It's hard to believe I have been working in Mexico for more than forty years. That's quite a chunk of time! Twenty-four of those years have been full time with Spectrum Ministries and as time passes, the line blurs a little between my ministry and lifestyle.

Mexico has become my lifestyle.

Taking my calculator, I've done some conservative approximating. Even with a conservative bottom line, our ministry statistics are impressive! I think you will agree.

During these past years we've introduced 25,000-plus U.S. teens to ministry in Mexico. We've carried and distributed more than one hundred tons of produce, clothing and water to more than 77,000 people in Mexico. We have given over 180,000-plus shower to children. Our Doctor has given a minimum of 10,000-plus consultations on the field. We've built more than 100 little houses for poor families. More than 80,000-plus children in our barrios have attended our Bible Clubs and VBS programs. In our camps, 2500-plus kids have been given a clear presentation of the Gospel. What a blessing and challenge to have the opportunity to teach over 20,000 kids in the CMI ( TJ children's jail). In addition, more than 45,000 gifts for children at Christmastime have brought joy and cheer to the poor and needy.

Believe it or not, these conservative figures don't include the preaching, teaching, counseling, working in orphanages, and providing street breakfasts, etc., that are part of what we do here at Spectrum Ministries.

To get this kind of bottom line our staff has spent thousands upon thousands of hours in ministry, driven hundred's of thousands of miles around Tijuana and Ensenada, and taken many millions of passenger miles into and around Baja with American groups. Indeed, we can legitimately use the words thousands, hundreds-of-thousands, and millions.

God has been so good to us! Our history here is full of miracles! In all these years and miles of driving in Mexico we've never hit a pedestrian, had a serious accident, or gone to jail for more than a day, Thank you, God!

God has indeed favored us! Speaking of miracles, during these many years of working in the poor and violent neighborhoods of Tijuana, we've never been assaulted, robbed, raped, or kidnapped. Thank you, God!

God has watched over us! In order to accomplish all of this, it's taken thousands upon thousands of dollars. On occasion we've been near the red line but never below it. We thank the Lord, and you folks, for this.

The following two paragraphs from Emilie's unsolicited e-mail to me last month give credibility to the many American teens whom we've challenged through the years. I have a bulging file of letters like this.

"Dear Pastor von:" "First, I am writing to let you know the incredible impact that spectrum ministries has had on my life. I am now in my first week of transition in Caracas, Venezuela. I am here to teach at the Academia Cristiana Internacional de Caracas. It is a missionary kids school in the city where I will be teaching Social Studies, Theatre and Bible." "For it is only now, years later, that I see how much spectrum ministries and the people there have touched my life and altered even the direction of my life. I know God had in mind my time during those years to prepare me now for all that awaits here in Venezuela." Emilie Murray

Giving is what we are known for and it's what we do best!

In His love, von

This site is maintained for Spectrum Ministries by David Pence/ACE Micro