SALUDOS!

M/M BiU Hoff

Apdo. 3166
San Pedro Sula

Honduras, Central America

from

BAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSION

504-56-3796

Corporate Office
P.O. Box 61013

Las Vegas, NV 89160-2013

Published Quarterly

Vol. 28, Number 1

Spring 1997

PERSONAL GLIMPSES

Hoffs 27th Anniversary

Last Sunday our family had the biggest surprise

that we have ever experienced. About 3 p.m. a
construction work team that Tom Schneller had orga
nized, arrived from Indianapolis. They all came by our
house on their way to the hotel. We had met most of
them from previous trips, but didn't expect to see them
that soon. I was sitting in the living room talking to
some friends when this tall, thin guy walked in and
said, "Hi Mom." 1looked at him and didn't recognize
him. Everyone was looking at me and waiting for my
reaction. Finally, Tom said, "That is your son, Margy."
1flew across the room and grabbed Mark and hugged
and kissed him. Joy stood by his side and received the
same welcome. Rebecca was standing at the door and
when she saw Mark, she said, "No way, no way, no

way" as Mark walked by her to greet me. Bill said that he recognized Joy but not Mark as he walked by him.
The work team had two people cancel; one because of illness and the other because of a death in the family.
The tickets were non-refundable. Rob, the group's leader, had stayed in our house two years ago: so when he was
unable to find a replacement from his church, he thought about our son. Mark was leading a hike at a camp in southern
Indiana with his youth group. The camp staff located him to tell him about an urgent phone call. That was less than
24 hours before departure. He said that he probably made ten phone calls before he knew why he was being contacted.
Joy was at Johnson Bible College and started for Indiana only 13 hours before the plane left. So neither one of them
had much notice, but resolved to keep their arrival a surprise to us. Joy Rowan is Mark's fiancee. She is from Indiana
and her family attends the Hazelwood Christian Church in Clayton, Indiana. She is a third year student at Johnson Bible
College studying elementary education. Our family
first met Joy when she came with a work team to
Honduras two years ago. Since that time she and
Mark have became acquainted. We enjoyed her com
pany during the festivities of Mark's graduation last
May. On New Year's Eve Mark gave her an engage
ment ring and the wedding is set for July 26th. We feel
very blessed that she will become part of our family.
Last Christmas was the first time that Mark

was unable to spend the holidays with us. We were

saddened, but felt content that he could share it with

Joy's family. But the Lord blessed all of us by giving

Mark and Joy these free tickets to come and spend a
week. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together. God
is good.

Mark and Joy

A DREAM REALIZED
After four years of prayer and preparation, classes
began at the Instituto Biblico Cristiano with five stu
dents present. The first teacher, Dick Gring, arrived
with his son, Daniel, on January 11th. Dick and his
family were the missionaries that Billand Margy went
tovisitin 1969 in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. They were
part of a mission group that spent two weeks with the
Gring family. Little did they know, that after spending
these weeks together, they would wed nine months
later. So Dick is a long time friend and the one the
Hoffs "blame" for their marriage.
Dick was an excellent first teacher for the stu

dents. He taught New Testament survey, but more

importantly, taught the students to search the Scrip
tures for their answers. If one of the students made a

Richard Gring and son, Daniel, install screens.

statement, Dick would ask them where Itwas found in

the Bible. It was during his stay that the students
decided to "fast" one day a week. It was also during
the first month that the students began holding Bible
studies in nearby homes. The sixth student arrived a
week after classes began, and two weeks later the
seventh student came.

Daniel spent most of his time doing carpentry

work. He built window frames, and made shelving and

closets. Hiswork was greatly appreciated. During this

first month Bill was very busy running. He ran looking
for a cook, he ran to buy food for the institute, he ran
to buy materials for Daniel, he ran for the many things
that were needed to begin a Bible institute.
Dick and Daniel spent the weekends with the Hoff
family. Bill broughtthem home each Friday afternoon
and then they retumed with Bill on Monday mornings.

Students preparing meal

Seven students, two barbers.

Al Young teaching.

The students also returned home to help In their churches on the

weekends.

