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. 

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. 

April - May 2024 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

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

Archived on his treasured parchment scrolls by means of Solomon’s prolific reed pen, God inspired His commandment for His people to rescue those who are in mortal danger. He holds His people responsible for helping those who are stumbling and staggering at the point of death. His explicit orders are to “Rescue them; do not stand back and let them die.” Not only was His command addressed to the people who lived three millennia ago, but we know that “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,” as well. We can never say that we didn’t know that many people in our world, in our communities at home and beyond, had little to no knowledge of the Truth. We do know this, and we must share it with those who are in peril. 

The past two months have been filled with opportunities to reach out to those in Tepic and in surrounding communities that need rescuing. The following are a few examples of many: 

As soon as the Huichol youth camp was over, the building materials for the completion of the Huichol church at La Quemada were set in transit. Their delivery was challenging as the truck, resembling a WWII relic, broke down five hours into the trip, just an hour short of La Quemada, and the driver wanted to drop off the cargo there. Thankfully, despite no access to parts in the middle of the Sierra Madre, they managed to get the truck operational and deliver the supplies to their contracted destination. Mexican and German volunteers (again!) from Durango, together with Pastor Martín from Tepic, and Huichol brothers from the church at Zapote de Picachos, united their efforts. UIM Aviation assisted by airlifting the Durango volunteers from Tepic to the airstrip at Zoquipan. There was a mysterious explosion at the Tepic airport after the first load left, so the second half of the workers was delayed until the resulting “lockdown” was lifted the following day. 

When they didn’t show up (no communication available), the first batch of volunteers hiked from the Zoquipan airstrip to La Quemada and began the work at hand without half of their team. The La Quemada church now has a completed building with a roof, plastered walls, a cement floor, and a bathroom, all finished before the rains begin, which will make access to the village impossible. The people of the village of La Quemada once did not know Jesus, who He is, what He has done, and how God has made a way for them to be saved from their sins. But now, God’s multiple and diverse team, showcasing the power of faith and community, has accepted His call and joined efforts to rescue those who once were staggering and lifeless in their sin. They now have a completed church building where they congregate faithfully, prepare to share the same, and give Him the glory for His grace, His provision, and their eternal life. 

The job at La Quemada had to be finished before the beginning of the rainy season makes passage to the village impossible. On the other hand, the metal window and door frames for the completion of the village church building at Guásima del Caimán, Pastor José López’s natal village, are being forged in Tepic as I write, and they will await the upcoming rainy season and the swelling of the river to facilitate their transport (a term used with reservation!). This phase is also made possible by sacrificial offerings from friends who love the Huichol ministry. The people and their meeting place are yet another graphic example of maximum unified team effort in the fulfillment of divine orders to rescue those who once were being taken away to death and to hold back those who were stumbling to the slaughter. 

Speaking of José Lopez, the Sierra Madre’s equivalent of the Apostle Paul, he faithfully has trekked from village to village on countless divinely appointed rescue missions, sharing salvation with those stumbling to the slaughter and working to establish these and other churches along the way. José underwent hernia surgery last month, and just this week, his surgeon complimented him on his excellent incision care, healing with no infection, and he removed the last of José’s stitches. Praise God for caring so well for His loyal and devoted agent of rescue. 

Meanwhile, last Saturday was OANSA Awards Day at IBBM-Tepic. My little friend, Luna (highlighted in the previous prayer update), was voted by all the OANSA leaders to receive the “Nobel Prize” this year. The Nobel Prize is the most coveted award of all in our club. Despite great odds against her winning anything, ever, she fulfilled all the attendance, growth, written, and memory requirements, but best of all, even with very little encouragement from home, she consistently showed a Christ-like attitude as she went about hiding God’s Word in her heart! I’m so happy for her! Luna told me last week, that her goal is to finish next year’s “Flames” rank (Eagles), then to graduate to the teenage group called “Torches,” finally working toward her “red shirt,” that of an OANSA leader. I pray that nothing stops her from achieving that God-given goal of joining the ranks of the rescuers! The enemy has positioned many obstacles to dissuade her. Praise God that He is greater! And praise God, little Luna has been rescued from among those who once were being taken away to death, and she has been held back from those who were stumbling to the slaughter. 

