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November, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Chiapas, Mexico, where I have just spent a full month completing five new mission churches. Thanks to the five groups of Americans who came and helped. Why did we do it? Because we could! We saw the need, and we responded to it. Building houses of worship is a great priority of our ministry, but it is not the only one. Like our Lord Jesus Christ, we are touched by the feelings of others’ infirmities. (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus loved Jerusalem and her people, even though they killed the prophets and stoned those sent. (Luke 13:34) He loved them and wanted to give them a better life. In the last few days of His life, the Scriptures say “When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it. (Luke 9:41) Our Lord had so much compassion for hurting and needy people. Even for the children. When they brought the children for Jesus to lay hands on them, the disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, let the children come. He took the time to bless the children. Leaving Jericho with a very large crowd, Jesus heard the words, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Many told the man to be quiet. Jesus stopped and called him to himself. He healed the blind eyes of Bartimaeus. In Mark 5, there is the story of a woman who had lost all hope, having spent all that she had on physicians. Hearing about Jesus, she said, “If I just touch his garments, I will get well.” She touched His garment, and immediately, she was made whole. Jesus always had the time to help hurting people.

A few years ago, an old man gave us a small piece of his property to build a mission church. The nearest church to him had been some five miles away, which he walked every week. The church was completed and we gathered around and laid hands on the building, dedicating it to our Lord. The old man laid his hands on the front wall and then cried like a small child. I looked around and every American man was also weeping, perhaps with the same compassion that Jesus had for Jerusalem. 

My petition to the Lord is to let me be touched by the needs of hurting people and respond with the same compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. I received a call from a Mexican pastor asking, “Can you help me bury my mother?” I responded and met his need. A pastor called and was in need of knee surgery. Again, I responded and met his need. So many have done so much more than I. In Luke 10, a man fell among robbers who beat himand and left him half dead. Two religious men passed by but offered no help. A third man, a Samaritan, saw him and felt compassion and went to him. He bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day, he gave money to the innkeeper and asked that he take care of him, saying “whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” (Luke 10) My type of man. 

Some say, “Enough is enough. When will you stop?” Perhaps, like Stephen as he was being stoned and gazed intently into heaven, I see the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Perhaps when I hear him say, "Welcome home thou good and faithful servant. I have a feeling there is still much more we will do together. Thank you for helping in all that you do. God bless you and meet your every need.

Larry

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October, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings! Scripture tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. Today, I would like to introduce you to my first convert and disciple in Atoyac, a town about an hour northwest of Acapulco. When I met him he was a young man in his early twenties. Julio and his beautiful family are pictured on the following page in a restaurant in Mexico City celebrating his 58th birthday. When we see a family like this, we tend to think how lucky they are. How healthy, wealthy and wise, and we may even wish we could trade places with them. There are many things you cannot see in this picture. So, before you wish that, let me tell you a little bit more about Julio. 

I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity to be a part of this man’s life and a part of his walk with God. 

He has often said, “Thank you for bringing God to us.” I performed the wedding of Julio and Chagui on January 17, 1987. He was a great help to me in building the Atoyac church, where he has been a leader and deacon since its beginning. But, his path has not been easy. Through many difficulties and struggles, Julio built his own house and a construction material business. Two of his brother-in-laws have been kidnapped and held for ransom. Kidnappers have entered into Julio’s house through the roof, but, thankfully, Julio was not home. He has endured the stress of living under constant fear of himself, his wife or one of their children being kidnapped. Julio’s father was murdered by his own driver. Julio’s bodyguard vowed to track him down. One day, Julio received a call from the driver saying, “I have him in my sight. Give me the word.” Yet, Julio said, “No, don’t kill him.” My point is, “Don’t wish for another man’s life until you have walked in his shoes.”

At the end of this month, I will be back in Chiapas preparing to build five new missions. We have five groups coming in October. Money has already been sent to purchase the building materials, to have the foundations and floors poured, to have the blocks laid. Money has been sent for the roofing, the paint, the benches. And I know when we have completed the work, we will walk away satisfied that we have done our best.

Yesterday I asked a friend to get a few other friends and supporters together for a luncheon. I asked him to tell them that this would not be a fund raising event, but rather an opportunity to thank them for what they have done for Mary Lou and I and the people of Mexico. I hope to do the same in other areas before the year’s end. I wish it were possible to sit down and have lunch with each and every one of you as well, but time and distance make that impossible. I can only say, “Thank You” a million times over for who you are and what you do. As I often say,  life is short. Live it to the max. Keep it clean. Love family and friends. And in the end, you will have no regrets.

Larry Myers

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September, 2016

Dear Friends:

Once again I send you greetings. Once again, I quote the words of our Lord Jesus. "Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations."  And today, I send you pictures of Pastor Carlos Tovilla Cortez and his family. 

Seeing Carlos and his family in a restaurant, you would think they were, "healthy, wealthy, wise and blessed". Seeing his ministry compound in Tuxtla, you would admire the beautiful church, the medical and dental clinic, the gymnasium and dormitory. Carlos is president of all we do in the southern part of Mexico. He is responsible for more than three hundred credentialed ministers, each of whom meet with him annually to give a report of the past year and share their vision for the year to come. Yes, knowing all this, you might even wish you could trade places with Carlos. But, before you step into his shoes, let me share with you about the road he traveled to get to this place.

