Carlos Marquina had been one of the first to accept Christ and really want to serve him. He had begun studying the Bible in the missionary's home. He had learned a lot and had come along way. He had learned how to win someone to Christ. By now he had passed out literally tens of thousands of tracts.

One day as he went door to door passing out tracts and witnessing close to the Hunter church, he "happened upon" the home of Beto and Isabel Rivera. Carlos began to talk to Beto. He showed quite a bit of interest. Carlos gave him a tract and began to explain to him how he could be saved. Beto interrupted him and ask "Do you folks study the Bible in your church?" Carlos explained that "that" was exactly what a service was in our church. Beto explained that he was very interested in the Bible. He had gotten a copy of the Bible and was trying to study it. In the afternoons after work he would go up on the roof of his house and try to study the Bible. He did not understand what he read. He had been asking God to help him understand. He had asked God to send him a person that could help him to understand.

Carlos just "happened by". Beto was very interested. He wanted to know when there would be a Bible study in the church. He came to the "youth meeting" even though he was an adult. He was very interested. He started coming to the services. Carlos was able to lead him to the Lord and help him begin to really serve God.

Beto and Isabel were having very serious marriage problems. They didn't know where to turn to get help. But the gospel message not only gave them salvation but also helped them solve their family problems.

Soon he and his wife destroyed all of the idols and images that were in there house. The entire family began to attend. He learned to tithe, witness to others, quit drinking. God has really blessed his family. Today he gives testimony to how God took him from sin and has blessed in every way, financially, emotionally, in the family, with children etc.

How many other Beto Riveras are there just waiting for someone to come and tell them about Jesus. They are praying and asking God to send someone. They are hungry. They want to know. Who will tell them. Who will go for God to them. This thing of missions is not just some program of the church. There are lives in the balance. They need God. They want to know. They are suffering. It isn't because they do not want to be saved. It isn't because they aren't important to God. The problem is that the harvest is great but the laborers are few. We are commanded to pray to the lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers to his harvest. Will you pray? Will you give? Will you go?

Try and see the faces behind the numbers and the stories. Feel their hurt and pain. Sense their joy and happiness once they are given the chance to know God and His word. They aren't so different. They are just like you. They love their wives. They love their families. They want God's blessing. They just weren't born where the gospel was so easily accessible. Missionaries have seen all over the world how people are so happy they came. People are hurting. People need the Lord.

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band], [A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter: Acts 10:1-5

...Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?.... Acts 8:30-31

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?....Romans 10:13-15