My New Mission Congregation.

After trying to cheer myself up today, I feel I should put out a SERIOUS note of what God is doing and HAS been doing in my life. I CERTAINLY have a life beyond surgery and recuperation. One of the great things was the LARGEST Graduation Fellowship in our history for our Bible College in Rosarito, Mexico and the opening of new missions.
I now have a new mission congregation different than any I have EVER HAD! I have about 30 in my new congregation. I'll explain later. A lot of you know we have been missionaries in MX for over 3 decades now and have never taken a regular furlough, only being gone from the field for 3 - 4 months at a time being close to the U.S. Then, 2 years ago God decided to force a different type of rest for our family. Remember, different is often rest.
First, God allowed a real upset in our ministry. I will not say a TRAGEDY because with God, nothing is tragedy except in those that refuse Him. We were forced to get Beatriz and kids stateside for their safety and the kids education. I had to be here at that time to get them settled in and it was a time of rest for me, going back and forth to the field. Then another challenge came when Beatriz was diagnosed with cancer and was in Mexico for treatments, surgery, etc. It was then NECESSARY for me to be stateside. But, I could not just rest and sit on my hands and keep the kids in school and church. So, I attended churches and got involved in a Bible Study group where I met a director of a prison ministry connected with the Chuck Colson prison ministry. He was asking for Pen Pals for prisoners. Since I enjoy writing I thought it would be a way to pass time. LITTLE DID I KNOW what God was doing.
First I took a couple of names and read their letters BEGGING for someone to write them so I started writing them. Still there were scores of others waiting at times for months for a Pen Pal.. Soon I agreed to write to more. There were nights before my own surgery when I would have sleepless nights due to pain or, honestly, worry. I began to read the letters coming back to me. MY HEART WAS MOVED when I read the different wasted lives or of those sincerely reaching out for help.
Soon I had more and more and was more and more into counseling, giving the plan of salvation and encouraging their spiritual lives.
THEN, there were those prisoners that only speak Spanish so I was writing them also. I was dealing with a man ON DEATH ROW that has come to know Christ as his Savior and was asking how he can make his life count for God while awaiting his execution. NO ONE in his family is in contact with him for the shame. He never knew his father and his mother died when he was 7.He BEGGED me to NEVER desert him because I am his ONLY contact on the outside. He recently wrote and told me he now feels sorry for those on DEATH ROW SPIRITUALLY instead of those like him. He said his death would land him in the arms of Jesus. Death for the lost lands them in Hell.
Then, there is the man in "the hole" (in solitary) that told me he had received Christ as His Savior but was begging God to send SOMEONE into his life that could show him FROM THE BIBLE that God really could love someone like him. He was surprised when a guard brought him my letter telling him God loved him and giving Him Scriptures to read, etc Then, there is a pastor's son, raised in a Christian home and educated in Christian schools which has a life-time without parole sentence whose family had turned him over to God. (WAIT, before you judge his family. Be certain you've been there! I HAVE!)
For my last example there is the man from Guatemala who eventually made it to the U.S. illegally and became involved in crime and has now spent several months in prison with years to go and doesn't speak a word of English. His family doesn't even know he is still alive. He has NO ONE and feels God has left him. He said in Guatemala prisons are called cemeteries of the living dead. He asked what could I tell him to give him hope.
Okay, I can answer some of the questions in your mind. No, I don't know how many are sincere NOR do I know that in our churches. Are some just trying to use me? Sure! I've been used all my life. Do you know what terrible crimes they've committed to be there? NO, that's between them and the state. Are you going to try to get some out? Not my business. I have just become the ONLY pastor they have in this world. Am I really doing any good?
Well, let me tell you what happened recently -- I was asked to give a testimony at a meeting that was a prayer meeting OF PRISONER PEN PALS because I have the largest number of pals in the nation and have developed it into a "congregation". Although my congregation is scattered from New York to Florida to New Mexico to Texas, to Arizona to Idaho to Oregon to California we DO have a service. Every morning at 7a.m. Pacific coast time we ALL meet in the throne room of God in prayer. I could not tell you the testimonies of those that attend these meetings.
Well, after my testimony a big, tattooed. brawny man stood up and told us HE WAS THE RESULT OF A PEN PAL! Thru a pen pal he was saved in prison and turned his life around so much so he got an early released and had convinced his wife to give him another chance. Now they are a Christian family actively serving in a local church and writing THEIR pen pals.
I am eagerly awaiting the day soon when the doctors and therapists release me to return to my ministry in Mexico; but, I can assure you I will not leave my Prison Congregation without a pastor. While you click on the news or whatever you do when you can't sleep I know you won't criticize me for writing to my prisoners I need to be serving wherever and however GOD deems. I have had and AM HAVING a wonderful and bountiful life.
So, you that support the Kisers as missionaries just understand you are supporting a VERY varied ministry. Have to close now to e-mail a sermon outline and a Bible study to some of our Mexican workers and finish a couple of pen pal letters. Bro Don

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A NEW OUTREACH!

