Volume No.

2
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1983
The Bill Baker Family
Serving Christ through
Spanish American Evangelism
3135 Forney Lane
El Paso, TX 79935
June, 1983 Number 1
Dear Christian friends,
It seems like almost yesterday that we sat down to write our last newsletter. That was our
Christmas letter. There have been several attempts at getting it started since the first of
March. It seems that the newsletter always takes second priority to more pressing items.
Well, it is now almost June and time to really get going on something.
1 am writing this while sitting in the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport, on May 26, my
33rd birthday. I am scheduled to meet with Mr. Jim Powell, executive vice-president of the
International Bible Society (formerly the New York Bible Society). Yesterday, I learned of
Mr. Powell's visit to Dallas, and as we have been in negotiation with the IBS concerning the
printing of a Spanish New Testament in Mexico, it was an excellent opportunity to talk face
to face without a barrier of miles of telephone lines between us. I hope to give you a full
report at the close of this letter.
Tlie work at SAE has been growing and improving all the time. Just IV2 years ago, the
Baker family moved to El Paso with a dream. Since that time approximately 1 million tracts
have been produced and distributed through the efforts of the organization. Praise God for
the manner in which He has provided.
Yet, with 1 million down, the work is just beginning. I feel that I could spend the rest of
my life in leading and expanding this ministry and still just scratch the surface. We are
shooting for 2 million tracts during 1983 alone!!
So much for business, I am sure that you would like to hear about the family. With the
addition of Caleb, it seems we have grown to platoon size and I need training as a sergeant.
The family has been able to be together in many different mission activities since the first of
the year.
The first major event was the Bi-lingual Convention in Eagle Pass, Texas, during the first
week of March. It was good to renew relationships with family and friends at Colegio
Bihlico and to share the ministry of Spanish American Evangelism. Rosa played the piano
for one session. Billy, Barbie, and Frances teamed up with a cousin, Learsi Martinez, for a
special song.
Later in March, we headed up a special tour to south-central
Mexico for the annual missionary reunion. We had enough people
in the party to charter a railroad car to Mexico City and a
motor-coach bus on to Oaxtepec and the reunion.
Our cost for the familyround trip transportation, meals and
hotelwas less than S200.00 total for the 9 days. An excellent
value when one considers the fellowship and work which was
accomplished.
A high-light of the reunion was Billy's confession of faith in
Jesus as his Lord and Saviour on Thursday evening. Following that
moment, 1 had the honor of baptizing him in one of the pools on
tiie grounds at the same hour. Please be in prayer for him as he
continues to grow in the Lord.
During April, Rosa, Frances and I represented the work of
Spanish American Evangelism among several churches in Florida.
It was a good trip, and I pray that some long range general fund
support might have been developed. We left Billy and Barbie in the
care of Ed and Donna Weckerly in El Paso. Caleb was under the
careful eyes of Bob and Wanda Church in Schertz, TX.
We feel that God has answered our prayers concerning the sale
of our house!! h^e have taken it off the market. Some Christian
friends, who saw how much we use the house for His service, offered to re-finance the 3rd
note. We will be paying interest only at 10% for the first 4 years and then $300.00 monthly
interest and principle payments after that. Our first mortgage will be paid off by the time
our payment increases. The total interest on this re-financing will be about the same as the
previous note, which was at I 7%.
Speaking of finances, our personal support has dropped sharply since the first of the year.
For the first 5 months of 1983. we are approximately $3,600.00 short of what the trustees
of Spanish American Evangelism have allowed me to raise as salary. Be in prayer concerning
this, and if you do not regularly support our work, a special gift at this time would be
greatly appreciated.
Diicidy wisliitiu that he had
never jiiiiiped. Billy followed
shortly after this picture was
taken,
Caleb is growing very fast. He began crawling
while we were in Florida. He really wants to
walk and shortly will be. His eighth-month
birthday is May 29th. He is also a 'jumping jack'
and likes to try to jump up and down.
