Dear faithful friends and prayer warriors,
Buenos tardes to one and all from Mexico City... one of the largest, most highly populated cities in the world! It has been a while since we've sent an update and we want to let you know what's going on in our lives.
This morning, Sunday, October 1st, we attended First Baptist Church, Satelite, one of the largest Baptist churches in the city (and probably, the country). They have 4 Sunday services, and each one is packed, yet... there are STILL over 98% in this city who are lost without Christ. I was (again) reminded of the lostness of this huge city even in the midst of so many believers! I want to share what impacted me this morning. We were able to be a part of the baptism service, which occurs every 2 months. There were over 15 people who passed through the baptismal waters... at least 1/3 of those were men! As we observed this ordinance, tears of joy flooded my eyes, as those grown men (and the others) audibly professed their faith in Christ. With each baptism, came more joy... from oldest to youngest! How easy was it for those 15+ people to confess Christ as their Savior and Lord? Many are now being rejected by family and friends, yet they have the assurance of eternal life. Many are now serving the Lord like never before, and they, in return, are leading others to know Christ. I was urged to think about those with whom I need to share Christ... Are WE, as believers, regularly seeking out those who need Christ? Once again, I pray that we will be motivated to share that which we've been given... eternal salvation and hope!! At the end of this baptism, the pastor called for those in the congregation who want to be baptized to publicly confess Jesus, as Lord, in December... at least 30 people walked forward as prayer was lead on their behalf.. many will change their minds due to family rejection, yet most of those will follow the Lord in this ordinance. Pray for those lives to be forever changed!
PRAISES
* Cole and Carson are doing very well in school. We are grateful for their teachers. Continue to pray that they'll be disciplined in their studies throughout this year.
* We've just finished the first 13-week discipleship study with Irma and Irmita Reyes. They are growing in the Lord daily, and we are grateful.
* Rob continues to meet with Miguel Reyes on a weekly basis in discipleship.
* Our house church network had its first baptism several weeks ago. We saw 2 young people follow the Lord in believer's baptism in a swimming pool. There were about 30 people present to witness this
happy occasion. We had a taco feast afterwards!
* Rob has returned from his travels to Panama. We thank the Lord for safe travel and good meetings!
* Our Saturday night Bible Study continues to grow. We had 14 people in attendance 3 weeks ago. On the average, we are having 10-12 people in our study. Miguel and his family desire for their other
family members to come to know the Lord.
* Susana, a Catholic lady who has been attending our previous house church, has prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior and Lord. She is grateful that God revealed Himself to her through HIS Word of
Truth. She desires to follow the Lord in believer's baptism soon.
* Perry and Susan Davis are here this week from Atlanta, GA. Every year, Perry gives a week of his time/vacation to help Rob with computer issues in the mission office. Perry and Susan are true
servants of the Lord, and we are thankful for their friendships and support in quite ways. THANKS, Perry and Susan!
PRAYER REQUESTS
* Tina's sister, Cindy Hardin, is going through some medical tests this week. Pray for her health to be completely restored, and for peace of mind.
* Miguel and his family members are dealing with rejection and ridicule from their family members who are not believers. They have shut them out of their lives (unless they need something), and won't
come to the Bible Study. Pray that Miguel and family will be persistent in their invitations, as well as in being the "light" to their lost family members. We attended a special dinner for them on
Thursday night, celebrating 21 years of marriage. They were prepared for a house full of family and friends, but no one showed but Rob and myself, and his two workers. Pray for Miguel to be
encouraged and to continue growing in his faith, in spite of family problems. Pray that Miguel and his saved family members would desire to follow the Lord in believer's baptism. They attended
the baptism we had in September, but weren't ready to be baptized themselves. Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in their personal lives. Pray for our sensitivity to their reservations.
* Rob's work as Strategy Support Coordinator continues to be a huge job, especially because his office partner is still on stateside, but will return mid-November. Pray for Rob to have wisdom in all the
decisions he has to make on a daily basis (relating to over 60 family units in Mexico and in Middle America). Pray that Rob would be encouraged, and that his faith would be strengthened.
