Tag: baja faith mission
Baja Report Sept 20 2014
Had no internet yesterday. The storms down in Los Cabos (#1 Odile and
now #2 Polo) are messing up my internet connection thru the Hughes
/Starband system I have.
It’s a mess down there. I mean a true cluster-mug. So far they have
evacuated 18,000
tourists/foreigners……the Army is in charge and they have such
antiquated equipment it is not even believable. Cell towers are down
all over and no-one can call relatives to verify they are okay or
where they are. The refugees are being transported in troop carriers
on that long long 2 lane highway 1, so u can imagine. Hotels have
been commandeered in TJ , Rosarito and even some here in Ensenada.
I feel bad for the folks but it still concerns me that people don’t
really understand that Mexico is really not all that advanced and they
don’t seem to get why they cant just pick up a phone or email somebody
and they get all worked out, which gets the Mexicans all worked out
and well it does no good. I am just praying that people have patience
and get home safe. I am growing weary of hearing idgits on the telly,
in high-pitched voices with bad comb overs (which after 5 day trips in
troop carriers on Highway 1 look more like a porcupine than a comb
over and I am not sure which is worst.) But I am tired seeing them
filmed by news crews in those tinny fear laden voices how “they damn
well wont be treated like THIS! Why the Australian Consulate will have
someone’s hide.”
In my experience threatening to call one’s Consulate (as if it is
their own mercenary group at beck and call 24/7) these threats really
piss Mexican authorities, especially the sort who carry guns,totally
off. Best just let it roll off your back like a duck or whatever rolls
off a duck . I forget.
So, Clinic went great. Dulce was out of town for like two weeks , so
I had another Doctora. come in. Her name is Delilah Kennedy Garcia
(and yes she is a Mexican) .
She is in her 50’s, not a
Christian (yet) and referred by Dr. Vasquez. It worked out well,
although it’ll be better when Dulce returns because the people really
have a relationship with her.
We had 10 patients. Two newborn (5 day old both) exams. Both were born
in a nearby camp, one I don’t think I’ve taken you to.it is down in
the riverbed and pretty big. 50 or so families. We’ve been reaching
out to them with food. and were blessed to give away 6 solar power
mp-3 New Testaments that we were given by a Wycliff Translation couple
who has been down in Guerrerro for 40 or so years. The mp-3’s are
neat because they require no batteries, and they can reach people in
their own dialect and no reading is required. They are also sturdy
little things that seem to resist water. I saw one lady listening to
hers as she washed clothes on her washboard yesterday. Water was
being flung willy-nilly and the guy just kept on doing his best “Paul the Apostle” which I must say, was pretty good. I need to procure some
more of
these little jewels.
Back to Clinic…………we had those two new babies in great shape,
we had 5 ear infections a PID in a younger girl (13) and one child
that just comes every time , like clock work, for vitamins. He is only 5, but
quite consumed with those chewables, not those new fangled
gummi-vites either, he prefers the
old Flintstone kind. The ones that taste like a sugary dirt substance
and leave your chopppers orange, purple or green with no apparent
correlation to whatever the color was of the little figure that you
ingested. (I am not big on vitamins for myself but part of the job as
pharmacy director requires that I actually must consume at least one
of each thing prescribed to each patient, just so I can be POSITIVE
they “get it.” (I learned this the first time I ever gave out a bottle
of ear drops that the mama put in the childs mouth instead. She kept
coming back saying “It isn’t working. It isn’t working.” I finally
figured it out and there was born a new procedure. I guess there is in
fact a reason for every little annoying thing we must learn in
elementary school afterall.
Back to VIta-muchacho (as I call the vitamin boy) I have to
practically scare the beejeezis out of him to make sure he
doesn’t just eat them like candy as soon as he is out of my sight.
He’s cute as a button and healthy as a horse, but has a sneaky-gene.
Whenever we have leftover tortillas after mealtime, he’ll get me by
myself and ask me for exactly 8 of them .’ OCHO, Hermana. GRACIAS
HERMANA!GRACIAS YAHWEH!” (ALL RUN TOGETHER LIKE ONE BIG WORD.) Then if I don”t give him a bag fast enough, he’ll roll em up and place them in
a back pocket and off down the hill he goes, dragging a milk crate on
wheels with 5 2 liter plastic bottles of water and his little sister
who hangs on for dear life (she’s about 18 months and he watches her
everyday) anyway she hangs on tight because he likes to push the milk
crate down the hill and let go and it goes pretty quick for an 18
month old. Not to mention it at times fails to make that sharp turn at
the bottom and upends everything requiring him another gruelling trip
back up the hill for band aids (he likes those too, the more the
better.)