I first met Carlos in 1989 when he was a young man in his twenties. After studying engineering at a university in Tuxtla while assisting a pastor in a very small Tuxtla church, he left his career to become a preacher. At a young age, he married the daughter of this very legalistic pastor. The pastor resigned, leaving the little church in Carlos' hands. Soon afterward, Carlos’ wife said, "I don't want to be a preacher's wife,” and she asked for a divorce. The following Sunday, Carlos stepped up to the platform and asked the congregation to turn to Psalm 23, and then he preached from that chapter.  He announced to his people, "I have just entered into the valley of the shadow of death. I do not know how deep or wide or long it will be". He continued to pastor that church. Ten years passed before he was able to go to the platform and say once again, "Turn with me to Psalm 23". He was finally able to tell his people, "I have just exited the valley, and I invite you all to my wedding in two weeks." I officiated at the marriage ceremony of Carlos and Barbara on November 11, 2006. 

Carlos is loyal. He has helped build every church that we have built in the southern part of Mexico. Once we were sitting on the side of a mountain, and he said, "You do not know how much I care for you. I would give my right arm for you." Carlos is steadfast. A few years ago, he and a couple of young men from the Tuxtla church were driving to the northern part of Mexico to purchase a vehicle when they were stopped by members of a crooked military and members of the drug cartel. They were placed in hand cuffs and leg irons, robbed, and taken to jail where they were further assaulted. It cost me $9,000 to get them back to Tuxtla, Chiapas. Yet Carlos continues with his ministry. I thank God for the opportunity and privilege to have a part in the life and ministry of Carlos. I am thankful that I've been able to walk with him through his valleys. 

We build many churches and buildings throughout Mexico, but our greatest accomplishment is making disciples. There are many others besides Carlos that I have helped disciple both in Mexico and the US.

Each one has their own story. They may all seem steadfast and sure, but that only makes them larger targets for Satan to throw his fiery darts at. They need our prayers. They need YOUR prayers.

Larry Myers

P.S. Please take note of our new phone numbers below. 

 

Larry Myers: 903-624-6043

Mary Myers: 903-815-1959

Shirley Myers: 903-815-5161

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August, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings! This is a hard letter for me to write, yet I feel that it is very important for me to speak to you about Making the Best of a Bad Situation.

I have so many friends and even family members who are going through hard times, bad situations, fighting for their very lives. Some are facing the valley of the shadow of death. To all of you in this situation I say, fight with all that is within you to make your situation better. Never give up, never quit, and never turn back. God has not died. The Holy Spirit has not lost His power. Nor has Christ lost his love for each and every one of us who are going through hard times and difficult situations.

Joseph, at 17 years of age, was sold into slavery by his own brothers. That was a bad situation! How many times did David suffer difficult situations? Naomi lost her husband and both sons, but with the help of her daughter-in-law, Ruth, she held on until the storms passed. Take courage from Biblical examples. Mary and Joseph traveled, probably by foot or on a donkey, some 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That was a bad situation! Joseph and Mary, who would soon give birth to Jesus, heard the words, "No rooms in the inn." A very bad situation. In those 33 years from the cradle to the cross, Mary would experience many difficult times, but she NEVER gave up. Never have I read of a man who suffered as many bad times as the Apostle Paul. Yet he wrote, "His grace is sufficient."Stephen was at his darkest moment when he was stoned to death. Yet, it became his brightest moment when He gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, saying, ”I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 

Jesus, our great example, during the last week of His earthly life, faced a BAD situation. He was beaten, mocked, rejected, spit upon, crucified and buried. But on the third day He was resurrected and is seated at the Father's right hand. (Romans 8:34)  He is still at the right hand of God interceding for us.

We all see the wounded returning home from war, parts of their bodies blown away. I hurt for them. Some are in wheelchairs, others are learning to use prosthetics, all trying to make the best of their horrible situations. I see Desiree, Mickey, Florence, Danae, Janie and others. And I encourage you all to continue to walk in faith and hold on to hope. If only I could take your place for a time and let you rest from your fear, worry and pain, God knows I would do so.

If all is well with you and yours, rejoice and give thanks to God!  But, if you are suffering, I stand with you and say to Satan, "You will not rob us of another day of life. We will laugh. We will hug our families and friends, We will reach out to a hurting mankind. We will continue to build them churches, buy them medicines, supply them with doctors and dentists." In the darkest of days, remind Satan of Romans 8. "Who will separate me from the love of Christ? Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword? No, in all of these things I am more than a conquerer through Jesus Christ, my Lord, who loves me." I stand with you, my friends and loved ones. And with you, I say, ”We will not give up, we will not quit or turn back. Together we will stand.”

Larry Myers 

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July, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings on this, the first week of July.

With the king’s permission, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls which were destroyed in the conquest of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 4:6) “So we built the walls, for the people had a mind to work.” I saw an example of this attitude three weeks ago.

Javier Perez Ruiz is a 36-year-old Tzotzil pastor. Sixteen years ago, he accepted the call to preach the Gospel to his people in Chiapas, Mexico. He went to a village called Yabtechum and began his ministry. He had no house, no family, no car and no church. One thing he did have was “a mind to work” and a heart to love, much like Nehemiah. He built his first church out of wood. It was 16’ x 49’. After they outgrew that building, they tore it down and built another wood church, 20’ x 66’. They outgrew that church as well, and they began to build a third church. This time, they had  the help of Steve Osborn, his son Justin and a group from a Mennonite church in Kansas who came to help fulfill the pastor’s dream. His new church is really beautiful, built of block and 33’ x 83’. 

I asked Pastor Javier the number of his congregation. He said there are 180 children and 140 adults. I asked him how he did that, and his answer was perfect. A mind to work, and a heart to love.  

Pastor Javier is now married. He and his wife have two small children and they live in a small house near the new church. They care for their people. Every time one of them has a need, he and his wife visit their home and pray with them and for them that their needs will be met. No matter what the need. They both have a mind to work and a heart to love. I wish I could see more of that attitude here in the US.

