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ALuaas!
THE

BILL. HOFF

THE

FAMILY

NORN OUNGAN FAMILY

APARTADO POSTAL NO. 57

APARTADO POSTAL NO. 7i\l

QUERETARO. QRO. MEXICO

QUERETARO/ QRO.

Ibe IHRlUniiE OF CHRIST IN

NEWS OF

Published Quarterly

Vol. 13, No.3

MEXICO

CENTRAL MEXICO
Fall 1982

rm ECONOMIC scene
While in San Antonio, Texas, this author heard much
about the dangers and difficulties posed by being in
Mexico, and about its vacillating economy. Let the
observations of one Who is living in the country be

.missionaries in Queretaro are soimdly rejecting that as

unchristian and are not participating in sudi ex
changes.

heard.

There are some unfortunate events being reported.

Becau^ Mexico subsidizes the c(t of die^l fuel,
sugar, flour, cooking oil and other basic commodities,
Americans had been taking advantage of the exchange
rate to buy these commodities. The border is being
heavily checked because basic food stuffs were

Mexico, seeking to increase its development in

industry and petroleum, borrowed vast sums of
monies from international banks. Then interest

rates sksnrocketed in the U.S. and other countries,

and Mexico, unatde to pay its loans, was forced to

borrow at even higher interest lliis put the govern

ment in a crunch. But the other jaw of the nutcracker
was equally as unforgiving,- having no confidence in
their government, many wealthy Mexicans converted
their pesos into dollars and invested them in the U.S.

and other countries. This represented a huge outflow

of cash, with no benefit to the developmrat of the
country.

After a period in which the peso fell fiom 46 to a

dollar to 150 to a dollar, the government set an artifi
cial staUization of 70 to l.'At this conversion rate all

normal banking can be done, except that one cannot

buy dollars. Then die government nationalized all
banks in the Republic, to furdier control the fluctu
ation of exchange rates. There is, of course, a Mack
market in dollars which offers 100 to 1; but all the

unavailable to the common Mexican man in the

border cities due to the foreign demand.

Mexico has taken a series of steps to improve its
economic position, but the steps have hurt: there is
much unemployment, and many are asking if they
diould join the ranks of the illegal aliens in the U.S.
because here they cannot find employment. Memco
faces severe belt tightening for a couple of years but
has potential for recovering. Please ptay for the new
president, diat he will be honorable and capable.

The fact is that life in Mexico has changed little for

either the traveler or die missionary. Tourists will
be allow^ to exchange pesos for dollars as they exit
the country,and Mexican citizens are being permitted
to change a maximum of 500 dollars per year.
BH

CAMPFIRE
How can we describe the 1982 camping season in
Queretaro? One possible way is through statistics:

EMBERS
ache or tears of joy over a companion's newfound
faith.

over 250 total attendance; 20 baptisms, plus addi

tional rededications and confessions of faith; campers

*the baptisms: the act itself; the testimonies

from at least 7 states; Christian book sales of over

from the baptistry; the thrill of seeing several youth

baptized by their fellow-campers, friends who had
invited them to camp, talked with them about the

$500; 75 people packed in dorms built for 50.

But camp is more than just facts and figures. As I

look back upon the experience, a number of images

meaning of Christian faith, and who now were

sharing in the initiation of the new life itself.

come to mind:

*the evangelistic service on Thursday night of

*the nightly faculty meetings, times of prayer

the second week, a service that lasted unta midnight

and praise. This year's teachers came from many

because of the testimonies shared by dozens of

walks of life - preachers, printers, missionaries,

doctors, educators, students, lawyers, nurses, and

campers and adults, because of the time of intense

bricklayers-and they were counselors as well as

teachers.

*the small knots of students scattered around the

campground during free times: singing choruses and
strumming guitars, discussing Scripture, praying with
counselors, memorizing Scripture, just "talking"

about life and the meaning of faith, sharing testimony

with an unsaved friend, laughing together in Christian
good humor, exchanging addresses with new friends,
shedding tears of sorrow over a companion's heart

prayer, because of the spontaneous chorus-singing

and Scripture-sharing, because of the sweet Spirit
of Jesus that was felt by everyone present.
These "embers" from the 1982 camp "fire" continue

to glow in my heart-and in othere', too, apparently.

For at a recent camp meeting, it was voted to expand
camp to 3 weeks next year and to undertake several

building-improvement projects. At the same time,

there was an almost total concensus that (just like
every other year) this was the BEST YEAR EVER.
ND

PROJECTIONS
One of the most difficult balances to achieve (besides

our old bus to serve both as a people carrier and as

my checkbook) is the balance between seed sowing

an audio-visual unit which will feature a back-projec

and nurture. This year Norm and I are trying a new

approach to arrive at that balance. Norm is heavily

tion screen and a powerful public address system.