I’ll try to video it. It is really like something out of a
Peanuts cartoon, the brother with that Pig-pen aura and the baby
girls crooked and tangled pigtails flying out behind her. (I keep
expecting Snoopy too sweep down in his bi-plane and pluck her up but
it hasn’t happened thus far. And I probably never will video it. It’s
one of those things you would have to set yourself up in the brush,
pestered by scorpions and snakes for hours only to find out he isn’t
coming that day. So maybe best just imagine it. It would probably be
more entertaining for you that way. Bosh that, “I picture paints a
thousand words, I’ve learned what you can imagine paints a jillion
things that probably did not even happen.
Jose has a great new job now, praise God. They have a black and white
tv, too. WE miss his help but he needs to support his family and I
think Theo is on baby # four , not SURE, but time will tell.
The playground is almost ready for me to send pictures. We have the
welder making the last two toys, a merry-go-round and two big teeter
totters. Things are being delivered and the kids just think we can’t
move fast enough. The big metal stand for clubhouse One is in the
front yard and has been for a while. When delivered it came wrapped in
plastic, well, somehow someone took it off. So yesterday evening I see
Ivan, age 7, but tiny and
Pablito same age but bigger. They have absconded from downstairs my
huge roll of saran wrap and in 35 mile an hour hot sandy winds are
trying to wrap the stand back up. At first I was ticked off because
they had my saran wrap (of which I consume a lot of) and where
attempting to rewrap this 12 foot metal stand . It was hilarious. I
didn’t let on that I was watching but just left them to their
methods.Now , see I have a fairly good idea of who unwrapped it in the
first place. Anyway, they went round and round that things with a
COSCO sized box of Saran Wrap and by twilight Pablito had enrolled
some help from his little friends and I HAD to go down their because
all they succeeded in doing was wrapping up Ivan in quite a think
layer of plastic. NONE was stuck to the stand. I acted all mad, and
tried to simultaneously wave a broom around in a menacing manner
while tears of laughter oozed out of me– and put them on rock
gathering duty today.
Thankfully for them, it only took two hours of brutal rock-searching
for the wheelbarrow tire to pop and they got off easy for now
anyway. Till Frank gets back today anyway. Wheelbarrow tires are super
expensivo down here and also pretty sturdy and also pretty
necessary right about now.
I’m sure they’ll get the moral of some story when Frank arrives,
although they’ve been rather scarce since they turned in their busted
barrow and about 8 medium sized rocks,
What else? What else? Oh,tomorrow about 5 of the men who work just
till noon on Sundays are coming to help with landscaping the
playground perimeter. I am shocked and amazed by this. It will also
leave room for a message and prayer.
Carlos (guy with broken leg) is doing nicely. He’s coming to spend
the night tonight. He is returning to his home,, he still can’t work
and so has no place to live. He has to be at the bus depot at 5:15am
and Frank is taking him. Sad to see him go, but glad he got some of
the Eternal Seed really implanted in him. I’ve held back one mp-3 New
Testament as a going away gift and Theo will make him food for the
3 day trip (at least) home.
For now, I’d better go. I am amazed the internet has stayed working
this long because the winds are whipping up dust devils and one of
my wicker chairs just got whisked off of the
porch……………………..
Love and Blessings to all,
Sis Detra
Victory in Baja
We had a good Meeting today. (Friday) . We have been bringing in a few new people from a work camp in Maneadero. They met us thru the Clinics that we have This one man heard about free medical care from some relative who lives over here in the local Cuarteria.
> >> The poor guy had broken his leg when he fell somehow attempting to cross the US border. It happened days prior to finally getting to the Clinic…..he had been gimping along in unimaginable pain until he showed up at the last clinic.
> He didn’t know his leg was broken….. just knew it hurt really bad and he had no money.
> The *coyotes* stole what money he had (plus obviously kept the $4000 his family was extorted up front) and left him for dead in the desert. So, he and his family are having a very hard time. They were so happy to get the beans, rice and other foods we give out. He was so hungry he was eating raw oatmeal as we passed out food. I’ve seen quite a few people adults and children alike, do this over the years, but it is always unsettling.
> They were so broken by the whole experience which had engulfed them, that their hearts were totally open and receptive to the Word. FRANK had laid hands on him at the last Clinic, but today he heard the Gospel of Resurection and got saved along with his 12 year old son. My belief honestly, is that had we just preached salvation and.not focused on Resurrection, this man would not have responded. For I see now, that his concern; at that moment was; his age and the condition of his body and what, if anything, ( besides chubby little Raphael-esque Cherubim angels floating lazily on a sea of puffy clouds, some playing instruments in the nude) which to people who are actively suffering and reaping abuse) seems superfluous and even possibly painful…. No, this man was wondering what for him, lay beyond.
