UIM Connection

We've all done it one time or another-we're in a hurry, off to the next event, rushing to get to the office. With laptop secure in its pouch, we arrive at our work place, like Starbucks, and fire up the electronic wonder only to realize we left the power cord behind! Ugh! If we're fortunate enough to have a good battery, the next two to three hours might be productive. After that, the power wanes and you are on "borrowed time."

That's life. Sometimes we get disconnected from our primary power source. We can get by on battery power for a while, but soon we need to be recharged! It is imperative to remain connected to our main power source. For believers serving our Savior, we need to remain connected to Him. The Bible calls it "abiding" and "being filled."

In UIM International we need our partners to remain connected with us, we with them. We need one another. If we fail to keep connected with our partners, we lose the power of faithful prayers and the sustaining provision of regular gifts to the ministry. If we fail to connect with you, you miss out on the thrill of what God is doing across North America among the First Nations, Native, Hispanic and Mexican peoples.

Let's keep connected-first, to our Main Power Source, Christ Jesus our Savior and the indwelling Holy Spirit ministering to us by the Word of God. Secondly, let's keep connected to one another in the Body of Christ, faithfully praying for one another and sharing in the provision of one another's needs.

I must close for now...I am almost out of battery power. Now you know how my day started. Thanks for keeping connected!

In Christ Jesus,

Dan Fredericks, Executive Director

Thoreau, New Mexico

Thoreau, New Mexico, like many other Indian communities, has lost a lot of people to suicide. Since last October there have been at least 17 suicides or attempts. Mark and Gina Morris desire to reach those who are struggling and present to them the hope that they can have through faith in Jesus Christ. This summer Gina was given that opportunity when a ministry group presented the Gospel during a vacation Bible school. A young girl who attended with her cousin listened each day to the Bible stories and on the last day went forward after an invitation to accept Christ was given. The girl shared with Gina how hard her life had been. She had been cutting herself and had thoughts of suicide. After visiting with Gina, she asked Christ to be her Savior but was concerned how she would be able to live the Christian life. Gina shared with her Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (NIV). Gina looked forward to starting a Bible study with the girl but recently found out her family had moved from the area. It was exciting to see her accept the Lord but Gina is disappointed she will not have the opportunity to see the girl grow spiritually. Please pray that the Lord would bring someone into this young girl's life that can help her grow spiritually.

Last year several work teams helped Mark and Gina finish the inside of a barn on UIM's property where the Morrises live. They have a core group of about 30 youth who come and enjoy the fellowship with each other and learn more about the Lord. The Morrises would enjoy having them more often but find it hard to control that many students by themselves. A couple that was helping them had to move away. Now they are praying about the possibility of helping FIrst Baptist Church in Thoreau, about five miles away, in their youth program. Their goal is to get the youth involved in a local church. If they can get the youth in Thoreau to start attending the church, it would be a closer option since most of them have to walk or be picked up in a vehicle.

Please pray with the Morrises that God's hope and love will break the strongholds that are holding so many in fear. Pray also that God's LIGHT will shine into the hearts of many and make the darkness flee.

Morris Family