The IMB has thousands of devoted missionaries, and one of them is Jim R., who serves on the Mexico Operation GO team. Jim has a long and endearing relationship with other missionaries, volunteers and churches that have traveled to Mexico to work with him and his wife, Olive, who has now gone home to be with the Lord. Recently, Jim hosted a volunteer team that has a special story to share. We think it will warm your hearts, as it did ours.
In the 1930's, Jim's family and the Nelson families attended the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. That relationship is what brings us to share this heartwarming adventure.
Karen (Nelson) Kessler contacted the IMB about doing an Operation GO project with Jim in Lázaro Cárdenas, México. She found out that he needed volunteers for a mission project, and so she asked two women from Nall Avenue Baptist Church, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, to join her. It is at this point, where you clearly see God's hand in the planning of this short-term mission trip.
Lois Miller, one of the women who volunteered to be part of the project, told her sister, Mary Wood, about her plans to join Karen and travel to Mexico. Mary works with the Hispanic congregation and teaches English as a Second Language at First Baptist Church, Grandview, Missouri. In hearing this news, she knew she must get involved because of her relationship with one of her students.
Lucia Ponce Leyva, is a student in Mary's English class, and from Tierra Colorado, Guerrero, Mexico. She became a Christian after attending a Bible study taught by Mary. Lucia's family lives where no evangelical Christian church exists. Mary was aware of Lucia's concerns for the salvation of her relatives, and knew she had to make every effort to find Lucia's family and witness to them for Lucia and the Lord.
Mary Wood e-mailed Jim, and explained about Lucia. She asked if it was possible to add anything to the Operation GO itinerary. Jim knew there was a great distance between where the Op GO team would work and where Lucia's family lived. He suggested Mary arrive ahead of the rest of the team so there would be time to work in additional plans. Jim arranged for a national (Rocio) to accompany Mary on her journey.
Mary flew into Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, where she met Rocio, the national believer who would accompany her on the trip. They waited an hour for the bus to leave for Acapulco, a four-hour ride away, and then transferred to a taxi for an additional one and a half hours to Tierra Colorado. The tired travelers finally reached Lucia's family late at night. Despite tremendous fatigue, they did not go to sleep until they shared the Gospel. The next morning Rocio suggested they travel even further to visit additional family members.
In the meantime, the rest of the Operation GO team arrived to begin the mission project with Jim. An exhausted Mary and Rocio met the volunteers at the hotel at 11:15 at night where they excitedly shared that FIVE of Lucia's relatives accepted Jesus as their Savior! From left to right the new believers are Lucia's brother-Gilberto; Mary Wood; Lucia's mother-Angela; Gilberto's daughter-Maria; Lucia's daughter-Sandi; Gilberto's son-Jesús (in front of Sandi) and, Gilberto's wife- Fidencia. Jesús was the only family member that did not accept Jesus.
Praise the Lord for His perfect timing, travel safety, and for the persistence of Mary and Rocio to reach those who have not heard the WORD before they faced an eternity without Jesus. They now know the true source of peace and joy! Amen.
Are you sharing without fear your faith with the unsaved? Learn how to be a witness and be in unity with Jesus' plan for your life. God will bless you for your obedience just as He blessed Mary for hers. It was, indeed, quite an adventure for Mary!
God is waiting for YOU to join Him in His work. It is vital that believers pray, give and go! Contact us for opportunities with the American Peoples Affinity.
