August/September 2025. He who goes forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

He who goes forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6 

I don’t have much time for gardening, but living in the Tropics it’s phenomenal! Everything grows! Kirt used to say that with my “green thumb” I could plant a cement post in the ground one day, and the next day it would be flowering! That’s slightly exaggerated, but along with sufficient light, nutrients, and lots of water, plants do flourish. 

This beautiful flower from my yard (they’re called maracas) reminds me of God’s important promise to provide the harvest in His perfect time, if we will sow the seed. I brought a little cutting back with me ten years ago from the opposite side of Mexico, when a group of IBBM-Tepic OANSA graduates—leaders in training preparing to become full-fledged leaders—traveled more than 1,000 km from Tepic to Veracruz on a mission trip. Our purpose was to “plant seeds” and provide training by example through an OANSA-style week-long VBS for another church group that was eager to join the ranks of seed-sowers and harvesters of children learning to hide God’s Word in their hearts and live out its truth for the Kingdom. Not only did our young leaders-in-training teach others by their example, but they also learned from the experience themselves. 

Today, those same young leaders form an active part of the very heart of IBBM-Tepic—as teachers, OANSA commanders, elders, musicians, and more—a rich return from seeds planted years ago. It’s been a long wait (ten years!), but even the maracas plant has finally produced a stunning flower of its own, just in time for Mexico’s Independence Day celebration! 

 

The IBBM-Tepic OANSA is back in action after a two-month summer break! The kids could hardly wait to return, and the leaders were eager to start planting again. Most of the red and white-shirted-leaders once sat in the OANSA kids’ seats themselves, so they know firsthand what it means to be passionately loved, nurtured, watered by the Word, and harvested for the Kingdom. 

OANSA in Tepic is not the only team around for raising strong disciples of Jesus and leaders in His family. Gregorio and Braulio shared activities from their club in the village of Zapote de Picachos. With buckets full of water carried from their precious community tank, the ladies scrubbed their amazing OANSA court sheltered by its treasured massive overhead structure. That court, its sturdy covering, the water tank, and the colorful OANSA uniforms and handbooks have all been donated by friends of this divine plantation to a hard-working, much-deserving body of believers who can’t seem to thank God enough for His overflowing provision. Most of the Zapote church OANSA leaders are men who take seriously their God-ordained responsibility to teach their children.  They are diligent sowers and waterers, and we can expect an excellent harvest from their labor.

In the village of La Bendición, believers recently celebrated 13 years since God provided for the completion of their beautiful church building. They see it as a “storehouse” for teaching, training, and preparing sowers to head into the fields. Over the years, church members have made countless mission treks through the rugged Sierra Madre, faithfully carrying the seeds of Truth to their Huichol brothers and sisters, some hearing for the first time, and others who have believed and now need fresh water and nourishment. To say they take orders from the Lord of the Harvest seriously, would be an understatement. 

Most recently, the congregation completed a multipurpose room that now serves as classrooms for the children (including their own OANSA club) as well as a temporary shelter for mountain travelers eager to learn more about the one true Kakaɨyari and His plan of salvation. Its thick cement roof doubles as an extended surface for frequent outdoor gatherings at the church. It was quite an engineering feat and a laborious challenge, but very practical. They joyfully dedicated their new space to their Master and His service. Let us not become weary. God dependably promises a harvest if we don’t give up just before the garden is about to bloom. 

Check out some August/September 2025 Tepic activities here. 

June/July 2025  One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4

Psalm 145 resonates King David’s trust in the might, majesty, mercy, and faithfulness of his holy and loving God, a trust that naturally leads to praising Him from one generation to the next. Sadly, David failed to pass on that faith to his own family. May we learn from His costly error. Martin Luther once emphasized that God builds His church anew in every generation. Truly, Christian faith in a family, church, or nation is always just one generation from fading away. 

The past two months in Tepic have shown remarkable evidence of this generational handoff: God’s mighty acts, His faithful provision, and His perfect ordering of events have allowed, through our joint efforts, the birth, growth, and maturity of those He has chosen to reach and adopt into His family. 

IBBM-Tepic celebrated the 30th anniversary of our OANSA children’s club the first week of June. For three decades children have been hiding God’s Word in their hearts, applying His principles in their lives, and reproducing the effort that was invested in them with children of the next generation. A significant majority of IBBM teachers and OANSA leaders are themselves OANSA grads - Approved Workers who Are Not Ashamed. We wrapped up this year's club with a super fun fair, a highlight the kids look forward to every year.   