See a collection of April/May 2024 activities here.

December 2023 - January 2024 His process of redemption in the lives of those who are waiting to hear

“And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, …eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day…She began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:33-38 

Through her love, devotion, and constant service to God in the Temple of Jerusalem, day and night, Anna was divinely positioned to see Him face-to-face and witness the presentation of baby Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world Whose coming had been prophesied just following the very first sin in the Garden of Eden and for Whom Israel had waited all these years. 

No longer did it matter who Anna’s father was, though his name, Phanuel, means “Face of God,” nor was it so important that she was from the “lost” northern tribe of Asher (certainly not lost or forgotten by God!), nor that she was just a little old widow lady. All that mattered was that she had been privileged to personally know the Savior, and she resolved, wholeheartedly, to introduce the Redeemer to all who waited. Anna, the prophetess, would be the very first missionary mentioned in the New Testament, a proclaimer of His redemptive truth. 

The past two months in Tepic have been filled with God’s divine positioning of faithful servants who, day and night, witness His process of redemption in the lives of those who are waiting to hear.

In the last part of December at the Tepic church, IBBM, we had our annual OANSA Christmas party. LOTS of people worked together night and day to have everything in place, games, piñatas, food, special treats, and most importantly, the story time sharing the best Gift ever! Not everything worth doing comes off without a hitch; the enemy sees to that. For starters, the OANSA-mobile refused to move, so several of the leaders with their servant’s hearts, jumped in available cars and trucks and drove the bus route to pick up the kids from the other side of town who can come only if they have transportation.

Once everyone was here, we met in the church auditorium for singing and the Bible story time. Jonatán, once in cubbies, now club Commander, oversaw the preliminaries, and María, along with a few leader friends, shared the story of God’s very best Gift. As I looked around, I realized that Jonatán, María, Adriana, Josué, David, Omar, Carlita, and Lynethe grew up in OANSA. They started as cubbies and went through the entire program, with at least 12 years of hiding God’s Word in their hearts, learning to apply what they learned, serving, and becoming leaders. When María shared that God’s Gift came to give His life so that we might be forgiven, she could hardly get through her tears. When little cubbies María first started attending OANSA, her dad never dropped her off without leaving her in tears. Now she’s an excellent teacher who freely speaks of Him to all who are waiting for redemption. This coming month’s OANSA theme is: “Did Someone Say Mission? I’ll Go!” 

The following week IBBM-Tepic hosted our annual community Christmas Celebration. It was another wonderful opportunity to share the plan of redemption with all who are waiting to hear…even if they don’t know they are waiting! We shared 200 plates of tamales, beans, and dessert after the program. 

Preparations are underway for the upcoming 2024 Huichol youth camp in which we’re expecting more campers than we can handle from various mountain villages. This is a HUGE problem (It’s a good problem!). We've had to set a limit this year after concluding last year that the facilities we rent just don't allow for more than 200. If the “polling” on the sign-up sheets coming in indicates the final outcome, we will have to turn away way too many Huichol young people from this year’s camp. We are praying for God’s provision of a larger, more user-friendly multipurpose campground (and that dream may be a possibility), but the old “modified” brick factory where we meet is all we have right now. The theme this year, chosen by the Huichol leaders themselves is, “Guard Your Heart.” Each lesson includes a specific kind of “heart” referred to in the Bible and a character who portrays it: Deceitful-Judas, Cleansed-David, Willing-Isaiah, Abandoned-Solomon, Stone hard-Israel, Serviceable-Anna – Oh yes, Anna, that little old lady who with no father, no husband, and no children, did not neglect to serve, night and day, in the Temple. She appropriated the blessing given to her tribal patriarch from Moses: “As your days, so shall your strength be.” And God was just waiting to share His very best with that overlooked little old steward who was faithful, with her servant’s heart, in the place He positioned her. And Anna gave thanks to God and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption.

August-September 2023 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Ps. 90:1-2

August-September 2023 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Ps. 90:1-2 

Moses, the “Man of God” continues in verse 10 of his Psalm 90 prayer to say that we may live to be 70 or even 80, but even the best years will be filled with pain and difficulty; then, like a vapor, they will be gone. This fallen world groans with corruption, but more importantly, our God abides from everlasting to everlasting. 