> This boy , Carlos’s son, had actually gotten placed in a different group than his dad, (it is common practice with coyotes to know in advance that they are going to place certain people in a ‘bait group ‘or a ‘diversion group’ and usually they use the older people or weaker individuals for this purpose. ) Carlos is a very old version of 65 and thus an easy target for mistreatment by hid fellow man.
> The sad part is that even knowing this is a very real possibility, ( being used and abused) people will continue to pay coyotes and try, time and time again, to cross illegally ….nevermind horrifically daunting obstacles, because the allure of the American Dream is so strong.
>
> >> So , his son, a 12 year old boy, DID make it across ; all the way in to the USA, to the rondevoux point in L.A.. . Upon finding that his father did not succeed, he panicked , THANKFULLY escaped his ‘guides’, and returned to distant relatives in Maneadero, where, as the Lord would have it, he was was reunited with his father eventually.
> >> So, all of this, plus the broken and now infected leg had put them in a place of such humility,such a state that their hearts were opened to the idea that “some god” (Carlos’s words) was at work….FRANK explained it was the Great I AM.
> >> For a guy who has been through such a bitter experience, Carlos holds absolutely no bitterness against anyone! (and this humble acceptance of failure I find as a common denominator smong the Indians here )
> The Lord told him, thru Frank, that this attitude of humility,(not acceptance), is going to cause a huge blessing to come upon his entire family in addition to being healed. It was magnificent to see and hear. Yahweh is great. I was so amazed to find Carlos touched that we, being strangers expecting no return would GIVE him food and care…..it was so heartbreaking to be appreciated so much….I dont know if I can get across how happy and at the same turn broken, i felt, being in the presence of this man’s gratitude….its has had me weeping on and off all day.
> >> And not that God caused any of these bad things to happen to the man, for He did not, but it was a great showing of the Lord working all these things together for the Good, you know?
> I mean he COULD have died alone in the desert. He COULD have been separated from his son forever, and likewise his son could of fallen into yhe hands of every type of evil awaiying the innocent in Los Angeles, alone. The coyotes could have killed the son to make an example of what happens when families don’t or can’t pay the extravagant fees that they charge. Apny number of horrible alter- endings could have come to pass……
> But even as horrifying as the situation was, Yahweh was mercifully working every circumstance together for His Good. And ours. He remains Ever Faithful, Ever Loving, no matter how grave our circumstances appear, He will work it all out for our good, At times we just need to rest in Him and allow that.
>
> love and blessings, sis dee
>
> coyotes-
> ** people who make their livelihood charging huge sumd of cash to guide other individuals across the Mexico/ USA Border. Their services are wildly illegal and their motivation is greed. They are unequivocally dangerous and not to be trifled with & are usually affiliated with drug cartels.
>
Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise
Kent Simpson: Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise
Your Purpose and New Identity
When our Father’s abiding Word is working within you, you have found your purpose for your life, and this purpose becomes your identity. Too many Believers today do not know where they fit in the Kingdom of God. One of the very first acts of every Christian should be to find out what God’s purpose for them is in this life. Before we can begin to please God with our works we must first find out what His purpose is for us.
If we are not of this world then we should not be so concerned about where we fit in it. This short time we have on earth is a time of testing to see if we are loyal subjects who will serve our Father or serve the ruler of this world, the prince of darkness (see Ephesians 2:2). This life is training us to be prepared to endure the lengthy boot camp God has called us into.
Our Father has a three-part purpose for giving each and every one of us a prophetic word. It gives us direction on what we are called to do for His people. The word gives purpose by revealing to us how we are to go about fulfilling the work He has placed before us. He has a purpose for imparting into us a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit so that we will be equipped to demonstrate His power, letting all know that we are His anointed ones for the job He has purposed us to do.
When most of us begin to think about what we could possibly do for the Kingdom of God we are limited in our thoughts to just a few duties found within the local congregation. You might consider being a pastor, a or praise and worship leader, a sound and technical person, a Sunday school teacher or one of the other smaller positions.
We cannot limit God and keep Him locked in the box of the Church’s making. Our Father is much more radical than what most people may think, so do not be surprised if His word to you sounds a bit unacceptable to the religious mindset today. (Photo via enwikipedia)
One of the most quoted verses of Scripture that most of us have either heard or have been falsely corrected by is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
If you read this verse a couple of times you might see that there is a condition within this verse that is very important. It seems that every time things do not work out for one of our brothers or sisters we quote this verse as to say, “It’s okay. You love God, however, you are going to make mistakes or bad things are going to happen to you that’s just the way it is.”