Although Pastor Javier’s house is very small, he did not ask me for anything. But, with pleasure I have already sent money to begin enlarging his home. I was there with them only four weeks after having knee surgery. Why? Because, like Javier, I have a mind to work and a heart to love.

That trip reminded me of a question asked of me a few years ago by a visiting US pastor. He asked, “When you go home, where do you get your food?”. (Referring to where we go to church for spiritual food.) I answered, “When I go home, I am not hungry”. When I see the mind to work and the heart to love, somehow it’s very fulfilling to me.

Thanks to Steve for his financial help. Thanks to his son Justin, the youth pastor at a Mennonite church, and thanks to the entire group who came with a mind to work and a heart to love.

In His Service,

Larry Myers

P.S. A pastor in Durango, Mexico is in need of a used half-ton pick up or van in good condition, preferably a model between years 1995 and 2006. Please be in prayer about this need. God bless you all.

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June, 2016

Dear friends: 

Greetings, and welcome to the journey. When we plan a trip, we look at our calendars, check our finances, and determine when and where we will go, and for how long. But, unlike these trips, LIFE’S journey is unpredictable and takes us from the highest heights to the deepest depths. 

In Genesis 12, the Lord said to Abram, “‘Go forth from your country and from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you.’ And Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken.” Thus began Abram’s journey. At his highest height,  “Sarah bore a son to Abraham and Abraham called the name of his son Isaac.” At his deepest depth, his lowest low, God said, “Take your son, whom you love and offer him as a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22)

In Exodus 3, God said to Moses “Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” Thus began the journey of Moses. A journey that would take him to the highest mountains, but also to the lowest valleys. There were times when everything was so wonderful, but there also times when everything was so wrong. In Deuteronomy 34, The Lord said to Moses, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants:’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.’  Moses died there, and God buried him in land of Moab.” Thus ended the earthly journey of Moses.

Genesis 37:28 reads, “So they lifted Joseph out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph to Egypt.” Thus began Joseph’s journey with unbelievable heights and depths. “Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, ‘God will surely take care of you and you will carry my bones up from here.’ Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years.” Thus ended the earthly journey of Joseph.

In Matthew 1, The angel said to Joseph, concerning Mary, “She will bear a Son and you will call His name Jesus. For it is He who will save His people from their sins.” Thus began the earthly journey of Jesus. No one else will ever experience the highs or the lows of Jesus’ journey. His words and deeds will live forever. “Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” To the paralytic, he said, “Rise, take up your bed and go home.” From the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” This is one journey that will never end. In Acts 1, as Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples heard these words, “This same Jesus, as you have seen Him go, will in like manner come again.” 

Now, let me tell you a little about my missionary journey, which began in the late 1970s. My first trip to Mexico was in a borrowed vehicle. I knew no Spanish, and had very little money. I slept in the car, eating sardines and crackers. I started at the very bottom. From there, I went to Atoyac, near Acapulco, where I slept in a borrowed shed overlooking a garbage dump, bathed in a water bucket and watched rats fighting as they crossed the rafters above my bed. I remember wondering aloud, “God, do you even know where I am?” That was my lowest low. But, last year I entered the most beautiful church that I have ever built in Atoyac and read the plaque thanking Mary Lou and I for bring them the Gospel. That was my highest height.

Twenty seven years ago, I pitched my one man tent on a hill overlooking Chenalho.  I remember wondering, “Why am I here?” But. at the end of our convention there in April, there were 5,600people in attendance. Could there be a higher high than that?  And the journey continues. Today I am in Chiapas, building yet another mission church. All of our earthly journeys will end, but that will only mark the beginning of our eternal journey together that will last forever.

Larry Myers

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May, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings. “I just want to say thank you.” The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

To the pastors who, even in your difficult times continued to help us, I just want to say thank you. To the business men and women who have helped so much, I just want to say thank you. To the widows who have lost husbands, yet continue to help as though they were still with us, thank you. To the multitudes of groups who have paid their own ways, used vacation time, brought money for building material and then helped build a church, I just want to say thank you. For all who have so generously helped the orphanage throughout the years, giving tens of thousands of dollars each year, I just want to say thank you. To all the natives who took the Gospel to the villages and helped build every mission church, thank you. To all our doctors and dentists, both from the US and Mexico, I just want to say thank you. To all who have helped build the medical facilities and equip them with very expensive equipment, a great big thank you. To all of my helpers, my team who have crisscrossed Mexico with me for 38 years helping hurting people, I just want to say thank you. To the thousands of indigenous men who worked so hard, helping build the churches, carrying 110 pound sacks of cement, mixing it on the ground, then carrying it in five gallon cans to pour the floor, thank you for all you have done. To the women of the villages who cooked for us. I just want to say thank you. To my office staff who have helped so much, thank you.

To my wife, Mary Lou, who as a young girl must have had dreams of a very different life, thank you for marrying me. Thank you for adjusting to my primitive way of life, for adjusting to our 20 years of pastoral ministry, for adjusting to our 38 years of missionary life. For adjusting to being alone so many times in those last 38 years, I just want to say thank you. To my children and grandchildren who I often think that I have failed for not spending more time with you, I just want to say thank you.

To my Lord Jesus Christ who has had so much patience with me, thank you.

The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:15, “Be ye thankful”.  In all things be thankful.

Giving thanks for you always,

Larry Myers

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April, 2016

Greetings, Dear Friends:

I am often asked the question, “What exactly is it that you do?” Well, last month I finished construction of a new mission church in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. From there, some 70 miles away, I completed construction of another new mission church. From there, some 1500 miles to the north, I completed yet another mission church. Later this month, I will build yet another church in another village. And in May I will complete yet another mission church. But, building churches is not all that I do. I help make hills out mountains.