Praise God that the past couple of months in Tepic attest to the truth that from before the foundation of the world, from everlasting to everlasting, there is hope.

In my unlikeliest dreams, I never would have imagined myself celebrating my 71st revolution around the sun last week by kicking off an 8-week OANSA series based on the Insect World, comparing the Everlasting’s marvelous creation with His faithful promises in His Word. We learned that there are an estimated 10 quintillion bugs in the world and that if placed on a scale together, they would weigh 70 times more than all living humans if they were positioned on the contrasting pan. Ten quintillion is a VERY big number (10 with 18 zeros following it). We also learned that God called Abram to leave his home, his family, and his comfortable life in the idolatrous city of Ur to go to some mysterious place. He told Abram that He would make of him a mega family (like more than all the stars in the universe, kind of like all the bugs in the world), that He would provide them with mega lands, and that he and his descendants would receive and be a mega blessing to the whole world...especially through his everlasting, saving, hope-offering Descendant, Jesus, the Messiah. Lots of bugs, lots of descendants, lots of blessings. 

Nor would I have imagined making my own “birthday cake” (90 cups of dirt with gummy worm “candles”) to share with the OANSA kids and leaders. Leaving country, kindred, and father’s house, metaphorically or literally, is unsettling for sure, but the Everlasting’s resulting legacy is unfathomable. And being a part of His special family is a big deal for all generations. 

 In the Sierra Madre village of San A (actual village names redacted for security), the Huichol family is suffering persecution from a sin-cursed world in bondage to corruption, rejection, and hatred. Placing their faith in the true and everlasting Kakaɨyari and His provision for their forgiveness is not without cost in their slice of this fallen world. The emancipation of seven San A families from their former slavery to the enemy is a miraculous story of the Everlasting’s election, sacrificial and faithful evangelism, and their personal acceptance and obedience. 

 *(Spoiler Alert: You’re going to need paper and pen to diagram and make sense of the participants and geographical villages of the next paragraph of this story, the details of which only the Everlasting could have authored.) 

Pablo from the village of C, first heard the liberating Truth from the faithful missionary heart and mouth of José. Pablo believed and shared his faith with Raul, also from C. Raul, a friend of Nicolasa from San A, shared the Gospel with her. Sometime after Nicolasa from San A believed, she was visiting the distant mountain village of San MH when José “just happened” to be there on a missionary follow-up trip, and she chose to be baptized, publicly declaring her faith in the Everlasting Savior (The “publicly” part is very easy to say!). Together, Raul and Nicolasa carried the Good News back to Nicolasa’s village of San A. Now, there are seven believing families in her village. Raul, along with Marcelino (Pablo’s son), both from C, alternate every Sunday, trekking four hours through the mountains to preach to the little body of believers who were known and loved by the Everlasting in eternity past. This glorious story doesn’t end here. The unbelievers who are worshipers of the traditional Huichol gods and the prince of this world, are enraged. There are far too many details to share here, but the essential part is that they have fiercely persecuted the little body of San A believers, threatened them with confiscating their fields and crops, and banished them from their homes, church, and the village. 

José Guadalupe and Francisco came this week from San A to ask for prayer and counsel from José and Huichol pastors from La Bendición, Vizcarra, and Picachos. They ask prayer from you, my friends, as well, as in the next couple of weeks, they will be having an audience with the tribal judge and council, who are not known for justice. This is certainly not the first case of intense persecution of Huichol believers, and there’s no doubt, it won’t be the last, but it’s the most current and urgent. From everlasting to everlasting, there is hope. 