Well, I have found that the part that makes all the difference is found in the last few words of this verse, “…called according to His purpose.” Now if you read this verse as it is written, then you will see that it is saying that: if you are in God’s purpose and do all things according to His word (your calling, commission and gifting) good things will come to you and the evil one cannot touch you.
Most people think that if they are doing good things for people then they are fulfilling God’s purpose, but that is simply not so. I counsel people almost every day. Many of them are doing good things in the sight of the religious bunch to impress one another and hopefully God too. But their good deeds can be dead works in the eyes of God leaving them an open target for satan to mess up their lives.
Now, if they are doing what our Father has commissioned them to do then the devil cannot touch them, “…he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18b). Or do you believe that God has no power over the devil? Let’s get real here. God created ALL things and this includes satan who has a purpose, too; remember that “he comes to steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
What is your purpose and what are you called, commissioned and equipped to do for our Master and Lord Jesus Christ and His Church?
The Process, Baptism of Fire
There is a process that everyone must go through before they can receive their promise. No one likes the process and some fail the test by doubting God and His word. That is why the verse says, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Not everyone is able to hold on to His word through all the obstacle courses this boot camp has laid out to test their faith. To be in God’s Army you have to be fit to endure it all until you finally come to the place where all the pain and suffering just does not matter anymore.
Many make grand commitments to the Holy Spirit while standing in the midst of His Shekinah glory. It is easy to serve God when you feel as though Jesus has His hand on your shoulder. (Photo by Jennifer Page In His Presence via elijahshopper.com)
The real test comes when you are standing alone toe-to-toe with the devil and he is doing his best to get you to believe satan rather than God and beating you down with doubt and disbelief.
Remember these words when you are being tested in this manner: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (John 4:4). Don’t doubt in darkness what you have committed to in the light. “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God” (Isaiah 50:10).
Everything will be all right, for when you have passed through the process you will reap what has been promised to you.
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11b
Before David was placed upon the throne, he received a word from Prophet Samuel that he would, in fact, someday become the king (ref. 1 Samuel 16:1-13). Twenty years later that word came to pass because David kept that word in his fore thoughts; and every time he was challenged by whatever obstacles were thrown into his path he was reminded of his purpose.
During the process, David’s prophetic word was put to the test. He was challenged many times when he faced the lion in the woods. David could have died. His prophecy would not have come to pass except he was reminded of God’s word and promise. He could not die. He had power over the lion, because his word had not yet come to pass.
When David faced the bear, it was the same situation, but this time his faith was stronger because he survived the lion. When David took the five small stones to challenge the giant it was nothing, because his faith had already grown to the point where he knew the giant could not touch him. David was believing in the word of God and fulfilling the purpose in his life. (Photo via wikimedia)
Accountability for Leadership
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1
There is greater accountability for those who are in leadership, because they are accountable to God Almighty for what they tell others to do. They are accountable for your soul. This is not a picnic or a party. The Church is not another club to join. It is becoming an entity issuing fatigues and bars and stripes. It is calling out those who will fight in this spiritual war.
Remember, what you do in this life will determine your rank and position for eternity. How you lead others in this life will determine where you are placed in His chain of command. Don’t let the devil give you an image of Heaven with you wearing a white gown sitting on a cloud strumming a harp. That is not the Kingdom of Heaven!
Those who have gone to the other side, those who died and returned, have said it is just like earth but much, much better. Sometimes we take this life far too seriously. In all reality we are too comfortable. When we begin to worship this life greater than the one to come, then our life becomes difficult to find peace or hear the Prince of Peace.
When you are called out by God and His word abides in you, you have chosen to come in agreement with His word. You have saluted and marched toward the call of God, and you cannot afford to look back. A person is not fit for the Kingdom of God if they put their hands to the plow and then look back.
“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.'” Luke 9:62
Don’t look to the past and lament about how things used to be. We do not serve a God of the past. He is a God of today. He is not a God who died, gave us a book, and put us in charge. God is ruling and reigning from Heaven now. (Photo via wikimedia)
Every situation and every occurrence in your life has a meaning from Heaven above. In everything that happens in your life, there is a cause and effect. When unexpected things happen to you and you do not know why, you need to seek God and find out. You have a right to know and you can find out because Jesus is alive and speaking to everyone who will follow the sound of His voice.
His Promises Will Come to Pass IF…
The promises of God are very personal and are directly connected to you doing whatever He asks you to do. The more you do for Him the more He will do for you. It is like any relationship: you must be willing to give of yourself even at the most difficult of times. The devil will try and make you believe God just wants to take your life and make you a slave. Not so.
