"THE CHALLENGE" FRO?^' CINCINNATIBa j i,Q_^i:hrJ.s±iajiJigi.^lonTBjjJ and Margy-4

Qu^etar0, Qro., "Mexlc (T

March 1978

Dear Christian Friendst

The gentle rains fall and bring with them the promise of Spring. Thesnow melts at its touch and together they form riverlets of water which wewill one day drink, or use to grow crops. Soon the trees will bud out newleaves, the soil will bring forth new herbs, and we will praise God forrenewing his creation. As I look at the world, I am awed at the power ofour God"; and as I look into His Word, I am struck by the renewing thatwill soon come when he proclaims "Behold I make all things new." I amsure that all Christians hope to participate in that eternal spring whichwill come following the Lord's return.

As I view a calendar, I see that this should be the last letter whichyou will receive from us during our stay in the United States. Schoolends just seven weeks from now, and we hope to leave soon afterward.Therefore, it behooves us to review the time spent in the U.S. and seewhat has been accomplished.

•The reason for our coming to Cincinnati was to study at the Seminary.By the end of the semester, I will have completed 30 semester hours ofstudy, which leaves me one class (advanced Greek) and a thesis short ofmy goal; namely a M.A. degree. I can return for a short summer sessionto finish the advanced Greek and then write the thesis while in Mexico.

Approaching a degree is, however, not so important as those thingswhich I have been able to learn. I have particularly benefitted fromhaving the classes in cultural anthropology and missions.^ But .I have alsoprofitted from my class in theology and my history classes. The theologyclass was taught by Dr. Jack Cottrell who has written 2 very readableDaDerback booksf Good Enough Isn't Good Enough and Solid. I would re-coTimend these to all of you for personal reading as well as for yourchurch libraries. They are published by Standard.

V/ho can even measure the value of the wonderful interpersonal experiences we have had. First, during our stay at Missionary Internship,we met some wonderful people who are serving the Lord in various countriesthroughout the world. We received both inspiration and information whichhelped us readjust to the U.S., and will help us perform more effectivelyUDon our return to Mexico. We will always value their friendships.

Here in Cincinnati we have also developed priceless friendships, bothat the Seminary and at church. At the Seminary we have wonderful friendsin both faculty and staff. These people have gone out of their way tohelp us and we will always be grateful. Our associations at church havebeen our closest. And we have been particularly blessed by knowing themen and women who are the active pillars of the congregation. The Bridgetown congregation is very missions oriented, and we haye been fortunatebecause our paths have crossed.

Please continue to pray for us during our remaining two months inthe States. They will be busy ones for us. We also covet your prayersas we travel in May. God grant each of you an abundance of his love.

Because of Christ,

'•Ihv,

hhristian mission\ HOFF APARTADO POSTAL 57 QUERETARO. GUERETARO, MEXICO

V

June 1978/

Pear Friends in Christ:

"...and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Ecc. 12:12. This Scripture oftencame to my mind this month as I prepared for final exams and wrote the last papcr^ ^o..the semester. However, I must confess that I did not suffer alone; Margy was by my sidetvping papers and helping me schedule my study time around work hours. When I finishedmy last excim it was a tremendous burden lifted.

Vacations are for those who can afford some free time, we could not. Margy beganthe job of packing and I started working full time at the lawn mower shop. We knev thatthe truck needed a new set of tires and some repairs before our return. I worked fortwo weeks. During this time we moved many boxes to the trailer which was parked or theschool lot. In fact, when the time cam to move I really thought that I had the majorityof things carried out but I discovered that I still needed to make 22 trips to get therest of the boxes down. Tt would not have been bad except that we lived on the fourthfloor so we had a lot of stairs to climb.

But finally oiv';4a.y._2^th \ve left Cincinnati at 11:00 a.m. It was good to be or ourway even if 40 miiS" later f'ha^ to repair a leak in the radiator. We drove to SanAntonio, Texas, wjjere we then flew to Phoenix. VJe had a short visit with some frirndsand relatives along with taking care of business with our forwarding agents. We alsopresented the slide program in a church in the area. From Phoenix we plan on driving toLas Vegas where-We"wi11 spend a couple days with Bill's family along with visiting thechurch there. A few days later we plan on returning to Mexico.

