October - November 2025 True Heroes Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. Proverbs 24:11

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. Proverbs 24:11 

The children of IBBM–Tepic are learning about heroic and faithful men and women of the Bible, “of whom the world was not worthy.” We’ve learned that God’s definition of a true hero is someone who believes, loves, and acts with courage and sacrifice. Last week’s hero was Paul, born Saul of Tarsus, a Jew, a Roman citizen, well-educated, professionally accomplished, a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin, yet severely blind to the Truth. While Saul relentlessly hated, chased, and persecuted followers of the Messiah, God, in His sovereignty, took away Saul’s physical eyesight and transformed him with daring spiritual vision for chasing the call of the Savior. These valiant heroes we’re studying remind me of quite a few right in our own backyard, and some who are learning from their example! 

This past week prompted a Thanksgiving pop-up memory, from 16 years ago, of a bountiful table full of heroes just getting started on the process of translating the Old Testament into the Huichol language. The entire team had not even been assembled yet, but there were plenty of them who believed, loved, and were eager to act valiantly and very sacrificially for the cause. Joe, the original New Testament translation consultant (he’ll be 97 years old this next week and is still working with his son, Chuck, polishing the Huichol dictionary!), and his wife, Barbara (now in Heaven), John, the programmer of Our Word, the software the translators mastered for the task, and José, Hilario, Manuel, Román, Emilia, and Joaquín…all heroes! 

The Old Testament job, as well as the revision of the original New Testament, is done, but that was only the beginning. Now that they have the printed treasure in hand, they’re systematically going about sharing its truth and discipling new believers throughout the Sierra Madre. We are so grateful that during the entire Bible translation project, UIM bush pilots have been heroic co-workers, and until recently, mountain airlifts to remote landing strips have saved countless hours and spared them from real dangers on mountain paths. As usual, the enemy thrives on persecution. This past month, local tribal authorities issued orders that Christian pilots and passengers can no longer land on most of the remote mountain airstrips. The bottom line is that discipleship trips now require much more time, effort, and expense. But that’s not enough to stop the heroes from fulfilling Jesus’ mandate. 

Two teams of determined volunteers from the Zapote de Picachos and La Bendición churches made plans to head to the mountain villages, regardless of hardship, to be faithful to their call to share the Truth with “the whole world” and to train new believers. They prepared to go a week without work, temporarily leave their families back home, travel by boat as far as they could, then continue on foot for hours, sleep wherever they landed, and share their prepared lessons from the Good News with those who are in undeniable need of spiritual nourishment. Afterward, they hiked back to the river to await the boat that carried them in return toward their own village homes…days of travel instead of the previous half-hour flights. 

When they got back home, the church at Zapote celebrated its 21st anniversary at their “new” location after having been wickedly kicked out of the village where they had valiantly sacrificed to build their former beautiful church building in its very center. This year, the Zapote team sent WhatsApp invitations throughout the mountains inviting friends and family to join in the 3-day celebration/conference on the Battles of the Christian Life. As hard as the persecution was that forced them to relocate, Pastor Manuel was right: “They meant it for harm; God has used it for good!” 

Not all of God’s chosen heroes are ancients; some of them sit at our own tables, pray with us, and serve beside us. Watching them in action makes me think of spontaneous combustion—no one has to remind them to do this job. They read their Bibles, believe, and obey. They’re heroes on fire! Despite constant obstacles, these brothers and sisters remain unstoppable. And the next generation of heroes is watching. Little Nora (a UIM bush pilot’s daughter) and Giana (the IBBM worship team leader’s daughter) made the wise choice to follow the example of the greatest Hero ever, who believed, loved, and acted valiantly and sacrificially that they might have their sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. 

God provides for all this without us ever having to ask. Thank you for your heroic part that makes this possible. Real heroism isn’t found in applause or recognition, but in steady obedience, wholehearted offering, and a willingness to see what God sees…as He rescues our stumbling world. 

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