In fact, you will find that after you have served Him awhile and proved to Him you are loyal to do whatever He asks of you, He will trust you with more and more of His power, people and resources. It is a great thing when you have finally come to the place where God starts calling you His friend. To be a friend of God is to operate in a higher covenant with Him, and you find yourself in a relationship that is full of His promises.
Over the years, I have witnessed people trying all kinds of weird methods in an attempt to force the promises written in the Bible to come to pass for their needs. I have heard many preachers saying that we can have whatever we ask just by claiming it in the name of Jesus. The Bible is not like Aladdin’s lamp. We cannot just rub it three times chanting a few verses and receive whatever you are wishing for.
To have a true friend takes a lot of effort and years of bonding. With each battle you find yourself in; you know your Friend is always right behind you backing you up. You have to want to go the distance with Jesus in order to build this type of relationship. He desires us all to be His friend; that is what He created us for. Begin building your relationship with Jesus today by asking what you can do for Him; rather than telling Him what YOU want. This is the KEY that unlocks the door to the abundant life He promised you and me.
“Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'” Mark 4:24
Kent Simpson, Prophetic Pastor
Prophetic Ministries Today
They Way the Mission Field Realy Is
Haven’t written because of craziness here . Frank had put me on bed rest yesterday morning. …… my mission: to nestle myself in the Word, get up for nothing, receive my healing, and cease this huge loss of blood.
But there was a slight interruption. Like when the satellite gets hinky due to wind or rain …..”your signal has been interrupted, try again later.” Its been a rather crazy two days.
We have had two visits. One from the nurse in Utah and she brought a big big group of people from a Long Beach church with her. They were really touched by the daily goings on here. They came to *help* feed. It was weird I didnt tell anybody they were coming and we’ve been having like 27 kids per meal but that day 60 people showed for lunch. The group was awed by the way the Lord extended the food as was I. Then the visitors set about helping clean up and having fun meeting our kids AND PLAYING with them……..
It was good for them to see how the people just come walking up the hill because they WANT to …..they said they have not been exposed to any ministry where the pastors were neighbors to the people they minister to. One girl felt like she *was in another world far from the USA* , most of them had come prepared to speak Spanish and were really shocked when they found out that our people didn’t speak it. That was funny and a bit humbling for them I think .
All in all it was good to make contact with new people. Theodoras faith was built when she asked Frank’s permission to offer her handmade jewelry for sale and the Americans bought all of it. Although i did have to step in and set prices. She was too shy and when i said , *give her whatever the Lord lays on your heart…* there was an immediate problem – i should have known better! They were offering her way too little for beadwork. Truly, for a split second i felt embarrassed to be white- come on, 3 quarters for a bracelet that an idjit could tell took 3 hours to make?? I could understand if they were paying in Mexican money , the conversion rate can be confusing. But this was just being cheap. Some people backed out when I said 2 bucks for the bracelets and 5 for the necklaces. …..but praise Jesus she ended up selling all of her goods. She told me afterwards , that she had been praying for money for her sons backpack and school supplies & having this happen really bumped up her Faith. Its fun to witness new believers being blessed so in a form so tangible. Anyway out of the rabbit hole and back to the path……….
They stayed several hours until all of the kids trickled home. I was peopled out.
So imagine my surprise when while snuggling into my nest with some cold coco water my old amplified Friend and a desire to get that healing i hear a commotion. I arose from the bed to see what was the matter and what did i see to my irritation but four 14 passenger vans full of easily identified bright eyed and bushy tailed short term missionary types. When the dust settled, without further adieu these hipster surfy looking young church people start to debark. They p appear to have suffered some type of *pre-mission-religious- briefing* because they immediately huddle up in a circle and speak to their higher power. This is the middle of our daily meal and the kids that are eating outside (big crowd again today) start to tslk amongst themselves excitedly. I start putting on my shoes, thinking they are lost but don’t know it. I think they were supposed to go somewhere else (koreans enter my mind) but hey they are now in our yard nowpq and walking up the stone stairs. Alls fair in love and short term missionary relations. They were from Santa Barbara. Anyway, they showed up, as I said as we were finishing feeding, things were wrapping up here… the women heading out to gather wood for the evenings fire and the kids needing to tote their water home……..but some of the children stayed and the visitors blessed the kids with some balls and games to play and that was really nice and appreciated…..but the kids were tired from the day before and generally went home pretty quickly. One funny thing happened immediately….lemme set the stage: first there is a Trique fellow about 21 years old who recently sold his sister (in a good way you know the traditional arranged marriages they practice) anyhow he came into all this money ($60, 000 pesos like $5, 000 dollars split between him & his 6 brothers ) but right now he’s living large and he has been drunk as a skunk for days. … me & Frank spotted him Sunday, running, literally running, in 90 degree high noon sun. Upon asking him where he was headed he says to the liquor store in Cantu- but he wad running in the wrong direction down the dirt road . So Frank suggests to him to buy beer instead of more hard stuff and drops him off back at home where he’ll be safe. So as I said the guy has been ten sheets to the wind for days but he likes Frank because he gave him a ride and my pozole must soothe his aching liver so he’s been coming to eat this week. He’s harmless really. Oh and his name is Jesus. So add to the mix this one very tall (think Debbie) tall blond woman, a septagenarian,I think . She is like one of the leaders of this group and she immediately starts showing off her abysmally mutilated Spanish version of *Jesus loves you, brother* topped off with a hug which if she’s at least 6 ft tall and your a 4 ft tall Oaxacan man that places your head squarely between a perilously pendulous pair of sweaty breasts. SEE WHERE WE’RE HEADED HERE? Hang on, as alas there is more.