June-July 2023 …Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord

June-July 2023 …Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today… ~ Exodus 14:13a 

The young students of the IBBM-Tepic children’s church memorized this verse last week as we finished a six-week segment of a series called Paths of Faith. For the past 26 weeks, we’ve been studying the panorama of the entire Bible which will take over 3 ½ years to complete. The children learned that Moses bravely spoke these words on the brink of crossing the Red Sea. God had divinely designated, preserved, and prepared Moses during the course of 80 difficult years as he was crowned prince, turned patriot and fled for his life to Midian as a refugee. Every student in the class has learned the keywords from the sequence of events in Genesis and Exodus – creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, covenant, chosen people, cruelty, and crossing. But of greater importance is that the children are learning to apply these true Bible stories that were designed by the divine Author to be examples for His followers today. God called Moses to be their liberator, and under his leadership, two million chosen people escaped from Egypt after God’s mighty, saving hand repeatedly and conclusively defied their useless gods. He gave His people three important things to do in the face of their urgent, humanly impossible obstacles: the Red Sea, the hostile desert terrain that flanked them on both sides and the approaching murderous Egyptian army. He orders: 1. Don’t be afraid, 2. Be still, and 3. Prepare to watch the Lord’s miraculous salvation. 

This course of action is exactly what God expects from all His followers as He performs the task of rescuing and saving. It applied to the chosen people fleeing Egypt, and it applies to His chosen ones today. 

The past two months in Tepic have held some seemingly unbearable situations that are purposely designed opportunities to obey this biblical mandate.

After the long-anticipated OANSA fair in which the children enjoyed the fruits of their year of labor, IBBM-Tepic hosted our annual ladies’ retreat. The theme this year was “Transformed.” We marveled at the power and handiwork of the Creator as He alone works His metamorphosis and transformation in the lives of His children, and we contemplated the fact that sometimes that process is long and painful. 

No sooner was the retreat over than a couple of our sisters experienced graphic examples of that process in their own lives. 

After years of begging God for his salvation, Romy’s unbelieving husband died, rejecting the Savior until the end of his life. Noemí, the mother of two young daughters, was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. Both are clinging to the truth that the very dark transforming moment for the caterpillar which seems to be the end of its world, is actually the light-filled moment that, for the butterfly, is the beginning of true transformation. Both sisters are gripping Moses’ admonition: Don’t be afraid. Be still. And see the Lord’s salvation. 

Thirteen years ago, Isidro, a much-loved, dedicated, and faithful worker and leader in the Huichol church in the village of Zapote de Picachos, died unexpectedly leaving fatherless his little family with four young children. Fourteen-year-old Secundino, the oldest, went to work to support his mother, Hortensia, his sisters, Elvira and Alma Luz, and his younger brother, Isidro, Jr.   

Praise God that Isidro’s son, Secundino, heard the Gospel as a child and responded to it. As one of God’s chosen people, his Heavenly Father saw to it that, though overwhelming and seemingly impossible circumstances surrounded Secundino, he had nothing to fear. He stood firmly as God sent leaders, teachers, and mentors his way. He finished the OANSA program, hiding texts from God’s Word in his heart, and now he’s one of the OANSA leaders. He worked alongside the men at the Zapote church in every project they pursued. The year after his daddy died, a team from NVBC, my sending church in Phoenix, planned a project to place a cement OANSA game court in Secundino’s village. What a project!

Kenny, the concrete foreman from Phoenix, took Secundino under his wing, and they worked together dumping heavy wheelbarrow loads of cement, filling in the forms until the job was complete. Secundino learned to play the violin and formed a singing group they call, “The Gospel Four.” They provided some of the music at the Huichol youth camp in April. This past month, the group traveled to Tepic one weekend to lead us at IBBM in singing praises, Huichol-style. That harmonious, joyful noise was music to our Father’s ears and ours. Who knew that a little Huichol kid named Secundino would be rescued so spectacularly from the enemy’s devious clutches as he is vying for control of the kingdom? His Father knew, for sure.

Secundino learned to obey Moses’ God-given exhortation to Fear not, Stand firm, and he has Seen with eyes of faith, the Lord’s rescuing salvation.