Last month, I visited Pastor Jose, and he shared with me his insurmountable mountain. A 5 year old boy had fallen going up the steps to the second floor balcony. There was no rail of protection. Jose borrowed the money to install a protective rail, and his mountain was how to pay his debt. I payed his debt. Another family had a much higher mountain to climb. I helped make a surmountable hill out of their insurmountable mountain. Another young couple needed help. He makes about $100 per week working as a night watchman, 5 nights a week. I helped. I thought of Mary Lou and her needs when we married. I’ve wished a million times that someone could have helped us climb that insurmountable mountain.

I took the group of Americans who were visiting to the orphanage, as I always do. While the director was showing the group the orphanage, I sat down, and the children came and climbed all over me.Running their hands through what’s left of my white hair and pulling the loose skin below my chin. Just needing to be loved. I said to the group, “If I need to build a new church and do not have the funds, I can wait another month, but the orphanage cannot wait a month to feed the children.” We help make hills out of the mountains that the orphanage constantly faces. 

For the last few weeks, we have been enlarging the dormitory here in Tuxtla, Chiapas. It should be completed in the next couple of months. Always something to do. When I get home, there will be several commitments to take care of. I will be back in Chiapas on April 13 for the convention in Chenalho. I will return home on the 18th for 7 days, and then back to Chenalho to build a church. During my time at home, I will visit an orthopedic surgeon to see if I need to have a knee replacement or if my problem is due to the residual effects of the stroke I had a few years ago.

Now you know what I do. And I hope that what you do is going well. I wish I had time to visit with all of you. I pray each day that God bless and help you in your times of storms.

Always remember that there is no mountain too big, no valley to deep, no day too long, nor night too dark for God to make a difference.

Larry Myers

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March, 2016

Dear Friends,

Greetings! This time from Chiapas, Mexico. I’ve been here a couple of weeks and will remain at least another couple of weeks. During this time, I will visit Veracruz in the flesh, in the spirit and in much prayer to see if God wants me to open up another area of ministry as we have here in Chiapas. I may be getting a little old for a project like this, but if He says do it, then I will do it. I certainly covet your prayers as I seek God’s divine will.

A few weeks ago, while in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Pastor Moises Carranza and I went to visit a pastor whose name is Luis Angel. He had been pastoring a small church that he had built out of scrap wood. The first 5 years, the size of his church was 10’ by 16’. Last year, he was able to double the size to 20’ by 26’. I asked him if he would like a new concrete block church. His eyes grew big and bright as he said yes. I felt God say, “Do it," and so I committed to build a new church will measure 34’ by 54’. I returned home and sent enough money for the foundation and walls and said I would return this month to put the roof on. 

Maybe you can imagine this. A large river with much drift wood floating until it reaches the dam and there it just piles up. Nowhere to go. This is Nuevo Laredo. People with dreams to enter the United States in hope of a better life come from many southern countries and, reaching the border, just pile up like drift wood. We have teams trying to help them with food, clothing, shoes, and especially the Word of God. This is where the new church is being built. Because of the danger of the drug cartels fighting drug cartels and the possibility of being caught in the crossfire, I may no longer take American groups to this area. Again, I covet your prayers.

I also covet your prayers for the people who are there. Families. Children. Fathers and mothers who only want a better life. They arrive here with very little money, little education and few skills. They are not lazy. They are not beggars. They just want a better life. Sometimes it reminds me of the documentaries I’ve often seen about the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma in the 1930s. Starving to death, many headed to California hoping to find a better way of life. There, they piled up like drift wood, much like those arriving in Nuevo Laredo. Most were farmers, all were poor and none were welcomed. It was as difficult for them trying to survive in California as it was trying to survive the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma.

Never forget the images of the Jewish people being herded like animals to their death in Germany or the suffering of the “drift wood” on the Mexican/US border. Be grateful, and give thanks to God for what you have. Remember, the best of us are no better than the worst of them. We are all created equal in the eyes of God.

I ask for nothing. Not money. Not sympathy. Not things. Just remember to pray for the poor and the needy.

Larry Myers

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January, 2016

Dear Friends:
Happy New Year! And greetings from Mexico Ministries, our staff and the people of Mexico.

Today, I want to focus on the heart of God and the love that is in that heart for his creation. John 3:16tells us that He was willing to give His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. In the midst of that “whoever” are two very special groups who occupy a very special place in that heart of love. Widows and orphans (often called the fatherless).

Exodus 22:22-24 tells us “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you do afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to me, I will surely hear his cry, and my anger will be kindled and I will surely kill you with the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.” Isaiah 1:17 reads “Defend the orphan, plead for the widow”, and James tells us that “Pure and undefiled religion is this: visit the orphans and widows in their distress.” Psalms 10:14 says, “You have been a helper of the orphan”, and Psalm 68:5 goes on to say, “a father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation.” In Psalms 146:9, we read, “The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widows.”

We have just returned from the orphanage in Chiapas in an attempt to express the love that God has for these beautiful children. We spent about 2 1/2 hours in a large store, much like a Walmart, with approximately 85 orphans. There we bought them everything they needed and much of what they wanted. Each child was allowed to pick out their own clothes. We then took them to a Burger King for lunch. While they returned to the orphanage, we went to another store and bought more gifts for all of them.

In the middle of the afternoon, we returned to the orphanage and had a Christmas party. Thirteen friends from the US came along to help. I want to thank them for their many hours of hard work. I want to thank all who contributed financially, helping to make this a very special time for the children. And I want to say a very special thank you to Paul and Judy Pogue for heading up this entire trip.

After our time at the orphanage we went to the mountains, where we visited a number of churches and blessed them with hundreds of pairs of shoes and 700 gift bags.