The second teacher, A1 Young, arrived in Honduras two days

before the Grings left. Sunday afternoon, February 9th, Bill, Dick,
and A1 spent exchanging information about the Bible institute. A1
was prepared when his time came to teach. He knew some
Spanish but was not capable of teaching In the language, so Bill
had to act as Interpreter. Al taught the book of Hebrews and a
special seminar on tongue speaking from 1Corinthians during his
Bve weeks at the institute.

Itwas during this busy time of running and interpreting that Bill
and Margy began looking for help in their mission work. After
much prayer, a young lady named Blanca was hired to help in the
purchasing for the institute and to work in the office. Margy works
with Blanca in the mornings at the Christian school. Blanca studies
at the university in the evenings, but her afternoons were free. She
was quite happy to earn a little extra money. She speaks English
and is able to write letters with a little help. Blanca has spent much
of her time, thus far, translating English material into Spanish for

fee.

Where has the water gone? A cow broke the pipe!

the teachers at the Institute.

Whenever, a teacher is not available, Bill fills in. He spent one

week in March teaching the book of 1Peter. He vyill be doing most
of the teaching during the month of April. Two more teachers have
volunteered their time for the month of May.

Please pray for the Bible institute. Pray that the Lord willsend
more students, more teachers, and an academic dean.

A PREMATGRE
ANNOUNCEMENT
On rare occasions these articles are written slightly In advance
because of the lag between writing and distribution. This time the
Blanca
practice trapped Bill. He wrote the "Electrification" article in the
last newsletter, trusting that the contractor, who installed the transformer, would install the three remaining poles and stretch
the wire that week. But in the "third world" sometimes things don't work that way I In fact, the contractor's boom truck broke

down and the parts had to come from the United States. (At the time of this writing they still haven't arrived.)
Seeing that the installation was being delayed. Billborrowed a flat bed truck and transported the poles. The poles are
reinforced concrete, thirty-five feet long, and weigh 2300 pounds each. Having them on site didn't help much, because he
had nothing with which to place them in their holes. Finally, Billlocated a backhoe that could lift them. After he put up all
three, the contractor informed him that he had mistakenly placed one in a hole dug for a guy wire anchor. Bill then had to
locate another tractor and move the pole, but the operator was not as skilled as the first, and he broke the pole at ground
level. With the students' help, and two block and tackles, Billpulled the pole into position, and then mixed and poured cement
around the base. This cement was extended up three feet into a collar to reinforce the pole. (One does not throw away a
two hundred dollar pole.) During this time the institute used the light plant in the evenings. After the concrete hardened,
the contractor hung the wire and the electrical company approved the installation. Now, the institute really does have power!

THE PARSONAGE IS OCCOPIED

In previous "Saludos" the Hoffs have mentioned the construction of the church parsonage which sits beside the large
tent under which the congregation meets. The property was purchased in January of 1996 and construction on the building
has taken place as funds have permitted.
in March, a group of men from the Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, and from the Plum Creek
Christian Church in Butler, Kentucky came to help finish the building that they had started a year ago. The building they were
working on was designed to have a second story. The church members had put up the steel beams to support the inter-floor,

but the expensive and hard part of the v/ork fellto the work team. They
placed the sheet metal that would hold up the concrete, they wove the
reinforcing bar, and they mixed and poured concrete. Following that,
a couple of men worked on electrical installation, while others installed
plumbing, and still others laid concrete floor tile on the downstairs floor.
As the floor progressed, three men began to weld up the steel staircase
that provides access to the upstairs. Basically, they transformed a shell
of a building into a house for the minister in one week. Working until
three A.M. the moming oftheir departure, some ofthe men installed the
doors. Julio Corea, the pastor, moved in on Sunday afternoon. Bill
observed that because of the increasing price of wood, the Miller arc
welder that Margy's nephew gave him has been invaluable in the
construction of both the Bible institute and church buildings. It has also
helped in many repairjobs during the past years. So Billsends a special
thanks to J.R. Pelham of Ashfork, Arizona.

PRAYER

Parsonage at San Pedro church.