This year, Pastor Martín, who gave his life to Jesus as a boy, had the joy of introducing his very first grandchild, Ana Raquel, to the event. She’ll be a Cubbie before we know it. One generation to the next… 

The Sunday after the fair, three very special praisers of His faithfulness were baptized: 

Liz has been in OANSA since she was four. She has memorized Bible verses like a machine, even all the Extra Credit verses, and just graduated from the final rank, joining the Teachers-in-Training group. She’s studied violin for five years at the School of Music preparing to serve with the worship team. Before she celebrated being a quinceañera, Liz chose to follow Jesus’ example in baptism. Her life hasn’t been easy, and it won’t be. Her mother, Noemí, has terminal colon cancer and will soon be with the Lord. Liz is blessed that one generation has declared God’s mighty acts to her while we have had the opportunity.

Nahum was born to teenage, unmarried parents. But someone shared the Gospel with them, discipled them, and helped them pass on God's works and mighty acts to their son. Now 15 and about to graduate from OANSA, "little" Nahum has served as a teen volunteer on the Huichol camp staff, dedicated nine years to excellence in piano study, and made the wise decision to follow Jesus' example in baptism. Another generation… 

Doctor Rosita is from Cuba and currently in Tepic through a Mexican public health work grant. Her home country’s situation is so dire that she left everything behind to legally work in Mexico for minimal pay. Her story is filled with hardship, sadness, and pain, but God used this move for good. Here in Tepic, she met Jesus, asked for His forgiveness, found peace, and couldn’t wait to publicly declare that she belongs to Him. 

And finally, Phases 1 and 2 (the second story!) of Project Classrooms are complete, dedicated, and in use. From *the beginning of construction in 2020 (right at the onset of COVID), God has provided in remarkable ways. The dream has become a reality and now serves as a powerful tool for equipping the next generation of IBBM children for the Master’s mission. 

Teens now meet in Gýmnazé, where they’re training to become unencumbered, godly servants. Grade schoolers gather in Doulos, where they’re being taught to serve the Master willingly. These final two upstairs classrooms are fully committed to fulfilling the call to praise His works and declare His mighty acts to the coming generation. 

 *Linked Project Classrooms Documentary compliments of Jonatán García.

February/March 2025. Redemption from the power of darkness. Colossians 1:13-14

February – March 2025 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 

God’s eternal plan of redemption is powerfully revealed in the lives of believers who, having been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into Christ’s kingdom, now witness the same transformative grace at work in their children. 

So, I wish there were time for an entire book about this redemption story: Modesto and Santa are an amazing, God-loving, hard-working couple from the village of Zapote de Picachos. A few years ago, they were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their precious gift from our Father, their first baby. She came very early and severely malformed; she died before delivery. Her parents were devastated, but they trusted that God’s plan always is best. Years have passed, and no new babies. They work hard to receive meager income from a local fishing co-op and harvests from fields all around our state, and though income is limited, they generously share their time and resources with their church family. They are faithful leaders in the Zapote OANSA children’s club helping every child but their own to hide God’s Word in their hearts, while their own hearts are aching. Pastor Martín and Erén have taken them to see a doctor friend who has not charged them for her services, and we have helped with the cost of nutrition, fertility studies, and medications, but still no baby. 

A couple of months ago, a very young Huichol girl with a severe intellectual disability began wandering into the Zapote church compound. Her family, living amid despair, has rejected the Gospel, and struggles to care for her. It became obvious that someone in her dominion of darkness had abused her; she was expecting a baby. It’s a horrible situation, and it’s heart-breaking to think of her profound suffering. 

There are too many details to relay, but the rest of this story is one of radical redemption. Santa’s mother ended up being the midwife at the birth, and Santa was there to receive the newborn baby girl into her open arms and heart. The young girl, the baby’s biological mother, never even wanted to see the baby; she honestly doesn’t realize her role in the relationship and could never care for her. Modesto and Santa and some of the other Christians have taken her for medical treatment at their own expense, and she has returned to her family. That beautiful newborn baby was given to Modesto and Santa with her first breath, just as she came into the world, hopeless, helpless, with absolutely nothing but the love of a Creator Who arranged for Modesto and Santa to adopt a beautiful, perfectly formed, naked baby, in need of everything. 