     I would like for anyone reading this to pray for a new ministry that we will be launching in Baja California, Mexico.  In Mexico we have a large number of INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.  Some call them "Indians".  They are scattered all over Mexico and they speak many different dialects.  They tend to basically to stay to themselves and are not at all open to outsiders because of the persecution and exploitation they have suffered.  BUT, they have souls that will spend eternity SOMEWHERE.
     Many of the tribes have been evangelized.  Others have become very Mexicanized.  But, there are others that still hold to their own culture and live very much to themselves,
     Missionary Jon Nelms, a friend of MANY years, founded FINAL FRONTIERS on the basis that the real future of missions in many countries will be the NATIONAL PASTORS.  He has been in scores of countries around the world and has a special burden for the indigenous people (tribes) .
     Some years ago, at Christmastime, we showed a Bible film in a couple of tribes but we did not follow through.  When Jon agreed to come to the Graduation Fellowship in June he asked that we try to set up a visit with one of our nearby tribes.  Pastor Daniel from the Rosarito church made inquiries and visited one of the tribes about three hours from our base in Rosarito.  
     It is not our desire to go where the Gospel is established.  ALL my ministry on the mission field I have PRACTICED taking the Gospel to establish Bible-preaching Independent Baptist churches where there is a REAL need.  I have NEVER built a work from members of other churches, while many around us have built from our ministry.  But, to God be the glory!  We did not want to go to a tribe that is basically  evangelized.  So, Pastor Daniel investigated various tribes and found a group called the CUMIAY tribe.
     They live in the mountains about two hours from any large city.  They are 20 minutes back in the mountains from even a small village called OJOS NEGROS.   Someone built a small chapel there but, there are only TWO CHRISTIAN FAMILIES in the tribe and they suffer greatly for their faith!
     We now have permission to enter the tribe, pass out tracts AND preach the Gospel!  At least, those two families will be encouraged and we trust souls will be saved.  The family that furnish our Gospel tracts have made an emergency order to have on hand.
     BUT, here is my request for SPECIAL prayer -- we do NOT just want to have one service there!  We want to be so kind and respectful to them that they will allow us to come on a regular basis.  However, that will require more gas expenses and more workers.  Yes, we are getting spread kind of  thin; but, HOW CAN WE REJECT SUCH AN OPEN DOOR?  I don't believe God would call us to do something that He does not already have planned out.  It's called WALKING BY FAITH.  PRAY FOR US.  

PRISONER PEN PAL

    Recently I got involved with a Pen Pal ministry through a Prison Ministry.  Since I have always liked to write I volunteered to take that on in my free time.  (What free time?  I have to make time.)
     I had NO idea what I was getting into!  I first took 4 prisoners and began communicating with them.  Soon, the director of the ministry told me I was having some of the best results he had seen.  Little by little I took on more and more until I had a whopping 28.  Then I got a notice there were two prisoners that only speak Spanish so I took them on also.  So, now I have an even 30.  I average writing only 5 - 8 letters per week.
     I have heard many comments about this new ministry I have taken on and a lot of them have been negative as if I am wasting my time.  But, I remember Matt 25:41 and they may be the LEAST in our sight, they may be criminals of the worst state, some are even on death row, but, that is between them and the law enforcement officials.  I see them as SOULS -- many are lost souls who need the Gospel.. Others are Christians trying to get their lives right.  Some are even developing ministries in the prisons by now having Bible studies and services.  (I have shared sermon outlines for some.)  Some are big fakes, just using spiritual things to try to get out or whatever.  BUT, I am NOT God!  I am just willing to be a witness for Christ!  Today, as I read my latest 5 letters my heart was broken at their cries for assurance that God could REALLY love someone like them!  When I read how some even hesitated to pray because they had turned their back on God!  Some were raised in Christian homes.  Some went to Christian Schools.  Some have life sentences and see NO hope for their future.  BUT, almost ALL beg me to not give up on them.  Some have told me that they had not received any mail for years until I started writing them.
     To several I have given the plan of salvation.  To those on death row I have tried to help them prepare for eternity.  To some who are   confused about the Word I have explained what I could.  To those that have been deserted by their families I have just been a friend.  To some that have been ready to give up, I have given them Scriptures to encourage them to keep on.
     I am writing to prisoners from California to Florida with, WI, IL, IN, NM, TX and other places in between.  Tonight, after church, I spent two hours writing 5 letters answering questions and praying for them.
     If I am wasting time, the Lord will have to forgive me because I feel my ministry has been enlarged without neglecting my other responsibilities.
     I learned a LONG TIME AGO in my ministry that results are God's business, NOT MINE.  If just ONE receives Christ as Savior' if just ONE turns his life around, it will be worth it in eternity.
Bro Don

PEACE

I don't know if you have heard about the pastor that asked a famous painter to paint a mural for the lobby of a new church building.  The theme was to be PEACE.  The painter worked long and hard; but, finally the day came for the unveiling of the mural. Everyone stood breathless, all with their own vision of what the mural would look like.  It was very important because it would be the first impression people would have entering the church.  A large plaque hung over the veil with the one word PEACE. When the veil dropped there was a gasp as the people saw a wall covered with a huge storm.  The people had thought about a beautiful stream, or maybe a cow lying in a pasture, or even a baby sleeping.  The pastor told the painter he had COMPLETELY missed the concept.  The painter assured the pastor he understood the concept very well.  He then pointed to a ledge under an overhang of the cliff.  Under the overhand, safe from the storm, sat a mother bird on her nest.  He told the pastor that his painting was the REALITY of PEACE.  Life is not s cute sleeping baby or a beautiful stream or a contented cow laying in a lushes pasture -- it is PEACE in the midst of the storms of life.  It is safety FROM the storm in THE ROCK.

