Dear Friends,

These last few months I have been so very aware of the ‘circle of life’, the passing of time. It could be because of my own mother and my mother-in-law‘s aging—both are 90 now. Perhaps it is because Galo and I are now considered SENIORS. Whatever it is, I look at people around me working hard to make ends meet, to squirrel away enough for their retirement. As I watch, I am very aware that each generation for thousands of years behind have worked hard to strive to get ahead…and all with the same results. I am also reminded of the giver of life and HIS purposes for our lives. Many of the Old Testament prophets struggled with these same thoughts and I am reminded of “Only one life, will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” I am so thrilled that the journey we continue to share is with a commitment to serve the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

In spite of being seniors, Galo and I are feeling the sandwich effect. Our mothers depend on us for love, support and encouragement. Our kids and grandkids look to us for love, support, encouragement, advice. We love to be involved in the lives of each one but it is stressful at times. Please pray for us as we try to be the children and parents that we should be, demonstrating God‘s love and grace in our lives.

We praise God and thank you for your prayers and ongoing support for the ministries that we are involved in. The Lord has blessed and we see growth in each area.

The internet evangelism ministry which started last year continues to grow. Since it was launched 232,696 people have visited the website, 25,779 people have made decisions for Christ and 3,327 have written asking for prayer or council. This is an awesome opportunity to reach the increasing number of people who spend the majority of time connected to the internet.

The VELA team continues working on the National Plan of Evangelism which is to see 20% of the population of the country of Mexico become believers by 2020. We call this VISION 20/20. Please pray as we motivate, train and mobilize Pastors, leaders and local churches across the nation towards this end.

Our Partner Churches continue to grow. We are continuously hearing testimonies about how God is using the churches to see lives transformed. Some examples are: a man named Carlos who was a drug addict has come to know Christ and is in recovery; a woman who was contemplating suicide was invited to a concert at one of our Partner Churches and gave her life to Christ; there are stories of children sharing the Gospel with their parents. Please pray for the Partner Churches as they are working together to organize ―Days of Hope‖ Evangelistic campaigns that will take place simultaneously from October 24 – 26. Their hope is to reach new people for Christ who will be discipled through their churches.

DVBS at the “Rock of Horeb Church”

People coming to know Christ at an evangelistic breakfast

On September 26 and 27 the VELA team in Mexico hosted two Women‘s Conferences. During the first conference 165 Pastor‘s wives and leaders learnt about ‘Finding Your Identity in Christ’. They had the opportunity to lay their burdens at the foot of the cross and partake of the Lord‘s Supper together.

The second conference was about ‘Women in the Workplace’ and was attended by 320 women who were challenged on their responsibilities as daughters‘ of God to develop healthy, strong relationships.

In closing, as we look back, we thank you again for so many years that you have upheld us and prayed for us. As we look into the future, whether it be long or short, we would ask you to pray for two things for us. First, that we finish the race well—strong and faithful to the end. And second, that we pass on the passion for souls to those around us. Thank you for your faithful support.

From both of us and on behalf of the VELA Team,

Joanne Vasquez

Dear Friends,

This is an exciting year for the VELA Team, it marks 30 years since we began our ministry in Mexico City in 1984. To this day I clearly remember standing on the top floor of the Latin American Tower downtown Mexico City looking out over the thousands of buildings, houses and people and sensing God’s calling to serve to see Mexico City and all of Latin America transformed by the power of the Gospel and living by the principles of the Word of God.

After sensing God’s calling Joanne and I moved our family from Guatemala to Mexico City and together with others we started VELA Ministries. Over the past 30 years it has been amazing to see God work in and through VELA (Vision for the Evangelization of Latin America). Through VELA we have had the privilege to see literally thousands of people come to know Christ, have helped to plant new churches, have trained people to know how to share the Gospel, have provided leadership training to lay pastors and leaders through the VELA Training Center, the list could go on and on. We are so thankful to God for all He has done, for His faithfulness and for providing people like you who have partnered with us in prayer and financial support all these years. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Now we ask that you continue praying for us throughout this year as the ministry continues to serve God motivating, training and mobilizing the Body of Christ through the following ministries:

To continue expanding the Peace with God Internet Evangelism ministry. Already this year 31,449 people have visited the website and 4,483 people have made decisions for Christ through this cutting edge ministry. We have trained believers who will be discipling the new Christians online to the point of connecting them with a local church.

Continue to provide leadership training to our Partner Churches and increase the number of churches we work with. This year we already held the first two day training seminar for the local church Pastors and leaders on the Challenge of Leadership.

The official launching of our Vision 20/20 National Plan of Evangelism, this will take place at our 30 year celebration which will be held later this year. Key Pastors and leaders in Mexico are already excited about what is next as we move forward towards our goal of multiplying disciples and churches so that 20% of the population of the nation of Mexico will become believers in our Lord Jesus Christ by the year 2020.

Between now and the end of the year 2020 we will be implementing a number of evangelistic and church planting projects across the whole nation. More than ever we will need a movement of prayer, more workers, more tools and more resources. Now more than ever we need your prayers and support as the Lord leads you!

For the VELA Team,
Galo E. Vasquez
Chairman of the Board