*Jesus loves you brother is said like this- *Jesus te quiere hermano.*
This Amazon woman thinks she is saying that but in fact she is saying this *Jesus YO quiero, Hermano.* which unbeknownst to her means to him…..*Jesus I WANT you brother* , now mix that with the big tittiehug and the alcohol fogging his brain and the fact that she somehow knows his name and WANTS him and is openly professing it in an alarmingly shrill voice punctuated each time by her wagging a huge blond mess of hair over his face and you can pretty well see things go downhill real fast.
Lemme put it like this. Remember when Joy Paybody insisted on laying hands upon that 80 year old naked demon filled man holding a pick axe??
Similar outcome. Frank had to intervene. The poor little indian guy will be afraid of old blond Christian women for likely the remainder of his life. But hey just another day at the Red Pony Pacific Division.
So by now the pastor and his wife are huddled near the chicken coop in the futile effort of making their cell phone get a signal.
With little Jesus safely escorted back to the cuarteria by Theos husband …..and everyone slightly shaken up by the blond chicks bonejarring snuffles of indignation back by the vans…..it boils down to all of these strangers kind of stuck with me and Frank.
They started asking about how we came here and how we existed. The pastor I think was suspecting by now maybe he made a wrong turn somewhere on the map ,but couldn’t extricate himself gracefully so he just went with it.
I took every opportunity I had to be welcoming and to share the stories of faith that the Lord’s given us in our journey thus far in life. They had come to teach and evangelize they thought but suddenly the Lord turned their world on end and the anointing was becoming palpable. Its been a while since I had that feeling……like I was standing next to myself wondering gee what will i/she say next?? Like I was just listening to Jesus talk along with every body else. Maybe that’s how you feel when you get in IT, too? All I know is I started out pretty much testifying and wound up being a vessel for a type of Q&A with Jesus. So, I’m talking to a fairly big crowd…..28 college kids, with their pastor and his wife and about 10 teenagers. at first, just about random things and for whatever reason I said something about the new pope and Catholicism. I shared my views on the new pope (which must be shocking according to the reactions I saw, THE pastor was turning that telltale shade between purple and green indicating to me that he now knew for SURE he should have turned left not right) but I was just trying to make it clear that I love everybody in general. …when one guy challenged me. SO YOU THINK CATHOLICS ARE SAVED? IS THAT WHAT YOUR SAYING? (now this was weird because I had had an almost identical conversation with a girl the day prior.) But the Lord just really spoke through me and enabled me to teach on Yahweh’s Grace and how much Jesus wants us to love each other. and did they understand, but really get it , just how much Yahweh really loves us and how little really he wants back…I was really wound up good and preaching at this point it was really good what I recall of it. When I looked out next (like i say i was in and out ..weird but i think u get it) the same guy had big tears rolling down his face. He says, *So are you saying maybe my Dad is not in Hell? He died a Catholic. And and my grandma whose a Catholic can go to heaven??*
The bunch got so silent. The Pastor was pulling at his nose in a really painful fashion, but everybody else was still. In this moment I saw this young man as Jesus does and I got to love him literally AS Jesus…
He was hurting so bad and it hurt me. I asked him if his dad believed in Jesus and did his grandma believe in Jesus ? Did they believe that He is the resurrected Son of Almighty God? Yes, but what about……this and that…I asked him the same question. Yes he said. But he was full out crying now. Then i said it, but really it was Him saying it. Yes. Your daddy is NOT IN HELL. This is not about heaven and hell. He was standing right in front of me by now. ,in front of every body else. I lifted my hand up to put it on his head, i think I was going to pray for him and before i could touch him he flew back and I don’t know from where but Frank appeared and caught the guy before he hit the dirt. I was then instantly drunk I mean officially inebriated in the anointing and ready for more… but then I was talking about Resurrection Life and it was something I could tell by their faces, they had absolutely never heard. The Lord really explained what He had come and died for ……then the next thing you know i was asking who in the group wanted To ask Jesus be their King? (Remember these are all church people enough to go on a mission trip so one would assume they are already sure of their position in Christ.).but that was the question and font you know that. just short of everybody like 35 of them surged towards me!