PRAISE

Praise for:
the people that made it possible for Mark and Joy to surprise Bill, Margy, and
Rebecca and spend a week vknth them.

the group from Indiana and Kentucky that came to work on the church
parsonage. The pastor has moved into the building and no longer has to pay
rent. Another great advantage is that the chairs don't have to be transported
each Sunday and the church bus can be parked on the property without fear
of vandalism.

Basic office - computer with E-mail

the visit with Tom Schneller, the Hoffs' former co-worker. He stayed with them for nine days. Even
though Tom was very busy, the Hoffs enjoyed the time of fellowship with him.
the seven students at the Bible Institute. Also for the first two teachers, Dick Gring and A1 Young,

that have given the students a solid foundation In The Word. Also for Daniel Gring who helped
in many ways during his time in Honduras.

Bill and Margy's 27th annivereaiy which was celebrated with both their children. (March 21)

Pray for:
the Bible Institute. Pray that the Lord willsend more students, more teachers, and an academic dean.
Mark and Joy as they prepare for their wedding on July 26th.
Rebecca as she finishes her senior year here (especially her class In calculus) and prepares to
continue her education at Johnson Bible College.

A new blessing for

Bill and Margy's health, especially for Margy as she has to have constant dental work,
office
and institute.
the country of Honduras. The crime continues to Increase: bank robberies are daily occurrences.
The hospitals are overflowing with machete and gunshot victims. Thirteen percent of the population is HIV positive.

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SALUDOS!

UNrTB>srA'n5

M/M Bill Hoff

Apdo. 3166
San Pedro Sula

MEXICO/

Honduras, Central America

from
BAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSION
SOUTH AMERICA

504-56-3796

Corporate Office
P.O. Box 61013

Las Vegas, NV 89160-2013

Published Quarterly

Vol. 28, Number 2

Fall 1997

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE

May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hoff! This climaxed the
wedding ceremony of Mark and Joy on July 26 at the Hazelwood
Christian Church in Clayton, Indiana.
The bride was beautiful. The church was full. Family and friends
were bountiful. The minister had performed a very personal and touch
ing weddingceremony. The local people were tremendous hosts to Bill
and Margy. It truly was a blessed day from the Lord.
Bill and Margy planned their summer trip around this important
event. There were over two hundred people in attendance on this very
hot, humid day in Indiana. Friends attended that the Hoffs hadn't seen in
ten years. Mark's best man's parents were former missionaries in Mexico
who lived only a few blocks from Bill and Margy. Thus, Mark and
Nathan, who was only three months older than Mark, grew up as best
friends. The family now lives in Minnesota. Dick Brook was Mark's
schoolteacherin eighth grade. He left Mexico and returned to Michigan
where he married and now has two children.What a surprise it wasfor
the Hoff family to greet him and his family! The Dungan family, former
co-workers ofthe Hoffs andlong-time friends who now reside atJohnson
Bible College, came for the important event. The Schnellers, who were
co-workers ofBillandMargy both in Mexicoand then in Honduras, came
from Kentucky along with the Fields who are mutual friends of the

Mark &Joy
Schnellers and the Hoffs. The Fields are missionar
ies who live about an hour from San Pedro Sula.

All of Bill's immediate family; his parents, his

two brothers and their wives, his sister and her
husband, as well as a cousin and his wife came for the

wedding. Many photos were taken of the fifteen

Hoffs that day. Mark and Joy visited Niagara Falls
on their honeymoon. They now reside at Johnson
Bible College where Joy is continuing her studies in
the elementary education program and Mark works
as an electrician in Knoxville.

A hunch ofHoffs

THE LOSS OF A FRIEND

I never considered Howard Trout my father-in-law. He was to me a
friend. In part, perhaps, it was because Margy had already been out on her
own for a few years before I knew her. I remember driving to Phoenix to

ask his permissionto marry Margy.Heconsented,but he musthavehadhis

doubts about me because I am younger than Margy.

As the years went by, I developed a special appreciation for Howard.