You may read this letter quickly, but please take a few moments to let the following photographs sink in. Each of these orphans has their own story. Some were abandoned at birth. Some were abandoned at one or two years of age. It really doesn’t matter what their ages. All were abandoned. With God’s help, and the help of the orphanage, they will never be abandoned again.

I want to sincerely thank all of you who helped make 2015 a special year for so many people. God bless you! And may 2016 be one of your best years ever!

So many speak of leaving a legacy. I pray that my legacy will be, “He was a man after God’s own heart.”

Larry Myers

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February, 2016

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Atoyac, a small town on the western side of Mexico, about an hour northwest of Acapulco. 

Today is January 23. I arrived Thursday from Chiapas, where we had just concluded a week of ministry. We had a Women’s Conference with a group of ladies from Preston Wood Church of Dallas. The group was headed by Judy Pogue, who did an incredible job of ministering. Thursday, the group and my wife, Mary Lou, returned to Dallas, and I came here to Atoyac to check on the medical clinic and churches. I am sitting on the porch of the small house that I built some 32 years ago having coffee with Tom Shaffer, director of the medical ministry and Julio Maya, my first convert here in the early 1980s. The clinic looks great, and the Atoyac church looks fantastic. The people doubled the size of the auditorium. 

I will return home on the 25th, and two days later I will be in the Northern area of Mexico, again doing the same thing. Visiting pastors and their churches. After this, I return home for about a week, and then back to Chiapas.

Some may ask “Do you ever get tired?” Physically, sometimes. Mentally, no. There is still so much to be done. Pastor Dan Dean of the singing group Philip Craig and Dean was with us in Chiapas a year or so ago. He had come to visit the church that he had financially built. As he looked at the building and the congregation, he said, “Why was I born in the United States where we have so much and the people here have so little?” I think the answer to that question is in order to help fulfill Isaiah 61. To take Good News to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners. Also, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:27) You will notice on the back of this letter a picture of one of our favorite orphans. Seleni is 15 years old. She cannot speak, but she can smile and pray. God understands her smiles and her unspoken prayers. 

I will not bore you with a long letter. Let me just tell you that today is a very special day for me. Looking back over these last 39 years. Remembering the days of hard work and sweat, constantly praying for financial help to keep the work going. Every once in a while, God would leave a little nugget, much like what the Word describes in Ruth 3. “As Ruth was gleaning in the field of Boaz, he said to his harvesters, ‘let her glean among the sheaves, and do not insult her, and also pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean. And do not disturb her.’” Another translation says, “handfuls on purpose”. 

Last week, God dropped another little nugget for me. A young man, perhaps 30 years old, was on his knees praying at the end of the service. I knelt by him and prayed with him and for him. When he stood up, I saw a puddle of tears on the floor. I do not know his need, but I am sure that our Lord knows and will help.

That’s what drives me onward. That, and knowing that you care too.

God bless you and keep you safe.

Larry Myers

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December, 2015

Greetings on this, the last month of the year. 2015 was a great year for Mexico Ministries. I would like to have 20 more years just like this last one.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” I was born into a family of 12. Mom, Dad and 10 children. A big family with lots of faults and failures, but we chose to bury those faults and failures and live in unity. How good and pleasant it is for families to dwell together in unity.

My immediate family ... my wife, my sons and their families ... also have faults and failures, but we choose to bury our faults and failures and live together in unity. My extended family numbers in the thousands. Again, we all have faults and failures, but we too choose to bury our faults and failures and live in unity.

Keith Richards said that he had not spoken to his father in 20 years when they finally settled their differences. And for the next 20 years, Keith took his father with him as he toured around the world. Both of them were happy to be together. How good and pleasant it is for fathers and sons to dwell in unity.

Jacob said, “Laban has cheated me. He said to Laban, ‘You have changed my wages 10 times. For 20 years there were faults and failures between this father-in-law and son-in-law. In Mizpah, they signed a peace treaty realizing “How good and pleasant it is for father-in-law and son-in-law to dwell together in unity.”

Jacob was fleeing for his life with his brother Esau promising to kill him. A showdown came 20 years later when they met on the road. Surely, much blood would be shed, and many lives lost. But Jacob bowed before Esau and Esau ran to Jacob and embraced him, kissed him and wept. How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.

Joseph had every right to be angry. His brothers had every right to be afraid when they heard him say, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.” Joseph kissed all of his brothers and wept and the Egyptians heard him cry. How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.

The old pastor, trying to settle the back-biting and gossip in his church, told the story of a cat dying and being buried, leaving his tail unburied. Every once in a while, someone would grab that tail and pull that cat up out of the ground. Each time the stench would be stronger than before. The pastor said, “It is time to bury the cat, tail and all.” That’s what Laban, Jacob, Esau, Joseph and Keith all did. They buried the cat, tail and all.

Next week, I will be in Chiapas with some wonderful friends who have great hearts of compassion. Together, we will take about 80 orphans to a clothing store and let them pick out clothing and shoes and anything else they need or want. Later, we will take them to a restaurant for food, and then later we will return to the orphanage and have a Christmas party, giving gifts to all.

I pray your Christmas will be as compassionate as ours. Embrace, weep and kiss. We are here today. But will we all be here next Christmas? We wish you and wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Larry and Mary Lou

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November, 2015

Dear Friends, 

Today I greet you in the name of our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray God’s riches blessing upon you, and assure you that our Lord is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. (Hebrews 4:15) He heard the cry and saw the afflictions of His people Israel while in Egyptian bondage. God hears the cry of the needy. (Psalms 72:12 & 13) “For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy.” 

