Joe’s Mexico Journal
October 2004
This is another blessed trip! I can tell already. God must have fun gathering so many
different kinds of people to tell the old, old story. I’m excited to see what He has
in store.
By the way, April 20-27, 2005: WOTC to Nicaragua. 45,000 salvations are the goal! Plans
are being made.
Leachen – 14 children WOTC built her a house. She’ll be glad to show you.
 Restrooms at the first stop in Mexico. |
Welcome to Mexico. Just $40 and one pen got Matt and I across
the border. Everyone else had no problem. Matt is a minor without a notarized note from
his parents. Very serious! Our interpreter met privately with the director. They
negotiated a price and away we went… Me? Not enough I.D. I had as much or more than
most. I think it might have been the shifty eyes. Maybe my “It is finished”
T-shirt with a picture of Jesus in great agony on it. Oh well, $20 for me, $20 for Matt.
It’s all about the peso. Our first stop was Aldornas where we exchanged money. My
$40 U.S. bought me $450.00 peso, up $50.00 peso from last Jan. We purchased Pepsi’s,
Coke’s, Chicklets, Chips & Candy. 10 bottles of soda cost about $5 U.S. Amazing!
On and on we go. Miles of rough roads and speed bumps! The people, homes, and towns
haven’t changed a bit from January - as far back as the 1950’s. We stopped at
the same tienda (store) for our picnic lunch. We were able to feed and witness to two
young boys (about 14). Bill called for a translator. Not bad for his first trip. The one
young boy became teary eyed as Bill told him about the Lord. He made no commitment today,
but with the gospels of John and Romans in Spanish, and a memorable lunch, I believe he
will be a brother soon. (The other boy received Jesus! PTL!) |
We drove over more bumpy roads, but had rich fellowship. We traveled on to Padilla.
Bill (with the rest of us) will never be the same again. I praise and thank God for the
first timers as I think ahead to the Praise Gang and friends trip in February.
Nuevo Padilla
| It’s like a welcome home as Santos came running to greet
us. Much work has been done to the mission chapel. Windows have been installed, tile laid
throughout, the prayer garden further developed, electrical updates and much more. On
Sunday afternoon, our first partial day, we visited Santos family. They are so gracious.
No fish heads … yet. Pastor Margarito is going to provide a fish dinner for us
tomorrow. Fish heads may be present. We’ll see. We have many jobs to do tomorrow. Our
group will be breaking into three groups. Group A will go out for street evangelism. Group
B will stay at the mission to do some much needed work. Group C, my group, will be
building three walls around a now nearly outdoor kitchen. This is for an elderly woman who
only had enough money to either buy gas for her hot plate or food. The food won again. She
sold her gas-fired hot plate, and built herself a rudimentary woodstove out of brick and
stone. She has recently come to know and accept the Lord. Praise God! She told of how she
saw and met Jesus in the garden. One of our missionary’s asked if she had ever
accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. “No”, she replied. After she prayed the
sinners’ prayer, she said tearfully that this is just how she felt when she saw Him
in the garden. So today we will build her some kitchen walls. It was more of a blessing
for us than her. |
Santos! Our welcoming committee! |
I’ve just learned of a village on the other side of the mountains. I’m
signing up for that trip!
Day 2 – Monday, October 4, 2004
Today is a beautiful day as I awake at 5:30 a.m. to roosters crowing and dogs barking.
I layed in prayer for ½ to ¾ of an hour. I got up, reorganized my bags, eliminating one
(PTL!), readied for the day (Bible Study, etc.) then learned it’s now safe to run!
How cool is that? My back needs a run in the worst way. It’s too late now as
breakfast nears - later maybe. Bible study today took me into Prov. 3:5-8. I love that
passage. With that, it makes our walk with the Lord so easy and automatic.
 Benches set up for
service in El Sauz |
El Sauz - Buenos Tardes – good afternoon! Slight
plan changes on the kitchen wall rebuild. Maria asked us if we could do her bedroom walls,
which are so much more important to her. We got a good start on them. At 2:30 pm we quit
for the day to evangelize in El Sauz. It was a very rough ride! Kind of hard to write as
we traveled about 1.5 hours from Padilla. The last 8 km (5 miles), the average speed was 4
mph at best! Praise God! Gloria a Dios! 70+ salvations. Such precious, beautiful children!
I spent a camera on them. Sadly, I was one picture short of the recipients of Roberts
N’s generosity in giving many toys. Long ride back. |
| Reflections on El Sauz – such beautiful children of God.
We broke into two teams to blanket the town with a message of God’s love, and that
there would be a church service @ 5:30 on the football field. In Spanish, it goes
“Cultos a la cinco y media en futbol area. Many came! Maybe 100 + all in all. Oh
yeah, our first house there were 3 boys, 7-10 years old, and a mama. We invited her and
her family, and she said she’d be there. Her 7 year old son then became our escort.