January/February 2019 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed… Mark 9:15

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed… Mark 9:15

Last Sunday morning, Pastor Martín began his message at IBBM-Tepic from Mark 9 with a question: “When was the last time you were absolutely awestruck by God’s presence in your life?” He went on to share the story of the Transfiguration where Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses of the majestic presence of God incarnate. After this apex of God’s glorious unveiling, they reluctantly returned down the mountain to a conflict with Satanic oppression -- from a foretaste of millennial magnificence to a scene of pain and misery in the body of an agonizing young boy -- a vivid image of the life on earth into which Jesus willingly came for us. And when the crowd recognized Him, they were filled with amazement. Honestly, these past two months have been bursting with incidents in which it was impossible not to marvel at God’s absolute presence. The following samples of His display leave us nothing less than awestruck.

Pastor McKeown invited Martín, Erén, and me to be keynote speakers at the annual mission conference at my sending church, North Village Baptist. That’s easy to say, but it’s nothing short of astonishing to consider God’s marvelous presence in the mission effort that began over 43 years ago on the platform, from which Martín preached, of the very church that sent Kirt and me to Mexico to share the Good News to all who would hear. Using the AWANA motto, Pastor Martín’s Sunday-morning message, based on Matthew 19:13-15, was entitled: Because Kids Matter to God… only one young boy. Martín emphasized that there is nothing better than to bring children to Jesus. Bringing them to the AWANA club or to church is good, but we must bring them, first, to Jesus’ open arms that they may know Him personally. He used the illustration of David and Svea Flood who left for Africa in 1921. Svea brought to Jesus, “only a boy.” It seemed so fruitless. Later, God miraculously used that “only child” to bring his entire village to Jesus. Likewise, God chose to unveil His glory in bringing to Himself young Nacho, who invited his young friend, Martín, to “come and hear.”  The rest of the story is history … and future. 

Recognizing God’s presence does not stop with borders, timelines, or “one young boy.” 

It’s common knowledge that Jacob and Kiki’s son, my grandson, David, battled nearly six years of brutal treatments for his relapsed leukemia. In spite of the announcement that his final CAR-T cell experimental treatment had been a failure, David is miraculously “in remission!” In August, approaching his 7^th birthday, he was ecstatic that at last, he would celebrate out of the hospital. That didn’t happen. Just days before, his dad, Jacob, was diagnosed with super-aggressive, B-cell Burkitt Lymphoma; David’s party consisted of a pineapple upside-down cake that he and his mom made to take to his dad’s room at the hospital. It was a celebration of counting it all joy, not having to understand the “why’s,” but instead, choosing not to abort the process of learning steadfastness, with renewed determination to thank Him for this, another gift, and being, once again, absolutely awestruck by God’s presence in our lives. On the third day of the NVBC mission conference, after seven months of horrifically intense chemotherapy and a not-too-favorable prognosis, we got the diagnosis resulting from Jake’s surgical biopsy: “No evidence of disease!” Absolutely awestruck!

Two days after returning from the NVBC 2019 mission conference, Becky, Pastor Nacho and Lorena’s third child, celebrated her 15^th birthday. In Mexico, a quinceañera is a big deal. Nacho’s family determined that this celebration would not be to bring glory to them or to Becky, but would give testimony to all who could come, at their open invitation, to witness God’s amazing presence and mighty power in Becky’s life. Becky chose, Guard my Heart, as the theme of for her party. Javier (who, as a young boy came to Jesus in the IBBM OANSA club) and Libertad presented her with a Bible, complete with God’s instructions for guarding her heart. Sebastián and Ely presented Becky with a watch with the admonition to continue to use her time wisely, guarding her heart from the enemy as she embarks on the next stage of life. Fifteen of the young people from IBBM exhorted her one-by-one, each with a memorized passage of Scripture about guarding her heart (and theirs). Her father shared his blessing and words of caution from God’s Word to guard her heart. And the “Lady of the Rings” presented Becky with a heart-shaped promise ring to remind her to guard her heart as God has commanded her and she has learned through faithful teaching. We talked about Lidia, a lady who, like Becky, liked the color purple, one who worshipped God, heard His Word, and whose heart the Lord Himself opened that she might be the first follower of Jesus in Europe. Lydia resolved to guard her heart in a perverse and idolatrous society like Becky’s. Once again, we find ourselves absolutely awestruck by God’s presence as Becky, the beautiful daughter of Nacho (only “one young boy”), proposes and promises to guard her heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

One thing is sure, in mesmerizing moments of God’s action of unveiling His presence, we are never the main characters. When we, and those around us, behold Him, the contrast of His power and that of the enemy, leaves us greatly amazed, and we can do no less than bow our heads giving Him the glory for what great things He has done.

