The skippers

Dearest friends: As 2009 races to an end, we are so very thankful to be on God’s team with you! Opportunities abound to share God’s Love and the Gospel while mentoring Christian leaders, working with Spanish speaking employees in agricultural settings and as Chaplain at Inverness Jail and Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. We look forward with positive expectation to 2010 knowing God has much work for each of us to do.

Mentoring: Ignacio Bautista arrived in Mexico! Last Month after 11 years here he headed home to work for God. By phone he sounded very happy relating how God prepared the way and is already at work in the town where his relatives live. Two missionaries nearby have come forward to help. There is a small Baptist church in a nearby town. The man who rode with him from Oregon to Mexico accepted Christ into his heart after arriving and meeting up with Gonzalo Gonzales, a missionary from Oregon already in the area. Continue praying that God will give Ignacio the strength to overcome obstacles in spiritually darkened Mexico. It is a high priority to continue mentoring new workers returning to their countries so they will be prepared to serve.

Agriculture Workers! Recently we met with about 30 landscape workers; the owner had asked me to speak about the meaning of Thanksgiving. After talking about the Pilgrims coming to this country seeking a ’better life’ (which Hispanics could certainly relate to) we zeroedin on thanks to God for our wives, children, health and jobs, especially given unemployment so many are experiencing. We look forward to continuing our work with 3 farms that have asked us to share the Gospel with their employees. We invite interested folks to join us at the Hispanic church June and I attend on Sunday evenings.

Chaplaincy: Inverness Jail & Mt. Hood Medical Center! Now entering our 8th year at Inverness Jail and our 15th year at the hospital, we thank God for this open mission field. Working with Spanishspeaking inmates at the jail and patients at the hospital give us choice opportunities to share the Gospel. Recently we spent many hours over a 3 week period with a family whose lovedone was in critical condition. Now we have followed this person and her family to a care center to continue the work God has started with this family. Photo: Chaplains Harold Fuller and Tom Skipper.

June and I appreciate your partnership so much, your prayers, support and encouragement! We pray for God’s blessing in your lives, that Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are filled with ‘meaning’ for you and your families Tom & June Skipper and that you will sense God’s presence in a very special way in 2010!

“Not to us; Oh Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” Psalm 115: 1 NIV