Frances really likes to be able to help Mommy
with Caleb. She is rather affectionate and about
two weeks ago, I offered to 'warm her up' when
she was cold. I gave her a great big 'bear hug'
and she loved it. Almost daily now, she comes
up to me and says, "Daddy, I'm cold. Could you
warm me up?" Temperature has nothmg to do
with it.
Barbie is just finishing 1st grade. She enjoys
school and is always coming up with something
new. It is going to take a quick mind to keep
ahead of her.
Billy will be in 6th grade next fall. He is still a very sensitive boy. He wants to play the
violin in the school orchestra next fall. I think the entire house will need special patience!!
Rosa has been filling in with many different tasks at the office during the past several
weeks. For her it is strictly voluntary, but she does supply several hundred dollars worth of
labor to the ministry.
Some friends of ours from the Spanish church watch Caleb while Rosa helps us out. They
live just two houses down from the office. It is very convenient. The husband is a native of
El Salvador. If El Salvador is still there and open during the summer of 1984, he wants me
to guide him through Mexico, and together we will visit his family in San Salvador. What an
opportunity to share Christ in a troubled land!!
Well, I am now back on the plane to El Paso. Tlie Vi hour meeting at D.F.W. was better
than I could have ever imagined. In addition to the vice-president of the International Bible
Society, I met representatives of the World Home Bible League and Wycliff Bible
Translators!!
I was able to open the door for permission to print a new Spanish translation New
Testament in Mexico!! It will be the Spanish equivalent of the New International Version.
Also, 25,000 test copies were ordered at a cost of $12,500.00. A down payment of
$6,250.00 was made and delivery will be within 8 weeks! Lord willing, final corrections will
be made by January, 1984, and we will be able to produce 100,000 copies at that time!
Printing in Mexico should be cheaper than the 50 cent cost by the International Bible
Society.
This translation has every posibility to become the new 'standard' text in the Spanish
world, even to the replacing of the I960 Reina Valera version.
In addition, the IBS offered a large quantity of Spanish scripture portions to Spanish
American Evangelism for free distribution in the Spanish-speaking world. PRAISE THE
LORD!!
On June 26, 1983, the churches of New Mexico and Texas are going to participate in
"New Testament Miracle Day". If your congregation is interested in also participating in this
special day with a special offering, please contact me.
God is continuing to bless our efforts!! Our potential impact upon the Spanisli world is
greater every day!
Well, this fliglit is about over, and I need to finish the letter before I de-plane or it will
take another 6 months to get it finished and in the mail.
May God continue to bless you as you serve Him.
Sincerely in Christ.
Bill Baker
Rosa, Billy. Barbie. Frances and Caleb
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Volume No. 2
M 16 1384
The Bill Baker Family
Serving Christ through
Spanish American Evangelism
3135 Forney Lane
EIPaso,TX 79935
December1983
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Greetings dear friends and may God's grace and blessings reach down
to you at this time of the year.
What a wonderful time of year this is to me. I get so excited
thinking of people to give to. I also like to receive, but I get a deep
beautiful feeling when I see someone's face shine as they open my
gift. Then I thinkCan you imagine how God feels and felt as He
gave us His Son, Jesus Christ? But, oh how sad He must feel when
people reject Jesus. That was and is His gift to mankind which He so
loves.
It has been very busy around Spanish American Evangelism. Bill
seems to be always tied to the print shop and has little time to plan,
promote and continue to direct his co-workers. The ministry does
need another full-time printer. This will allow Bill more time to plan
for further growth and advancement. Anew office worker will be on
the field in a few months and this will help lessen the load. Please
pray for Bill that the Lord may continue to lead him in God's way.
Also offer a special prayer for the general fund at Spanish American
Evangelism.
Our goal of 2 million tracts during 1983 was not reached. How
ever, approximately 1 million tracts were distributed in the past 12
months and countless individuals have been reached with the Word
of God's love.
I have had the privilege of answering a few letters for SAE in
Spanish when people were asking for spiritual guidance. This for me
has been uplifting. Fray that the Lord will continue to help me as I
answer these questions.