As we went house to house, he began to pick tracts out of my pocket and hand them out and
give the invite. He was so cute. Maybe I can ship him back home... plus 10 or so others.
As we prayed behind the vans, we couldn’t help but notice about 6 men standing
another 50 feet behind us. We prayed they would get closer and hear the message Pastor
Jerry was presenting. They didn’t, but with a translator, we went to them. Seeds were
planted, and God will do the rest. Praise Him! As usual we ended the day with devotions.
With the day we had, it was hard to pay attention even as good as they were. |
People of El Sauz |
On the long 8 km drive back to the main road as we crawled home, Bart, the driver in
the middle van (Pastor Margarito drove the 1st van, Bart the 2nd
van, and Mike the 3rd van) stopped and walked over to a wooden fence post.
There were hundreds of quarter size snails on each post. He was curious as to what they
were. Salamon, our interpreter, told us they climb like that when heavy rains are coming.
We all laughed, wondering if that’s how the local weather is predicted.
Tuesday 10/5/04
| Another very busy day! It came and went. I praise God for a
great run this morning. Shad and I did a good 4 miles with the big rocks, big dogs, and
big holes all in the big dark. Just as God promised, He guided each step. After breakfast
and devotions, we went to a prison for children and teens. I say children after seeing the
innocence on those precious faces. The youngest looked to be 12 or so. As we witnessed,
preached and invited, I saw a young man weep. I then met Cay, about 16, from Texas.
He’s been there since March. No family has visited him, and he was so lonely. I asked
him if he had ever given his life to Jesus. He happily said yes! We ministered for a while
and experienced salvations …several! Praise God. We must return and pray. We had
lunch after that most blessed time, then finished Maria’s house. It looks good. A
nice visit to the taco stand was a real blessing today as well. It’s late and
I’m very tired tonight. It’s now 9:45 pm and we’re getting close to closing
devotions and discussing, and I’m thinking about having a 5:30 a.m. run. |
 Prison in
background. |
There is a block party planned for tomorrow, maybe a nap too. I’ve already figured
out that God has it all planned out and those plans are right and the best!
Wednesday 10/6/04
Well, It had to happen. All was going well, good and smooth. One of my major goals for
this week was to contact the Police Chief and pray with him again – the last time was
very emotional. While mailing postcards, I spotted some policia. Through my interpreter,
Lucio, I asked them about the chief. He wasn’t there then, but would be at 8:00 am
Wednesday. Circumstances (Gods’) kept me from getting to the government building. It
was certainly God’s will to work out the way it did.
 Joe with police
chief. |
During devotions, one of our interpreters, Salomon, and the
local Pastor Margarito, went to see if they could track him down. They came walking in
with him just after morning devotions started. It was such a blessing to see him. I went
to him and shook his hand. I started to weep. I couldn’t sing or talk at this point.
He gave his testimony. He is doing good, but his wife is not. She’s suffering from
deep depression. He was visibly very concerned! We gathered around him and prayed for him
and his wife. Our Pastor offered to visit his wife and pray for her. In his testimony, he
expressed gratitude to us for our support and prayers. He said his home is always open to
all and any of us. He was just so grateful! I had the opportunity and privilege to talk to
him after devotions (which he stayed for). I asked him if he remembered me. With a
compassionate smile, he said yes, and he appreciated my prayer group so much. Again, he
opened his home up to me – anytime! It was a very touching time. I thank God for a
lighter, more blessed time. He said we all have a friend in him. Wayne then asked if he
could speed a bit. He said “NO” – that would be a serious infraction. Guess
Wayne wouldn’t be speeding. |
| On with the day which was most strenuous! We lay flat stone
to make a beautiful walkway for the prayer garden. Way cool! |
Laying stones for walkway. |
Then we went to the block party at Pastor Margaritos’ church. We started early
inviting the town (E. side of road) to the block party. We raffled a bike and balls, gave
candy and food, ministered with magic from me, drama team from Faith Church, message from
Bill, songs from us, but mostly, presence from the Holy Spirit. There were 125 salvations.
Praise God! It is a long day coming to a close again. Only supper and devotions are left.
Thursday 10/7/04
I was up at 5:30 a.m. for an 8 miler. Praise God already! During my run I prayed Acts.
A-Adoration
C-Confession
T-Thanksgiving
S-Supplication
Such an incredible prayer chapel with more stars than I’ve ever seen. - brighter
too. Shad came running with me. We had a regular church service before the sun rose.
Praise God again!
We had breakfast, then devotions. WOW! Two plus (still going) hours of devotions.