For thirty-five plus years, I have heard the cries of the poor and needy in Mexico. When pastors cried out for churches, I built them from the northernmost border of Mexico to the southernmost border. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast, I’ve heard the cries and seen the affliction of the poor, sick and needy. For twenty-five plus years, I’ve found them doctors, dentists and medical teams. I’ve built them medical facilities, bought them medicine. Together, we have touched hundreds of thousands, because God first heard their cries and put it in our hearts to help them. 

I thank God that He hears the audible cries of the needy, but I also thank God that He hears the silent cries. Betty Carranza was seven years old and dying with leukemia in a hospital in Mexico. Betty’s mother and father would take turns caring for her. Betty writes in her book that not wanting to upset her mother, she would scream in silence. Her mother could not hear her, but her heavenly Father could. God saw the affliction, heard the cry and had compassion. Betty is now approaching 40 years of age, has a beautiful family and is serving in ministry. I want to spend the rest of my life hearing silent prayers and mending broken lives. 

She was near 30 years old, married and the mother of three. She was a member of the church in Tuxtla, Chiapas. She would not speak or smile without covering her mouth. She had no front teeth. I saw her affliction and heard her silent prayer. I paid all of her dental expenses to answer that silent prayer. 

He was near 40 years old, laying block on our new medical clinic in Chiapas. He would try to speak without opening his mouth. His teeth were rotten, down to the gums. I saw the need and heard the silent prayer. I sent him to a dentist and paid the entire cost. 

The wife of our pastor in Atoyac is a beautiful lady, always well dressed and showing respect to her position as First Lady of the Church. She had one flaw. Dental. She would need dental implants and much dental help to fix her need. Her cost would be beyond her ability. I saw her need and heard her silent prayer. I paid her bill. 

Many times, seeing an elderly indigenous person counting their pesos, hoping to have enough to pay for their purchase, I say, “Put that on my bill”. Oh, I’m sure there will be many more churches to build and much medicine to buy as I continue to do this. My prayer is, “Lord, help me to mend broken lives, to see their needs and to hear their silent prayers. God hears the cries of his people.

Larry Myers

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October, 2015

Dear Friends,

Greetings in our Lord Jesus’ wonderful name.

September has come and gone, and I am back in the state of Chiapas. In a few days, I will be joined by Pastor Michael Gamble, along with friends and members of his church near Dallas. We will complete a beautiful new church for Pastor Jose. Jose is the reason I wrote the book, “Hungry for God” a few years ago. The televangelists had been saying you could not be a good example of a child of God and live in an old house and drive an old car. From the time that I wrote that book until today, Jose (who didn’t fit the televangelists’ model) has evangelized and raised up 28 congregations for whom we have built 28 mission churches. I wonder if God is willing to say, “Jose is my son?”  I am absolutely sure that God is very proud of His son, Jose.

This month, I will also be joined by Preston Wood Baptist Church of Dallas. Together, we will build an annex to Pastor Fabian’s church. This will be a multi purpose building. It will replace the old youth center. Notice the picture of their current youth center.

Later in the month, I will be joined by a new church group from Louisiana. (Normally, when ministry teams like this visit, I do my best selection menus and having them well prepared. But I am not too worried about this group. They say Cajuns from South Louisiana will eat anything. I guess I ought to know. “I be one of them”.) Together, we will build mission church for Pastor Maria. Maria’s husband, Mariano, has been one of our leaders and presbyters. A few years ago, Mariano died of complications resulting from diabetes. Maria continued the ministries of her late husband, which now consist of more than twenty mission churches.

In November, I will be back in Texas. I will be speaking on November 8 at Pastor Gamble’s church. 

A month ago, I preached a message on love being the foundation of a good marriage and family. In Genesis 29, Jacob falls in love with Rachel. Verse 27 tells us that she was “beautiful of form and face, and Jacob loved Rachel.”

If you’ve never really fallen in love, then learn to love. My mother and father were raised in a small town on the banks of the Red River in South Louisiana. The day before my father was to marry, his wife-to-be ran off with my mother’s boy friend. My mother asked my father, “Would you like to get married?” He said, “Might as well.” Their marriage lasted more than 60 years and produced 10 children.

I never really just “fell in love” with missions and Mexico. But, I learned to love both. Now, some forty years later, that marriage has produced thousands upon thousands of offspring. Spirited children of God, serving our Lord. My life has been, and still is, an extraordinary adventure.

Thank you so very much for traveling this journey with me in both prayer and financial support. 

May our Lord repay you in multiple ways.

If you have not fallen in love with Jesus, learn to love Him. He really loves you.

Larry Myers

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September, 2015

Greetings Dear Friends:

Let me begin with a brief report of last month. August 2, I flew to Chiapas with my friend, Steve Osborn. We were there a week visiting building sites for churches to build later in the year. I also spent very important time with Carlos and the medical team, making plans for future projects. I returned home on August 8. On the 16th, I drove to Northern Mexico and was there for several days. I returned home, then drove to Louisiana for ministry time. Now for the heart of this letter.

David writes in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The word desires is plural and means that I can have more than one desire. My first and foremost desire is to please God and love the people whom He loves. My second desire is to go beyond the normal in both ministry and personal life. As you walk through the entry way to a small cabin on a small pond on our property, you will pass under a sign which reads, “Rivers I have Known”. As you leave, you will read the back side of the sign, which says, “Because I Can.” Stretching yourself to go beyond the normal. David said, “I killed both the lion and the bear and this Philistine will be as one of them. Why did he do it? “Because he could”. As Joshua was giving the inheritance that Moses had promised, Caleb said, “Give me this mountain.” A mountain inhabited by giants. Caleb would drive the giants out, possess the land, and leave it for an inheritance for his children. Why? “Because he could”. At 85 years of age, he said, “I am as strong today as the day that Moses sent me to spy out the land”, which was forty five years earlier.