ANOTHER SOUL SAVED

     At our Rosarito, Mexico church we started a unique soul-winning campaign.  We are now taking the count each week of how many times the plan of salvation has been presented.  Last Sunday the count was taken and then there was a powerful testimony of a young married man that received Christ as his personal Savior.
     Pastor Daniel walked out of the church last Saturday on his way to find someone to whom he could present the Gospel.  He saw a young man sitting in his car with his head down and seemed to be asleep.  Pastor Daniel didn't want to disturb him so he took a few steps and the Lord seemed to stop him.  So, he turned around and went back to the car and gently tapped on the window.  When the young man looked up, Pastor Daniel apologized for waking him whereupon the young man replied, "I wasn't sleeping.  I was just asking God how I could solve all the problems in my life."  His wife was in the computer store next door to the church.
     Pastor Daniel had plenty of time to fully explain to the young man how he could have eternal life, even if he did have a rough life here.  He also explained how He could find direction in his life.
     The young man bowed his head and received Christ as his personal Savior.  He lives about 100 miles away; but, he gave Pastor Daniel his address and phone number and promised he would look for a good Bible-centered church.  He had traveled a long way for a purpose he didn't even know -- to receive Christ.
     When we decide to witness to someone, sometimes God brings them right to us!  Thank God there was a pastor that was in tune with the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
     By the way, how many times have YOU presented the Gospel to someone recently?  About the only time most Christians present the Gospel is when someone comes to the altar during the invitation at the end of the preaching.  Amen, Bro Don!  Thanks, Bro Don

He nearly had a stroke!

     Several years ago a groups of our Bible College students in Rosarito and I traveled to the interior of Mexico to the state of Nyarit.  There we met up with another missionary and went from village to village showing a Gospel film and putting on services.  At times we were in parks or town squares or public halls or wherever we could.  In one village we met in the home of a Mexican preacher that wanted to start a church there.
     While I was passing out tracts in that small village I was accosted by the local priest.  He wanted to know what we were doing in that village.  When I told him we were sharing the Gospel he informed me that HE had already brought the Gospel to the village.  I told him what he had was what was called ANOTHER Gospel and that we had brought the FAITH once delivered unto the saints.  He then asked me what was our religious denomination.  When I told him we were Baptists he said, "OH, you claim to go back to John, the Baptist."  I answered, "And you claim to go back to Peter" to which he answered in the affirmative.  He became furious when I told him I preferred my roots because John, the BAPTIST had baptized his originator, Peter and that his had denied the Lord THREE times and that he seemed to be following his example.  He then turned nearly purple and told me I had to admit that the keys of the kingdom had been given by our Lord to Peter.  I told him that didn't bother me -- we have the DOOR and HIS key wasn't any good without MY Door.  Then, I asked if I could ask him a personal question.  He begrudgingly agreed.  I asked him how he felt about being called, "father" when he wasn't even married.  That was all he could take so he stormed off.
     I know!  I know it was mean; but, it was FUN!!  Bro Don

God does have a sense of humor!

Some years ago I was volunteering in the emergency room at the little Rosarito, MX Red Cross hospital.  An elderly Mexican lady was brought into the E.R. and I began preparing her chart and STARTED to take her vitals.  She yelled at a Mexican doctor nearby saying (in Spanish), "Do you think I am about to let this GRINGO touch me.!"  I assured her (in Spanish) that the Mexican doctor would be glad to take care of her.  She turned to the Mexican doctor and asked, "So, I'm supposed to know he speaks Spanish?"  I took a lot of ribbing for awhile But, as I said, GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR.
     A short time after that the same Mexican doctor and I were again working together in the E.R. when a middle-aged American man was brought in with a severe dog bite on his leg.  In fact, it was torn open.  The Mexican doctor started to attend to him when the American yelled at me, "Hey, doc, I don't want this Mexican touching my leg!"
     The Mexican doctor told him in perfect English that I was not a doctor but, I certainly knew what to do.  The American said ALMOST the same identical thing as the Mexican lady had.  "How was I supposed to know he spoke English?"
     No one but the doctor and I understood why we both nearly fell in the floor laughing..   Bro Don

HE DIED THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE.-- A TRUE STORY

     I was just 16 years old and my favorite sister had a son (my nephew) that was 3 1/2 years old.  I had a burden for my sister and brother-in-law that they would accept Christ as Savior so I asked a pastor in their town near where I lived with my parents to please visit them and talk to them about their need of Christ, which he did.
     My brother-in-law opened the door and asked the pastor to leave making a prophetical statement, "When I want a preacher I'll ask for one."  My heart was broken.
    A short time later there was a revival in their city and my sister-in-law invited my sister to attend and at her heavy insistence, my sister went forward supposedly to receive Christ.  But, my sister showed no evidence of a personal experience with Christ.
     A short time after my brother-in-law asked the pastor to leave my little, sweet nephew suddenly urinated blood.  When examined it was found he had a large tumor in one kidney.  The tumor was removed but the prognosis was not good.  This was in 1951.  My brother-in-law was devastated but still would not listen to the Gospel.
     Just about 6 months went by and the little boy became ill again.  This time the tumor had come inside his liver and there was no hope for his recovery.  He suffered terribly!  Time after time, I would lie beside him on his bed and read him Bible stories that he loved.  My sister began to take him to Sunday School.  By now he was a little over 4 years old.
     One day we were all sitting at the table talking about the latest prognosis when he shocked us all with a statement because we did not realize he understood our discussion.
     He calmly stated, "Sometimes Jesus takes little children to be with him and you're not supposed to cry, Mama."
      We were all shocked!  Where had this come from?  My sister decided his Sunday School teacher had probably taught this so she called the lady to thank her.
     The teacher finally confessed she had stayed away from the subject of dying so as not to disturb the little boy.  My sister was now REALLY puzzled so she finally broached the subject with my little nephew.  His answer to her question of where he had heard that was, "Oh, Jesus told me right here in my heart."
     The next Sunday he was so emaciated that he had to be carried on a pillow yet he insisted on attending church.  The next Sunday we had his funeral.  As a young preacher of 16 at that time (I started preaching at 14) I asked the pastor WHY hadn't God answered all the prayers that had gone up for that little boy!  Why hadn't he been healed!  The pastor assured me that God knew what He was doing, to just trust Him.
     My sister and brother-in-law were devastated!  My mother and I visited my sister often, at times. finding her asleep with his picture in her arms.
     One day we went to see her and she was happy and going about her daily chores.  When she went to the kitchen my mother whispered to me that she believed my sister had suffered a breakdown.
     When my sister returned to the room and saw our faces she smiled and explained that the previous Sunday she had gone to church and had truly been born-again and knew she would now see her son again.  One down; one to go -- my brother-in-law.
     One day he left work and began rushing to find the pastor telling himself over and over again that he had killed his son by his rejection of the Gospel.  He was so disturbed that just about two blocks from the pastor's home he had a wreck.  Being a small town, he knew the policeman, he told him he had something he HAD to do and he RAN to the pastor's home and accepted Christ and then returned to take care of the wreck.
     For many things we will have to wait until eternity to understand    but, for that one we had the answer.  He had died that two loving parents would be able to spend eternity with him.  Bro Don