* MCCA (Mexico City Christian Academy) is in need of another ELEMENTARY teacher for the school year 2006-2007. If you are interested (or know someone who might be interested), please contact
Tina-
robtorbert@prodigy.net.mx or call 615-866-4108, our Nashville-based phone. You can view the school's website at:
http://www.mcca-mexico.org/ This is a HUGE prayer request at this time!
* Tina is serving as mentor to two new teachers at MCCA on Mondays and Tuesdays. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Also, pray for Tina as she serves on the MCCA School Board, that decisions would
always be made to honor the Lord.
* Rob will be traveling to Honduras as soon as his passport is renewed and returned. Pray for wisdom as he is in the process of selling properties that are no longer needed in all parts of Honduras.
* We still own a home in the states. Pray for us as we make wise decisions concerning repairs, finances, etc. It is difficult to deal with some issues being away from home. We are so grateful to Rob's
Dad, who takes care of things for us on that end. Pray for him to have wisdom, as well.
* Unite with us in prayer for a special and unique event that will take place in November. This is an opportunity to reach the entire nation with the gospel message, a united effort of the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association and all the participating evangelical churches of Mexico. Pray for Mexican Christians to unite in prayer for “Mi Esperanza Mexico” (which means “My Hope Mexico”).
This telecast campaign uses the strategy, called “Operation Matthew” based on the Scripture passage in Luke 5:27-32 in which Matthew invites his friends to his house for the sole purpose of
introducing them to Jesus. The evangelistic programs will be televised during the evenings of November 9, 10 and 11. Pray that 20,000 churches become involved in Mi Esperanza Mexico. Pray
that 300,000 homes be used in Operation Matthew. Pray that 1,000,000 new believers result from this project. Pray for many new churches to start, as well.
* As always, pray for us to have a passion to reach the lost of Mexico City. Pray for opportunities to share Christ with those with whom we come in contact. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move as we reach
out to those around us.
* Pray for our spiritual health. Satan attacks all of us in different ways. Pray for protection and discernment in our personal lives. Pray for our children, Cole and Carson, as they continue to grow in
Christ.
Thank you for faithfully praying for our family. Thank you for lifting up our families in the states as we are away from them. Thank you for showing you care in so many ways... phone calls, emails, letters, and financial gifts. Please continue to give through the Cooperative Program in our Baptist Churches. As you know, the Lottie Moon Christmas offering goes 100% to support missionaries all over the world. We thank you for giving!! Pray is a vital part of our standing firm and staying on the mission field. We count on your continued prayers, friends!
With much love and gratitude,
Rob and Tina Torbert
Cole and Carson
IMB Missionaries serving in Mexico City
We celebrated Rob's 49th b-day at the office and with friends. The ladies in the office fixed one of Rob's favorite Mexican dishes, "Pastel de Tamal" (Tamale casserole.. more or less). He was a "happy camper" with that wonderful surprise! 
Last Sunday, October 22nd, Tina participated in an AVON Walk against Breast Cancer. Five of our ladies from this side of town headed downtown with 9,000 other women and girls to help raise support and awareness. I have never seen so much pink in all my life (not one of my favorite colors, but...). We walked 5 km. in downtown Mexico City. There was also a 10 km run. It was a fun time for all.... and for a great cause. One of my friends (former IMB missionary), Sandra Sasser, is a breast cancer survivor, so she led a large group of ladies from Capital City Baptist Church, where I go to Bible Study on Thursdays. God blessed the day with beautiful weather!
Here are some of the ladies from our mission and from the school. LOVE THAT PINK! 
This is Kathryn, the 5-6th grade teacher at MCCA, Amy, a friend who lives and works in Puebla with university students, and me... finishing the 5 km walk. We had a LOT of fun talking and taking pictures along the way (no reason to rush things.. ha!). Amy and Kathryn are like daughters to me (I am old enough to be their Mommas!! ha!). In fact, when I am with them, Mexicans often ask me if they are my daughters... boy, do I feel old!!
ABOVE: Oscar in action. BELOW: Miguel and his instructor/friend after the 
