Fishing for shrimp requires the use of large nets that are pulled either behind or from frames extended on either side of boats. Shrimp nets are made of small nylon cords that are woven into a mesh and sewed together into long funnels with a large opening at one end and a narrow "tail" at the other end. The "tail" of the net is tied shut with a short rope. The movement of the net through the mirky water, or in some cases the movement of falling tidewater through the net, causes the shrimp to be funneled back to the narrow "tail." After one to three hours of fishing the nets, they are lifted up, the "tails" are wenched onto the boat, and the ends are untied. Shrimp, fish, crabs, and whatever else got into the net, is then dumped onto the deck or into large containers for sorting. The "tails" are then re-tied and the nets go back to work. Just about everything but the shrimp is shoveled back into the water as the boat continues it's work of fishing the nets.

Maybe this sounds pretty simple and easy, but believe me, it's not! And there are plenty of times when you don't catch enough shrimp to even pay the fuel bill; at other times you do pretty good. In a good year it all averages out to a living.

One thing that happens from time to time is that a net will drag across some snag under the water, and if the net is not strong and well maintained, it will tear easily and leave a big hole. When this happens near the back of the net most of the shrimp escape through this hole. If the tear happened easily because the net was worn and frayed, the captain of the boat may not even realize that he snagged and tore his net. He will go on as if he is catching shrimp just like before. Only when he pulls up his net will he realize that he has been wasting his time and fuel. I can tell you, when that happens it feels like you've just been robbed blind. Sooner or later it happens to everyone who drags a net through shallow, mirky waters. You have to constantly be keeping a net in shape, mending any little holes or frayed places. That's why you always see folks mending their nets down here.

If you do not maintain a strong, well-kept net with no tears in it, you'll go broke even while you are working just as hard as you can. No matter how big and expensive your boat is or how much work you do or how long you fish... if your net has a hole in it or is not "working" right, then eventually you'll be shut down altogether. What's going on under the water where you can't see is actually more important than what's happening up on the boat where you can see.

OK, so let's say that the Gospel you and I are entrusted with is something like a fisherman's net. Can the Gospel be ill-maintained so that it is weakened and little tears begin? Can it then, like a net, be snagged almost unnoticeably so that we end up with a huge hole in the Gospel we are presenting? Can the Gospel be so compromised as to render it useless, even though we appear to be doing lots of "Gospel work"? Apparently this can all happen, for the Bible says that we are to "contend for the Faith" and to "watch out for those who bring in other teachings" that pervert the Gospel, thus making it "no gospel at all." Paul's opposition to the Judiazer's heresy throughout his epistles and his public confrontation of the apostle Peter (Galatians 2) are clear evidence that this net-mending was already necessary in the first-century church. It is almost incredible to think that the Gospel can be rendered "no gospel at all," but that is exactly what the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to write... and as part of God's Word, this is FOR YOU AND ME TO HEED! Obviously, the instruction of Scripture is to maintain the purity of the Gospel, to not compromise it in any way.

Yes, the truth is that we can build our buildings, operate our programs, have lots of "church activities," ...we can appear to be successful in God's work, and yet, we can be using a torn net, actually catching little or nothing at all in the eternal scope of things.

We are doing well! Thank you for praying for us. Cindy is getting along better than usual. Joseph has recovered from surgery on his left foot. He is doing very well and excited about going to Nichols State University in Thibodaux this fall. Joshua is working in Algeria, Africa. He works 28 days and is home 28 days (he lives in Thibodaux now).

Of course, the big news is our first grandchild, Shelby Elizabeth. Jeremy and Nena are doing well, and little Shelby is the prettiest baby I have ever seen... really. They have recently moved to Nuevo Laredo, where Jeremy can work on the US side of the border and they can all live together on the Mexico side. Nena still does not have her visa to travel outside of Mexico. Jeremy's vision for ministry in Mexico is being well tested, but I am sure that God is in full control of this.

Cindy and I recently traveled to Mexico, and we enjoyed seeing everyone, especially little Shelby. She is a real treasure. I spoke with some pastors and other Christians, making a few good contacts around Monterrey. There is a tremendous openness to the Gospel, although many of the people have little understanding of the things of the Lord. It is obvious that some religious groups are taking advantage of the Mexican people's hunger for spiritual truth. We were treated very well, and fell in love with the precious children. I ate everything offered to me and loved it, but Cindy had a tough time with much of the food. Link to Mexico MissionPossible!