February 14, 2006
My Changed Life
posted by German
My name is German Antonio Castro de Leon and I am 17 years old.
Before I started working here I was the kind of person that did not like to hear any advice from others, and I did not care what I believed. But little by little and with help from the Word I have changed my life and it keeps on changing day by day.
Cuando ingrese aqui era totalmente inconverso me valia por lo que yo creia pero poco a poco y con ayuda de la palabra fui moldeundo mi vida y lo sigo haciendo dia a dia.
November 11, 2005
Success in the Field
posted by Tim
I must say that I never in a million years thought that I would have come to the mission field under the guise of doing business. I always believed that for a missionary to be in the field meant a life of privation and sacrifice to be a “successful” missionary.
To be sure whether you live with a large or small budget in a foreign country as a missionary you are definately an outsider, or feel like one anyway. Language barriers, different customs, and norms of living are only a few things that can give you that longing for a familiar surrounding. But praise be to God, going out in the field is a glorious endeavor!
He is providing for all the needs we have by using many of the believing brothers and sisters in the community. In a place like this as a foreigner, it is almost like a coming home because, as Jesus said when told his blood mother and brothers were looking for him, “ My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” A place and time like this forces you to look past yourself and your own spiritual feeding, to be the Word you know as a witness to all those watching, and there are many.
We have seen two of our employees say Yes to the grace and life of Jesus! German is a young man who works as an assistant to the carpenters and our leather craftsman, and Erika is our very gifted administrative assistant. From our perspective, these came about largely through the ministry of our morning devotions, where we sing to the Lord and study scripture in a short lesson led by our pastor, Pepe, or myself or one of the other brothers who works here. Not only is it a great joy to see the salvation of Erika and German ourselves, but we have received confirmation from others, including unbelievers, the work is real...
German’s family are local business owners and somewhat critical about their son’s character and ability. His dad came to Armando, one of the Mexican men who works with us, and wanted to know what was going on here because his son is not the same kid he has known—he’s much more diligent, well-mannered, and respectful. Armando replied that it is nothing that we have done but simply the work of Jesus. Erika has found peace and comfort since her salvation, and the lift in her spirit is clear. She’s hungry for the Word and is being encouraged and instructed regularly, thanks be to God. I don’t remember ever working in such a place.
This is only a sampling of the blessings here. We remember regularly that our place is to do God's biding in this business. Many times His biding is contrary to "normal" business function and, by His grace, we have been successful to that end.
October 04, 2005
Siberia
posted by Margie
Siberia (pronounced See-veh'-dee-ah) is a small ejido south of Jaumave. It was to say the least, off the beaten path. It was five hours of winding, bumpy, one lane mountain roads before we actually arrived in Siberia. The drive was beautiful but it is easy to see why they don't receive a lot of visitors. It was five hours from a gas station, auto mechanic, hospital, or any other type of civilized establishment.
On the drive, you begin to ask yourself, "why people would live this remote from the rest of the world?" Upon arrival, as the beautiful mountains speckled with small farm shacks greet you, you begin to relax unknowingly as you are swept away by the simplicity and beauty of this existence. There are crops growing, flocks and herds being tended, children running down the path to see what visitors have come. As you step out of the vehicle, you are met with the cool, fragrant air. All the stress of the long, treacherous journey is suddenly snuffed out as every sense is suddenly caught up in delight. It is impossible to be annoyed any longer.
The only common building is the tiny church. It was very sad to see a lock on the door because it is currently not in use. Even with all its beauty, the people of Siberia are unable to keep a pastor or a school teacher.
A meal was prepared for us in the kitchen of a local woman. The men were served first. They would not let me help and wanted me to sit and eat with the men. Sharon and I found something else to do to look busy and waited to eat with the women. It is probably good that I did not help because the meal was prepared on an open fire fueled with small sticks of wood. I might have burned down the kitchen.
After the meal, we had a wonderful service. The little church was bursting. There were 39 children in the service, not including the babies. They were taken outside and taught a scripture and a song that they later presented with great enthusiasm to the rest of us.
The families that work with Joshua Projects (Americans and Mexicans) donated clothes and money for beans and rice. We were able to bless every family in the church with food and clothes. The clothes and shoes were laid out and the women came through very orderly choosing things for her own family as well as offering up items for others when they thought they applied.
The people of Siberia seemed to really love their home. I was asked more than once if I thought it was beautiful there. As we were leaving, a young girl came running after the van with a sack full of fresh-picked apples. We stopped to receive this precious gift from a child. The apples still had their leaves on them. Sharon had never seen a "real" apple before. She was thrilled. I have never seen such a remote place with such a "real" need for ministers. The people of Siberia made this need known to us and our hearts remain heavy with the burden.