AN ORPHAN NOW PREACHING THE GOSPEL!

     Pedro grew up watching his father and mother serving the Lord until his mother was taken by the Lord when he was very young.  The father continued to raise his large family alone.  His father even began to preach the Gospel and Pedro accompanied him on many of these occasions.  However, when Pedro was only 13 his father fell from a two-story construction site and became an invalid later with cancer of the spine.  

     It became Pedro's lot to care for his father and two brothers still at home.  He continued to walk to school, working after school until the wee hours of the morning, sleeping only a few hours until his routine started again.

     After two years of suffering his father realized his end was near in this world.  He called for a pastor and told him he could not go to be with the Lord until he knew his 3 younger boys would continue to be raised in a Christian atmosphere.  The pastor had heard of our Boys Ranch.  Although the Ranch was full, room was made for the three boys.  A few days later Pedro and his siblings were truly orphans.

     The three boys grew up and left the Ranch.  Pedro went out into the world to work.  Thank God, he never got into the sins of the world nor in its vices.

     Just recently, at the age of 19, Pedro returned to faithfulness in the church and entered the Bible College and is already a FINE preacher of the Bible.  Last weekend he blest the hearts of Edna and I when he said that as long as we were around he would never be an orphan.

     I can only feel his parents are smiling down from Heaven to see such a fine son carrying on the Gospel.  Bro Don 

JUST LIKE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

     Sometimes it is easy for us to feel far removed from the great experiences of the early Christians in the New Testament -- to feel God just doesn't move the same in our modern times.  Or maybe we feel we just don't have the faith or the power the early believers had.  BUT, all one needs do is visit one of the mission fields of the world where new generations of believers are being raised up.  Where the Gospel is SO excitingly new and the simple, child-like faith of new believers believes God for great things.  There you find God is not limited by our lethargy or lukewarmness.  This has been demonstrated on our part of the mission field, BAJA CALIFORNIA NORTE, MEXICO.
     A few weeks ago a new mission was started in a village between Rosarito and Tijuana.  A small building was put at our disposal and the people crowded out the little building in no time.  Souls have been saved and the new congregation has now become quickly a solid group.
      One day a small boy took the workers walking across the hill to a nearby village that also needed the Gospel.  They began witnessing and found the people there also hungry for the Word.  A Christian lady has charge of a vacant house owned by a relative that had moved to the U.S..  She loaned it to the workers, it was cleaned up and two exploratory services were held.
     Just yesterday (Thursday, April 19) they began the music for the services with over 50 people present but the people kept coming, kept coming and KEPT COMING until the little house was over-flowing.  Finally the group was divided up into three groups: adults, youth and children.  The pastor spoke to the adults, a 19-year-old Bible College student spoke to the youth and a 16-year-old student, with the help of some ladies, spoke to the children.  By this time  126  people had crowded in and around the house and 11 precious souls received Christ as Savior.  The "new mission" across the hill now had THEIR mission.
     Take heart, dear folks, God CAN still do it and He is in the Baja, at least!! Bro Don

HE WAS QUITE MISTAKEN!

     Several years ago a young missionary that was planning to go to Central America visited us at our mission work in Mexicali, Mexico.  So I invited him to preach.  His being new in the Spanish language I offered to translate for him.  But, he assured me that he was fluent in the language and felt confident he could preach in Spanish just fine.
     Here I must make an explanation -- in the Spanish Bible the word for a baby donkey is POLLINO, a word from Spain; but not used in Central American Spanish.  The word for a baby CHICKEN is POLLITO only one letter different.
     Now. to continue the story -- the young missionary preached on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  HOWEVER, when he came to the word, POLLINO (baby donkey) he said POLLITO (baby chicken).  The people, being polite tried not to laugh.  BUT, it became more and more difficult.  He was describing how it was a POLLITO (baby chicken) that was tied close to its mother.  And how the disciple told the owner that Jesus needed the baby chicken.  How it was a baby chicken upon  whom no man had ever sat.  How it was not rebellious when Jesus sat on it.  (Although we knew what he meant, by this time all of us were fighting hard not to laugh at the sight he was describing.)
     He further explained that they were putting their clothes on him and casting palm branches in his path; but the baby chicken just kept going.  After he finished his task he was taken back to his mother bearing the honor of having carried the Lord into Jerusalem as no other baby chicken had ever done!.  Sad to say, we were all relieved when he finished and we no longer ached from holding in our laughter.
    As the people were leaving they were thanking him for the message but now widely grinning.  He turned and asked me, "Brother Don, haven't you ever preached  on this passage?  The people acted as if they had never heard this."  I replied, "Yes, I have preached on it but they had never heard your version."  You can imagine how he felt when I explained to him what he had done!   But, I  imagine, like me, he has probably made many other errors in Spanish.  Only, I'm not telling mine.  Bro Don

The largest funeral we have ever held on the mission field or anywhere else.