Now, back to July 16, 2007. Jonatán García, Pastor Martín and Erén’s 10-year-old, eldest son, celebrated a very significant date in the history of God’s work in the Tepic church. He was among seven redeemed believers, who, in the horse trough on the lot adjacent to the Tepic church, followed Jesus’ example in baptism. Jonatán was the very first person of the second generation of believers in Tepic to be baptized. As a young person, his father had received Christ’s forgiveness in our early years in Tepic, and he and his wife had the privilege of leading their own son to Jesus. Pastor Martín baptized his son under the banner which reads, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

Now advance to 2025. Jonatán and his wife, Paulina, have been blessed with little Ana Raquel who recently made her very first mission trip to visit her adopted newborn “cousin.” Paulina praises God that Anita’s “Huichol aunts and uncles” love her little girl and that God has blessed her with more than enough to be able to share with Anita’s new little cousin. Not only did they share clothes to keep the new baby warm, but also, they delivered a supply of packages of Anita’s own mommy’s milk that God has abundantly provided, for the baby’s tummy to be filled, as well. 

The story of redemption for this beautiful, adopted baby is nothing short of miraculous! Our prayer for Anita (and her “cousin”) is that one day she will place her faith in Jesus as her Savior and follow His example, too. If God chooses to answer our request with a "yes," Anita could be the first of the third generation of the redeemed from the IBBM-Tepic church: following her grandfather, Martín, who baptized the first believer of the second generation, his own son, Jonatán (Anita’s father)! 

God’s plan for redemption rescues us from the dominion of darkness and by His grace, adopts us, naked and destitute, into the Kingdom of His Son… no longer slaves to sin but heirs of His eternal promise and citizens of His Kingdom. 

…Delivered from the power of darkness…Translated into the kingdom of his dear Son…Redeemed. 

October/November 2024 - No Turning Back ~Ezekiel 46:9

October/November 2024

When the people of the land come before the Lord… he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead. ~Ezekiel 46:9

Transformed Paths. Transformed Lives. No turning back. We’re teaching the children of IBBM-Tepic about the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel’s vision, worshipers entered the presence of God by one gate, and they left by an opposing gate, resolute with renewed purpose, direction, and hope marked by His love, grace, and power. The past two months in Tepic have been filled with astonishing stories of God’s provision for what was once barren but now is filled with spiritual life and corresponding physical structures that are sanctuaries of hope and testimony to the powerful truth that has shaped and transformed futures marked by His love, purpose, and provision. 

Huichol pastor José López is not the young guy he was when he became a believer 45 years ago. His story of entering the gate and never turning back is nothing short of a miracle intricately planned in the portals of heaven in the ages prior to his birth and rebirth. You can read about some of that here.  Previously known for their antagonism, hatred for the Gospel message, and persecution of their believing neighbors, the now-transformed believers from the church at Guásima del Caiman celebrated their very first anniversary in October.

José, the Huichol equivalent of the Apostle Paul, who has trekked tirelessly and faithfully throughout the Sierra Madre sharing the Gospel in village after village, was afraid that his 78-year-old legs wouldn’t be able to make that arduous trip “back home” to his natal village for the momentous celebration with the family he led to Christ. The previously hostile believers from the newborn church, met him at the river’s edge with a mule to carry its precious cargo over the treacherous 4-hour climb. The Guásima family, at long last, has walked through the gate, and they’re not turning back. 

The church at Zapote de Picachos celebrated its 20th anniversary with joyful festivities including baptizing nine new believers. Life is difficult in the remote village, but the members of that exemplary church don’t seem to notice much. They have an OANSA children’s ministry with more than 80 kids who, like their devoted leaders, wouldn’t think of missing a meeting. The sun is brutal on their beautiful game court, and the leaders have been praying about the possibility of building a protective overhead structure. There were no tangible resources for such a lofty dream, but in faith, with help from brothers from Tepic, they dug corner footers and cemented in the rebar, waiting for God’s provision. 

A friend of our Father’s, and ours, though we don’t even know him, is dying of cancer. He chose wisely to lay up treasure in his “coming-soon” new residence, purchasing the materials necessary for completing this project. It was surprising, but not exactly unexpected. Our friends from Zapote probably never imagined that one day, after walking straight through that gate to follow their Master, others from the state of Durango, who had also walked in obedience through that gate, would be transporting an enormous Sky Jack cross-country for them to use.