At that point, it was, as they say, ON. I went down the line and every single one, UR, was laid out before I could make contact with them. I never touched them and the Power was so great I had to make an effort to keep MYSELF upright. We were outside under the balcony okay, but this warm wind with an incredibly sweet smell THAT I HAVE NEVER SMELLED just tunneled over us and hung there for a minute or two. It was supernatural. And the scene brfore me was nothing short of something you would see on tv With Benny Hinn back in the nineties. The only other time I’ve ever personally witnessed that many people melt like that, was in the prison here. They were like butter in a microwave. Wild pretty much sums it up.
Eventually, people started helping each other up . Some just sat in the dirt and wept. A couple of guys walked over by the chicken coop and layed down. Others just wandered about with no apparent destination. Me and Frank went upstairs and sat on the balcony. Suddenly i was tired. Exhilarated but tired. I guess an hour passed before their pastor got them all rounded up again and told them it was time to go. He did the parting circular Calvary Chapel prayer, and just like that they were gone .
Yahweh is good. That’s the bottom line. Hope you are equally as amazed as I. I for one remain glad I signed on for the duration……..
Love yall,
d.d
Report From Baja January
Dear Family,
Greetings to everyone! We hope this finds you all havin gotten a good start on the New Year and ready to come out of winter…..
Here in Mexico, we are thankfully well and full of excitement and hope at what this year will bring. We continue to be constantly occupied with a ministry that is in a real spurt of expansion that amazes us!
The Lord has allowed us an opening into the indigenous community in the area for which we are very grateful. At this point we are ministering alost exclusively to Indian peoples from several tribes who hail primarily from the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, the two most impoverished states in Mexico. These people come to Baja Norte seeking work in the rich agricultural fields here. They seek no more than to survive and hope for better conditions than the ones they fled, but unfortunately, they most often find themselves in an even worse situation here, far from all that they know. They board old (circa1974) auto buses for a 5 day trip to Tijuana, then board other buses for the farming areas. Once here, they find the wages insufficient to sustain themselves upon, with minimum wage right now hovering at the equivelent of about $4.00 US a day. In order to survive on such low income they must live in “company” housing or labor camps which are overcrowded, unsanitary and basically deplorable. A family of 11 that we know, for instance, lives in a labor camp; they all live in a 8×8 cinder block room with no running water or bathroom, no heat and one 2×1 glassless window set high in the back wall. Rain and wind blow freely through the window no matter how they try to plug it up with cardboard or old blankets. Raw sewage runs freely thru the camps central area, where all of the cooking is done over wood fires.
There is no safe place for anyone to walk let alone anyplace for the many children to play and they frolic daily in nasty black water.
The people to whom we minister very rarely know how to speak Spanish which is the national language here. We deal with three tribes , the Trique, Zapoteco and Mixteco; each on espeaks a different dialect and they do not understand one another, making it easier for the rest of society to discriminate freely against them. Due to the language barrier and the fact that these indians still practice home births most have no government documents such as birth certificates. This and the transient nature of their work keeps almost all of the children from being able to attend school.
To make a long story short, these people are facing an impossible situation (without Christ) and each day is a new and difficult battle, jsut to survive.
On January 8th, we celebrated one year of feeding these children at the new facility and it has flown by. Last year this time we were serving approximately 45 people a hot free meal daily, but noiw attendance is up to an average of 65 a day! It comes out to some 325 meals a week, praise God!
The Lord really blessed our relationship with the local school principal, allowing us against all odds to inscribe any children we can in elementary school.So far, in the current school year we have placed 53 indigenous children in school for the first time in their lives. We found a loophole in the law that allows us to enroll them if we have them vaccinated at a state hospital. Once vaccinated, they recieve a natuional vaccine card which is the legal equivelant of a birth certificate here. Praise God, you should have seen Pastor Francisco , Bro. Marcial and me chasing leery children around the hospital lobby on our mass vaccination trips. Everyone knows how much children hate shots…. We are working closely with the school now, so much so that Marcial, a brother and HEALED heroin addict who came through the rehab program here 7 years ago, now drives the school bus route to three different work camps. After school the kids return to the church, eat and board our borrowed bus to be shuttled home. Having outgrown the van, (with about 58 kids needing a ride) a local rancher has loaned us their school bus which is usually used to transport field workers. This is a great example of God’s favor as this rancher is not even a Christian and is known as a very “hard” man , but he’s butter in the Lord’s Hands!
