The Mission Diaries

As many of our readers are aware, my wife will be having surgery this coming Wednesday, May 30. Due to that event, and the possibility that her recovery may be slow, we will probably have fewer updates to this blog over the next few weeks.

Please keep the De Anda family in your prayers. Please also pray for the upcoming Central America Missions Conference (June 8-10) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and for the International Apologetics Conference (June 22-24) in Irvine, California.

J De Anda

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We are back to share good news from Mexico and Central America! But first, have you ever wondered what the life of a missionary is really like? Well, you could volunteer to spend your vacation time with one of our churches! (Hint! Hint!) But in the meantime, you can catch a glimpse by reading Bill Ellis’ post on his recent lightning-fast travels, Planes, Boats and Buses. Enjoy! 

This is from Victor Manuel Borbonio, our mission team leader for the new Zacatecas Church of Christ:

God has answered our prayers. Please welcome our first two new disciples in Zacatecas. Nidia came to our inaugural service, made the decision to study the Bible, and she was baptized shortly afterwards. Seeing the changes in her life, her mother Maria Elena also began to study, and last May 6 she was also baptized. Now Maria Elena’s husband and her other sons and daughters are also studying the Bible! And on May 13, the Lord added two men disciples to his church : Jose Luis and Agustin were baptized! Thanks for your prayers on behalf of our mission here in Zacatecas.

(For photos and a video of the baptisms, please go to this link at the Ministerio Latino web site.)

From Aguascalientes, we have this note from Alberto Machuca:

Hector has been a Christian for over a year. God recently rewarded his faith and perseverance, as this past Sunday his wife Patricia was baptized! We are also pleased to announce that on May 25-27 the Aguascalientes Church will host the 2nd Central Mexico Bible Talk Leaders Conference, “Hearts on Fire”. We are praying that our hearts will be on fire for God so we can continue spreading the gospel [in this part of Mexico].

Our church family in Nicaragua keeps marching on! Here is an update from Carlos Mendieta:

Our hearts were beating hard with anticipation as we boarded the bus towards the Isla de Granada (Island of Granada) The Managua, Nicaragua, Church was celebrating its Fourth Campus Ministry Retreat, “Puedes llegar” (“You Can Get There”.) We spent two days of fellowship, fun, and above all a lot of learning.

 

Our brothers and sisters in Mexico and Central America are letting their light shine. Let’s make sure we join them in the process!

J De Anda

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Today we are sharing some great news from the church in Oaxaca, Mexico. At the same time we are asking for your prayers for this brave church that has faced some very challenging times. Last year the city was immersed in a violent anti-government uprising that saw many properties burned, and several people hurt and even killed.

Marin and Cristal Perez, our faithful minsitry couple in Oaxaca, have this to share:

A few weeks ago we had two weddings: Raul and Jenny, and Cuauhtemoc and Diana. Raul and Diana were two of the original missionaries that helped plant this church [in 2004]. We now have 49 members. Five of our members are in the military; four of them are married and their wives are disciples of Christ also. They have been very faithful, however they have also received persecution for sharing their faith. [All the names have been changed in the following narrative] Jose, a 2nd Sergeant, recently baptized another sergeant, but his superiors slandered him and had him sent to Mexico City with his wife Mirta who is 7 months pregnant. A year ago, Manuel and Sara and their  children were sent to another city, also for sharing their faith at headquarters. But despite the threats, our brothers have kept on sharing. Luisa and Armando, who are new Christians, recently started studying the Bible with another 2nd Sergeant, Omar, and his wife Iris, who were having serious  marriage problems. At his first study, Omar began to cry for joy. He had been a disciple of Jesus ten years ago in Mexico City, and had left the church. When he and his wife began to talk about separation, he had thought of returning to Mexico City to look for the church. And now…the church was right here in Oaxaca! Soon Omar will be restored to God’s family, and Iris will be baptized.

Our brothers and sisters in Mexico often have to face hardships and persecution. But we trust that God will keep them safe. Let us pray, though, that they will continue to inspire us with their faith and courage, and that churches like Oaxaca can grow and have a great impact in their cities.

J De Anda

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