central america - neighbors in need God's Word teaches us to love our neighbors. When we think globally, we think of our neighbors to the south in Central America. At BIMI, Central America includes all the countries from Mexico to Panama. There are over 153 million souls in Central America. The prevalent language is Spanish. Catholicism is the predominant religion. Central America is a blend of modern metropolitan cities and quiet colonial towns, pre-Columbian sites and remote settlements of indigenous people. Central America is on the rise, both socially and economically. Traditional in its history, yet with a vision for the future, Central America presents a great missionary challenge. Supporting churches have sent BIMI missionaries to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. There are 89 missionaries presently serving on these fields. Frank and Dot Rosser, who had been missionaries in Guatemala and Nicaragua since 1956, joined BIMI in 1960. Bob and Sabina Dayton were sent to Nicaragua in 1961. BIMI ministry in Mexico began in 1960. The work was difficult, but God has blessed through the years with scores of churches being started throughout the country. Presently, BIMI has 44 missionaries ministering in 12 cities in Mexico, including 5 who are working in Mexico City. Though much has been done in Mexico through BIMI and other missionaries, 90 percent of the population still professes Catholicism. The greatest opportunities lie in the large cities: Mexico City (28 million), Guadalajara (4 million) and Monterrey (3 million). These large metropolitan areas are the key to reaching the entire country. Belize, the smallest country in Central America, has 308,000 people. The culture is more Caribbean than Latin. Belize City, the capital, has almost half of the country's population. There are few Baptist churches. Missionaries are needed to reach both the English and Spanish-speaking populations. Guatemala, with over 13 million people, has the largest population in Central America, excluding Mexico. Although 30 percent of the population professes Christianity, there is still work to be done. Much of the past evangelistic effort has focused on the capital city, but one 20