Gods’ Holy Spirit just moved and moved from one person to another. No one (25 in all)
was left out. Gods’ love is so amazing! Mike started with singing ‘Secret
Places’, a wonderful song that really touches my heart. I prayed and asked God to
search my heart for any secret rooms that I don’t even go in. I’d like to keep
that song close, singing, background or even miming/signing. Over 3 hours of a 15 minute
devotional.
| Lunch time. Nancy thought she needed some protein, and asked
if I could get her to a taco stand. Of course I could. Lucio and I were going up to mail
some postcards. She was happy to ride along…with several others. When we got to the
taco stand, sure enough, Wayne was already there with a big load. The taco stands are
quite a subject. There are many stands selling tacos and gorditas. Also a few chicken
stands. We had a good lunch! We’d been having ham and cheese or peanut butter and
jelly. It was a good break. |
Mmmm! Taco Stand! |
Remains of Church in Old Padilla |
In the afternoon, we broke into two groups, one to do street
evangelism, and one to evangelize in Old Padilla. It was my first trip there. In January,
I stayed back and put a show on for the many grieving children and their parents. Such a
blessed time and memory! I thank God for the time with the children. This trip, I’m
thankful for Old Padilla. Such history and architecture, just like the pictures Brenda
took for me last trip. She left out the mountains and overall layout. It is quite a large
town. Bart, our guide and driver, had fished that lake in the past. He could see the casa
(house) rooftops just below. That lake was said to be the best bass fishing lake in all of
North America once upon a time. It looked pretty dirty to me. Interestingly, the streets
went right down into the water. They’re now used as boat ramps. The light poles stuck
up out of the water just as they were when the government built a dam that flooded the
town. It is a fascinating and beautiful place. |
We went back to the mission center with just enough time to visit a panaderia (bakery).
I got some wonderful baked goods – including a cookie that was still hot, and so
delicious! That’s a stop Brenda and I always have to make.
Tim and Joe with Josephina in Conrada Costilla! In
January, she had broken her knee, now she has also hurt her back. She is 84 and
lives alone. |
We continued on to Conrada Costillo, a town/village we
visited in January and met the wonderful Josephina. I, with a group, took one area as two
other groups took another two. I had Daisy and Dominica in my group. We would walk up to a
fence and shout “Buenos Tardes”. I commented on Daisy’s gruff, angry
“Buenos TARDES!” She speaks no English. It was funny, me teaching her to say
“Buenos Tardes” in a more friendly way. We all got a good laugh out of it.
It’s handy being a clown. Clowns transcend all language barriers. Next we would say
“Cultos a las cinco concia de futbol”. We have a special church service at 5:00
on the soccer field. Many came to the church service. At first, I thought they might be
coming for the physical food alone rather than the spiritual food. But then I saw the
excited participation. It was the spiritual food they wanted! Praise God. There were still
many salvations. God led me to a young man with a family. I told him I felt God wanted him
to lead a Bible study. I told him about our Bible study time. He was receptive and open. I
then told him I would be back in February to hear of how good it’s going. |
Santos' family |
We had chicken for supper, then by a special invitation,
went to Santos & Julia’s for a fish supper and soup with tortillas. It was a way
to express their gratitude for the help Brenda and I gave Santos Jr. with school, money
and books. They were so grateful. Salomon and I were the only two invited of the group.
Their home is a small, one room cinderblock house, about 10’ x 20’. The walls
were painted a green color. They seemed honored to have us in their home. They told me (a
few times) “mi casa es su casa”. |
It is time now for devotions and a presentation on Nicaragua (11:00 p.m.) It was
another long day. I’m so out of energy. Good night!
Friday 10/9/04
Travel Day! Many townspeople came to pray with us before we left. It’s been a
blessed trip! So many lives were touched, maybe as many as 1,000! Praise God! Ass we
traveled the 3.5 hours to the border from state to state, checkpoint to checkpoint, it
seems so pointless with all these heavily armed men interrogating us. I suppose it’s
a job. We should be back in enough time to shop in Progresso. That’s always fun
– and equally as sad. I wonder what I’ll buy you?
A special thank you to Brenda for reading my chicken scratchy notes and putting them in
a language we can all understand. She’s wonderful!
I thank also Deanna Johnson and her family for supporting me in prayer. Several other
people held me up in prayer as well. This is not a trip one can make without prayer!
Don’t do it! Please pray regularly for your missionaries. It’s always needed.
Thank you Lord for the guidance and strength you gave, and give every day. I love you
and will serve you! Amen, Joe.
Please remember to keep our upcoming February trip in your prayers. There’s many
obstacles to overcome. I have no doubts we will see God’s will done.
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