He was a devout Christian who would drive two score miles every Lord's

day to be in worship. He was also a devoted and loving husband. His first
wife, Irene, died after 28 years of marriage. He remarried shortly before
Margy and I met. He and Lila also celebrated 28 years together before his
death. Together they were always seeking to help our ministry and the
ministry of other missionaries and ministers.
Howard was physically a big man, but his heart was even bigger. He
was gentle and patient. He drovestreetcars and trolley-buses in Pittsburgh
and Cleveland many years ago. Because of Irene's health, he moved the

family to Arizona in 1955, even though he didn't have a job. There he

workedfor GoodyearAerospaceuntilhe retired. Afterretirementhe drove
school buses part-time (talk about patience) for a while.
About four months ago Howard's health began to deteriorate. The
doctors gave him a clean bill of health, but still he was losing weight and
appetite. Lila took him to many doctors, but they could not determinethe

problem. Jackie, the middle daughter, camewithher family from Oregon

last May for a visit.

Wehad planned on flyingto Arizona following the wedding, but then

Dianne,the youngestsister,calledon July 6thsaying thattheirdad hadpre, ,

, ,

, r

yearsfor a Saguaro Cactus tosproutitsJirst arm.

leuKemia.

Margy andI modified ourschedule to seehimbefore thewedding. Bythattime hewasunder careof some verycompassionate
and capable doctors from Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. They told us that there was nothing they could do forhim. That was quitea
blowforeveryone, even though wehadallread about thatprobability ontheinternet. Wewere blessed to spend threedays with him
before going east forthewedding. Thedayafterthewedding, he partook of theLord's Supper brought to himby his minister, and
laterthatnight, slipped outof this life into a better one. Wemade all possible haste to return to Wickenburg and help Lila. Is not
the Lord good allowing us a few extra days with a loved one? We can only praise Him!

A MOTHER'S EMOTIONS: PERSONAL GLIMPSES

Only a mother would know how another feels when her
last child leaves home. I had no idea how my mother suffered
when her three daughters all left home the same year. I was

working in the accounting department of the telephonecom

pany and my sister, Jackie, was practicing as a beautician,
when Dianne, the youngest sister, graduated fromhigh school.
It seemed a good year for us giris to leave home and go to
college.My sisterand I were able to savesome moneyand we
decided to go to Pacific Christian College, located at that time
in Long Beach, California. Dianne chose to go to the Univer
sity of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Pacific Christian was four hundred miles from Goodyear,
Arizona, where my parents lived. My mother was so lonesome

that she had my Dad drive to the college almost every other
weekend. They came with a picnic basket and anyone who
was at the college got a free meal on Saturdays. (Two previous
students mentioned these picnics when they sent condolences
to me following my father's death.)

Now it is my turn to have my two children gone. The big

difference is that they aren't just four hundred miles from
home, but a continent away. It takes a full day to fly and make
the necessary connections from San Pedro Sula to Knoxville,
Tennessee. They are only a phone call away, of course, (if
money permits), but more importantly, they are only an e-mail
away. Nothing brings me greater joy than checking e-mail and
having a letter from Mark or Rebecca.
Am I being sentimental right now? Maybe I am, since I
not only "lost" my two children on this trip; Mark to a
marriage and Rebecca to a college, but also my father. Oh! I
rejoice that they are all doing well. My father especially
wellhe is with the Lord. That same Lord is with me also. He

is giving me strength during the times that I feel a little down

with my losses. As the hymn goes, "Count your blessings,
name them one by one" and I am doing that.
Margy

PLUSES AND MINUSES -

UPS AND DOWNS

The fact is, that the men who stand in the pulpit are in need
ofresources so that they can preach effectively. Ifthe church
cannot provide intellectual and doctrinal foundations, they
will seek them from the "wolves in sheep's clothing" who
write books, teach false doctrines, and lead people into
spiritual errors. The reason for a Bible Institute is to provide

The Institute Biblico Cristiano has been in existence for

eight months. During that time the students have studied about
halfofthe Old Testament and a third ofthe New. The need for

a preacher training school is even more pronounced now than

when Bill and Margy arrived in Honduras fouryears ago. The
use of inadequately trained men in the pulpit has the potential
to permanently damage the fliture growth of the Restoration

foundations.

