Ross Family November 2012 Thanks

The month of November makes us think of our wonderful and unique tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving. As Christians we have many reasons to be truly thankful to God.

We are thankful for our three sons, our three daughters-in-law and our five grandchildren.  We are thankful for God’s provision for the needs of each one over the last year. We are also thankful for our siblings who lovingly care for our aging parents in our absence.

"Joan with all five grandchildren"

Ross Family November 2012 Prayer Requests

Please pray for continued safety in our flight operations as we seek to serve those in physical need. Pray that our service will open doors for a spiritual harvest among the Mixteco and the Chatino indigenous groups.

Pray for our local indigenous pastors Pedro and Gavino who labor on the front lines each and every day. Pray for God to strengthen them to continue on in the battle.

Ross Family October 2012 Happenings

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers regarding our visas and Mike's license. We have both received our visas and Mike's license is ready for him to pick up in Mexico City.

On to October, we are anticipating a visit from Kep James. He works with ESI in Boliva and is coming to visit our classes here. He will also be meeting with several people who are interested in continuing on with a study of Hebrews. Please pray that Kep will be an encouragement to Edgar and Neri as he visits their study groups.

Ross Family 2012 August/September News

Dear Friends,

We can't believe how quickly the summer has flown past. Yesterday the children of Oaxaca returned to classes.

July was very special for us as a family. Aaron (our youngest) was married on July 28th to Sharon Gerrick of Parma. They are settling into their new life and getting ready to begin classes next week. Aaron will start his final semester at the University of Akron and Sharon will begin her second year of law school – also at the University of Akron. Aaron continues to work full-time at Best Buy.

Ross Family August 2012 Update

It looks like an update from the Rosses is overdue. Thank you for your prayers. We have been dealing with a lot of rain over the last two months and some resulting damage to our unpaved airstrips. The Amoltepec airstrip became unusable because of deep ruts. There are some internal political problems there, so no one was willing to take responsibility to repair the airstrip.  Last week a group of volunteers got together for a work day and now the airstrip is useable again!

Last month we celebrated the first group of 17 Christian leaders finishing their studies in ESI (Equipping Servants Internship). We enjoyed a time of worship and testimonies together. Several expressed gratitude for the tools and training to study the Bible and how this ability had enhanced their ministries in the local church. Afterward one pastor who did not participate in the program himself but who had four leaders in his church participate in the study told me that he cold not believe the positive change he had seen in his church as God's Word was faithfully being taught.

Ross Family July 2012 Prayer Requests

1) Please pray for safety in our flight operations during rainy season.

2) Pray that an ongoing political situation in one of our communities will be resolved soon so that we can continue to provide service to the people and open doors for the Gospel.

3) Praise for two temporary airstrip permits. Pray for long term permits for all our airstrips.

Spring 2012 Letter from Mike & Joan Ross

Download the spring letter from Mike & Joan Ross here.

Ross Family June 2012 Prayer Requests

1) Pray for safety in our flight operations this month. We are in rainy season with clouds and rain in the mountains where we fly.

2) Continue to pray for airstrip permissions from the Mexican government. We have seen a little movement on this paperwork. Pray for resolution.

3) Pray for Joan as she battles chronic back pain. Pray for relief and wisdom to manage her activities to allow for healing.

Ross Family May 2012 News

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers. April was a busy month of flying, maintenance, paperwork and more paperwork. We flew two different teams lead by our staff out to visit communities in response to invitations. Edgar Rivera and his family along with Rebecca DeVries went to Amoltepec for a long weekend. Edgar (our Mexico MAF Director) trained local pastors and preached several times each day in different churches. Ceci (our chaplain) took a group of Bible School students out to San Mateo. They worked with local women, teaching them handcrafts and Bible stories. Mike spent a long weekend traveling with Edgar in order to visit two new ESI (Equipping Servants Internships) Bible Study groups in Edgar's home town of Pachuca, which is a 7 hour bus ride Northwest of Oaxaca.

Ross May 2012 Prayer Requests

*We are very grateful for a wonderful visit from our son, Steve, and his family last month.

*Please continue to pray for permanent airstrip permits so that we can continue to serve the communities where we fly.

*Joan is struggling with a chronic back problem. Please pray for strength and relief for Joan.

*Please continue to pray for all those participating in ESI groups. Pray that they would have time to study God's Word each week. Pray that each one would be convinced of the centrality of the Bible in their own lives and in their ministry. Pray for the new ESI groups that are starting this year.