They also offered their hard-working, skillful hands and time to help install a marvelous structure over the treasured OANSA court where the children whose shepherded hearts are weekly learning to hide God's Word and His precepts in their own hearts.  Straight through, and no turning back.

Forty-nine years ago, this month, a young missionary couple arrived in Mexico. After investing 15 years, they faced some very confusing and discouraging trials. They prayed for God’s guidance and began picking up pieces starting all over with the planting and harvest process. That led to the birth of IBBM-Tepic. Now, 33 years later, we’re adding a second story to the Sunday school building where many children and young people will continue to hear the Good News, hide God’s truth in their hearts, and become the next generation of leaders at IBBM-Tepic and beyond. 

The materials and labor for “pouring” the concrete roof portion of Phase 2 of the Classroom Project were offered by that same anonymous friend, along with help from others who love this work. In both, Zapote de Picachos and Tepic, these sanctuaries of hope and testimonies to faithful friends and God’s constant provision were completed precisely on time, on Thanksgiving Day. In the gate, and no turning back!  How appropriate that this year’s theme for the upcoming Spring 2025 Huichol youth camp is, “No Turning Back”. There are lots of logistics to pray about, but the scripts for the teaching sessions are written, and the campers are in for the opportunity of a lifetime! Enter the gate; don’t turn back!  

You won’t regret taking the time to check out these October/November 2024 Tepic activities here. 

September/October 2017 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

September/October 2017

        The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.   Proverbs 11:30

King Solomon shared that there’s a permanent legacy awaiting those who make the wise choice to obey God’s instructions for building His Kingdom. There’s been a lot of fruitful, legacy-building, tree of life branch-expanding, and wise activity going on lately in Tepic, the surrounding villages, and worldwide.

I received a phone call from Pastor Phil from NVBC during the 36^th Huichol OT translation workshop. He and Steve Evers from ITMI were headed to India for a teaching conference for 100 indigenous pastors in Madras; he wanted to know if there would be any Mexico volunteers who would commit to praying, one-on-one, for a specific national pastor, daily, for an entire year (With only 18 spots available). The Huichol mother-tongue-translators jumped at the opportunity to participate. Only one problem; they didn’t know where India is. And they wanted to know what language they speak--Tamil (Funny they should ask!). All of them left with a poster-sized world map in hand (India highlighted) and a firm promise that each one’s village church would pray for the trip, for the pastors’ conference, and specifically, for one pastor-partner from India for one year, at least. There were lots more ladies than available pastors left over to pray for, but 11 sisters from the ladies’ ministry that evening accepted the challenge for the same. Our worldwide vision and the tree of life grows by caring, sharing, and praying.

An observable result of winning souls and making disciples is the next step of obedience. Pastor Nacho baptized his beautiful daughter, Rebecca, adding even more branches to our bountiful tree of life and to his legacy. I wish I could take the space to tell the stories of each one. Our choices, whether wise or foolish, lead to ultimate consequences. Not only is the winner of souls wise, but he or she who chooses to receive the Truth, also, is wise.

That tree-of-life-legacy does not come easy, it’s not cost-free, and it often requires careful and tedious pruning along the way, but the fruit is a trail of real people whose souls, by God’s grace, have moved from death to life. IBBM-Tepic celebrated her 26^th anniversary since she was first planted. New Life-Scottsdale sent Pastor Luis and Carrie to share in the wisdom-getting process this year. They did an excellent job of watering, adding nutrients, and a little expert pruning of undergrowth. Twenty-six years…and counting!

