Mission Trips

Mission Trip to Oaxaca - May 2002!

God bless you all for your support and prayers. God did a special work this trip. I'd like to give you an idea of how it went. I tried to be brief, but obviously didn't succeed in being short, but here goes....

MONDAY

Pastor Chacho, Mois�s, and I headed for Oaxaca early Monday morning. We took the "Green Machine". (my bug) It was a full car, complete with 2 bicycles on top! We were getting close to Acapulco when the road we were taking was completely blocked off. There was a bridge that they wouldn't let us cross. So we took a little trail off to the side and came to the river that we needed to cross. (I still don't know why they blocked the bridge, but oh well) I looked at the river (about 75 feet wide) and looked at the bug and groaned. They said the water wasn't deep, but in a bug? Well, some kids were in front supposedly to lead me across. I just said "Run fast because I don't plan on going slow!" I put the pedal to the floor and into the river we plunged!....

Well, we made it half-way across and the bug conked out. Hey, that's not supposed to happen on a mission trip! But it did. So we got out and started pushing. The water was just at the level of my floor pans and so filled the bug with water. But we got to the other side, dried out the distributor, and praise God, the bug fired up! With great relief I jumped in the bug and away we went!

We made it to Milpillas, Guerrero that night, which is where one of our churches is and spent the night with Pastor Juan.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning Pastor Chacho got together with about 8 or 10 pastor and leaders and had like a small retreat with them. Meanwhile, Mois�s and I headed to Tacubaya, our main church down there, to visit some of the youth and see how they were doing. We spent some time with David, the pastor's son, who is the worship leader in Tacubaya. Then we headed back to Milpillas for a service in the evening. The service was very special because God did a very special knitting together of the pastors that night. God brought healing in relationships and restoration. It was beautiful.

We gave one of the bicycles to Francisco, and brother who is now pastoring a small group of indigenous people. He was thrilled with the bike! And the other bike we gave to Lazaro, a dear pastor who is giving is all for the Gospel as well. You should have seen the smiles on their faces! (I took a picture of them, and as soon as possible, I'll put their pictures up here on the web.)

After the service, I brought some of the brothers home. We fit 7 full grown men in the bug! (I don't know how, but we were all inside, that's all I know.) What a riot. I think I need a bigger car!

Wednesday

Wendesday morning we went to encourage the brothers where Francisco is pastoring. (La Poza) He really inspires me because the last time I went to Oaxaca, Francisco was helping in the church, but nothing major. In such a short time, God has raised him up as a pastor! It was special to support him and encourage him and be part of a church service there.

From there we went to "El Terrero" where Juan is Pastoring. It's a small, adobe church where you litterally cook inside because of the heat. But the church there has a sweet spirit and brother Juan gives his all to serve the LORD there. We gave them a guitar to help with the praise and worship and they were overjoyed! I think between Juan and Francisco, it'll be used to the utmost.

By now it was 4:30 P.M. and so we headed for Tacubaya to make it there for the evening service. We arrived and people were already waiting because we were late. (oops!) So while Pastor Chacho and Pastor Marcos (the pastor of the church there) were getting ready, I headed over the church. They have like a worship team there, and so I figured I'd just praise God with the congregation. Or at most play along with them. WRONG! The church is getting full as I go up to greet David and he whispers, "Josu�, you're going to lead worship." Well, how are you going to argue about that in front of the whole church? Ok, guys, let's praise God! So I picked up a mic and we praised the LORD! I've been put on the spot enough times before, but never quite so drastically. That night there was probably 70 people there! But God's grace covered me and was beautiful. I'm learning to depend more and more on God!

Thursday

Thursday morning Pastor Chacho had a meeting with pastors and leaders while Mois�s and I taught keyboard and guitar lessons. The youth their are so hungry to learn. So we gave them all we could and now they are going to practice 'til we go the next time.

Then after lunch we went to the church in Naranjo. It's about 8 miles up a mountain on a dirt road. I really love this church because they give their all! They asked me to lead the praise, but I couldn't hardly hear my voice because everyone was singing with all they had! They are a very beautiful group of people. When we go to these places, they are so encouraged because they often feel that they are alone, etc. But we tell them how special and important they are and how we are praying for them here in Zacapu. And they are so encouraged. These places really inspire me because there are no missionaries there and no one speaks English. So these are native churches with native pastors. Please keep them in your prayers because the enemy is not very pleased with the tremendous progress they are making. The churches are growing and more people are continually being reached with the Gospel. So please keep these native pastors and their churches in your prayers.

After the service in Naranjo, we headed still farther into the mountains to a village called "Huajitapec". (We put the bug to the test on this trip. I think Oaxaca is the ultimate road test for a car!) You could hear the brothers praying in the church from "blocks" away. You see, they don't pray a "mumble-a-prayer-to-God" type of prayer. No sirree. It's more like intercession of the intense type. So we joined with them in intercession and then the service began. God touched many people during the ministry time and we closed the service late. Then we went to a brother's house for supper. One of the brothers was sitting there chatting and all of a sudden saw something down by his foot. A tarantula was about to crawl up on his foot!!! I guess he jumped about a mile in the air, well not litterally! This wasn't your ordinary house spider, this was your big, hairy, ugly, 8-legged tarantula! The good news is that I had gone to buy sodas with a brother and so wasn't there when it happened. :)

By now it was 11:30 P.M. and so we headed back down the mountain to Tacubaya. I must admit that there were a few of this hairy friend's 8-legged relatives on the gravel road, but I didn't stop even to greet them!

Friday

Friday morning we went to visit several families and on more mission, "El Cerro de las Tablas". Here, Pastor Juan is holding services once a week as well as in "El Terrero". We spent some time with this family. I think they are about the only Christians in the whole village. So we prayed with them and encouraged them. Once there was a church there, but it fell down. So the plan is to build another. It would be a small church with cement pillars and bamboo walls so as to keep it inexpensive yet sturdy.

This place really touched my heart because the family has such a sweet, gently spirit. They have 1 son and 3 daughters and all of them love the LORD. I believe God is going to raise up a strong mission there. Please pray for these believers. They were sharing how the people in the village don't like them them and spread all kinds of rumors, etc. So please pray that they be strengthened in the faith and that God covers and protects them from all harm. Also, in the near future we hope to get started on the church. I will put a picture of them up on the web, too, as soon as I get my roll developed. And if the LORD speaks to you about helping build this church in a financial way, it would be of incredible blessing. I will give you more details as we go. Or you can drop me an e-mail.

In the afternoon, we dropped Pastor Chacho off in Cuajinicuilapa at a brother's house. He was going to stay behind to visit a few more people and help another church, but Mois�s and I needed to be home to help in the Sunday service here. So Mois�s and I started off for home.

We made it to Acapulco and stayed there overnight. Then Saturday morning we arrived here in time for worship practice! And finally, and with much appreciation, a nice place to sleep!

Once again, thank you so much for your support financially and in prayer. You are very much a part of what God is doing in Oaxaca and Guerrero. Your prayers are making a difference and I couldn't thank you enough for praying for me. And as you know, going on trips always costs a bit, so I thank you so much for your support. May God bless you in abundance.

For His Glory and Honor,

Josu�

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