My second desire was to know the rivers of the US in a small flat bottom john boat. Henry Van Dyke wrote, “For real company and friendship, there is nothing outside the animal kingdom that is comparable to the river.” At age 64, I put my boat in the Red River at Denison, Texas and took it out at the Intercostal Canal in south Louisiana. At age 65, I entered the Mississippi River, just south of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. I took it out in South Louisiana. At age 74, I entered the Missouri River, just south of Great Falls, Montana and crossed the states of Montana,North Dakota and South Dakota. There, they closed the river to boats because of extreme flooding. Volumes of words on reams of paper could not do justice to the days and weeks on the river. Days without seeing another person, camping along the rivers in a small tent. Facing storms, day after day. Strong winds, high waves, hail and rain. Storms in the night that would completely sink my boat. Paddling, when my motor would not run. Meeting every challenge. Going beyond the normal. Why did I do it? “Because I could.”

Henry Van Dyke also wrote, “It is with rivers as it is with people. The greatest are not always the most agreeable, nor the best to live with.” Lay your lap top down. Turn your TV off. Forget about your cell phone and ask yourself, “Have I fulfilled the desires of my heart? Have I gone beyond the normal? Do I still have the ability God gave me to live a full and complete life? My bet is on you. You can, if you will.

Because We Can .... Larry Myers


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August, 2015

 Dear Friends,

Greetings, and may our Lord bless you abundantly. Please forgive me if this update seems a little long. I have much to say and little space and time to say it. 

The July conference in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was very busy. I listened to the reports of many pastors and received a number of requests for help. You have not heard me say much about this area, but I am still building churches there. Because of the violence and danger, I no longer take groups of Americans to this area. I have a one bedroom prophet’s quarters there on the church property. It’s small, but sufficient. 

As you read this update, I am in Chiapas, Mexico. I’ve come to visit our doctors in the clinics in Tuxtla and Chenalho to make sure they have everything they need to continue helping the sick. I will also visit several building sites for a number of churches to be built later this year. While here, I will visit with several presbyters, making sure that they have everything they need to help take care of thousands of church members. I am not alone in my concerns of our Lord’s work here in Chiapas. Russell and Charlotte Linscombe are of great help to me as well as many others, both American and Mexican. 

Pray for Our Nation

For the past 35 years, I’ve encountered many situations here in Mexico. With our Lord’s help we’ve been able to handle most all of the situations. What concerns me most is not what is happening in Mexico, but what is happening in the United States. 

I am very disappointed in the political arena of our nation. I am also disappointed with the Supreme Court of our nation. Nine justices who are appointed for life to rule on what is right on every case according to the Constitution of the United States of America. Nine justices appointed by two political parties. Many times leaning in the direction of the party that appointed them. I feel the heartbeat of God as Isaiah writes, “Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people.” (Isaiah 22:4 NIV) I feel the pain of Jeremiah as he writes, “Oh, that my heart were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of my people.” (Jeremiah 9:1 NIV) I feel the pain of our Lord Jesus Christ as it is written, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.  The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls’.” (Luke 19:41-44 NIV)

What can I do? I will both weep and pray that our nation will return to God and proudly stand before the flag with hand over heart and say, “In God we trust”.

                                Larry Myers

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JULY, 2015

 “Give me liberty or give me death.” 

(Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775)

 

Hi, Friends.

Greetings on this very important day, celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence some two hundred and forty years ago on July 4, 1776. 

The Price of Liberty 

We all know the day as a federal holiday. What many do not realize is the awesome price that was paid to give us this holiday. Many men sacrificed their lives to give us a constitution that guarantees us this precious liberty. That constitution would enable President Lincoln to say on November 19, 1863, “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all  men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” President Lincoln went on to say, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who gave their lives that that nation might live.” President Lincoln himself would also pay with his life to give to us the privilege and right to liberty and justice. Never forget those who gave their lives to protect our freedom in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq and other military conflicts.  

I choose not to celebrate my liberty as an American without remembering an even greater liberty given to us by our heavenly Father. He gave His only son to die that I may have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus himself said that He was sent to preach the gospel to the poor. (That’s me.) To heal the broken hearted. (That’s me.) To preach deliverance to the captives. (That’s me.) To set at liberty them that are bruised. (And that too is me.) That is the liberty that Jesus speaks of in Luke 4:18. As our liberty in this great nation would cost the lives of many, this liberty would cost the life of Jesus. It would cost the lives of His disciples and many of His followers. The apostle Paul would suffer much as he gave his all to proclaim that precious liberty. It would cost the lives of many missionaries from those days even until now. Please do not take this liberty for granted. To me, it is sacred. 

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I just returned from taking a vehicle to the border to be sent to Chiapas, Mexico. Thanks to Al and Micky Brown for this donation. Two weeks from now, I will be in Northern Mexico for a conference, and then I return to Chiapas to continue work there. 

The number 2 you see on this page represents the number of years until I reach the age of 80. This month, I will celebrate seventy-eight years of life, fifty-eight years of marriage and fifty-five years of ministry. Like an old vehicle, this machine suffers wear and tear. But thank God, every morning it starts.

As always, thanks for helping us help others. I pray that God keeps you in His favor and gives you favor with man.

                                            Larry Myers

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June, 2015

Hi, Friends. 

 

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

First, let me thank you for helping us to help others.  

They Served With Love

The first week of May was a perfect example of people helping people. A great group of men from Prestonwood Baptist Church of Dallas met us in Tuxtla to help build a new church. The man in charge of this project was my friend Paul Pogue. I was told not to lift a finger, much less a shovel. I did as I was told.

I searched for a Scripture that would shine light on the men who would build the church and the man who would receive the church. I chose Colossians 3:12-17. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness,  humility, gentleness and patience. Verse 14 says, ”Put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” And verse 17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” This describes the men who came, paid their own expenses and seemed to have done it out of pure love. They were compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient.  

