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. 

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiemellberg/collections/72157724445259344/

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.