WE now have a couple who are members of our church who are helping us daily with teaching the children. We are offering daily classes on Bible and basic Spanish. We were trying to teach math and reading but found that we needed to narrow our focus first to the very basics and it has been very successful thus far. I thank Yahweh for the help!
WE have also been approached by a couple of doctors who are very interested in opening a health clininc offering free medical care to the indigenous people in our community. The idea is also to train individuals from each camp in basic triage and preventative medicine to improve their quality of life. They will be using our building until they build their own and would work closely with us as we have ties to the pueblo and the people are very very suspicious of “outsiders.” Until the clinic opens, they have pledged $150 a month to establish a fund for health care emergencies among the people we minister to. This is an awesome blessing. Currently, we are trying to help Cristina, a 7 year old girl with stribismus or wall-eye condition that is causing her bad headaches and many problems learning to read obviously. Minor surgery will hopefully correct the problem and be an asthetic blesssing as well, as the other children tease her about her eye. Right now, we are awaiting the return of her father from Oaxaca to get permission for the treatment.
There is so much going on, I know i am forgetting something, but I have to tell you that I am most overjoyed by what is happening in our little Church. WE have Sunday morning services here and a mid-week service out in a community south of town at a young Trique couples home. They were both saved here when they lived in the camp near the mission base last spring. He is our Trique translator.
Our Sunday meetings have grown steadily in accordance with Pastor Richard prophetic Word when he was last here!
I have to say that that is what excites me the most of all. This past week we had 49 adults and about the same amount of children. Every chair was full and the Presence was oh so sweet! Attendance has been steadily climbing since mid December and we have men as well as women and children and it is hard to get the indigenous men to attend. No OTHER fellowship in this area has such a diverse mix of tribes as we do, praise Yahweh. Please keep our meetings in prayer and pray that the Word will go forth quickened by the Holy Spirit so that it can be understood in each language!
We have had cases of supernatural translation and some really creative salvation miracles. Sister Felipa is a Trique who speaks NO Spanish. Weeks after her conversion she told me through a translator how it happened. Evidently, days before she responded to the altar call, she had a dream. She dreamed a “good” man with a “shining appearance” was beckoning her into a mountain meadow in her homeland. In the dream she felt such great peace. Well, when the altar call went forth that Sunday she connected it to the dream and “knew” she should step forward. When the prayer and confession to salvation was made in Spanish she heard it in her own language and repeated it that way!! So see, the Lord loves these people so much that He WILL make away! I and she believe it was Jesus in the dream. Now I do not worry much about which language the Word goes forth in, because I know the Lord can make anything happen. This sister is in her mid 60’s, she works 14 hour days in the field cutting tomatoes for about $7 a day. She is always bringing new friends and family to meetings and she has never missed a Sunday so far, even though she walks over a mile to get there. She is a true blessing.
I want all of you at Harvest of Faith to know that not a day goes by that we do not have you on our hearts. Your sacrificial giving to this mission is truly touching and changing people’s lives everyday.
I recently read on The Joshua Project, an organization that tracks international missions and their impact that the people we minister to’ the Trique, the Zapoteco and most Mixteco are considered to be “unreached peoples”. LESS than 2% of them are evangelical Christians. The entire Bible in written form is still unavailable in their languages. There has been ZERO evangelical church planting among them in the past 2 year period.
Now I know folks who believe missions are “obsolete.” They believe everyone has been “reached.” NOT TRUE! The Lord has entrusted us with a very special task! This includes you all, because without your giving we would not have done all of what we have this past year. These people are modern day targets of the Great Commission handed down to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. No one else is doing it and if they do not hear the Word they WILL remain LOST. Now, you may not be able to physically get out on the foreign mission field right now, but by your obedience in giving you are enabling us to preach the Gospel to the lost everyday. Thank you all so very much for remaining steadfast and faithful. Harvest of Faith has been the fountain through which the Lord flows since our first months in this foreign land and we thank ya’ll for sticking with us and for your great generosity. Please know how important you are to our expression of Jesus great Love and His Kingdom in this place!
We love you and pray the Lord prosper you in every area of your lives,
Your Sister and Servant in Christ,
Sis. detra
PS- you may google “The Joshua Project” or “Etnopedia” for statistics on missions and more info!
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Harvest of Faith 