     It was late on a Saturday several years ago when the warning was given to the upper Baja that an El Niño storm was headed towards us, especially towards Rosarito.  Many places along the coast were evacuated.  Then the storm hit in the wee hours of Sunday morning and as the gray Sunday dawned the devastation was seen on all sides!  We decided to go ahead with the services and assigned some of the young workers to start the services while we checked on members.
     Going to the top of a bridge overlooking an area where a large family of our membership lived we were horrified to see nothing but a vacant lot!  The house was completely gone.  But, a young mother of the family came running hysterically to the bridge, followed by her teenage brother and sister.
     The horrible story unfolded.  They had awakened to water coming into the little wooden house and began to get the children in their arms.  They knew they had to get out.  The young mother had two small children under her arms, the teenage girl had the baby and the teenage boy had his mother by the hand.  Suddenly, as they were stepping into the water just outside, a wall of water came roaring down the gap where the house stood and they were all suddenly in the swift churning water.  A dirt dam a farmer had built to divert the water to his crops had broken.
      As the house collapsed the corner of the roof fell on the grandmother and she was jerked out of the boys hands.  The teenage girl had the baby swept out of her hands.  The young mother was tumbling in the water when she felt two young bodies and threw them on a roof of a house they were passing.  The two teenagers and the young mother escaped to find the children that were tossed on the roof were, in fact, neighbor children.  The grandmother and the three grandchildren were gone!
     Later thar day their bodies were found in a morgue after they had been dug out of the mud some blocks from the home.  Then began the task of preparing for the funeral.  They were just 4 of many bodies that were recovered.  There was not time nor facilities to embalm all the recovered bodies so as soon as they were cleaned up and put in caskets we met at the church for their funeral services.  By this time it was nighttime  What a sight -- those four caskets lined across the front of that little mission church!  What a night we spent with the grieving family!    They were buried the next day.  That was a big task for us,    But His grace is always sufficient!  Bro Don

Some young Mexican university students receive th Gospel

     Some years ago we were travelling down a pothole filled Mexican highway in an old, overloaded bus.  It was a hot night and the bus was not air-conditioned.  I felt led to start a conversation with two university students seated in front of us.  Of course, Satan was telling me these  finely educated young Mexican men would not be interested in what an old Gringo had to say about RELIGION.  But, finally I gave each of them a Gospel tract and leaned back, having "done my duty".
     After reading the tract one turned around in his seat and began to ask me some sincere questions.  I soon warmed to my game and was giving him his very own Bible lesson.  His seatmate was listening to all of it.  When I finally asked him if he wanted to invite Christ into his heart not only did he respond in the affirmative but, his seatmate did so also.  I was SHOCKED when I heard other voices behind me responding also.  I turned to see several others had formed a little congregation behind me in the aisle.  There were over a dozen that accepted Christ at that moment.  JUST AT THAT VERY MOMENT the bus stopped beside the road and the two students and several others got off.  The original young man that asked the first question stepped back on the steps of the bus and told me if he never saw me again on this earth he'd see me in Glory.
     When I sat back in my seat I was SWEATING, not from the heat of the night, but because of the reality of the fact -- if I had waited a little longer it would have been too late!  WOW!  That was close!

A food box leads to salvation.

Some years ago one of our Mexican  pastors was distributing some food boxes we had received from CHILDREN'S HUNGER FUND.  The city was Ensenada on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico.  The pastor was walking down the streets of  that city with some of the boxes when he was approached by a small boy asking what was in the boxes.  The pastor patiently explained and noticed the child immediately became excited upon finding out it was food.
     He began to plead with the pastor for a box.  The pastor finally explained that the boxes had to be delivered to homes.  He grabbed the pastor's hand and began dragging him along the street.  Soon they came to a small and VERY humble one-room house.  When the pastor entered the house he saw a man with no legs lying on a cot.
     The boy rushed over to his dad and said in Spanish whose translation is "See Daddy! I TOLD you God would give us some food!"  Through misty eyes the pastor watched as the little boy, that could hardly reach the stove, began putting on water to boil to prepare the macaroni that was in the box.  The pastor began witnessing to the man. .Soon the smell of the spices in the added sauce began to reach the pastor's nostrils.  Such a humble meal but SO precious to the little boy that had gone into the streets to look for food.  You see, there are no governmental handouts for people like this in Mexico!
    That night the church had their weekly Prayer Meeting service.  The hearts of the people were touched when the pastor pulled up to the front door of the church and carried the legless man from his car into the church.  At the conclusion of the preaching the man asked a man nearby to carry him to the altar so he could receive Christ as his personal Savior.
     While packing that box some time earlier in the warehouse in Pacoima, California that volunteer did so with the hope it would reach someone for Christ.  In all the boxes sent out there is only One who knows who packed that particular box and who transported it to Mexico.  But, one day in Glory that man will come skipping down the Golden Streets to bump into those that brought him MUCH more than a box of food.
     It SHORE IS FUN TO SERVE JESUS, AIN'T IT?  What small deed have you done recently that could be used by God to bring just one more soul to Christ?  Bro Don