Our financial renort for Mav is as follows:

Balance Forward $ 373.86 Balance as of May 31st S 810.11

T^eceivod in May $1,472.26$i;8'46.12

fialarv 5 200.00

Work Expenses:

Trailer Payment $ 100.00Corresoondcnce School-- 50.00

Office Supplies 26.00Newsletter 20.51Gasoline Serving in Mexico,Recorder Parts 151.00

Radio Mexico 200.00 -tj y - y ^ LLaMexican Evangelist 70.00Church Rent 30.00 Bill, Margy, and Mark HoffBank Charges 1'50

$ 836.01

ALuaas!THE BILL HOFF FAMILY

APARTADO POSTAL NO. 57QUERETARO/ QRO. MEXICO

THE NORM DUNGAN fAMILYAPARTADO POSTAL NO. /ijlQUERETARO. QRO. MEXICO

NEWS OFThe [HHlEnCE OF CHRIST IN CENTRAL MEXICO

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AUGUST, 1978

A LOOK AT OUR NEW LOOK'Beginning with this issue, "The

Challenge" of the Bill Hoff familyand "Saludos" of the Norm Dungan

family are being combined into onepublication, with a single distribution to all those on both mail--

ing lists. Thus, the change intitle and in format.

But why the change?

First, we want to give you, ourreaders, a better understanding ofthe work that is "Bajio ChristianMission" in Central Mexico. Since

there are two missionary familiesworking jointly at the same task,it has seemed good to share withyou the combined work and not justone part or the other of it.

Second, we hope to give you a

more objective insight into thework. Since our reporting willhenceforth be a cooperative effort,'.here is less likelihood of sub

jective feelings undersirably coloring the information.

Third, we desire to exercisegreater stewardship. Two factorsare involved here. {l)The steward

ship of money. A combined nev/s-letter will result in a savings in

printing costs; we will cut inhalf the costs for photographingand printing the copy. (2) Thestewardship of time. The unitedeffort will effect a reduction in

time spent by each family in preparing copy for publication. Aspin-off benefit is that you arenow more likely to receive an on-time and regular publication , thanever before. So as we have more

time and money to invest in thework itself, you will be able toknow more about that work,and more

promptly.A final note. To keep this pub

lication as personal as possible,each article will bear the initials

of the writer. Additionally, 1page will normally be reserved forthe use of each family. Thus wepropose to achieve the same aimsas always—to share with you newsboth of the work and of the fam-

ilies-but to do so more efficiently and effectively than ever.

We pray that this quarterly letter V7ill both inform and inspire;we will appreciate hearing, yourresponse to this new format. #ND

HeM we GO AGAIN"Mixed feelings" is , the

only way I can describe ourdeparture from Cincinnati. V/ehad endured a hard winter in apoor.ly heated apartment, I hadtramped through snow for manyweeks to get to classes; Margyhad endured neighbor "kics" inthe apartment who needed aplace to play when theirschools were cancelled: thosewere the things that we wouldnot miss. But the professors,the students, the discipline

,of study, the friends in churches and prayer groups wewould surely miss.

We sold all the used furniture that we had pur-ahasedduring the year and be;i;an ourpacking. Much of the weightwas books and winter clothing.V/e began the task of haulingall the boxes down U flightsof stairs to the truck and upto the trailer to pack. Soonwe were done. We had delayedthe departure until I earnedenough for a set of tires andgasoline money for the returntrip.

Forty miles south of Cincinnati the truck overheated.

I worked for a radiator shopall year and had checked it,but the problem was a cutcaused by a flying object. 1was able to solder it and wecontinued. Our trip on to SanAntonio was without furtherincident.

After a short stj-v in SanAntonio we flew to ,Fho(?nix. VJevisited with a supporting church, r>hov;ed slides at ..mother

church, visited our forwardingagents, and had short visitswith our families. -From therewe drove to Las Vegas where Ispoke at my home church. Wethen returned to Phoenix andflew back to San Antonio,wherewe resumed our trip.

After a year and two weeksit felt so good to be back inMexico again. We had a nicevisit with the Northrup familyin Saltillo as we spent thenight there, on our way south.