One of the continuing needs of the Bible Institute is to

recruit new students and professors. For example, after the
summer break only six students of the eight that had been
attending, returned. So, Bill needs to recruit additional stu
dents. At the same time, in order to efficiently run the school,
Bill also desperately needs the help of a full time dean of
students and the assistance of several visiting professors. It
goes without saying that he is so occupied with teaching that

Movement in Central America. Where do untrained individu

als turn to find their theology? Do they learn from the radio
(where there is a vast array ofstrange doctrines)? Do they seek
it in books by diverse authors (with distinctive teachings
about the Word ofGod)? Do they revert to the only training
they have known (many come from churches that distort the
Word of God)? Or even worse, do they seek help from
neighboring churches, from self proclaimed prophets and
apostles: whom Jude describes "These men are...shepherds
who feed only themselves?"

he does not have time to do the needed recruitment well.

Please pray for more help for the institute.

REBECCA AND LONG-TIME FRIEND ROOM TOGETHER

Rebecca graduated from the "Escuela International Sampedrana" on June
6th. The ceremony took place at 9 a.m. in the newly-constructed air-conditioned
Cafetorium (Cafeteria-Auditorium) complex. That evening the graduates and
their guests attended a dinner-dance at the Arab Club. The graduates were all
beautifully dressed in long-white formal gowns. Thus, thirteen years of
Rebecca's education in foreign countries came to an end.
Rebecca is now a student at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennes
see. On June 11th she flew to the states where she helped Mark set up an
apartment that later Joy and Mark would occupy. Rebecca worked at the college
during the summer: the majority of the time in housekeeping.
Long-time friend, Lizzie Metz, is Rebecca's roommate at the college. Bill
and Margy are very happy with this decision. The Metz family attend the
Seymour Heights
Christian Church

near the college.

The Hoffs were

part of this con

gregation for the
two

different

years thatBill was

on the faculty at
Johnson.

Please

pray for Rebecca

and Lizzie as they
share their lives
and increase their

knowledge ofthe
Bible through
Johnson

Rebecca's Graduation

College.

Bible

Proudparents and graduate.

MIRACLES STILL

PRAYER 'N' PRAISE

HAPPEN

Pray for:

Monday evening, August 25th, the Hoffs invited two of

their friends for supper. Both of them were "bachelors"

her husband.

because their wives were in the States. The first fnend who

arrived was rather upset. He told Bill that he had just left his
hand-held radio in the taxi. It was worth about $500. When

Bill heard this he was really upset. He tried to call on his

radio but there was no response. The friend was rather
resigned to the fact ofhis loss. But Bill was far from content
with the situation.

The other guest arrived and was told about the problem.
A minute or two later Bill said that he was going outside and
to walk down the street and look for the taxi. The two

gentlemen immediately followed. Less than a minute later

they returned and told Margy that they had the radio. She
asked what had happened.
The taxi driver, not knowing exactly which house his
passenger had entered, because he had dropped him off at
the comer about a block away, was searching for him.
When he saw the HofTs guest, he returned the radio. A
reward was given him for his honesty. The second guest
could not believe what had happened. That kind ofhonesty
is unusual in Honduras. What a testimony of God's power
for a man who is beginning to walk with the Lord.

* Margy's stepmother, Lila, as she adjuststo living without

* More students and helpers for the Bible Institute
* the First Christian Church in Yuma, Arizona. They have
just suffered the sudden loss of their minister, Paul Kuder, to
leukemia. Pray for his wife and four children and their families.
* the complete healing of Bill's left arm. He suffered a
severe machete wound.

* safety as we travel. New laws require that all parties ofan

accident with injuries be jailed.

Praise for:
* Mark and Joy's beautiful wedding. They are both doing
well. Joy is continuing her studies in elementary education at
Johnson Bible College. Mark is working as an electrician in the
city of Knoxville.
* Rebecca as she is content studying at J.B.C.
* safety that Margy and Bill had while traveling in the
states. Also for the ease with which necessary changes in their
schedule were made due to Margy's father's sickness and death.
* the short term help at the Bible Institute which included
Amable Rivera, a national evangelist, and then Tom Fife from
Maryland.

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