onemore class on Tuesdays at theBible
institute, so is gone for acouple of hours longer that day.He says
that he enjoys this class
on the Universal Epistles.Mark continues in kindergarden
and is now able to thoroughly mixup Spanish and English. He
triesto construct his English sentences with a Spanish format.
Butpraise the Lordit is only amatter of time until he is
bilingual.
We thank each one of those whodonated to the work in
Mexico.#MH
Radio BulletinThose who have read the last
issue of "Saludos" know thatthere has been a great deal
ofconcern here in Mexico about thefuture of radio as an
evangelistic tool. Clearly, only the Lordknows the future, but we
have received a hopeful sign. XEBO, theradio station in Irapuato,
notified us in January that theycould return "Dulces Momentos"
tothe air. Tapes were sent immediately and price negotiations
begun. The station's firm demandof a 400 per cent increase
forcedthe reduction of the number ofprograms from 6 to 3 per
week.
But once again we have a teaching voice on the largest stationin
the Bajio. And the responsesto the program are again comingin.
#BH
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A SPECIAL reTREATEarly in January we participated
i"n one of the most encouraging meetings ever held in the Bajio.
Theoccasionthe first Christian Leader's Retreat, held at the
camp,whichbrought together 20 or so of theChristian men from 10
congregations.
Because all of the men involvedwere working people, we took only
1day; but what a day it was. Wegathered early on Saturday
morningand did not separate until earlySunday. The time was spent
in worship, study, sharing, and prayer.The overriding concern was
personalevangelismand the keynote speakerspent several hours
sharing practical keys to effective calling.In theevening, each man
present sharedsomething of his burden for souls orof problems in
his ministry,and muchprayer was lifted up for each need.A late ^
night commitment servicebrought all of us face to face withboth our
task and with the power ofthe Lord within us; and each of usleft
with a decision to find anotherman for Christa potential leaderand
to bring him to the next Retreat.
Among the blessings of the daywas that of seeing 2 men obey
theirLord in baptism. We had hoped forgreat things from the
Retreat, andour prayers were abundantly answered. We are looking
expectantly toward future such retreats and futuresuch blessings!
#ND
DUNGANS' FINANCIAL SUmARY~4TH QTR.On hand 9/30/78 $
764.16Received 10/1 - 12/31 6733.60Spent 10/1 - 12/31
7298.58Balance, 12/31/78 $ 199.58
Familtj Affairs....MD"You scratch my back and I'11
scratch yours" has taken on a newmeaning for our household
lately. Itseems, somehow. Heather contractedscabies. We'd had no
previous knowledge of the disease, so-we at firstthought it was an
allergy. But whenI came down with the same symptoms,we went to a
dermatologist. We'renow undergoing rigorous treatment,hoping to get
it licked before itspreads to others. I can hardly waitto see what
she comes up with next.
We had our first "rock and roll"experience lately when
Queretarofelt its first earthquake in over 25years. It's a strange
experience tobe awakened at 3 a.m. by a vibratingbed. The tremor
was slight, however,and there was no damage. I just hopewe have to
wait at least 25 moreyears for a repeat performance.
Nathan is rapidly developing avocabulary, both in English and
inSpanish. He now loves to have us"read" to him and is especially
fondof his animal book. He is learningto make the animal sounds,
but hisfavorite sound is still "udn udn,"which he uses whenever he
thinks weare going somewhere in the car. Nowif I could just get him
to stop calling tne "da da."
Heather earned herself a friedchicken dinner recently by
scoringabove 95% on all her tests. Afterit was over, though, she
wished shehad asked for pizza because therewere so many dishes to
wash. She isquickly learning the realities oflife.
Aren't you glad you know i^sus?Don't you wish everybody
did?/yi
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GAME PLAN
by Norm Dungan
Every successful athletic team, professional or amateur, has a
gameplana set of means by which a goal or" objective is proposed to
be reached.It is easy to stay with the game plan if it is obvious
that the plan isbringing victory, but there is a tendency to
disregard the plan or makedrastic alterations in it if victory
appears to be in doubt. A spiritualgame plan, it seems to me, is
essential for every Christian congregationand every missionary
workand most congregations and missions have one.At times, there is
a pressure to disregard established game plansparticularly if it
appears that we are "behind," or not scoring enough"points." Now,
of course, there is always the possibility that either thegame plan
or the goal (or both) is inadequate; or it may be that there
isinadequate understanding of what the game plan and/or goal should
be andare._It is therefore my purpose here to review for you both
the GOALS(OBJECTIVES) and the GAME PLAN of the Bajio Christian
Mission, that youmight be aware of them and then able to make a
judgment as to theirvalidity.