The kids have really grown and were very excited about Qiristmas.
Billy and Barbie continue to do good at school. Their teachers seem
to be really pleased with them. At various times through the year, we
have asked for permission to take them out of school for travel in
Mexico. Ther^was no prqWem in thisL When one teacher learned
that it^as a^hurch-related trip, she said that our children would
probably learn more on that visit than if they were to stay in school.
It was on that trip that Bill was able to baptize Billy into Jesus
Qirist!
Frances is a joy to have around. She is now 4 and at a very lovable
age. She loves to sing, making up her songs as she goes. She also loves
to pretend she is playing the songs on the piano as she sings. She is
also a good playmate for Caleb. Caleb is always into something. He is
a cutie, but energetic. He loves to be on the go. A short time ago, he
dragged his diaper bag to me and then had me follow him to the
front door. He sure takes after his daddy!
We are really excited about the Spanish Sunday-School Class Bill
has started at our English church. Bill seems to enjoy it and has
started Bible studies on Monday nights at the home of one of the
class members. His Spanish is doing real good. Our English church is
in the middle of a Spanish neighborhood. Do pray that we will be
able to reach these people for Christ.
Pray that very soon we will be able to take the New Testaments
into Mexico which are now sitting in our garage.
The Lord has been so good to us and we want to thank all of you
for your part in evangelizing in the Spanish world. Literature from
Spanish American Evangelism has ended up in several different parts
of the world-Mexico, Cuba, Central & South America, the Carrib-
bean, Egypt, and the United States. Your gifts are doing a world
wide work.
Do continue to pray for our work and comeseeus whenyou can.
May His joyous love and peace be with each of you at this time
and may you have a Happy New Year as you continue to work for
the Lord.
May the blessings of Chrisfs birth beyoursnowandfor alleternity.
The Baker's
Rosa, Bill, BiUy, Barbie, Frances and Caleb
P.S. Well, Rosa has just about said it all, but I would like to add a
few extra lines. Many times the Lord can lead without us even
knowing it! It is just such a time I would like to relate here. We
recently had a friend call and wonder if we could pick her up at the
airport. She was traveling to visit her mother in Mexico. This friend
was just out of the hospital and her mother had broken her leg and
had been in traction for several months. Rosa felt that maybe we
should take her to her home rather than put her on Mexican public
transportation in Ju^ez. So, on a Sunday afternoon, we left El Paso
and headed south. We made it to Torreon at about 6:00 A.M. on
Monday. We slept for a few hpurs and ^en took this friend to her
family, another 1&i/2 hours away! The entire family isCatholic yet
were interested in God's word and we left them several New Testa
ments.
On the way home, I was dead tired when we hit Chihuahua at
approximately 10:00 Monday night. I wanted to get to El Paso but
when I almost fell asleep at a stop light, I knew that I couldn't make
the final 5 hours. In searching for a hotel, I found one on a side
street simply because I had taken a wrong turn. I decided to stay
even though Rosa didn't think too much of the accomodations. The
next morning we decided to eat breakfast in the dining room. As we
ate, a well dressed woman sat down next to us and ordered her
breakfast. She pulled out a New Testament and began reading it. We
struck up a conversation with her. She turned out to be a govern
ment social worker. We offered a few New Testaments for her use in
visiting the homes of the poor in Mexico. She gladly accepted. We
found out that she was the head of the district and only two steps
down from the president of the country! When she accepted her
position, she wanted no restrictions from the government in the
sharing of her faith as she worked with the poor. Both her supervisor
and President Miguel de la Madrid accepted this arrangement. She is
now working on special papers which would allow us to take a
truckload of New Testaments and other literature in Mexico at one
time. PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR TfflS WOMAN AND HER
EFFORTS IN ALLOWING US PERMISSION TO TAKE THIS
BOLD STEP!
In looking back at that weekend, I really was not enthused about
the trip at the beginning, but God used it for His glory. Bill
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