AND THEY CAME

     Several years ago we made some trips into an Indian village outside of Ensenada, Mexico.  There are several tribes within an hour's drive.  We had shown a Gospel film at Christmastime in SPANISH and shared some food with them.  HOWEVER, they mostly spoke a dialect so we were a little discouraged.
     A couple of winters later we had TORRENTIAL rains in the area.  It was devastating even in the city.  When the rains had stopped, I was standing in front of the church in Ensenada when two humble-looking men came walking towards me hesitantly.  I recognized them as from on of the indigenous tribes.  They hesitated a few feet away and I knew they were wondering if that Gringo spoke Spanish.  I have become accustomed to that so approached them and greeted them.  In their broken Spanish they told me they were looking for an American  missionary that had come to their area about two years ago.  His name was Kiser.  I identified myself and asked how I could help them.
     They explained that the floods had washed away their little church and some of their homes.  I WAS TOUCHED!  I told them to come with me into the church and I would see if we had some clothes and at least beans to share.
     They hesitated and chattered to one another in their dialect.  OH< NO! They probably wanted money.  Finally, they explained to me that was not what they had come for clothes or food.  They had lost all their BIBLES and Gospel tracts in Spanish in the flood.  (They told me there was no Bible translated in their dialect.)  That was what they were pleading for.  There have been few times in my ministry when I felt more humbled.  I was thinking PHYSICALLY; they were thinking SPIRITUALLY.  God forgive me!  We are now planning to once again visit some of those tribes in the VERY near future.  Missionary Don Kiser and proud of it and humbled by it!

Have you ever thought about....

Have you ever thought about what happened to those that were accompanying Saul of Tarsis when they reached   Annanais?  They heard the voice that Saul heard.  Evidently they saw the great light that shined so brightly.  I can't believe they just took him and left him so they must have seen his sight being recovered.  In eternity it will be interesting to know the answers to these questions.  This man baptized the greatest of all the Apostles and yet this is the only time we read about him in Scriptures.  Look how important Juan, the Baptist was and what a small part of Scripture   Like the woman at the well, and many others.  I just need to remember that, although I am but a blip on the radar of time I can do important things also.
     This is just some more examples of how extensive the Word of God really is.  I think it is good when we think a little deeper in these Bible accounts.  Bro Don

Amazing how God works!

Although I have always claimed to be an Okie, I was actually born in Erie, KS, a town of 1,012 people.  Some 2 or 3 years ago I visited Erie with two of my grandchildren.  Every July the town has what they call the Erie Reunion when former residents return for the special events of the week.  Alana and Jr had a great time participating in some of the activities, one of which was a turtle race.  Alana's turtle won first place and was awarded a silver dollar.
     About a year later an American  lady in Rosarito,MX shouted out, "Hey, I remember you!" Alana turned around and saw it was the lady that had awarded her the silver dollar in Erie, KS.!  Small world in God's eyes.

Another Personal Mission story!

This has been a very busy and blest weekend for me.  Friday I drove up to Delano CA to be in a Missions Conference in Immanuel Baptist Church, one of our fine supporting church for over THREE DECADES.  I came rushing back so Alana could attend a youth activity Sat. afternoon.
   Then today we had a WONDERFUL service at out new mission in El Chicote!  In fact, we had the largest attendance today we have had with  53 present!
     For the first time we broke up into THREE groups.  The children were on the bus with two workers from the Bible College.  Pastor Daniel from the Rosarito  church had the youth for the first time they had had a class and Edna, Jonathan Bell and I had the adults.  I am AMAZED at how quickly these adults have become SO faithful as well as the youth and children.  They are SO proud of their "little church"!
     There was something very special that happened during and after the service.  I was telling the people how fortunate we are in the Baja to have a lot more freedom with the Gospel than many of the tribes in the south.  I related how some villages of the Indians have been wiped out.  I saw a lady tear up.  After the service she told us that her father had experienced that very thing.  His first wife, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters had all been killed and he was the only one that escaped.  Later, he had married her mother and had a new family.  Because of all he had been thru he saw a "Christian Church", went in and was saved.  He hardly spoke Spanish.  He only spoke their dialect.  Being in the city, he had to learn Spanish.  He had no education but learned to read the Bible and soon became a great preacher.  He is now with the Lord.
     We rejoiced with her over the great heritage in the Lord she has had and is now carrying forward what she had been taught.
     Friends, when we all stand before the Lord, I think a lot of the BIG preachers will have to step back and let humble men like her father step forward for their reward.  I know I will.  We have it SO easy.  And I am SOOO blest to still be able to serve on the mission field.  I THOROUGHLY enjoy preaching in the little wooden building to such hungry people for the Word.  Thanks once again for making it possible.  Bro Don

A tribute to a special servant of the Lord

Maybe a man isn't supposed to brag on his wife; but, I've never been politically correct anyway. I am talking about the most faithful wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and FRIEND in the world! When I think of all she has been thru in life and still has that loving face, I am amazed! There are very few women in the world that would give up what she gave up to come to the mission field and live as she has lived for 35 years. And most of all not complain.
She STILL loves Mexico and her people. She is SOOO loved and respected by SO many people. She has never been one to be in the limelight. She never became a great speaker to ladies groups. She has just LOVED PEOPLE and been their friend. Edna does not know what an enemy is. I have seen people that have stabbed us in the back and when she sees them she is as friendly as ever.
Her once beautiful face has changed into a kind one. Her gait is now very slow. Her sight is almost completely gone but her spirit still shines thru.
For SO many years we were so busy raising our family and many others and so busy with our various ministries we had little time until recently for ourselves.
Four weeks ago this Sunday I sat on the high stool I need to sit on to preach now and preached the first service of our 19th mission. She sat in a chair beside me where she has been all those 35 years on the field. When we come before the Lord I already know what God is going to say to Edna -- "You certainly made Don look good." Love you, honey! Your loving husband

Whixh do ypu do?

