freshour tom 1970 mexico

the CHRISTian mission to mexico

torn freshour missionary

mar

January - February I91II

Dear Friends,

Well, here is our first newsletter of the New Year, and I'mback in San Luis at last. It was nice to be back in the States and

visit as many churches as possible, and I enjoyed the fellowshipand hospitality that was shown me. I want to thank all who mademy journeys possible, and so comfortable, too. However, it'sgood to be back at work again.

I think I made a mistake by bringing my radio with me. Allthe boys want to use it. It may be selfishness on my part, butthey don't take care of what they borrow.

The minature serape which is enclosed is to be used in yourfavorite Bible as a bookmark. It's supposed to be made of goodmaterial, but see if you can wear it out.

The property here is two ten-acre plots, in the shape of anL, with a public road dividing them. As I was trimming somefruit trees by the road the other day, an elderly woman with asmall boy walked by. The lady wanted some branches for firewoodand I said she could have some. As we talked, she said that she

was the mother of ten children, and that one of them was a pretty20 year old girl, and would I like a companion. Sometimes I becomerather lonely, I'll admit, but not that lonely. The Lord is prettygood company for all who want and need Him.

Yours in Christ,

± om

Apartado 647 San Luis Potosi, S. L. P. Mexico

the CHRISTlan itiisslon to mexico

torn freshour \ missionaryNovember - December

Dear Friends,

Like many people I find it difficult to work up enthusiasm for writing, but it's that time again, and I'll dothe best I can.

When I first arrived on the field I thought I'd beteaching. However, I'm in charge of maintaining the boy'sdormitory, and my teaching is through my daily living according to God's Word, In this way all Christians are teachers.

We have been taking the children to school in a pickuptruck, but Roberto Venegas was stopped by the police forbeing overloaded. He was fined 25 pesos each for the 25-30children in the truck, and his driver's license was revoked.However, he was able to buy his license back. After thisincident it became necessary to purchase a new mode of transportation. The new bus is a 1969 Dodge and the children havenicknamed it "The Milk Wagon." You can see why by the picture.

(Most people think thateverything is cheap in Mexico,but the new Dodge cost $4,000.00,and many products are twice ashigh as in the United States).

I believe I made a mistake when I first arrived here.When the children would do a good job at the task they wereassigned I would give them a piece of candy. Now I have togive them candy before they'll do anything. I take one ortwo of them to the movie on Saturday night if they've beengood during the week.

Lately I have been helping Bill McCarty in building afarrowing pen for the pigs. There are five old pig penslocated on the property, which we have been cleaning. Theyare adobe pens, 15 X 20 feet, that are lined two feet upthe sides with cement.

I will be in the States soon to renew my papers and Ihope to see each of you. Until then, let's keep trying toget closer to God.

/ 1Jrrr/f inj'i for Christmas^AND BEST WISHES FOR

THE NEW YEAR

Yours in Christ,

Tom


Mission de Mexico I2101 Mickey .Del City. OWahoma 73U.

Feb 17, 1970

THUMB-NAIL SKETCH FOR HORIZONS

P/eose complete and mail to Harrold McFarland, Box 14656, Long Beach, California 90814

Otis Thomas IteshourForwarding Agent's Name »

Box 24

Name

Address

City State Nation.

Address

City Q.... Kansas zip Code

Where were you hnm? Durkee , Oregon USA Month ^ Day^^ Vpar ^939

SCHOOLING

High School Bucklin Hieh School ^ity State® rr—' - --• ' nuTcainson lisnsasAdela Hale Business Schooi.

Huteb Junior CollegeM.dwest Christian College

Seminary or Graduate work

Degrees and Dates B.A>«»Mi3aions. 1969

CityHuthinson

Oklahoma City

_ City

StateKansas

Oklahoma

State.

When and Where Baptized?_12SiL r;ty Buckadn State

divorcedFAMILY FACTS: MarriedSingle Spouse's Name,

Children

Name Place of Birth

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Where? What?

Metronclitan Christian Church

different churches in area

Teach

Preach

Month Day Year

When?

Sept. 1966-May 1967

(Over)


torn freshour missionary\ "R

March - April

Dear Friends,

Well, things here are fine and I hope you all are the same.

Early in March Ted Murray was given a motorcycle, and he's been like a kid with anew toy. He tipped over and skinned his elbow and Wanda, who was riding with him, gotbruised a little, nothing serious. She and Pat took a ride later and I have been teasingWanda about being a bike riding grandma.

It's sure great to get mail from home. I just found out that my little brother Lynn'swife is expecting a baby in the fall. I can't help but think about the future of today'schildren, and hope for a Christ-centered environment. Speaking of babies, our blacktom-cat had 3 kittens the last of March. Like Pat said, "If it's a tom-cat, a miraclehappened!" Wanda feels a little silly, I imagine, since she is the one who said it wasa tom-cat.

