Glorying in tribulation
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Last night we received one of the great blessings in life. Many of you read and prayed about Pastor Luis Ortegón, the pastor who was not expected to live after the van he was working on collapsed on his face. His recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. While he still has several significant obstacles to overcome, he doing much better. Last night he shared a testimony at church (in the picture--he's wearing sun glasses because bright lights still bother him), detailing some of what the Lord has done since his accident last August 21st . The passage he spoke was Rom. 5:3, " And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also." He said that the most marvelous time of his life has been since his accident. "The most fruitful time in my ministry has been since August 21st," he said. Pastor Ortegón has been pastoring that church for the last 3 and a half years. The response in that community has been extremely slow. Although they have visited every house in that community at least twice, the response had been very cold. After his accident Pastor Ortegón was concerned about how he would be able to effectively ministry. Because he still has much difficulty walking, he is not able to go out visiting. However, the Lord has been doing unusual things. Since that time the community has been coming to him, seeking help. He told of one couple that came to his door at midnight. In their hands they had their divorce papers, which they were going to sign in the morning. At 2:30am they were praying to accept Christ as their Savior and willingly tore up the divorce papers. Since that time they have been faithfully attending the services. Another couple came to his house late one night. The wife told Pastor Ortegón that her husband had bought a gun and was going to kill his family and then commit suicide. He had even set up the family pictures and used them as target practice! The man said that he simply did not want to go on living. After talking for several hours, they went to the house, found the gun, destroyed it, and that couple then accepted Christ. They have also been faithfully attending the services since that time. The Gospel truly is powerful! Pastor Ortegón told of several other similar situations. In each case, the desperately needy people came to him, seeking help. We read about how we can glory in tribulation. We know that God can work all things for His glory and our good; yet we often have a hard time really trusting Him. Last night we were privileged to personally see one of those experiences that seem to happen only in Christian biographies. Truly the Lord’s hand is not shortened nor is His power limited.
Pastor Ortegón said that many people had commented on how much he must have suffered during that time. He said, "Brethren, I have not suffered at all. Do you know why? Because we glory in tribulations."
Wow, truly God is still omnipotent.

Prayer Letter, November of 2005

Dear Brethren,

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works (Psa. 73:28).” The Lord is truly desirable and worthy of our greatest love! The last several weeks have been weeks of growth in our personal walks with God. We have seen ever so clearly the worthiness of our God. As we see that, at times we could grow discouraged by the fact that we are so tempted by other delights and so weak in our love for Him. Yet the understanding that Christ is worthy of our highest pursuits and that He is the one who produces the growth and love is our greatest satisfaction.

The ministry has seen the Lord provide rich blessings as well. On Tuesday night of this week, November 15th, I will have the privilege of preaching at the first ordination of a University graduate. While many graduates are in ministry, they have not yet been ordained. Emanuel Sidronio, who is pastoring a church in his home state Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, will be ordained this week. We are humbled and excited to see the Lord put our graduates on the battlefield. Please pray for Emanuel’s ministry in Oaxaca.

Many of you prayed for Pastor Luis Ortegón, who was injured when a van he was working on collapsed on his face. Since the doctors did not expect him to survive more than a few days, we are rejoicing in the Lord’s mercy not only in preserving his life, but in preventing any significant brain damage. However, he still has significant obstacles to overcome. He is completely deaf in his right ear. His right eye is almost completely paralyzed (though he has no problem seeing, he can’t move his eyeball from side to side), and he has great difficulty talking (he stutters greatly, even though what he says is coherent). Although the doctors are offering a very guarded prognosis about his long-term recovery from these conditions, the Lord has done and can still do miracles for our brother. Please continue to pray for him, his family and his church.

The Lord has also allowed us to continue working at the mission (church planting ministry) in the metro area. In addition to the Saturday morning children’s clubs, we have begun a Bible study on Thursday nights for the adults. It has been extremely refreshing to work with these new believers as they take their first spiritual baby-steps. Please pray that we will have great wisdom in discipling them and in reaching new people with the wonderful message of Christ. Also pray that the Lord will provide a new location to meet. We are meeting in a small home. With 10 to 12 adults in the small living room/kitchen area and 20 children in the patio (or bedroom, with the cold weather approaching—although last night it was 80 degrees in our bedroom at 11:30), we have a pressing need for a more space. I will share some names and stories with you in the next prayer letter.

Our family continues to grow (though not in number—to the dismay of the grandparents). Aaron and Ana continue to show their natural insistence on their own way. We have the wonderful challenge of attempting to show them the perils of walking in their own way and the blessings of walking in God’s way. Please pray that we will model for our children a continual denial of self and a greater love for God.

Compelled by His love,

The Bixbys

These are the kiddos having some fun! 

This is the Family! 

Coming Soon!