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed…Mark 9:15

2nd annual Huichol pastors' conference at La Bendición 

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November/December 2018 "...a new heart and a new spirit..." Ezekiel 36:26, 27

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 

Nothing is ever the same after the very Spirit of God performs a divine transplant of the heart of one who in humble repentance accepts the Gift He offers. Life is never again the same, possessions are not the same, goals are not the same, and momentary affliction is certainly not as significant as preparation is made for an unseen, but very real, eternal weight of glory. Following is a small sample of multiplied dozens of transplants of once rock-hard, cold hearts that recently in Tepic have been converted miraculously to vibrant ones of flesh, now-inhabited by God’s Spirit, discipled by His obedient followers, and prepared to seek out and share the life-giving Gospel with other broken hearts of stone.

Julio was the shaman of the Huichol village of Guásima del Caimán a dozen years ago when José López and his team of five missionaries first made contact there with the Gospel, and 36 rebellious hearts were replaced with hearts of flesh. Instigated by Julio, the determined and relentless persecution of the new believers began, never once letting up, especially when Mauricio, Julio’s son and next in line to become the shaman, believed. Eventually, the persecuted believers relocated to La Bendición. Mauricio’s siblings, all but one (who is in the state penitentiary), and Julio’s wife, their mother, gave their hearts to the Savior, as well; but Julio refused to listen to the Gospel…until this past September. At long last, he was persuaded, repented, and invited the Spirit to inhabit his obstinate, hardened heart. Just two short months later, Julio died. Pastor Martín, Erén, and I traveled to La Bendición for Julio’s funeral. The same brothers and sisters whom Julio had so stubbornly persecuted made the arrangements, bought the burial plot, paid his medical and funeral costs, dug the 9-foot hole for the casket with picks and shovels, and sang songs of praise as his body was being lowered into the ground. And I will put My Spirit in you.

The children from the OANSA club in Zapote de Picachos have reason to celebrate! They have learned that God Himself sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, and give Himself as a ransom so that their disobedient, little hearts of stone, now hiding God’s Word, may be transformed to the dwelling place of His Spirit. Their lives, and those of their leaders, are fresh and meaningful.

The children from the OANSA club in Tepic also have reason to celebrate--lots of reasons to celebrate! Yeimi, a 9-year-old girl in my little group called “Flames,” came from a complex, dysfunctional, amalgamated family, with little hope. But Yeimi has been faithfully hiding God’s Word in the heart of stone with which she was born, and not long ago, she made the choice to invite the Savior to be her Lord. She has consistently asked her father to help her review her memory verses, and in time, Juan Antonio, along with the rest of her family, believed.

Yeimi told Pastor Martín that she wanted to prove her commitment to Jesus and be baptized like He was, even though the water is quite cold right now. Her father, as well as four other OANSA students, Rigo, Christian, Antonio, and Teresa, followed Yeimi’s example.

This year’s Christmas Celebration at IBBM-Tepic was the best ever. Every single actor was one whose heart of stone has been wondrously transformed into a Spirit-filled heart of flesh. See their 9-minute dramatic presentation here.

The little band of mother-tongue-translators, dedicated, persevering, and faithful servants, has been at work for 11 years on the laborious task of translating the Old Testament of the very Word of God into Huichol. That precise Word of God has penetrated their once stone-hard hearts with life-giving Truth to such a degree that they, along with some others from their villages, enthusiastically gave up their Christmastime at home this year to travel to various remote mountain villages to share the Good News with Huichols who are just now hearing and learning its Truth and experiencing the miracle of new birth, a saving relationship with its Author, and hearts of flesh inhabited by His Spirit.

May we not lose sight that it is only the living Word of God, Whose birth we have celebrated just this month, and the written Word He has left us that replaces hearts of stone with hearts of flesh and accomplishes His miraculous work by means of His very own Spirit within. This is grounds for celebration today, and every day of this new year.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 

See more November/December Tepic activity pictures here.