We've been real busy these days, putting plximbing in the yard and all, and the firstpart of April we butchered some hogs. I'm in the process of making a corral, and wouldlike to purchase some calves for future meat. Since we raise all our own food, we canbe sure of the quality of our meat and vegetables. Speaking of food, most of us thinktoothpaste is for brushing our teeth, but the kids here like to eat it.

The Senior Hi Class of Metropolitan Christian in Oklahoma City presented a set ofhorseshoes to the kids of the mission last Christmas. They have enjoyed it, but thehorseshoes are big for some of the kids, so we put the stakes 10 feet apart instead of40 feet. It's good to see them involved in such healthy entertainment.

Two couples came from the states to visit Ted and Wanda. They all went to MexicoCity for a day, taking the visitor's car. In the night Ted's car was stolen, and we foxmdit the next morning 4 blocks from here. It had a smashed fender. But that can happenanywhere, unfortunately.

The couple that runs an orphcinage in Mexico City are short of funds and the husbeuidis sick, so eleven of their younger children are staying with us xintil he gets back on hisfeet.

Our new church building doesn't have lights yet, so we have to have the eveningservices early to avoid the darkness. We had a lot to do before Easter, and much ofour work involves more than teaching, but we serve God in many different ways. "Allthings work together for good to them that love God" --and as we work at the tasks Godgives us, whatever they may be, we do see the increase. An evangelistic meeting washeld in the new church building the week following Easter, and thirteen children werebaptized into Christ. There were 7 boys and 6 girls, and for each one we thank God.They are tomorrow's hope for Mexico and the world.

Yours in Christ,

Tom Freshour


FINANCIAL REPORT

1970

RECEIPTS January February March

Ladies Group - Metropolitan Christian (Oklahoma City) $ 15.00 $ $ 5.00

Christian Church (Custer City, Oklahoma) 10. 00 10. 00 10. 00

Christian Church (Oakley, Kansas) 25. 00 25. 00 25. 00

Christian Church (Edison, Nebraska) 7?i. 00 s"1

Youth Group - Christian Church (Oakley, Kansas) *4.60Senior Hi Class - Metropolitan Christian (Oklsihoma City) 20. 00 •- 34. 64

Cedar Creek Church of Christ (Smithville, Oklahoma) 10. 00 10. 00

Collegians for Christ - Christian Church (Canadian, Texas) 5. 00 5.00 5.00

Christian Church (Bucklin, Kansas) 65. 00 65.00 65. 00

Independent Christian (Prague, Oklahoma) 10.00

Ken Mawr Christian Church (Pennsylvania) 15.00

Mrs, Idell Spyker (Langley, Oklahoma) 5. 00

Mr. and Mrs, Roy Paulson (Edison, Nebraska) 10.00 10.00 10. 00

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Reiswig (Dewey, Oklahoma) 20. 00 20. 00 20. 00

Don Freshour (Greensburg, Kansas) 5. 00

James E. Spyker (Dallas, Texas) 11.50

Mission Group #2 (Marlow, Oklahoma) 30. 00

Individual Giving 1. 00

Mission Band - Midwest Christian College 100. 00

TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 288. 60 $ 151.50 $ 315.64

DISBURSEMENTS

Mission $ 171.48Salary 330. 00Travel 205. 59

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $ 707.07



.une-Jul, ^Dear Friends,

I hope that this finds you in good health and spirits. We are off to another typicalday. The kids go to school in shifts. The older ones go to school at 7:00 a.m. Therefore,they get up at 5:45 to get a bite of breakfast before leaving. They get out of class at noon,if they don't have a test or some outside activities. All of the remaining children get upat 6:00. Most of them go to school at 8:00 and get out of class at 2:00. The remainingsix go to school at 2:00 and get out at 6:00 p. m. Since all of the kids are here from 6:30on, we have supper at 7:00 or 7:30. Some of the chores need to be done twice a day, soit depends upon what time the child goes to school, if he does it in the morning or in theafternoon.

The older boys walked the mile or so to church the other night and one of them founda baby possum. Of course, he gave it to his little brother. He keeps it in a small box inhis room.

This is the hot time of the year and it's nice to have the pond (the pond used to storeirrigation water) for an occasional swim. The kids are to take a bath every night, but ifthey've been in the pond that day, they think they've had their bath.

Two little boys have been herding the cows. As a result, we call them the little cowboys and they enjoy that. One of them is thin and the other one kind of chubby. They saythe chubby one (Antonio) caught flies and ate them, before he came to live with us.

There is a window in the dining room that faces the backyard. While we were eatingdinner the other day, some boys cut across our yard. The morning wash was hanging upand a couple of them helped themselves to some towels. Of course, we don't mind sharingour towels, but God said not to steal.