    Giving is the basis of Christianity.  Christ is the greatest gift anyone could ever hope to receive!  God willingly and freely CHOSE to give us the wonderful gift of eternal life thru His Son.  There was nothing He needed from man except his love in return.
     I have found there are two types of givers among us Christians: those who give TO BE blest and those who give because THEY ARE BLEST .  Which type are YOU?
     I think we need to realize that God OWES us nothing!  The very fact He has saved us is much more than we could ever deserve.  If He never did another thing besides save us what more could we ask?  After all, we are saved by GRACE so everything that follows is certainly by the same.
     It would GREATLY please God if we changed our attitudes about giving.  How glorified He would be if, the next time we were ready to give we would do it BECAUSE we are blest and not because we want to be blest.  Think about it!  Bro Don

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY -- Special Baptisms

This saying brought to mind several special baptisms I have had, one in the U. S. and several on the mission field/Mexico.
     While pastoring in Colorado several years ago I was invited to preach a revival in the Wyoming State Prison, one of the oldest in the nation.  During that time a man in his 50s that had been in and out of jail since he was 14 and was sentenced to life, received Christ as his personal Savior.  A year later I returned there to preach another revival and noticed how the old man had grown in grace.  He began begging me to baptize him.  I did have the authority of our church but, what about permission?  It took a while but I finally got the permission of the warden IF I could find a way since we only baptize by immersion.  Finally we found a way -- he was baptized in the mechanic shop in the vat where they tested radiators y repaired tires.  Where there's a will there's a way.
     Some years later in Mexico there was a young man converted to Christ in the mountains.  The area had seen a long, dry summer and there was little water to be found.  But, where there's a will there's a way.  The young man took a shovel and went to a small stream and dug a large hole which finally filled up from the trickle of water.  He sat down in the hole, the Mexican pastor knelt beside him and he was baptized.  Many of our Mexican churches do not have baptistries.
     At another time, one of our new missions had a number of new believers ready for baptism also.  Again, how to accomplish this Bible commandment?  A man brought a large plastic kiddie pool and filled it with water.  Again the converts had to sit down in the water with the pastor kneeling and baptizing them.  Where there's a will there's a way.
     And just recently there was a special baptism that we could certainly call, making your public profession of faith.  There were four ready to be baptized.  That particular church usually baptizes in the ocean.  However, there was an unusually high surf which made it unwise to use the ocean.
     The pastor went to the municipal outdoor swimming pool and got permission for a baptismal service in the pool.  It was granted because the man in charge is a BELIEVER and said he had never seen that happen there but was for it.  Our climate is such that the pool stays open all year for the brave ones. The congregation and baptismal candidates arrived at the pool.  The man asked ALL the swimmers to leave the pool for the moment.  While the congregation was singing the two young men, two young ladies and the Mexican pastor entered the pool.  There was an applaus when each one was baptized!  What a testimony for Christ in a catholic country!  REMEMBER, Where there's a will there's a way!

First baby's funeral on the mission field.

     During my American ministry I had conducted several funerals for babies and it is always difficult for me.  But, my first funeral for a baby on the mission field was particularly difficult!  This was over 25 years ago so Mexico was really more primitive.
     One day a young mother came to our church in Rosarito to inform me that her 6-month-old baby had passed away in the General Hospital in Tijuana and there was a problem.  You see, people die evrery day in this large hospital for the poor.  So, vans from the funeral homes are parked there and as soon as someone dies they pick the body up and the family is just told where the body is.  Then you have a battle if you do not want their services.  This had happened in this case.
     In Mexico, if you bury the body within 24 hours it does not have to be imbalmed and at that time you could prepare the body and bury it yourself.  So, that was our plans.  However, the funeral home did not want to release the body and told me, as an American, they were sure I could pay for the funeral.  Right!
     I knew the officials in Rosarito so I rushed back there to get the paperwork to force them to give me the body.  In the meantime I directed the young men of the Bible Institute to make a plywood coffin out of some left-over plywood from a building project while I and the mother went for the body.
   When we got back to the funeral home they were SO angry they handed me the body wrapped in the same bloody sheet from the hospital.  I cannot describe how I felt at that moment!  In the van the mother asked if she could uncover the face,  Man!  They didn't teach this in Missions in Bible College!
     When we got back to Rosarito, Edna and the girls had put a nice pillow in the box and had stapled a white bedsheet around the box.  They cleaned the little body and dressed him and laid him in the box.  The girls made artificial flowers out of colored cleenex.While this was being down the men students went to the cemetery and dug the grave by hand,  We rounded up some members and headed for the church for the service.  Time was running out.  We had the service and as the sun was setting we shoveled on the last dirt.
     BUT, that is not the end of the story.  As Americans, we would have felt terrible to need to bury a loved one in such a poor manner.  However, at the next service, during the testimony time. the mother stood and expressed how thankful she was to have her Christian family in the church.  She said her baby would not have had such a BEAUTIFUL funeral otherwise!  I'm SO glad we came and that you sent us.  Bro Don

Was it the most inopportune time?