Huichol pastor, José López, came from his village to join in the 26th celebration. He’s doing a little celebrating of his own. He’s been praying for several years that God would send a companion to accompany him in his ministry. It’s been nine years since Benita graduated to heaven; Juanita from La Bendición (who has been widowed for 4 years) is the answer to those prayers. They will be married as soon as they can get their legal documents in order. This is the closest you’ll get to smiles.  J

Juanita went along on her first mission trip last week accompanying José and a team from Loma Alta to the fledgling village work in Paso de Álica. Lídia was born in Paso de Álica, and her life is a shining testimony to God’s grace. Before Lídia heard of the one true God Who sent His Son to pay for her sin, she lived with a man who constantly and violently abused her. The last she saw of him, she was expecting their first child, but he beat her so severely that she lost the baby. Meanwhile, God’s grace was extended to Casimiro, a Huichol man who spent most of his young life, drunk. That’s another long story, but both, Lídia and Casimiro, heard the Gospel message, and their lives were transformed from that day forward. They were married, and they have determined not to waste their lives. Lídia’s father, from the village of Paso de Álica, recently divided his property among his children. Lídia chose to donate her inheritance to the baby church they are planting in the village. Because of Lídia’s injuries, she never has been able to have children of her own. That problem, short of a miracle, never will be resolved, and that’s very sad; but her biggest problem, her separation by sin from her holy Creator, has been completely resolved, and she and Casimiro are committed to sharing that remedy with every person within their reach. They have “children” throughout the mountains and the best legacy ever, a fruitful tree of life that God gives to His special servants who wisely share His Truth.  

Neither foolishness nor wisdom is predetermined. Either is the result of an intentional choice. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.   Proverbs 11:30

-->

November/December 2014 ...they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered

November/December 2014                     

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.        ~Luke 2:16-18

That Baby in the stable, God with us, didn’t come to eliminate our earthly problems, pain, diseases, or death. He came to conquer death and offer us new life. We, who have seen Him, like the shepherds, have the privilege of sharing abroad so that all who hear it may join us in utter amazement and give the glory to Him. Lots of that “making known abroad” has been going on in Tepic during the past two months, and many have played a vital role in making that possible.

This past month marked 39 years since Kirt and I left for Mexico for the purpose of making known abroad our Father’s provision for all who would accept His Truth. Our good friends, Leonard and Susie Smith, missionaries in Culiacán, Mexico, joined us during that first year in Querétaro, for language training. It was a real joy to have them bring the Good News and an encouraging word this past month at IBBM-Tepic: Leonard presented a 3-day evangelistic conference; and Susie, a well-prepared workshop for teacher training that was attended by all of us OANSA leaders. All that heard them were amazed and encouraged to give God the glory.

A few friends and sister churches contacted me again this year with the encouraging news that they have been praying for us and wanted to collaborate in a tangible project for Christmas. Again this year, the evangelistic effort, Festiniños (meaning “children’s party”), was a “by faith” operation. We completely trusted God to provide the funds for 350 shoeboxes for one Festiniños program in Tepic and programs in churches in three distinct Huichol villages; Zoquipan, Loma Alta and Puente de Carrizal (the newest baby Huichol church). Due to work schedules, the Huichol church leaders opted to celebrate their Festiniños on New Year’s Day rather than Christmas, so pictures of those outreaches will be included in the next update.  

At the Iglesia Bíblica Bautista Misericordia in Tepic, 168 children and many of their parents heard the story of the King who came to offer Himself as the greatest gift ever. Each child received a copy of the booklet to take home, Conoce al Rey (Meet the King) as OANSA leaders acted out the true story of the birth of the King and His plan for salvation for all who would accept His perfect gift. Only time will tell how many of those little children who heard and wondered will accept His invitation.   

One of the little children who received a shoebox gift at Festiniños has just recently begun attending the IBBM-Tepic OANSA along with her three brothers. Her name is Reina Isabel (Queen Elizabeth). Her story reminds me of the reason that the “saying concerning this Child must be made known abroad.” When Reina’s mother, Érika, who is now 23 years old, was born, her own mother didn’t want anything to do with her. She eventually gave her to an adoptive mother who died when Érika was a young girl. Érika was left to fend for herself, and as a teenager, she met a man who fathered her two oldest sons who are now 5 and 6 years old. Their father abused them and Érika mercilessly and eventually abandoned them completely. Then Érika met another man who offered to take care of her. He left her soon after with little baby Reina. The story repeated itself, and we met Érika when she was in desperate need, expecting her 4^th baby, and abandoned by his father. Érika has been hearing all about THE Father who loves her and will never mistreat nor abandon His children. 

