Ross Family April 2012 News

Dear Friends,

We're sure you are wondering how we are doing after the major earthquake we experienced here. Thankfully, there was no damage to our home and we are both fine. We continue to experience aftershocks, some of which have been significant. We're probably a little jumpier than usual when the house begins to shake, but that will pass too.

Mike needs to fly in Chiapas next week and Amos will be accompanying him. They hope to begin Amos' training at this time.

We had a wonderful time with our son Stephen and his family. We spent several days at the beach and then they spent a few days getting to know Oaxaca. Mike & I reveled in granddaughter time.

Please continue to pray for the airstrip situation. Our temporary permissions have expired but the airport officials here in Oaxaca are allowing us to continue to fly. We have no idea how long that will last.

Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf.

Mike & Joan

Ross April 2012 Prayer Requests

Please pray for safety in our flight operation. This month is a transition from dry season to rainy season with smoke limiting visibilities. Continue to pray for permanent airstrip permissions so that we can serve communities that need an opportunity to hear the Gospel. Pray that our team would continue to receive invitations to spend time visiting families in the communities we serve.

Pray for the ESI groups which will be finishing their studies next month. Pray that each leader will be committed to continued study of God's Word and service in their local church. Pray for all the logistics involved in getting the books necessary for the new ESI groups which start this year.

Ross Family March 2012 Update

Dear Friends,

Mike returned safely to Oaxaca last Saturday and is busy flying again. Juan Carlos & Johanna Portillo have begun their furlough in the States and will be away from the program for at least 6 months. Please pray for safe flying as that leaves us with only 2 pilots.

We would appreciate your prayers for the couples group from church. We will be meeting with them twice this month. Pray that Mike will have wisdom as he leads this group and for creativity for Joan as she keeps the kids entertained.

We are eagerly anticipating a visit from our oldest son Stephen, along with his wife Amy, and their two girls Hayley & Abby. Please pray for safe travels for them.

Ross March 2012 Prayer Requests

1) Please pray for continued safety in our flight operation. Pray that God would move the hearts and hands of those who have the authority to issue operating permits for our airstrips.

2) Pray for wisdom as we face the need to build a new office in the next several months as our current facility is scheduled to be removed as part of an airport expansion plan. Pray for God's provision of a well-positioned site to develop that will be accessible to those we serve.

3) Praise for the ongoing ESI groups that meet together each week in Oaxaca. Pray that Edgar and Neri will have wisdom in leading each one into a deeper understanding of God's Word. Pray for open schedules as Edgar, Neri and Mike continue to study Hebrews together.

Ross Family February 2012 Update

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for the dental team. The whole trip went well despite a few minor glitches. More than 200 patients were treated by the team. The small group of persecuted believers in Colonia de Jesus were encouraged in their faith as we showed God's love in a practical way to unbelievers there. One of the dental machine compressors stopped working the first day but we were able to get it repaired in Oaxaca and continue to use it to help inmates at the prison on Friday. Pastors Edgar, Pedro and Gavino all spent time building relationships with people waiting to have their teeth worked on while team members took digital photos and printed them with a portable printer to give to the people.

Ross February 2012 Prayer Requests

Parkside Short-term Team Update

Just a quick note to let you know that the dental team was a great success! The team worked well together. Each individual stepped up in their own way and made things run smoothly. I guess they call that synergy. It was great to see it happen over such a short period of time.

Pedro and Gavino were thrilled at the way the team interacted with the people in Colonia de Jesus. The few Christians who were facing persecution there were encouraged. Pray that the love that was shown to the people will open hearts to the Gospel and allow the Christians to meet together without opposition.

Friday we saw 97 patients in a local prison. We pray that this will keep the doors open for evangelism there. We did not identify any major problems with the planning and organization.

Ross January 2012 Prayer Requests

Ross New Year's Greetings

Dear Friends,

We can hardly believe that 2011 is almost behind us. WOW! It looks like 2012 will begin with plenty of activity too.

Saturday, January 7th we will be celebrating as a team the 65th anniversary of MAF's work in Mexico. We will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Alas de Socorro (our national entity). It is very unusual for a non-profit to survive this long in Mexico, so it really is something to celebrate. We will begin with a ceremony at the airport with numerous officials and then move the celebration out to Mitla (45 minutes away) where our hanger is located. In Mitla we will have a service of thanksgiving followed by a dinner. Please pray that these activities will bring honor and glory to God and spark interest in the gospel in the hearts of those at the airport who do not know Him.

Our faithful Parkside Church dentists and their team will also be arriving the evening of Jan. 7th.  We are so pleased that they will be here again to minister to a community in Amoltepec. The local

Ross Family Christmas Letter 2011