FINAL SPANISH REPORT – December, 31, 2011

Jim Thayer – Atlanta, Georgia

2011 is rapidly coming to a close.  This is a year that I can definitely say has had its ups and downs, it’s exciting moments and its discouraging moments.  The year started out with the knowledge that my mother was dying.  She needed constant care which fell on my brother and myself to practically move in with her for lengthy periods of time.  She would not move (from Fairhope, Al) to stay with either one of us, so we were forced to take turns staying with her.  My brother’s wife had just passed away (Dec. 29, 2010), and he was not emotionally ready for this, so a lot of the responsibility fell on me to take care of things.

Mother was able to keep going fairly well through April, but then the more rapid decline set in.  She was in a lot of pain, and then we could not get her to eat for the last 30 days before her passing.  She also refused Hospice care until the last two weeks. 

My brother went into an emotional tailspin, losing both his wife (and not being able to grieve for her, while taking care of mother), and then losing mother.

Mother passed away the end of June, and after performing the funeral in Atlanta, and a memorial service for her in Fairhope, I began to experience health issues.  I am sure the stress of the previous year and a half had taken its toll on me, and I was holding it all in.  I went to the doctor and they wanted to put me on some anti-depressants, but I told my doctor I would work my way through it without them.  I did begin to experience heart and blood pressure problems, losing energy and strength, and had to back off on my schedule for a couple of months.  My blood pressure was getting into the stroke range, I was having  near fainting spells and rapid heartbeats.  After three months of tests and blood pressure medication changes I began to recover.  Today I am still experiencing high blood pressure, which the medication is still not controlling.

Through all of this I have tried to maintain my evangelistic work.  I have maintained the Spanish Bible message, and also started an English Bible message line.   I send out an inspirational Text message five days a week.  These tools are used for inspirational and encouraging messages to Christians, and as an evangelistic tool for non-Christians.  Often when I am discussing the Bible with someone, not only will I leave them with literature, but I give them the Bible message phone number, and ask if they would like to receive the text message also. 

It seems like the last 3 months has brought about a lot of benevolent situations that have taken up some of my time.  Jackie White, who I taught and was baptized in August has had a lot of physical needs, and a lot of follow-up, both by myself and a few of the ladies here because of her needs.  I am also working with a family of 8 who were recently involved in an accident where a tractor-trailer T-boned them.  There were no life-threatening issues, but several of them spent a day or two in the hospital, and are going through some long term therapy. 

The Spanish group has dwindled due to two families moving back to their home countries.  While it was sad to see them leave, the main purpose in both of them returning was to take the gospel back to their families.  I am in contact with one of the families that has moved back to Mexico, and they are doing well, and able to start teaching family members.  The other family I have not had any contact with since their move.

Our efforts to reach the lost continue.  Besides the Spanish Bible message, there are still numerous opportunities with family members and new contacts in the area.  There have been two baptisms in the Spanish work this year, and while we had hoped to have more, we are thankful for these two that God has provided for us to work with.

My plans for 2012 are to continue working with the South Gwinnett Iglesia de Cristo, but also to start putting together a plan to start a new work in the Roswell area of town.  Long term, I would also like to see a work started in the Marietta area, which is the opposite side of town from where I live.  If we are able to do this, it would give us 4 congregations on the north side of Atlanta. 

I am also discussing with Jorge Gaitan in Bogota, Colombia about a trip to work with him and several other preachers in June, 2012.  I have worked with Jorge in the past and want to continue to build on this relationship.  I am also being asked to return to Ecuador in 2012.  I am also working on Ken Craig’s, “The Big Picture” to begin using it in the my Spanish Bible classes.

Financially, the year has been rather dismal.  When I began having health problems in August, I took a couple months off from teaching.  There was no income during this time.  Based on some other commitments I thought were solid I also made the decision to go full time with the Hispanic church, but a couple of the commitments fell through.  As a result of this my support income has fallen to $450.00 per month, which includes the $200.00 I am losing from Henderson.   Until I can replace this, I was able to get back on with the school system on a part time basis, but total income is still low. 

Despite having so many issues to deal with in 2011, the Lord has really blessed us.  Karen is still having back problems, (at times very severe), but we are blessed in so many other ways that I really cannot complain.  The evangelistic efforts among the Spanish have a bright future, and I am looking forward with great anticipation the coming year and all the Lord has in store for me.

In Christian love,