The city of Queretaro wasat the end of the next day'slong drive. How the city hasgrown 1 We were excited to seethe Dungans and to meet theReed family who had replacedus during the year. They arewonderful people and m.ade usfeel welcome. Doug was a tremendous help in the radiowork, especially with the rebuilding of the mixer whichmakes it possible for us tointerconnect 4 recorders and a

turntable to produce the program .

Vie got settled as soon aspossible and then became involved in the work once again.With summer ,camp beginningshortly, I spent much time inlast minute preparations.There were also many radiotapes that had to be made.

Mark is readjusting back to'Mexico. It took him awhile to

realize where his home was. Hespends all day playing withthe neighbor children -- hespeaking English and theySpanish. ^BH

FAMILY AFFAIRSIt there's anything the Lord

has taught me since we've beenin Mexico, I guess it wouldhave to be flexibility. Thereis certainly no way to plan ameal for 3 and have it stretchto feed 10 or have 3 differentfamilies come to visit--all on

the same nieht--without it.These are just two of our recent experiences, and eachtime I have learned anew thatPhilippians 4:13 is not justempty words but a reality forlife. I could never make itwithout God's strength. And Icertainly wouldn't v.-int • tohav'.^ rr.iscoci "cne" Hi.Jit

the Lord had in mind on eachoccasion.

Heather finished fourth grade.with flying colors--garneringU trophies at the av;ards banquet, including best scripturememorization and highest gradepoint average. Needless tosay, her parents were poppingtheir buttons. Her reply whenwe tried to share with her ourpride in her accomplishments:"You don't have to be proud ofme; I'm proud of myself."

As Nathan approaches 9months, it is getting harderto think of him as a baby. Heis standing up now and nothingis safe. His favorite trickis "-whisk the tablecloth."Unfortunately, he has not perfected it to the point ofleaving the dishes on thetable. How marvelous ii; Melmac

V/e are about to embark on '2months of close fellowship as

wo travel to the States to

visit those of you v/ho supportuG r;o iaithfully. Please remember us in your prayers, notonly as far as our i^aiety isconcerned, but as v/e try toaccomodate both a 9-year-oldand a 9-month-old. It should

be interesting, to say theleast. Nevertheless, we'relooking forward to seeing youall again, to share with youwhat the Lord is doing incentral Mexico as well as hearing what He is doing in yourlives. We truly love these"family reunions."

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

balance , 3/3i/7£Income, 4/1 - 6/30/7,8; , , _ , ^ . »t 'I

Balance, 6/30/7 8

W5 £ 9 . 2 5

5141.B2

$156.7c

WHAT'S New?The Spanish-speaking congre

gation honored 4 graduates inMay. These were the first tograduate from within the bodyin Queretaro, so it was a timeof real joy.

The youth in Queretaro recently conducted a clothing drive,then took the material to a

widow and her children who livein a remote village in themountains of the state.

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The mid-week studies herecontinue to grow. A month ago,some neighbors of the fam.ilywho received the study in theirhome tried to stir up a lot oftrouble. But the family tookcourage and invited us back. Attliat second meeting we met anew family who showed vitalinterest in the Gospel, to thepoint of inviting the meetingto their home the followingweek in the same housing unit.We praise God for His Victoryl

We have again been refusedradio time in Queretaro--at anyprice. Please keep prayingi

The Queretaro congregation isnow being assisted by a weekend personal evangelist, whocalls on homes in the working-class subdivisions of the city.The evangelist is a new Christian who while living herereached many new prospects forChrist. Now he buses in each

-VI pil C'" weekend from his new home aboutW O H " "

•♦5 "

^ As I write, we are on the^ brink of camp, 197 8. The new

ri H store-storeroom building is3 Lr: S ready, as are the long-overhang

eaves on the dormitory which^ were added to keep the rain out

of the campers' food after they4,- file past the kitchen's servingo window on their way to the^ dining hall. Since the Dungan

trip must begin during camp,the shopping burden falls onBill. Most of the in-campactivities will be handled bythe Mexican brethren; but Bill

g K G will be extremely busy tran-z h i ' porting the tortillas, sweetns P- . bread, fresh fruit, etc., etc.

12 N 5 t; to camp daily. Pre-registra-^ c a> 3 w tions indicate another full^ ^ ^ house this year for both Inter-• a mediate and Senior weeks. #ND

B 120 miles north of here.*•1