I. Any GAME PLAN is determined by the GOAL and the
OBJECTIVES.The GOAL of the Bajio Christian Mission is that the
Church of Christ be
established in Central Mexico. We understand that the Church is
to be: (a)a Biblical Church; (b) a strong Churchone not dependent
for life upon"outside" human help; (c) a witnessing Church; and (d)
a self-reproductiveChurch.
The OBJECTIVES of the Bajio Christian/MiLssion are: (a) Matthew
28:18.Reaching people for Christ (b) people who will reach other
people forChrist. 2 Timothy 2:2
The principle here is critical. THE GAME PLAN MUST BE EVALUATED
INTERMS OF THE GOAL/OBJECTIVES!
II. The GAME PLAN (but not the GOAL/OBJECTIVES) is affected by
CIRCUMSTANCES.
In spor^s^ any team' s strategy~is artected~by circxims'tances:
weatheFT" ~the opponent's strengths and weaknesses., tho. team's
strengths and weaknesses, etc. Just so, the game plan of the work
here has been dictated inpart by circumstances:
(1) We are foreigners. That circumstance dictates that we do all
possibleto ensure that (a) the churches' existence and growth not
be dependent uponour continuing presence, and that (b) the worship
and life of the churchesbe allowed to develop Scripturally, but in
Mexican ways and forms.
(2) Americans are seen through polarized lenses by the majority
ofnon-Christian Mexicans. (a) We are a threatin that we are seen
asexploiters and oppressors in our capitalism. (b) But we are also
a meansto an endin that we are seen as means to money, prestige,
U.S. products,and even a possible job in the U. S. The two extremes
of this circumstancedictate a great deal of caution in our personal
proclamation of the Gos.pel,lest our message become confused with
either the negative or the positivecultural.image of the
proclaimerI It must.be noted that no simple disclaimeris likely to
quickly dispel either misconception that is held.
(3) Both religiously and politically, Mexican people are
authority-oriented. Their institutions engrain regimentation and
paternalism. Givenour GOAL/OBJECTIVES, we face a task of
re-orienting thinking, at least asregards one's faith. The impact
of this circumstance is that we mustdeliberately and consciously
resist the pressures to become "authority" inmatters of faith; on
the contrary, we must urge, teach, and practice theBiblical concept
of the priesthood of all believers.
(H) As a corollary to #3, it can be said that, in general,
Mexicanshave an inferiority complex, which manifests itself in at
least two'ways intheir lives: (a) They cling with tenacity to what
they have always knownand donewhether those things be good or bad,
true or false, beneficial orharmful, (b) They find it extremely
difficult to believe that they arecapable of meaningful change,
much less of teaching spiritual truth to others.The significance of
the circumstance: Since the missionary/preacherrepresents
"knowledge," it requires great patience, much encouragement,
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GAME PLANpage 2
and a non-threatening form of teaching in order to instill a
sense ofconfidence and worth in the Christianboth necessities if he
is to sharehis faith effectively with others.
Now, then, what practical influences have these 2 principles
made onour game plan?
(1) We have been very cautious about our role in conversion.
Whereat all possible, we have been seed sowers rather than
harvesters ourselves,and we have sought to allow the moments of
decision-making and baptism to takeplace in the atmosphere and
presence of the national leadership and church,rather than through
the presence and pressure of the foreign missionary.
(2) We have avoided seeking or being thrust into positions of
authoritywhether that be within a congregation or within the area,
especially amongthe national Christian leaders and potential
leaders in the churches.
(3) We have also tried to avoid the role of "authority behind
theauthority." We believe it is no better to be the boss behind the
scenesthan to be the boss-on-stage. Therefore, our ministry has
focused onsupport taskseducation of leaders, helping both native
leaders andcongregations to be better and more fully able to be
about the job that theyare called to doreach their own people with
the Gospel. We attempt toopen new, untouched fields by finding
those with a hunger; and then weattempt to bring the church into
contact with them, that the Gospel mightbe preached personally and
that decisions might be made for Jesus Christ.As part of the
church, we share in the evangelizing, but we are not
theevangelists.
(4) We have refused, as much as possible, to dictate forms or
procedures to the churches, believing that such decisions and
directions mustcome from the Word. This means that we have had to
seek means of pointingbelievers to the Word and teaching from the
Word, but in a way that willallow the church to respond to the Word
and not just to our interpretationsof the Word.
III. RESULTS.
At times we have been questioned about the results of our GAME
PLAN.Indeed, many times we have asked ourselves about results,
particulary whenwe see the numbers and tangible "results" of others
who hold to differentGOALS and who can therefore employ different
GAME PLANS.
There is little doubt in my mind that heavy-handed
authoritarianism andpaternalism on the part of missionaries,
evangelists, and preachers wouldbring about more spectacular
tangible results. But the question is: Willsuch a game plan bring
about our desired GOAL/OBJECTIVES? Should weabandon our GAME PLAN?
