July 2008

Dear Friend,

There have been over 1700 narcotic-related homicides on the US-Mexican border in the first six months of this year. Over 450 police officers or soldiers have also been executed. Mob-style killings and ambushes occur on a daily basis. The Mexican president has deployed over 25,000 troops to fight the drug gangs. Military and federal police officers line the streets in many border cities. Just in Juárez there have been almost 600 homicides in the six-month period including over two dozen officers and a good number of innocent bystanders. In the first week of June there were 42 executions and just last weekend there were 13! Just last night six were executed! Even those who are not in the drug cartels or gangs are in potential danger of being caught in the crossfire when the shootings break out. Many Mexicans who live in the US are afraid to visit their relatives in Juárez or to go shopping there. Many church groups from the US have cancelled their mission trips to Juárez this summer because of the danger.

Our ministry to Juárez and the other border cities in Mexico is unique because the Gospel we broadcast can be heard in any car, home or business. Anyone with a radio can hear God’s Word! We have heard testimonies of gang members and drug dealers who have come to know the Lord through listening to our World Radio Network stations. We thank God that even when it is not safe for people to go to a border town, radio continues to go into every part of the city to reach people that no one else may be able to reach.

Pray that we and our staff will be faithful to carry out our mission to preach the Word in these violent times.

In His love,

Paul, Shari, Heather, Heidi, Holly and Hannah