Bill's family is here from Colorado Springs for a brief visit. They seem to enjoySan Luis Potosi, but I'm sure they miss Colorado. Pat is in the states for her bordertrip. Her family was to meet her in Texas. Ted went to the states the last of Apriland returned the last of May. He took a couple of the older boys with him.

- Berhafa~Plum,-the minister at Coldwater, Kansas, and a group-of-youngste-rs-f-rom-^that church spent last Saturday night with us. They were on their way to Mexico City andthey'll spend June 2 with us too. It is nice to have friends and fellow Christians stay withus.

Joy's husband is in the Air Force and is being transferred. That means that a newfosrwarding secretary will take over. I'm sure that the new forwarding secretary will doa good job, but nobody will be able to take Joy's place.

We ask that you all remember the mission and its needs in your prayers. Eventhough you can't be with us physically, you can be here in spirit, helping us with prayers.May God be with you all.

Yours in Christ,

Tom


o

s

?vl

FINANCIAL REPORT 1970

RECEIPTS APRIL MAY

Mission Band (Midwest Christian College) $ 100. 00 $Mr. and Mrs. Roy Paulson (Edison, Nebraska) 10. 00 10. 00

Christian Church (Bucklin, Kansas) 65. 00 65. 00

Christian Church (Oakley, Kansas) 25. 00 25. 00

Collegians for Christ (Christian Church, Canadian, Texas) 10. 00 5. 00

Christian Missionary Society (Custer City, Oklahoma) 10. 00 10. 00

Independent Christian Church (Prague, Oklahoma) 10. 00

Senior Hi Class (Metropolitan Christian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 25. 00

Primary Group (First Christian Church, Dewey, Oklahoma) 32. 00

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Reiswig (Dewey, Oklahoma) 20. 00

Cedar Creek Church of Christ (Smithville, Oklahoma) 30. 00

Ladies Group (Metropolitan Christian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 5. 00 5. 00

TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 342. 00 120. 00

GRAND TOTAL $ 462.00

DISBURSEMENTS

Mission

Salary-Emergency Travel Fund

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS

$ 80. 00220. 00

200.00

$ 500. 00



July-August

Dear Friends,

Time has gone by quickly, but I'll be glad to get backto San Luis Potosi.

For the last month, I have been going to some of thechurches at which I was unable to speak when I was home sixmonths ago. Of course I stayed in many homes, and I want tosay thank you again to all those who gave of their hospitalitywhen I was in their area. Everyone wanted to be sure that Igot the best room, the best food, and the best treatment. Notthat I don't appreciate it all, but a missionary is Just anordinary person, even though some of us act differently, andlife under ordinary circumstances is what God wants for us.My last speaking engagement in the states was at the CentralChristian Church in Dallas, Texas, August 2.

Life is limited for each of us and what we do for Christ

will be what counts. Most of us waste a lot of our time trying to please ourselves. I hope those of us who are guiltyof this will wake up to the problem before it is too late.

Mrs. Sandra Gerding is going to be taking over the postof forwarding agent at the first of September. Her address is

Mrs. Sandra Gerding702 Harmon Circle

Moore, Oklahoma 73060

I certainly appreciate Sandra's willingness to help outin this way, and to do what she can to further the work of

-the Lord. She is a faithful member of the MetropolitanChristian Church in Oklahoma City, where she teaches a Primaryclass. She is involved in the Ladies Group as secretary-treasurer, and takes an active part in all projects undertakenby the women of the church. Sandra attended Midwest ChristianCollege for two years, and is very well qualified to takeover the responsibilities of this job. I know God will useher well in this way, and make her a blessing to all of us

A final tip: When you've done your very best.Be assured some heart was blest.

Love in Christ,

Tom


'.•O-i

Receipts

First Christian Primaries -Mr. and Mrs. James Spyker -Christian Church - Oakley,Collegians for Christ - Caniadian, TexasChristian Church - Bucklin,! KansasSenior Hi Class - Metropolitan Christian - Oklahoma CityLadies Group - Metropolitan Christian - Oklahoma CityMetropolitan Christian - Oklahoma CityChristian Missionary Societjy - Custer City, Okla.Roy Reiswig - Dewey, OklahomaRoy Paulson - Edison, NebraskaChristian Church - Davis, ojkla.Cedar Creek Christian - Smijthville, Okla,Lula Melia - Bucklin, KansasIndependent Christian - Prague, Okla.Chester and June Platt I

1

Total Receipts

Grand Total

Financial Report1970

Dewey, Okla.Dallas, Texas

lansas

Disbursements

Travel

Mission

SalaryMiscellaneous

263.95

124.50

220.00

50.15

Total Disbursements $ 658.60

June

32.00

10.00

25.00

5.00

65.00

15.915.00

10.00

20.0010.00

197.91

242.01$ 439.92

JuljL

3.66

25.00

5.00

65.0016.35

5.00

40.00

10.0020.00

10.00

10.00

10.00

10.00

20.00

2.00

242.01

o2:

the CHRISTlan mission to mexico


September-October j

Dear Friends,

I hope that this finds you smiling, while doing God'swill.