She is learning to trust Him, and she faithfully brings her small children to Sunday school and OANSA. Little Queen Elizabeth (Reina Isabel), along with her brothers, loves coming and hearing about baby Jesus, about God’s love and about the gift He offers, the greatest Gift of all. The three older children participated in the IBBM-Tepic community Christmas Celebration singing their little hearts out with the words to the songs they memorized: We will celebrate with joy; May the whole earth hear; Jesus is born; The Light is here…

 

Pastor Martín’s son, David, orchestrated and directed a potpourri for all of the IBBM instrumentalists, including 1^st-time flautists, Rebeca and María, and the teenaged girls’ choir presented a choral cantata. This year’s celebration was motive to join in with the returning shepherds glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20

January/February 2013 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

January/February 2013

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5

Praise God for the faith He gives, the strength to carry on, and the power to overcome. An immeasurable dose of that divine power has been evident these past two months in Tepic as He has softened and transformed hard hearts, comforted and refreshed hurting hearts, and reinforced and energized committed hearts. This outpouring of His power could never be attributed to human wisdom.

Huichol students of Theological Education by Extension from the village of La Quemada studied Personal Evangelism the week before Christmas. The seven mother-tongue-translators working on the Huichol Old Testament also agreed to meet at La Quemada during the week of Christmas to continue the task of revision and in the process, to encourage the believers of that village. In addition, Huichols from several neighboring villages converged on the little church there to celebrate Christmas together.  By the end of the two-weeks filled with non-stop activity, eight new believers whose hearts were softened and transformed by the power of God were baptized in the frigid river just outside the village.  

The power of God that comforts and refreshes hurting hearts has been especially evident at a personal level lately. Jacob and Kiki’s 18-month-old son, David, was diagnosed 29 days ago with pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). David is my 7^th grandchild. This new trial is not an easy one; it will include days, weeks, months, and even years of surgeries, biopsies, chemo and hospitalization, but we are determined to glorify God through it. Kiki summed up our feelings well: It is definitely not the path I would choose, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is sovereign and in control over every cell in David's body. It's still hard, but I pray that David will be a trophy of His grace (as we all are) and that God will use this trial to bring Himself glory, salvation to some, and strengthen the faith of those who believe. David has had more discomfort in the past month than I have in a lifetime. It's hard to watch, but comforting to know that the God who wouldn't spare His own Son for me loves my son more than I do. We have been so blessed by the prayers, encouragement, practical gifts/help and kindness from the bride of Christ. Without her coming along side us to bear this burden, it would be unbearable. Thank you for bearing it with us. Love, Kiki.  This summarizes the power of God that comforts and refreshes hurting hearts. That same power of God was also extended to Julián’s family this month.

Julián was among the group of 20 believers that pastor José López baptized on Good Friday in 2010.  They are from the remote village of Guásima del Caimán, but they came to be baptized in the village of La Bendición (The Blessing) where their brothers and sisters had relocated after Julián and his coconspirators had made their lives miserable, persecuting them with all their might. When the first believers fled the village of Guásima under the weight of the persecution, Julián later told us he was so furious he drank non-stop for an entire week, pausing only long enough to regain consciousness after blacking out. The testimony of those persecuted believers, now in their new village, The Blessing, has been spread far and wide, and many from neighboring villages have believed the Truth as a result, including at last, Julián. His hard heart was softened and transformed by the power of God, but his body suffered the consequences of his former lifestyle. Julián died of complications of cirrhosis of the liver on February 4. While Julián is experiencing the power of God in person, his friends and family are experiencing the power of God that comforts and refreshes hurting hearts left behind.

Guest Helpers, a group of 20 retirement-age workers from Santa Ana, California, opted to leave comforts of home behind, give generously of their resources, and use their God-given talents and gifts to serve sacrificially for a solid week. They set an enormous example working alongside their Mexican brothers and sisters at IBBM-Tepic to put in insulation and a drywall ceiling in order to combat the intense heat that radiates into the church. They also crafted a beautiful new pulpit, did cement work on sidewalks and floors, electrical work, painting, and garden work.  The best job they accomplished was demonstrating God’s love in action and their dedication to His service proving that nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. The power of God reinforced and energized committed hearts in ways human wisdom never could. For assorted pictures of the teamwork click here. 

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5

“… the quickening of dead sinners, the enlightening of blind eyes, and unstopping of deaf ears; the softening of hard hearts, the delivering of persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, the transforming and renewing of them both inwardly and outwardly…the comforting, enlivening, strengthening, and establishing of the saints…can never be ascribed to the persuasive language of men, but to the power of God…:” ~John Gill