Hearts Overflowing

Now, something about the man that was receiving the new church. His name is Pastor Gabriel, the one I mentioned in last month’s letter. Did he really appreciate what was happening? Did he seem thankful? 

The ladies of the church did their best to prepare food for all, showing their appreciation. 

At the end of the last day, as  we prepared to pray and give thanks to God, we gathered around Pastor Gabriel to also pray for him.

Gabriel broke down and cried and cried and cried.  I looked around at the building team, and they were crying. Mr. Pogue looked at me and said, “I still cry”. 

What about me? Well, they said that I could not work, but they said nothing about crying. So I cried also. I was so moved by this show of appreciation that the day I got home, I sent another $4000.00 to spray insulation on the bottom side of the metal roof and put a drop ceiling in the church, making sure there would be connections for the ceiling fans later. 

We Thank God for You

Thanks again for all that you do to help us do all that we do. Later this year, we have teams back to back to back who will build three more mission churches. We have many other trips planned. 

The middle of this month I will be in Atoyac on the west side of Mexico. In July, I will be at a convention in the northern part of Mexico. I will also be back in Chiapas to bless the orphan  children as well as the children of churches in the mountains. 

Back in 1978, when God called me to the mission field, they said it wouldn’t work. But it seems that they forgot to tell God. Jesus Himself said in Mark 9:23, “All things are possible to him who believes.” And that’s enough for me.

Larry Myers

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May, 2015

Dear Friends:

Greetings! Today I write this letter to encourage those who are already weary from difficult times and to those who may be just entering into difficult times. Hold tightly to these two Scriptures. Galatians 6:9 tells us “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Isaiah 4o:31 says “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

WAIT UPON THE LORD! IN DUE TIME, YOU WILL REAP

Waiting. It’s always the most difficult part. We cannot know for sure how deep, how long our valleys will be.

May these following examples be an encouragement to you.

Pastor Gabriel in Tuxtla pastored for 18 years in a very small building. Last week we finished construction of a beautiful, much larger church.

Pastor Fabian pastored in a small tar papered, cardboard building with a dirt floor for four years in Tuxtla. He now has a beautiful church and is continuing to add on.

Thirty years ago, I built a beautiful church in Atoyac, near Acapulco. Tom Shaffer and I also built a very nice medical facility. I left Atoyac and went to Chiapas Mexico to start a new work, and build a new headquarters. Several immoral pastors followed me in Atoyac and practically destroyed both the congregation and the building. It takes years and years to heal the wounds caused by immorality. The elders and deacons struggled for many years bbut never gave up. I preached there in February to a packed church. They are in the process of doubling the capacity of the auditorium, and their vision is to reach and build for a congregation of 3000. The medical ministry in Atoyac also suffered difficult times. Our Mexican doctor in charge of the clinic drowned in the ocean. Dr. Romero, the plastic surgeon from Lafayette retired for medical reasons. A very bad hurricane caused great damage to property and building. You don’t quit in difficult times. The property and building have been repaired and next month a dental team headed by Dr. Jerome Smith will be in Atoyac as they have for the past 20 plus years. 

And my final example is this. I built and pastored a beautiful church in Denison Texas. God called me to the mission field in Mexico and I obeyed the call. Again, several immoral pastors followed my ministry in Denison. The congregation went to less than 20 and the building began to deteriorate. While visiting home from Mexico, I often stopped on the highway and looked at what I had built and wept. I recently preached in this church to a packed house. All Spanish speaking, and again I wept, but this time for joy. 

God is not weary nor tired of well doing. He has not fainted. and neither should you or I. He has not forsaken us, nor forgotten us. May you be encouraged and strengthened as you wait for your restoration.

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April 2015

Dear Friends

Greetings! 

Feed My Lambs

In the 21st chapter of John, Jesus asked Peter a question. “Lovest thou me?” Peter’s answer was “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus asked Peter the same question two more times. Peter’s answer was the same. “Lord, you know that I love you.” This time, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” Peter would spend the rest of his life fulfilling the desires of Jesus. Feeding the lambs, the new born believers, the little children and the sheep, the followers of Christ. 

Often times people ask me, “What do you do in Mexico?” My answer, Just helping God fulfill His desires. In John 3:16 He said He really didn’t want anyone to perish, but to have eternal life. I do my best to make new believers, new born lambs of those whom Satan has tried to steal kill and destroy. To tell them that God really wants to give them life and that more abundant. (John 10:10)

A few weeks ago, I was in Atoyac north of Acapulco to visit the sheep and make sure they are cared for and well fed. That’s what God would want me to do. I visited with the Shaffers who have given their lives to helping the lambs through the medical facilities. That’s what Jesus would do. 

Most of the month of March, I was in Chiapas, feeding and caring for the sheep. A very poor family brought their son to our clinic to see if anyone could help. They were too poor to go to a hospital. Our doctor removed two tumors from his side. His family was grateful. That’s what God would want.

A pastor called from the northern part of Mexico to tell me of a couple of needs. A pastor’s wife had died and they did not have enough money for her funeral. Another pastor had suffered a stroke. I wired money to help cover the expenses of both. That’s what God would want.

We know the purpose of Jesus Christ, “To seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) But do we know what His ministry was? 

In Luke 4:18 Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Really, who am I? Just one whom He has called to help fulfill the desires of His ministry.

Only a few days ago, we graduated a class of students who for two years have studied and sacrificed to prepare for ministry. My counsel to them, “Go and help fulfill the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Teach what He taught, and have His compassion for mankind. 

Larry Myers... Not a doctor nor an apostle, not a prophet nor a bishop. Just one saying, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.

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