     Shortly after moving to Rosarito, MX I started a Bible Institute in our diningroom.  It quickly grew as well as the little church so I announced we would start a soul-winning conference on Monday morning.  The students were to be involved as well as some of the church members.
     I must tell you that  rain in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico is scarce and when it comes it usually comes all at once maybe a couple times per year.  That particular Sunday Night before the conference the tailend of a hurricane swept thru our area and by Monday morning we had torrential rains!  The students lived in part of the church facilities so they were present.  The plans were to study methods of soul-winning and then go out to witness.  So, I did the teaching and announced that obviously we could not knock doors.
     A young male student raised his hand and told me that he was the ONLY one in his large family that was a believer and couldn't we drive a few miles out of town on the highway and witness to his family.  He explained that was a VERY opportune time because none of his family could get out to work.  He further explained that his married brother and his wife were there so the ENTIRE family would be home.
     Finally, he convinced me and with the wipers going as fast as they could and me driving very slowly we made it to the humble 3 room house with about 10 people present.  They were very receptive and we had plenty of time to thoroughly explain the Gospel.  Several of the family knelt and confessed Christ as Savior.
Among them was the married brother.
     Time passed and one by one they were baptized and became active in the church.  Later, the married brother and his wife entered the Bible Institute and graduated.  Two years later they started their own church, which just celebrated their 20th anniversary as a church.
     Oh, by the way, the young married man was Roberto Munguia, that is now my missionary assistant!
What we thought was a very inpportune time turned out to be God's perfect time.  Had it not stormed that day we probably wouldn't have gone there.
     What a thrill it has been to watch God work over these 35 years on the mission field!  You know what?  God has some very exciting things in store for you if you will only be available.  Someone said, success with the Lord is 5% ability and 95% availability.  I want to be 100% available.  What about YOU?  Bro Don

How God protects what is His.

     It was in the early days of my missionary ministry in Rosarito.  I was starting our first Eosarito mission from the main church.  (I had started others in the Mexicali area before moving to Rosarito).
     I had found a lot and purchased it and one of our supporting churches had sent $1,800.00 to start the building.  In those days that would have covered a great part of the construction of the little mission church.  I had purchased a few things to get the foundation started.
     In those days we did not have a telephone so I had to use a public phone downtown in Rosarito.  I laid the money pouch on top of the public phone while making my call.  I had received a letter from a pastor asking me to call.  During the call he informed me their church was going to give the money to FINISH the mission building!  I was SO excited I hurried home to tell Edna the good news.  Suddenly I remembered I had left the money pouch on top of the public phone.
     In a panic I broke all speed limits getting back downtown.  I wanted to drop dead right there in the street!  It was not there!  I had foolishly lost the sacrificial giving of God's people.  I felt like I had also greatly let those new Mexican converts down.  I felt HORRIBLE!!
     Then I heard a voice say to me in Spanish, "Looking for this?"  I turned and saw an old man with an icecream cart holding up the bag.  I still was sick at heart becuase I thought someone had taken the money and thrown away the pouch.  With heavy steps I walked into the street and took the bag.  BUT, it did feel to heavy to be empty!  I opened it up and ALL THE MONEY WAS THERE. 
     Then the old man told me the story.  He saw a young boy grab the pouch and he told him that it belonged to a missionary and that I would soon return for it.  Miraculously the boy gave him the bag.  I took out a good-sized bill to reward that old man so he would at least have one day he wouldn't have to push that cart thru the streets.  What he said shocked me greatly!
     He said, "I know you are the missionary and that is God's money.  I couldn't touch God's money, OH NO."  Of course I thanked him profusely AND thanked God He had looked after me in my carelessness.
Just think of how many times God has looked after you.  Bro Don

Have you ever tried this?

There is nothing more boring than to try to have a conversation with a person that does all the talking.  I recently had a man that came to me and told me he needed my advice about a certain problem in his life.  First of all, he told me what I felt with statements like, "I know you feel the same way I do."  Or, "I came to talk to you because I know you see it the same way I do."  (Remember, a TRUE friend will tell you when you are wrong if you let him.  But, all too often we seek out those that we know will agree with us or are afraid to tell us the truth.  Have you ever told a boss how you REALLY felt about him and kept your job?)
     After quite a period of time of just listening, He told me how much I had helped him make up his mind and then went happily on his way and I just stood there with my mouth open.
     I wonder if God doesn't sometimes get very bored listening to our prayers.  When I was just a small child we had one of the big wall phones that you rang the operator and told her the number you wanted.  In my little hometown the grocery store delivered your groceries, if you so desired.
     When I was older my mother told me how I used to play like I was calling the store putting in my grocery order as I had seen her do.  She said I would say something like, "I want some ice cream, some candy, some gum and BE ALL," and I would hang up.  I get amused when I hear people pray and quote Scripture to God as if He has to be reminded of what He had said.
     Kind of like our prayer lives.  We place our orders with God and impatiently wait for the delivery.  Have you ever tried getting alone with God and just close your eyes and open your heart and mind to just let Him speak to you whatever HE wants to say?
     We have heard it said that the Bible is God speaking to us and prayer is us speaking to God.  But, the Bible is not the only way God wants to speak to us, although that is a great way.  He also wants to speak to us thru His Holy Spirit.  Maybe we don't want to "be still and know" that He is God.
     I want to challenge you to try it.  But, I must warn you, it is not always pleasant when He reveals us to ourselves. Go ahead!  Try it!  I double dare you!  Bro Don