NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES

This post is just a gentle reminder to everyone planning to visit Mexico in the future. New Government regulations on returning to the United States will go into effect on JUNE 1, 2009.

For more information on these new rules, check out this site: http://www.getyouhome.gov/

SWINE FLU IS HEADING OUR WAY

Now we're hit the second time! The first hit, months ago, was the "war zone" the fighting Cartels left us with and it's not over yet; five police were shot early this week.

Then we before we knew it, the pigs walked in ...

Last week we heard of this new strain of flu which was coming up our way, face masks and all. Spectrum got together and quickly formed contingency plans.

Spectrum's calendar is always full. Each day in the month is pretty well planned in advance; we had to prepare for some quick changes. Flexibility is often the key to missions, so we're having to flex!

The Mexican Government quickly acted at State level and we've had to alter and postpone many of our activities.

The Government closed the teen age prison to us until further notice. We had to cancel our Thursday workday, generally pulling 300 people. Painful as it was, we had to cancel our big kids camp this weekend. (The children are sad.) What will next week bring? It's impossible to know at this point.

Government pressure: No big gatherings are to be created. No school for the children until further notice. Orphanages are to be closed to society. Every one is supposed to go home and stay there. (Lots of luck!)

At this time we are down there working in and around Tijuana ... in low profile doing what we can.

There are no known cases of this version of Swine Flu in Tijuana. Of course It figures that Mexico and Tijuana don't want the flu, and in Mexico there are ways of, shall we say, making the count look as good as possible, maybe even a little better than possible. They're favorite saying ... "what we don't see doesn't exist."

The shootings and now this Flu are dealing a double blow to the economy and tourist industry here. Famous Revolution street, is a ghost walk now.

Contact us for any further information. (We need your prayers.)

Pastor von for all of us here in Tijuana.

Spectrum Outreach Update: Pepe

Spectrum is currently working on a project that will help a small Tijuana boy suffering from Arthrogryposis become more mobile, and in the process, have a greater prospect for a more normal life.

He's basically a smiling little boy of thirty-five pounds living in a small torso, with arms and legs that don't work, twisted hands and feet that can slowly draw and write. Physical therapy would have helped so much ...

You can read more about Pepe and how Spectrum is working with him by clicking here.

IN MEMORY OF TED BOYER

Ted Boyer passed away on the evening of Tuesday, December 16th, 2008. When he left us, I lost a friend, Spectrum lost a friend, and thousands of kids in Tijuana lost a true friend.

Ted and I founded Spectrum Ministries back 1982. He became the chairman of our new Board, and I became field director. We worked together closely for many years.

The rest is history!

At this time, and in this way, all of us at Spectrum Ministries offer our loving condolences to Joyce his wife, and the rest of his family.

Representing all of us, Pastor von.

P.S.

Ted Boyer's family sends this ...

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Our Christmas is saddened by the home going of our dear Ted. After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease, Ted died peacefully with family at his side at the Palms Assisted Living home. Ted loved the Christmas season, and there is new joy for him now as he will be celebrating with Jesus this year (see poem below).

We are planning a memorial service on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Ventura Community Church, 2:30 pm (1045 S. Saticoy Ave., Ventura CA 93004). All of you are welcome to attend.

Joyce's address is: 111 N. Wells Rd. Apt. 236, Ventura CA 93004.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year. Please keep us in your prayers.

Sincerely, The Boyer Family

Joyce, Alison & Richard, Alyssa, Noah & Matt

I'M SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS THIS YEAR

I SEE THE COUNTLESS CHRISTMAS TREES,
AROUND THE WORLD BELOW.
WITH TINY LIGHTS, LIKE HEAVEN'S STARS
REFLECTING ON THE SNOW.

THE LIGHT IS SO SPECTACULAR,
PLEASE WIPE AWAY THAT TEAR.
FOR I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR.

I HEAR THE MANY CHRISTMAS SONGS,
THAT PEOPLE HOLD SO DEAR.
BUT THE SOUND OF MUSIC CAN'T COMPARE
TO THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR UP HERE.

FOR I HAVE NO WORDS TO TELL YOU
THE JOY THEIR VOICES BRING.
FOR IT IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION,
TO HEAR AN ANGEL SING.

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME,
I SEE THE PAIN INSIDE YOUR HEART.
FOR I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS,
WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR.

I CAN'T TELL YOU OF THE SPLENDOR,
OR THE PEACE HERE IN THIS PLACE.
CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE CHRISTMAS
WITH OUR SAVIOR, FACE TO FACE?

I'LL ASK HIM TO LIGHT YOUR SPIRIT,
AS I TELL HIM OF YOUR LOVE.
SO THEN PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER,
AS YOU LIFT YOUR EYES ABOVE.

SO PLEASE LET YOUR HEARTS BE JOYFUL,
AND LET YOUR SPIRITS SING.
FOR I'M SPENDING CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN,
AND I'M WALKING WITH THE KING!

IRS AUDITS SPECTRUM MINISTRIES

Months ago, our former Board chairman became critically ill, resulting in he and his wife moving up north to Ventura. Unfortunately critical mail didn't follow, and some was lost in the process, like Spectrum forms to the IRS. Several months later our Spectrum treasurer was called into the formidable world of the IRS. Sitting across the table from the IRS is like sitting across from a Goliath of steel. The room was cold, very cold. The strategy is meant to be intimidating and it works very well.

The Board was told that we were going to have to through an IRS audit! Our first audit. Now I wished we had gone through our own audit.

For more than twenty years I've pushed for a having our own comprehensive audit and then I found out how expensive they were. Wow! Our first audit would run as much as $500.000 while later audits would run more like $20,000 each. Boy, a little non-profit like ours just doesn't have that kind of disposable income.

Day after day, week after week Eloy and our Secretary Beth had to search for and dig through old records and sign forms and ... sit in that cold office across from Goliath.

Well, PTL, we're through with our audit. It came out with flying colors and best of all, the government paid for it ... and Goliath even warmed a little as he saw our work.

New Site Layout

As you may have noticed, we've updated the layout for the Spectrum Ministries site.

This new layout should prove to be cleaner, and easier to navigate. At the head of each page is a "navigation bar," that will take you to the HOME page, or the previous section.

Just above the new navigation bar, you'll notice an announcement bar, which will alert you to news and updates concerning Spectrum Ministries.

We've also upgraded the popular PHOTO GALLERY to conform with some new standards and features.

We hope you enjoy the new site.

Welcome!

We will now be posting our news via this weblog format.