During the first part of August, a group of older kids,Benito—the native minister and I attended the National YouthConvention at Monterrey. They had a contest over the bookof "Acts" and our group took first place. It is nice to beable to quote correct answers, but how much better is it tobe able to have the correct answers in our actions?

The group ate supper out one night, for celebration, andwhile eating the fish, one boy got a bone caught in his throat.We went to the Red Cross, but had to go to a hospital. Bythe time we arrived at the hospital, the bone had been swallowed

Pat DeVore, the dorm mother for the girls, is giving devotions to the girls each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridaynights at 8:00 and I am giving devotions to the boys. WeJust hope that some of teachings will cause the children tolook to God for guidance.

I've found Mexico to be the place to teach the forbid-dance of robbery. While I was in the boys' dorm the night ofSeptember 27th, somebody broke into my rooms. My record-player, radio, slide projector, electric clock and a trouble-light were stolen. This helps me to more fully realize themeaning of "don't put your trust in worldly things". All ofus need to practice this saying.

Yours in Christ,

Tom

P.S. "The way to be happy is to make others happy.


FINANCIAL REPORT

1970

Receipts

First Christian Primaries - Dewey, Okla.Christian Church - Oakley, KansasCollegians for Christ - Canadian, TexasChristian Church - Bucklin, KansasSenior Hi Class - Metropolitan Christian Church - Okla. City, OklaLadies Group - Metropolitan Christian Church - Okla. City, Okla.Metropolitan Christian Church - Okla. City, Okla.Christian Missionary Society - Custer City, Okla.Roy Reiswig - Dewey, Okla.Roy Paulson - Edison, NebraskaIndependent Christian Church - Prague, Okla.Chester and June PlattMissionary Society - Cozad, NebraskaMidwest Christian College Mission BandCollege Heights Christian Church - Ardmore, OklaRodney Conover - Marlow, Okla.Junior Church - Metropolitan Christian Church - Okla. City, Okla.Robert L. Petrus - Dodge City, Kansas

Total Receipts

Disbursements

Mission

SalaryMiscellaneous

272.30

270.00

12.30

Total Disbursements 554.60

August

25.00

10.00

65.00

25.25

5.00

10.00

20.00

20.00

2.00

20.00

500.00

26.50

10.00

10.11

748.86

254.41

1,003.27• win • • •

i^OV 11

September

32.00

25.00

5.00

65.00

20.37

5.00

16.59

10.00

20.00

10.00

20.45

20.00

5.00

254.41



NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Dear Christian friends,

The need for Christian homes for orphans and homeless

children in Mexico is indeed great. There are now only 44

children at Casa Hogar. Therefore, I am launching out on

a new mission. The home "Hogar per Cristo" or "The Home /<for Christ" will be located in another suburb of San Luis

Potosi, and it will be built after the order of Cookson

Hills Christian Home in eastern Oklahoma. There will be

no dormitories but a family type plan. Here the children

will receive spiritual guidance from house parents as well

as receive the needs for the physical body.

For the next few months I will be on the East Coast

endeavoring to raise support for this new work. I will

greatly appreciate your prayers in my behalf.

May God bless each of you throughout this new year.

Your friend in Christ,


FINANCIAL REPORT

1970

Receipts October November

Christian Church - Oakley, Kansas 25.00 25.00Collegians for Christ - Canadian, Texas 5.00 5.00

Christian Church - Bucklin, Kansas 65.00 65.00

Metropolitan Christian Church - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 22.75 34.60

Ladies Group - Metropolitan Christian Church - Okla. City, Okla. 5.00 5.00

Christian Missionary Society - Custer City, Oklahoma 10.00 10.00

Roy Reiswig - Dewey, Oklahoma 20.00 25.00

Roy Paulson - Edison, Nebraska 10.00 10.00

Missionary Society - Cozad, Nebraska 20.00 20.00

Midwest Christian College Mission Band 300.00

James Spyker - Dallas, Texas 26.00

Christian Church - Davis, Oklahoma 10.00

Hazel McGinnis - McKees Rock, Pa. 1.00

Gary Rolph - Atlanta, Kansas 5.00

$182.75 $541.60

Disbursements

Mission

SalaryMiscellaneous

Total Disbursements

343.50

220.00

122.04

$685.54

freshour tom 1970 mexico

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