This will enable us to pull into a town and present a

movie with a minimum of set-up time and no danger

involved in mass evangelism through projection of

Christian movies, while I am working with a faltering
church in a small town. I am seeking to strengthen

of damage to the projector or screen from rain or

the believers so that the church can stand on its own.

long-term campaign can be launched.

Norm's ministry is rather exciting for the possibili

One such campaign will be in San Juan del Llanito,

the village in which I am working. The church there

ties it presents. Many of our evangelistic thrusts have

wind. It will also provide for a base from which a

been limited because of a lack of literacy among the

has suffered much persecution but there are still

people with whom we work. Now as Norm strives

interested believers. With the help of Norm and a

to build a film ministry, we have an outreach which

permits teaching and preaching to hundreds without

couple of the Institute students, I would like to

.requiring of them the ability to read and write.

organize a campaign there. Please pray for these

opportunities and needs.
BH

In order to facilitate the ministry, we are converting

FAMILY AFFAIRS

PERSONAL GLIMPSES

It's been only three short months since we arrived

"back home" and already Knoxville seems like a
place I only dreamed about. Things have been fast

"I want to go to the green house!" "Which house

is that?""Is it the house where Nathan is, or where
Dutton (our dog) is, or the Mack's house?" After
returning from our six-week stay in San Antonio,
Rebecca didn't know where home was. The Dungans
were now occupying the house where we had spent
a year; our constructed house was not ready to
occupy; so we were given the loan of Telford and
Erma Mack's house. The last of September we began
the process of moving.

and furious since we arrived.

We spent the first 10 days just sorting things and

putting them away-things we had left here, things we
had brought back,,and things the Hoffs still had in
the house-so we could get to the beds and kitchen.
Then it was 2 weeks of camp.
A two-week break after camp allowed us some time
to get organized and then we all started to school.
Norm is teaching 3 classes at the Bible Institute and
4 at the University. He is also the Senior Class coun
selor at the Bible Institute and the sports director at
Heather's sdiool. Heather is a fieshman this year;
and besides her regular school courses, she is taking
French (in Spanish! )at the University and piano
lessons. Nathan is attending a Mexican nursery school

each morning and is rapidly re-Ieaming Spanish (for

the third time). And me-I try to keep track of
everyone's schedules and see that they get something
to eat and have something clean to wear. In addition,
I serve 1 week out of every 5 as a teacher's aide
at Heather's school. So far things seem to be working

Our stay in San Antonio was a mixture of work and

pleasure. It took Bill and me many hours of writing

and typing to complete his thesis. But the rough
draft was sent to Cincinnati the day before we re
turned to Mexico.

Some of our time was spent in shopping; v^ous

things were brought back for our house. We also did
the usual grocery shopping. We enjoyed the visits
of both Bill's and my parents while at the KOA. We
did a little sightseeing but spent most of the time
working or relaxing in the shade. Mark became a

fisherman (a creek runs through the campground).

We also took advantage of the swimming pool and
ni^tly "Walt Disney" movies.

pretty smoothly. Praise the Lord for 2 cars!

You already know of the recent peso devaluatuion.

The Eastwood Christian Church, located a few miles

from where we were staying, was very gracious to

Now what we need is a "time devaluation"to enable

us. We fellowshipped with them and enjoyed their

us to have more hours in which to get everything

done. But we're confident that each necessary thing
will be accomplished in His time; after all, our God
has promised to supply ALL needs "according to His

summer socials. The kids really felt at home there.

riches." We certainly can't ask more than that.

Joyfully,

Mark is back in school and already excited that he

has two big stars (for lOO's on his exams). The first
verse of his memory work for September is my
challenge to youPhil. 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord
always: and again I say. Rejoice."

7n

GOD KNEW I
The Lord did it again! Just when we thought all was hopeless, He answered. School at J.B.C. was
over and we were within a couple of weeks of leaving to return to Mexico without having found a
teacher for the Christian school where Heather attends here. But God knew who that teacher

was. And we'd like for all of you to meet her as well.

Janice Crowder is from Maryville, Tennesseejust a stone's throw from Knoxville. She is a
graduate of J.B.C. and the University of Tennessee in the field of education. She is also accomp-

r, ^

lished musically, having sung in musical groups in

college, taught both voice and piano, and led the child
ren's choir in her home church. She has an exciting year
planned for the studentsincluding Christmas and
Spring musical programs.
We are delighted that Janice is willing to call Mexico
"home" for a while. She has already been a blessing to

the school, and she is eagerly re-learning her high school

Spanish in order to be more active in the church here
as well.

FROM:

MD

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