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May
10, 2005
Cliff Bell Family Ministries
Dear Friends,
April was a long month and a rough one for my family. But I thank
God for overcoming grace, and for those of you who pray for us!
All of April was spent ministering in churches on the US side of the border. Did
you know that there are approximately 10 million Mexicans alone in
the US? That doesn't include the Central and South Americans and
Puerto Ricans who are also here. Ministry to Latin America doesn't
mean travel to a foreign country any more! More and more I am sensing
a need to equip American churches to reach the Hispanic community.
Here is a report of what we've been doing...
- Family transition
update
- Tragedy averted
by hearing the voice of God
- New Hope for the
Rio Grand Valley
- Thank you to Regency
Christian Center International
- Restoring foundations
at Mision Elim
- Ready to receive
in Elkhart
- A divine appointment
- A new way for El
Camino
- Home on the range...
- Cliff's ministry
itinerary at the bottom
Family Transition Update
The spiritual warfare around our home has continued to be intense.
However, my family is rising to new levels. There is a
lot I cannot write about. But we covet your continued prayers
for Adam, Rose and our family. We have extended our faith for continued
breakthrough and victory, so agree with us for that!
Tragedy averted by hearing the voice of God
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy..." Joel 2:28a
Ashley (our six year old) would not go to sleep while I was away on my
first ministry trip in April unless Dianne would pray with her that the
house would not burn down. Dianne thought at first that
it was just a spirit of fear trying to keep Ashley from sleeping.
But after about three days of this she discovered our propane
gas tank I had just filled was empty. She had smelled some
gas around the stove, but didn't realize how much there had been.
It turns out the stove had a leak which had emptied the gas tank.
After steps were taken to correct it Ashley was at peace and didn't
ask to pray about fires again. I am convinced God spoke to
Ashley to cause us to pray and avert a tragedy! God still
speaks today! And He can even speak to our children!
New Hope for the Rio Grand Valley
April 6 - 9 I taught a prophetic training seminar at New Hope Church with
Pastors Omar and Yolanda Hinojosa. Omar and Yolanda have become
good friends. They have a bilingual church in the McAllen / Pharr
area. They have a big vision and just completed construction on
a new building. (I'll be ministering there again two nights during
their dedication week June 2 and 3). I'm excited about them
because Pastor Omar is committted to equipping the saints in their gifts.
We had great results with those who attended. The seminar was marked
by a lot of healing and deliverance during the activations.
I taught the seminar completely in Spanish and English (translating for
myself). So that was a stretch! I believe this will be a key
church for reaching the Rio Grand Valley.
Thank you to Regency Christian Center International
My first night in the Los Angeles area I ministered at Regency Christian
Center International (of Whittier). It was great to see Pastors
Jason and Cathy Guerrero again! It was wonderful to minister
in a church that has like heart and vision. I also got to fellowship
with Hector and Soccorro Gomez, Tony and Maria Elena Jaimes, John
Velasco, and Bill Alcocer and Susie. Hector, Tony, John and
Bill have all come to Mexico to minister with me and help during
seminars. Thanks to all of you from Regency Christian
Center International for your help, hospitality and friendship!
Restoring Foundations at Mision Elim
April 15 - 17 I ministered at Mision Elim Church with Pastors Juan and
Blanca Argueta. Here, the Lord had me minister differently than
usual. The Lord identified areas that the devil was using to keep
the church from moving forward. It was definitely a time to "uproot
and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jer.
1:10). God brought a work of repentance, restoration and birthing
to the church. I was thrilled with the people's response.
Please pray the Lord will continue to work with them as they move forward
in God's plan. I was happy to be present for the dedication of a
baby which is the fulfillment of a prophetic word I gave the parents a
year ago. They had not been able to conceive for five years, but
God's prophetic word has power! Praise God!
Ready to Receive in Elkhart
April 22 - 24 I ministered at Casa de Misericordia (House of Mercy) in
Elkhart, IN with Apostle Antonio Santiago. (Santiago is a
graduate of Nueva Esperanza Bible School founded by Drs. Bill and Gerda
Brown.) Several other pastors attended the meetings - including
one pastor who traveled all the way from Minnesota to be there.
These people had been well prepared and were ready to receive the Word
and act on it. I expect to hear good reports in the future from
Casa de Misericordia.
While In Elkhart I enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Santiago home which
made up for the snow and wind outside. The Lord knit our hearts
together in an unusual way. I thank God for the relationships
He is forming within the Body.
A Divine Appointment
Before I left Elkhart I had the opportunity to meet with Apostle Leonard
and Prophetess Janet Cook of River of Life Church. I joined Apostles
Leonard Cook and Hector Manzano at a prayer meeting at the mayor's office.
There were about a dozen people present. I was honored to participate
and share a word the Lord gave me for them during the prayer time.
Later, I was especially honored to have breakfast with the mayor, his
wife, the Cooks and the Manzanos. Apostle Hector Manzano is
from the Dominican Republic, so he and I answered questions the mayor
had about how to better understand and work with the Hispanic population.
On the way to breakfast I rode with Mayor Dave and Connie Miller
- committed Christians and wonderful people. I was able to share
a personal word for them and pray with them. I encourage you
to pray for Mayor Dave Miller and others God is raising up to be a voice
for righteousness and excellence in government.
A New Way at El Camino
I arrived from Elkhart with a cold, but recovered in time to minister
at El Camino (The Way) Methodist Church in Reynosa. (It was strange
going from snow to 90 degree temperatures here in the Valley.) El
Camino is in one of the poorest colonias. It looks like it started
out as a squatters' village and just evolved a little since then.
It has also become a stronghold for gangs and crime. But in the
middle of the chaos there is a church proclaiming God's love and hope
for a better way. I ministered there May 1 and God had me speak
on breaking the power of poverty and spiritual keys of prosperity.
Perhaps you've heard this kind of a message before, but it was fresh revelation
for these people. Tears welled up in many eyes as I proclaimed God's
love and desire to bless them. They soaked it in like sponges.
I shared testimonies of other Mexicans and how God raised them out of
poverty. I shared practical steps as well as spiritual keys of prosperity.
Afterward the Lord confirmed His Word and displayed His goodness by
healing many people. I moved in words of knowledge as the Lord identified
areas He was healing. I asked for those who could tell they had
been healed to raise their hands, and about 25+ people raised their hands.
I gave one couple a ride to their home after service. They shared
with me what God did for them during the ministry. She told me that
she had suffered with weakness, pain and could hardly walk.
But after the ministry she said she felt like she was walking on clouds
and felt new energy. Her husband had had pain in his back, but said
the Lord healed his back during the ministry.
Home on the Range...
This last week I have rested a little. Mostly been working on projects
at home. Dianne has been asking me to help her decorate the house.
So I have painted the living room, dining room and bathroom.
I also planted some roses in the front yard. It is looking very
nice.
While painting the living room, I noticed out the window the multitude
of birds that come to our yard. Two of our more unusual birds is a
road runner (a regular visitor) and an occasional chachalaca. Chachalacas
are rather large greyish birds with a white tipped tail. They're
not the most beautiful birds God created, but they sure do make a huge
ruckus when they decide to yodel!
I'll be at home a couple more days before I leave for Altamira (near Tampico
on the Gulf Coast) this Thursday night. I'll ride the
bus all night and arrive in Tampico early Friday. Please keep this
and upcoming ministry trips on your prayer list.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support.
Your Servants,
Cliff & Dianne Bell
May 10, 2005
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