Our decision up to now has been "NO." Although weare deeply
concerned with growth, we are not prepared to achieve thatgrowth
"at any price."
But one question remains to be answered: Will OUR game plan EVER
reachthe GOAL/OBJECTIVESwill it bring about the ends that we
desire? A goodquestion indeedone to which I cannot glibly give an
affirmative answer.Clearly, if I did not myself believe in both the
GOALS and the GAME PLAN,I would either change the plan or leave. I
believe there is evidence tosupport the thesis that the plan is
working. But my confidence is no^guaralfTt^. 11"i^p^s:iblelfhat
we""have arrowed""otir~own~weaknes^~s andfears to influence our
plan. For example, in the places where circumstanceshave dictated
that we ^ the leaders and authority and ^ the evangelizing,
growth has been very slow and the church has not been dynamic!
Is theproblem in the situationor is the problem in ME?
I do not know. However, this much I do know: I will not
knowinglyallow overeagerness, fear or panic to force me to abandon
the GOAL/OBJECTIVES, for these I hold as worthwhile, valid Biblical
principles.The GAME PLAN itself is still open to question; and we
encourage qualifiedanalysis and comment. But we are not yet
prepared to abandon the plan onthe sole grounds of "lack of
results," for the results we seek are neitherquickly reached nor
easily measured.
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3^5"^
^ '979
ALunas!THE BILL HOFF FAMILYAPARTADO POSTAL NO. 5/QUERETARO/ QRO.
MEXICO
THE NORM DUNGAN FAMILYAPARTADO POSTAL NO. /ijlQUERETARO/ QRO,
MEXICO
NEWS OFThe [HnilEHGE OF CHRIST IN CENTRAL MEXICOPUBLISHED
QUARTERLY VOL. 11, NO. 1 JULY, 1979
SHARING THS TASKWe have tried to suggest before in these pages
that the Bajio Christian Mission is
not a "separatist" organization. We are not intent upon "doing
our own thing." Quiteto the contrary,we try both to help and
receive help from the ministries of other workers in the country
and in the area. In previous issues, we have talked of some ofthese
cooperating brethren:
*the five Mexican evangelists (Chon, Hermilo, Higinio, Juan and
Socorro) who do somuch of the follow-up with correspondence
students,contribute to the radio programming,sustain the camp
ministry, etc.
*Mexican Evangelism Now, a group of men and churches in the
Virginia area who bothoversee the work of and raise the support for
the Mexican evangelists.
*the four other Bible-correspondence-course centers that share
with us in developingmaterials for our students, creating new ways
of reaching the lost, and in maintainingour Non-profit Organization
status in Mexico.
In passing we have also previously mentioned another important
contributor to ourwork. But this time, we'd like to give you a more
detailed picture of the work of BobWright and his "Hogar de
Esperanza," (Home of Hope)-
The principal ministry of Bob and Bev Wright, along with their
co-worker, PeggyRussell, is the Children's Home of which they are
founders and directors. Begun nearly10 years ago here in Queretaro,
the home now consists of a 90-acre farm, two largehouses, the
beginnings of a school building, a garage, an animal barn with
cows,horses,pigs, chickens and rabbits and 27 abandoned children;
ranging in age from infant tohigh-school.
Now you'd think that would provide more than enough work for
several families,wouldn't you? AND IT DOES. But Bob is also
actively involved with our work here inthe Bajio.
Bob is our printer. The Lord has provided him a rather complete
printing facility,including copy camera, press, cutter, and folder.
He prints letterhead, courses, newsletters, envelopes, tracts, and
booklets for us as well as for many other missionariesand workers
in the country. The children in the home assist with assestibly,
folding andstapling work.
The Wrights are also involved in our camp. They donated the
property for it; Bobengineered much of the building; water and
electricity come from the home's facilities;the reservoir for
swimming and irrigation was built jointly by the home and the
camp;camp security is maintained by the home; and during camp the
Wrights donate much food.
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Both we and the Wrights are interested in increasing the mutual
ministry that wehave enjoyed through the years. With the
agricultural and horticultural experiencethat Bob has gained here,
we would like to be able to use him as a resource person inthe
establishment of agricultural projects among the rural mountain
Christians, with aview toward improving their animal stock and
increasing production from their land.
As you can imagine, the Wrights need much prayer undergirding.
They are overworked,and desperately need additional responsible
houseparent help. (A new family is comingthis summer, and they too
need much prayer, that they might be able to adapt and find
arewarding ministry within the home). Additionally, at present
there is a problem withthe home's water system which has created a
severe shortage and which may involve thedrilling of a whole new
well. And the children of the home need to be lifted up inprayer,
that they may grow to be responsible Christian citizens of this
country, usingtheir lives and work to touch other lives for Jesus
Christ-
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Iuxvz
JVi that thzy Az^iuz touA to attznd Btblz ttu.dlzi>tmdzA
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to iA.nd thz Hoad oi tAuth.San Pablo Pejo, Gto,
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testings, and ^ fi
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Famntj Affairs"The. Lo^d gZvctli md the. lofid
taketh away. be. the name.ojJ the LoA.d." T'ti6 has be.e.n
ou/l-theniz ZateZy. M many you. knoi^,we have faecii Ujoajiq ui
the. 6amtfiznted /ioa6e ^ QaeM.^;taM.o ^on. 10yejViii payAjiQ a
AAxUcutoiHily lown.tnt. It ha& tnuZy bzeji a btzi>6~tng 0^
thz Lo^d.
Wow, tht iond ha& 4>te.n tobte^4> lU> even mofie
thAough ou/lCh/uUtZan ^amCty -isi Suma, hujiom..Becooie the omeA.
o^ the hou6edecided to move back M,o it, wewe^e ^oKced to move. And
thegfieatoA bte66ing -6s that thechuAch in Vujma i!> loaning cl6
themoney to bu.y a hou6e. Ai you oJieh.ea.ding thil, cue ctAe
pfuxiiiAjig theioAd in ouA new houdel Va'll come.
k6 you. might imagine, househunting and moving have occupiedthe
majon. paAt o^ ouA family timelatety. But theAe have been
otheAmomentii tacked in heAe and theAethat have been meaniyig^uZ to
mepeA&onaZty. Foa. example, HeatheApn.e& ented me ivith an
originallOHiting i^oA MotheA'6 Vay. I quoteexce/tpti ^Aom it-
Mothers are good for ticklingyour toes.
Mothers are good for keepingsecrets.
Mothers are good for playingbingo with (maybe they aren't
because they almost always win.)
Mothers are good for dependingupon.
And I Aotf "QhXbtt&6ing Aom the LoAd."
a.xe a
^ Personal QMmpses(jJhile maiiy ojJ yoa weAe iu^^oiing
{^Kom the cold, ^lood{>, etc. in theStxkteJi, we we/ie
^u^^eAing ^A.om theheat heAe in QueAetoAo. TheAe hasonly been a
couple o{^ u}eek6 coolloeatheA in the past yeoA.
The heat bother me mon.e thanmO'St be.caase July Hit is the
duedate ioA. the iouxth membeA o^ ouA{^ojnity. if}hen Sitl asked
MoAfe ii hemuld tike a little bfiotheA oa iis~teA, he iaid "yes. 1
waw^ a ^ive-yeoA-old bAotheA to play ivith!" Henow -4eem4 content
that it caclZ be alittle baby and that (lis GnimdmotheAHo^lJ and
Aunt Jackie aAe coming tohelp h\ormy and Vaddy.
Bill has completed his yean, o^teaching in San Luis Potoii
[120miles noAXhj. Wo moAe Atsing at3:45 a.m. each Tuesday to take
the4--30 bus. He toilZ not be teachingnext yeoA as he plans to
wo/ife on histhesis if)hich \M!i complete an M.A.de^-^ee in
VnxLctical ministAies.
MoAfe has enjoyed school and seejnsto have lea/ined much. He is
nowquite fluent in Spanish jJoA his age.My motheA'-i day gi^t uias
a veAy nicealbum o{, many o^ the pictuAes anddAauU.ngs that he had
made duAing theyeoA. He spends his a^teAnoons withthe neighborhood
"kids" and then enjoys coAtoons on T.V. His ^avonXtepAogAom is
"Pink PantheA," He des-cAlbes SaXuAdays as the day that "Iplay all
day."
The building has now been completed in OUA patio.- Jt houses
thetape equipment and seAves as a lOOAkaAea ^OA Bill.
Let us all pAocZaim ChAist. ^
- P? W HSn o MK P< CA.TJ C/JH t-" MC
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hristian missionHOFF APARTADO POSTAL 57 QUERETARO, QUERETARO,
MEXICO
September 13 1979
Dear Friends in Mission Servicesi
It is with sadness that we read about the financialproblems that
have beset your work.
Although this is the first time that we have writtenyou, we
greatly appreciate your work and love for missionaries. The
Horizons magazine is a real blessing to us andas missionaries we
are very interested in what others aredoing in their fields of
service.
Thank you for caring for us. Please accept thissmall check in
appreciation of your love and may manyothers see the need to
contribute so that Mission S.eryj.aes__and the magazine Horizons
might continue on.
In Christian service.
Bill and Margy Hoff
P.S. On July l8th Rebecca Marie was born into our family^She
weighed 7 lbs. and ^ ozs. Her brother, MarkGabriel,falong with her
parents)thinks she ispretty special.